Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 1251

Chapter 1251 -1246: Value

Now, with the news that Xiliang has won from the Yan Kingdom, they have once again found an excuse not to hand over Bai Qingyu to him. The reason… is probably to cause an alliance rift between the Yan Kingdom and Zhou, so that the Emperor, Bai Qingyan, would, in his rage, go to war with Yan. With Bai Qingyan’s weakness out of Yan’s grasp, it would ease Xiliang’s perilous situation.

This is truly Xiliang’s aim, to divert Zhou’s attention toward attacking Yan.

Moreover, if she guesses correctly, after pacifying Xiliang, the next would be the contention between Zhou and Yan for dominance. Even if Zhou couldn’t anticipate her cooperation with Xiliang behind the scenes, they could justly use Yan’s betrayal of the alliance to justify sending troops against Yan!

Empress Dowager Yan’s heart pounded unwarrantedly; she hoped for a rupture between Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan, but at least not before Xiliang is destroyed, at least not before they have Bai Qingyan’s weakness within their grasp. The alliance between the two countries cannot fracture!

If Zhou turns to attack Yan, and Xiliang seizes the opportunity to gather strength, it’s fine, but what if Xiliang sides with Zhou to attack Yan together?

Thinking of Xiliang’s strength, the Empress Dowager Yan felt slightly assured…

Xiliang must be preserving their strength. If Zhou and Yan truly engage in battle, with Yan destroyed, would Xiliang not be next? Xiliang would not exhaust their military force to benefit Zhou.

Furthermore, the Emperor of Zhou, Bai Qingyan, surely still has feelings for their A Yan. She is even willing to conceive a child for A Yan, and with A Yan giving up Yunjing to swiftly aid her in Jiangzi City, she will inevitably remember A Yan’s kindness, and… will not easily go to war with Yan.

Xiliang would not want Bai Qingyu dead either. It is the same as if she had Bai Qingyu in her grasp, she would certainly wish to use Bai Qingyu to threaten the Emperor of Zhou, rather than putting Bai Qingyu to death. Bai Qingyu alive holds more value than dead.

Upon thinking this, Empress Dowager Yan relaxed a little, just in time to hear someone outside calling “Your Majesty” urgently.

She quickly stood up with the support of the armrest and had yet to meet the person, when she saw Murong Li, heavily panting and pallid.

Empress Dowager Yan hurried forward, drawing out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Murong Li who had run all the way: “What happened? You look so pale, are you feeling unwell?”

Murong Li pushed away the Empress Dowager Yan’s hand.

The Empress Dowager Yan looked at Murong Li in shock: “Ah Li?!”

He raised the parchment with military reports in his hand, and hoarsely asked: “Before, Xiliang people entered the palace, bypassing me, the Emperor, and directly met with Mother. Mother said… the Xiliang people were here to seek peace, but Mother refused. However now… Yan was originally preparing to collaborate to annihilate Xiliang’s main forces, with General Bai Qingyu from Zhou responsible for luring the enemy into an encirclement, yet Xiliang ambushed in advance. Mother… did you know about this?”

Hearing Ah Li calling her Mother, instead of Mom, Empress Dowager Yan’s eyes flickered nervously amidst her bewilderment: “What do you mean by that, do you think it was Mother who sold out Zhou to Xiliang?”

“I only confided in Mother about this within the entire Yan Imperial Palace!” Murong Li’s expression was stern and cold.

“Doesn’t Wang Jiuzhou know about it? When you were planning battles with the sand table… weren’t there others present?” Empress Dowager Yan asked in frustration.

Wang Jiuzhou, hearing this, hastily bowed and replied: “Even if I had ten thousand courage, I dare not bypass the Empress Dowager and Ninth Prince to betray Zhou!”

Besides, Wang Jiuzhou clearly knew that Emperor Bai Qingyan of Zhou and his own master were already husband and wife, how could he betray his master’s wife!

Hearing these words, Empress Dowager Yan felt a chill rise all over her body, without thinking, she stepped forward and slapped Murong Li, terror and sharpness filling her gaze, “How dare you?! How dare you!”

Murong Li was hit so hard his head turned to the side, half of his face blazed with pain, his ears rang, and he even tasted the metallic tang of blood in his mouth.

His eyes became colder, not a hint of grievance or tears, only a thick disappointment that couldn’t be dispelled.

Turning back to his mother with a fierce glare, he said in a low voice, “If it wasn’t Mother, why fly into such a rage and lose composure upon hearing this oath?”

The Empress Dowager Yan, whose hand trembled from slapping Murong Li, opened her mouth but couldn’t utter a word.

“Mother, Ah Li… is truly too disappointed in you!” Murong Li’s voice carried a hint of choking, “Seeing Mother’s current deeds, Father in Heaven must be even more disappointed…”

After speaking, Ah Li turned and left without looking back.

Empress Dowager Yan’s tears fell drop by drop, she hurried to take a few steps and clutching the door frame cried out, “Ah Li!”

Yet Murong Li did not turn around, he walked straight out of the Empress Dowager’s bedchamber.

Empress Dowager Yan bit her lip hard, as if drained of all strength, slid slowly to the ground clutching her chest, murmured softly, “Mother did all this for you, for Yan Kingdom! How could Ah Li… say such things about Mother? How could you not understand Mother?!”