IDWBE -Chapter 323 Righteousness Above Family

No one was foolish; they finally understood that the Sanhe army had not only entered the city but had directly stormed the palace!

Everyone felt a rising sense of panic.

Especially the palace guards holding weapons—watching wave after wave of Sanhe soldiers pouring in, they were completely at a loss. They knew the situation was beyond resistance. Yet, they bore the responsibility of defending the palace! To surrender so easily—what would become of their honor?

Helpless, they finally all turned to their commander, Yuwen She.

After Yuwen She shook his head slightly, all the guards, unwilling as they were, laid down their weapons one by one, watching as the Sanhe soldiers approached and captured them without a struggle.

Before long, both sides of the Golden Throne Hall were filled with soldiers.

The civil and military officials were tense, unsure of how the Regent Prince would deal with them.

This concerned not only their own lives but the safety of their entire families.

Silence fell again over the hall. Then, they heard footsteps echoing in the stillness, making the sound seem unusually loud.

Finally, someone could not help but turn, seeing an elderly man approach. Upon reaching the front, he immediately knelt down:

“I, He Jixiang, pay respects to the Regent Prince—may you live a thousand, thousand thousand years!”

“He Jixiang…”

Whispers rippled through the hall. Many were familiar with this former commander of the capital garrison.

Yet seeing his white hair, even those acquainted with him dared not address him directly.

After all, He Jixiang was now aged and frail, far removed from the vigor of over thirty years ago.

“General He, issue orders—do not disturb the civilians. Any violation will be punished according to military law. The dances continue, the horses still run.”

Lin Yi looked down from above at the crowd, feeling a sense of unreality.

He had originally prepared for a full-scale slaughter but did not expect such obedience. Even he felt a bit helpless.

“Understood!”

He Jixiang’s voice rang loud and clear.

Lin Yi continued, “General He, for your meritorious service, I appoint you Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces of the Realm, commanding all troops to defend against external enemies.”

“Thank you, Regent Prince!”

He Jixiang did not refuse.

Though nearing the end of his life and lacking energy, the position of Grand Marshal was of utmost importance. There was no one else worthy of the responsibility, and military matters had to be entrusted to him.

If placed in the wrong hands, the consequences would be disastrous.

“Everyone, go home and eat—don’t miss mealtime,”

Lin Yi said, looking at Qi Yong and the others. “But in these turbulent times, be careful. It’s best to stay at home and rest for a while. Avoid unnecessary outings.”

“Your orders, Regent Prince, shall be obeyed!”

Once more, they all spoke in unison.

Anyone with sense understood—they were effectively under house arrest. Besides, a sword hung over their heads at any moment, ready to fall.

Until the Regent Prince declared their fate, they could not feel at ease.

Sure enough, they were escorted from the Golden Throne Hall by a contingent of soldiers.

The only relief—they were confined to their homes, not a dark, terrifying prison.

After everyone else left, only Yuan Ang remained, standing with eyes blazing at the approaching soldiers.

“Zhu Guo, you should go home too,” Lin Yi smiled at the still indignant Yuan Ang. “If not for yourself, think of the old Empress Dowager. At such an age, it would be tragic to see white-haired children bury black-haired parents.”

Lin Yi’s patience thinned.

His maternal grandfather, refusing to help and repeatedly challenging him, trying to humiliate him—did he think he was so easy to deal with? Enough!

After all, if his maternal grandfather got in his way, Lin Yi would still uphold righteousness over family.

Even a cornered rabbit bites!

“My whole family is loyal and heroic; what fear is there in death?”

Zhu Guo spoke to Lin Yi without a hint of fear. “I have achieved my ambition…”

“Zhu Guo!”

He Jixiang sharply interrupted him. “Mind your words! Stop standing around—escort the general home.”

“General, this way, please!”

Earlier, Liu Kan had held back, considering that this man was the Regent Prince’s maternal grandfather. Now, seeing Lin Yi and He Jixiang’s stance, he boldly stepped forward, drawing his sword.

“Hmph!”

Yuan Ang swung his sleeve in anger and stormed off.

“Truly exasperating,”

Lin Yi sighed, turning to the remaining Yuboxu and Yuwen She, father and son. “You’ve been given a show to witness.”

“Not at all.”

Both bowed deeply.

“How has the Crown Prince been recently?”

Lin Yi asked with a smile.

Yuboxu replied, “Regent Prince, the Crown Prince remains at the Dali Temple.”

Lin Yi smiled. “Do you think his fate is due to his own fault or bad luck?”

“From start to finish, I have served only the Emperor. Now that His Majesty wishes to retire and the Prince’s destiny has arrived, I shall serve loyally until death!”

Yuboxu was not foolish; he understood the implication. The Crown Prince had fallen to this state because of their betrayal.

All he could do now was show his loyalty.

“Let’s hope so,” Lin Yi said, turning to Yuwen She. “Commander, now that Father enjoys his later years, are you willing to guard Qilin Palace?”

“Thank you, Regent Prince. I shall devote myself fully.”

Yuwen She’s heart skipped. Qilin Palace was the Emperor’s residence—he had not expected this responsibility.

“Though Father is elderly and clear-minded, there may still be those stirring trouble around him. You must remain vigilant,”

Lin Yi said calmly. “Understand this—once I trust a person, it is once only. No second chances.”

“Understood.”

Both knelt and kowtowed again.

Lin Yi then turned his attention to He Jin.

“Very well,” he continued. “You two may leave. Don’t disappoint me.”

“Your servants take their leave.”

The father and son withdrew.

Watching them depart, Lin Yi coldly asked, “Pan Duo?”

“Prince.”

Pan Duo stepped forward.

“Keep a close eye on those two idiots,”

Lin Yi instructed. “If they falter again, deal with them immediately. Mercy to the enemy is cruelty to ourselves.”

He was not only responsible for himself but also for his 70–80,000 soldiers and laborers. Many had families—his “mercy” could result in mass disaster.

“What about He Jin?”

He Jixiang asked.

Lin Yi smiled. “Have him relinquish the position of Commander of the Palace Guards, then retire peacefully. May he encounter no bandits along the way.”

The title alone was not enough; He Jin had to formally transfer his authority for things to be manageable.

“Understood.”

He Jixiang smiled, revealing his yellowed teeth.

“Pan Duo, take the position of Deputy Commander of the Palace Guards.”

“Thank you, Regent Prince!”

Pan Duo banged his head repeatedly in joy.

Deputy Commander of the Palace Guards—a position of immense power!

Now that he held this post, the top command of the Palace Guards would effectively be his family’s.

Excited, he banged his head so hard he didn’t even feel the pain.

“All right,” Lin Yi waved his hand. “Find Jiang Zhong—no mercy.”

The secret agents?

He would not leave them alive.

“Yes!”

Pan Duo responded loudly.

Lin Yi walked out of the Golden Throne Hall, squinting at the high sun. “I’m hungry.”

Xiao Xizi said, “Prince Regent, I’ve already sent for the midday meal at the Qinzhen Hall.”

The events of the morning had been too fast; he still hadn’t adjusted his form of address.

“Then let’s go to Qinzhen Hall.”

Lin Yi didn’t wait for Xiao Xizi and went ahead.

Along the way, Sanhe soldiers stood guard. Curious and unfamiliar with the palace, they still suppressed their excitement and stood dutifully.

The Qinzhen Hall had not changed much since his last visit. As soon as he sat, a dozen palace maids and eunuchs began bringing in dishes continuously.

By the tenth dish, Lin Yi stopped them.

“I’m not a pig. Four dishes are enough from now on,” he said with a smile.

“Understood.”

Xiao Xizi carefully served him.

“That roast suckling pig looks good—take a bit of it.”

Lin Yi ate quickly, starving as he was, and finished soon.

When tea was brought, he remembered something. Turning to Xiao Xizi, he said, “Your master isn’t here, so you manage palace affairs. All concubines follow the usual monthly protocol—no changes, and no one is allowed to mistreat them.”

“Understood.”

Xiao Xizi was delighted—finally, he could hold authority in the palace!

This was truly justice served for past grievances.

“Has my father eaten yet? What’s the situation?”

Lin Yi asked curiously.

Xiao Xizi replied, “Prince, His Majesty returned to Qilin Palace without incident but could not find He Jin. He raged, throwing things and skipping his meal. He went straight to bed.”

Lin Yi nodded. “Let’s go see.”

Two young eunuchs carried the tea trays and followed Lin Yi closely.

Qilin Palace was cold and quiet, with only the guards on duty; no attendants or maids were present.

Lin Yi entered, frowning at the scattered mess.

Xiao Xizi waved, and the eunuchs hurriedly began cleaning.

Lin Yi approached Emperor Delong’s bed and said to the still-closed-eyed ruler, “Father, no need to be so angry. You are still the Emperor; I am only acting temporarily for your convenience.”

The emperor suddenly opened his eyes, staring at Lin Yi in shock, then propped himself up halfway.

Xiao Xizi quickly placed a pillow behind his head and stepped back.

“You’ve been lucky indeed,” Emperor Delong said, coughing. “I underestimated you.”

“Your Majesty, please have some tea.”

Xiao Xizi knelt, holding the tray before him.

The emperor waved it away, got up, and slowly sat in a chair.

“Everything I’ve done is for your good,” Lin Yi said, feeling the emperor’s ribs through his thin frame. “It’s better for you to concern yourself less with state affairs.”

He touched only hard bone—no softness remained.

A pang of sorrow struck him.

What had the emperor sacrificed to get to this point?

“I lost my mother at ten, alone and ignored by the court. Only He Jin remained loyal,” Emperor Delong said. “Later, when I joined the army, he suffered countless humiliations but never wavered. Counting, he’s been by my side over forty years. I promised him a peaceful retirement. You’ve taken what you wanted—let him return home.”

Lin Yi was surprised.

In his impression, his father was ruthlessly cold, showing no mercy to ministers, siblings, or even the empress.

Yet now, he pleaded for a eunuch.

After a long pause, Lin Yi sighed.

“I spare him, but whether the people will spare him—I cannot guarantee.”

He Jin’s crimes were innumerable.

Without power, he was a toothless tiger. If Lin Yi didn’t execute him, others would.