Reborn to marry the emperor, I just want to confuse the emperor and seize the throne

“Who said it was for you?” Jiang Fenghua explained, not wanting Bai Yuhan to overthink it. “Although I had Prefect Zhang post notices saying that the court was raising military supplies and was going to set up the Imperial Merchants Bureau, it’s been several days and there aren’t many people donating supplies. If I don’t show up, they probably won’t believe Prefect Zhang at all.”

"I won't be staying in Yuzhou for more than two days. I'll be heading to Jiangzhou and other places soon to prepare supplies. The same trick of pressuring those merchants without a proper identity won't work at all."

Bai Yuhan said, "Is Your Highness leaving Yuzhou? I want to leave Yuzhou with Your Highness."

Jiang Fenghua asked, "Are you willing to leave your mother and your younger brother?"

Bai Yuhan shook her head: "I am indeed worried about my mother and younger brother. My father did not only have my mother as his wife. In fact, the Bai family had other concubines."

When I was little, I watched my father take other women into the family, and saw my mother crying every day. I was heartbroken. I vowed to stand up for my mother in the Bai family and never let other women bully her. If I left, my mother wouldn't know what to do.

This was the first time Bai Yuhan had shed tears in front of Jiang Fenghua. Only now did Jiang Fenghua realize that Bai Yuhan's life in the Bai family had not been easy.

By this time, a commotion had broken out outside, and the Bai family was determined to get Bai Yuhan out.

She said, "No matter what, I am still my father's daughter. He actually loves me quite a bit, but... he would never really kill me."

Jiang Fenghua did not stop Bai Yuhan, who rushed out of the backyard and headed towards the main hall.

Jiang Fenghua quickly told Aoxue to follow, "You must protect her."

Ao Xue nodded, sword in hand, and followed him out.

Hongxiu said, "How could Miss Bai have such a family? Her father doesn't even help her."

"Every family has its cupboard."

Immediately afterwards, Jiang Fenghua said in a deep voice, "Do my hair and makeup!"

Hongxiu said, "Your Highness really wants to reveal your identity to the Bai family for Miss Bai's sake? We're leaving Yuzhou soon, isn't that unnecessary?"

"I will bestow a marriage upon Bai Yuhan. With my status as Empress, the Bai family will not dare to make things difficult for Bai Yuhan anymore. Moreover, with the Empress's bestowal of a marriage, even if she marries into the Wan family, no one will look down on her."

“The Empress wants to marry her off to Young Master Wan, but she doesn’t like him!” Hongxiu said.

Jiang Fenghua said, "A woman should not only marry the man she likes, but also the man of noble character. Since Bai Wanliangkong has long intended to marry Bai Yuhan, I might as well do her a favor and make her less embarrassed after marriage."

The troubles caused by the Bai family have made Bai Yuhan famous in Yuzhou. She has reached marriageable age and it is time for her to get married. Wan Qianshan has taken the initiative to donate grain to the imperial court, and she has promised him the first position in the Imperial Merchants Bureau. It would be a good thing to match him with a kind-hearted girl as a wife.

Moreover, now that the Wan family has voluntarily surrendered to the imperial court, their status and position are different. Even if the Bai family wanted to sell their daughter now, the Wan family might not want her anymore. In that case, Bai Yuhan would really become a laughing stock in Yuzhou.

The Wan family's decision to marry Bai Yuhan off haphazardly for their own benefit is what truly harmed her.

Jiang Fenghua had long since learned her lesson. Power could reduce a lot of trouble for her and even increase efficiency, so she would never beat around the bush; being straightforward was the best way to solve problems.

Her identity can also reassure the Wan family.

Hongxiu was unaware of Jiang Fenghua's plans, and she hadn't given much thought to Bai Yuhan's marriage. "Since ancient times, women have never married the man they love first. They've all been arranged marriages, where people become husband and wife without ever having met. Your Majesty is very thoughtful. Only by marrying a man of good character can one have a chance at happiness. I hope Miss Bai will be happy!"

Such a kind-hearted girl should be rewarded with good deeds.

Jiang Fenghua said, "Let's consider this as repayment for Bai Yuhan's two donations of grain for disaster relief!"

-

As Bai Yuhan emerged from the prefect's residence, she was surrounded by the Bai family. They pointed at her and insulted her, calling her a traitor, an ingrate, and a thief. The Bai family even threatened to report her to the authorities.

The hall was in an uproar. Zhang Qian was surprised that the Empress hadn't stopped Bai Yuhan. At this moment, it would be safest for her to stay hidden.

Bai Lao Er stepped forward, intending to slap her twice, but Ao Xue stopped him with her sword.

Ao Xue stood guard in front of Bai Yuhan and said in a deep voice, "Today, if anyone dares to lay a finger on Miss Bai, my sword will show no mercy. If you want to try, then come forward."

Some members of the Bai family were frightened. Bai Lao Er said, "The government is seizing the people's grain and now they're threatening them with swords. This is plundering by force. How are you any different from bandits?"

Zhang Qian was upright and honest his whole life, and he couldn't say a word after being criticized like this. Just now, he had accepted several carts of grain sent by Miss Bai on the Empress's orders. They were all plump grains of millet. If they were transported to the front line, they could feed so many soldiers. Then our Great Zhou would have a chance to defeat the barbarians of the Northern Xiao Kingdom!

Therefore, Prefect Zhang did not want to return the grain. Unexpectedly, the Bai family actually had grain. He thought that it was a loan from the imperial court and that it would be returned to the Bai family after the war was won.

He didn't say it aloud, but Bai Lao Er's wife, like a shrew, pointed at Bai Yuhan's nose and started cursing, "If you want to give away grain, give away your eldest son's grain. Why did you give away all of our second son's grain? Oh! Last time you stole a batch of grain and gave it to those poor devils. How did your mother clean up your mess? Now you've emptied our entire Bai family's granary. If this gets to the ears of the old master and old lady, see if they don't break your legs, you worthless thing."

Madam Bai the Second did not stay in Shengjing to live the life of a wealthy lady. She always felt that Bai Yuhan had dragged her down. If they had continued to do business in Shengjing, their second branch of the family would have been the richest family long ago.

Bai Yuhan said, "Second Aunt, why do you have to scold me so harshly? I earned all of Bai's grain. Over the years, I have been helping the family with the business, running around and never slacking off. Now, what's wrong with me donating some grain to the Northwest to help the warriors of Great Zhou?"

She deliberately turned her voice up so loud that Wan Qianshan, who was hiding outside the government office, could hear it clearly.

He admired Bai Yuhan's understanding and righteousness. Was she a member of the Bai family? Otherwise, how could she be so different from the rest of the Bai clan?

Bai Yuhan continued, "If we don't help the imperial court with disaster relief, we'll have even less of a good life once the people of Beixiao Kingdom invade the Central Plains. Donating the grain now is for the soldiers of Great Zhou. They are risking their lives to protect our safety. Can you please stop being so selfish?"

When the eldest son of the Bai family heard his daughter accusing him like that, he couldn't stand it anymore. He walked up to Bai Yuhan and slapped her hard across the face. "You wretched girl, do you still think you're right after doing something wrong?"

Ao Xue was also stunned by Bai Yuhan's words and was momentarily distracted. She had never imagined that Bai Yuhan's biological father would beat his daughter in public.

Just as she was about to attack Boss Bai, Bai Yuhan quickly stopped her, "Aoxue, don't interfere. He is my father. If he wants to hit or scold me, it's my duty as his daughter."

After saying this, she suddenly knelt down in front of Bai Laoda. "Father, perhaps what I did has harmed the interests of the Bai family. I am sorry to you, but I have a clear conscience. I did all this for the sake of our Bai family."