After deceiving the villain, I was forced to love him.

You've already fallen out of love with him?!

Bai Li Ce was so angry he wanted to punch him.

But the thought of him breaking people's bones with his bare hands... never mind.

There's an old saying: "Those who understand the times are heroes." (Accent changes automatically)

"You can't protect me forever, and keep danger away from me forever, can you?"

Just as Baili Ce thought his words made a lot of sense and was about to give him a set of life philosophies—

"why not?"

Bai Li Ce: ......

Wang Qingyan released her, saying, "I don't doubt your abilities, and I've never thought of you as a useless person."

"You are the most radiant and perfect girl I have ever met. To me, you are the only one who is unique."

"But many problems are not something you or your family can solve."

"Bearing the consequences isn't just your responsibility. I used to... Anyway, if it can be avoided, why take the risk?"

"Is it just to prove you're more responsible?"

"Ah Zhu, it's not worth it."

What are you trying to prove?!

"Heh," Bai Li Ce chuckled coldly for the first time, no longer bothering to hide his true feelings.

But after laughing, she realized that Wang Qingyan was observing her.

So he gave up and started jumping up and down with his hands on his hips!

"So in your eyes, everything I've done is superfluous, isn't it?!"

"Or am I someone who should be defined by you?!"

"We have to depend on you?!"

"..." Wang Qingyan was stunned by her words.

You don't like it.

Do you care what I like?

Whether it's worth it or not isn't for you to define, because this is my life!

Coming to his senses, Wang Qingyan hurriedly explained, "I didn't."

"I don't care if you are or not! I'm going to sleep!"

Pushing Wang Qingyan aside, Baili Ce pulled the blanket over himself, turned his back to him, and lay down with a thud.

“…” Wang Qingyan stood in front of her bed, at a loss and extremely annoyed.

He tried to coax her for ages, but she just sulked and wouldn't talk to him.

After a long while, Baili Ce heard the door close.

Lifting the covers and smelling the lingering scent of traditional Chinese medicine in the room, she sincerely felt that she couldn't wait a full year.

Once the matter in Shucheng is settled, she must leave.

......

On the other hand, after Wang Qingyan went out, there was no trace of regret on his face.

Overjoyed, he went to find the waiter.

"During the day, Miss Baili would either go to play with the girl in the sixth rank of the Heavenly Palace, or sit with her by the window and point at passersby on the street."

“Around midnight last night, I went downstairs to pour water once. You know what else is going on, so I won’t go into details.”

When she was in Lincheng, she did have the habit of getting up at night or eating late-night snacks.

But Wang Qingyan still asked one more question, "Was she like this a few days ago too?"

"Yes, but I don't eat late-night snacks every night."

"but......"

"But what?"

“Miss Baili Ce often complains to Tong Niang about how you control her.”

"Heh," Wang Qingyan smiled helplessly.

After tossing a piece of silver to the waiter, he went to inquire about the number of people he had in Shucheng.

After getting a fairly good result, I felt increasingly cheerful.

This is the real her!

She is charming and bright, but prone to temper tantrums. She can't keep her thoughts to herself or hide her emotions on her face, and she can't tolerate anyone.

......

On the fifteenth of September, level and repair the roads; do not undertake any other tasks.

Before dawn, Lu Jian had already changed into his court robes and stood with his hands behind his back in his bedchamber, watching the sky outside gradually brighten.

Behind him stood Zhang Shan, as still as a statue.

As soon as the morning bell rang at Xuande Gate, Lu Jian took a step and left his bedchamber.

Zhang Shan followed closely behind, as usual, without making any unnecessary movements or expressions.

"Didn't I say that I would go to court alone today?"

Zhang Shan bowed his head and bent over, his hands folded in front of him. “Since the master is determined to get rid of the snakes and rats, the cats and dogs in the house should also do their best to bite them.”

Lu Jian was touched. "Okay."

He led Zhang Shan towards Shangyang Palace with steady and solemn steps, his demeanor both dignified and unrestrained.

"Your Majesty is here!"

When passing through Xuande Gate, the court officials who had been waiting outside the palace gate all night disregarded etiquette and crowded down to the bottom of the ninth step.

The Prefect of Jingzhao, standing ramrod straight, gave Lu Jian a slight bow and said, "Greetings—"

"His Majesty......"

He dragged out the last syllable, with a hint of smugness, as if he were declaring something.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" the ministers shouted in unison.

At first glance, some of the officials around him seemed confused.

Some were furious, others wore mocking expressions...

Some of them even proudly raised their heads.

The faces of the remonstrating officials instantly darkened. Just as they were about to berate the officials led by the Prefect of the Capital, they were interrupted by the morning bell.

Lu Jian stepped into the hall. After the morning bell rang nine times, all the court officials had entered the hall and lined up on both sides.

Lu Jian sat down with impeccable demeanor and steady breathing.

The palace official's voice, booming from his diaphragm like a heavy hammer striking a drum, cried out, "Kneel—"

"A roar of cheers—"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Memorials from the court officials—"

As soon as he finished speaking, the palace official stepped aside, and the Prefect of the Capital strode out.

"Your Majesty, I have this memorial."

"speak"

The Prefect of the Capital took a deep breath and said frankly, "Your Majesty, I respectfully request that you abdicate!"

"presumptuous!!!"

"You old scoundrel! How dare you!"

"Guards! Beat him to death in court!"

"Your Majesty, I request that his entire family be executed!"

Surprisingly, no one in the hall responded.

Xue Fengshi, who had already stepped forward and was about to join in the cursing: !!

How dare these people?!

He quickly calculated how to save Lu Jian's life in the impending catastrophe; he had given up hope of surviving.

"You, you traitors and rebels!"

"Are you trying to rebel?!"

"Hmph, Your Excellency is mistaken!"

Shh...don't go out.

"Can't you see that?"

......

The other court officials instantly split into three factions. One faction shrank back, whispering among themselves and bowing their heads to avoid trouble.

One faction automatically sided with the Prefect of the Capital, looking at the smaller number of Censors and others with a mocking and smug expression.

He broke out in a cold sweat and looked around, his face deathly pale.

However, the remonstrating officials were not afraid and rushed to the Prefect of the Capital to fight!

"You thieves!"

"You dare to plot to usurp the throne! I'll slaughter you all right now!"

Some even rushed into the palace, drew their long swords, and stabbed at the Prefect of the Capital.

"Bang!" Then he was kicked away by a military officer.

The remonstrating officials risked their lives to test the thieves; how could they not see through it?!

Officials from Xue Fengshi's faction immediately helped the remonstrating official to his feet, and hand in hand, they rushed towards the military officer who had kicked the man, shouting, "Your Majesty, run!"

"Swish, swish, swish!" Several more military officers drew their swords and instantly subdued the civil officials.

Then the sound of armor clanging came from outside the hall, and the old general from the Northern Frontier, whose official position had been stripped by Lu Jian a few months ago, appeared in the hall with his robes fluttering.

His soldiers then held swords to the necks of the neutrals and the pro-monarchists.

"You traitorous scoundrels!!! How dare you..."

Lu Jian gestured for the palace official who had spread his arms to protect him to step back.

"Your Majesty! I would rather die today!"

"Get out!"

The palace official gritted his teeth and "overstepped his bounds" by retreating to the side of the dragon throne, both afraid and desperate to protect Lu Jian.

After exchanging a glance with the old general, the Prefect of the Capital bowed and continued, "Since His Majesty ascended the throne, there have been ten major crimes!"

"Oh?" Lu Jian looked unconcerned.

"First, they have unjustly caused suffering to members of the imperial family and mistreated meritorious officials!"

"Secondly, it humiliates the officials, punishes the ministers, and disrupts the ancestral rites and laws!"

"Third, the excessive military campaigns have led to constant warfare on the borders, causing widespread suffering among the people!"

"Fourth, the Northern Hu tribes traveled thousands of miles to send envoys with sincere intentions to negotiate peace, but Your Majesty insisted on rejecting them, disregarding the people of our dynasty and plunging millions of soldiers into dire straits!"

"Fifth, they recklessly instigated conflicts among powerful families, causing chaos in the court, making enemies on all sides, and facing internal and external troubles!"

Sixth, he favored a wicked concubine and neglected state affairs!

"Seventh, his ambition and love of quick success led him to act arbitrarily and implement harsh policies, resulting in rampant floods in the southwest!"

"Eight, extravagance and wastefulness, squandering the national treasury!"

"Ninth, his methods are ruthless, and he appoints treacherous officials; he is unfit to be a ruler!"

......