Chapter 1040

First Volume, Chapter 1040: Sacrificing One's Life for the Nation

Li Zhang had sharp eyes and an extremely quick mind.

Li Yu came to this Palace not only to eliminate potential threats to Qin Feng, but also to "fulfill" this mother and son.

Imperial Pin De did not wait for death—she actively sought it, sacrificing her life for the nation.

Li Zhang was so certain because, in the Bedchamber, there were no eunuchs or maids besides the mother and son.

At this time, eunuchs and maids should have been guarding Imperial Pin De, for these servants had lived with their master for so long they were trusted confidants; even if they tried to flee, they would be caught quickly and tortured.

Clearly, Imperial Pin De had dismissed all the servants from the Bedchamber in advance.

In addition, on the bed lay a plain, unremarkable cloth, folded neatly—so that when her family came to collect her body, it would be "convenient."

The Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard is already dead; if Imperial Pin De and her son also die, the seed of this hatred will be fully planted—her clan will regard Qin Feng as a blood feud enemy, and at that point, Beixi County's hope of restoring peace will be nearly impossible.

Li Zhang and Ning Hu were not shadowing Li Yu to protect his safety.

As Qin Feng had predicted, this old boy, Li Yu, was not trustworthy!

If he truly killed Imperial Pin De and her son, the black mark would naturally fall on Qin Feng's shoulders—after all, Li Yu was merely carrying out orders, and afterward he would sacrifice his life for the nation.

He dies and is done with it, leaving behind a mess that Qin Feng must clean up.

Li Zhang gave Ning Hu a glance, signaling him to keep watching Li Yu, then knelt down and looked at Imperial Pin De, still trembling with fear, and sighed softly.

"You don't want to die, do you? Especially not leaving this child behind."

"But for your father, you feel you must do something."

"I understand—I fully understand your thoughts."

Saying this, Li Zhang reached out and stroked the young Prince's head, speaking with solemn gravity: "But the child is innocent—can a mother truly have the heart to take him to his death?"

Hearing Li Zhang's words, Imperial Pin De's already fearful eyes grew even more uncertain.

Yet even in such terror, she still chose to give her life for her clan—proof enough of this woman's greatness.

Seeing Imperial Pin De remain silent, Li Zhang sighed again: "If I were you, I would choose to live—and return to your clan, raise this child to adulthood, and let him live a normal life."

"If you stubbornly insist on tainting Qin Houye's plan, the result will inevitably be the utter destruction of your entire clan."

"Even Old Fox Li Yu has surrendered—do you really think your clan, without Night Owl's support and under the full Secret Infiltration of the Brocade Uniform Guard, can stir up any real upheaval?"

Faced with Li Zhang's patient persuasion, Imperial Pin De finally spoke—and as her voice emerged, tears streamed down her face.

"If Li Yu and Zhou Pu can surrender, why must you kill my father?"

Li Zhang explained solemnly: "Your father, as Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard, could never lead the surrender—otherwise, your entire clan would bear the stigma of traitors, and your descendants would face scorn and suppression from outsiders."

"Your father must hold out until his final moment—and his death alone is enough. Any further sacrifice would be meaningless, and that is certainly not what your father wished for."

"Court ministers have been defecting one after another; even the Beixi County War Hero and the Hou Gong imperial family have become prisoners. At this point, dying defiantly serves no purpose but to add more bloodshed."

Imperial Pin De instinctively hugged the young Prince tighter, her eyes lost in confusion.

After a long silence, she finally spoke again: "Will you spare my son and me?"

"This child is not only a Huang Shi Zi Xi—he also has our clan's protection. When he grows up, he will still threaten Qin Feng."

Hearing this, Li Zhang burst into laughter: "Hahaha."

"Imperial Pin De, your thinking is absurd."

"Threaten Qin Houye? Qin Houye isn't even from Beixi County—how could he be threatened?"

"If there's a threat, it's to the people of Beixi County, to the empire itself."

"If that day ever comes—if he grows up, manipulated by corrupt ministers, and seizes power—then Beixi County's army need only repeat what they've done once, and Beixi County will be turned into a wasteland of suffering. Is that truly what you Beixi County people want?"

"This child is still young. His future character depends entirely on his mother's teachings."

"If you want him to ignite war, simply pour hatred into him endlessly."

"So, Imperial Pin De—do you want this child to live his life in peace, or to live by the blade, fighting for his life?"

Faced with Li Zhang's question, Imperial Pin De fell silent.

Now, the imperial mandate is exhausted—just as Li Zhang said, any resistance is futile; only by yielding to the tide can the clan survive.

The Imperial Consort sighed deeply and finally surrendered.

"I hope you will keep your promise and not harm our clan further."

Li Zhang stood up immediately and said solemnly: "You can rest assured on this point—if Qin Houye truly wished to exterminate you, I would never have come here. Li Yu would have already killed you both."

"Qin Houye feared this very scenario—that's why he sent me to follow and monitor."

"Once the Palace is fully secured and all affairs have been Investigating Backgrounds, you and your son may leave the Palace safely and return to your clan."

"Of course, Qin Houye is always cautious—this child will inevitably be under some degree of Surveillance for the rest of his life. But as long as he remains virtuous and stays out of power struggles, he will never be in danger."

Imperial Pin De nodded slightly, accepting it. She stopped thinking, rose, took the young Prince's hand, and silently turned back to the bed, gathering up the plain cloth meant for collecting her corpse.

Li Zhang did not delay—he turned and left to meet up with Ning Hu.

On the way out, Li Zhang felt a deep pang—though Imperial Pin De and her son could return to their clan, their family would gradually decline.

Not just Imperial Pin De—all aristocratic families who once loyally served the Beixi County War Hero would be suppressed.

Though they wouldn't be massacred, their power would inevitably be weakened.

When Li Zhang found Ning Hu, Li Yu was just stepping out of the Bedchamber with his men.

Sensing Li Zhang's unusual gaze, Li Yu offered no explanation—he knew his turn would come soon, so there was no point in dwelling on it.

"This Bedchamber is taken care of—the Imperial Consort has sacrificed her life for the nation."

As Li Yu turned to leave, Li Zhang grabbed his shoulder.