"Your Majesty, it would be prudent to first dispatch envoys to negotiate and see if there’s a chance for peace," a minister stepped forward, "Ask Canglan Country what would make them withdraw their troops. Given the current situation, it’s unwise to start a war. Furthermore, Canglan Country’s reasons for declaring war on Nan Qi are quite odd, suggesting that there’s some misunderstanding. It would be best to send envoys to find out what’s going on and hopefully resolve the misunderstanding."

Canglan Country has a strong and vigorous military; even if Nan Qi could endure, there would be no chance of winning. Canglan is far stronger than Bei Qi. The best option now is negotiation.

Even the ministers who initially favored war said nothing more at this point.

Nan Qi has missed the best opportunity. Now that Canglan Country has almost fully recovered, it no longer fears a fight.

Today’s upheavals were so many that even though Song Jing did not fully understand, she realized that Nan Qi was facing an even greater crisis, making her nervous.

She looked at Ah Chen and suddenly said, "Father, since there are such urgent matters, why not keep Cui Chen for now, in case she becomes useful? After all, Cui Chen has Canglan Country behind her. If we were to kill her, would Canglan Country use that as an excuse..."

Cui Chen’s fate was as good as death; she was merely speaking for the bigger picture, as she had promised her elder brothers she would plead for Cui Chen. Whether her father would agree was uncertain, but her argument was sound and irrefutable.

Song Chong glanced at Ah Chen, reluctant to let her go.

But Jing’er’s reasoning was valid; what if Cui Chen could be of use? If not, she could still be killed later.

"Throw Cui Chen into the dungeon."

Song Chong squinted, "The others will be dealt with as usual."

Watching Ah Chen being led to the dungeon, the previously anxious Cui Yu breathed a slight sigh of relief. The true crisis seemed to stem from Canglan Country’s declaration of war on Nan Qi; there should be no other issues with Cui Chen.

As Ah Chen passed by Cui Yu, Cui Yu said, "From now on, you are no longer a daughter of the Cui Family. With what you’ve done, the Cui Family is too small a place to hold you."

"Very well, Mr. Cui. Honestly, I never much liked staying at the Cui Family. The place may be big, but there was no room for me," Ah Chen chuckled. As she was led to the entrance of the Golden Throne Hall, she turned back, "Now that you’re done, it’s time for my people to take the stage."

At her words, those who had previously been escorting Ah Chen instantly became her personal guards, surrounding her at the center.

The dungeon’s conditions were not ideal, and she didn’t want to stay there a moment longer. Let this be the end of it.

Those who had initially surrounded Ah Chen turned their weapons toward Song Chong and the assembled ministers. At the same time, more people poured in, archers lined up behind Ah Chen, and appeared from all corners of the hall. At a single word from her, everyone here would be turned into a sieve.

No one could escape.

The Golden Throne Hall had become a place where escape was impossible. For the first time, everyone truly understood the meaning of this expression.

The change came so swiftly that no one had time to react, reminiscent of the palace feast in Bei Qi years ago, where Ah Chen shot Bei Qi Emperor Song Kuo dead with an arrow, leaving everyone dumbfounded and only recovering after a long time.

"Seize them all," Ah Chen’s voice was soft yet clearly heard by everyone. The Golden Throne Hall was now eerily quiet, "Resistance shall be met with death!"

"Cui Chen, what are you doing?" Song Jing shouted, unable to believe the sudden turn of events. She looked around at the people, "Cui Chen is not a real princess, thus she’s not the Crown Princess. Father doesn’t even acknowledge her, why would you listen to Cui Chen? Do you all wish to be executed along with your nine generations?"

"You should think carefully. Today, you are committing treason. If you fail, not only you but your families will suffer the consequences," Song Jing added.

But no one responded to her; everyone listened only to Ah Chen. After all, they were from Canglan Country and had no fear of Nan Qi’s royal authority.

Song Chong signaled to someone in the corner, and the figure darted out, only to be shot through the throat by a swift arrow, dying instantly.

"Anyone else who wants to leave can try," Ah Chen glanced at the people around, their previous triumph all but gone, their faces pale. She looked at Song Chong, "Emperor of Nan Qi, are you trying to run?"

"If you manage to escape, I won’t do anything to you. Go ahead, try it?"

Song Chong, sweating profusely, looked at the rows of archers aimed at him and slumped in the dragon throne with a bitter smile, "Is this Canglan Country’s tactic? Is this how Bei Qi was destroyed too?"

"It was not as wealthy then," Ah Chen replied, "I asked Song Kuo for two baskets of arrows back then. The bow was so light it was hard to use, and eventually, I discarded it and just threw the arrows, which worked better. I was alone at first, but after taking down a batch, I gained many followers and accidentally founded a country."

What?

What does she mean by that?

Each word was understandable, but together, why were they so hard to comprehend?

Impossible, how could it be?

They actually understood, didn’t they? That she was saying she was the Empress of Canglan Country? Impossible!

Those least willing to believe this were naturally the Cui Family. Impossible, absolutely impossible! How could they not know Cui Chen’s capabilities? She grew up in the Cui Family and was not capable of such feats.

Besides, the Empress of Canglan Country bore the surname Yu, not Song or Cui, so it couldn’t be Cui Chen. Once they thought of this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Those standing behind her must be from Canglan Country, and everything she did today was relying on Canglan Country.

"Cui Chen, everything you’ve done today will leave you infamous for eternity," Song Chong said.

Cui Yu added, "Chenchen, how could you do such a thing? Can you face the ancestors of the Cui Family?"

He was very nervous inside. If he had known Canglan Country had laid such plans, why didn’t he agree with Cui Chen back then?

"Chenchen, you shouldn’t help Canglan Country harm your own nation. How could you do this?" Ning Family cried, "Chenchen, do you want to watch as your family dies?"

Cui Zhao also lost his initial calm. With arrows aimed at him, he felt a chill down his spine, "Chenchen, do you truly intend to commit treason?"

Cui Chen said nothing, oddly calm inside compared to before. At this moment, he pondered on the meaning of an old saying: "Those who win become kings, and those who lose become outlaws!"

Today’s scene was a perfect demonstration of this saying.

The people around him, condemning Cui Chen, were the same ones who wanted her dead before.

When things came down to their own lives, they put on a different face. These were his own relatives, whom he had known for years, yet today, he felt he hardly knew them at all.