Chapter 80: Should Be Stripped of Royal Status

“What did you say? Not a single one has returned? Didn’t I tell them to act discreetly? Are they all useless? So many people sent out, and there’s not a shred of news?”

Qian Suyin was furious. She had specifically dispatched Bitz for this task, and now? The people were gone? Out of contact?

Biya spoke up, “Miss, I worry this matter may have been discovered. There are only two possibilities for why they haven’t returned by now: either they’ve been captured, or—”

“Then what should we do now? If my father finds out, it’s still manageable, but if Lin Yan learns of this, then I… then I’ll…”

“Miss, let’s leave it for now. I’ll go to Z Country to gather information. Remember, you must act as though you know nothing.”

“Alright, I know nothing, nothing at all.”

Biya packed a small suitcase, placing a few clothes inside, carefully concealing the items. Carrying it, she hurried through the corridor, glancing around to make sure nothing was amiss, then quickened her pace.

“What are you up to?” A guard at the gate stopped her.

Biya replied calmly, “I am the princess’s attendant. She has instructed me to take care of some matters.”

The guard looked her over, recognizing her familiar face and seeing nothing unusual. “Very well, go ahead.”

“Thank you.”

Biya pressed her hat lower and quickly left. She hadn’t expected, however, to run straight into someone as soon as she stepped outside. Bowing her head, she apologized, “I’m sorry.”

“And where might Attendant Bi be going?”

Biya looked up in disbelief. “Ch—Chief Guard…”

The Chief Guard, Feng Xing, stepped aside, revealing a man in military uniform behind him.

Terrified, Biya dropped to her knees. “G—General…”

Lin Yan, in his deep green uniform, cut a striking figure—tall, imposing, exuding an air of heroism. His military cap only added to his formidable presence. A few platoons of soldiers stood behind him, waiting as he gestured with his gloved hand.

Immediately, his personal guards stepped forward, taking the suitcase from Biya and examining it thoroughly.

Biya cried out in alarm, “General, I was only going out to attend to some matters.”

Lin Yan retrieved a black object from the suitcase and sneered, “Do your errands require a gun?”

“I… I was just… handling some personal affairs, yes, personal affairs…”

“Personal affairs? Seeking revenge against an enemy?”

“Yes, to avenge myself upon them.”

“Is that so? I wasn’t aware you had any enemies. Bind her and take her in.”

“Yes, sir,” the guards responded.

Biya struggled, “You can’t treat me like this, General. I am the princess’s attendant, it should be for the princess to decide.”

Lin Yan, flanked by his soldiers, strode confidently into the royal manor. He ordered that all members of the royal family be summoned to the great hall, with particular instructions not to overlook Princess Qian Suyin.

The king and queen sat at one side, with the princes and princesses of suitable age opposite them. Qian Suyin sat at the very front of her row.

Lin Yan took the seat of honor, the recently confiscated pistol in hand, idly toying with it. Beside him stood the Chief Guard Feng Xing and his attendant Lin Jie, who held the morning’s impeachment petitions and statements of accusation.

Biya was escorted in, bound and gagged. Qian Suyin shot to her feet, startled.

Lin Yan tossed the gun at her feet. “You sent her out, didn’t you?”

Qian Suyin glanced at Biya, who shook her head vigorously, muffled sounds issuing from her mouth.

Turning to Lin Yan, Qian Suyin said, “I did send her out. But why have you tied her up, General? And that pistol—surely it belongs to my attendant!”

“Is that so? And what did you send her to do, armed with a gun? G Country may not restrict such things, but there are limits that must not be crossed.”

“I don’t understand what the General is implying. I simply asked her to run some errands, which, I believe, is none of your concern.”

The queen, who adored her daughter above all others, grew anxious. Everyone knew that this general was not to be trifled with; even their royal house had to tread carefully around him.

“Then why did she claim she was handling personal matters, with a gun, seeking vengeance? Which of you speaks the truth? Who is lying, hmm?”

Qian Suyin’s pupils dilated. She hadn’t expected Biya to say such a thing. But she quickly composed herself. “Is that so? Even if she was attending to her own business and not my instructions, what of it?”

“It matters not to me. What I want to know now is: where is your other attendant? Off on personal business as well, or carrying out your orders?”

“And what concern is that of yours, General? Are you not overstepping your bounds?”

“It may not concern me, but it surely concerns all of you.”

Lin Yan’s gaze swept over the assembly; his presence alone made it difficult for anyone to breathe.

Lin Jie handed the documents to the king. The queen took a set as well, distributing them to the princes and princesses.

“These are all impeachment documents against you. What do you intend to say to Officer Renran—yes, the woman upon whom you declared a manhunt? And how will you answer to Z Country, Y Country, or even your own G Country?”

“What?” The assembly was stunned. How had this escalated to a matter involving three nations?

Qian Suyin snatched the documents from her brother’s hand and read through them. Every page accused her—her secrets were now revealed for the world to see.

“How could this happen? How?”

The king and queen were speechless with shock, the princes and princesses regarding her with new, wary eyes.

“Well then, how do you intend to handle this?” Lin Yan pressed.

The king pondered for a moment. “What… does the General propose?”

Qian Suyin stared at him, wide-eyed. “Father…”

“First, she must issue a public apology. Second, she must confess to all her actions. Third, given her repeated misconduct unbefitting her status, she should…”

Qian Suyin swayed, as if she knew what was coming.

Biya, gagged, could only shake her head desperately.

Everyone waited for Lin Yan’s final decree.

He spoke with grave finality, “She should be stripped of her royal status.”

The queen fainted away in shock, and a prince hurriedly escorted her from the hall.

The king, anguished, realized there was no other way. It was a necessary lesson for her—a hope that she would not commit such treason again.

“Then… it shall be as the General commands.”

“Father, you cannot do this to me! Please, I beg you, do not make me apologize, do not strip me of my title—this will destroy me, Father!”

Qian Suyin knelt at his feet, pleading in despair.

Lin Yan had no patience for such theatrics. He turned and left with his men, the matter already concluded.