Chapter 569: Chapter 569

Xie Xun did not immediately seek out Yuwen Jing, as he didn’t want Yuwen Jing to think they were obsessively dwelling on the matter or that they were being coerced by him. Lin Helin believed that Yuwen Jing must die—at least in the eyes of the populace, it must appear so. If not, the sight of Yuwen Jing alive on the day Xie Xun ascended the throne would indeed be against propriety and could affect the new dynasty’s fate. The Astronomical Observatory would surely insist that Xie Xun execute Yuwen Jing.

Xie Xun devised a plan: to find a death-row inmate in the dungeon whose stature resembled Yuwen Jing’s, disguise him as Yuwen Jing, and have him executed in place of the real Yuwen Jing. This bait-and-switch would allow the real Yuwen Jing to remain imprisoned deep within the palace, never seeing the light of day. This plan could deceive the officials and the Astronomical Observatory alike. However, Lin Helin thought it was a lousy plan—merely addressing the symptoms and not the root cause. As long as Yuwen Jing remained alive, he would continue to impact the new dynasty. What they needed was for Yuwen Jing to truly die before Xie Xun’s ascension, not just have the people mistakenly believe he was dead.

But Xie Xun valued Fengyu too much to risk it!

Throughout the dynasties, if the transition between the last emperor of a fallen kingdom and the new emperor of a rising kingdom produced the phenomenon of "two dragons in the sky," it always heralded calamities for the new dynasty. Lin Helin did not agree with Xie Xun’s plan, but Xie Xun resolutely proceeded, commanding his people to make preparations.

Xie Xun was not Yuwen Jing; he was an emperor who readily accepted counsel and ruled with justice and clarity. Yet, when it came to matters concerning Fengyu, Xie Xun was obstinate, which greatly troubled Lin Helin.

Fengyu had escorted Master Miao Yun back to Xiangguo Temple, where a grand funeral ceremony was held. Fengyu also attended the funeral for Master Miao Yun at the temple.

She then went to sit for a while in her small courtyard within the temple. Ever since Feng Shu left, this courtyard had not been used to host any pilgrims. However, young monastic novices frequently came to clean it, so it was still relatively tidy.

Fengyu’s heart was tender and filled with memories of Feng Shu. Within the room, items that Feng Shu used to favor were still displayed. When Feng Shu entered the palace, she hadn’t even taken her daily belongings with her. Looking at the things her elder sister had used, Fengyu’s eyes reddened slightly.

"Sister..." Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by NovelHub(.)net

This was the only way she could reminisce about her sister now.

She instructed someone to send a message back to the Feng Mansion that she would be staying overnight at Xiangguo Temple and would return home early the following day. Dongxue and Xia Zhu stayed with her at the temple. After having dinner, Fengyu strolled by the small stream near the riverbank to lift her spirits.

Dongxue and Xia Zhu spoke to her about Feng Shu’s life at Xiangguo Temple. During the late stages of her pregnancy, Feng Shu didn’t like to move around much, but before her pregnancy became apparent, she often strolled in the back mountains so that the Jinyi Guards could see her regularly. This area seldom had pilgrims and was very secluded. Even at night, the scenery was exceptionally beautiful.

As Fengyu was admiring the scenery, a young novice led Lin Helin over.

Fengyu was surprised to see Lin Helin. She didn’t have much of a relationship with him. Recently, two senior members of the Lin Family had returned to the Capital City but had not yet entered the palace to meet Xie Xun. Meanwhile, Lin Hongcheng had quit his official position in defiance, and although Lin Hongyuan would return to the cabinet, it might not happen until after Xie Xun ascended the throne. This left Xie Xun somewhat disheartened, and Fengyu felt distressed for him.

"Greetings to Lord Lin," Fengyu said politely.

Lin Helin also returned her courtesy. Under the night sky, Fengyu stood in the starlight wearing a simple green summer dress, her face bare but her natural beauty unmatched. Lin Helin showed her courtesy as well. Regardless of Fengyu’s character, her willingness to abandon everything to follow Xie Xun out of the Capital City years ago, braving life and death, proved her steadfastness in love.

Learning that Su Ming had fallen ill, she decisively changed her route from Zhongzhou to Yangzhou, demonstrating her deep attachment to familial ties. To her lover, to her family, she gave her all without hesitation.

Though a frail woman, she reclaimed the Salt and Iron Department of West State from tens of thousands of bandits, pacified all the bandit gangs in the West State, and successfully converted them into loyal citizens. The people of the West State, known for their fierceness, admired her deeply and never betrayed her.

Such a desolate city rampant with banditry was transformed under her governance into a thriving hub of commerce, where citizens lived peacefully. When Sannan’s vanguard attacked, she remained calm, donned armor, and led the defense, never retreating.

He had underestimated her when he first saw her in Jiaozhou. A woman of such intellect and courage—how could Xie Xun not be utterly devoted to her?

"People don’t visit the Three Treasures Hall without reason. What brings Lord Lin here to find me?" Fengyu, after dismissing Dongxue and Xia Zhu, spoke straightforwardly. There was no point in idle pleasantries with Lin Helin; it was better to get straight to the point.

Lin Helin said, "Miss Feng San, you are wise. I’ve come for a reason. Do you know how the Hanguang Tower collapsed?"

Lin Helin spoke coolly, "Xie Xun had explosives piled under Hanguang Tower. The Jinyi Guard had long been aware of this. Yuwen Jing originally planned to lure his prey into a trap, intending to detonate the explosives when Xie Xun personally went to destroy the tower, wiping out Xie Xun and the remnants of Marquis Zhenbei’s faction. But whether it was the Jinyi Guard or the Forbidden Army, there are always clan spies among them. After Yuwen Jing orchestrated the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion massacre three years ago, many of our clan’s spies were placed in both the Forbidden Army and the Jinyi Guard. His schemes could no longer remain as undetected as they were three years ago. Hence, I deliberately leaked information to Marquis An Yuan and others. Unable to wait to inform Xie Xun, they prematurely detonated the explosives and brought down the Hanguang Tower. This matter... your father was aware as well but chose to keep it secret."

Fengyu was slightly startled by the revelation of Feng Changqing’s involvement in the Hanguang Tower incident. She also couldn’t understand why Lin Helin was telling her this. "Why are you informing me of this, Lord Lin? I am but a weak woman; such matters do not concern me."

"Miss Feng San, what I want to say is this—the transition between the old dynasty and the new must adhere to all proper rituals. The establishment of the Beining Dynasty is ordained by fate and supported by the hard work and sacrifices of countless people. The orderly founding of the new dynasty relies on the selflessness of these individuals. Xie Xun cannot, for his own selfish desires, disrupt the divine will and the rites. If Yuwen Jing remains alive when Xie Xun ascends the throne, the phenomenon of ’two dragons in the sky’ will not be a sign of good fortune. Throughout history, it has always been a dire omen, often heralding chaos. Therefore, before Xie Xun’s coronation, Yuwen Jing must die to sever any lingering hopes. The Astronomical Observatory has also predicted that should the ’two dragons in the sky’ appear, it would adversely affect the Beining Dynasty’s luck, plunging Beining into a century of unrest with prolonged strife between Yanyang and Beining. Xie Xun has never believed in gods or fate, but some things are inexplicably predetermined. I do not wish for Beining’s fortune to be ruined by his personal desires. Therefore, I hope Miss Feng San... can make a sacrifice."

Fengyu, sharp and perceptive, had already anticipated what Lin Helin intended to discuss when he came seeking her. Back at Xie Xun’s desk, she had seen memorials from officials urging the execution of Yuwen Jing. Yuwen Jing had to die. She had overheard Xie Xun and his guards deliberating about deceiving the heavens and the people, but they still feared the curse of the parasitic worms.

However, deceiving the heavens would mean the person dying was not Yuwen Jing. As the last emperor of Yanyang, Yuwen Jing himself had to be the one to perish.

Lin Helin undoubtedly knew about the parasitic worms and the life-link between her and Yuwen Jing; that was why he sought her out. No one could persuade Xie Xun, and Fengyu herself did not want Yuwen Jing to jeopardize Beining’s fortune.

"Lord Lin, you need not worry. Before Xie Xun’s coronation, Yuwen Jing will surely die. I assure you that the phenomenon of ’two dragons in the sky’ will not occur!"