Chapter 570: Chapter 570

Fengyu knew that as long as Yuwen Jing was alive, the new regime could not take root. The old faction, represented by Grandmaster Zhang, still dreamed of revitalizing the Yuwen Royal Family. In their eyes, the Beining Dynasty was not legitimate—it was founded by traitors and usurpers. Fengyu also knew that recently, Grandmaster Zhang and other clan elders were secretly plotting to rescue Yuwen Jing. They had already begun persuading the Forbidden Army and Jinyi Guard, whose ranks were filled with clan scions. Should the major clans unite, Ningzhou’s forces would not have reached the Capital City in time, leaving Xie Xun unable to keep control.

After seizing the Imperial City, Xie Xun had sent orders to Ningzhou to deploy fifty thousand troops. The soldiers from Salt City would also take at least ten days to return. General Gao, loyal to the Yuwen Royal Family, had been sent back to his post by Lin Helin. If persuaded by the clans to respond, he would undoubtedly act. Therefore, the ceremony for Xie Xun’s ascension had to be flawless—it must proceed peacefully, and Yuwen Jing must die!

Xie Xun had kept Yuwen Jing alive due to his apprehensions about Fengyu, hesitating to act decisively. Lin Helin urged her to convince Xie Xun—something Fengyu understood all too well.

For the stability of the new regime, Yuwen Jing must die!

With ongoing battles in Jiangnan and the new dynasty just established, any internal unrest amidst external threats would spell catastrophe for the dynasty. Even as Xie Xun sought to replace Yuwen Jing, Lin Helin ensured swift conclusion to the chaos. After seizing the Forbidden Army and Kyoto Capital Guard, Xie Xun had prevented further escalation within the Imperial City. Both Lin Helin and Xie Xun knew this had to be resolved swiftly to avoid repercussions on the Jiangnan war effort.

Yet the clan elders likely viewed legitimacy as more important than the chaos in Jiangnan.

"Miss, you’re connected to Yuwen Jing through the gu worm. If he dies, you can’t survive either—what are we supposed to do? You can’t persuade His Majesty either." Dongxue sounded agitated, her tone laced with reproach toward Lin Helin. "Lord Lin is so inconsiderate—why doesn’t he go persuade the emperor himself instead of putting this on you?"

To Dongxue and Xia Zhu, Feng Shu, Fengyu, and Ruyi were more important than anything else in the world.

"What can be done? Xie Xun’s coronation ceremony is looming—should we simply let those elders plot rebellion and cause chaos during his ascension?" Fengyu replied coolly. "If the elders persuade the Forbidden Army and Jinyi Guard, all of Zhixu’s efforts will have been for nothing. Don’t be fooled by the semblance of control over the Cabinet, Astronomical Observatory, and Kyoto Capital Guard. The Forbidden Army and Jinyi Guard remain undecided, especially the Forbidden Army. If they don’t rebel, we stand no chance against Yuwen Jing. If the elders succeed and the Forbidden Army turns on us during the coronation, with Zhixu isolated in the capital, what can we possibly do? With my elders from the Lin Family returning, Lin Helin will no longer hold authority as the head of the family. That’s why he’s rushing to secure the Forbidden Army’s allegiance to Xie Xun—to ensure the coronation solidifies Xie Xun’s rule and forces acceptance. Who would’ve thought Xie Xun refused to kill Yuwen Jing? If Yuwen Jing lives, everything we’ve built could be undone. The Yuwen Royal Family, entrenched in the Capital for centuries, holds the advantage of legitimacy. Lord Lin must have pleaded with Zhixu countless times to execute Yuwen Jing. If he had any other choice, he wouldn’t have troubled me."

"But if Yuwen Jing dies, what about you?" Xia Zhu asked anxiously. "We still haven’t found a way to break the gu curse. Couldn’t we delay until Dugu Jing arrives in the Capital?"

"But the coronation is the day after tomorrow—we don’t have time to wait for Dugu Jing. Those elders will surely rise during the ceremony. Should we just sit by and do nothing? They’ll insist on legitimacy, threatening their lives to coerce Xie Xun into freeing Yuwen Jing. Can Xie Xun kill them all? He’s not Yuwen Jing—he wouldn’t commit senseless slaughter. Moreover, implementing the new policies requires cooperation with the clans; we absolutely cannot alienate them. Don’t underestimate public opinion—we’ve leveraged it ourselves, using it to turn Yuwen Jing into a traitor of the realm, stripping him of the people’s favor. If the clans unite and stir public sentiment, everything we’ve worked so hard to orchestrate will be wasted." Fengyu’s voice softened, "The war in Jiangnan remains unresolved. Second Brother said this battle is exceedingly difficult. If unrest breaks out in the Capital and Yuwen Jing’s remnants revive, with a mishap befalling Zhixu, Second Brother may well raise a flag in rebellion from Jiangnan. With external enemies unresolved, initiating civil war first would be catastrophic."

Dongxue and Xia Zhu exchanged uneasy glances. The Miss had spoken at length yet still hadn’t addressed what would happen to her if Yuwen Jing was killed. Their Third Miss was never one to sacrifice herself for others.

Later that night, Fengyu couldn’t sleep. She got up and began playing the flute. Dongxue and Xia Zhu, who had been drowsily keeping watch outside her courtyard, instantly jolted awake. One glance at each other revealed their mutual exasperation—they immediately covered their ears.

Even with their ears covered, the piercing, eerie strains of the flute couldn’t be ignored. Read complete versıon only at novel⚑fire.net

Thankfully, the courtyard was far from the main hall of Xiangguo Temple. The haunting, sinister melody was strangely appropriate, resembling funeral music—a chilling accompaniment to the atmosphere.

"Miss, with your exceptional flute playing, you should perform for His Majesty sometime," Dongxue suggested earnestly.

"Indeed—play for him every day," Xia Zhu added.

Fengyu hadn’t played for some time, and she felt slightly rusty at it.

Dongxue reassured her, "Miss is a born genius. Even years away from the jade flute couldn’t diminish your skill—you’re far from rusty."

Fengyu was slightly embarrassed by the praise. Her elder sister loved playing melodies and excelled at it, while Dongxue and Xia Zhu had excellent taste, believing her playing to be pleasant by their standards.

The next morning, Fengyu accompanied the monks from Xiangguo Temple to send Master Miao Yun’s body up the mountain for burial, seeing her off on her final journey. Afterward, she partook in a vegetarian meal at the monastery, then leisurely descended the mountain. She brought back some of Xiangguo Temple’s vegetarian dishes for Old Mrs. Feng.

After returning to the manor, Fengyu instructed the kitchen to heat up the vegetarian dishes and sent them to her grandmother’s courtyard. Old Mrs. Feng, now advanced in age, had a delicate appetite, favoring light food with little oil or salt. She particularly cherished Xiangguo Temple’s vegetarian meals, which were deliciously crafted. Among her favorites was a tofu-and-vegetable dish styled as braised pork—it simulated the taste of meat without being heavy, satisfying cravings without overwhelming her palate. However, with her advancing years, she rarely visited Xiangguo Temple anymore.

After dining, Fengyu accompanied her grandmother for a stroll by the river, supporting her as they walked. "Grandmother, Ruyi should be arriving home within five or six days. You must hold him dearly—he’s at that adorable age when he’s learning to speak," Fengyu said gently.

"Grandmother has been waiting day and night," Old Mrs. Feng replied with a smile. Though Ruyi was not her first great-grandchild, she eagerly anticipated him more than any other. The eldest son of the main branch, Feng Wenrong, already had a son and daughter, and Feng Wan had her own children as well, yet Old Mrs. Feng had not met Ruyi. If she couldn’t hold him in her arms, it would be a pity. "Grandmother doesn’t even know what Ruyi likes, but I’ve prepared plenty of clothes and toys for him."

"Whatever Grandmother prepares, Ruyi will love it," Fengyu said warmly, her smile gentle. "Our Ruyi looks forward to Grandmother accompanying him as he grows."

"Ayu, after Ruyi returns to the Capital, will he be raised in the palace?" Old Mrs. Feng asked wistfully. Such an arrangement would make visits more difficult.

"Yes, he’ll be raised in the palace. But don’t worry, Grandmother—if you miss him, Father and Mother can bring him out of the palace for a visit. Zhixu would not refuse," Fengyu reassured her.

Old Mrs. Feng laughed happily, her mood lifted by the comforting words, but her laughter faltered after a moment. "If Grandmother misses Ruyi, why wouldn’t you be the one to bring him out?"

Fengyu paused, then chuckled lightly. "Grandmother, Zhixu plans to announce my title as Empress during the coronation ceremony. He intends to grant me the status first, with the wedding to be arranged later. As your granddaughter, I may not be able to leave the palace frequently once that happens."