Chapter 575: Chapter 575

Lin Helin also understood that Xie Xun was making an example by using Grandmaster Zhang as a tool, while the threat to kill the Zhang clan was merely a show, he initially did not inform Lin Helin and Zhang Boju. Based on their understanding of Xie Xun, he would never do such a thing, but now Xie Xun’s momentum was intimidating enough.

Grandmaster Zhang was so cornered he hardly dared to meet the eyes of his clan members, fearing that he would indeed see the gaze of resentment and hatred. Zhang Boju, feeling sorry for his grandfather, hastily came to support him, "Grandfather, the dynasty has changed, you... shouldn’t be too stubborn."

Looking at his most beloved legitimate grandson, Grandmaster Zhang was overcome with sorrow. Indeed, he was old; the younger generation of the family had all lost to Xie Xun and cooperated to implement the new policy. None of them insisted on upholding orthodoxy.

Yet these people had been bound by rituals and rules since childhood, how could they disregard them?

"Yuwen Jing is still alive, he is the legitimate one..." Grandmaster Zhang persisted in his conviction, "He is the monarch we have always followed, even if he made mistakes, he has the edict of succession, it absolutely cannot be Xie Xun. The five-hundred-year foundation of Yanyang must not be destroyed overnight!"

The old ministers also felt Grandmaster Zhang’s sorrow, tears welling in their eyes.

"Who else wants to oppose me, stand out!"

At Xie Xun’s question, the hall fell silent; the accompanying music team sensibly resumed the interrupted music for the ascension ceremony. The officials knelt down to pay homage, and Grandmaster Zhang tried to resist but was firmly held down by Zhang Boju.

"Grandfather, do you really want to see the younger generation of the Zhang clan, because of your obstinate loyalty, end up decapitated, watching the downfall of the Zhang family?"

"He won’t; he’s bluffing." Grandmaster Zhang rebuked, "You need not fear him; what emperor would dare to execute a massacre at the ascension ceremony." Read full story at novᴇlfire.net

"Yes, the emperor will not; he is a military general who won’t kill indiscriminately, and you are banking on this. But Yuwen Jing will, why are you so loyal to him? Does he not have enough blood on his hands?"

Xie Xun walked through Taihe Palace, ascending the steps engraved with golden dragons, accepting the homage of the officials. Yet Grandmaster Zhang remained obstinate; as the music ended, Xie Xun received the seals prepared by the Ministry of Rites in Taihe Palace, formally announcing the establishment of the Beining Dynasty, becoming its first monarch.

Grandmaster Zhang was utterly desolate. Mr. Li from the Astronomical Observatory kept signaling to Lin Helin; with the new dynasty established, it would soon be time for the observatory to observe the world and forecast the kingdom’s fortune.

The Astronomical Observatory must have detected celestial signs and was seeking help. No one wanted to offend the new emperor at this time, but they also couldn’t lie, causing extreme panic.

Lin Helin also knew Yuwen Jing was still alive. Fengyu insisted that Yuwen Jing would die before Xie Xun’s ascension ceremony; he had asked Xie Xun about this upon arriving at Taihe Palace square.

Yuwen Jing was still alive.

It seemed Fengyu had not persuaded Xie Xun either.

After the Ministry of Rites recited the text for the founding of the new dynasty, custom dictated the Astronomical Observatory would forecast the kingdom’s fortune, typically offering auspicious words. But the observatory knew Yuwen Jing was alive, as did the civil and military officers; if they lied on such a day, the authority of the observatory would be utterly discredited, and all future observations would be questioned.

Some old ministers, compelled to submit to the new dynasty, were also gloating, watching Xie Xun and the observatory, waiting to see the joke. If the observatory went against the celestial signs, they had another wave of attacks ready.

They would also create public opinion against Xie Xun, claiming that Xie Xun and the observatory colluded to falsify fortune readings, which would disgrace Xie Xun. Besides, so many incidents happening during the ascension ceremony were indeed ominous.

Mr. Li from the Astronomical Observatory was sweating profusely, until suddenly a palace guard reported, "To report to Your Majesty, the criminal monarch Yuwen Jing has fallen from the east city wall; the Imperial Hospital reports he has died."

Xie Xun was shocked and took a few quick steps before being stopped by a Ministry of Rites official, "Your Majesty, the ceremony is not yet over?"

"Third Miss... How is Fengyu?" Xie Xun asked urgently.

The guard hesitated before answering, "It was Miss Feng Yu who pushed Yuwen Jing off the wall, the lady is safe and has gone to Changshou Palace. She hopes Your Majesty can continue the ceremony without distraction."

Xie Xun’s heart was already with Fengyu; how could he still focus on the ascension ceremony? Without seeing Fengyu with his own eyes, he could not be at ease, but with all the civil and military officials watching, he could not act willfully, conducting the ceremony while being anxious.