Chapter 586: Chapter 586
Xiangguo Temple is the favorite place for the wives and daughters of prominent families in the capital. Families would go out of their way to inquire which household was visiting the temple on any given day—if relations were strained, they would avoid crossing paths to preserve their mood; if relations were friendly, they’d often extend invitations to visit together.
Fengyu learned that the Lin sisters and Abao were at Xiangguo Temple and specifically asked a young monk about their schedule. Upon knowing they would leave in the afternoon, Fengyu took Ruyi to play in the backyard. Only after Ruyi was asleep and the Lin sisters had departed did she head to the main hall to make offerings.
Unexpectedly, the path of enemies often crosses—it was then she encountered Jiang Yang.
She hadn’t seen Jiang Yang in a long time. The once high-spirited top scorer that he was had now fallen into disarray and looked weathered, as though aged by more than ten years. Upon seeing him, Fengyu almost didn’t recognize him until he called out, "Ayu."
Qiuxiang had recognized him a step ahead of Fengyu and protectively stepped in front of her. "What ill fortune! Why is it you? Stay away from our young lady!"
Jiang Yang no longer retained the charisma of his former top-scorer days. He had become timid, yet his gaze still carried intricate emotions. Tremors of change in the capital had spread far and wide: Xie Xun ascended to the throne, and Fengyu was his personally-appointed Empress—a fact known by all. Jiang Yang worked at the Imperial College and had long been aware of this. His colleagues had humiliated him, mocking him for being remarkably "fortunate" to have been once betrothed to the Empress and lamenting his snobbishness in ending the engagement, which tarnished Fengyu’s reputation and subjected her to public ridicule.
Jiang Yang was mortified, burdened by guilt, and perpetually on edge, terrified of repercussions from Xie Xun. As a man, he understood other men well—how could Xie Xun possibly tolerate him holding an official post after having shared such a past with Fengyu?
Fortunately, Xie Xun had been too consumed by pressing reforms and daily affairs to concern himself with the Imperial College.
But one day, if Xie Xun spared time to recall, that would mark the end of Jiang Yang’s career path.
He lived in constant fear, unable to taste his meals and losing sleep every night, bitterly regretting his choices.
"Ayu, I beg you, let me go. Now that you’ve risen to great heights and become a phoenix, I implore you not to harbor resentment against me," Jiang Yang pleaded, his knees buckling as he prepared to kneel for forgiveness.
Zhang Da acted swiftly and firmly, grabbing his hand and forcing him upright. "Mr. Jiang, what are you attempting to do in broad daylight under these watchful eyes? There’s no longer any connection between you and our young lady, nor any lingering grievances. Please conduct yourself with dignity!"
The bustling Xiangguo Temple was teeming with people, from nobles to commoners. The history of Jiang Yang and Fengyu’s engagement, combined with the rumors that Fengyu had once been infatuated with him to the point of unrelenting pursuit, had long circulated in the capital. Now entangled together again, tongues would surely wag, and opportunists might weaponize their past to create a scandal. Fengyu’s reputation would suffer, and Xie Xun’s authority could be undermined! Googlᴇ search novｅlfire.net
"Ayu, please spare me, I beg you." Jiang Yang trembled in fear, while Fengyu knitted her brows in disgust. Life in the capital was far less agreeable than in West State—in West State, she had absolute authority, the people were rugged and unrestrained, and her days were free and easy. In the capital, however, restrictions suffocated her; the scrutiny bred intense displeasure. Watching the crowd gathering to point and whisper only exacerbated her annoyance.
Turning away, Fengyu strode off but signaled Zhang Da with her eyes to bring Jiang Yang to the secluded hillside. There, away from prying eyes, Jiang Yang kneeled in disgrace, begging for his life.
"We have long since severed ties. Why beg me to let you go?" Fengyu gazed indifferently at his pitiful state, unmoved and devoid of any compassion.
"I...I was once your fiancé. The Emperor will inevitably strip me of my position eventually. I have nowhere to turn; I had no choice but to come to you," Jiang Yang stammered. His colleagues at the Imperial College constantly whispered to him of Xie Xun’s impending revenge, insinuating that his days were numbered. Naturally, Jiang Yang was paralyzed by fear.
"You really overestimate your importance. Zhixu doesn’t even remember who you are," Fengyu sneered coldly. "If you hadn’t come to Xiangguo Temple looking for me, he wouldn’t have any reason to recall you. Jiang Yang, are you simply foolishly delusional, or is someone instigating you?"