Chapter 587: Chapter 587
Although Lin Yu Yan was engaged to Jiang Yang, after Lin Cheng attained great achievements and ascended to fame, the Lin Family rose in social status. Lin Yu Yan refused to marry Jiang Yang, and Lin Cheng found ways to break off the engagement. After their engagement was dissolved, Jiang Yang did not dare cause trouble, nor did he dare confront Lin Yu Yan. Yet, Lin Yu Yan’s reputation was tarnished, making it difficult for her to find a suitable marriage prospect.
The elite families of the Capital City were all reputable households, and their legitimate sons desired matches that were socially equal and with women of unblemished character. Even though Lin Cheng held a position of power and influence at the time, no family wanted their legitimate son to marry Lin Yu Yan. The only option left was pairing her with a family’s illegitimate son, but Lin Yu Yan considered herself above such a match and refused to wed an illegitimate son of a noble family. Thus, after her engagement with Jiang Yang was broken, finding a satisfactory marriage continued to elude her.
Originally, Lin Cheng intended to arrange a good match for her among the new scholars who had just passed the Imperial Exam. However, before he had the chance to act, Lin Cheng went to Yangzhou and died there. Lin Yu Yan’s marriage plans were stalled indefinitely. Jiang Yang, who was at the Imperial College, suffered suppression from Lin Cheng, blocking his path to advancement. Without any solid foundations in the Capital City, Jiang Yang lived in constant fear, struggling in destitution. Nevertheless, he lacked the courage to wage an all-out feud with Lin Yu Yan. He and his mother scraped by in adversity within the Capital City.
Fengyu held no interest in Jiang Yang’s predicament. To her, that was a bygone Chapter, a faint memory akin to frost in the autumn—insignificant and fleeting. In Fengyu’s experience, Jiang Yang was less than dust. If not for encountering him at Xiangguo Temple, she would not have thought of him at all, nor would Xie Xun.
"I... I came specifically to find you." Jiang Yang deliberately inquired about Fengyu’s visit to Xiangguo Temple and purposely orchestrated an encounter, pleading for her sympathy. "Ayu, I was wrong. I’m sorry. Back then, I was foolish, blinded by greed and deceit. I’ve already paid for my mistakes. These years, I’ve lived like a rat in the streets, condemned by everyone. I’ve already repaid the debts of the past. I beg you, show mercy and spare me."
"If you properly focus on your duties at the Imperial College, who would bother to harm you? We’ve long forgotten you," Fengyu replied impatiently. "Leave. Stop being an eyesore."
"The people at the Imperial College are all saying... one day, His Majesty will inevitably target me. Ayu, plead on my behalf, for the sake of the engagement we once shared."
"Engagement? You truly aren’t afraid of death, are you?" Fengyu looked at him with a hint of a smirk. "Fine, I’ll plead on your behalf."
Jiang Yang was overjoyed. "Really?"
Overcome with happiness, Jiang Yang deeply regretted the events of the past. If only he hadn’t ended the engagement with Fengyu—if only—how could he have ended up in such a sorry state today?
Jiang Yang didn’t dare linger. Having achieved his purpose, he was careful not to provoke Fengyu’s displeasure. Qiuxiang gave a disdainful snort and nervously said, "Miss, don’t be foolish and truly plead for him. His Majesty will surely be infuriated, and it’ll only make him more resentful toward you. Jealous men can be utterly unreasonable." Google seaʀᴄh novel⟡fire.net
"Your mistress isn’t that softhearted. There will definitely be rumors spreading in the Capital City soon. Send someone to suppress them. Don’t let them gain traction." Fengyu had no intention of entertaining Jiang Yang, but Jiang Yang’s blatant appearance at Xiangguo Temple to seek her out would inevitably stir up trouble. This trouble could grow large or small, and Fengyu wanted to uncover who was behind it, fanning the flames.
Just as Fengyu had predicted, rumors regarding Fengyu and Jiang Yang indeed began to spread in the Capital City. They vividly recounted how Fengyu was deeply infatuated with Jiang Yang, only to suffer the humiliation of being rejected and having the engagement broken.
The moment the rumors began to arise, the Kyoto Capital Guard swiftly and severely cracked down on them. The guard, stationed throughout the Capital City, treated anyone spreading the matter as guilty of slandering the Empress. In just one day, five or six dozen people were thrown into the Ministry of Criminal Justice’s prison.
The rumors flared up suddenly and were suppressed just as swiftly. The suppression occurred so quickly that Fengyu didn’t even have time to investigate who was behind the smear campaign against her reputation. Xie Xun was extraordinarily protective, refusing to tolerate even the slightest whisper of slander being spread.
The pace was so fast that Fengyu didn’t even get the chance to intervene!