Chapter 534 - 516: Incident Occurs
After Fengyu fell unconscious, Xie Xun suddenly felt as though the world was spinning wildly, and the two of them abruptly swapped back, their souls returning to their rightful places. No one could bear witnessing Feng Shu leap from the city walls. Fengyu couldn’t accept it, nor could Xie Xun. When Fengyu’s soul returned, the pain overtook her, and she too lost consciousness. Both collapsed in the underground passage, throwing Feiying, Nuanyang, and the others into panic.
Fortunately, Xie Xun’s soul returned to its rightful place after losing consciousness, and he woke up within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Feiying and Nuanyang led the death warriors to carry them away from the North Palace Gate, retreating toward the Southern City via underground tunnels. The plan had failed this time—an outcome they hadn’t foreseen. Despite Xie Xun’s coordination with the Shadow Guards and Marquis An Yuan’s mediation, the initially well-crafted plan fell apart due to Yuwen Jing’s suspicions. Feng Shu had lost her life.
Xie Xun slammed his fist into the wall with all his might. His knuckles were bloodied, and the ground was littered with Forbidden Army and Jinyi Guard corpses. They were trapped in the passage, and regret surged through Xie Xun. If only he had been more careful, more vigilant, his sister-in-law might not have died.
Xie Zhang was pierced by countless arrows; his sister-in-law leapt from the city walls—every instance playing out before his eyes. Once again, he was forced to witness his loved ones leave, each departure more gruesome than the last.
Xie Xun was overcome with regret!
If only he could have shot an arrow to end Yuwen Jing’s life!
He held Fengyu in his arms and leaned against the icy wall, his cheek pressed to Fengyu’s cool forehead. Like a wild beast gravely wounded, he sought solace. But blood continued to seep from his wounds; his body was battered and scarred. How many more times would he have to live through such scenes?
He loathed his own powerlessness—being so close, just one step away, yet separated by an insurmountable gulf.
"I’m sorry..."
Brother, Ayu, I’m sorry!
His rescue attempt had failed. He hadn’t managed to save his sister-in-law, hadn’t been able to take her to see Ruyi.
What was he to do?
In the dead of night, thunder erupted unexpectedly. Even within the underground passage, Xie Xun could hear the rumble of thunder rolling through the skies, each strike like a whip against his body. Xie Xun struggled even to breathe.
Nuanyang and Feiying, along with the others, didn’t dare comfort him. Words were too hollow—they could neither soothe Fengyu nor comfort Xie Xun.
The city walls were so high, the leap so far. Landing flat on her back, survival was impossible.
Xie Xun asked hoarsely, "Have Feng Changqing and Su Yuejiao left the Feng Mansion yet?"
"Don’t worry, Master. They’ve already been escorted out. However, the elderly matron didn’t want to burden them, so she remained at the Feng Mansion. We’ve also notified Prince Duan and Princess Duan—they’ll be staying briefly at the Feng Mansion tonight." Before Xie Xun made his move, the death warriors had already sent word to Princess Duan, and she traveled back home with Prince Duan and their two children.
Yuwen Jing, unless utterly lost to madness, wouldn’t turn against his own brother. He still needed support from the imperial clan, and Prince Duan currently commanded greater respect among the family than he did.
The main concern was Feng Changqing and Su Yuejiao. With the Feng Family divided, escorting the couple away should be manageable. If Yuwen Jing truly dared to unleash indiscriminate slaughter, even the Grand Secretariat would step in to halt him.
That night in the Capital City, few could find rest.
The Lin Residence and the Zhang Family estate were very close. Upon hearing the news, Zhang Boju braved the rain to seek out Lin Helin at the Lin Residence. Lin Helin had long since woken but was weary in recent days. His sleep had been heavy, and the news startled him awake in a daze.
"Who is dead?"
"Lady Xie is dead. She leapt from the North Palace Gate; her bones are nearly all shattered." When palace spies delivered the news, the thunder amid the storm roared through the skies. An icy dread enshrouded Lin Helin’s heart.
He swiftly donned his robe and sent messengers to several respected royal uncles in the imperial clan, instructing them to enter the palace and, if Yuwen Jing showed any erratic behavior, to intervene immediately.
Feng Shu was dead. Lin Helin couldn’t even begin to imagine what Yuwen Jing might do next. This ruler was nothing like the previous Emperor Jianming. Emperor Jianming had resented his power being curtailed but was adept at imperial intrigue. However, Emperor Jianming was indecisive and would never embark on mass killings like Yuwen Jing. Yuwen Jing was a rabid dog lying in wait—if he truly snapped, holding command over the Forbidden Army and Jinyi Guards, no one in the Imperial City could stop him.
"Inform the Empress to close the palace gates and keep the Crown Prince within. Whatever happens in the palace has nothing to do with her."
Lin Helin drank a cup of cold tea, forcing himself to regain composure. He summoned one of his skilled Shadow Guards to surveil Chen Mo. With Lady Xie found at the North Palace Gate, it was surely Xie Xun trying to take her away, while Yuwen Jing set his trap to capture Xie Xun, leading to the tragedy.
He didn’t know where Xie Xun was. A portion of Marquis Zhenbei’s death warriors had once been trained by the Lin Residence. Those warriors had been left to Lin Elder’s eldest daughter for her protection. Three years ago, they’d failed to rescue her, entering a dormant period in the Capital City to await Xie Xun’s return.
After Lin Elder’s death, those death warriors became Marquis Zhenbei Mansion’s people. Neither Lin Helin nor his father could order them anymore; they could only shadow Chen Mo. If Chen Mo found Xie Xun, they could follow suit.
The Capital City would soon face house-to-house searches. Xie Xun had nowhere to hide unless he managed to leave the city tonight. Otherwise, the Jinyi Guards would undoubtedly capture him.
When Zhang Boju arrived, Lin Helin was still organizing matters. The sudden turn of events had caught them unprepared. Zhang Boju, fresh from Hanguang Tower, said grimly, "Marquis An Yuan’s Mansion, along with General Chang, General Zhou, Vice Minister Chen from the Ministry of Revenue, and over ten other officials—all their families have been arrested by the Jinyi Guards and thrown into prison. My grandfather has led several members of the imperial clan to the Jinyi Guard dungeons to prevent the emperor from unleashing a massacre. What... what is he planning? What’s he trying to accomplish?"
Lin Helin, "..."
These individuals were all former subordinates of Marquis Zhenbei Mansion. Even now, they spoke on behalf of Xie Jue and Xie Xun in the court, especially Marquis An Yuan and several old generals. Three years ago, these old generals had surrendered to Yuwen Jing to protect their families, yet their choices mirrored Feng Changqing’s—they laid down their arms and retired, choosing not to get involved in worldly affairs. However, their clan descendants who held positions in the government still advocated for Marquis Zhenbei’s brothers.
With this disaster unfolding, Yuwen Jing would rather kill erroneously than let anyone escape. All former members of Marquis Zhenbei’s Mansion were thrown into prison. Marquis An Yuan, whose title spans centuries of lineage, tracing back to ancestors who expanded the empire’s territories alongside its founder, has had his ranks preserved across generations. Even knowing his connections to Marquis Zhenbei’s family, Yuwen Jing had tolerated Marquis An Yuan advocating for Xie Jue and Xie Xun over the last few years.
He truly was a madman!
With Feng Shu alive, this madman was shrewd, insightful, and orderly in handling political affairs. But with Feng Shu dead, how many lives would he want to bury with hers?
"We’re going to the Jinyi Guard dungeons!" Lin Helin abandoned concern for his appearance. The incident came abruptly, deep in the night. Neither Lin Helin nor Zhang Boju, both noble gentlemen, had time to tidy their attire. They rushed into the rain, Lin Helin’s voice losing its usual calm as it fell amidst the downpour, "He wants these people’s lives, forcing Xie Xun and Fengyu to surface. Get the noble families to recall their Forbidden Army contingents to their houses—control of the Forbidden Army must be taken! Zhang Bolan is family to you in the Zhang Clan. Have your grandfather convince him, by threats or promises. If he remains obstinate, his life shouldn’t be spared—kill him outright!"
"Alright, I’ll make arrangements!"