Chapter 697: After Binding the Child-Bearing System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 698: Background Board Rabbit Spirit (End)

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

When Lin Xingzhi received the news from the palace, the couple had just finished breakfast.

Shen Yao: ……

Compared to Shen Yao, who had long known the inside information, Lin Xingzhi was still somewhat dazed.

Ah?

The Empress was deposed, the imperial consorts and heirs suffered heavy casualties, the Emperor was injured — all this happened yesterday?

"Your Highness, please enter the palace immediately," Eunuch Li personally came to summon Lin Xingzhi.

Even this Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Guard had been dispatched; no matter how much Lin Xingzhi disbelieved in his heart, on the surface he could only nod in acknowledgment.

Turning to look at Shen Yao standing not far away, Lin Xingzhi hesitated, then patted her shoulder and instructed her to "guard the home well."

"Rest assured," Shen Yao thought, who would dare provoke the Jing Wang Fu now? Everyone could barely protect themselves. "Be careful on the road, obey the Emperor's orders in everything."

Even if the Emperor orders him to do something outrageous? Right now he must comply with the Emperor's wishes, because at this critical juncture there can be no mistake; a single misstep could lose everything. The Emperor has been made too sensitive by the Empress and palace affairs.

Lin Xingzhi gave an "mm" of acknowledgment, turned, and left together with Eunuch Li.

No sooner had he left than the system in her mind began howling; its core message was just one sentence: the palace is too dangerous, Lin Xingzhi going there might get him killed, and then the Host would become a widow.

Shen Yao: ……

"It hasn't reached that extent; the Emperor has no usable people around him.

Lin Xingzhi entering the palace is the Emperor wanting to completely control the situation; he trusts no one else, only Lin Xingzhi," the Emperor uses him with great confidence and dares to delegate power.

"Why?" The system was puzzled. Lin Xingzhi is also surnamed Lin; if he truly risked everything to seize the throne, no matter how much the Emperor regretted it, he would still die with hatred in the Yellow Springs.

"You go look outside, and verify the situation at the Daoist temple and Buddhist temple," Shen Yao spoke lightly, and conveniently had the servants close the mansion gates.

Anyway, there are personnel guarding outside; whether the gates are closed or not makes no difference.

System: …… Huh?

Following the Host's lead, the system floated out to check, and what did it see? Whether the Daoist temple, the Buddhist temple, or outside the Jing Wang Fu — all had large numbers of troops lying in ambush. Even with its limited processing capacity, it clearly understood who these troops were targeting.

Good, very good!

The Emperor is so insidious; no wonder he's confident handing over power. He actually uses the other's family and offspring as threats.

Ordinary people wouldn't abandon everything to gamble on that sliver of possibility; only those who value power too heavily would stake everything just for that position.

Would Lin Xingzhi be that kind of person? Doesn't look like it, but one cannot judge by appearances alone. If Lin Xingzhi's disguise skills are too powerful, even without offspring and wife, he could produce more in the future.

Shen Yao: ……

"If that's truly the case, it means my skills aren't up to par; I'll accept the loss."

After repaying the grudges that should be repaid, I'll directly retire to the mountains and forests.

"But Lin Xingzhi isn't that kind of person, and I can't let the mission fail. Although it's annoying, the Emperor's move is very correct; trusting Lin Xingzhi is more reliable than trusting other royals or court officials."

Turning, she walked back to her room with light steps, lay down on the couch rather casually, and let the system get busy; otherwise it would just be idle anyway. How else did she get first-hand intelligence on the palace?

Hearing Shen Yao's words, the system indeed went to work, bouncing along into the palace, and ran straight into the Emperor roaring loudly at an empty room in the front hall.

The system realized the Emperor seemed a bit crazy; could he have been stimulated by the Empress's actions last night?

Curiosity aroused, the system watched eagerly to see how the Emperor roared, especially since he kept saying inexplicable things involving the Empress, consorts, heirs, court officials, and so on.

Finally, the Emperor laughed loudly toward the sky several times, then returned to normal and sat back at the desk.

System: ……

As expected, I said so many things happening in the palace — how could there not be something wrong? The whole lot are madmen and madwomen, and it really caught a flaw.

Lin Xingzhi had already entered the palace with Eunuch Li at this time; he went nowhere else, heading straight for the sleeping hall where the Emperor was.

Before seeing him in person, Lin Xingzhi had imagined countless times in his mind the severity of the Emperor's injuries, from light to heavy, every possibility, even planning his own reactions — whether to cry or laugh, whether to express concern first or receive the edict first. But when he entered the sleeping hall and saw the Emperor, Lin Xingzhi suddenly became somewhat at a loss.

Er, er, Eunuch Li's words were so grave; he thought the Emperor's condition would be very serious. Turns out it was just a slight accidental scratch on the arm.

"You've come."

The Emperor sat behind the desk; curling wisps of smoke rose from the incense burner beside him, making his person appear even more solemn.

Lin Xingzhi knelt to pay respects, then asked after the Emperor's condition with a concerned face, while simultaneously requesting punishment for himself — after all, he knew nothing of last night's events, dereliction of duty, failing the Emperor's trust.

"This matter has nothing to do with you; it's merely some expected minor trouble, We can still handle it," the Emperor brushed past last night's events lightly, then spoke of why he had Li Dehai summon Lin Xingzhi into the palace — there was a matter needing Lin Xingzhi to handle on his behalf.

Lin Xingzhi: …… Here it comes, here it comes; late but arrived, the real main event is about to begin.

The Emperor handed the military tally in his hand to Lin Xingzhi, and along with it bestowed an imperial edict authorizing troop mobilization on his command alone — meaning all the Imperial Guards and Yulin Guards inside and outside the capital must obey his dispatch.

Lin Xingzhi: ……

"Your Majesty, this, absolutely cannot be done. This subject is panic-stricken; please retract the order," Lin Xingzhi knelt on the ground, head bowed low, until a pair of feet wearing yellow-soled boots appeared in his vision.

The Emperor personally helped Lin Xingzhi up, and guaranteed that his word, once spoken, could not be recalled even by four horses — where is the logic of morning orders changed by evening?

"Your Majesty."

Lin Xingzhi earnestly and sincerely stated that the court had many usable people; he had neither talent nor ability, and could not shoulder the duty of commanding the capital's entire forces.

"We say you can shoulder it, then you can shoulder it," the Emperor raised his hand and patted Lin Xingzhi's shoulder, not waiting for him to speak before continuing, "The court above and below is all affected by the harem; last night's situation was quite tricky. We could not stop the hysterical Empress in time, causing heavy casualties in the palace." He sighed here, and the Emperor's tone shifted, his gaze full of trust and high expectations falling on Lin Xingzhi.

Words followed words; things had come to this point. For Lin Xingzhi to refuse again would appear extremely tactless.

Accepting the military tally and the already-written edict from the Emperor's hand with a moved expression, Lin Xingzhi declared he would not betray the holy will, devote himself wholeheartedly until death.

"Go then; the safety of the capital and Our safety are fully entrusted to you."

"Yes, this subject receives the command."

Lin Xingzhi turned and left the sleeping hall; the room once again held only the Emperor alone.

The Emperor circled the empty, vast hall again and again, then summoned Li Dehai, who was waiting outside the door, to come in.

"You take Our other tally and follow closely beside King Jing. If King Jing makes no unusual move, there is no need to activate this tally; but if King Jing makes many actions that are hard to explain or fathom, remember to arrange manpower to restrain King Jing."

How could a tally be given out without the slightest precaution? That simply does not match the Emperor's personality, which excels at suspicion.

Upon hearing this, Li Dehai acknowledged with a "yes," and as he was about to leave he also mentioned King Jing's consort staying in the manor and the three young misses at the Buddhist temple and Daoist abbey.

"Escort them all together. A family reunion — they'll have company on the road."

Chu Wu Chu Gen, the spring wind blows and they grow again. The Emperor has no habit of leaving trouble for himself; Lin Xingzhi is obedient, that's fine, but if he is not obedient, then let him go keep the Former Emperor company — who has long since departed.

In any case, these hands of the Emperor, whether before ascending the throne or after, have been stained with no small amount of half-brothers' fresh blood; it is merely killing one more half-brother — the Emperor feels not the slightest burden.

Li Dehai's expression was likewise calm, without the slightest trace of pity for King Jing's family.

Firmly remembering the Emperor's command, Li Dehai went out the door and headed straight for Lin Xingzhi; the tally the Emperor had handed him was clutched tight in his hand, not loosening in the least.

Lin Xingzhi naturally did not know that the up-and-coming Li Dehai still held a tally; he was earnestly deploying troops to defend the capital and the Imperial Palace.

During this period he also did not forget to place all matters under Li Dehai's very eyelids, to prevent Li Dehai from being unable to report because he did not know the process.

Li Dehai: ……

Whatever the psychological consideration, doing this had no downside for either side.

Shen Yao still stayed in the manor listening to the system babble; inside the palace and outside, the Front Court and the Imperial Harem — there was no content the system could not speak of.

As the deployed troops entered their designated sectors, the restless people sobered up; apart from the Jin Family, which could no longer turn back, the other great clans all understood clearly that wanting to topple the Emperor was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot; since they could not make Li Guo change its Heaven and Earth, they would settle for more benefits — after all, do you know how much energy it takes to raise a great clan's daughter? The Emperor cannot just let it pass lightly.

One life after another was exchanged for benefits; as long as the price was high enough, there was no deal that could not be made.

But these things had nothing to do with Lin Xingzhi; the great clans' willing equal-trading partners have always been the person with the greatest power.

After a busy day and night outside, when Lin Xingzhi returned to the manor, weariness was thick upon him.

Seeing Shen Yao sitting at a dining table spread with food, waiting for him to take his seat, Lin Xingzhi suddenly smiled, "Yao Niang."

Compared to the wariness and guard when he went out, it is the mood upon returning that can truly relax.

He strode over to Shen Yao's side and pulled her tightly into his embrace, "Yao Niang."

Shen Yao patted Lin Xingzhi's back in return, "How is the situation outside?"

"Everything is fine. The Emperor was fully prepared this time; as for the Jin Family, extermination of the clan is letting them off lightly." The Empress had already hanged herself in the palace; all the evil she had done naturally fell onto the Jin Family.

Now the entire Jin clan is in the death prison. When he left the palace he saw surviving Jin consorts kneeling before the hall pleading for mercy; alas, doing so has little significance — whatever the purpose considered, the Emperor will not spare the Jin Family.

Shen Yao had long anticipated this too; the victor becomes king, lie flat and accept the mockery — the Jin Family lost, and even forfeited the clan's century-long accumulation.

The two sat down and ate a warm, steaming breakfast; though nothing novel, it soothed exceedingly well Lin Xingzhi's heart that had been running back and forth without cease.

After eating they returned to the room to sleep; with his guard down, Lin Xingzhi did not look as aggressive as when he went out — only the dark circles under the corners of his eyes somewhat marred his appearance, and made Shen Yao ache for him as well.

The capital entered a period of winding up: some died, some were injured, some were dismissed, some were exiled — truly letting the capital's commoners see no small amount of lively spectacle.

Aiyo, so high-ranking nobles can end up like this too; great clans can also become numb and bedraggled.

"Look, just a few days ago they were swaggering on South Street beating servants, today they're escorted to the execution ground, losing their lives!"

"Those women are even more pitiable — they have to go on the road together, such good people."

"Tch, men commit sins, dragging down women and children; we can't do anything either — later we'll burn an extra stack of paper money, not in vain for that bowl of plain porridge we once received."

"……"

Shen Yao sat on the second floor of the tea house, gazing out through the open window.

This was a group of people sentenced to death by the Imperial Court — men and women, old and young.

Even among them were a few who had been regulars at the gatherings Shen Yao attended.

Now, in a single morning the winds and clouds changed; from high-and-mighty big shots they became prisoners under the steps whom anyone could trample — power, truly a 'good thing'.

She turned and had a servant go settle the bill; Shen Yao picked up the folding fan she had set down, swaying it as she left the tea house for elsewhere — she never liked seeing people's terrible ends; that Cai Shi Kou in the east city used for executions, the blood is so thick it can't be washed clean.

A faint bloody smell drifted in the air; Shen Yao couldn't help frowning, but in the end she entered the shop before her without a word.

Time will smooth over all scars; whether previous problems or troubles, under time's scouring no traces can be seen.

Shen Yao occasionally wonders: what does that person in the Imperial Palace actually want?

An Imperial Selection every three years, one cycle after another — has he also become like the Former Emperor, forgetting his original heart?

Before, Lin Xingzhi deployed troops for a day and night; the Emperor turned around and bestowed much gold, silver, pearls and jade as rewards, yet not a single other substantive promotion or grace.

Lin Xingzhi had also complained that after this campaign the Emperor developed a defensive mindset toward everyone; for the manor's future peace, he should slowly fade out of the power vortex.

Fortunately the three children all have good placements; their future achievements won't be limited to a few titles and ranks — Lin Xingzhi laughed and embraced Shen Yao, saying they can now properly ponder where to go.

Not the same old substitute-emperor inspection tour, but a true mountains-and-waters journey belonging to just the two of them.

Shen Yao's eyes were bright; she pulled Lin Xingzhi to first look around at the three children at Huang Jue Si and the Daoist abbey.

Originally they planned a short stay before bringing them back to the manor; as it turned out the three children adapted well, and with high aptitude they could truly learn real skills — now the short stay has become a long stay, with a faint intention to continue staying on.

The Five-Colored Stone also followed along on this outing to Lin Chengjing's side, clinging on and refusing to leave.

In the Five-Colored Stone's words, after wandering so long Lin Chengjing still has the strongest aptitude; it has always liked choosing the strong, and Lin Chengjing is suitable.

Suitable is good; with the Five-Colored Stone by Lin Chengjing's side, he also has a playmate.

Leaving behind many life-saving means and counterattack methods, instructing the three children to take themselves as primary, Shen Yao and Lin Xingzhi returned to the manor and prepared to depart.

A playful yet earnest resignation memorial was delivered to the Emperor's desk; Lin Xingzhi and his wife left with flair, and even moved this emperor trapped in the cycle to a trace of softness — preserving King Jing Manor's dignity.

From then on, no matter who became emperor, King Jing Manor's signboard was never taken down — until Li Guo perished……