CHAPTER 538: CHAPTER 520 MARQUIS ZHENBEI MANSION

When Xie Xun brought Fengyu back, it was already deep into the night. With the intervention of the Cabinet, the Jinyi Guard dared not continue their reckless pursuit. The Southern City had also quieted down significantly, save for the deafening sound of torrential rain sweeping across the Capital City, leaving hearts uneasy and restless. Both Xie Xun and Fengyu were soaked through upon their return. When Su Yuejiao saw Fengyu unconscious, slumped over Xie Xun’s back, she was alarmed, fearing something had happened to her. Hastily, she and Feng Changqing hurried over to support Fengyu.

Feng Changqing carried her to the inner room. Su Yuejiao fetched a clean set of clothes for Fengyu, changed her into them, and then carefully undid her hair bun, drying it strand by strand. Fengyu sat motionless like a puppet, her entire being bleak and defeated, a picture of utter despair that sent Su Yuejiao’s heart into a frantic rhythm. A foreboding filled her chest.

"Ayu, where is your sister?" Su Yuejiao had glanced behind Fengyu when she first embraced her, but had seen no sign of Feng Shu. That ominous premonition deepened now, especially as she noticed Fengyu’s bloodshot eyes and blank expression. Her heart pounded violently in fear.

What should be done?

Fengyu’s eyes, which had been vacant, suddenly turned red. Tears rolled down uncontrollably, but she couldn’t muster the words to speak.

Su Yuejiao abruptly turned to step outside, only to see Feng Changqing sitting slumped in a chair, his face buried in his hands, with an air of utter dejection. Xie Xun stood silently beside him, still clad in his rain-drenched clothes, water dripping steadily from the soaked fabric and pooling beneath him into an expanding, sodden patch.

"Shu’er? Where is Shu’er?"

...

The news of Feng Shu leaping from the city wall spread quickly throughout the Capital City. Yuwen Jing had caused such a stir—surely a major upheaval had occurred. Xie Xun desperately wished he could stay by Fengyu’s side, but critical matters demanded his attention. All he could do was entrust Su Yuejiao and Feng Changqing to watch over Fengyu as best they could.

At daybreak, he left the courtyard with Flying Shadow by his side.

Su Yuejiao cried through the entire night, her swollen eyes a testament to relentless grief. She refused to accept the devastating news. The past three years had already been agonizingly long, filled with endless suffering, but now the despair had reached its breaking point. She impulsively wanted to storm the Imperial Palace to see Feng Shu—alive or dead, body or soul. She couldn’t bring herself to believe that Feng Shu was gone.

Shu’er...

Her dear Shu’er!!

Even a man as strong and steadfast as Feng Changqing struggled to process the devastating blow. Husband and wife sat silently opposite each other, tears streaming down their faces as quiet desolation enveloped the entire courtyard. Fengyu, consumed by grief, repeatedly called out for her sister but did nothing more—she would neither eat nor drink, nor utter another word. No matter what anyone said, it was as though she couldn’t hear them, her apathy piercing Feng Changqing’s heart deeply.

Yuwen Jing, curse him!

He couldn’t protect either of his daughters—not Feng Shu, nor Fengyu. Now Feng Shu was gone, and he hadn’t even seen her one last time. Feng Changqing’s mind swirled in chaos; he couldn’t understand what all his years of defending the borders had been for.

Nuanyang and a few loyal warriors remained within the premises, while the rest were taken away by Xie Xun. After his grief subsided, Feng Changqing regained his senses and asked Nuanyang, "What were the Jinyi Guards doing in the Southern City last night?"

Having returned through the underground tunnels, Nuanyang passed along information received from Xie Jue’s Shadow Guards about the turmoil within the city. When Feng Changqing learned that the Chang Family had been nearly wiped out, he was struck with disbelief.

Just last month, he had shared drinks with General Chang and his son, drowning their sorrows together. During his time in the Ningzhou Military Camp, Feng Changqing and the old general had forged a close camaraderie. These past few years, Feng Changqing had been practically trapped within the Feng Mansion. On the rare occasions he left the mansion, it was only to visit either Marquis An Yuan or General Chang.

"Could it be that since my wife and I weren’t in Feng Mansion, they searched for us in the Chang Family and Duke An Yuan’s Mansion, leading to their calamity?" Feng Changqing’s voice trembled, his mind racing—had he and Su Yuejiao been the catalyst for the Chang Family’s demise?

"General, do not burden yourself with undue guilt. This matter stems from Yuwen Jing’s intentions to purge the old subordinates of Marquis Mansion—it has nothing to do with you. He apprehended so many people because he plans to lure out the master." Nuanyang too was overcome with sorrow upon hearing about the tragedy at the old general’s mansion. The blood that had spilled across the Capital was already far too great; Yuwen Jing’s unchecked cruelty could no longer be tolerated.

Nuanyang believed that the master would be able to put an end to it all!

As daylight broke, the torrential rain finally abated, but the city remained under lockdown. Troops from the Jingji Government Office, Kyoto Capital Guard, Jinyi Guard, and Forbidden Army were scattered throughout the Capital, combing every inch in their search for Xie Xun and Fengyu.

Every courtyard was subjected to scrutiny. Shortly after Xie Xun had departed, he returned unexpectedly to the residence due to the escalating crisis, forcing Feng Changqing and Su Yuejiao to swiftly plan their retreat.

There was no choice but to leave!

The Kyoto Capital Guards, Forbidden Army, and Jinyi Guards were all conducting searches. Citizens faced interrogations and registration, and anyone remotely suspicious was immediately taken into custody. It wouldn’t be long before they checked this courtyard too.

Xie Xun lifted Fengyu into his arms, wrapping her in a spring cloak. "Ayu, it’s time for us to go!"

"Where to?" Feng Changqing and Su Yuejiao didn’t even have time for sorrow. The Capital was in such upheaval, with Yuwen Jing’s eyes everywhere—was there anywhere left that could be considered safe?

"There’s one place they’d never think of!" Xie Xun’s gaze grew steely and resolute.

Marquis Zhenbei Mansion.

The Marquis Zhenbei Mansion had lain desolate for three years. The courtyard was overrun with weeds. As Xie Xun gazed at the familiar yet unfamiliar surroundings, a look of profound sadness crossed his face. Strangely, the first thing that came to his mind wasn’t the night of annihilation three years ago.

Instead, it was the memories of happiness during his childhood. The copper statue on the eastern side of the courtyard still bore the markings of his youthful mischief. He recalled being chased by Shadow Guards under Xie Jue’s orders after angering him. Fleeting images of his elder brother practicing swordplay in the courtyard surged forth. His elder sister’s blissful wedding day at the Plum Garden also came to mind. The wives playing leaf card games in the pavilion, his father teaching his elder brother swordsmanship as Xie Jue and he watched eagerly—these precious moments painted a picture of familial warmth.

Each scene flashed vividly before his eyes as if it had only happened yesterday.

Xie Xun had expected waves of unbearable grief, yet as these memories surfaced, a sense of joy welled up in his heart. Despite the pain of loss, memories of their lives remained, bright and unyielding amidst tragedy.

Nobody would ever guess they’d seek refuge in the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion.

The mansion’s doors were sealed shut with official seals. Avoiding the citywide manhunt, they scaled the walls to enter the courtyard. Su Yuejiao and Feng Changqing felt a wave of complex emotions as they took in the dilapidated state of the mansion.

Fengyu was still drowning in the anguish of losing her sister. Yet, she instinctively reached out to grab Xie Xun’s hand. "Zhixu, I’m here. Don’t be sad."

"Mm, and I’m here too. Ayu, don’t be sad either!" Xie Zhixu lowered his head, his voice gentle as he responded to her comfort, wiping the tears from her cheeks with his fingers. "Forgive me for making you hide here; I’ll take you away soon."

"...Alright!"

"I will kill Yuwen Jing and avenge Sister-in-law."

"Alright!"

She had always believed in Xie Xun. He had never failed to deliver on his promises.

In a time of such peril, amidst the chilling atmosphere of the Capital, she knew that no matter how deep her sorrow ran, she had to summon courage. Fengyu resolved not to be a burden to Xie Xun; she would ensure he had no reason to worry.

"Do whatever you need to do; I’ll be waiting here at home." Fengyu’s voice was soft but firm. "Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I won’t do anything foolish."

She vowed not to become a pawn of Yuwen Jing in his effort to trap Zhixu.

If it ever came to that, she would follow in her sister’s footsteps—embracing her fate with calm resolve, awaiting the inevitable.