CHAPTER 552: CHAPTER 534: DEPOSITION AND ENTHRONEMENT

As Lin Helin swore allegiance, civil and military officials followed suit one after another. From the break of dawn to the fall of dusk, everything settled. Xie Xun ascended the throne, renamed the state as Beining, and declared the reign year as Jianyuan.

When the news reached Feng Mansion, Fengyu let out a sigh of relief. Though she had always been certain Xie Xun could handle everything, it was only upon hearing about his ascension that she felt as if a lifetime had passed. Finally, he had achieved his wish.

"Congratulations, my lady, most heartfelt congratulations..." Dongxue, despite enduring her pain, congratulated Fengyu. Both Dongxue and Xia Zhu felt sorrowful; they were so close—if only their lady had persevered for a few more days.

Fengyu’s face showed no hint of joy. What ran through her mind was also the wish that her older sister could have held on for just a few more days.

In the second branch of the Feng Family, grief over Feng Shu’s passing lingered, yet the servants were cheerful. They all knew the depth of affection between the new emperor and Fengyu. With Xie Xun’s ascension, the Feng Family would soon welcome an Empress into their lineage.

The servants were jubilant; even the maids serving in the Old Matron’s quarters were exuberant. The Old Matron, who had suffered an illness following Feng Shu’s passing—fortunately not a serious one—seemed reinvigorated upon hearing the good news. Mrs. Rong comforted her, telling her that her blessings were yet to come. She must preserve her health to witness Fengyu’s glorious wedding.

One granddaughter had faded away like a delicate flower, while the other carried a phoenix’s destiny. The Old Matron was both mournful and joyful. After the emotional highs and lows, she felt even more worn out. Regardless, it was undoubtedly a fortunate event for the Feng Family.

The Feng Family’s main branch did not share the same joy.

Especially after Feng Changlin returned home and informed the Lady of the main branch about Xie Xun’s ascension. The Lady nearly lost composure and screamed, "Why is it Xie Xun and not Prince Duan?"

She had been anxiously waiting at home for news, expecting word of Prince Duan’s ascension. When upheaval rocked the palace, Prince Duan was urgently summoned inside, and Feng Changlin accompanied him. Before leaving, Feng Changlin had hinted that a grand event was imminent for their family. The Lady had been beside herself with excitement, believing that if Yuwen Jing were eliminated, the Crown Prince and the other Princes, all still young, would leave the throne to Prince Duan.

Once Prince Duan ascended, Feng Wan would become the Empress, making her the Empress’s mother, and the Feng Family would become the imperial lineage.

In the future, her grandson would be the Crown Prince, then the Emperor.

Now, the Feng Family remained the imperial lineage.

But the Empress was now Fengyu, not Feng Wan.

"How could it be Xie Xun?" The Lady was disappointed, distressed, and angry. "Did none of the court officials object? How could Xie Xun ascend the throne? It was supposed to be Prince Duan! My daughter carries the phoenix destiny! Back then, the master consulted the stars—we were told that Wanwan has a blessed fate, a phoenix fate. How could... how could it be Fengyu, that frail sickly thing? There must be a mistake! It must be wrong!"

"Enough! Stop speaking!" Feng Changlin, equally disheartened, barked at her. He hadn’t touched the evening meal after returning from the palace. Beyond his wife’s disappointment, he felt his own despair. They had had the chance to be the imperial branch. While they technically still were, the circumstances were vastly different. If Lin Helin hadn’t turned traitor, Xie Xun wouldn’t have ascended so easily.

The Jianyuan Emperor... Beining’s founding sovereign.

A figure of unparalleled honor!

"Even though Xie Xun has ascended, Ayu will be Empress. The Feng Family... The Feng Family will remain the imperial lineage," Feng Changlin muttered. "It’s merely that the Empress has changed. Alas, my poor eldest daughter."

Prince Duan cannot keep his title—what will happen to her children, the Lady thought?

"You’re foolish! How is it the same? We’re already divided from the second branch, they have no connection to us anymore. Moreover, Xie Xun will surely carry out a purge. As for Prince Duan... whether he retains his title is uncertain. Wanwan will no longer be a Princess Consort. What will happen to her in the future? She still has a son and a daughter. If Xie Xun targets Prince Duan, what can she do? Wouldn’t it be better to separate from him at once and bring her children home? Ayu and Wanwan share a good relationship—though the children carry Yuwen’s name, Ayu will surely be lenient for Wanwan’s sake. But why must it be Xie Xun? How could it be him..."

The Lady hurriedly rushed out. Feng Wan and her children were still staying at home, and she was determined to find Feng Wan, urging her to leave Prince Duan. If Xie Xun sought retribution, she’d kneel in front of Fengyu if it meant securing a path for her grandchildren.

Whether Fengyu became Empress or Feng Wan ascended, it would mean the same for the Feng lineage as a whole. However, the divide between the Feng Family’s main and second branches was now as stark as night and day. After Fengyu had been sent away from the capital to conspire rebellion with Xie Xun, the Lady had had numerous quarrels with Su Yuejiao. Even Su Yuejiao recognized her shortcomings and tolerated the Lady’s venting as long as her criticism wasn’t excessive.

Feng Changqing had exhausted himself fending off his brother and sister-in-law’s complaints. Understanding the implications for the main branch, he was the first to suggest dividing the family to sever ties. Feng Changlin was reluctant yet refrained from worsening the situation during turbulent times in the capital. They had had no other choice than to split the family; Prince Duan could protect his father-in-law’s household, but not the entirety of Feng Mansion.

After Feng Shu entered the palace, Su Yuejiao had suffered from the Lady’s cold ridicule. Recent years had brought a tangled web of complications. With Fengyu and Xie Xun’s rebellion, the Feng Family’s position had grown precarious, Feng Ling’s marriage prospects were still unresolved, and the Lady could not escape her grievances.

Now, with the regime overturned and Xie Xun crowned, everything had changed. The second branch of the family had soared to new heights, becoming the Empress’s maternal family, while Feng Wan could not even retain her status as Princess Consort. When the Lady discussed this with Feng Wan, she harbored both resentment and resignation.

Feng Wan gazed at her two children sleeping soundly upon the bed.

Divorce?

"Mother, husband and wife are one, sharing blessings and hardships. If the Prince won’t leave, I do not wish to betray him." Feng Wan’s eyes steadily grew resolute. "I do not want to leave him."

"Xie Xun will undoubtedly purge all members of the Yuwen Clan. Prince Duan will certainly lose his title. If you won’t think for yourself, at least consider your children. In the end, they bear the Yuwen surname. If you divorce and return home, they’ll become Feng Family children... Xie Xun, out of regard for Fengyu, will surely go easier on you. He won’t make things difficult," the Lady advised her repeatedly, almost pleading.

Feng Wan remained unmoved. "Mother, my mind is made up. Please do not persuade me further."

Xie Xun undoubtedly carried out his purge of all Yuwen Clan members. Having just ascended to the throne, there were many matters in the capital requiring his attention. The aftermath kept him busy. Fortunately, the Cabinet remained stable. Although Grandmaster Zhang found himself at odds with the tide, powerless to resist, the frustration led him to collapse and faint, and he was sent home by Zhang Boju. Zhang Boju, however, dared not return home himself. With the ascension of the new emperor, Grandmaster Zhang had offended Xie Xun—which, though unlikely to warrant retrospective vengeance given Xie Xun’s magnanimity, necessitated some display of loyalty. Zhang stayed behind in the Cabinet to assist Lin Helin in tackling the affairs of the new regime.

The Ministry of Rites remained the busiest department, responsible for titles, abolitions, and ceremonial matters. Such decisions required Xie Xun’s direct input. Had the Crown Prince ascended, the Ministry of Rites wouldn’t have been this chaotic. But the establishment of a new dynasty changed everything and called for complete restructuring, from the ground up.

Xie Xun’s approach was straightforward: those willing to serve the court retained their positions, while dissenters were permitted to submit resignations. He did not dismiss anyone proactively.

Indeed, several old aristocrats resigned and returned to their estates, unwilling to pledge allegiance. Xie Xun didn’t care in the slightest.

"Your Majesty, what shall be done with the former Empress Dowager currently confined to Cining Palace?" Zhang Boju asked. The most challenging task lay with the Yuwen Clan members who remained in the Imperial Palace.

"A piece of white silk or a cup of poison—let her choose."

Zhang Boju wasn’t particularly surprised. "Understood."

"What of the Empress and Crown Prince?" The Cabinet Scholar glanced at Lin Helin for guidance and softly inquired.

The issue was undeniably thorny.

Xie Xun replied coolly, "Didn’t the late Empress and Crown Prince perish in Weiyang Palace during the palace coup? Recover their remains. Leave it to University Scholar Lin."

"Understood!" Lin Helin exhaled deeply. Though certain Xie Xun wouldn’t harm Lin Yushu and the Crown Prince, he couldn’t suppress his nervousness. Now the dust had settled, and Abao’s position remained precarious. Were Xie Xun to renege, Lin wouldn’t know how to intervene.

From the start, harming Abao wasn’t part of Xie Xun’s plans.

Abao and Ruyi were of similar age—Abao, the son of Lin Yushu.

Gu Jiaming, Liu An, and Zhang Boju understood that the new emperor intended to spare the Crown Prince and former Empress. Zhang Boju was deeply surprised. Preserving the Crown Prince and Empress inevitably raised questions about the fate of other concubines and princes.

Xie Xun declared, "Disperse all Yuwen Jing’s concubines back to their homes. Prince and princesses are to be confined in Qiushan, forbidden to leave without my consent for the rest of their lives. All Yuwen Clan members’ titles are stripped, territories reclaimed; let them fend for themselves. Any rebellion will result in lifelong confinement at Qiushan."

The group was stunned. "..."

This essentially annihilated the Yuwen Clan in one stroke!

The Ministry of Rites officials were overwhelmingly troubled. This... the Yuwen Clan had existed for centuries, deeply entrenched. Uprooting it entirely was bound to trigger chaos.

The Minister of Rites submitted, "Your Majesty, stripping the Yuwen Clan of all titles may be unwise. Perhaps reducing ranks a step or two may better reflect your imperial grace, encouraging their loyalty..."

"I have no need for their allegiance. I’ll say it once more—strip all titles, reclaim territories. If you can’t execute this, I’ll find someone capable." Xie Xun coldly rebuffed the Minister’s proposal.

The Minister of Rites dared not protest further. "Understood!"

"And the Grand Princess?" Zhang Boju suddenly brought up the mother of Fang Chuning, feeling uneasy. Keeping her title could attract criticism for Xie Xun.

Others might perceive it as deference to the Great Marshal, exposing vulnerability in the new emperor.

However, revoking her title and reclaiming lands posed risks. The Grand Princess had always avoided political entanglements. If stripped, resentment might brew in her household, potentially destabilizing relations between the Great Marshal and Fang Chuning.

"Strip her title, reclaim her territories—including the Grand Princess!"

"...Understood!"