The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 85: Unexpected

Chapter 85: Unexpected

“Xu Jin’s time is up, and he should be replaced.”

Xu Ying randomly selected a few people to accompany her on the journey. Zhang Yu and Sun Wanyun followed, along with guards, keeping the team as streamlined as possible. They left Youzhou while everyone’s attention was focused on the Winter Examination.

With Zhang Yu’s departure, many affairs fell into the hands of Xu Lang and Liu Xu. Officials noticed this anomaly and quietly inquired, only then realizing that Xu Ying had secretly embarked on an incognito inspection tour.

Shocked, they hurried back to send messages, urging local officials to be cautious, hide their schemes, and avoid being caught by Xu Ying, or else face immediate dismissal from their posts.

Departing from Youzhou in the cold weather, the river’s surface had frozen over. Xu Ying personally went down to inspect the watercourse, while Zhang Yu and Sun Wanyun watched with tense expressions, fearing something might happen to her.

Dusting off her hands, Xu Ying was immediately approached by Zhang Yu and Sun Wanyun. She said, “Don’t worry, it’s fine. Actually, this trip isn’t just about inspecting the river conditions and water conservancy projectsthere’s another important matter.”

Sun Wanyun and Zhang Yu both showed curious expressions. Though they had sensed something unusual before setting out, they hadn’t dared to speculate randomly without understanding Xu Ying’s true intentions.

Xu Ying lowered her voice: “There will inevitably be unexpected events during this journey, but you need not worry or exert yourselves to rescue me. I will remain unharmed. Once the targets are captured, I will reappear.”

Sun Wanyun and Zhang Yu only partially understood, feeling confused. They exchanged glances, recognizing the mutual understanding in each other’s eyesit seemed a trap was being set for someone.

“Yes, Your Majesty. We will strictly follow your orders and will never disrupt Your Majesty’s arrangements.”

Xu Ying nodded in satisfaction, relieved that as long as no one rushed to her rescue, everything would proceed smoothly.

Continuing onward, the temperature dropped further. A few snowflakes fell, forming a thin layer on the ground that made walking slightly slippery.

It was the dry seasonan ideal time for water conservancy projects between winter and spring. Various regions were vigorously carrying out such projects, and previously captured bandits and water pirates were being driven to repair the dam.

Finally encountering a river that was barely frozen, Xu Ying was delighted and eagerly approached, observing for slippery spots where she could conveniently slip and fall.

Sun Wanyun grew anxious for Xu Ying. Tying up her sleeves, Xu Ying agilely slid down the slope and walked to the riverbank. To the naked eye, the river didn’t seem deep, but such appearances often deceived the unaware into recklessly entering the water and losing their lives.

Xu Ying paced back and forth along the bank but failed to accidentally fall in. Growing suspicious, she quickly summoned her system, instructing it to locate a high-accident area for her to test.

Just as the system was searching, Xu Ying heard Sun Wanyun shout sharply: “Who goes there? Protect His Majesty”

Before Xu Ying could react, someone shoved her hard from behind. Instinctively, she grabbed the person’s sleeve, pulling them into the water along with her.

With a splash, Xu Ying successfully fell into the river. Water suddenly submerged her eyes and flooded her ears. Panicking slightly, she tightly held onto the person. The more they struggled and entangled, the deeper they sank amidst their flailing.

Remembering her plan, Xu Ying hurriedly let go. Ignoring the pressure in her chest and the discomfort of being unable to breathe, she relaxed her body and mind, allowing herself to flow peacefully with the current.

Sun Wanyun and Zhang Yu hurriedly slid down the slope. Just as they were about to order the guards to dive into the river for rescue, Sun Wanyun suddenly recalled Xu Ying’s words, her ears pounding with the sound of her own heartbeat.

Sun Wanyun quickly composed herself, grabbing Zhang Yu’s arm. “Everyone said there would be unexpected events during this journey. We don’t need to exhaust ourselves in rescue effortswe must not disrupt the greater plan.”

Zhang Yu pointed at the raging river, unable to believe this could be Xu Ying’s arrangement. Turning against Sun Wanyun, he said coldly, “If anything happens to Her Majesty, you won’t be able to bear the consequences!”

Sun Wanyun responded firmly, “I only follow Her Majesty’s orders. If you ruin the greater plan, you equally cannot bear the responsibility!”

The guards were torn between obeying Zhang Yu’s command or Sun Wanyun’sboth arguments seemed reasonable.

Sun Wanyun declared, “Quickly search for Her Majesty and swiftly send word back to Youzhou that she has been assassinated and fallen into the water without a trace.”

News of Xu Ying’s accident spread rapidly through Youzhou. Everyone learned that she had gone out incognito only to fall into the river, stirring restlessness among many.

When Xu Lang received the news, she slammed the table in shock, her heart aching faintly. She repeatedly told herself it was false informationXu Ying would be fine.

Taking time to sit down again, she retrieved the Token Xu Ying had given her before departure and quickly mobilized the Imperial Guards. She set ambushes at various locations, authorizing immediate arrest of any suspicious movements, then led another contingent of Imperial Guards away from Youzhou.

With Xu Lang’s departure, Youzhou suddenly found itself without leadership. Various clans grew ambitious, discussing invitations to the princes to take control of Youzhouparticularly the recently returned Qing Wang Xu Ge. With Qingzhou’s proximity to Youzhou, he appeared the most suitable candidate.

Though many among the imperial clan were tempted, they keenly detected something peculiar. Everything seemed too convenientXu Ying traveling incognito should have been well-guarded, so how could such an accident occur so easily?

Most importantly, why did Xu Lang possess the Token to mobilize the Imperial Guards? There could be no other explanation than Xu Ying having given it to her in advance.

With no special circumstances in Youzhou, there was no reason for Xu Ying to suddenly grant Xu Lang the Token to command the Imperial Guardsunless she was entrusting her very life to Xu Ling’s hands.

Despite their sisterly bond, Xu Ying was the sovereign. Every emperor grows suspiciousfraternal conflicts are commonplace. Wouldn’t Xu Ying fear that Xu Lang might use the Token to secretly plot against her?

Therefore, only one conclusion remained: this was all Xu Ying’s trap, an elaborate performance orchestrated with Xu Lang. While on the surface Xu Lang mobilized the Imperial Guards, in reality Xu Ying had arranged everything beforehand. Eliminating the rebel forces in Jinzhou and the conspirators in Chang’an wasn’t enoughshe intended to thoroughly purge all who opposed her!

Admittedly, Xu Ying’s strategy was ruthlessit lured people into gambling. Though everyone could recognize the trap, there would always be bold souls willing to take the risk. Xu Ying would then legitimately eliminate these individuals, leaving only the timid who wouldn’t dare challenge her authority. Those remaining would pose no substantial threat.

The imperial princes successively declined invitations from certain Youzhou factions and refused to support their sons’ succession. While success would bring rewards, failure risked everything. Rather than take such chances, they preferred to quietly await Xu Ying’s future appointments, which would carry greater legitimacy.

The old clans of Youzhou grew furious, cursing the princes for their cowardice. Yang Jing exclaimed angrily, “Heaven has denied them the destiny to rule! It appears fate has spokenXu Jin’s mandate has expired. The time has come to replace him and establish a new dynasty!”

Yang Jing visited Liu Xu’s residence, but Liu Xu claimed illness and refused to see him. When he inquired with other nobles, they avoided him like the plague. The main reason was that Xu Ying offered quite favorable treatment, never failing to reward those who diligently handled practical affairs. Even when disagreements arose, they were directed at the matter, not the person.

“Xu Ying has banned extravagance, even depriving us of the right to host lavish banquets. How can you tolerate this?” Yang Jing incited.

“It’s not just our family being restricted. Even Her Majesty herself lives frugally, eating and residing modestly, and even walks to court daily. Besides, not holding banquets is fineit saves many unnecessary expenses. Quite commendable,” the Duke of Anguo replied.

Yang Jing continued, “She also forced the ministers to raise funds for palace construction!”

The nobles were even more indifferent. “We weren’t forced; we volunteered. Moreover, wasn’t that a special circumstance? Once the national treasury was replenished, Her Majesty even returned a portion of the funds!”

Compared to other emperors who were utterly stingy, Xu Ying was more than acceptable.

No one wanted to be Yang Jing’s pawn, and all rejected him. Yang Jing couldn’t understand when they had become so compliant.

Failing to incite the nobles, Yang Jing outright abducted Prince Yong’s Heir and stormed the palace, intending to install the heir as a puppet emperor while he manipulated power behind the scenes, planning to seize the throne himself when the time was ripe.

Everyone silently watched Yang Jing’s actions. If he succeeded, they could use the pretext of rescuing Prince Yong’s Heir to overthrow Yang Jing. If he failed, they hadn’t participated and would suffer no losses.

As expected, Yang Jing had just entered Duckweed Street when ambushing Imperial Guards pinned him down firmly. Xu Lang executed a swift counterattack, slaughtering the entire Yang clan, then pretended to leave Youzhou to search for Xu Ying.

For a time, the situation in Youzhou fell into silence. With Yang Jing’s fate clear before them, no one dared attempt usurpation again. The ministers trembled in fear of Xu Lang, quietly attending to their duties and praying for Xu Ying’s swift return.

Xu Lang waited outside the city for several days. The officials performed their respective duties, and Youzhou remained tranquil. She pondered whether Xu Ying hadn’t returned because she wanted to wait a bit longer. After brief consideration, she ordered the spread of news that Xu Ying had died.

The ministers sneered, “Trying to deceive us? Princess Huaiyang has been staying outside the city all along and never left. Duckweed Street remains calm and orderly, with no signs of panic. Only a fool would fall for that!”

In Youzhou, everyone continued with their tasks, reassuring the people that the news was merely a rumor spread by those with ulterior motives to create confusion.

The officials silently conveyed, “Your Majesty, stop hiding outside. We’ve seen through your scheme. Please return soon to handle state affairsthe memorials in Azure Wave Study have piled up into mountains!”

The whereabouts-unknown Xu Ying, in everyone’s eyes, had actually abandoned her original plan after floating in the water for just one day and came ashore.

While in the water, Xu Ying questioned the system, “Why aren’t I dead yet? Is the protagonist’s halo too strong?”

The system replied, “Host, you are too relaxed. Your density is lower than water, so you float. Moreover, you have abundant subcutaneous fat, providing buoyancy, and coupled with your swimming experience, your body remains afloat instead of sinking.”

Xu Ying was speechless. “Where’s the shore? I can’t take this anymore. Let’s try a different way to die.”

After drifting for so long, she never expected her swimming skills from her previous life to carry over to this body. Every time she sank, her body automatically initiated self-rescue mode and floated back up. It seemed drowning was not an option for her.

The system pointed her in the right direction. Xu Ying suspected there might be geothermal heat beneath the riverbed, as the water temperature wasn’t cold. Her hands and feet hadn’t gone numb from the chill, allowing her to move freely, and she soon swam ashore.

Xu Ying wrung out her soaked clothes. Her hair was dripping wet and uncomfortably clingy.

While in the water, she hadn’t felt much discomfort, but once ashore, the cold wind hit her and she could hardly bear it. She immediately started searching for shelter from the wind.