The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 99: Abdication

Chapter 99: Abdication

“Write the Abdication Edict obediently, and your life will be spared.”

Liu Xu’s residence had been placed under surveillance by Shen Zhengshi’s men, with all servants replaced. Powerless to resist, Liu Xu spent his days sighing in his study, trapped and frustrated.

Noticing Liu Xu’s prolonged absence from court, Xu Ying sent a royal physician to check on him. The physician’s arrival made Liu Xu’s heart skipa flicker of hope rising within himbut catching sight of the gray-robed attendant nearby, he suppressed his relief.

The attendant intercepted the physician, his eyes darting shrewdly. He stepped closer, sleeves brushing as he slipped a silver ingot into the physician’s hand. Raising his brows meaningfully, he whispered, “His Excellency has been unwell latelysuffering from headaches for days. The doctor who examined him insisted he must rest quietly and avoid exertion. Please explain this to Her Majesty so she won’t misunderstand our master’s situation.”

The physician, seasoned and familiar with officials feigning illness to skip court duties, saw nothing unusualespecially since Liu Xu had never been close to the sovereign. It wouldn’t be surprising if he were leveraging the situation.

Unwilling to offend the chancellor, the physician accepted the silver. His eyes flickered briefly before he bowed apologetically. “I understand His Excellency’s condition, but I must take his pulse to confirm. I cannot disregard palace protocols.”

“Of course, of course,” the attendant replied smoothly.

He ushered the physician inside, bowing obsequiously as he led the way, a faint, cold smile playing on his lips.

At Liu Xu’s bedside, the elderly official extended a wrist. The physician closed his eyes, concentrating on the pulse, while the attendant watched Liu Xu’s every move from beside the bed.

Liu Xu was generally healthy, though age had sapped his vigor. Lately, sleepless nights and past injuries had left him genuinely in need of rest.

“Physician,” Liu Xu spoke up just as the healer withdrew, sitting up with a pained expression, “I’ve been plagued by relentless headachesso severe I can neither eat nor sleep. My shoulders and neck ache terribly as well. Might I trouble you for acupuncture? I fear I cannot endure this much longer.”

Hesitating at first, the physician noted Liu Xu’s pallor and agreed. “Please lie down, Your Excellency. It’s no trouble.”

The attendant grew alert, his gaze turning icy toward Liu Xu.

“Thank you.” Ignoring the attendant, Liu Xu nodded slightly to the physician and lay back, submitting to the treatment.

The attendant’s position blocked the light, irritating the physician, who thought the servant rather dim for obstructing the procedure.

Out of respect for Liu Xu, the physician spoke courteously, “Young man, please step aside. You’re blocking the lightI can’t work properly.”

The attendant’s eyes shifted between Liu Xu and the physician. Worried about raising suspicion, he lowered his head and moved asidebut kept Liu Xu in his line of sight.

After completing the acupuncture, the physician took his leave. Everything seemed normal, so the attendant relaxed and escorted him out.

But once outside Azure Wave Study, as the physician prepared to report to Xu Ying, he felt something odd in his sleeve. Drawing it out, he found a tiny, rolled-up note.

Recalling the peculiar atmosphere at Liu Xu’s residence, he sensed danger. Hurrying into Azure Wave Study, he presented the note Liu Xu had secretly passed to him.

The imperial physician knelt trembling below. Xu Ying unfolded the slip of paper, and a few characters abruptly leaped out: “Prince Yong rebels, Imperial Guards compromised, Emperor in peril.”

Xu Ying’s eyebrows twitched, then after a long moment, the corners of her mouth lifted.

Truly when one door shuts, another opens. Just as she was worrying about how to proceed now that the sudden death approach had failed, someone delivered a pillow while she was drowsyheaven still favored her.

She hadn’t heard much about this Prince Yong. Searching through the history books the system had provided, she vaguely recalled that shortly after Xu Long ascended the throne, Prince Yong had died of illness in his fief.

In this lifetime, Xu Long hadn’t died, yet Prince Yong survived and showed rebellious intentions.

If Liu Xu’s words were true, and Prince Yong had infiltrated the Imperial Guards, then he must have been secretly scheming for some timeno simple character.

Xu Ying’s heart bloomed with joy, her delight overflowing her brows. Suppressing her exhilaration, she solemnly told the physician, “You have never seen anything. You merely went to Minister Liu’s residence for a consultation, and nothing else occurred.”

The physician broke out in a cold sweat, knowing he was entangled in court struggles. Playing deaf and blind was his best protection, and he hastily replied, “This subject knows of nothing beyond the medical consultation.”

Satisfied, Xu Ying nodded and waved him away. The physician would keep his mouth shut if he valued his life.

With Liu Xu now under surveillance, she couldn’t risk contacting him rashly and alerting the enemy, causing Prince Yong to act prematurely before his preparations were complete.

Xu Ying pretended ignorance and lived calmly for several days before finally growing restless. She secretly summoned Xu Lang to discuss: “Prince Yong will rebel soon. The Imperial Guards are no longer secure. I need you and Gao Yun to take the women from the Hall of Gathered Talents away from Youzhou to the four pilot cities. Zhang Keqian handles the Western Rong and western frontier kingdoms, while Xia Chenglie guards against the Northern Barbarians. Though they cannot return to Youzhou, they can protect the four pilot cities. Those remote locations could remain safe for some time if the Great Jin falls into chaos.”

Xu Lang detected something amiss. “If we all leave, what about you?”

If Prince Yong succeeded in his rebellion and forced Xu Ying to abdicate, he would certainly have her killed.

Xu Ying pressed Xu Lang’s hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Just like last time, if you hear news of my death, don’t be concernedit won’t be real.”

Xu Lang hesitated but nodded, steadying his mind. Xu Ying must have a greater plan, and trusting her wouldn’t lead him astray.

Xu Ying pondered, “We don’t know how many of the Imperial Guards are Prince Yong’s menthey’re untrustworthy. Fortunately, one contingent of the Royal Army from the northern expedition remains in Youzhou, not all having followed Xia Chenglie to the Northern Barbarians. Use this Royal Army unit to escort you.”

Xu Lang agreed, “Good. To avoid suspicion, we’ll first go to Chuiyun where Xu Zhen is, then proceed to Zhenping where many have already gathered. We’ll wait for you in Zhenping.”

Xu Ying further discussed detailed departure strategies with Xu Langtheir movements mustn’t be too conspicuous, lest they attract Prince Yong’s attention and none could escape.

Using the excuse that the four pilot cities needed manpower, Xu Ying dispatched those from the Hall of Gathered Talents without official duties to Zhenping to assist, survey the terrain, observe actual conditions, and draft development plans.

Since Xu Ying already intended to develop those four locations as key cities, and the Hall of Gathered Talents frequently conducted various field investigations anywayplus with Gao Yun, Wu Zhaoyan, and Song Jinzhu still presentno one paid it much mind.

However, when Xu Zhen submitted a memorial reporting unrest in Chuiyun, and Xu Ying dispatched Xu Lang and Gao Yun to lead the Royal Army to suppress it, the court officials realized that Xu Ying seemed to be shifting forces outward.

Shen Zhengshi panicked, suspecting that Xu Ying had discovered his secret dealings with various clans. He hurriedly reported to Prince Yong, urging him to act in advance.

Having lain low for years, Prince Yong was cautious and reluctant to move rashly. He shared his thoughts with his subordinates: “If Xu Ying had detected rebellion among the court officials, she should have recalled troops to Youzhou instead of sending Xu Lang away with the most reliable Royal Army.”

“Your Highness speaks wisely.”

“However… Xu Ying is cunning. It’s possible she ordered Xu Lang to lie in ambush outside Youzhou, waiting to strike last.” Prince Yong also recalled the previous incident where Xu Ying feigned death and Xu Lang unleashed a massacre in Youzhou.

The subordinates exchanged glances. Should they act or not?

“Your Highness, the Emperor hasn’t mobilized the Imperial Guards, so she likely remains unaware that most court officials have secretly defected to us. It might genuinely be a coincidenceXu Zhen can’t control Chuiyun, and Xu Lang’s assistance is logical. Otherwise, the Grand Princess’s authority would be completely undermined, and Chuiyun might change hands.”

Unfortunately, Xu Zhen had taken her two daughters when she left; otherwise, they could have approached them to confirm any unusual movements.

Prince Yong remained calm. “No matter. I’ve waited so many yearsa little longer won’t hurt. Send someone to Chuiyun to verify if Xu Lang has truly arrived. If it’s not a deliberate trap and Xu Ying’s forces are depleted, we can unite with the officials and strike.”

As he finished speaking, Prince Yong lifted his gaze, his profound ambition laid bare before them, a sharp, ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

The throne, delayed for two years, would ultimately return to his hands…

After Xu Lang arrived in Chuiyun, the factions in Youzhou could no longer restrain themselves. Under the cover of night, polished sword blades were pressed against Xu Ying’s neck. Shen Zhengshi led troops into Duckweed Street, kicked open Xu Ying’s door with a crash, and held his sword to her throat.

Xu Ying was immensely relievedPrince Yong’s followers were remarkably efficient, rebelling at the drop of a hat.

Seeing Xu Ying completely unruffled, her eyes filled with knowing anticipation and a sinister smile curling her lips, Shen Zhengshi felt a chill run down his spine.

He momentarily lost his footing, his heart pounding wildly. Had they truly fallen into Xu Ying’s trap?

But it was too late to turn back now.

Steadying his grip on the sword, Shen Zhengshi pressed the blade half an inch closer to Xu Ying’s neck, swallowed hard, and forced his voice to remain calm. “Your Majesty, the entire Duckweed Street and palace are surrounded. Do not refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Write the Abdication Edict obediently, ceding the throne to Qing Wang’s son, Xu Lian, and your life will be spared, ensuring a life of luxury hereafter.”

Xu Ying raised an eyebrow in surprise. Not Prince Yong? Why Qing Wang?

But she couldn’t be bothered to ponder further. The opportunity to return home was right before her. Her heart raced with excitement as she took a step forward, the sword slicing into her skin and leaving a glaring bloodstain. She taunted, “What if I prefer to drink the forfeit?”

Shen Zhengshi recoiled in alarm, pulling the sword back two inches, inwardly cursing Xu Ying as a reckless madwoman. Threatening her life only seemed to excite her more.

Xu Ying frowned in dissatisfaction. His threats were uselesshe insisted on obtaining the Abdication Edict before killing her cleanly. How tedious. Why not just kill her outright and forge an edict themselves? Once she was dead, who would care about the edict’s authenticity?

“Fine, I’ll write it.”

The sooner it’s done, the sooner I can be on my way.

Shen Zhengshi’s eyes widened slightly, unable to believe that Xu Yingwho had just been acting so recklessly moments beforewould change her mind so quickly and agree to draft the Abdication Edict. It defied logic; there must be a trick.

No emperor would readily agree to abdicate. Watching her relaxed posture, as if she hadn’t a care in the world, completely at ease, it was clear she held all the cardsmerely toying with others in her leisure time!