A month later, Gu Jingyan returned to the capital in triumph, escorting thousands of officials and the scions of prominent families.
These were the suspects involved in the arson case in the southern prefectures.
After the Dali Temple Minister's trial, the evidence was conclusive, and all were imprisoned, awaiting their punishment.
Upon hearing this news, Pang Yi attempted to flee Chang'an under the cover of night, but he was immediately apprehended by the Embroidered Blade Guard that Yu Xiyan had secretly stationed in hidden locations.
Also implicated were the various officials within his six ministries and the influential families of the capital. From then on, the Pang family was completely erased from the court.
The disaster relief efforts were also proceeding in an orderly fashion. After more than a month of mobilization, coupled with the support of loyal and righteous families in the local areas, the disaster was quickly brought under control.
Gu Jingyan truthfully reported the events of his trip to Yangzhou, but deliberately concealed Shen Zhao's role, as they had previously agreed.
Shen Zhao genuinely didn't want any further entanglement with Yu Xiyan in this life. He hadn't even considered how to deal with her, given their nine lifetimes of grievances.
He had expected that, free from the system's control, he would seek revenge on Yu Xiyan.
But after this rebirth, he found that such actions seemed pointless. Instead, he preferred to focus on the regrets he hadn't been able to mend in his previous life.
He wasn't the type of person who couldn't live without love, especially since he had never actually experienced any of that supposed love.
However, Yu Xiyan didn't immediately believe Gu Jingyan's account of the grain burning case.
Inside the side hall…
"Cousin, there are no outsiders here. Tell me honestly, was the smooth handling of the Yangzhou incident really just a coincidence?"
Gu Jingyan replied, "Your Majesty, everything I've said is true. If it weren't for the intervention of that Immortal Sect elder, who cared about the common people, we wouldn't have been able to sweep away the shadows hanging over the southern states in one fell swoop."
Yu Xiyan said, "I heard that in the direction of Yunzhou and Yangzhou, there's a female hero who cares for the common people, rescuing the people from dire straits. Her name is Su Yunying, is that right?"
Gu Jingyan didn't deny it. "Your Majesty, Miss Su is a person of the jianghu, a heroine. She once defeated a Taichu Peak elder with a single move, stabilizing the situation.
However, please rest assured, Your Majesty, Miss Su has no interest in the court and won't pose a threat to your throne."
He was worried that Yu Xiyan would think that Su Yunying's reputation would affect her position as Emperor, so he added this.
However, Yu Xiyan said, "Cousin, do you think I'm the kind of tyrant who would do anything for power?
Miss Su has done a great service to the imperial court. Shouldn't I be thinking about what to bestow upon her?"
Gu Jingyan said, "Your Majesty, Miss Su is not interested in official positions or wealth. She only wants to help the people. After all, her own background is also quite tragic..."
Yu Xiyan's lips curled into a slight smile.
Su Yunying. How could she not know of her? Although they had no direct interaction in her previous life, there were many rumors.
It was just that she had never heard of Su Yunying suddenly appearing in the southern states to provide Work-for-Relief at this time. There must be something else going on.
Because at this time, Su Yunying was simply incapable of saving tens of millions of refugees from their dire situation.
"Really, it was all Miss Su's doing? Cousin, you are the person I trust the most. Don't lie to me."
A flicker of awkwardness crossed Gu Jingyan's expression, but he still steeled himself and said, "Your Majesty, instead of dwelling on who did this, it would be better to think about how to resettle the people after the disaster."
Yu Xiyan asked, "Then what ideas do you have, Cousin?"
Gu Jingyan said, "These are the strategies I've been considering these past few days. Although the relief grain has already been distributed to the people, and their plight will be improved,
But the post-disaster reconstruction still requires a large amount of treasury funds. This subject believes that the most urgent task is to first use Work-for-Relief to mobilize the enthusiasm of the disaster victims, first repairing the breach in the dyke.
The Cement Method can be used to replace ordinary rammed earth, and at the same time, channels should be dredged to divert water into the river and sea. In this way, new seeds can definitely be sown before the spring of next year.
According to this subject's calculations, if these three methods are implemented simultaneously, it can greatly reduce the expenditure of the treasury and also solve the problem of public order in the disaster area."
Gu Jingyan spoke eloquently, unaware that with every sentence he uttered, Yu Xiyan's expression became more and more gloomy.
It wasn't until he presented the formula for the Cement Method and the new dam construction structure that Yu Xiyan finally couldn't hold back.
"Gu Jingyan!"
"This subject is present!"
"Do you know what the penalty is for deceiving the emperor!"
Gu Jingyan was stunned, and instinctively knelt on the ground, cold sweat instantly streaming down his forehead.
"Your Majesty, why do you say this?"
Yu Xiyan held up the proposal and asked, "I know your abilities are not bad, but are these Cement Method and Work-for-Relief plans, as well as the new dam structure diagrams, something you came up with?"
Gu Jingyan then realized he seemed to have said too much.
"You said you were wholeheartedly dealing with the Yangzhou grain burning case. Under such a desperate situation, how could you have come up with such a complete governing strategy in such a short time?
Gu Jingyan, aren't you going to tell Me the truth? Who did you meet in Yangzhou!"
Gu Jingyan didn't know how to answer for a moment, and could only lower his head in silence.
Yu Xiyan's face flushed with anger.
The post-disaster reconstruction plan in his hand, he'd seen countless times in his previous life. It was all from Shen Zhao, exactly the same.
Seeing that Gu Jingyan still wouldn't speak, Yu Xiyan took a deep breath and asked, "Did you see Shen Zhao? The Pang residence, and the matter in Yunzhou, were all because of his involvement, weren't they?"
Gu Jingyan remained silent, which was as good as admitting it.
Yu Xiyan said, "Cousin, I don't mean to blame you, but you and I are family. You shouldn't hide anything from me."
Gu Jingyan lowered his head and said, "I know, but I promised Shen Zhao not to tell Your Majesty."
Yu Xiyan's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Why would he do that?"
Gu Jingyan said, "Your Majesty, please don't ask. Shen Zhao said he wasn't suited for royal life, nor did he want to be involved with the court of the Great Yin Dynasty. He also said..."
He paused here, ultimately not mentioning that Shen Zhao didn't want to marry into the royal family.
"Not suited for royal life? Doesn't want to be involved with the Great Yin court?"
Yu Xiyan murmured these two sentences, stunned.
Gu Jingyan nodded and continued, "He also said that if given a choice between the two, His Majesty would unhesitatingly abandon himself. Rather than that, he'd rather withdraw voluntarily, so that neither of them would have to torment each other."
Yu Xiyan's delicate body trembled, her fair, soft hand uncontrollably shaking.
After a long while, she composed herself and waved her hand, saying, "Cousin, you've worked hard. Go and rest first. I want to be alone and quiet."
"Your subject withdraws."
Gu Jingyan left the side hall as if escaping, relieved.
Yu Xiyan, however, sat before the desk with a blank expression, her eyes somewhat vacant and lost.
"How could this be?"
She murmured to herself twice. The choice of "either/or" involuntarily sent Yu Xiyan's thoughts drifting back to a memory from a previous life, one filled with deep regret.
The Ice Plains Snowfield.
Meanwhile, after Shen Zhao finished dealing with the matters in Yangzhou, he knew the court's intervention would ensure the disaster was brought under control. He decided to return to Qingyang City first, then head to the Dragon King Palace to eliminate this hidden danger.
Due to their depleted finances, the three of them didn't even have enough spirit stones to rent a flying spirit beast. They had to settle for a flying ship to return.
After meeting Gu Jingyan and discussing Yu Xiyan's recent situation, Shen Zhao's thoughts were also uncontrollably drawn back to a moment in his previous life that had broken his heart.
That year, within the Ice Plains Snowfield secret realm, the Sacred Spirit Snow Lotus, which bloomed only once every ten thousand years, was in full bloom, attracting countless strong cultivators.
Gu Jingyan, Yu Xiyan, and Lin Feng went together to the Ice Plains Snowfield to vie for this opportunity.
The Sacred Spirit Snow Lotus was a perfect match for Yu Xiyan's cultivation. Once she consumed and refined it, she would be able to fully awaken her Ice Phoenix Bloodline, and achieving the Emperor Realm would only be a matter of time.
After a fierce battle, Shen Zhao finally seized the Sacred Spirit Snow Lotus.
However, an accident occurred when they were returning to the foot of the mountain in the Ice Plains Snowfield.
An Ice Plains Snow Beast, at the half-step Manifestation level, blocked their path. To buy Yu Xiyan time to escape, Shen Zhao, with his body already covered in wounds, fought above his level and killed the Ice Plains Snow Beast.
However, the snow beast's unwilling roar before dying directly triggered an avalanche in the snowfield.
Unfortunately, besides Yu Xiyan, both Lin Feng and Shen Zhao were buried in the snow by the first wave of the avalanche.
Seeing the second wave of the avalanche approaching, Yu Xiyan, who still had some strength left, faced two choices: save Shen Zhao or Lin Feng, she could only take one.
That day, Shen Zhao clearly saw the hesitation in Yu Xiyan's eyes.
However, Lin Feng's repeated cries of "Sister, save me" caused Yu Xiyan to halt the jade arm she had extended towards him in mid-air.
Shen Zhao, who had thought his efforts would finally be acknowledged, could only watch helplessly as Yu Xiyan abandoned him, who was within arm's reach, and desperately rescued Lin Feng, who was a hundred paces away. She then flew quickly towards the foot of the mountain without even looking back.
"Heh..."
A bitter laugh, as if in self-mockery.
Even though he had long anticipated this outcome, whenever he and Lin Feng faced a desperate situation, even if Lin Feng's situation posed no threat to his life, Yu Xiyan would unhesitatingly abandon him and choose Lin Feng.
He simply couldn't understand what he had done wrong to deserve such a desire for his death.
Perhaps, this was the fate of a simp, wasn't it?
Since that day, Shen Zhao never asked Yu Xiyan to make any more "either/or" choices. Even when facing life or death situations, he didn't show any signs of needing her help.
It was just… his heart had grown cold.
Not long after, the second avalanche arrived, completely burying him…
However, he always felt that, in his hazy consciousness, a voice kept calling his name. When he woke up again, he was on the surface of the Ice Plains Snowfield, not knowing how he got out.
Regarding this, Shen Zhao could only attribute it to the system.
"Boss Shen, what are you thinking about? You haven't said a word the whole way."
Su Yunying's laughter pulled him back to reality.
Coming back to his senses, he saw Su Yunying holding a pot of spiritual wine and said, "Here, have a drink. I swiped this at the Pang Manor banquet. I know you like it."
Shen Zhao took the wine without a word. "Stop trying to cozy up to me. We lost everything this time. Otherwise, we wouldn't have to take a flying ship back to Qingyang City."
Su Yunying stuck out her tongue. "Thank you, Big Brother Shen."
"Stop being so frivolous! Lead the way!"
"Hmph..."
Su Yunying snorted coldly and immediately started walking ahead with light steps.
Looking at the spiritual wine in his hand, which was his favorite Osmanthus Wine, Shen Zhao couldn't help but laugh, "This is the first time a woman has remembered my preferences and sent me a gift."
After thinking about it, he took a sip, and the vexation in his heart instantly dissipated. He immediately started cursing with Ding Buer, returning to his carefree demeanor.
At the same time, Yu Xiyan recalled the moment of the avalanche in the Ice Plains Snowfield, and the choice she had made.
When Lin Feng called out to her for help, she instinctively retracted the hand she had reached out to Shen Zhao, and selflessly rescued Lin Feng, then quickly ran towards the foot of the mountain.
She herself couldn't believe what she was doing.
Perhaps she had too much faith in Shen Zhao's ability to save himself. He had survived countless life-or-death situations, so this time should be no different, right?
Just as the two of them had escaped the danger and hadn't even caught their breath, they heard a second avalanche behind them in the snowfield.
Looking at the spectacular scene of the overwhelming snow waves sweeping across the entire ice plain, Yu Xiyan's heart clenched.
"That was close, Sister."
Lin Feng said with lingering fear as he looked at the scene.
Yu Xiyan suddenly felt a pang of heartache, but she didn't say anything. She continued following Lin Feng to the nearby inn to meet up with the imperial guard.
The next day, a group of cultivators who had just escaped the danger passed by the inn, looking disheveled, and began talking about the avalanche.
She heard one person say, "Damn it, the snow is freezing! I saw two elders from the Holy Xuan Sect, both in the Supreme Realm, turn directly into ice sculptures."
At that moment, Yu Xiyan was truly panicked.
Regret spread through her body.
No matter what, Shen Zhao was her husband.
And what had she done?
Therefore, disregarding Lin Feng's attempts to stop her, she immediately ran back to find Shen Zhao's whereabouts.
However, the vast snowfield was already covered by thick ice and snow. How could Shen Zhao's tracks be found there?
"No!"
Yu Xiyan felt something important slipping away from her heart. She didn't know whether the water on her face was from the icy rain or tears. She kept pounding her palm power inch by inch onto the extremely hard ice surface, trying to find any trace of Shen Zhao's presence.
Just when she was utterly disheartened, Shen Zhao's figure quietly appeared in front of Yu Xiyan.
Before she could speak, she saw Shen Zhao with a smile on his face, handing the Sacred Spirit Snow Lotus to her.
Then, Shen Zhao silently brushed past her like a stranger, walking straight ahead.
"Shen Zhao! You stop right there."
-----------------------
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