Xie Jiayan harbored no expectation of filial affection from him, thus felt no disappointment. To him, Emperor Yong'an was merely his liege.
The art of emperorship sought the eternal stability of the empire; beyond that, anyone could be a sacrifice, including oneself.
Hua Chao Fei sneered, "A good emperor? An emperor who wouldn't spare his own son?"
...
When Lu Jingxing first received the imperial decree of marriage, his blood had indeed surged with impetuosity. However, the more he thought about it, the more it felt wrong.
The Lu and Yu families were both military households, and their alliance after this great merit would create too much power. This was certainly not something the court officials would wish to see. The officials would inevitably find ways to resist, which also went against the Emperor's long-standing policy of balance.
This alliance was disadvantageous to all parties. The Emperor's decision must have a reason.
He had a premonition that perhaps it was related to Xie Jiayan.
Xie Jiayan was skilled in both civil and military arts and excelled in strategy. The Emperor was eager for talent; why would he dismiss Xie Jiayan from office without reason?
In the dead of night, as Lu Jingxing was about to get up, he heard a faint noise. Someone was there.
Lu Jingxing was highly vigilant and immediately got out of bed, hastily pulling the covers. Soon, someone broke in, heading straight for the bed and thrusting a knife fiercely.
They quickly discovered the bed was empty. Reaching out to touch it, one said, "The bedding is still warm. He should still be at the post station. Search for him."
They had already surrounded the post station; he couldn't escape.
Taking advantage of their unpreparedness, Lu Jingxing emerged from the corner of the cabinet. With a swift stroke of his blade, the few people in the room met their end.
As he stepped out of the room, several more people surrounded him. These individuals were all masters. His ability to dispatch them easily earlier was due to the advantage of terrain and the element of surprise. In a direct confrontation, he would have no chance of winning.
The clash of swords and blades began, and more and more people converged on him. Escaping was no longer possible.
Lu Jingxing observed their sword techniques – broad and powerful, resolute and fierce, clearly not those of ordinary assassins, but rather resembling imperial guards.
The Qianniu Guards of the palace were the Emperor's confidantes. Could it be that the Emperor wanted him dead to frame the Yu family?
He quickly dismissed this possibility.
The Lu family had suffered a massacre years ago, and their lineage had dwindled. Even with the Emperor's favor now, they could not compare to the Duke's mansion. Even if the Emperor harbored suspicions, he would not target him.
Then who could it be? Who else could command the Qianniu Guards?
Besides the Emperor, it was the Crown Prince.
Could it truly be the Crown Prince?
"Generals, I know your identities. Even in death, I, Lu Jingxing, wish to be a spirit who knows why. May I ask whose orders you are following?" Lu Jingxing asked.
The leader replied, "General, you have returned victorious, and we also admire you. However, a ruler's command is difficult to defy."
"You are acting on the Emperor's behalf?" Lu Jingxing was shocked.
"Precisely. General, your merits overshadow the ruler, and you are of the Lu lineage. Forgive us!" With that, a killing blow was launched towards Lu Jingxing.
Although the Five Great Clans were the instigators of the Lu family's massacre, the Emperor was not without his complicity, watching the tigers fight from the mountain. After all, if the Lu family was not useful to him, they would become a constraint, so it was better to eliminate them beforehand.
He knew the Emperor had used him to deal with the Five Great Clans, but he never expected that one day he would be ordered to kill him.
Well done, "when the birds are gone, the bow is put away." Well done, Your Majesty.
Lu Jingxing's arm and shoulder were both injured, and he was no longer capable of self-defense. He dropped his sword and surrendered.
So be it. He had lain low for years and finally avenged the massacre of his family, which was enough to face the ancestors of the Lu family.
However, his regret was that he could not see her one last time.
If, if she were truly no longer in this world, he might be able to go and see her. He just didn't know if she would be willing to see him.
Lu Jingxing closed his eyes. The tip of the sword was almost touching his skin. He could feel the chilling cold, but it only grazed his skin. The person suddenly collapsed before him.
Those behind him also sensed something was wrong and quickly turned around. However, before they could raise their swords, their throats were slit by the newcomer.
The remaining people looked at the newcomer in terror, constantly retreating.