All the ancestors in the capital begged me to be a substitute

Chapter 296 Choice (Two in One)

Swear allegiance to the death?

Shen Lingxi raised her eyebrows in surprise.

The intentions of the heads of these aristocratic families are already very clear.

Only recognize her.

She smiled and said in a calm tone: "If this had been the case six years ago, Yun Xi might have had a glimmer of hope. It's a pity that only Yun Xi died six years ago."

As soon as these words came out, the faces of the people present immediately showed a look of astonishment.

When the Saint was tied to the tower by the ruthless Emperor, no one dared to stand up and intercede on her behalf.

Even after her death, the person who collected her body was not from the Yun Kingdom.But the current noble prince of Dazhou.

No one knows better than Shen Lingxi that what they are asking for on their knees now is nothing more than the "divine power" represented by her past status as a saint.

The reincarnation of the saint, the blessing of the saint, the blessing of the saint...

These illusory things can give the common people a psychological sustenance, and can also allow them, the aristocratic families who "loyally" support the saint, to regain the same supreme glory as in the past in the land of Yunjiang.

But what meaning do these have to her who has died once.

Just like at the abandoned altar in the Holy Mountain, Taishumei was just a toddler in Handan, and when she came out like she was praying, she could be worshiped by others.

What the people worship is nothing more than the faith in their hearts.

If she really has the ability to communicate with gods.

The gods will bless, it should be the more common people in this land.

Instead of these, if something happens, they will only be wise and protect their families.

Shen Lingxi's eyes swept over them lightly: "Now that the Yun Kingdom is dead, there is nothing wrong with Dazhou treating the people of Yunjiang the same as other states. If you are really good for Yunjiang, you should do your best to assist Yunjiang. It’s arrogant to seek more benefits for the people.”

Having said this, Shen Lingxi paused, "The first generation of saints left a prophecy more than a hundred years ago that 'the lineage of saints will last for nine generations.' The last saint, Yun Xi, died six years ago. At that time, my soul passed away to heaven and earth in front of you. I hope you will take care of yourself in the future."

After all, stop looking at their reactions, just pass them and walk outside.

After Shen Lingxi left, those gray-haired Patriarchs just stood up tremblingly.

They looked at Si Zhuo, the head of the Si family, "Master Si, what do you think of the saint's current attitude?"

"My father ordered before he died that my Si family will only listen to the Crown Princess from now on."

Si Zhuo chuckled: "Since the Crown Princess has said that she will assist the King of Xin Yunjiang, our Si family will do our best to do so. I advise you to put aside those thoughts that you shouldn't have as soon as possible. Today's Saintess is no longer six years old. You were that ignorant and ignorant girl years ago, and you should look forward to it... That’s all I have to say, so you can take care of yourself.”

After that, Si Zhuo also strode away.

*
Five days later, New Year's Eve.

Heavy snowflakes fell one after another, covering the entire Yunbian City in silver.

On New Year's Eve, the whole city is decorated with lights and streamers, and the sound of firecrackers is a scene of jubilation.

According to Yunjiang's practice, the new Yunjiang king will have fun with the people on New Year's Eve and treat them to a banquet to drink pepper wine.

The people were eagerly anticipating that the crown princess, who was reincarnated as a saint, would come forward in person and give blessings to the people like she did six years ago.

However, to everyone's surprise——

Shen Lingxi did not appear at this feast.

The pepper paste banquet was hosted by the head of the Si family. The prince only met once and then left in a hurry. From the beginning to the end, only Yun Wang was sitting at the main seat.

Although the previous king of Yunjiang, Yun Hongshan, died unexpectedly this year, the pepper paste feast was even grander than in previous years.

The heads of several aristocratic families in Yunjiang all attended the feast, which was rare.It can be seen that this newly promoted King of Yunjiang has been recognized by all the aristocratic families.

The only regret for the people is that the "saint" is not here.

This means that Shen Lingxi is not willing to live as a saint anymore.

Some of the people in Yunbian City are sad and some are disappointed.

Even so, everyone knew that the saint who died tragically in public six years ago when she was isolated and helpless had already used her life to relieve herself of that responsibility.

Now she doesn't owe anyone.

That night, the pepper paste wine given by King Yunjiang tasted exactly the same as when the saint was alive many years ago.

But everyone knows that the girl in red who danced like a god on the holy mountain every festival day six years ago, and gave blessings on behalf of the gods, will never come back from now on...

On the tall tower, Shen Lingxi, wearing a plain white fox fur cloak, looked down at the bustling scene in the city, with a faint smile on her lips.

"Is it because of me?" Chu Yan stood beside her and asked in a low voice.

Shen Lingxi turned back in confusion, "What?"

"I heard from Yun Wang that you publicly rejected the request of those aristocratic families to attend the Yunjiang Grand Ceremony as a saint."

Chu Yan's phoenix eyes stared at her eyebrows, "Beside me, you can do whatever you want. You don't have to worry about bad influences. I have everything..."

"Your Highness is worrying too much." Shen Lingxi interrupted him with a smile, "I rejected their proposal not because of Your Highness, but because I never wanted to be this saint. I am a human, not a god, and I have never been The ability to communicate with gods. The identity of a saint carries people's belief in gods, and it is not something that a mortal like me should bear."

"When I was Yun Xi, I had the blood and responsibility of the saint, so even if I was a puppet, I had to do it. But now, the saint is dead, and I am just the granddaughter of old man Shen in the coffin shop. I just want to be myself. You see , Now that Yunjiang is under the rule of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the people live and work in peace and contentment, which is much better than before."

Speaking of this, she paused, "Even if people remember me one day, it should be when they recognize my ability, such as Shen Lingxi, the owner of the coffin shop, or...'Miaoling Tianshi' Shen Lingxi."

Chu Yan raised his eyebrows, "How is Master Miaoling different from the Saint?"

"Of course it's different." Shen Lingxi curled her lips and smiled, her pure apricot eyes shining brightly when reflecting the candlelight in the distance: "Master Miao Ling, I can help people exorcise evil spirits and resolve grievances. Her name is naturally different from that of a saint who is determined only by her bloodline and origin."

At this point, her almond-shaped eyes flashed slightly, and she lowered her voice and said, "It's like being a crown prince's concubine and being Chu Yan's wife are essentially different."

Her voice was extremely light, much lighter than the wind on the tower, just like the silent falling snow on this winter night, all over the sky.

The difference is that the snow is cool, but her voice is hot in Chu Yan's ears.

Chu Yan's eyes were fixed on hers, not wanting to miss the slightest hint of her expression.

He rolled his throat and took a long time to find his voice, "Then... do you want to be the crown prince or my wife?"

"I……"

Shen Lingxi spoke hesitantly, clasping her hands behind her back and twisting them unconsciously, her clear almond eyes stared at him with a hint of hesitation in her eyes.

"Don't be in a hurry to answer now." When Chu Yan saw this, he knew that he must have been overthinking it just now.

His eyes drooped slightly, "Wait later..."

However, before he finished speaking, he saw a petite figure in front of him suddenly approaching him.

Immediately afterwards, her beautiful face quickly approached him.Chu Yan felt as if a soft feather suddenly fell on her lips.

Like a dragonfly touching water, it quickly approached and then left so quickly that he had no time to react.

"This is my choice." Shen Lingxi said calmly, her cheeks burning red, and her heart not beating like her own.

But those almond eyes were as bright as stars, and they looked at him calmly and asked: "You..."

"What?" Before Zi could say anything, she saw his handsome face leaning down towards her.

The lips and teeth are entangled, and the breathing is lingering.

"This is also my choice." For a long time, he pressed her lips against hers and murmured hoarsely...

In the dim light, the snow falls silently.

On the city tower, two figures leaning on each other, reflecting the jubilant crowd in the distance, seem to be the warmest place in the world.

It makes people believe that there is nothing more beautiful in the world than having someone to rely on and someone to talk to on this cold winter night...

At the same time, not far outside Yunbian City, a group of cavalry wearing armor galloped over.

The armor on the cavalry had already been dyed the color of snow by the wind and snow.

Even so, they all had smiles on their faces.

"After receiving the order to return to the city, I walked for a day and a night, and finally came back on the first day of the new year."

"Yes! I thought I would stay at the border for a year and a half, but I didn't expect to be called back so soon. In the end, our general still has the trust of His Highness, and Yunbian City can't survive without our general now. "

"General, I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince will return to Beijing soon. After His Highness returns to Beijing, will the General be stationed in Yunbian City?"

The young general at the head stopped his horse with a "ha" not far from the city tower, and stared at the figures leaning against each other on the distant city wall.

Those pair of weather-beaten peach blossom eyes that still look at everyone affectionately, after recognizing who the pair of figures are, flashed a flash of self-mockery.

The soldiers who followed him quickly stopped joking when they saw that he was silent.

"General, wait a moment, this subordinate will go and ask someone to open the city gate." The adjutant said, and was about to ride his horse to go downstairs and call for the city gate to be opened.

But the general raised his hand to stop him, "No need, let's go in through another door."

As he spoke, he took a deep look at the two people for the last time, turned the horse's head, and galloped towards the gate on the other side...

*
Yunjiang Dungeon.

"Bang, kuang, kuang..."

In the cell at the deepest part of the dungeon, a weak voice banged on the cell door and shouted outside: "Come here, is there anyone? Open the door for me..."

"I am an orthodox bloodline of the Yun family. I should be the King of Yunjiang. Is there anyone who can open the door for me..."

The man's filthy hair and unkempt face, and his originally obese body, had rapidly shrunk due to the clear soup and water he had been eating in the cell for months, and he showed a bit of the Yun family's unique elegance.

This person was none other than Yun Chong, the former crown prince of Yun Kingdom who had been detained since his identity was discovered by Chu Yan and Shen Lingxi in the East Palace.

Yun Chong was imprisoned in a cage and had a bumpy journey from the capital. It took him half his life before he arrived at Yunjiang.

He originally thought that after arriving in Yunjiang, he would be released.

But he didn't expect that in this dark, damp dungeon, after waiting for so long, no one would take a look at him again.

It was as if he had forgotten who he was.

Over the past few days, he had heard about what happened in Yunbian City intermittently from the mouths of the jailers.

Especially when he heard that Shen Lingxi was actually the reincarnation of a "saint".

Yun Chong finally understood why this dead girl went so crazy in front of him when he was in the capital.

"Come here, call Shen Lingxi." He slammed the door of the prison vigorously. "I am Shen Lingxi's biological brother. She can't treat me like this. I am the crown prince of your Yun Kingdom... I am the only one who is legitimate. I He should be the King of Yunjiang, come quickly and open the door for me..."

With a "squeak", there was a heavy sound of opening the door in the distance.

A light footsteps, approaching from far away, slowly walked in his direction.

Yun Chong narrowed his eyes and looked into the distance——

Only a thin and lonely figure appeared in his sight, holding a wind lantern and a vermilion food box in his hand.

The person who came was about fifteen or sixteen years old. He was wearing a blue cotton-padded coat worn by a soldier of the Zhenyuan Army. He looked very smart.

"Your Highness, today is New Year's Eve. While everyone is celebrating the beginning of the new year, the general asked the villain to bring you some food."

Xiao Bing said, and neatly took out a lot of food from the food box, "The general asked Xiao Bing to tell His Highness, please be patient. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess will return to Beijing the day after tomorrow. When they return to Beijing, Yunjiang This territory is at the discretion of the general. When the time comes, the general will change the situation and let His Highness go quietly, so that His Highness can sit back and relax in the future."

When Yun Chong saw that they were all his favorite foods, he immediately smiled.

Without doubting his presence, he grabbed the pig's trotters on the plate and gnawed them, "I know that your general is a loyal person. Tell him and ask him to arrange it as soon as possible. I will suffer a big penalty for them this time." . Let him kill Yun Wang quickly. He promised me that if he wants me to be the king of Yunjiang, he must not fail to keep his word."

"The general said that Yun Wang has just taken office, so he can't be touched for the time being. We will make plans later." The soldier showed a row of white teeth, "I still have to ask His Highness to return to the capital to finish the things that were not done before." Son, find a way to make it happen."

Yun Chong frowned and suddenly felt that the pig's trotters in his hands no longer smelled good.

"He still wants me to go back to the capital?"

The soldier smiled and complimented: "The general said that only you can do that, so..."

Yun Chong's eyes flashed slightly and he threw the pig's trotters back into the food box.

He opened his mouth as if he wanted to refuse.

But thinking about the current situation, if he doesn't agree, his life may be decided here.

He could only hum in response, "Tell him, my body is very weak. If he doesn't hold on, if I die here, there will be no one to do things for him."

Seeing this, the soldier hurriedly agreed and complimented him for a while. After seeing him finish eating all the food in the food box, he packed up his things and left the cell.

Coming out of the cell, the soldier held the lantern, turned around the corner of the street, walked to a carriage, and reported the situation in the prison to the people inside.

In the carriage, Shen Lingxi and Chu Yan sat face to face. After listening to Xiao Bing's words, a sneer curled up on his lips.

"When we leave the day after tomorrow, you release him, follow him, and satisfy him no matter what he asks." She ordered.

The soldier responded and respectfully resigned.

After he left, Chu Yan looked at her with burning eyes and asked, "How did you know that Yun Chong and Xu Yuanshan were colluding?"

"That account book." Shen Lingxi replied meaningfully, "In the year after the fall of the Yun Kingdom, Urda went to the Snow Mountain and Xiang Zhou was trapped in the Imperial Tomb of the Holy Mountain, but the account book of the Xu Family Spice Shop was There are also spices unique to the Medicine Palace, and the only one who can provide him with these spices is Yun Chong, who escaped from Yunjiang with a lot of private goods."

(End of this chapter)