Chapter 451: Establishing a new imperial clan (2/2)
“It’s not easy to hide something like this; fortunately, not many people know,” Mute Granny sighed with emotion. If not for the Shadow Clan’s reappearance and the Duke of Qin’s probing, she would have died with the knowledge never passing her lips.
Long Feiye nodded. He finished another cup of tea before looking over. “Granny, you know the most of all.”
When Mute Granny recalled the killing intent that had flashed through Long Feiye’s eyes, then heard these words, her heart thumped as she lowered her head. The Duke of Qin was right. She was the only person in the world with so much knowledge of the truth.
“Yunxi has been looking for you this entire time,” Long Feiye added.
Mute Granny didn’t speak, lost in her silence.
Long Feiye continued, “Your lordship told Yunxi that you disappeared after falling over a cliff. Tomorrow I’ll have my men send you away from here and past the western borders. Never come back again.”
Mute Granny only nodded quietly. Long Feiye rose to his feet as the weight on his heart finally eased. Now that he knew the truth and confirmed his suspicions, his actions were quick and decisive.
“Granny, farewell.”
Long Feiye poured Mute Granny a final cup before leaving the room. He still had to go back to the estate and hand over the rest of the poison to Han Yunxi. He hadn’t seen her in so long that he had no idea what she was up to now. Long Feiye had already made it past the stone door, which was sliding shut behind him, when Mute Granny spoke up again. She knew there was no point to her question, but she still wanted to know.
“Duke of Qin,” she asked, “Will there be a day that the East Qin Dynasty revives anew?”
Han Yunxi was the sole surviving heir to West Qin, but she had no idea. As a servant of West Qin royalty, Mute Granny figured she should at least ask this much for her mistresses’ sake.
“Your Highness Duke of Qin, if East Qin really does re-establish its empire one day, please show mercy for Yunxi’s sake.”
Even if West Qin never got a chance to revive, it had its own share of supporters from descendents of loyal nobles, retainers who’d pledged their lives to the dynasty, and leftovers of the previous imperial court. The old grudges left in history still existed. If East Qin tried to rise again, those factions would definitely retaliate!
Long Feiye wasn’t planning to answer this question, but he had hardly walked two steps before he stopped. With a cold snort, he said, “Your lordship isn’t planning to revive the dynasty. Your lordship something bigger than that—and establish a brand new imperial clan!”
Shocked by the words, Mute Granny remained rooted to the spot as the door to her secret chambers shut. She was still reeling from the realization after Long Feiye was long gone. She could tell that the Duke of Qin wasn’t a fish destined to swim contentedly in the pond, but had ambitions of his own. The domineering, arrogant air in his eyes was evident of such aspirations. But to create an entirely new imperial clan!
To go beyond the narrow, limited views of his former dynasty’s grudges and cast aside the burden they forced on him—here was a true man showcasing his convictions! It was impossible to imagine how much confidence and breadth of heart the Duke of Qin possessed to aim so high while so weighed down with obligations.
Mute Granny accepted him, heart and soul!
In fact, a secret delight even sprang up in her heart. She found it fortunate that Yunxi had met such a man. If Miss Mu Xin knows of this in the underworld, she’d probably be gratified as well. Mute Granny used both hands to respectfully raise the last cup of tea that Long Feiye had poured for her sake, and downed its contents.
After that, she took off her outer robes and tied it around a ceiling rafter. She was simply a servant who had been waiting for her mistress for years. But in the end, she had no more chances to see her again. What was the point of leaving a person like her around when she knew so much of the truth?
Why was there a need to live her life beyond the borders, far away from the home she knew?
She stepped on a stool and placed her neck in the noose as she muttered to herself, “Yunxi, granny wishes that you’ll never know of hatred in this lifetime. May you never bear grudges against the Duke of Qin. I hope that one day will see you ascending the throne to a new empire in full honor and glory!”
Her hands brushed gently against the painting of Mu Xin she’d always kept on her person. Then Mute Granny shut her eyes, kicked away the stool and….hung herself to death!
By the time Tang Li entered the room, Mute Granny was already dead. He and Chu Xifeng had been standing guard outside the entire time, so they had no idea what Long Feiye and Mute Granny had talked about. He quickly recovered her body from the noose and tried in vain to revive her while sending a report to Long Feiye.
By now, Long Feiye had already reached the Duke of Qin’s estate. He was extremely calm upon receiving the news and simply said, “Have Tang Li bury her secretly and maintain the guards at the Hidden Pavilion.”
The Hidden Pavilion held a fake Mute Granny as bait to lure out the black-robed man.
It was already late at night when Long Feiye reached the Hibiscus Courtyard. He headed for Leisurely Cloud Pavilion without alerting a single soul….