I Rely On The Collapse Of The Character Setting To Survive In The Hands Of The Male Lead Chapter 259

Chapter 259

It was indeed crystal clear that someone was keeping a close watch.

“Why? The other day, I heard a shocking secret with the Niangniang. Is it not permissible for me to document it? If there’s an opportunity, naturally, I would want to let the world know the truth. But it seems this wouldn’t inconvenience you, after all. In the document, the villains who perish are those members of the royal family, not you.”

“You’re right to want to clear Crown Prince Yuan Ran’s name, but I suggest you refrain from mentioning the prophecy,” said Xu Lanxin softly. “Once you’ve finished writing, let me review it.”

Lin Qingyang squinted at Xu Lanxin for a moment, not objecting. After all, he was currently under her control and didn’t have the right to object.

Xu Lanxin might not mind him clearing Yuan Ran’s name, but she would still be concerned about him writing something in the document that could affect her. Lin Qingyang wasn’t afraid to let her review it.

“Also…” Xu Lanxin suddenly glanced coldly at the nearby Xie Yiqing and chuckled. “Since you’re going to write, I’ll provide you with a firsthand witness.”

Lin Qingyang paused, looking at Xie Yiqing, whose expression had noticeably darkened.

Xie Yiqing didn’t say much, just gestured to Lin Qingyang as if inviting him to leave together.

Lin Qingyang had many questions in his mind, but he didn’t dare to speak out impulsively. It wasn’t until they returned to the Wenbo Pavilion and Xie Yiqing saw the unjust edict he was writing that he spoke up first: “Does Young Master Lin admire Crown Prince Yuan Ran so much that you want to clear his name?”

Lin Qingyang replied, “It’s just that I happened to find out about it. Keeping such a big secret to myself felt uncomfortable. People have been cursing him for so long, they should know they’ve been cursing the wrong person. As for Young Master Xie becoming involved, from what I know, it was the former Empress Dowager Xie who merely instigated Prince Ning, but didn’t take any action herself.”

Xie Yiqing smiled bitterly. “She didn’t take any action, but Prince Ning also realized that she wanted revenge for the Xie family, so he found me. At that time, because of the misfortune that befell the Xie family, I also harbored resentment towards Crown Prince Yuan Ran.”

“Hah, it’s ironic. What right do you have to resent anyone?” came the voice of Li Shi from behind.

Xie Yiqing glanced back at Li Shi for a moment, but didn’t dwell on it. After all, the events involving the Xie family were well-known in the capital city.

“We Xie family may have committed heinous crimes, but there were also many innocent people among us, including children…”

“Isn’t it ironic to feel innocent when you’re implicated in crimes, after benefiting from the blood sucked from the common people to enrich your own family? What about the innocent children among those families who were harmed by the Xie family? Are they any less innocent?” exclaimed Lu Shi, growing agitated, prompting Lin Qingyang to quickly restrain him.

Xie Yiqing was momentarily stunned, then chuckled, “That’s right. So later on, I came to realize. But back then, witnessing all my loved ones being killed, I couldn’t keep a clear head. So, when the Empress Dowager revealed the truth to Prince Ning, which led to his decision to rebel, I… joined Prince Ning’s camp and went to other countries to help persuade their rulers.”

Lin Qingyang immediately caught on, “You went to see Yu Suoxi and other monarchs of foreign countries, urging them to unite and attack Tongjia Pass.”

Xie Yiqing nodded, “It was such a big matter. Prince Ning didn’t trust anyone else with it, only me, who harbored the same blood feud. It just so happened that I had started doing business at that time, traveling around without arousing Yuan Ran’s suspicion, so it was suitable for me to go…”

“So the three cities…” Lin Qingyang looked at the man before him, who appeared gentle as jade, with disbelief. He knew that Xie Yiqing was not a good person, but…

“I didn’t know about that. It was Prince Ning who felt that the initial plan to kill Yuan Ran wasn’t appropriate, fearing that people wouldn’t accept him in the end. So he secretly sent people to supplement it. By that time, I had already gone to the Western Moon Kingdom. If I had known… I wouldn’t have agreed. At that time, I just wanted to avenge the Xie family. I didn’t want to see innocent lives lost, and neither did the Empress Dowager. That’s why we’ve been repenting all these years.”

Xie Yiqing explained. Seeing Lin Qingyang and Lu Shi’s unfriendly gazes, he smiled bitterly and added, “I’m not trying to justify myself or the Empress Dowager. I’m just telling you the truth if you want to write about it.”

“I indeed want to know the truth. Since you are so clear about what happened back then, I’ll trouble you with it,” Lin Qingyang said through gritted teeth. “But I’m puzzled about one thing. Despite being under the control of Empress Dowager Xu, you are extremely clever. Why would you willingly help while being imprisoned? Why didn’t you try to escape? If it weren’t for your assistance, she probably wouldn’t have come this far.”

Xie Yiqing looked slightly guilty. “I’m sorry for implicating your cousin.”

Lin Qingyang frowned.

Xie Yiqing responded, “I didn’t mean to target anyone. It’s just that she told me about the situation in the capital at the time, and I inadvertently analyzed it. I haven’t seen someone as smart and capable as your cousin before, so I found him quite interesting, and I may have said too much. But I didn’t expect… her to turn out like this. However, now that she’s seeking the throne, it’s natural for her to adopt a ‘might makes right’ approach. She can’t afford to be soft-hearted, as eliminating enemies beyond her control is the way of kingship. Morality doesn’t factor in when you’re in her position; she’s doing what she believes is right.”

Lin Qingyang restrained his anger. “You’re a strange person. How can you be so… accepting even when you’re imprisoned?”

“Being imprisoned was voluntary for me, and so was helping with the analysis,” Xie Yiqing suddenly stated.

“Is it because she was your former fiancée? I heard that she broke off the engagement back then, which made you lose face. I didn’t realize you were so sentimental.”

Not oblivious to Lin Qingyang’s sarcasm, Xie Yiqing replied calmly, “Back then, she was a very determined young lady who clearly didn’t want to marry me. She came to me of her own accord, and seeing her determination, I agreed. It wasn’t out of affection; I just didn’t want to impose my will on her.”

After all, for Xie Yiqing, who was focused on traveling and studying, Xu Lanxin was just a special relationship—an adored younger sister who needed his protection in the future. The two didn’t have many chances to meet in person, only occasional exchanges of letters, which contained no expressions of affection, only the little girl’s various questions, to which Xie Yiqing patiently provided answers.

In his eyes, Xu Lanxin was a very studious and uniquely minded girl. They were like siblings, yet also like teacher and student. As Xie Yiqing gradually developed admiration for her, the little girl came to break off the engagement. Seeing her determined expression, Xie Yiqing didn’t insist.

“But my willingness to be imprisoned wasn’t because of past relationships, but to atone…” Here, Xie Yiqing said, his gaze lowered to the false edict in his hand, as he began to draw circles and annotate the truth.

Seeing this scene, Lin Qingyang frowned. “Atonement… so you want to eliminate Prince Ning because of the people in those three cities? You truly are a contradictory person.”

“I am indeed a contradictory person, and you may not believe it…” Xie Yiqing said, lifting his head to look at the two, his eyes filled with a deadened expression but also flashing with a glimmer of hope in the darkness. “Back then, I was also one of Crown Prince Yuan Ran’s followers.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingyang instantly froze, staring wide-eyed at Xie Yiqing.

Xie Yiqing smiled bitterly. “Is it strange? Although I am a few years older than him, I genuinely admired him. Who didn’t admire His Highness the Crown Prince back then? Moreover, we were cousins, so I had an even deeper admiration for him. It was with his support that the Xie family agreed to let me pursue my dream of studying abroad. I had hoped to return after completing my studies and assist him. But the outcome…”

Xie Yiqing’s gaze fell on the words “Yuan Ran” in the indictment. “Love can turn into hate, and I hated him for not saving the Xie family but instead acting ruthlessly. So, in a moment of anger, I sought revenge on him. It wasn’t until after his death, when Great Zhou was on the brink of turmoil, that I realized my mistake. I regretted it, but it was too late.”

“You…” Lin Qingyang was too shocked to find the right words.

Lu Shi was also dumbfounded, but then he suddenly remembered that there was indeed a genius from the Xie family who hadn’t appeared in the world yet, and for a period of time, this individual often accompanied the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince had once said, “This cousin from the Xie family will definitely become an outstanding scholar in the future.” It could be said that at that time, in Yuan Ran’s heart, there was Xie Yiqing for literature and Qi Ci for military, forming such a combination.

However, Lu Shi was too young at that time and didn’t remember the Xie Yiqing who often traveled and studied outside.

Xie Yiqing didn’t pay attention to the shock of the two men. After all, even he himself felt that the ways of the world were unpredictable, and fate played tricks on people.

“In fact, I didn’t intend to help Xu Lanxin get rid of the Prince Ning either. After all, I didn’t want to see the turmoil in Da Zhou again. I thought Xu Lanxin only wanted to seize power, not ascend the throne. I thought she imprisoned me just because she was afraid I would reveal her secrets, or because she hated me… So, I willingly accepted being imprisoned by her until she gave birth to a son who could inherit the throne. Because in my view, none of the other princes were qualified to inherit the throne. After all, their families, like mine, were all unworthy of Yuan Ran.”

Lin Qingyang saw how contradictory Xie Yiqing was. His deep-seated grudge conflicted with his ideals and beliefs. He had once pledged loyalty to Yuan Ran, but in the end, he betrayed him. He harbored resentment towards Yuan Ran as well as towards himself, leaving him in a constant state of inner turmoil.

Now, willingly writing about how he and the Prince Ning persecuted Yuan Ran in the false edict was another example of his contradictions.

Seeing how frustrated Lu Shi was, he could only turn and leave. He feared he might not be able to restrain himself from revealing the truth. As Lin Qingyang looked at his earnest demeanor, he couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of irony.

“What secret does Xu Lanxin have that she resents you so much and seems to harbor grudges against the royal family? Why did things have to escalate to this point?”

Xie Yiqing’s hand hesitated over the paper, a drop of ink staining the surface.

“That’s her own secret, one I cannot reveal.”

With that, Xie Yiqing, in addition to assisting Empress Dowager Xu with state affairs, unexpectedly began helping to compile the false edict.

One evening, Xu Wenze found himself in yet another argument with his father. Xu Wenze remained unable to overcome the inner turmoil, yet he was also unwilling to engage in endless quarrels with his father. When Duke Wei Guo suggested that Xu Lanxin find a suitable spouse for him, Xu Wenze simply turned and left, protesting with silence.

Unable to leave the palace, Xu Wenze could only wander its corridors. He had grown accustomed to digesting his emotions silently in empty spaces.

As he leaned against the wall, extinguishing the lamp in solitude, a sudden gust of cold wind swept through, and a figure descended before him.

Xu Wenze instinctively tried to cry out but found his throat gripped tightly, pressed against the wall. “Quiet, or else…”

A sense of suffocation surged through Xu Wenze’s throat as he struggled instinctively. His hand inadvertently brushed against the assailant’s weapon, a touch that felt strangely familiar.

“Speak, where is Lin Qingyang?” the icy voice demanded once more.

It was a familiar voice.

Xu Wenze struggled to open his eyes amidst the pain. Just then, the clouds obscuring the moon dispersed, allowing moonlight to illuminate the scene, and the two gradually recognized each other.

Xu Wenze’s eyes widened abruptly. “Liu…”

Seeing Xu Wenze clearly, Liu Xiaowei was also taken aback. His grip on Xu Wenze loosened for a moment, but the next second, he tightened it even harder around Xu Wenze’s throat.

“Xu Wenze from the Xu family? Take me to see Lin Qingyang, or I’ll take your life!”

Xu Wenze, choked and unable to speak, could only nod weakly. Liu Xiaowei loosened his grip slightly, but his eyes still bore a murderous intent.

Xu Wenze knew that to their people, someone from the Xu family was naturally considered an enemy.

“Fifth Lord Liu, you won’t get far by holding me hostage like this. I’m not skilled in martial arts and can’t escape… Besides, I’m not Qingyang’s enemy,” Xu Wenze said, his expression grim.

Liu Xiaowei paused for a moment, then released his grip on Xu Wenze’s neck, opting to press the blade of his knife against his back instead. “Don’t try anything funny.”

“I won’t…” Xu Wenze took a deep breath, about to move, but then suddenly caught a whiff of blood. “Are you injured?”

He knew that Xu Lanxin had brought in many skilled individuals to protect the Imperial City well, so he hadn’t expected someone as skilled as Liu Xiaowei to be injured.

“Let’s go,” Liu Xiaowei said tersely, wasting no more words.

Xu Wenze didn’t protest further either. He immediately began plotting the least guarded route to avoid encountering any guards. Luckily, he was familiar with the deserted areas of the palace, having frequented them for the sake of tranquility.

Xu Wenze realized he still needed to clarify things with Liu Xiaowei.

“Lin Qingyang has many informants around him, and your current condition makes it inconvenient. I can’t take you to the Wenbo Pavilion, but you can wait at my place. When I call him over, you two can meet.”

“You want me to wait?” Liu Xiaowei said bluntly. “I don’t trust you. I told you, don’t play tricks with me.”

Xu Wenze, feeling emotionally drained from the communication, could only say, “I won’t leave. I’ll send someone to call him. After all, my life is in your hands. Even if I call a bunch of guards, it won’t help. If you die, I’ll be buried with you, won’t I?”

Liu Xiaowei wasn’t particularly adept at strategizing, but after thinking about it for a while, he agreed with Xu Wenze’s reasoning.

The two returned to Xu Wenze’s residence, and Xu Wenze sent someone to invite Lin Qingyang over. The palace attendants didn’t think much of it, as there were already many rumors about the two.

Lin Qingyang’s arrival went smoothly, and he was just wondering why Xu Wenze wanted to see him at night. As soon as he stepped through the door, he saw Xu Wenze standing by a screen, looking at him.

“Close the door.”

Lin Qingyang’s companion, Lu Shi, helped close the door, and just as the door closed, someone appeared almost like a blur from behind the screen, standing in front of Lin Qingyang.

The speed was so fast that Lu Shi thought it was an enemy and was about to take action.

When Lin Qingyang saw clearly, he was instantly overjoyed, “Uncle!”

Staring at Lin Qingyang for a moment, Liu Xiaowei finally breathed a sigh of relief and said directly, “Let’s go, I’ll take you out.”

Lin Qingyang quickly grabbed Liu Xiaowei’s wrist, about to speak, but then they heard the sound of Empress Dowager Xu’s arrival from outside.

Inside the room, everyone was startled, their first reaction being that Liu Xiaowei had been discovered?

“Quick, hide! I’ll handle this!” Xu Wenze hurriedly shouted.

With everyone already feeling guilty, they panicked. Liu Xiaowei climbed onto the rafters, while Lin Qingyang and Lu Shi hid in the bookcase.

Once they regained their senses, Lin Qingyang realized, “Why are we hiding?”

Lu Shi was startled. “I… I didn’t think about it.”

Just as they were about to come out, Empress Dowager Xu entered the room, putting them in a dilemma and making the situation very awkward.

As soon as Xu Lanxin entered, she asked, “I heard you called Lin Qingyang here?”

Xu Wenze was initially flustered, but upon hearing this, he became displeased. “Sister, is it necessary to keep such a close watch on him?”

Xu Lanxin didn’t want to strain her relationship with her brother any further, so she said, “It’s not… I just came to find you, and happened to hear that he was here. Where is he?”

Xu Wenze could only reply, “Inside.” Then he quickly changed the subject.

“What do you need from me?”

“Father said he wants you to…”

“I refuse,” Xu Wenze interrupted directly. “I don’t agree. That’s my answer. You may leave now.”

Xu Lanxin was taken aback for a moment, about to speak, when suddenly two shadow guards burst in from outside. “Master, there’s a smell of blood.”

Xu Lanxin’s face changed instantly, and she looked at Xu Wenze.

Xu Wenze was about to speak, but the two shadow guards had already looked towards the rafters, where there was no figure to be found.

“It seems to be coming from the inner room.”

“Go in and search, my brother seems uninjured. Who could be injured?” Xu Lanxin squinted, aware that the palace guards had been under frequent probing and attacks lately.

Xu Wenze felt a pang of panic and reached out to stop one of the shadow guards, but he couldn’t stop the other.

He immediately rushed into the room. In fact, there were very few furnishings in his room, and the only place someone could hide was the bookcase outside.

Meanwhile, Lin Qingyang had already decided to come out to divert attention.

But the next moment, they heard a voice say, “On the bed.”

“Stay still, sister. Do you have to humiliate me like this?”

“Is… Lin Qingyang on the bed?”

“…Yes.”

Lin Qingyang exchanged a glance with the nearby Lu Shi and immediately knew they couldn’t come out.

Xu Lanxin probably didn’t expect this situation either. The bed curtains were drawn, concealing the person inside. She hadn’t smelled any blood, but she could imagine what was happening. As the elder sister, she felt too embarrassed to expose the situation. She could only say, “Is this… really the reason you refuse to marry?”

Xu Wenze was unable to speak, standing stiffly by the bed.

Xu Lanxin seemed to take his silence as confirmation and said, “If this is your answer, I won’t object.” With that, she left with her attendants.

Once the door closed behind her, Xu Wenze, relieved that it was just a false alarm, sat wearily on the edge of the bed. With nowhere else to hide, he could only watch as Liu Xiaowei, who had been startled by the commotion, reached out and pulled back the bed curtains.

The two exchanged uneasy glances.

“Thank you…” Although Liu Xiaowei had lost his ability to threaten Xu Wenze earlier, Xu Wenze still helped, prompting Liu Xiaowei to express his gratitude.

Lin Qingyang and Lu Shi rushed in as well, with Lin Qingyang quickly inquiring about Liu Xiaowei’s injury.

Liu Xiaowei said, “I’m fine. Let’s leave tonight. That one called Lu Yi is waiting outside the city.”

“What! Lu Yi is here too?” Lu Shi exclaimed with delight. “Then, Master…”

“Chu Lishu…” Lin Qingyang’s entire being was both shocked and anxious. “You encountered him? How is Chu Lishu?”

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