Chapter 169 Return Journey 3
But while I understand, it's still necessary to stop it.
Sang Ning understood his great-grandfather's feelings, but this idea was absolutely unacceptable.
"True atonement is not the gratifying act of mutual destruction. True atonement is restoring order, bringing the truth to light, and making the thief who stole the country lose what he cherishes most. Let him live to feel the pain of losing everything, and let him be nailed to the pillar of historical shame for eternity."
"Instead of letting him lie peacefully in the imperial mausoleum as an emperor who was assassinated and died for his country, with his secrets."
Lin Zhu was stunned.
"Back then, you were deceived by a despicable lie. Your stance was based on the trust placed in you by the late emperor's dying wish. The mistake was not your gullibility, but Pei Yan's cunning and malice."
"The real culprit is him. He stole the tiger tally, the throne, and your loyalty to the late emperor... He stole everything."
"What you should do is not to atone for a sin that should not be yours with a single assassination attempt that is destined to fail and will lead to countless others! Instead—"
She pressed the tiger tally into her palm abruptly:
“Use the real tiger tally, use the concealed truth, to overthrow the throne of that usurper! Make Pei Yan lose everything he stole! This is the true atonement, the best explanation to the late emperor, to the late crown prince, and to your own lifelong loyalty.”
“Great-grandfather, alive, watched Pei Yan lose everything he cherished most, watched him pay the price he deserved, watched him fall from the clouds into the mire.”
“This is a thousand times more satisfying than your meaningless revenge that will implicate your family, great-grandfather. It’s not too late.”
True atonement…
Lin Zhu looked at the real tiger tally in Xie Sangning's hand, and at his great-granddaughter who was deep in thought and decisive in her methods. His fingers, which were gripping his chest, unconsciously loosened.
He seemed to have all his strength drained away, and leaning against the carriage wall with his cane, he closed his eyes.
Xie Sangning didn't say anything more. He simply wrapped the real tiger tally carefully in cotton cloth again and put it back in his pocket.
The carriage continued its rumbling journey.
After a moment of silence, Lin Zhu spoke again: "But now, what other method is there besides assassinating Pei Yan? I only want to exchange my life for his..."
After listening, Xie Sangning clearly and logically explained the reality to him:
"But have you considered the consequences if you do this? Assassinating a monarch is a heinous crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family. Not only is the success rate low, but it will also implicate hundreds of members of the Lin family. Are you trying to use the blood of the entire Lin family to wash away your own guilt?"
"With the Lin family fallen, how can any egg remain intact when the nest is overturned? My mother's surname is Lin, and I, Xie Sangning, have half the blood of the Lin family flowing in my veins. My father, Xie Zhenting, holds a large army and has been feared and suspected by Pei Yan for many years. At that time, won't the charge of colluding with traitors and plotting rebellion be pinned on the Xie family? Will Pei Yan easily let go of this golden opportunity?"
Yes... assassination is easier said than done. And even if it succeeds, what then?
If they fail... it will be an abyss of no return for the Lin and Xie families!
His so-called atonement will only bring about deeper sins in the end!
His emaciated body trembled uncontrollably, and he was left only with a blank expression.
"Then... what should we do?" Lin Zhu's voice was hoarse and dry. "Should we... just let that traitor sit on the throne and live a carefree life? Let the injustice done to the late emperor and the crown prince be buried forever? I... I will die with my eyes open in disbelief!"
“Of course not.” Xie Sangning said firmly, “Pei Yan must pay the price, but not in the way you do.”
"What we need is a true rectification of wrongs, a justifiable reckoning! We want him to live and watch everything he stole collapse! This will take time, and more importantly, a suitable opportunity and a legitimate successor."
She began to reveal her plans:
"Overthrowing Pei Yan must not leave a power vacuum, nor allow another ambitious person to seize the opportunity. We need to support a new ruler capable of inheriting the throne. This person must meet several conditions:"
"First, the lineage must be legitimate. The candidate must be of Pei blood, preferably a prince with a certain order of succession, in order to silence public opinion and reduce unrest."
"Secondly, one should not be too ambitious, and one's mind should be pure. Otherwise, driving away the jackals will only attract the tigers, and it will just be repeating the same mistakes."
“Third,” Xie Sangning said with particular solemnity, “one must have great love in one’s heart, be able to embrace the country and its people! If the new emperor only has himself and power in his heart, how is he any different from Pei Yan? Then what is the meaning of everything we are doing today?”
Xie Sangning listed them out one by one in a clear and organized manner, demonstrating a profound foresight that rekindled hope in Lin Zhu, who was in despair.
His brain began to work in accordance with Xie Sangning's words, subconsciously filtering through the many princes to find suitable candidates.
Those with excessive ambition should not be hired... Those with impure intentions should not be hired... Those who have no concern for the people should not be hired...
The proper status must be established...
The maternal clan cannot be too powerful, otherwise it will become too influential to control...
It also needs to be easy to control...
Suddenly, a figure crashed into Lin Zhu's mind without warning!
Lin Zhu's eyes suddenly lit up, and he blurted out:
"Ninth Prince... Pei Zhi!"
He grasped at a straw, his speech quickening as he desperately searched for a reason:
"He is a prince of impeccable lineage, with no blood taint! In his daily life... cough cough, though he is somewhat absurd, I observe that he is kind-hearted! During his few days in Xihan, he seemed moved by the suffering of the people, and he has the people's well-being in his heart! That is one point!"
"Secondly, his maternal family is of humble origin and has no powerful roots! His mother's family are merely minor officials with no influence or connections in the court. Supporting him will not be easily hindered!"
"Thirdly..." Lin Zhu paused, "His nature... is relatively simple, and he's used to being lazy and enjoying life. Even if he ascends the throne, he'll be easier to guide and control! We only need to manage the power of assisting in governance..."
The more he talked, the more sense it made, as if he had finally found the perfect substitute.
However, when he looked at Xie Sangning with eager eyes, expecting her approval, he saw that his great-granddaughter's usually calm and composed face was not looking too good!
Xie Sangning: "..."
She could feel the veins on her forehead throbbing.
Pei Zhi?!
Let such a half-baked person become the future emperor?
Xie Sangning found it absurd, and her usually proud self-control almost collapsed on the spot.
She tried hard to control her expression so that the corners of her mouth wouldn't twitch along with the corners of her eyes.
Lin Zhu's heart skipped a beat, and the smug feeling of having recognized someone's talent vanished almost instantly.
He also recalled Pei Zhi's unreliable behavior... Let this kid be emperor? It seems... a bit too frivolous?
But are there any other options?
Lin Zhu's gaze became blank and anxious.
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