Since she was murdered, the Lin Kingdom had fallen into Lin Yuran's hands.
This woman held great power. How could she care about the lives of insignificant people after daring to harm her?
Her appearance allowed Lin Yuran to successfully shift her gaze to Feng Ninghe.
The two met eyes, their gazes locking.
Lin Yuran's heart suddenly tightened, her chest pounding erratically.
Her... her gaze was so familiar?
The sense of familiarity also reminded her of the former Empress of Lin.
The face before her was utterly strange, yet such eyes were too familiar...
"Who are you?"
Lin Yuran's eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on Feng Ninghe.
Feng Ninghe's cheeks were radiant and moving, her eyes carrying a hint of coldness. This face could be described as beauty that could topple cities and kingdoms.
Lin Yuran was certain she had never seen this face before.
For some reason, she felt that the woman before her was both familiar and strange.
Sensing the change in Lin Yuran's expression, Feng Ninghe moved her lips and spoke unhurriedly, "It doesn't matter who I am. I just didn't expect the new Empress of Lin to disregard human life so carelessly. Truly, each generation is worse than the last. Speaking of which, when did you become the Empress of Lin? Why has there been no news outside?"
In her free time, she would inquire about news from the Lin Kingdom. Since her demise, the Lin Kingdom had been without a ruler. Lin Yuran had been waiting for an opportunity in the shadows, aspiring to become the new Empress.
Lin Yuran secretly bit her lip and snorted softly, "I am the Princess of Lin. In no time, the Lin Kingdom will hold an enthronement ceremony, and I will become the new Empress of Lin."
"So, you are not yet the Empress."
Feng Ninghe raised an eyebrow, her voice, when she spoke, was very light, "Since you are not, your tone is quite arrogant. If one didn't know better, they would think you are already the Empress of Lin."
Su Qi quickly stepped forward, her expression slightly annoyed, and said hastily, "The enthronement ceremony will be held in two months, and the Princess will naturally become the Empress of Lin. It's only a matter of time. Besides the Princess, who else in the Lin Kingdom is capable of such a heavy responsibility?"
Feng Ninghe glanced at Su Qi, her cold face devoid of any emotion, "Oh? Is that so?"
The rhetorical question inexplicably caused unease.
Lin Yuran looked at Feng Ninghe displeasedly, "And who are you? How dare you be so arrogant?"
Jinling was not the Lin Kingdom, and Lin Yuran had already restrained herself considerably. The appearance of this woman displeased her greatly.
Facing the question, Feng Ninghe replied softly, "A disciple of the First Sect."
"The First Sect?"
Lin Yuran raised her eyebrows in surprise and looked Feng Ninghe up and down again, "I never expected to see a disciple of the First Sect."
The First Sect had been in seclusion for many years, and its disciples had also disappeared. The world had once speculated whether anyone was still alive in the First Sect. The Lin Kingdom had dealings with various immortal sects in Jinling, but had no connection with the First Sect whatsoever.
Feng Ninghe paid no attention to Lin Yuran's astonishment and changed the subject, "Ah Xing injured the horse to save someone. You have not yet become the Empress of Lin, yet you recklessly ride horses and injure people, disregarding human life. Are you not afraid of public condemnation?"
Bai Niannian eagerly stepped forward and snorted dully, "Just now, your people wanted Ah Xing's life, saying he injured the horse. If you dare to touch Ah Xing, the First Sect will not let you off lightly!" She didn't mind using the name of the First Sect to scare them.
Su Qi hurriedly knelt and explained, "Princess, this servant handled the matter improperly. This young gentleman was simply being helpful, and I misjudged him, thinking he maliciously injured the horse."
The name of the First Sect was renowned throughout the Xuanzhou Continent; it had once led all the sects in Jinling. It was not advisable to make an enemy of the First Sect at such a critical juncture. The Lin Kingdom still had many old figures who opposed Lin Yuran becoming Empress. If the events of today spread, those old figures might seize this opportunity to deny her the throne. And if the First Sect were to interfere...
With this thought, Lin Yuran's eyes immediately narrowed, her arrogant demeanor receding. She spoke politely, "Since this young gentleman was saving someone, it was a kind act. We were impolite today."
With the enthronement ceremony imminent, it was not the time to stir up trouble. As for that girl... she subconsciously glanced at Zhenzhu kneeling on the ground. The little slut had failed to supervise properly; she would deal with her properly when she returned.
The fleeting ruthlessness in Lin Yuran's eyes was clearly seen by Feng Ninghe. She did not speak further and walked towards Zhenzhu.
"Little girl, you are quite to my liking." She helped Zhenzhu up and subtly placed a small bottle of medicine into Zhenzhu's palm. "The Lin Kingdom's new Empress is ascending the throne, and the First Sect should offer a small gift. I will represent the First Sect at the ceremony, and you shall attend to me then."
The moment the female voice fell, joy immediately bloomed in Zhenzhu's eyes, and she hastily said, "This servant will certainly serve the people of the First Sect properly!" The incident today, even if Lin Yuran didn't take her life publicly, she would surely settle the score afterward. Lin Yuran's methods were extraordinary, and under torture, she wouldn't be able to keep her life. With Feng Ninghe's words, even if Su Qi held a grudge and wanted to act, she would have to think twice. Zhenzhu was a smart person; although she didn't know what Feng Ninghe had given her, she quickly put it away.
"This little slut..." Su Qi secretly bit her lip, her eyes filled with a trace of unwillingness, and she grumbled softly, "This little slut has such good luck." She had been eager to deal with Zhenzhu. Who would have thought that the person who appeared out of nowhere would be from the First Sect? The First Sect was not someone she could afford to offend.
"Miss Lin, we have other matters to attend to, so we will take our leave. We will meet again at your enthronement ceremony." Feng Ninghe looked at Lin Yuran calmly, her eyes devoid of any emotion.
Meeting those eyes, Lin Yuran's heart pounded erratically, filled with unease. For some reason, she felt a chilling sensation; the woman before her was extremely dangerous.
Lin Yuran did not reveal her unease and nodded calmly, "I will certainly entertain the people of the First Sect well then." For a thousand years, there had been no news of the First Sect from the outside world. When news of the First Sect finally emerged a while ago, Jinling had erupted in excitement. If the First Sect appeared at the enthronement ceremony, she would feel honored, and those old figures might be astonished to see her invite a disciple of the First Sect. Thinking of this, Lin Yuran's mood greatly improved. The Empress's enthronement, with various sects coming to congratulate her, having the First Sect present would be of no disadvantage to her.
Feng Ninghe gazed quietly at the woman before her. After a moment, she withdrew her gaze and walked away on her own. As she left, Feng Xing and the others hurried to follow. Only after they had gone far did Bai Niannian speak, "The Lin Kingdom is famous far and wide. I never expected the character of the new Empress of Lin to be so poor. If the Lin Kingdom truly falls into her hands, it will surely be ruined."
Feng Ninghe slightly raised her eyelids and explained, "She will not become the Empress of Lin. She is not worthy."