Sieben Nächte mit Schnee

Kapitel 39

"Your Highness, could something have gone wrong?" Even Ouyang Xiao and the others were surprised. Bei Chentian never liked too many people to know what he did, and he might not even tell his confidants. Jin Yi had an excellent image in everyone's mind, and it was obvious to everyone that she liked Bei Chentian. They suspected everyone else, but they couldn't suspect Jin Yi.

Bei Chentian chuckled lightly: "I have been investigating this matter ever since I left Bei Chen. Do you think there could be any mistakes?"

"From Beichen?" Nangong Chuixue was startled, and then her mind cleared up: "Does Your Highness suspect that our lake tour that day was a setup? And that Yi Beifei and his group's trip was also planned?"

Lin Feng casually chimed in, "No, the lake trip was probably a setup on my part. Chen Tian suspected that Yi Beifei had entered Beichen through some channel. Given Chen Tian's arrangements, he couldn't possibly be unaware of the large number of people entering Beichen. After leaving Beichen, I discussed it with him privately, and the result was quite clear: there is a spy in Beichen, and that person is someone close to Chen Tian."

"Scheming against Master Lin? What makes you say that?" Not to mention Jinlan and the other two women, even someone as intelligent as Ouyang Xiao would find it all very confusing, as many of the relationships didn't make sense.

“I once asked Jin Yi about Bei Chen’s business areas. Besides those, Jin Yi also mentioned places to visit. From the beginning, she kept leading me to that lake. Later, I inquired and found out that it wasn’t the most famous, but it was the most secluded.” Lin Feng paused, and Bei Chen Tian continued, “That’s the best place to hide people. Yi Bei Fei and the Ninth Princess’s men are hiding there. Jin Yi probably knows that best.”

"So Jin Yi really did collude with Yi Beifei?" The speaker was a man in a red robe and armor. His name was Hong Yan. He was a man who disliked beating around the bush and had a very straightforward personality.

"It's not so much collusion as she is. She is just doing everything she can to stop Beichen's expansion. In other words, she wants to slow down Chentian's path to dominating the continent. It was fine a few years ago when Chentian didn't have this plan, but once it expands, the first threat will naturally be their Chechi Kingdom."

"Chechile? Master Lin just said that Sister Jinyi is Princess Chechi, is that true?" Jinlan finally understood a little, but the methods of Lin Feng and Bei Chentian were still a mystery.

Lin Feng nodded and said, "That's right. Seven days ago, I investigated the Chechi royal family in Chechi and found that there was indeed a princess who had gone missing. The eldest princess had been missing for ten years. She disappeared in Xian County that year, and Chen Tian also took the three of you there that year, which just so happens to be the year they went on a trip to Xian County. Of course, we can't be sure just from this, but Jin Yi had a handkerchief embroidered with half a carriage on her. I found the other half on the second princess of Chechi..." She pulled out half a handkerchief from her waist and smiled coldly, "Don't tell me this was an accident. Only the Chechi royal family has this, and only the royal family knows this secret."

She had gone to great lengths to uncover the secret of the handkerchief, something everyone present knew all too well. They couldn't help but shudder and silently mourn for the second princess for a few seconds.

Jin Yi, who had already collapsed to the ground with vacant eyes, couldn't help but scream upon hearing this: "What have you done to my sister!?"

Lin Feng glanced at her, seemingly mocking, "What can you do now that you've fallen into my hands?"

Jin Yi suddenly felt as if her entire body was immersed in ice, her whole body was cold. This woman didn't leave anyone any room for maneuver! This was the first time she had witnessed Lin Feng's cold and ruthless methods. Where was his usual gentle demeanor?

For a moment, she felt as if Lin Feng and Bei Chentian's figures overlapped. She was just as ruthless and cold-blooded as him! She had followed Bei Chentian for over ten years, yet he didn't care at all. At this moment, Bei Chentian's gaze towards her was devoid of any emotion, as if to say, "You are a spy, and you must die!"

With a bitter laugh, Jin Yi, who considered herself intelligent all her life, had actually been defeated by this man. If she hadn't truly fallen in love with Bei Chen Tian, if she hadn't known that Bei Chen Tian would never change his mind for a woman, if she hadn't always wanted him to die...

Perhaps Bei Chentian is already dead? She had many opportunities, but in the end she only stood on Che Chi's side and did not cooperate with any country.

Jin Zi was extremely excited, seemingly unable to believe it, and asked in surprise, "Does Master Lin have the ability to create clones? Just seven days ago, His Highness was still keeping you under house arrest."

The others, however, already knew that Bei Chentian's confinement of Lin Feng was merely a way to make people complacent. The person in the room was definitely not Lin Feng; the person had already been replaced. In any case, few people dared to approach Lin Feng when she was angry. This had been kept secret for more than ten days, and no one had discovered it yet.

"It was indeed me in the room on the first day. I didn't believe Chen Tian's claim of house arrest from the beginning. I just played along with his surprise attack and acted a little more angry. When Xiao Cui came to deliver food and letters in the evening, I switched places with her and went out. As long as the door was closed, I doubt you would dare to come near me." Lin Feng smiled slightly: "Chen Tian has long suspected the identities of the three of you women. I heard that the three of you requested General Ouyang to bring you here. He also found out that the city where you were taken in that day happened to be on the border of Chechi. Do I need to explain what that means?"

Lin Feng naturally traced the route from Beichen. Traveling alone, he was much faster. It was only the sixth day when he arrived at Chechi. Coincidentally, even if someone was there to meet her at the palace, she would never dare to go there. However, the Second Princess of Chechi went to the North Temple to offer incense that day. Lin Feng found one or two people to meet her based on Beichen Tian's letter. They sneaked into the temple at night and kidnapped the princess. It took them a day of questioning to figure out what had happened.

Jin Yi was always meticulous, but she was so busy investigating whether anyone around Bei Chentian had gone to Chechi that she neglected Lin Feng's side. She was secretly pleased that she couldn't find anyone who had gone to Chechi, but now she realized how ridiculous it was.

The princess... perhaps she would be much happier without the title of princess.

The situation became clear, and everyone looked at the woman on the ground with a mixture of anger, pity, sympathy, and contempt. As a princess of a nation, she naturally thought of her country's best interests, but they had been together for over ten years. Bei Chentian prioritized reason above all else, but not everyone could be indifferent to emotions.

Jinlan and Jinzi, the two women, had already knelt down before Beichen Tian and his companion.

"Master Lin, Your Highness, please spare Sister Jinyi. We have been as close as sisters for ten years. Even if she has done something wrong, please don't take her life."

Lin Feng and Bei Chentian exchanged a glance, seemingly exchanging opinions. Unsurprisingly, they saw the determination in each other's eyes and smiled.

How could one be lenient in such a matter? One wrong move and the whole game is lost. Bei Chentian's principles have never changed until now, and they will not change because of Jin Yi. He simply said coldly, "Take Jin Yi away, and we'll discuss how to deal with her later."

Everyone was shocked, knowing that Bei Chentian was determined to kill Jin Yi, but how he would die and whether he could still profit from her were still questions.

"Your Highness!" the other two women called out urgently, but Lin Feng glared at them and shut them up.

"It's all because she's Princess Chechi. Her stance was already determined at birth. Even if we spare her, can we guarantee she won't oppose Beichen in the future?" Beichen Tian's first target was Chechi. Now that the truth has come out and Tianlu's matter is over, Chechi is the next target.

Seeing his heartlessness, Jin Yi was already in tears. She said bitterly, "Your Highness, Jin Yi only wants to ask you one question: Have you ever had Jin Yi in your heart? Lin Feng is right, I am Princess Chechi, so I cannot be by Your Highness's side. But if I were not, would you accept Jin Yi?"

Bei Chentian had long seen through Jin Yi's feelings, but he still did not respond, and so many years passed.

Bei Chentian was arrogant, his eyes flickered slightly, and an aura of kingship enveloped the area.

"There are no 'buts' in the world. You are destined to block my path, and I have no choice but to get rid of you to prevent future troubles. Besides, I have never stopped for a woman like you before, and I will never stop in the future."

Beichen Tian has no need for weak women. Regardless of Jin Yi's skill level or her social status, Jin Yi smiled again, but it was a very sad smile.

Your Highness, perhaps you haven't noticed, but you used to trust no one. Yet now, you trust the woman standing beside you! Lin Feng is a dangerous man. Perhaps it is precisely this danger and unpredictability that has piqued your interest. But Lin Feng is no ordinary person! How could she possibly be content to be subservient to someone else? She may help you today, but in the future, she will undoubtedly be your strongest opponent!

Jin Yi was already on the verge of death and understood things quite clearly, but she saw that Lin Feng's gaze was full of mockery, an irony never seen before in this era.

Does she not care about fame and fortune? Then what is her purpose? And Your Highness…

Jin Yi became unwilling again, and as she was dragged off the boat, she struggled and screamed.

"Lin Feng! Don't think you can be so smug for long! His Highness won't believe you, he won't... he won't..." The voice faded into the distance, and it seemed that this princess would never appear in front of Bei Chentian again.

Lin Feng curled her lips and sneered, "Whether you believe it or not is not up to you, but up to us." What a joke! Even if Bei Chen Tian suspects her, it's none of her business, is it?

“Indeed, there must be a reason for me not to believe you. I may have some doubts, but I am even less likely to believe you. If you, Lin Feng, were to betray me, you would leave some clues for me to find.” Bei Chentian’s handsome face revealed a charming smile, and he patted her shoulder with his broad, warm hand, intentionally or unintentionally tightening his grip: “The wind is getting strong, let’s go back to the cabin. You can all disperse now. We will set off back to Bei Chen tomorrow.”

One after another, the crowd responded and left, each with their own thoughts on Jin Yi's situation.

Lin Feng paused for a moment, only to find that his hand was firmly gripping her shoulder, showing no sign of loosening. His heart skipped a beat, and a faint smile inexplicably appeared on his face.

She did not protest, but strolled leisurely beside him, whispering, "I will only trust you if you trust me. If you want to thank someone, thank yourself. You are like another me in this world, which is why I approached you and helped you."

Bei Chentian set up a chessboard in the cabin and had Lin Feng sit opposite him. His deep eyes gleamed with an indescribable light: "If possible, I hope that we can always have this kind of trust between us."

Seeing him make a move, Lin Feng paused for a moment, then casually picked up a piece and placed it down.

Chapter 41 Succession