The short three-month national mourning was only a few days for the common people, but for the officials in the court, a day felt like a year.
In June, the once illustrious Xue family was convicted. For the sake of Noble Consort Xue, the Crown Prince gave them a way out and didn't execute their entire family. After the confiscation, Xue Lingnan was imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison. The rest of the male members of the Xue family were banished to the army. The female members of the family were sent to the Clean Water Nunnery on Mount Emei to shave their hair and become nuns. The housekeepers and servants were sent to the House of Offerings to be sold.
In early July, Emperor Zhao Qing was buried in the Imperial Mausoleum. Crown Prince Liu Tan proclaimed himself Emperor and dismissed the former Emperor's harem. The former Empress Rui Shi became the Empress Dowager and moved into the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful. Her birth mother Xue Shi became the Empress Dowager of the West and was granted a residence in Ziwei Palace. The ascension ceremony was scheduled to be held in September.
On the first day of the new Emperor's reign, Grand Tutor Yin took the initiative to hand over the military seal in his hands, requesting to retire. The new Emperor was grateful for his hard work and contributions. Although he took over his military power, he did not allow him to leave the capital and return home. Instead, he was conferred the title of Marquis Rong En, allowing him to retire in the capital. He did not blame the Yin family because of Ning Wang's earlier struggle for power. This action earned the new emperor a reputation of benevolence.
Emperor Zhao Qing left behind many children. The older ones like Liu Si and Liu Du were conferred the title of Prefectural Prince and were given the title of feudal official. The younger ones, Liu Chan and Liu Qi, were given royal residences in Anling City and moved out of the palace.
In the eighth month of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Emperor was about to leave the country for his funeral. The new Emperor went out of the palace to make a private visit, but he encountered an assassin in the marketplace. Fortunately, the Celestial Commissioner had foreseen this disaster. The bodyguards hidden in the dark caught the assassin on the spot and sent him to the Ministry of Penalty for interrogation. The next day, he confessed that it was the Prince of Xiang who instigated it. Soon after, someone exposed that the Prince of Xiang was raising assassins in the courtyard. The Yulin Royal Guards led troops to investigate and unexpectedly found a large amount of weapons and gunpowder. It was like poking a hornet's nest, causing many officials to fall from their positions.
Duke Xiang was taken away by the Yulin Royal Guards at the Dingbo Hall and sent to the Imperial Court to be locked up.
.....
Under the Celestial Commissioner Office was the Clan Administrative Department, which was in charge of the royal family's genealogy, salary, rewards and punishments, sacrifices, and other affairs. This place had always been a place where the relatives of the royal family would tremble in fear at the mere mention of it. Countless descendants of the royal family had gone there and never returned.
From the moment Prince Xiang was captured to the time he was locked up, he only said one sentence, "I want to see the Great Advisor."
The next afternoon, Zhu Muzhao brought Yu Shu to the Clan Official Prison and saw Prince Xiang who was at the end of his rope. The prison cell that had been used to detain many important people was very spacious. There were beds and chairs and there was even a tea set on the table. The bucket at the corner of the wall was washed by the prison guards every day. Even so, to Prince Xiang who was used to living in luxury, it was still too simple and crude.
In just one night, he looked haggard, but his demeanor was undamaged. When they came in, he was sitting at the table making tea. The water was boiled by the jailer from the well, and the tea leaves were ordinary Biluochun. His hands were very steady. When he heard their footsteps, he looked up and saw Zhu Muzhao standing outside the cell door. He did not show any sign of bitterness or hatred.
"Did Prince sleep well last night?" Zhu Muzhao took the initiative to greet him. Even though the evidence of Prince Xiang's treason was conclusive, he did not show any signs of neglect.
Prince Xiang smiled faintly and told him the truth, "Slightly hot and stuffy, I did not sleep well."
Yu Shu stood silently at one side. She knew that there was no room for her to interfere in the game between the two of them. She was only here today to be a witness, to witness this man who was once one step away from the throne, how did he endure until today.
Zhu Muzhao asked the jailer to open the cell door and walked in alone. He sat opposite Prince Xiang and picked up the tea that he had just brewed. He lowered his head and sniffed. His eyes squinted from the smell of the tea and he praised, "Prince Xiang is still the same. No matter what you do, you are always meticulous."
Prince Xiang said self-deprecatingly, "It is a pity that no matter how hard I work and how hard I try, I will not be able to get what I should not get."
Twenty years ago, he originally thought that the throne should be his. Even though Emperor Zhao Qing was older than him, he was mediocre in nature and did not have his talents nor his reputation. But in the end, Imperial Father passed the throne to his mediocre elder brother and betrothed the girl he liked to someone else.
"Why is Prince Xiang doing this?" Zhu Muzhao advised kindly, "Isn't it good to know your place and be an idle Prince? His Majesty feels that he owes you and has never wronged you all these years. You used the Ministry of Provision to raise spies and manipulated the merchants to amass wealth. Do you think that His Majesty does not know about it? He only did not want to fight with your brother so he turned a blind eye to it."
Who said that Emperor Zhao Qing was muddle-headed? No matter how lacking he was, he could not be compared to the previous Emperors who would go down in history but he had one thing that surpassed Prince Xiang and that was that he had a magnanimous heart.
Prince Xiang became silent and gripped the teacup in his hand tightly. Scenes of the past flashed through his mind but he had no words to refute his words. Because his Imperial Brother was indeed magnanimous towards him. He was not willing to become a vassal state so he granted him the Prince's residence to stay in the capital. He opened the Ministry of Provision and was allowed to buy and sell sinful slaves. He loved to have fun so he built the Ding Bo Hall for him to have fun every night.
It was not that he did not have feelings for all these but he just could not swallow it and was not willing to be a carefree, idle Prince.
"The winner is the king and the loser is the thief. I have nothing to regret." Prince Xiang shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I did not lose to my Imperial Brother nor did I lose to Liu Tan. I lost to the Celestial Commissioner and lost to that volume of the Book of Mysterious Maiden Liu Ren."
As he said that, he suddenly asked, "How is my Imperial Nephew going to deal with me?"
Zhu Muzhao's eyes flashed and he said in a low voice, "His Majesty is not as benevolent as the late Emperor."
Prince Xiang instantly understood that the new Emperor would not let him live. However, his expression was calm and he did not panic. He turned his head and looked at Yu Shu who was standing outside the door. A sly smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He leaned forward slightly and whispered to Zhu Muzhao, "With only the Book of Mysterious Maiden Liu Ren and no Destiny Tai Bone, can the Celestial Commissioner really stand tall and not fall?"
Zhu Muzhao furrowed his brows suddenly.
"There is no need to be so surprised. The secrets that Xue Lingnan knows were all leaked to him by me," Prince Xiang blinked his eyes and said happily, "Tell me, how can I not leave a way out for myself?"
Zhu Muzhao looked at him in disbelief and realized that he had always underestimated the man in front of him.
"You have been in charge of the Celestial Commissioner for so many years and know so many secrets. Have you thought about it carefully? Since the Destiny Tai Bone was born from the Great An Disaster and the Fate Breaker, then at the beginning of the country, Empress Ning Zhen had the Book of Mysterious Maiden Liu Ren. Where did she get the Destiny Tai Bone?"
Zhu Muzhao's expression became solemn. He had thought of this question long ago, but he had never been able to dig out the truth.
"Haha, let me tell you. The Destiny Tai Bone in Empress Ning Zhen's hands is the combination of her and Emperor Anwu's blood. Did you not realize that the two Great An Disasters were men with the blood of the Imperial Family, and the Fate Breaker was an extraordinary woman who was like Empress Ning Zhen. Do you believe it? It doesn't have to be the Great An Calamity and the Fate Breaker to be able to give birth to the Destiny Grand Bone. If we can find the bloodline of the previous Fate Breaker and make peace with the descendants of the imperial family, we might not be able to give birth to a perfect Destiny Grand Bone, but it might have a similar effect. "
After listening to Prince Xiang's words, Zhu Muzhao's heart was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, rippling. He restrained himself and waited for Prince Xiang to unravel the mystery.
"A hundred years ago, the Fate Breaker was the female general Gongsun Jing. She had a son with Prince Yuan Zheng, and he fell into the hands of the Celestial Commissioner. Later, Gongsun Jing died, and Prince Yuan Zheng disappeared. The entire Gongsun family was executed, and only Gongsun Jing's younger brother escaped. He was sent out of the capital by a loyal servant, and lived in seclusion. I have spent a lot of manpower over the years, and finally found the descendant of the Gongsun family. "
Duke Xiang slowly got up and walked to the back of Zhu Muzhao. He leaned over and whispered into his ear: "I picked a girl who has the blood of the Life Destroyer and let her give birth to my Imperial Brother's flesh and blood. Do you want that child?"
Zhu Muzhao suddenly opened his eyes, and turned his head, his sharp gaze piercing the person behind him.
Prince Xiang raised his hand and pressed on his shoulder, and said in a light tone, "You should know that what I said is the truth. I can give that girl and the child to you, but you have to promise me something first."
"What do you want?" Zhu Muzhao asked without thinking, and did not laugh at his fantasy.
"What if what I want is the throne?"
"Impossible."
"Haha, I am joking with you. What I want is a way to live. I believe you have a way to hide from my Imperial Nephew's eyes and ears, and send my family of three far away from the capital. "
Zhu Muzhao closed his eyes and thought for a moment. He nodded slightly, and considered to have agreed to his request. Prince Xiang relaxed and sat back down, and raised the teapot to refill his cup. Zhu Muzhao was not in the mood to stay and taste the tea. He looked deeply at him and left.
Yu Shu stood outside the prison cell, and waited for him to come out. She followed, and returned to Tai Xi Lou without a word.
"Taishu really wants to let Prince Xiang leave the capital?" She had heard it clearly from outside the prison cell. Prince Xiang could be said to not judge a book by its cover. He knew the secrets of the Da An dynasty better than the Emperor. He had eyes and ears, but did not succeed in his rebellion. It could only be said that he was a bit unlucky.
"If what he said is true, then what's the harm in letting him go?" Zhu Muzhao's emotions were not as calm as he appeared. Even if the Destiny Grand Bone that Prince Xiang had created in his wildest dreams might not be useful, he still had to obtain it.
"Prince Xiang is not a problem," Zhu Muzhao rubbed the space between his brows, his face showing tiredness, "I am worried about Prince Dong Jing. According to my divination, the war in the north is coming. After the mourning of the country, Jiang Huai Ying will make a move. He has two hundred thousand men under him. If they all move out, with the help of Yun Hua and the Left Auxiliary Star, the rebel army will attack the capital one day. The Emperor is still too young. Even with the help of the Celestial Commissioner, he may not be able to suppress Prince Dong Jing. "
He raised his head to look at Yu Shu, and solemnly said to her, "I will not force you to find Jing Chen, but if you have the chance, you must get the [Fairy Maiden Liu Ren Book]. You must always remember — Celestial Commissioner lives and dies with Da An."
Yu Shu knelt by his feet, "I will not disappoint you."
Zhu Muzhao nodded, his tired body leaning against the back of the chair, "Go, I will rest for a while."
Yu Shu nodded, excused herself, and walked out of Supreme Dawn Tower. She stood alone on the Nine Turns Bridge that was shrouded in mist, narrowing her eyes as she gazed at the red sun setting in the west. The sunset glow reflected on her face, rendering the cinnabar mark between her eyebrows bright red and enchanting.
*
*
*
At the beginning of the ninth month, the new Emperor ascended the throne. In the same year, he changed his title to Chong Zhen, and the Empress was Xia Jiang. After the coronation, Emperor Chong Zhen granted amnesty to the world, amended the thirty-two laws, reduced corvee and taxes, and implemented benevolent policies.
The next month, the Celestial Commissioner, Zhu Muzhao, resigned from his position, and recommended the Right Commander Yu Shu to take over. Emperor Chong Zhen approved. In the thirteenth year of Zhao Qing, the female oracle Yu Shu, became the youngest Great Commissioner in the history of Da An, and was recorded in the annals of history.
Almost at the same time, an urgent report came from the north, saying that Prince Dongjing had formed his own army in Ning Dong City, separated the five counties in the northeast, and proclaimed himself as the Great Yan. Since the founding of the Divine Ancestor, peace had been maintained for three hundred years, and the An Dynasty was divided.
After that, the Great An Dynasty and the Great Yan fought against each other, and the war lasted for three years.
In the fourth year of Emperor Chong Zhen, the soldiers of Da An were defeated on the battlefield, and a hundred thousand Yan soldiers knocked on the gate of Baoding Prefecture, and with irresistible force, they arrived at the capital.
.....
Within the Celestial Commissioner
In the afterglow of the setting sun, a few Celestial Commissioners ran to the Nine Zigzag Bridge in a panic, and came to the door of the Tai Xi Tower, but were stopped by the guards. They were so anxious that they were sweating profusely, and could only shout outside the door — — The rebel army has reached the outskirts of An Ling City, and His Majesty refused to leave the capital to seek refuge. He brought three thousand Imperial Guards and personally went to the Gate of Sky Bearing! "
The bamboo curtain on the door was lifted, and two pretty maids dressed in white walked out with their heads bowed. The people waiting outside the door made way for them, unconsciously revealing looks of awe and respect in their eyes. A moment later, a wisp of purple smoke leaped into view. Layers of clothes fluttered on the ground, and the rings on her waist jingled. A slender and tall figure slowly walked out of the Tai Xi Tower.
"Did you find out who the commander of the Yan army outside the city is?"
Immediately, someone came forward and answered, "It is said that it is the sworn brother of the Yan Emperor, Prince of Changping, Liu Shining. He is known as the number one military advisor of the Great Yan, and rumor has it that he is an expert in military strategy, and he is the son of the Imperial Advisor of the Great Yan, Liu Yan. Imperial Secretary, I'm afraid that His Majesty will be in danger this time. It is chaotic outside, and many officials in the capital have packed their belongings and are preparing to flee for their lives. What should we do now? "
The setting sun was glaring, and Yu Shu closed her eyes. She could hear her own strong heartbeat, and she took a deep breath, "Where are the black-robed guards?"
As soon as she finished speaking, a few black-robed guards appeared from both sides of the Tai Xi Tower, and they knelt down with their swords, "Your subordinates are here."
"Quickly gather the troops of the Celestial Commissioner, and follow me to the Gate of Sky Bearing to save His Majesty."
Two hours later, Yu Shu led 500 elites from the Imperial Astronomer to the Gate of Sky Bearing, but they were too late. Emperor Chong Zhen had already been captured alive by the Yan army, and the city gates had been breached by the cannons. The pungent smell of gunpowder filled the air. The Yan army had occupied the city gates, and a large number of them swarmed into the city. There were still many defeated soldiers who were putting up a futile resistance.
The two hundred black-robed guards led the charge, and the closer they got to the city gate, the faster Yu Shu's heart beat. Just when she thought that there was no end to the road, the horse carriage suddenly stopped, and the sounds of fighting stopped. A loud voice could be heard — —
"Who are you, report your name!"
If she were to open the curtains, she would be able to see two black cannons pointing at the direction of her horse carriage. If they were to take another step forward, they would be blown into pieces.
Yu Shu sat in the carriage without moving, and replied in a clear voice, "The Celestial Commissioner of the Da An Dynasty has given me some advice!"
The surroundings suddenly quietened down, and Yu Shu waited quietly. She suddenly felt a little anxious, and not long after, there was a commotion on top of the city gate. She straightened her back, and heard a deep and powerful male voice coming from the sky, piercing through her eardrums — —
"Is the Celestial Commissioner giving me some advice? I am Prince Changping, Liu Shining. "
Yu Shu's hands trembled as she pushed open the two doors and looked up. In the dusk, the city gate was crowded with people, but there was a man dressed in bright armor. He took off his hat and looked down. His bright black eyes pierced through the sea of people and stared straight at her.
His lips opened and closed, and no sound came out, but she could read what he was saying.
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