The exterior of the Golden Lion Den was majestic and resplendent, but the interior was filled with a foul atmosphere. There were those who smoked tobacco pipes, those who drank alcohol, and those who spoke gibberish in drunkenness. Those who lost all of their fortune were bawling their eyes out.
Every day, there would be quite a number of people who fainted after losing all of their fortune and had to be carried out of the den. However, there was still an endless stream of people entering from the outside.
At the entrance of the Golden Lion Den, a middle-aged man who looked like a hoodlum was lying naked on the ground. He had already lost all of his clothes, leaving only a pair of underwear on his body to conceal his embarrassment.
Upon seeing him, the passersby would either have a look of ridicule on their faces or curse "Look! This is the Imperial Brother-in-law! "Or rather, he spat on the ground.
However, the hoodlum lying on the ground was completely oblivious to it. Even though he was in deep sleep, a conceited smile hung on his lips, as though mocking those who mocked him.
If one were to approach, one could even hear him muttering "I am the Imperial Uncle", "I am the Imperial Uncle …", "When the time comes, I'll teach you a lesson".
Hoodlums, gamblers, prostitutes, drinkers … To the people of the Golden Lion Den, this day seemed to be no different. Until a deafening sound came from outside.
Hong long long!
No one could withstand the sudden tremor. It was as though the entire Golden Lion Den was being held up by a pair of gigantic palms.
This abrupt change caused many of the prostitutes and singers in the Golden Lion Den to shriek in shock. Many gamblers who were in the midst of gambling also turned their heads around in panic. Their faces were pale.
Unknowingly, two towering figures had appeared at the entrance of the Golden Lion Den. The two of them stood side by side, blocking the sunlight that shone in from the outside. In an instant, the entire Golden Lion Den turned dark, as though day had turned into night.
In that instant, everyone was dumbfounded by this sudden change. Turning around, as though a rabbit being stared at by a lion, their bodies trembled in fear.
"Imperial Army! It's the Imperial Army! "
"No! It's the Chamberlain of Insignia! It's the Chamberlain of Insignia! "
…
Many people suddenly recognized the two towering figures at the entrance. Dressed in armor, they resembled golden-armored deities who had descended from the heavens. These were not ordinary Imperial Guards but the Imperial Guards of the Imperial Palace. They were responsible for the safety of the Emperor's chambers and were the closest guards to the Son of Heaven.
Although they knew that the two of them weren't demons or ghosts, they still couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts after being stared at by those two pairs of bell-like eyes.
"Yang Zhao? Who is Yang Zhao? "
One of the two suddenly opened his mouth. The deafening roar sounded like the roar of a lion, shaking the entire Golden Lion Den. Some of the more cowardly ones trembled in fear, and they even wet their pants.
The women screamed in fright.
"Who is Yang Zhao?"
The mountain-like figure spoke again. This time, its bell-like eyes carried a trace of anger.
"He is! He is! "
A gambler suddenly pointed at a middle-aged man who was sleeping soundly on the ground next to the two Imperial Insignia. His fingers were trembling violently.
In an instant, everyone's eyes were focused on the middle-aged hoodlum who was sleeping soundly on the ground at the entrance. Even the two Imperial Insignia, who were as burly as mountains, were the same.
Being stared at by so many people, the snoring Yang Zhao finally sensed that something was amiss. He slowly opened his bleary eyes.
"Who is it?"
Seeing the massive face that suddenly appeared before him, Yang Zhao subconsciously asked.
"You are Yang Zhao?"
The towering Imperial Insignia bent down, and his face was almost touching Yang Zhao's. However, this time, his voice was much gentler.
Lying on the ground, Yang Zhao was taken aback. A hint of doubt flashed across his eyes, but soon, he focused his gaze on the indestructible armor on his body.
"Imperial Insignia! You are the Imperial Insignia! "
Yang Zhao was stunned for a moment. In an instant, he seemed to have understood something and exclaimed. Peng, Yang Zhao abruptly stood up from the ground.
A surge of ecstasy surged through Yang Zhao's heart, making him extremely excited. He knew that the moment he had been waiting for had finally arrived.
"Hahaha, Imperial Insignia! Imperial Insignia! You bunch of snobbish bastards, do you see that? I am the Imperial Uncle, I am the Imperial Uncle! I, Yang Zhao, have struck it rich! — — "
Yang Zhao abruptly leaped up from the ground and danced excitedly. Everyone in the Golden Lion Den was stunned by his actions!
But Yang Zhao paid them no heed. He was frenziedly venting the ecstasy in his heart!
You bunch of blind fools, how dare you say that I am lying! Do you see that? Imperial Insignia! Imperial Insignia! My younger sister has sent someone to fetch me!
I am the Imperial Uncle, I am the Imperial Uncle! — —
Looking at the shocked and fearful gazes, Yang Zhao felt incomparably exhilarated! The displeasure of the past few days, being mocked, belittled, and mocked, all of it was swept away …
Weng!
Before Yang Zhao could fully enjoy this moment, a massive palm suddenly reached out from behind and grabbed Yang Zhao. As though carrying a little chick, it carried him out.
All of Yang Zhao's words came to an abrupt halt. He was carried onto the carriage by two Imperial Insignia, and the carriage rumbled away.
In the Golden Lion Den, everyone was dumbstruck. For a very long time, no one spoke. Someone dropped a piece of tobacco and burned his feet. His mouth was agape, but he didn't feel anything at all.
…
Pu!
Water splashed everywhere, and a huge bucket of cold water splashed onto Yang Zhao's body. The glory and adoration he had expected didn't appear.
Yang Zhao appeared here the moment he entered the palace.
Even though the water was poured onto him in a bucket, when the cold water splashed onto his body, Yang Zhao felt as though he was being stabbed by a saber. His entire body was aching and cold, as though a layer of his skin had been peeled off.
"Don't move!"
Just as Yang Zhao was about to speak, another bucket of cold water splashed onto his body and mouth. On the other side, two expressionless old nannies held two buckets of water in their hands. Their gazes were so sharp that it seemed as though they could slice off a layer of his skin.
"Her Highness is a precious treasure. You are dirty and smelly, how can you meet her in such a state? Stand here obediently and don't seek trouble for yourself! "
Even though the two old nannies looked much younger than before, they seemed to possess boundless strength. Yang Zhao felt that even if seventeen or eighteen people of his caliber were to come, the two old nannies would be able to subdue them easily.
Facing the threatening gazes of the two old nannies, Yang Zhao finally obediently lowered his hands and stopped moving.
Hua hua hua!
Bucket after bucket of cold well water splashed onto Yang Zhao's body. His skin was flushed red, as though it had been scorched by fire. Only then did the two old nannies stop.
Following which, a few palace maids came in with razors to shave Yang Zhao's stubble, comb his hair, place a golden crown on his head, and dress him in a white robe …
All of this took nearly four hours before it finally came to a stop.
"Lords, it's done. You can bring him to meet Her Highness now! "
The two old nannies looked at Yang Zhao, who was dressed appropriately, before turning around and expressionlessly speaking to the two Chamberlains of Imperial Insignia who had been watching from the beginning.
The two tall and muscular Chamberlains of Imperial Insignia assessed Yang Zhao from head to toe. Even though they had no concept of beauty or ugliness, they couldn't help but nod their heads in approval.
The current Yang Zhao was completely different from the Yang Zhao they saw at the entrance of the Golden Lion Den. When they first saw him, Yang Zhao's stubble and hair were unkempt, reminiscent of a lowly thug.
However, the current Yang Zhao was completely different.
A silver crown, a plain white robe, a smooth chin, a clean face, a pair of sword-like eyebrows, and a clear gaze … Even if he were to say that he was an important minister who had just left the court, no one would doubt him.
"As expected of Her Highness's elder brother, they share the same bloodline!"
The two Chamberlains of Imperial Insignia nodded their heads in approval.
That person was able to obtain the favor of the Sage Emperor, so how could his elder brother be any worse than him?
"Follow me!"
The two Chamberlains of Imperial Insignia turned around and led Yang Zhao away.
In the depths of the royal palace, a distance away from the residences of the other concubines, stood the 'Yuzhen Palace'. This was a newly constructed palace.
In this palace, Yang Zhao finally met his younger sister.
A red tent spanning more than a dozen zhang was erected in the depths of the Yuzhen Palace. At the four corners of the tent stood four muscular Chamberlains of Imperial Insignia, each wielding a halberd in their hands.
Their entire body was covered in armor, and even their faces were concealed. They stood there motionlessly, as though a guardian deity.
Within the tent, a slender and hazy figure could be vaguely seen. Even though she was just sitting there, she exuded a beautiful and elegant aura.
With a single glance, Yang Zhao recognized that it was his cousin.
"Hold it right there!"
Barely after Yang Zhao took a few steps forward, the clanging of metal resounded in the surroundings of the tent, and an intense chill permeated the air. A few Chamberlains of Imperial Insignia stepped forward, and killing intent seeped out from the gaps in their armor.
"His Majesty has decreed that no one is to approach Consort Tai Zhen! Those who disobey shall be executed! "
Their voices were resolute, and every single word they uttered sounded as though it was as heavy as lead.
"Cousin, don't come over!"
An anxious voice came from within the red tent. That voice was crisp and melodious, yet soft and gentle, causing ripples in one's heart, as well as a trace of tenderness.
Yang Zhao hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to have any ripples in his heart. His cousin had always been a natural beauty. When she was only seven years old, a magician had already come knocking on her door, saying that she had the fate of a phoenix and the disposition of a palace.
Yang Zhao was by no means a gentleman, but towards this cousin of his, Yang Zhao had never had any improper thoughts. Furthermore, she was someone that the Holy Emperor had taken a liking to.
In the future, if he wanted to achieve meteoric success, he would have to rely on this cousin of his!
Right now, if anyone had the slightest bit of evil thoughts, the first person to object would probably be him, Yang Zhao.
"Younger Sister, why is this so?"
Yang Zhao calmed his heart, but his heart was filled with doubts. He was the cousin of Consort Tai Zhen. Logically speaking, the Emperor should not have forbidden him!
"This is His Majesty's order. Last month, a Master of Divination checked on me, and said that I have the misfortune of a red demon rushing into the palace. If I want to be with His Majesty, I must meditate in the palace for 49 days. During this period of time, no one is allowed to go near me. Because of this, more than ten palace maids have died in the palace. "
In the red tent, Consort Tai Zhen's voice said.
Yang Zhao sniffed, and only then did he smell a faint scent of blood in the air. He couldn't help but be shocked, and hurriedly retreated a few steps, not daring to go any closer.
"Younger Sister, what did you summon me for this time? I've waited for a long time this time! "
After retreating, Yang Zhao calmed himself down and grumbled with a hint of resentment.
"Older Brother, I do have something to ask of you. Younger Sister, I, am in a precarious situation, and have reached the critical moment of life and death. Only Older Brother can help me now! "
Consort Tai Zhen's voice came from the tent, with a hint of anxiety.
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