Assorted Courtyard. Peach Garden.
Peach Garden was the most remote courtyard in the Assorted Courtyard. It was far away from the main courtyard where the Cui family lived, but it was very close to the "nameless courtyard" where the maids and coachmen lived.
Peach Garden was close to Witch Creek. Opening the back door of the courtyard, one could see the gurgling creek flowing through the corner of the wall. Rows of peach trees were planted on both sides of Witch Creek. It was the time when peach blossoms were in full bloom. Large patches of peach blossoms were reflected in the creek, as if there were ten acres of peach forest hidden in Witch Creek.
An old man sat under the peach tree.
There was a small stool under the old man's butt. He held a fishing rod in his hand. His eyelids were half-open as he sat there, dozing off lazily.
Perhaps because he was afraid of the cold, the old man was wearing a black Black Rock Bear skin. This bear skin was large and thick, and the color was shiny. At a glance, one could tell that it was the best quality Black Rock Bear skin from the Black Rock Forest.
It was also because of this bear skin that people couldn't ignore the old man's identity. Otherwise, he would be no different from those old men who squatted by the lake to catch a few fish to improve their family's meals or sell them for a few copper coins.
Just then, the sound of light footsteps came from afar.
A beautiful woman in a plain white dress stood beside the old man. She reached out to pick up the bear skin that was about to fall off his body and cover it properly.
"Xiaoxin is here." The old man opened his eyes and said without turning his head.
"Why did Grandpa fall asleep here again? The wind is strong and the water is cold. Grandpa's body isn't good to begin with. If you're sleepy, you should go back to the house and sleep. "Cui Xiaoxin stood behind the old man and said in a reproachful tone.
"Hahaha, Xiaoxin loves Grandpa the most. Everyone else is looking for a way out. They don't have the time to worry about Grandpa's life. "
"Grandpa, Aunty and the others have no choice. Their families have suffered great changes. Their husbands have died and some have been sent away. How can they bear this? It's possible for them to think of a way to survive … Besides, it's not like no one cares about you. Everyone cares about your body. They just don't dare to come up and persuade you. "
"Alright, alright, I was just saying it casually. I won't really stoop to their level. If I was angry with them, would I need to come to this Peach Blossom Courtyard alone? As for me, I let them be. The Cui Family has let them down. If they can really find a good way out, then it's a good thing. "
"It's good that Grandpa thinks this way. For Grandpa, the most important thing now is to take care of yourself. " A smile appeared on the corner of Cui Xiaoxin's mouth as she said, "But you're not allowed to sleep by the stream anymore. What if Xiaoxin didn't fall down and catch a cold? "
"Grandpa is fishing, but Xiaoxin is sleeping for a while … In the past, what could this small stream do to me? He could fill it up with a raise of his hand. As for the cold wind outside, I didn't care about it at all … I didn't expect that one day, I would have to worry about this. "
"Grandpa — — you still can't let it go?" Cui Xiaoxin looked at the old man with a concerned face and asked aloud.
She knew that Grandpa was still brooding over the decline of the Cui Family, and could not let go of the fact that his cultivation base had been destroyed.
"I've let it go." Cui Xichen shook his head and sighed. "I've let it go."
"Grandpa still can't let it go."
"Those monks all say that this is called stubbornness. Too stubborn, the more difficult it is to see through. So, how can it be so easy to comprehend the Dao? "
"Grandpa is just a good idle person, drinking and fishing when there's nothing to do, and listening to those monks talk about scriptures — — I'm getting old, don't think about those trivial things."
"Although the Cui Family has suffered a disaster, lost its reputation and prestige, and ended up in such a state — — but in the end, the life of this family has been preserved. As long as people are still alive, there will be a day when they rise again. "
"Leave the matter of revitalizing the family to us, the younger generation. Leave it to us, Grandpa can rest well — —"
"Leave it to you?" Cui Xichen shook his head with a wry smile. "Even those lechers dared to break the wall, how can I expect you to revitalize the family? Unfortunately, I'm just an old waste, I really can't do anything. "
"If Grandpa is still worried, I have a plan — —"
"What plan? What plan? "
"Grandpa, now in Tiandu, which family has the most prestige?"
"On the surface it's the Yan family, but in the dark it's the Lu Family."
"In this incident, the Lu family has benefited the most, but at the same time, many people are dissatisfied. Moreover, now is the critical moment of the invasion of the Demon Race, it is said that Lu Xingkong has personally gone to the frontline camp to command — — "
Cui Xichen's eyes instantly lit up, asking in a low voice, "Where did this news come from?"
"A child of the Xu family came to my place to drink tea and inadvertently mentioned it. Grandpa also knows that Xu Da is the spokesperson of Lu Xingkong in the military — — the words of the Xu family's children are extremely credible. "
Cui Xichen was silent.
"Grandpa, this is our Cui family's last chance — —" Cui Xiaoxin said softly. "If at this time Grandpa can come forward and contact King Hui to take drastic measures — — what does Grandpa think the result will be?"
"Huh?" Cui Xichen turned to look at Cui Xiaoxin, who he regarded as the smartest child in the family, and asked aloud, "King Hui?"
"King Hui is extremely dissatisfied with Lu Xingkong manipulating the situation behind the scenes, if Grandpa is willing to go and have a secret talk with him, you can certainly persuade him to stand on our side."
Cui Xichen shook his head with a wry smile. "Grandpa is useless now, what can I use to negotiate with him?"
"It's not a negotiation, it's an attachment." Cui Xiaoxin smiled. "Grandpa just doesn't have a direct army, but Grandpa has prestige, Grandpa knows how to judge the situation, and knows about the world's major events. Since ancient times, how many scholars who have nothing ascend to the position of Prime Minister? But Lu Xingkong has an army, why has he always been feared by the royal family, and has been seeking Prime Minister for many years? "
"Besides, at this time, the more you have nothing, the more you can get the trust of King Hui. Although the Yan clan is also deeply trusted by King Hui, is King Hui not worried that the Yan clan will become another Song family or Lu Family? What is King Hui thinking now? He just wants his country to be stable for thousands of years. "
"What does King Hui need the most now? He needs a wise man who can compete with Lu Xingkong, but has no military power — — Previously, Grandpa, Lu Xingkong and Song Gudu were known as the 'Three Dukes of the Kingdom'. Song Gudu is dead, and Lu Xingkong can only act behind the scenes as a living dead. Now, only Grandpa can help King Hui — — "
"I have nothing, how can I compete with Lu Xingkong?"
"Grandpa, if King Hui really wants you and Lu Xingkong to keep each other in check, then he will give you everything you need — — military power, direct troops, money, and most importantly, he will give you respect and prestige."
"Yes." Cui Xichen was evidently moved by his granddaughter's words. Most importantly, perhaps this was what he had been scheming and unwilling to give up. "As long as I am willing to stand up and keep Lu Xingkong in check, His Majesty will surely accept and trust me again — — At that time, I will certainly be given supreme power and status. Including the Yan clan, Shangguan, and the lords of the military towns will all obey my orders. These all belong to His Majesty, but His Majesty will lend them to me. What can't I do with borrowing power? "
"Within the Kingdom, only I, Cui Xichen, can fight against Lu Xingkong."
"In this way, the Cui clan can rise again, and become a distinguished family."
"Yes." Cui Xichen sighed deeply. "I'm well aware of everything that happened in the past few days. In the past, when my Cui clan was prosperous, who dared to speak loudly to me? When the Cui clan was in trouble, even a little Flying Feather General dared to ask me to kneel down and accept the imperial edict, dared to whip me — — Zhao Dexiang, I must kill this person. "
At this point, Cui Xichen's eyes widened in anger, his hands clenched into fists, the bones of his fingers crackling.
"Grandpa, it's all in the past, it's all in the past, don't be angry — — anger will harm your health — —"
"It's all in the past? Those prestigious families treat us like pigs and dogs, like dead people. Even their juniors, those ignorant and incompetent playboys, dared to blatantly seduce the women of my Cui clan — — The threshold of the Cherry Blossom House where Xiaoxin lives is about to be broken by them? Who dared before? Who dared? "
"I know.
"Grandpa — —" I know. That's why the Great Monk told me to let it go — — how can I let it go in this situation? I regret it, if Lu Xingkong had killed me with his sword, then I wouldn't need to experience this, I wouldn't need to see this — — "
"You told me to drink tea, fish and listen to Buddhist scriptures, this tea is bitter to drink, this fish is painful to catch, this Buddhist scripture cannot help people, what's the use of listening to it?"
"— —"
"If what you said is true, if Lu Xingkong is really not in Tiandu, it is indeed a heaven-sent opportunity — — However, I can't meet His Majesty in person, I have to find a middleman to probe."
"Grandpa, do you have a goal?"
"The Cui clan has stood in the imperial court for thousands of years, how can it be so easily defeated? There are always a few chess pieces that others can't think of. "
"Grandpa has decided?"
"I've decided." Cui Xichen swung the fishing rod in his hand, letting it sink into the water. "Rather than dragging out an ignoble existence, it's better to make a vigorous gamble — —"
"I support Grandpa's choice." Cui Xiaoxin's eyes were suffused with a red light, and then instantly disappeared without a trace. "Moreover, I will also have a big gift for Grandpa."
"What big gift?"
"Grandpa will know when the time comes." Cui Xiaoxin said with a smile.
Cui Xichen turned to look at Cui Xiaoxin, and said thoughtfully, "I feel that Xiaoxin is very different from before."
"What's different?"
"In the past, Xiaoxin never cared about these political matters. Even if I took the initiative to mention it to you, you would only talk about it. I know you are smart, the most intelligent child of our Cui clan. But you don't like it, so I never forced you. But I didn't expect that one day you would take the initiative to mention it to me, and would even come up with such a good idea for this old man. Xiaoxin — — has grown up. "
"The world is cold." Cui Xiaoxin sighed softly. "A person's nature will eventually change with everything they encounter."
"I only hope you can change for the better. If you really don't like it, leave it to Grandpa — — as long as Grandpa is still alive, I will find a way to shelter you from the wind and rain. "
"Grandpa, let Xiaoxin share your worries." Cui Xiaoxin said softly. "Xiaoxin has a small request — —"
"What request?"
"When Grandpa goes to see His Majesty, Xiaoxin wants to accompany Grandpa."
"You want to see the Emperor?" Cui Xichen looked puzzled.
"If His Majesty has any confusion, Xiaoxin can also help." Cui Xiaoxin said with a smile. "I'm afraid His Majesty still has a knot in Grandpa's heart. Moreover, if I go as a hostage, His Majesty will feel safer, right? "
Cui Xichen pondered for a moment, before he said aloud, "Okay, I promise you. With Xiaoxin's wisdom, she should be able to handle it easily. "
"Then it's a deal." Cui Xiaoxin said with a smile.
※ ※ ※
The Imperial Palace. Benevolence Palace.
This was a side palace in the West Wind Imperial Palace, originally used for His Majesty to deal with important military matters. Later, after the establishment of the Grand Council, the Emperor directly summoned officials to the Grand Council, and even His Majesty himself rarely came here. In the words of a little eunuch in the palace, 'it's colder than the Cold Palace'.
Today, the West Wind Emperor had arrived here. Benevolence Palace was heavily guarded inside and outside, and several of the top ten masters of the Imperial Palace had come. Even a mosquito would not be able to fly in.
"Sinner Cui Xichen kowtows in salute to Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty." Cui Xichen knelt in salute, his head slamming heavily on the bluestone floor.
Because he had used too much force, when he lifted his head, his forehead was already bruised.
Cui Xiaoxin knelt beside Grandpa, silently saluted and did not speak.
The Emperor was sitting on the armchair, leisurely sipping fragrant tea.
"Grand Tutor said, you want to see me?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Cui Xichen respectfully replied.
"What's the matter?"
"Sinner, although idle at home, is worried about Your Majesty and the West Wind Kingdom every day. Only then can I repay Your Majesty's great kindness. "
"Oh, tell me, what are you worried about?"
"There are strong enemies outside, there are treacherous people inside, my West Wind is plagued with disasters, Your Majesty must not know the taste of food and sleep well. Your Majesty's worries are also my worries. So I begged Grand Tutor to help me tell Your Majesty, I want to see Your Majesty. "
"I didn't expect it, I really didn't expect it." The Emperor sneered. "I didn't expect the teacher I personally invited for my son to be a spy arranged by you, Cui Xichen — — Tell me, how many of your people are inside and outside the Imperial Palace?"
"Your Majesty, please calm down." Cui Xichen once again prostrated himself on the ground, saying in a low voice: "Under the sky, all land belongs to the Emperor. Those who lead the land, are not the Emperor's subjects. All subjects are Your Majesty's subjects. I only agreed to Grand Tutor's request because he helped me when I was young — — Your Majesty please investigate. "
"Investigate? Are there not enough spies in my palace? "The Emperor said with a sinister face." Some people are extremely daring. They would not put me, the Emperor, in their eyes. "
"That's why I came."
"Oh? Xi Chen can share my worries? "
Cui Xichen looked around. "Your Majesty, this sinner is bold enough to ask the masters to leave for the time being."
"How dare you!" The imperial guards snapped.
"Your Majesty, please calm down!"
The Hui King pondered for a moment, and his expression gradually softened. He said, "I know that Xi Chen's divine power has been destroyed, and Xiaoxin is a girl, so I don't think she will harm me … Rui eunuch, stay, the rest of you can leave first."
Rui Gonggong was also a master of the palace, with him protecting the Emperor, it was impossible for Cui Xichen and Cui Xiaoxin to harm the Emperor with their current cultivation base.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Very quickly, the guards and consecrators hidden everywhere all retreated.
"Well, now you can tell me your good plan." The Emperor stared at Cui Xichen. "Xi Chen, you and I were once monarch and minister, so when your Cui clan committed a crime, I couldn't bear to put down the butcher's knife. But, there is only one chance — — Xi Chen understand? "
The Emperor took all the merit of Lu Xingkong pleading for the Cui clan to spare the Cui family. After all, he was His Majesty, and the merit of his subjects was his merit.
"This sinner understands."
"Well, I'm all ears."
"This sinner thinks that Your Majesty lacks a wolf."
"Huh?"
"Lu Xingkong is a wild tiger, there is nothing he doesn't dare to do. Therefore, Your Majesty lacks a wolf to tear him apart. In this way, Your Majesty will be safe. "
"A wolf can fight a tiger?"
"A wolf naturally can't fight a tiger, but a pack of wolves can. This sinner is willing to be the Wolf King, to lead the wolves to fight the tiger and slay the dragon. "
"Fight the tiger and slay the dragon?" The Emperor smiled bitterly. "It's easy to say, but it's as difficult as ascending to heaven."
"Of course not in the past, but now — — it's a good opportunity."
"What do you mean?"
"The invasion of the Demon Race, the catastrophe of the divine continent. But it is also a great opportunity for the reshuffle of power — — Peacock King Ying Boyan has the ambition of a wolf, he wants to lead the army to devour the world. In the end, not only did he fail, he attracted the Three-eyed Demon Race — — "
"This sinner heard that Lu Xingkong has reached an agreement with the Peacock King, has sent 200,000 soldiers of Luo City to the Great Wall to fight against the demons, and has also dispatched countless masters to help. Moreover, Lu Xingkong is still worried, and has personally gone to the frontline to command — — This sinner doesn't know, has Lu Xingkong ever discussed with Your Majesty? "
"Discussed with me? He had already sent out the army, and then wrote me a letter to explain — — This explanation doesn't matter. "
"So, this sinner has to wonder, is Lu Xingkong a subject of my West Wind? Or is he more willing to become a subject of the Peacock Imperial Court after unifying the nine countries? "
"What do you mean?"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
"Is there a way to solve it?"
"Yes." This time, it was Cui Xiaoxin who took the initiative to answer.
"Huh? Is there a way to solve it? " The King of the Hui nation did not expect Cui Xiaoxin to take the initiative to speak. When he heard that Cui Xichen brought Cui Xiaoxin in, he thought that she was a hostage to prove that he had no other intentions. Perhaps he also had the idea of offering a beauty to him in exchange for the grace of heaven — —
After all, there were many subjects who did this kind of thing.
"Your Majesty, do you allow Xiaoxin to get up and speak?" Cui Xiaoxin's face was as delicate as water, looking at the King of the Hui nation with a pair of eyes that shone like the stars.
The King of the Hui nation's heart was pounding fiercely. Just one glance at her was enough to captivate him.
He had long known that Cui Xiaoxin was known as the 'Bright Moon of Tiandu', and seeing her today, it was indeed a well-deserved reputation. She was more beautiful than all the women he had ever seen.
"Miss Xiaoxin, please get up." The King of the Hui nation raised his hand.
Thinking that his granddaughter had gotten up and his grandfather was still kneeling on the ground, he immediately said, "Xichen also get up. We are old friends, why do you have to do this? "
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Cui Xiaoxin helped Cui Xichen to get up.
The King of the Hui nation saw that after getting up, Cui Xiaoxin was even more graceful and beautiful, and simply let Eunuch Rui choose a seat for Cui Xichen. So that the two could sit and talk.
Cui Xiaoxin strode towards the King of the Hui nation. Rui An leaned forward silently, meaning not to come close.
"Your Majesty — —"
"Eunuch Rui, Miss Xiaoxin is a weak woman, can she eat me up? Get out of the way. Everyone is closer, it will be more convenient to talk. "
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Eunuch Rui quietly retreated.
"Miss Xiaoxin, please speak your mind — —"
Cui Xichen also looked at Cui Xiaoxin blankly. His granddaughter was not a person who liked to be in the limelight. He already found it strange that she took the initiative to ask him to bring her to see the Emperor.
He did not expect her to take the initiative at this time. What was she going to do today?
"Your Majesty, Xiaoxin wants to borrow Your Majesty's body."
"Use my body?" The King of the Hui nation's eyes widened, casting a rather unnatural glance at Cui Xichen. Her grandfather was sitting next to him, but he was flirting with his granddaughter. This was really outrageous. "I see — — hahaha, Miss Xiaoxin really knows how to joke. If Miss Xiaoxin wants to use it, feel free to take it. "
"Then Xiaoxin would like to thank Your Majesty." Cui Xiaoxin smiled like a flower and said aloud.
She stretched out her hand, her slender and tender white jade-like right hand slowly touching the top of the King's head.
"Xiaoxin, don't be rude — —"
"It's okay, Miss Xiaoxin is just — —"
The King of the Hui nation suddenly widened his eyes.
Because he found that the pupils of Cui Xiaoxin standing in front of him were as red as blood, and a black centipede crawled out of her palm and drilled into the top of his head.
It drilled into his body.
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