Qing 'er didn't understand what Jing Jiu meant. She thought about it carefully, but still couldn't figure it out. As such, she gave up and asked, "Aren't you worried about the Qin Kingdom and Zhao? Bai Qianjun and that damned eunuch are truly formidable, not to mention that Little Zao is still in the Illusionary Realm. "
"The affairs of others have nothing to do with me," said Jing Jiu.
Qing 'er recalled the scene on this bed more than ten years ago. "She really likes you," she said with a sigh. "I thought there would be many stories between the two of you, but I didn't expect you to be so heartless," she sighed.
"It's all fake," said Jing Jiu.
Qing 'er said with widened eyes, "But you said that this world is becoming real."
Jing Jiu said, "For any world, those who are destined to leave this world are all fake."
This statement had a deeper meaning. It was evident that it referred not only to the world in the Green Sky Mirror, but also to the real world outside.
Qing 'er stared at him for a long time, and suddenly asked, "What are you doing in this world then?"
"I want the Fairy Book," said Jing Jiu.
Every participant in the Dao Competition who entered the Illusionary Realm of the Green Sky Mirror aimed at the Fairy Book of Longevity.
This was a crude answer, but it could also be said to be simple and straightforward.
Qing 'er asked him earnestly, "Are you sure you can succeed? I can't help you under the circumstances. "
Jing Jiu said, "I've chosen a different method and a different path. We'll know who is right in the end."
…
…
When people recalled the past events and tried to sort out their memories, they would often choose some important events as the time points. The sad thing was that those important events were usually not happy events, but funerals. For instance, a senior member of the family closed his eyes while sitting on the bamboo chair, or many white banners were blown down by the wind at the funeral of a relative.
As far as the populace was concerned, the funerals were of a higher standard, and the dead had to be heavy enough to leave a deep impression on their collective memory, which would become a spiritual record for them. For instance, the death of an emperor. As far as this event was concerned, it was hard to distinguish between a funeral and a happy event, because the death of the old emperor meant the ascension of a new emperor.
In the palace of the Qin Kingdom.
The old man on the sickbed had a face full of wrinkles. His white hair was as dry as the frost grass in late autumn. His eyes were sunken and his breathing was weak. It seemed that he was going to die soon.
Crown Prince Bai Zhou, who was also known as Bai Qianjun, did not show any signs of sorrow. Because he would be the new king of the Qin Kingdom, and also because he didn't have much affection for this old man. Even if more than 20 years had worn away a lot of memories, at least he remembered clearly that this old man was not his real biological father.
The dying emperor was originally just a member of a remote royal family. Relying on his innate ability to deal with people and an occasional burst of passion, he went to Beihai County to attack the Commandery Prince and even got the real position of the governor. During the confrontation with the northern barbarians for decades, he concealed his cowardice better and better. He also accumulated a profound strength and finally became the new emperor of the Qin Kingdom by the trend of the world. This period of history could be called a resurgence, or even the founding of the country. The old emperor should have been written more vividly in the history books, but unfortunately, he gave birth to an even more brilliant son.
The young martial god of the past had now become the God of Massacre of the northern kingdom, who could stop children from crying at night. Even in the palace of the Qin Kingdom, no one dared to look him in the eyes.
"I don't like being called a god, because I know I'm not one. I also don't like being called Taizong or Taizong, because I think that neither you nor the previous emperors are qualified to be ranked before me. So I've decided to call myself White Emperor after my ascension. What do you think of the name White Emperor?"
Bai Qianjun said, "The coronation ceremony is ready, so you should die tonight. Don't waste my time."
After saying this, he walked out of the hall.
The old emperor stared at his back, his eyes full of resentment and regret.
There were countless palaces in the palace of Xianyang. In terms of quantity, only the Education Palace of the Qi Kingdom could be mentioned in the same breath.
In the darkness of the night, those palaces looked like countless ferocious beasts crouching, ready to pounce and tear their prey apart. Under the starlight, they looked even more ferocious.
Bai Qianjun walked to the deepest palace, waved his hand, and chased everyone away. He followed the sound of the zither and found that person.
A pond under the porch reflected the lights of the lanterns. There, a young girl played the zither lightly. Her white dress fluttered in the darkness, like a lotus in the pond. The whole scene gave off a lonely and pitiful feeling, very much in line with the image of a fallen princess being imprisoned in the Cold Palace. But in fact, her eyes were calm, and there were no unnecessary emotions.
"I'm going to be enthroned tomorrow." Bai Qianjun walked up to her and looked down at her, his eyes full of affection and love.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother," Bai Zao said with a smile, lifting his head.
The emotions in Bai Qianjun's eyes had disappeared a long time ago, as he said, "I have received the news from the Qi Kingdom."
Upon hearing this, the expression on Bai Zao's face changed a bit. It was evident that she was more concerned about the incident in the Qi Kingdom than the death of the Qin Emperor and the change of the dynasty.
Many of the twenty-odd participants who had entered the Illusionary Realm had died. Those who were still alive had basically been identified. Only the disciple of Yimaozhai hadn't shown up yet. The scholar named Xi Yiyun hadn't been discovered since the beginning. He didn't leave any trace in the Illusionary Realm, as if he had never been there.
This was what Tong Yan wanted to know the most. But he didn't know how Xi Yiyun had done it, not until he was killed by Jing Jiu and driven out of the Illusionary Realm.
Bai Zao was also concerned about this matter. He had asked the spy organization of the Qin Kingdom to investigate this matter for many years, and they had finally found some clues in the early spring.
"His name is Yun Qi here. He used to study under Duke Mo, and later went to the Academy of Qi Kingdom to take care of the books. He started to give lectures two years ago."
Bai Qianjun continued, "He hasn't had any contact with the outside world over the last few years. But a disciple he took some time ago had some contact with a scholar from the Wansong Institute of Zhao."
Hearing the word "give lectures", Bai Zao had roughly understood what this disciple of Yimaozhai intended to do; but he was still puzzled.
"How did he manage to hide his identity so well?"
The expression on Bai Qianjun's face grew complicated, as he said, "It's because … he doesn't even know who he is."
Bai Zao was taken aback a bit, as he asked, "Do you mean that he has completely forgotten his identity?"
Bai Qianjun nodded.
Feeling startled, Bai Zao asked, "Are you sure?"
Bai Qianjun said, "I've sent seven groups of people to give it a try. I'm sure that he has indeed forgotten his identity as a participant of the Dao Competition, and that all he wants to do is to save the people and achieve the Dao."
Looking at the strings on the zither, Bai Zao remained silent. The participants of the Dao Competition might actually forget their past events after living in the Illusionary Realm for too long and being confused by the mortal world; but it was evident that Xi Yiyun didn't do that. It was more like he had intentionally forgotten his past events. Why did he do that?
After a long while, she remarked sentimentally, "It's truly marvelous."
Bai Qianjun had the same opinion, asking, "How should we deal with it?"
"The masters of Yimaozhai don't cultivate, but their Dao Hearts are as firm as a rock, and can't be shaken."
Bai Zao said, "We have to find a way to kill him right now; otherwise, he will be a big trouble in the future."
Bai Qianjun suddenly said, "I've also forgotten something. As long as I don't think about it, I will naturally forget it. But there are some things that I can't forget even if I don't want to."
Even the most tranquil gaze could be sensed, not to mention the heat hidden behind the tranquility.
Bai Zao didn't raise his head as he asked, "Big Brother Tong Yan has gone out. What do you think?"
Bai Qianjun pulled back his gaze slowly and looked at the unreal reflections of the lanterns on the pond, his voice a bit cold.
"I opposed him going to the capital of the Chu Kingdom in the first place. Young Sister, you and he both attach too much importance to Jing Jiu."
Bai Zao said lightly, "Big Brother is dead, which proves that Jing Jiu is worthy of our attention as I said."
After a moment of silence, Bai Qianjun said, "Young Sister, you are always right."
Looking at his profile in Silence, Bai Zao said, "Yes. Is there anything wrong?"
"There is nothing wrong. Everything is going according to your and Tong Yan's plan, and the Fairy Book will fall into our hands in the end."
A gust of night wind passed through the palace, shattering the reflections of the lanterns as far as the eye could see.
Looking in that direction in Silence, Bai Qianjun said, "I just want to forget some more things all of a sudden."
Having said this, he turned around and walked out of the hall to prepare for the coronation ceremony the next day.
Looking at the surface of the water, Bai Zao said nothing.
She understood what he meant, but she found it boring.
The broken reflections of the lanterns on the surface of the pond slowly gathered together.
She thought of the news from the Chu Kingdom.
After issuing the edict of self-condemnation, Jing Jiu was put under house arrest by that Grand Scholar in the cold palace.
The edict of self-condemnation was certainly not written by him, and it was of his own accord that he was put under house arrest in the cold palace, just like Zhao Layue.
Thinking of these coincidences, Bai Zao smiled, feeling it was quite interesting.
…
…
Another five years passed.
The White Emperor of the Qin Kingdom was tyrannical, imposing taxes and imposing exorbitant taxes. He forced three thousand wealthy families in Luoxi to move to Xianyang. Complaints were heard everywhere, but they were immediately suppressed. Under his personal command, thirty thousand cavalrymen swept across the north of the continent like the sharpest sword. They were invincible, and even the barbaric tribes retreated in fear.
The only country that could compete with the Qin Kingdom, Zhao encountered a major event at this time. Their Emperor was about to die.
This Emperor was extremely wise and wise, and he was a master of both leniency and severity. Unfortunately, he was born with a weak body and had no children.
In the past five years, probably because of these problems, the court and the people of Zhao had been permeated with a strange atmosphere. The Emperor issued a series of edicts, appointing and dismissing people, restricting the power of the Intelligence Bureau, and supporting his supporters. It was obvious that he was going to take action against Elder He. However, no matter how much the officials and people of Zhao State and even the merchants of Qi State waited, the Emperor didn't do anything to Master Eunuch He in the end. He even trusted Master Eunuch He and only drank the medicine brewed by Master Eunuch He.
The smell of medicine in the hall was much lighter than in previous years, probably because the windows were open and ventilation was good.
"Grand Secretary Zhang is fifty years older than us. No matter how hard he tries, he won't be able to last until twenty years later." The Emperor's pale face did not improve after drinking the medicine. He leaned on the bed and panted. "From now on, you are the only one who can deal with the White Emperor."
He Zhan did not say anything, nor did he advise the Emperor to take a good rest. Everyone knew that the Emperor could not hold on for more than a few days.
Facing the Emperor's expectant and pleading eyes, He Zhan remained silent for a while. He patted the back of the Emperor's hand and still did not say anything.
A wind came in from outside the palace, followed by the Empress.
She walked to the bed with tears on her face and pushed He Zhan away roughly. She sat beside the Emperor and held his hand.
He Zhan walked out of the hall and faintly heard a faint sigh behind him.
…
…
That very night, the Emperor of Zhao died.
He Zhan watched him die with his own eyes. Then he calmly began to arrange all kinds of affairs. When he was almost done, he went back to his room to sleep for an hour.
During the whole process, he did not do anything out of line or disrespectful.
The Empress asked someone to ask him. After knowing that he did not go to the Imperial Garden, she remained silent for a long time. She did not know whether she should be happy or disappointed.
Before dawn, the Imperial Palace was filled with officials in plain clothes. Many of them went out of the city to welcome the Emperor according to the rules.
The Crown Prince of King Hejian was going to the capital to inherit the throne.
Normally, it had been decided five years ago. The Crown Prince should have been raised in the Imperial Palace as a Crown Prince and directly inherited the throne today. But for some reason, the proposal was not approved. It was said that Elder He did not like the Crown Prince and secretly did something.
Time passed slowly. The morning light gradually illuminated the eaves of the palace. However, the officials who went out of the city to welcome the Emperor had not returned yet.
The atmosphere inside and outside the Imperial Palace was a bit tense.
What on earth happened?
The sound of hooves came from the long street.
Horses reported quickly.
Then it was reported.
The officials and nobles on both sides of the jade stairs in front of the hall stared at the official of the Ministry of Rites as if they wanted to eat him alive.
The official of the Ministry of Rites said nervously with a pale face, "The Crown Prince … The Crown Prince … No … He refused to go through the Zhengming Gate. He wanted to go through the Xihua Gate."
Hearing this, the front of the hall suddenly became silent. The officials looked at each other and did not know what to do.
The Crown Prince ascended the throne through the Zhengming Gate.
The Emperor returned to the palace through the Xihua Gate.
It was simple but very important.
At every important historical moment, there was always a shortage of officials in the Imperial court who were brave enough to "take charge."
Soon, the silence in front of the hall was broken.
A Hanlin Academy official stood out and began to quote the classics to prove the correctness of the Emperor's decision to go through the Xihua Gate.
Then, several other officials agreed.
Great achievements naturally came with great risks. But the real bigwigs on the scene remained silent.
The voices of the officials in the debate gradually lowered. All eyes were fixed on one place.
It was not the highest place, and it was even a little far from the jade stairs. It was the shadow of a corner of the hall. A man was standing in the shadow.
"If you don't want to go through the Zhengming Gate, then please go back."
During the whole process of the new Emperor's enthronement, He Zhan only said this one sentence.
It was recorded in the history books.
…
…
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