Zhang Xiangsheng and Ling Xun participated in the scientific expedition together that year; one ranked first in the first class and the other ranked first in the second class.

One remained in the imperial court, while the other became the prefect of Zhongzhou.

Now, after several ups and downs, Ling Xun has become prime minister, while Zhang Xiangsheng has settled down in Zhongzhou.

Three years ago, Zhongzhou was hit by a major earthquake. After the disaster, it was rebuilt and, thanks to Zhang Xiangsheng's efforts, has now returned to its former glory.

Accompanied by Zhang Xiangsheng, Zhou Shaoyu and Xie Zhaozhao inspected various industries and also visited the national treasury.

Zhou Shaoyu was very satisfied when he saw the national treasury full of silver and grain.

He's in charge of people's livelihood, and he can't function without money.

Xie Zhaozhao governs the territory and holds the reins of the army, but she also owns air routes, which now belong directly to the Jade Dragon Kingdom's court, earning enough money to support her army.

Under Zhang Xiangsheng's governance, the people of Zhongzhou were prosperous and lived in peace and contentment.

Once Zhou Shaoyu understood the situation, he decided to move Zhang Xiangsheng to a different place.

After inspecting Zhongzhou and meeting with local officials, Zhou Shaoyu and Xie Zhaozhao made a special trip to visit the Temple of Loyal Martyrs, providing Zhang Xiangsheng with sufficient support.

Xie Zhaozhao is going to visit Yin Jin'an.

There are not many temples built by civilians; there are only three in the whole country.

There is one in Zhongzhou.

Located in the suburbs, it covers a large area and, in addition to the main hall, is connected to a huge manor.

Zhang Xiangsheng said, "Since the temple of the King of the Parallel Shoulders was built, a chivalrous spirit has arisen in the Central Plains. It is said that if a man has a difficult problem and seeks help from the King of the Parallel Shoulders, his dreams can all come true, and it is especially effective."

He also said that the King of the South had an eccentric temper.

A good-for-nothing wanted to get rich quick, so he went to the King and asked to make a fortune. Before he even left the temple, he fell down the steps and hit his forehead.

Everyone said that it must have been because the King of the South was angry that he kicked him.

Xie Zhaozhao smiled. Indeed, Yin Jin'an hated evil as if it were her enemy, and was the most upright and simple-minded person at heart.

Zhang Xiangsheng said, "Wang Zhengzhi's reputation has spread far and wide, and a virtuous and benevolent atmosphere is prevailing. Everyone who asks him for help receives a response."

Zhou Shaoyu and Xie Zhaozhao traveled incognito and encountered many people on their way to the Temple of Loyal Martyrs to fulfill their vows. They carried baskets filled with incense and candles, and some even brought offerings of fruit.

She was eager to see what Yin Jin'an looked like.

After the temple was built, she did not have the opportunity to leave the palace and had not yet seen what the temples built by the common people looked like.

The Central Plains were experiencing drought, and the wind was blowing across the plains. As she walked along the road, a spring breeze whipped up a tornado as tall as a person, which followed her at a distance until she reached the temple gate.

Xie Zhaozhao kept her eyes straight ahead; she was the emperor, the phoenix of the heavens, and she had to maintain proper etiquette and decorum.

But in her heart she was thinking: Yin Jin'an, is that you?

Naturally, no one answered her.

After crossing the threshold and entering the temple, I saw the plaque that read "Temple of Loyal Martyrs," written by Zhou Shaoyu.

The vermilion pillars and doors and windows house two eight-foot-tall golden statues of deities.

She looked at the statue carefully and found that it was eight parts similar to the original and ten parts captured its spirit.

His arrogant face and tightly pursed thin lips made him look like someone you wouldn't want to mess with.

Nanxing and Yuanyuan had prepared incense and candles long ago, and placed fresh flowers and fruits in front of the two statues of gods.

Xie Zhaozhao offered incense and then silently gazed at his statue.

If he were alive, Xie Zhaozhao would not be able to look him in the eye like that. Even the emperor has no reason to look someone in the eye directly.

Suddenly, Xie Zhaozhao heard music faintly coming from afar, and incense smoke rose before her eyes, making Yin Jin'an's image seem to float in the mist.

The statue came to life. He sat on his statue seat, his handsome eyes smiling as he looked at her with a hint of untamed spirit.

"Living Guanyin, you've come to see me?"

Xie Zhaozhao laughed and said, "If the mountain won't come to me, then I'll go to the mountain. We can't just never see each other again."

Yin Jin'an said lazily, "I went to look for you, but I couldn't get into the palace. I sat on the curb opposite the palace gate for a year."

Xie Zhaozhao's tears fell: "I'm sorry, I didn't know you'd wait so long..."

"It's nothing, I did it on my own."

"As you wished, I have become the empress. I want to take my destiny into my own hands."

"That little child is your son?"

"Yes, his name is Zhou Qiheng. The jade pendant you prepared for him is hanging on his waist."

...

"Zhaozhao?"

"master?"

When Xie Zhaozhao opened her eyes, she saw several anxious eyes. She looked at herself being held in Zhou Shaoyu's arms in the resting area opposite the altar.

"Mother," Xiao Heng'er, whose eyes were red from being taught not to call his mother "Empress" outside, asked, "Why are you asleep?"

Xie Zhaozhao reached out and touched his little head: "What's wrong with me?"

Yuanyuan and Manman squatted down beside her, tears streaming down their faces, and said, "Master, you suddenly fainted."

They all knew that their master missed his friend!

Xie Zhaozhao smiled and said, "Isn't everything fine?"

Zhou Shaoyu remained expressionless and said, "I've seen it, let's go back?"

Xie Zhaozhao glanced at the majestic and unruly statues in the main hall and nodded: "Let's go."

As she left the temple, a spring breeze stirred up a cloud of dust, forming a tornado taller than a person. The whirlwind continued to follow her even after she had been away from the temple for more than ten miles.

Xie Zhaozhao's eyes were red, and she said, "Let's go back!"

As Zhou Shaoyu watched the tornado recede into the distance, he hugged Xiao Heng'er tightly and said to him, "Xiao Heng'er, today your father will tell you a story."

"What story will Father tell?"

"The Oath of the Peach Garden..."

*

Before the Shangsi Festival, Xie Zhaozhao and Zhou Shaoyu returned to the capital with their son, Xiao Heng'er.

Upon returning to the palace, Xie Zhaozhao paused at the palace gate.

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