Chapter 148

After all, the temple is not as comfortable as the palace with its high beds and soft pillows. Although there was plenty of charcoal fire in the room, Zhou Li still felt cold at night. She couldn't help but hug her quilt to find a source of heat and rubbed into Gong Yinai's arms. Gong Yinai accepted it calmly and rolled her and the quilt into his arms.

In the early morning, Zhou Li was awakened by the magnificent bells in the ancient temple and the bright sunlight shining through the window.

There was a chill in the air, and Zhou Li couldn't help but curl up in the quilt. Suddenly, a voice came from above his head: "It's time to wake up."

This voice pulled Zhou Li back from her sleepwalking. She slowly opened her eyes, was stunned for a moment, and blinked again, looking in disbelief.

How did she run into Gong Yinai's arms?

Zhou Li's eyes were full of question marks. He tilted his head back and squirmed his body backwards little by little, trying to escape.

Gong Yinai raised the corners of his lips slightly, feeling that although he had waited a long time for Zhou Li to wake up, it was worth it to see this scene.

She lay sideways, supporting her cheek with her hand, looking down at Zhou Li, with a few strands of hair scattered on her cheek. The sunlight from the window shone on her, clear and bright, and she looked incredibly good.

Gong Yinai jokingly said, "Dear Zhou Liangdi, you don't sleep well. Didn't you receive proper training before entering the palace? If the maid knew about it during the selection, you would probably be sent away."

Gong Yinai sighed deeply. Zhou Li, feeling guilty, moved away to a safe distance before muttering quietly, "I've always slept well."

This must be because I left the familiar place.

Zhou Li thought to himself and strongly affirmed himself in his heart.

Gong Yinai teased Zhou Li for a few words, then asked someone to come in and clean up. She dressed herself, washed up, and waited for Zhou Li to do her makeup. It was not that Zhou Li was slow to do her makeup, but her hair was complicated. Unlike Gong Yinai who dressed like a man, she could just tie her hair up high with a crown. Her hair was in layers, and finally pinned up with a wooden hairpin. She also wore a light-colored dress. Zhou Li was afraid of the cold, so she covered herself with a gray cloak, looking very scholarly.

Gong Yinai saw that Zhou Li was dressed up, so she took Zhou Li's hand. The two of them standing together looked like a combination of a talented man and a beautiful woman, very bright and eye-catching!

Gong Yinai also put on a cloak. It was still a bit cold on the mountain in the early morning, and the big trees in the courtyard were covered with a layer of frost. She smiled at Zhou Li with a curved eyebrow and said, "Let's have breakfast at the foot of the mountain today."

We got on the carriage and drove down the mountain. The market had already opened and people were coming and going in an endless stream. The stall owners were shouting to attract passers-by with juicy white radishes, hot pancakes, and smoking big white buns.

When they arrived at the market, the two got off the carriage. Gong Yinai left two people to follow them. She looked around and saw a lot of delicious food. She asked Zhou Li what choice he would make.

After a night's sleep, Zhou Li just wanted to have a bowl of hot soup to warm his stomach in the winter morning, but he didn't want to eat anything too greasy. He hesitated for a moment, but still sat down at the wonton stall. Gong Yinai ordered another round of buns. Both of them had small appetites, and they ate less than the guards who followed them.

The stall is run by a young couple. The wontons are made and cooked on the spot. The man cooks the wontons while the woman makes them and greets customers at the same time. You don’t have to wait long and the food is served on the table in a short while. The soup is delicious and the wontons are big. They are paired with vegetarian buns. Although not as exquisite as those in the palace, they also have their own unique flavor.

After eating, Zhou Li looked around curiously. The things in the market were all sold by villagers from surrounding villages. There were special yamen runners in charge of managing the market. The stalls were neatly arranged. They sold common food, clothing and daily necessities on the market, as well as different and fresh things. The market here was at the foot of the mountain, so there were some mountain products sold along the mountain.

Zhou Li listened to the hawking and saw someone holding medicinal herbs and shouted, "If you're passing by, come and take a look! This thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum will cure your illness instantly! If you miss this village, you'll never find it again!"

Someone nearby asked curiously, "How much are you selling this Ganoderma lucidum for?"

"Ten taels of silver! And Ganoderma lucidum powder! Ganoderma lucidum medicine! Whatever you want, we have it!"

"Tsk!" The villagers who had just rushed over scattered. There is no good thing that is cheap. It is obviously fake Ganoderma lucidum. After all, this is the emperor's place, and everyone still has the ability to distinguish.

Zhou Li leaned over to Gong Yinai's ear and asked, "Is this Ganoderma lucidum real or fake?"

Gong Yinai took a look and said calmly, "Half true, half false."

Zhou Li blinked, not knowing there was such a thing. Gong Yinai glanced at her and smiled, "Real Ganoderma lucidum is always in short supply. Do you believe this Ganoderma lucidum that's being sold for ten taels of silver is real?"

Zhou Li suddenly realized, yes, how could real Ganoderma lucidum be so cheap?

She whispered, "Then you're telling half the truth again."

Gong Yinai pointed at the Ganoderma that the man had just held up to attract everyone's attention and said, "The one in his hand should be pink Ganoderma. This kind of Ganoderma can be cultivated artificially, but there are very few people who can do it, and its medicinal value is ultimately not as good as wild Ganoderma. Wild Ganoderma is extremely difficult to pick. There is only one thousand-year-old Ganoderma left in the palace. The one in his hand is obviously a few years old. It won't hurt you if you eat it, it will just help to promote menstruation and blood circulation."

Zhou Li looked at Gong Yinai with some admiration. Gong Yinai was so busy every day, but he could actually identify medicinal herbs?

Gong Yinai met Zhou Li's gaze, her lips curled slightly as she smiled and said, "These aren't difficult. The complete Medical Classics is in the library. Last year, the Imperial Hospital revised it and added a lot of medicinal herbs. You can take a look at it when you have free time. The drawings of the medicinal plants are very lifelike. I've also benefited a lot. At least I can prescribe my own medicine for a headache or a fever."

"You can prescribe medicine?" Zhou Li was surprised. She asked in confusion, "When did you learn this?" He seemed very busy every day, but he could still find time to read these miscellaneous books.

Gong Yinai said calmly, "I've read almost half of the Medical Classics since last year. Medicine is vast and profound, and I only barely scratch the surface." She sighed delicately, "Last year, I made a mistake. Because I didn't understand pharmacology, I killed someone. I've always wanted to make amends, so I want to learn some medical skills. At least in the future, I won't be deceived or harm others."

Zhou Li looked confused and doubtful. Could Gong Yinai be talking about her?

She turned her head away guiltily and didn't see Gong Yinai's smiling eyes later.

Gong Yinai held her hand tightly and changed the subject calmly, "Let's go take a look at the front."

Finally getting over this heavy topic, Zhou Li breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, he felt a deep sense of guilt in his heart.

There were obviously more craftsmen in front, many of whom were selling rouge, powder, straw and bamboo weaving, pottery, and some for headwear and clothing. Many families also sold some coarse cloth woven by themselves and embroidered flowers. Although they were not as exquisite as what Zhou Li used in daily life, the patterns and styles were something Zhou Li had never seen before.

But she only looked at it. Gong Yinai wanted to pay, so she pushed it back. Zhou Li said, "It would be a waste to buy it back. If you give it to the servants as a reward, they may not even use it."

"Then is there anything you want to buy?" Gong Yinai asked with a smile.

The jewelry vendor nearby took the opportunity to promote his wares. "Sir, why don't you take a look at what I have here? They're all worthless trinkets, but look at this wooden hairpin! It's from the heart tree! Give it to my wife, and I promise you two will love each other forever and grow old together!"

Gong Yinai liked to hear people say this, so she paid for it directly. She looked at Zhou Li and put it on Zhou Li's head with her own hands. The wooden hairpin looked simple and rustic, which complemented Zhou Li's outfit when she went out today. The boss next to her applauded and praised Zhou Li for looking beautiful in it. Zhou Li faced the teasing and amusing eyes of the people around her, her cheeks a little hot, and she gently pushed Gong Yinai.

Gong Yinai praised: "The coarse linen clothes cannot hide the jade-like beauty. This wooden hairpin is a perfect match for Madam."

The people around laughed at the loving couple, but Zhou Li's cheeks turned redder. He pulled Gong Yinai's sleeve and left as if escaping. After walking for a long time, he could still feel the teasing glances from behind.

"Why are you so gullible?" Zhou Li complained softly, touching the wooden hairpin on her head. "You buy whatever I say? Do you think it'll look good on me?"

Without a mirror, Zhou Li didn't know how he looked when he put it on, so he could only look at Gong Yinai and seek her approval.

"Of course it looks good. Madam will look good even if you wear a sack." Gong Yinai was so sweet-mouthed that Zhou Li couldn't tell whether she was sincere or not. Zhou Li looked at her suspiciously, and when he got an affirmative smile, he pursed his lips and smiled, revealing a bit of childishness.

Gong Yinai also showed a sincere smile on her lips. She extended her hand to Zhou Li, and Zhou Li took it. The two of them walked slowly along the street. There was nothing interesting next, and the two were not in a hurry to go back.

Although it was winter and there were dead trees at the foot of the mountain, as he walked past the market, he saw a forest in the distance. The dry trees in the forest were tied with red cloth strips, which looked like a red cloud from a distance. Zhou Li was wondering why the flowers on the trees were blooming so brightly at this time of year, but he discovered the truth when he got closer.

A name was written on each piece of red cloth with a gold pen. Gong Yinai asked people to inquire and found out that this was the famous Ruyi Forest, because it was at the foot of the mountain where the imperial temple was located. Legend has it that a great monk had passed away in this forest. Once, a young man's mother was seriously ill, and he came all the way to the temple to pray to Buddha. He rested in the forest at night and had a dream. He was enlightened by the great monk in the dream and bought a piece of red cloth, wrote his mother's name on it and hung it on the branch. After he returned, his mother was cured. After the young man's story spread, some kind-hearted people came to try it, and their dreams came true. Soon after, more and more people came here to hang red cloths, and this nameless forest was called Ruyi Forest.

Gong Yinai became interested after hearing this. He was thinking about where to buy red cloth and gold pen. Unexpectedly, after walking a few steps forward, he saw someone setting up a stall selling things. It was a scholar. Someone was buying cloth and asked him to write a few words. Gong Yinai and Zhou Li came forward, and Zhou Li couldn't help but say "good" in his heart.

An expert could tell a good calligrapher from the first look. This person's calligraphy was upright, with the strokes and hooks in the regular script in perfect order, the handwriting neat and tidy, like printed. Then, looking at the large cloth on the stall next to him that said they could write family letters, Zhou Li and Gong Yinai glanced at each other and saw that they had a tacit understanding. After the person in front of them finished writing, Gong Yinai called someone forward, and the guard said, "I'll lend you my stall for a bit."

The guard took out a tael of silver, and the scholar immediately took it and stepped aside with a smile on his face, "Please come in, please come in."

The guards went to invite the prince. They certainly could not write the prince's name casually. Gong Yinai sat down. Two red cloths had already been pressed down with stones on the table. Gong Yinai wrote his own name and Zhou Li's name on the red cloth in one stroke. Zhou Li's face turned a little red. This was no less than a young couple locking their love locks.

Hearing that it would be auspicious to hang the cloth herself, Gong Yinai did not ask him for help. She took two strips of cloth and went to the woods to find a suitable tree. Zhou Li followed her and saw her tie the cloth strips together herself and hang them on the branches. When the north wind blew, the red cloth danced like a snake, bringing a red glow.

The two returned the same way and discussed the scholar they had just met. When they came here, Gong Yinai left a message and asked a guard to ask the scholar to write a letter home. The general content was: My son is doing well in the capital, don't worry.

But there is a requirement, which is that the other party is required to write a long letter using this sentence.

Zhou Li was puzzled. "I think his handwriting is good, but I can't tell the difference between regular script and regular script. I wanted to ask him to write other characters and see how they turn out."

Gong Yinai smiled and said, "His calligraphy reminds me of someone, so I wanted to test him."

Zhou Li asked further, and Gong Yinai really didn't say anything. Zhou Li hit her twice to see what she was going to say next.

When they returned, the letter home had already been written. The guards who received the letter were about to cry. The letter was written with such sincerity that it made the readers feel tender and sentimental, and also made the writer feel emotional. It shows the high level of the writer's writing skills.

Gong Yinai read the letter and handed it back to Zhou Li. After Zhou Li had read it, he said, "Not only does this mountain house a great monk, but it also houses a great hermit. The court once summoned him to serve, but he was arrogant and directly rejected the invitation, even declaring that he would never enter the capital. However, I heard that he has accepted a disciple, the illegitimate son of Sun Ge Lao's family."

Zhou Li understood immediately. She put down the letter and asked, "Would the illegitimate son of Lord Sun be dressed so poorly to write a letter home?"

Gong Yinai laughed and said, "That's because you haven't met Lord Sun. Lord Sun's family motto is that if your children don't learn to be good, they won't become anything in the next year. So when your children reach the age of twenty, he gives them a sum of money and kicks them out of the house. They're not allowed to return home until they've achieved something."

Zhou Li was stunned. She had only heard of Sun Ge Lao being stingy before, but she had never heard of such a strange thing happening in his family? Ge Laos really have different personalities!

"What about his legitimate son?" Zhou Li asked.

Gong Yinai sighed, "His eldest son passed the imperial examination at the age of sixteen and is now serving in the Hanlin Academy." Her lips curled slightly as she lowered her voice to Zhou Li, "I heard that Sun Buwei studied so hard to avoid being kicked out of his family that he passed the imperial examination and became a jinshi."

Zhou Li was amused and couldn't help laughing out loud.

She said, "Looking at this writing, it's clear that Lord Sun is a man who will educate his descendants."

Gong Yinai nodded with a smile. She asked someone to leave a jade pendant for the illegitimate son of the Sun family, and then she and Zhou Li returned home.

The days spent in the imperial temple slowed down. It took Zhou Li only three days to go from her initial panic to her adaptation. She had already gotten used to the daily life in the temple. Sometimes she would accompany Gong Yinai to do morning prayers with the monks. After half a day, her heart would be at peace. In the afternoon, official business from the capital would be handed over to Gong Yinai. Zhou Li would serve tea and burn incense, and help Gong Yinai deal with it. Gradually, she realized the importance of the prince.

Time passed quickly, and Zhou Li lived comfortably here every day. Gong Yinai, as she said, did not touch Zhou Li at all. Zhou Li smiled more often, but an imperial edict from the palace finally broke the peace between the two.

"The Queen Mother is critically ill! The Crown Prince is ordered to return home immediately!"

In the 45th year of the Qingli reign, the empress dowager passed away.

The palace was in mourning and the crown prince was in hemp cloth. Emperor Qing was so sad that he could not meet with the court officials and ordered the crown prince to act as regent.

Gong Yinai went to see Emperor Qing, who was lying in bed with gray hair on his temples. His eyes were cloudy, as if he was recalling the past. He took the Crown Prince's hand and said, "I have already investigated the matter of the autumn hunt, but when my mother died, she only left one last wish, which was for me to take good care of her sister, Concubine Jing. I know you are resentful, so I have already sent Concubine Jing to the imperial estate to live out her days. As for the Empress, I am also heartbroken because she lost her son. After all, she is your mother. Please, for my sake, let her go."

It turned out that the autumn hunting incident was a joint effort by the Queen and Concubine Jing to kill the Crown Prince. The Third Prince was raised by Concubine Jing, and she had a nurturing affection for him. When she saw Gong Yinai, who followed behind the Third Prince, ascend to the throne, how could she not secretly hate him?

The Queen hated Gong Yinai even more because of the incident with the former Crown Prince, so the two of them joined hands to set up a tight net to lure Gong Yinai into the trap. If Zhou Li had not suddenly appeared and saved Gong Yinai, Gong Yinai's life would have been in danger.

The prince has grown stronger, and Emperor Qing knows that his situation is hopeless, but Gong Yinai is still willing to wear the shell of Zhang Xiaoshun, so he uses this as a threat.

Emperor Qing said, "I am willing to abdicate and let someone more capable do the job, but Crown Princess, you must marry Elder Wen's daughter!"

Gong Yinai thought she hadn't given up yet, and was still trying to place her own people in her territory. A smile crossed her lips as she whispered softly into Emperor Qing's ear, "Half the court supports me. If you were to die of a sudden illness today, I'm afraid they would immediately push me to the throne. However, I won't take the throne just yet. I will refuse repeatedly until all the officials kneel before me. Then I will produce the imperial edict you swore at the time to appoint me Crown Prince. After all, I am the legitimate heir, and this position should have been mine."

A good sword is forged through sharpening. After five years of dormancy, Gong Yinai carefully sharpened the sword and was finally able to draw it.

Emperor Qing was so angry that he vomited blood. Before he fainted, he still grabbed Gong Yinai's arm and refused to let go, "You...you...you are so good..."

Gong Yinai sneered. When Emperor Qing fainted, she wiped his hand away and immediately shouted, "Hurry up! Father has fainted!"

Gong Yinai was busy until late at night before returning to the palace. Zhou Li stayed by Gong Yinai's side after returning from the imperial temple. She helped Gong Yinai wash and dress. Gong Yinai had been guarding the empress dowager's body these days and had not gotten enough sleep. She also had to deal with state affairs. As soon as Gong Yinai came back, Zhou Li rushed to let her sleep a little longer, otherwise it would be time for the morning court again. She took off Gong Yinai's outer shirt and handed her a towel to wipe her face.

Gong Yinai raised her hand, and her sleeves slipped down, revealing the dark blue fingerprints on her arm.

Zhou Li was shocked. Who dared to hurt the prince?

"Who did this?" Zhou Li frowned and went to find the medicine box to apply medicine to Gong Yinai.

Gong Yinai felt alive again after applying a towel to her face. When she came back from the mourning hall, it was so cold that her face was frozen. In order to prevent the body from rotting, the temperature in the mourning hall could not be too high. She could only wear thick clothes and use a charcoal brazier. Keeping vigil was simply torture.

She said nonchalantly, "It's just a minor injury."

Zhou Li took her arm and sighed, knowing that it was something she couldn't know again. After returning from the Imperial Temple, Gong Yinai became more and more mysterious, often getting up in the middle of the night to deal with things. As the person sleeping next to her, Zhou Li knew her changes best. Zhou Li also had some guesses in her mind. After all, Gong Yinai had never wanted to hide it from her, so she could only pretend to be stupid. After all, if this kind of thing leaked out, it would be a capital crime.

A few days later, the Queen Mother was successfully buried.

As the year draws to a close, every family is being extremely cautious due to the Empress Dowager's funeral. Emperor Qing's health is said to be not very good either, and he has been seeking imperial physicians. The Crown Prince is in charge of the court, and with the assistance of the various ministers, everything is going smoothly.

The New Year finally arrived, but it was a rather dull one. The palace was in mourning, and even the ministers did not dare to show any joy.

However, in the Prince's Palace, Gong Yinai was finally able to rest during the New Year. He had a New Year's Eve dinner with Zhou Li and then went on with his work. Zhou Li did not dare to disturb him and could only pay attention to the Prince's food, drink and clothing.

The year passed, and the ministers had just returned to work and had not yet recovered from the vacation atmosphere when a bolt of thunder was thrown into the court. Emperor Qing issued an imperial decree, saying that he would abdicate and let the wise man take over!

"I don't agree!" Elder Wen was so angry that he was the first to stand up and oppose.

Gong Yinai stood beside the throne with a smile on his face. The eunuch who had just issued the imperial edict was also looking at his nose with his eyes and his heart with his nose, not even daring to breathe.

"Mr. Wen, do you have any objections? Please tell me." Gong Yinai said in a light tone.

Wen Gelao loudly accused, "Your Majesty, we haven't seen you for two months! We've only heard everything from the Crown Prince! We need to see your Majesty before we make a decision!"

Gong Yinai said in an inexplicable tone: "Oh? Lord, are you saying that I lied about the imperial edict?"

"I dare not." Wen Ge Lao lowered his eyes and said, "I am just worried about Your Majesty."

His words were almost pointing at Gong Yinai's nose and accusing him of treason.

Gong Yinai smiled and said, "Since you all want to see the emperor, then follow me."

Wen Xian looked up in surprise, unable to believe that Gong Yinai really dared to take them to see Emperor Qing.

After the court session, Gong Yinai actually took the ministers to see Emperor Qing. However, Emperor Qing was emaciated and looked like he was on his deathbed. He kept saying in a weak voice, "Daqing will be handed over to the crown prince."

Wen Xian couldn't believe it. Two months ago, Emperor Qing was not so old and frail.

Gong Yinai looked heartbroken. "My father is so heartbroken over the Queen Mother's death. No matter how much I try to persuade him, he won't listen. Now he can't even eat and is only relying on medicine to survive."

Wen Xian stepped forward, and Emperor Qing still murmured: "Leave it to the Crown Prince, I am at ease."

"What else are you worried about, Lord Wen?" Gong Yinai smiled fakely.

Wen Xian lowered his head, knowing that the game was over. He gritted his teeth, was the first to kneel down and shouted, "Welcome to the Emperor!" Then all the ministers in the court knelt down, and the solemn voice could be heard from far away.

Gong Yinai lowered her eyes and looked at the aging Emperor Qing lying on the hospital bed and the young and vigorous prince in front of the bed. Although her dream had come true, Gong Yinai did not feel happy. Only she knew what she had lost along the way.

Zhou Li sat in the Prince's Palace waiting for Gong Yinai to come down from court, but he waited for a long time. Suddenly, he heard a magpie calling outside the window. A little eunuch came to report the news. Hong Gu was so happy that she pushed open the door and called out loudly to tell Zhou Li the good news.

"Your Majesty passes the throne to the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince ascends the throne!"

Zhou Li stood up instantly and sat down again exhausted.

In the end, Gong Yinai won the game.

In early spring in March, apricot blossoms bloomed. Emperor Qing passed away. The crown prince declined three times but finally ascended the throne.

"The Emperor, by the order of Heaven and Earth, proclaims that the virtuous and beautiful Consort Zhou Liangdi... is promoted to Imperial Consort!"

Zhou Li stood in the palace and received the imperial edict from Gong Yinai.

After Emperor Qing passed away, Gong Yinai had not been to the harem for a long time because she was really busy with the affairs of the previous dynasty. Now that the previous dynasty was stable, her first thing was to promote the positions of the harem. Everyone was promoted one level, but Zhou Li was promoted the highest, and he immediately took charge of the harem and looked down on everyone else.

After ascending the throne, the ministers brought up the old issue again and wanted to choose a queen. Especially since there had been no new concubines in the emperor's harem for several years and there was no crown prince, the ministers were very worried. Gong Yinai had her own ideas and ignored them. She had already ascended the throne and would sooner or later shed this layer of skin and return to her female body. She wanted to be the first female emperor of Daqing!

At night, a eunuch summoned the emperor earlier to say that he would come over. Although Zhou Li was extremely sleepy, he still waited. Although there were not as many things to do after Gong Yinai ascended the throne, there were still many troubles in government affairs. A new emperor means new ministers, and all departments need to work together.

It was late at night when she finally arrived. The dew soaked her clothes. She saw Zhou Li already slumped over the table. The dim light made the palace warm. Gong Yinai lowered her footsteps, not wanting to wake Zhou Li. But just as she reached Zhou Li's side, he woke up in a daze, "You're back."

Gong Yinai smiled gently. She stepped forward, held Zhou Li's hand, and said, "Why don't you go to bed?"

Zhou Li yawned and complained, "I haven't seen you for a long time. I miss you. Otherwise, I'll sleep and you'll come back. When I wake up, you'll have gone to the morning court again."

The speaker may not mean it, but the listener may take it seriously.

Gong Yinai's smile deepened, and she said, "It doesn't matter. From today on, I won't be so busy."

"Have all the matters been settled?" Zhou Li asked vaguely.

Gong Yinai nodded. She pulled Zhou Li up and asked someone to serve her. "Go to sleep."

Zhou Li went to bed in a daze and was pulled into Gong Yinai's arms. She heard Gong Yinai say something. When she woke up in the morning, Gong Yinai was gone. Zhou Li sat in front of the dressing mirror combing her hair. She thought for a long time before she remembered what she had said: "I miss you, too."

She suddenly covered her face with her hands, and the maid behind her quickly let go, fearing that she would be hurt.

Zhou Li thought to herself, this is bad, it seems that she has also fallen in love with Gong Yinai.