Chapter 1619 IF Line: The True Meaning of Taking What Others Want (End of Screening)

Looking at the girl Gong Xifeng with a shy smile on her face, everyone was basically certain that she was Lin Feng's past life. At first, they were just impressed that Minister Lin was indeed the master's half-daughter and was deeply loved, but as the scene progressed, they had a different opinion.

Some people were surprised that the lord had handed Gong Xifeng over to Wei Lou.

Wei Lou glanced at him coldly: "Heh, what's wrong with handing it over to me? Chu Wuhui can take Lin Feng as his disciple, so why can't I take Gong Xifeng? Chu Wuhui is a second-rank upper-middle, and so am I. He reached the pinnacle in one step, so how am I any weaker than him?"

Chu Yao's approach to the scholar's way sounds impressive, but it has significant limitations; at least in terms of direct combat, he is no match for Chu Yao.

Wei Lou didn't think he would bury Gong Xifeng's talent.

The person in the picture is far superior to Chu Yao, who is the same age.

Chu Yao wasted his most precious time on a laughable act of kindness, squandering it in the countryside of Xiaocheng—an experience I've never had. The biggest mistake I've ever made in my life was being tricked into a self-imposed prison by Ji Mo Cong; otherwise, I've been incredibly successful.

If Gong Xifeng is handed over to him, how can the child be buried?

The person who was refuted said awkwardly, "Lord Wei, please don't be angry. That's not what I meant. Besides, you're not the one in charge."

Putting aside the possibility that what they saw might be an illusion, even if it wasn't, it wasn't Wei Lou's past, and they couldn't be considered the same person as Wei Lou. Wei Lou really had no reason to be angry. For some reason, Old Deng Wei Lou's expression instantly turned three shades green.

Fortunately, Chu Yao stepped in to smooth things over.

"Given Lord Wei's magnanimity, since he promised His Majesty and others to look after your virtue, he will surely do his utmost. I believe there is no better mentor or friend in the world than him." Although Wei Lou has indeed done some foolish things, he is not without principles.

Unlike others' concerns, Chu Yao had a different view: the young Wei Lou would not deliberately ruin a child out of selfishness.

On the contrary, Wei Lou in the picture probably wanted Gong Xifeng to succeed more than anyone else, and his idea was soon confirmed.

Everyone also noticed that Wei Lou in the picture seemed like a different person.

It was the dead of winter, and a young child of a commoner in the area froze to death.

When this matter reached the ears of the Empress, she pondered for a moment and came up with a costly but effective solution: to build public central heating halls in each village to reduce the heating expenses of the common people, and at the same time take the opportunity to educate them in literacy so that they could learn a few words. In the past, Wei Lou would have mostly opposed such a proposal with sarcastic remarks, but this time he surprisingly supported it with sarcastic remarks.

Those off-screen also felt the same curiosity as their master.

Why did Lord Wei agree so readily?

Are we no longer worried about the high cost of literacy equipment?

A wise ruler with a large and prosperous family can afford to be extravagant.

"...If you don't spend the money yourself, someone else will spend it for you someday. Rather than letting others benefit, you might as well enjoy it yourself." Hearing her words, everyone who had been trying to hold back burst out laughing, their lips curving into a smile, except for Xun Zhen, who was displeased.

What's the difference between this and calling him Xun Hanzhang by name?

"Even though the Lord has lost his memory, he still remembers me."

How could this not be a case of simplicity resonating with the emperor's heart?

Instead of teasing Xun Zhen, the others keenly noticed Wei Lou's reaction in the scene. As a temporary laborer, given Wei Lou's previous behavior, his reaction to his lord's words would most likely have been to ignore or laugh it off. However, Wei Lou blurted out a question brimming with possessiveness and wariness: "Who else will spend it for you?"

Gu Chige's work is translated from the image outside the picture into Chinese.

"Hey, which little devil spent the money that should have been given to me?"

"Huh? Look in my eyes!"

"How many lovers do you have outside?"

Everyone: "..."

Damn, that affected, high-pitched tone was so captivating. After Gu Wangchao's witty banter, I can never go back to that style.

Old Deng Wei Lou retorted angrily, "Do you think I'm dead?"

Gu Chi smiled maliciously: "Lord Wei, please don't be angry. That's not what I meant. Besides, you're not the one in charge."

Everyone treated it as just watching a Peking Opera performance.

Don't get too involved.

Why invest so much emotion?

Could it be that he got too caught up in the play and became completely absorbed in it?

Old Deng Wei Lou's face turned ashen: "You—"

In the scene, Shen Tang added insult to injury, asking Wei Lou with a bewildered expression why he started calling her "Wise Ruler" instead of the previous "Shen Jun": [It's not that I dislike the title "Wise Ruler," it's just... it feels like he's calling someone else.]

Everyone's gaze fell on Wu Xian, who remained silent.

Wu Xian: What does this have to do with me?

Even though Shen Youli has lost her memory, she still can't resist making fun of him.

A colleague commented, "After all, it's a deep bond between siblings."

This shows that the sibling relationship between the two is genuine and truly valued by the Lord, so that even a simple form of address can evoke a sense of familiarity in her subconscious. This alone is enough for Wu Xian to boast about.

Wu Xian: "..."

He could never have imagined decades ago that someone would still use "deep affection between brothers" to make sarcastic remarks about him.

That boomerang hit him hard.

Not long after, another incident occurred where enemy scouts infiltrated, disguised as ferocious beasts descending the mountain in search of food, and killed the witnesses to cover their tracks. No one expected that Luo San, known for his emotional stability and mental health among martial artists, also possessed such courage and meticulousness. However, it was fortunate that the attack was discovered in time, preventing further losses. The scene flashes to Wei Lou and Gong Xifeng's daily teaching routine, with him asking her what she wanted to learn.

This question is too abstract for a child.

Naturally, no very specific goals can be given.

Gong Xifeng was thinking more about survival.

Wei Lou, however, said: "Learn more about how to govern a country..."

Before he could finish speaking, the crowd off-screen erupted in uproar.

This also includes Lin Feng himself.

"Governing a country?"

They certainly weren't naive enough to think that Wei Lou was spending so much time and effort raising the child to raise him into a pillar of the nation; given Wei Lou's personality, he wouldn't go to such lengths for such a small reward. Therefore, his talk of "governing the country" might have had a much larger ambition.

"What does governing a country mean?"

Is this an attempt to use Gong Xifeng to trip up the lord?

Wei Lou scoffed at their overreaction: "What's the panic? Are you all afraid that the wise ruler will choose Lingde as the crown prince?"

He directly laid out the speculations that everyone dared not say.

"Lord Wei—"

Wei Lou: "No need to shout so loudly, my ears are fine. Gentlemen, please don't be angry. When have I ever had the idea of ​​interfering in the selection of the heir apparent or shaking the foundation of the country? Besides, the person above is only Gongxi Lingde, not Lin Lingde. Why are you all so flustered and angry?"

Everyone was rendered speechless by the rebuttal.

That is, until another stakeholder spoke out.

"Please sit down, gentlemen, you are blocking my way."

The sound of crunching sunflower seeds came from the corner.

Upon seeing this person's face, everyone's expressions became increasingly unnatural.

There can't be two tigers on a mountain, nor two masters in a house.

There can only be one crown prince in the land.

In the scene, Gong Xifeng is being groomed by Wei Lou to be the crown prince. If the old man succeeds, how will Shen De, who is outside the scene, feel? What will she think when she sees Lin Feng, who has a similar situation and experience to Gong Xifeng? Someone will always be put on the hot seat.

Chu Yao patted Lin Feng's shoulder lightly, as if to comfort him.

Lin Feng said, "Teacher, I'm fine."

She had long known from her teacher that she would be chosen as the crown prince in the future. Therefore, when she saw with her own eyes that the girl in the picture had become Gong Xifeng and was taken in by Shen Tang, thus having a legitimate right to inherit the throne, she was not surprised.

I was even a little envious.

It wasn't that I envied Gong Xifeng's potential future power and influence, but rather that I envied his ability to legitimately be intimate with the Lord.

The two are mother and daughter, and their relationship is as solid as a rock.

Chu Yao said softly, "Your Highness has not harbored any resentment."

Lin Feng said, "I know my student."

She knew Shen De's character and personality all too well.

Lin Feng was like a mentor and mother to Shen De, and the two were also allies in the same political camp. How could they turn against each other because of false content shown on screen? The real grudge lay with someone else. She calmed herself down slightly and continued watching the film.

The crowd's turbulent emotions temporarily subsided with the heartwarming scene on screen, but Lin Feng's eyes reddened when she heard her lord utter "Your Excellency." She wanted to respond to the call, but the person beside her lord at that moment was the oblivious Gong Xifeng: "Your Excellency seems... quite lonely."

Gu Chi said, "You just realized that?"

The Shen Tang in the picture is living a carefree life. In the early stages, she doesn't have to worry about lacking money, food, or manpower, and she doesn't have to be meticulous about every penny. She can ask the Gongxi clan, who support her, to help her with any idea she has. So obedient, yet unable to open up to her heart.

While the others each had their own strengths, something was missing for Shen Tang—a childlike innocence that resonated with her.

Wei Lou sneered, and Gu Chi knew that the voice was directed at him.

Why does Lord Wei smile?

"I laugh at your arrogance, narcissism, and conceit."

Gu Chi said angrily, "Lord Wei, I respect your age—"

Wei Lou sneered, "I don't need you to respect me. Do you dare say you're not worried that someone there might develop a deeper connection with her? What's that scholar's way again? It's called—seizing what others love, isn't it?"

Don't forget, we're still in the Ultimate Ritual.

The group in front of us could also lose miserably.

Everyone turned pale and looked at Liao Jia.

Yes, I was so focused on the visuals that I subconsciously overlooked that point.

The time frame depicted in the scenes is not synchronized with their experiences; it's possible that several seasons' scenes could be connected to represent a year or even several years.

The sudden surge of tension was so intense that even the monkey Shen Tang in the scene couldn't dispel it. When Gu Chi heard Wei Lou and his uncle's friend in the scene complaining, "We have no choice but to thank the wise ruler for his rotten hands that brought winter back to life," he was unable to suppress his surging killing intent.

Gu Chi doesn't have many bottom lines.

Wei Lou wantonly trampled on one of them.

But Wei Lou gave him a meaningful sneer.

No, this is provocation!

What added fuel to the fire was the next sentence—

Does the wise ruler find the world uninteresting?

This sentence comes from Wei Lou in the picture.

Meanwhile, Lao Dengweilou, off-screen, calmly glanced at Gu Chi's face: "In this world, there are always people who can sense her emotions and inner feelings without the aid of the scholar's way. In this situation, Gu, are you really not worried at all? You're not entirely sure either."

The amnesiac ruler reconnects with another group of people.

From getting to know each other to truly connecting.

Who will she ultimately choose?

Whose ruler will she become?

Is Gu Wangchao truly 100% certain?

The sound from the video continued to relentlessly penetrate everyone's ears, and the voice of the young man Wei Lou sounded like a death warrant from the King of Hell.

The wise ruler's bad mood stemmed from loneliness.

Lonely?

[The loneliness of being unknown, understood, and without companionship.] He longed to know who the wise ruler was thinking of when he occasionally drifted off into a daze.

Wei Lou, the old man, continued to exert mental pressure on them: "In fact, in my opinion, the past depicted in the painting might not necessarily be our past. I remember that if Liao Shaomei's 'seizing what others desire' failed, she would lose a wise ruler? In other words, they would gain a wise ruler. If everything could be reversed in the past, the past and the future might not be unable to meet and merge in one world. Have you all considered a possibility: if the war had been quelled more than a hundred years ago, what a prosperous era it would be now? Perhaps, the dead could be brought back to life?"

Their relatives could all be brought back to life.

And they will have a healthy, fulfilling, and peaceful life.

The pain of struggling in chaotic times will be completely soothed.

These words caused an uproar at the scene.

Even Wei Cheng, who had long since lost his scalp, felt a faint tingling sensation on his non-existent scalp. He had a feeling that his uncle had done something terrible. If this situation got out of control, it would be all over.

He helplessly advised, "Uncle, that's impossible!"

It's the same old saying—

Few scholars or warriors are mentally sound.

Even though his uncle's condition seemed stable, he was actually still having an episode? Wei Cheng had no idea how to handle this situation.

"Perhaps not/It's not impossible!"

Two voices rang out at the same time.

One belongs to Wei Lou, and the other—

Lin Feng felt the name sounded familiar.

Upon seeing the other person's face, her lips twitched uncontrollably, and her blood pressure skyrocketed. Wasn't this her second brother, Lin Su, who had run away from home and been wandering? She took a step forward: "What are you doing here?"

Lin Su said, "It's not that I wanted to, it's just—"

He snapped his fingers: "This is also my ritual."

Lin Feng's pupils suddenly contracted: "Ultimate?"

Lin Su's face was still young, but it bore a hint of maturity and vicissitude compared to when they last met. He said to Lin Feng, "Actually, Lingde doesn't need to be too nervous. What Marquis Wei said makes sense. Under the rules, the past and the future are not unchangeable."

Lin Feng thought of his scholarly way.

[...Has my uncle found someone he loves?]

Wei Cheng's voice in the video became shrill.

At this moment, no one had time to care about who Wei Lou had feelings for.

The scene continues playing regardless of the atmosphere among the group—the uncle and nephew have a private heart-to-heart talk, with Wei Cheng encouraging Wei Lou to bravely express his love, only to discover that the uncle and nephew both like the same person.

Ji Mo Cong looked at the uncle and nephew who weren't very quick-witted when it came to this kind of question.

She knew, but she refused to admit it.

It's not that I think there's anything wrong with the uncle and nephew, but rather: "You are both too young; if you were to accept their help, it would be seen as bullying the weak."

Off-screen, Wei Cheng's eyes blazed with chaotic flames.

"You, Uncle, you—"

He was unaware that his uncle also harbored feelings for Congjun.

Wei Lou: "..."

Now is clearly not the time to concern ourselves with these things.

Just when victory seemed assured, an unexpected yet perfectly logical person appeared on the screen. This person appeared before the Allied attack, after Wei Lou, having been boldly professed his love to his nephew and been rejected—she was an extremely aggressive-looking stranger, whose aura and cultivation surpassed even the foremost female scholar: 【Interested in making a deal?】

Liao Jia was overjoyed: "Mei Jinghe?"

At first, I thought it was Mei Meng's past life.

However, one look at her cultivation level reveals that she is Mei Jinghe.

Good heavens!

He knew at a glance that this was his savior!

When Wei Lou saw his past self talking to Mei Meng, he frowned almost imperceptibly, a sense of foreboding creeping over him.

However, the person in the picture did not have this premonition.

The scene shifts to another chaotic battlefield.

Despite facing an allied siege, Shen Tang remained undefeated, and Ji Sunyin's arrival to rescue him resulted in an unexpected windfall. Before leaving, Ji Sunyin, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, asked Wei Lou if he would like to return with him.

There are still lingering entanglements here.

Ji Sunyin immediately understood: [The road ahead is fraught with difficulties; my lord, strive on.]

Gu Chi dared to swear on Qi Yuanliang's conscience that Ji Sunyin was absolutely aware of Wei Lou's intentions and indulged Wei Lou's favoritism. Wei Lou wasn't just lingering on unresolved matters; he was clearly coveting his own master!

Gu Chi retorted angrily, "Don't you have your own master?!"

Wei Lou: "What I want is not the master."

What he wanted was peace and stability for the whole world.

"Wouldn't it have been better if things had settled down a hundred years ago?"

At this moment, everyone abandoned all restraint, offering only polite greetings and seemingly indignant praise. They desperately wanted to beat Wei Lou to death, but upon attempting to do so, they discovered that martial arts were forbidden in this space! They tried to approach Wei Lou, only to find an invisible barrier surrounding him, separating the two groups. Wei Lou remained unsurprised: "Since this is a contest between lords, it's not meant to be fought here..."

Preventing them from fighting is also adding fuel to the fire.

Even Qin Li couldn't maintain his composure.

"To be old and not die is to be a thief, you thief—"

No matter how fiercely they cursed, the images continued to play as if nothing had happened, and time flashed by year after year. On the land, the fighting gradually ceased. The once barren land was now covered in golden waves of wheat, the dilapidated cities gradually became bustling and noisy, the gaunt faces of the common people regained their rosy hue, and their numb eyes regained their light. Time passed, and they saw their lord, dressed in imperial robes, holding the imperial seal in both hands, offering sacrifices to the gods and appeasing heaven and earth, establishing the nation of "All Evil."

Everyone: "???"

They knew they shouldn't be distracted at this time.

only--

What is the name of the country?

Wei Lou's composure froze.

Who chose this name for the country?

The others couldn't help but lower their heads and laugh, but Chu Yao and Qi Shan couldn't laugh. They simultaneously thought of the unintentional jokes their lord made on the mountain back then, one of which became the Kang Kingdom of today, and the "complete evil" in the picture was the embodiment of the other.

In the picture, Gong Xifeng is also renamed Jimofeng.

He was soon made crown prince.

Some courtiers objected, arguing that the emperor was young and would inevitably have his own flesh and blood. They worried that if he did, Ji Mofeng, who held the title of crown prince, would be in an awkward position. This could even lead to infighting among the courtiers. However, most people acquiesced to the idea.

Because Ji Mofeng becoming the crown prince would not affect their interests.

Time in the scene flows by year after year.

Chu Yao and the others' hearts gradually tightened.

For the ultimate ritual to be fair, certain hard criteria must be absolutely justified. The footage kept playing, and they guessed that Shen Tang needed to stay there long enough for Kangguo and Quan'e to reach a balance.

But the longer it goes on, the more uncomfortable it becomes.

The scene also shows the emperor and Wei Lou, the ruler and his minister, getting along well.

【you guess? 】

[Is it because we're waiting for someone?]

Whom am I waiting for?

Waiting for the woman of this world.

Old Deng Weilou turned his gaze back: "As long as a new bond is established, over time, the relationship between ruler and subject will naturally be one of mutual trust."

Gu Chi felt like his lungs were about to explode with anger.

He used up his entire vocabulary.

Wei Lou remained unmoved; let him curse if he wanted.

But soon, he was the one who broke down.

The once healthy Shen Tang inexplicably fell ill, and no matter how carefully she tried to hide it, it couldn't be concealed. Once, she vomited blood in front of Wei Lou, and even jokingly told him to keep her secret, or she'd kill him to silence him. Wei Lou's reaction far exceeded Shen Tang's expectations: [I asked, "What is this? Aren't you a god?!"]

How could God be born, grow old, get sick, and die!

Shen Tang tilted her head slightly away: "But I'm not a god."

Five words ignited the firecracker that was Wei Lou.

Despite her rapidly deteriorating condition, Shen Tang still made arrangements for her successor, Ji Mofeng, within the limited time available, offering earnest advice and having heart-to-heart talks with each of her trusted ministers. In short, she conveyed the message: "Ji Mofeng is my child; after I am gone, I hope you will treat her as you would treat me."

Come, let Mom see what you look like in the dragon robe.

[Mom, why the rush?]

I have to be anxious. Lately, I keep feeling like someone is calling me, and the voices are getting louder and louder, more and more chaotic...

Should you respond when they call you?

Lin Feng blurted out, "Why can't I agree?"

[Mom, say no to them!]

Lin Feng's heart nearly sank to the bottom of the water.

Several months after abdicating and leaving the palace, Shen Tang fell seriously ill and never recovered.

On his deathbed, he entrusted his son to each of his ministers, with the only two things he was worried about being the young Jimo Feng and the even younger country.

I hope you will treat your virtuous character as you would treat me.

[Cherish all evil as you would yourself.]

The late emperor did not live to a ripe old age.

Old Deng Wei Lou's face turned ashen. He hadn't expected the situation to turn so suddenly. He looked at himself in disbelief, who was dazed and had to be pulled up by Ji Mo Cong to avoid collapsing to the ground: "Useless!"

In contrast, the people off-screen breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, it was a false alarm.

"...What a false alarm! If you really can't count on me, then it has to be me." Mei Meng's voice came from the void. She looked at the officials who had lost their composure with a mocking smile. "I, Mei, have done a great service today. Remember to give the academy something next year."

Her academy must surpass Qu Qing's!

Wei Lou: "What did you do?"

She said slowly, "He who steals a hook will be punished, he who steals a country will become a prince."

This "country" can naturally also refer to the ruler of the country.

She looked at Wei Lou and the others with a half-smile, and said casually, "My way of the scholar is merely perfect, and naturally cannot be compared with the ultimate mastery involved in it, but since we are in the same arena, we can naturally influence each other, and it is still uncertain who will win or lose."

Until the very last moment, no one dares to claim victory.

Liao Jia clutched her heart and said, "You really scared me to death."

Mei Meng: "Heh."

When Shen Tang opened her eyes, she saw a group of people ganging up on Liao Jia.

"After so many years since the founding of the nation, how could it still bring me trouble..."

Shen Tang never expected this either.

(ω)

It's finished.