Chapter 3 Extra Chapter: Three Moonlight (Male Lead's Past Life, Recommended...)

At that time, he had been a hostage in the capital for some time. Everyone knew that his mother had died early and his father disliked him. Therefore, the title of "Heir of the Prince of Muqing" was not a protection for him, but a reason for humiliation.

Humiliating lowly eunuchs and palace maids is far less satisfying than humiliating a prince's son. Therefore, he is always invited to gatherings and banquets of the noble families in the capital.

Young people's malice is always outward. Those young masters and noblemen order him around, not just to order him around, but also to find excuses to beat and scold him.

Just like this time.

It is said that the most favored Princess Ning'an, Xie Yutang, has also arrived. The group of people got drunk and told him to drive the carriage.

Su Lu gripped the reins and saw a girl in red being ushered into the carriage by a crowd in the night. She had also drunk quite a bit, but her eyes were still clear. She listened to the flattering words of the crowd and responded indifferently.

"Your Highness has such a generous capacity! I, Tan Cengguang, am truly impressed!"

A drunken teenager was the last to climb up. Seeing that there were no empty seats on either side of Xie Yutang, he disappointedly chose a seat opposite her. The strong smell of alcohol on him made even Su Lu, who was driving, frown.

This Tan Cengguang is the son of Tan Shouzhen, the Minister of Rites. The Zhao family had seven or eight daughters in a row, and it wasn't until he was fifty years old that he finally had a precious son, whom he doted on from childhood.

Tan Cengguang was spoiled into a complete playboy. Before he even reached adulthood, he was dragged by a group of cronies to drink and brothels. Any girl with even a little bit of beauty would be harassed by him. Relying on his family's power, he always had someone to clean up his messes when he got into trouble, and he became increasingly lawless.

Before he could finish speaking, someone next to him tugged at his sleeve. Tan Cengguang was lecherous but not stupid. He knew that Xie Yutang was someone he couldn't afford to offend. He had already gone too far with his words, so he hiccuped and finally shut up.

But Tan Cengguang didn't stay still for long before he turned his attention to Wu Yingying, who was sitting to the side.

The atmosphere in Da Yan was relaxed, and it was not uncommon for men and women to sit and drink together at palace banquets. Wu Yingying's father was a minor official, but he had the ambition to climb the social ladder. He was not only enthusiastic about various social occasions himself, but he also did not spare his daughter. Wu Yingying was only thirteen or fourteen years old, but she had already grown into a pretty and charming girl. When she heard that Xie Yutang was also coming today, her father insisted on sending her over.

Tan Cengguang might not be able to offend Xie Yutang, but he could afford to offend Wu Yingying. He didn't take the little beauty's father seriously at all.

Tan Cengguang finally found an outlet for the pent-up anger that had been building up inside him all night. He kept calling her "good sister" while his hands started to wander.

Su Lu drove the carriage, while Tan Cen Guang became increasingly unrestrained inside the carriage, separated by a curtain.

He pulled the reins sharply, and the carriage came to a sudden stop. With a dull thud, Tan Cenguang, instead of getting his tofu, bumped the back of his head.

"You're asking for it! You can't even drive?"

Tan Cengguang yanked open the carriage curtain and raised his hand to slap Su Lu in the face.

He found that face irritating and had often resorted to underhanded tactics against him. Anyway, Su Chengyu just pretended he didn't have this son, so they could humiliate him as much as they wanted, as long as they didn't kill him.

But today, everything seems to be going wrong.

Tan Cenguang's slap, which he had been holding back with all his might, failed to land.

A sharp pain shot through his wrist. Turning around, he saw Xie Yutang coldly say, "I told him to stop."

...

Everyone in the car fell silent.

She hadn't communicated with Su Lu at all. Could it be that the two of them were somehow in sync?

The silence lasted only a moment.

Xie Yutang kicked Tan Cenguang, sending him flying.

Its round body rolled comically several times in the pile of dead leaves before finally coming to a stop, leaving a clear footprint in the middle of its chest.

Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events.

Although Tan Cengguang was not popular, his family's power was undeniable, and no one dared to mess with him. But who was Princess Ning'an? General Xie had died for his country, and she was the only daughter left in the Xie family. His Majesty doted on her, and even the three princes had to step aside because of her favor. She could really afford to kick Tan Cengguang.

Before anyone could react, Xie Yutang coldly lowered the curtain: "Let's go."

These words were spoken to Su Lu.

...

The boy paused for a moment, then flicked the reins, and the carriage continued its swaying journey.

No one saw the fingers gripping the reins tighten, nor did anyone hear the inexplicably quickened heartbeat.

This was his first meeting with Xie Yutang. To call it a first meeting would be an understatement; rather, it was as if the girl had unilaterally swept into his world like a waterfall.

Just like her.

Strong and domineering.

Su Lu had already made his plans when he parked the car. He intended to pretend to have a stomachache, take the girl to buy medicine, and then have someone send her home. He was well aware of the consequences of doing so and was prepared to be severely harassed by Tan Cengguang.

Unexpectedly, Xie Yutang kicked the person away.

He had always been submissive and had to go through roundabout ways to get what he wanted since he was a child. He had never seen such a straightforward way of doing things before. He felt as if a beam of moonlight was shining down on him, making him dizzy.

*

"You're not going to Snow Wolf Pass?"

Song Zhen, his face filled with shock, confirmed with him again and again.

He and Su Lu had only known each other for a short time, but they hit it off exceptionally well; to be precise, it was he who hit it off with Su Lu.

That day, he drank too much and was cornered and robbed by a few thugs. The young master looked well-dressed, but he had spent all his money in just one day. He was about to be beaten up when Su Lu, who happened to be passing by, saved him.

The boy had a cold and beautiful face that was almost eerie, but his eyes were the most terrifying he had ever seen. Just one expressionless glance from him could make a person tremble and feel cold sweat seep from their chest to their back.

But to his surprise, he found it exciting.

Since then, he has been clinging to her from time to time.

The boy didn't reply, leaning against a tree lost in thought with a jade pendant in his hand. Taking advantage of his inattention, Song Zhen snatched it away. "You've been staring at it for so long, could it be a gift from some girl?" Song Zhen looked at the jade pendant with a gossipy expression. "You changed your mind at the last minute and didn't go to Snow Wolf Pass, could it be because of this?"

With Su Lu's face, he could win the hearts of girls wherever he went. He received countless gifts of jade pendants and sachets, but he had never been seen accepting them. Now, however, he was staring blankly at a jade pendant.

This is not normal.

Su Lu was not in a hurry at all when his things were taken away. Leaning against the tree trunk, he said indifferently, "My mother's."

...

Everyone in the capital with some influence knew about Su Lu's family affairs, but few knew the specifics. Song Zhen had only heard bits and pieces of information. He awkwardly returned the jade pendant to him, saying, "So it was your mother's keepsake. I'm sorry."

He paused, then looked confused: "Didn't you keep saying you wanted to go to Snow Wolf Pass? Do you know how much I suffered to earn a vacation day? And now you're saying you're not going?"

Song Zhenguan loved to travel and enjoy nature, and his family didn't restrict him. As long as he finished his studies, they would let him go. The young master had been studying hard for several nights in preparation for the trip to Xuelang Pass.

"Why?" he asked, puzzled.

Su Lu didn't speak, he just looked at the moon.

Moonlight filtered through the dappled branches and fell on his face, casting a faint, dancing glow.

Song Zhen stared at him for a long time, then suddenly smiled and said, "Fine, if you don't want to go, then don't go."

He patted the boy on the shoulder, jumped down from the tree, and swaggered away with his hands behind his back, leaving only a slightly arrogant voice carried on the cool night breeze.

"Staying in the capital is fine too. Once I've made it big, I'll take good care of you."

Su Lu ignored him and looked down at the jade pendant in her hand.

His mother said he could take this jade pendant to the Northern Rong and find Tuoba Cangjue. His grandfather was the king of the Northern Rong, and he would be better off there than here.

For him, there was no difference between there and here.

No one in this world wants him to have a good life, and he himself doesn't care whether he's doing well or not. The reason he had the idea of ​​going to Beirong was simply because he felt that the imperial city was too boring.

But suddenly he didn't want to leave.

Because there were people in the imperial city who he found interesting.

He recalled the rumors he had heard, all saying that Princess Ning'an was arrogant and domineering, an extremely difficult person to serve. But for the first time, he realized that someone could be so adorably arrogant.

He started paying attention to that person.

Everything she said and did amused him.

The more you pay attention, the deeper you get involved, and by the time you realize it, it's too late.

He simply endured it quietly, observing everything that fate had imposed upon him with the detachment of an outsider.

The bright moon hangs high in the sky.

The boy stretched his hand in vain into the void.

For the first time in his life, he felt a desire to grasp onto something.

Those ancient texts that others found dry and obscure were no challenge for him. He was also adept at military strategy, martial arts, horsemanship, archery, and swordsmanship. What others took three to five years to grasp, he could understand with just a glance. Therefore, with a little effort, he managed to get the Third Prince Lin Tan to personally appoint him as his study companion.

He always saw her when he wrote those boring policy essays for Lin Tan.

She seemed to really like Lin Tan; the way she looked at him was so bright it could eclipse the sun. He, though standing outside the center, was still fortunate enough to bask in some of her glow.

Later, when the new king of the Northern Rong invaded the south and news of Su Chengyu's death arrived, he was helping Lin Tan with the lessons left by the teacher the day before, so that he would have time to go boating with Xie Yutang.

After losing two veteran generals in succession, a sense of fear of war permeated the court and the public. When he knelt alone before the emperor to request battle, it seemed that everyone remembered that Su Chengyu had such a son.

The hatred for the murder of one's father.

An army driven by desperation is bound to win.

Based on these two reasons that could justify a war, Emperor Chongde gave him 50,000 troops and a three-month deadline.

When Su Lu led his troops into battle for the first time, everyone thought he was going to his death.

Yet he fought his way in and out of battle seven times without a single defeat, and even nearly took the head of the Northern Rong King Helou Batu.

When the news reached the capital, the name of Prince Muqing resounded throughout the country overnight.

From then on, he became a formidable defensive line on the border of Dayan. Wherever he was, no one in Dayan worried that the barbarian cavalry would trample their homes.

After another great victory, he received the joyous news of the new emperor's ascension to the throne, along with the news of the emperor and empress's wedding.

The name of the person he cherished in his heart became the Empress, who ruled the world.

That night, he drank a lot of alcohol.

The moon still hangs high in the northern desert, but it does not shine solely on him.

He quietly stroked the jade pendant, recalling his unremarkable background in the stillness of the night.

Kaqiu City is located at the border between the two countries, a place where Han and non-Han peoples live together. Tuoba Shu heard from Qiu Dunyue that Su Chengyu's returning army would be stationed in this city, so she sneaked into the city overnight and disguised herself as Hong Fo, a dancer in Dingfang Pavilion.

Unsurprisingly, Su Chengyu and Hong Fo fell in love at first sight. The Da Yan army unusually stayed in Kaqiu City for seven days. After seven days, Hong Fo left with Su Chengyu.

She was given a Han Chinese name, Yuan Muqing.

They enjoyed a very happy time together. Everyone said that General Su loved his wife very much. Even when the Emperor bestowed a title upon him and consulted him about the matter, Su Chengyu blurted out the name "Mu Qing".

Yuan Muqing, Prince Muqing.

The following spring, the young heir of the Muqing Prince's Mansion was born, and Su Chengyu named him "Lu".

Ten thousand heads are fit for slaughter.

Do not teach Huma Dukaqiu.

Su Chengyu hoped that their son could be like him, no, become a better general than him, defeat the barbarians, and protect the country.

Perhaps it was because Su Chengyu's life was too perfect that Heaven had to take something away from him elsewhere.

Since that great victory, he has never won a decent battle again.

The Northern Rong cavalry seemed to know his marching route by heart, and always managed to escape unscathed from his grasp.

He failed to win, but he was not defeated either. He was simply locked in a stalemate with the Northern Rong, as if an invisible wall had been built in front of him, trapping him in Kaqiu City and preventing him from advancing even an inch.

Su Chengyu had considered the possibility of spies, and the entire army had been thoroughly investigated many times, but no clues were found.

At the same time, Xie Qinghe's Divine Wind Cavalry repeatedly achieved military merits, and each time he went to the capital to meet the emperor, he was surrounded by more officials.

Su Chengyu didn't understand until he stumbled upon Yuan Muqing secretly sending a message to the Northern Rong.

The letter contained the attack plan that he had finalized with his adjutant that morning.

...

Su Chengyu's love was matched by his hatred.

He repeatedly pressed Yuan Muqing, or rather, Tuoba Shu, to tell him whether she had ever loved him.

All that could be obtained was silence.

Su Chengyu wanted to kill her, but he couldn't.

After dealing with all the servants who knew the truth, they sent Tuoba Shu and their four-year-old son to Dingfang Villa, ostensibly for recuperation, but in reality for house arrest.

Under the moonlight, Su Lu drank a bowl of wine.

He didn't know whether his mother had ever loved Su Chengyu, but he was absolutely certain that Su Chengyu hated him.

His existence was a joke, a cruel mockery of Su Chengyu's greatest humiliation in his life.

Ten thousand heads are fit for slaughter.

Do not teach Huma Dukaqiu.

Every single word was a taunt.

Every time Su Chengyu saw him, it was a humiliation that ran deep in his bones.

Tuoba Shu did not hide Su Lu's background from him. She gave him the jade pendant and then burned down Dingfang Villa.

Su Chengyu began to take concubines in revenge, with different women entering his room every day. He soon had other children. On the night the Dingfang Villa caught fire, Su Lu saw murderous intent in his father's eyes; he wanted him to die with him.

But in the end, it didn't happen. Because of an imperial edict from the capital, his ridiculous life finally gained some value in Su Chengyu's eyes. He was sent to the palace as a hostage as the heir apparent.

...

Su Lu looked at the wine in the bowl, wondering why he was thinking about these things. Perhaps if he thought about some things, he wouldn't have to think about the things he didn't want to think about.

He met her again when he returned to the capital in triumph. Lin Tan, who had already ascended the throne, held a banquet to welcome him. He saw her wearing a phoenix crown and smiling faintly at him from beside that man.

That night, the heartbeat of someone holding the reins seemed to be reviving.

Or rather, that heartbeat never slowed down; it kept beating, burning fiercely and obliviously, ready to ignite a prairie fire with just a spark.

Many people came to curry favor, and all sorts of flattering words were crammed into his ears. Even an old man like Ge Qing, who was arrogant and haughty, wanted him to be his son-in-law. But Little Muqing looked indifferent and showed little interest.

Xie Yutang seemed to be unable to hold his liquor, and left the table early after sitting for a while.

Su Lu escorted an old minister down to sober up, and when he returned, he saw a palace maid squatting on the palace road crying.

There are many things happening in the palace. He was just passing by when he overheard a palace maid crying and asking her companion for help. She said that she had accidentally knocked over the fish and that Aunt Huaijin would definitely punish her if she found out.

Su Lu stopped in his tracks.

Huaijin was her maid.

Tonight's grand banquet has kept the imperial chefs busy all day. The steamed fish was ordered by a lady in the palace, so they cooked it in the middle of the night. If a palace maid doesn't serve the plate properly, the imperial chefs won't make it again.

Whoever is to be punished should bear the consequences.

"Her Majesty the Empress is kind and benevolent. You should have a good talk with Aunt Huaijin, and perhaps things will be resolved." The palace maid's companion had no other choice but to offer this consolation.

A pair of dark black leather boots caught my eye.

The sparse, cold snow gently diffused in the night.

The palace maid looked up through teary eyes and saw the usually cold and aloof Prince Muqing staring at the plate of fish that had fallen to the ground: "Come with me to the kitchen."

...

The young palace maid followed him to the kitchen, looking bewildered.

It was late at night, the banquet was over, and the imperial chefs had long since finished their work. Fortunately, there were still live fish waiting to be slaughtered in the water tank.

She watched as the young Prince Muqing washed his hands, the hands that usually held only swords and bows now holding kitchen knives, skillfully killing fish, preparing seasonings, starting the fire, and pouring oil.

He placed the plated fish into a food box and handed it to her, saying, "Don't let anyone else know what's going on here."

The palace maid had lost all ability to speak and could only nod repeatedly.

But Song Zhen still found out.

From then on, every time he saw him, he would tease him, saying that he also wanted to eat fish, steamed, braised, and all sorts of other ways of cooking it, but Su Lu never cooked it for him even once.

*

The disagreements between the emperor and empress grew increasingly pronounced, even reaching the border regions thousands of miles away.

Lin Tan favored Consort Guo, and the power of her relatives, led by Guo Shouzhen, grew. They even incited court officials to jointly petition for the Empress's removal.

Meanwhile, the usually aloof and proud Prince Muqing had, unbeknownst to many, spread his secret network throughout the court, with secret letters arriving and departing from his residence like snowflakes every day.

"This is treason!"

In the secret room, Song Zhen slammed the paper in his hand onto the table. Looking at the friend he regarded as a confidant, he felt a stranger to him than ever before. "When did you become such a power-hungry person?"

Su Lu did not answer, but quietly turned the teacup in his hand.

His expression was as cold as ever, but there seemed to be something in his eyes that reminded Song Zhen of the night he said he wouldn't go to Snow Wolf Pass and would only stare at the moon.

Something seemed to explode in his mind, and then all the past events connected into a single thread. He took a step back, seemingly shocked and incredulous: "...You did this for her?"

The man remained silent, but he was already certain.

Song Zhen felt a throbbing pain in his head: "You want her?"

Su Lu set down his teacup, his tone indifferent: "If she wants power, I will give her this throne; if she wants freedom, I will send her to find it; if she wants me..."

He paused, then lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes blinking as if gently touching a long-held, unrealized desire that had been hidden in his heart for a long time, a desire he had never dared to even think about. "Then I shall be hers."

Song Zhen was at a loss for words: "...What if she still wants Lin Tan?"

Su Lu seemed to have considered this possibility countless times: "If she likes it, then I'll cut off his tendons and lock him in bed to keep her entertained."

...

Song Zhen swallowed hard and cautiously moved back a little.

It was the first time he had ever heard someone casually suggest cutting off the current emperor's tendons to make him Luan Chong, someone to be played with.

That's terrifying.

Song Zhen could only blame himself for being too well-mannered; despite his best efforts, he could only utter the word "madman" before staggering out of the secret room.

However, Song Zhen knew in his heart that this madman could not only talk the talk, but also walk the walk.

He commanded the most elite troops, and his control over them did not come from the imperial tally, but from the blood and gore he had fought his way through countless battles.

Song Zhen had no doubt that if he raised an army in rebellion now, he could become emperor tomorrow.

But to everyone's surprise, Xie Yutang died.

He died so suddenly.

When Su Lu stormed into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Lin Tan, holding Xie Yutang, collapsed to the ground, his blood-stained dagger lying on the floor. Even the culprit himself was utterly shocked.

Blood flowed continuously from her chest, but she didn't even leave a last word. Whether it was utter despair or she was too exhausted, she simply closed her eyes and never opened them again.

When Song Zhen arrived, he saw Su Lu gently and solemnly, trembling, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Lin Tan's chest was pierced by a long sword, and he rolled in front of the palace gate, already lifeless. It looked as if he had been picked up by the collar like a rag and thrown out with great force.

Song Zhen couldn't bear to watch.

He was well-versed in history, but he had never seen an emperor die such a pathetic death.

Xie Yutang did not have a good time in her final days in Kunning Palace. Huaijin and Woyu passed away one after another, and she had no one she could trust by her side. The palace maids who served her did not understand this empress. All her belongings were sorted out by Su Lu himself, from a hairpin to a handkerchief, he carefully put them away one by one.

A palace maid did come to request an audience.

The methods used by Prince Muqing to massacre the Hall of Mental Cultivation were too cruel, and everyone avoided him like the plague. Apart from Song Zhen, she was the only one who dared to take the initiative to request an audience.

After the palace maid entered, she knelt down and respectfully held a red silk embroidered pouch in both hands.

The edges of the embroidered pouch had turned white, but it was flat and clean, showing that it had been well preserved. Inside, there were a few taels of loose silver.

The palace maid still vividly remembered what happened back then.

That night, she delivered the fish to Kunning Palace, but Huaijin said it was too slow and the Empress had already retired for the night.

She knew she should step back, but for some reason, her legs felt like they were made of lead, and she couldn't take another step.

Huai Jin frowned, about to speak, when a voice came from inside: "Never mind, bring it in."

...

It had been a long time since the Empress had such a good appetite. When Huaijin came out with the food box, he also brought her a reward, saying that the Empress wanted to ask who cooked the fish.

The palace maid's voice trembled, still remembering the man's instructions. She bowed deeply and said, "When I left, the fish was already cooked... I wonder which master made it."

Huaijin seemed somewhat disappointed, but said nothing and waved for her to leave.

"I went to the kitchen first, and then stood on the palace road until dawn, but I didn't see you. When I was on duty, I overheard the eunuchs serving in the front hall saying that there was some unusual activity at the border, and that you returned before dawn." The palace maid kowtowed deeply. "This embroidered pouch and silver were a gift from Her Majesty... I thought you would want to see them."

Su Lu took the embroidered pouch, a faint smile curving his lips, and solemnly said to the palace maid, "Thank you."

*

Almost everyone was waiting for Su Lu to become emperor, but he actually helped the late prince Xie Lan ascend to the throne.

After Su Lu massacred the Hall of Mental Cultivation, all of Lin Tan's children were executed. Ignoring the servants' attempts to stop her, Consort Wu rushed into the front hall, shouting, "This child cannot be touched!"

It was only after Consort Wu dismissed everyone and tearfully recounted her story that Lin Tan and Song Zhen learned that Xie Lansheng was not Lin Tan's bloodline, but rather the son of Consort Wu and Imperial Physician Liu.

It turns out that the two were childhood sweethearts, deeply in love, and had long been engaged. However, Wu Pin's father disregarded his daughter's wishes and insisted on sending her to the palace.

...

Consort Wu, citing her weak health, frequently summoned Imperial Physician Liu to the palace for consultations. Over time, she became pregnant.

She couldn't bear to abort it, so she went to ask Empress Xie Yutang for help. Xie Yutang used some means, and Lin Tan unexpectedly spent the night in the palace of Consort Wu, who had always been neglected.

At that time, Consort Guo was enjoying great favor. The fact that the emperor had stayed overnight in Consort Wu's palace had caused that woman quite a stir. She would never allow anyone to give birth to an imperial heir before her.

Consort Wu knew it would be difficult to protect the child under Consort Guo's watchful eye. Coincidentally, Xie Yutang also needed a prince to solidify his position, so the Empress brought Consort Wu into Kunning Palace. The child was raised by her from birth and was personally cared for. She named him "Lansheng".

Now, Lan Sheng is only three years old. After Su Lu murdered the emperor and seized power, the first decree he issued was to change "Lin Lan Sheng" to "Xie Lan Sheng".

The court officials were quite shocked. Changing the surname of the late emperor's children to that of the late empress was simply too far-fetched and unheard of.

Memorials poured in, but no one could shake Prince Muqing's iron-fisted rule. The ministers could only console themselves that now that the dynasty had changed, a former prince could be changed however he pleased.

What shocked the court and the public once again was that Su Lu actually helped Xie Lan ascend to the throne, appointed Song Zhen and several other Grand Secretaries as regents, and left the capital alone.

Are you really leaving?

Song Zhen looked at the young man in front of him. His face was still so aloof and cold, but his hair had turned white overnight.

He held a plain porcelain jar, his hair was white, he was dressed in white, but the embroidered pouch at his waist was an exceptionally beautiful red.

Such flamboyant colors could only belong to Xie Yutang.

Song Zhen could roughly guess his origins.

He's been clamoring for fish for so long, but he hasn't even had a bite yet.

After Xie Yutang died, they dared not mention it again.

He watched as the figure of his only true friend in this life gradually disappeared into the distance, then suddenly turned around, wiped his face hard, and carried the crying new emperor back to the inner palace, never looking back again.

*

Perhaps because life in the deep palace was too tedious and boring, Xie Yutang wrote a lot of things, including her painstakingly written but ultimately shelved "Nine Chapters on Governing the Country", as well as stories of delicious food and fun places she heard about from books or other places. Over time, these stories accumulated into a notebook.

"I have heard that the Lantern Festival is a time of dazzling lights on both banks of the river. If I could rent a painted boat and travel upstream to see it, it would be a wonderful thing... If I could be buried here after my death, surrounded by green hills and clear waters, amidst the bustling world, it would be enough to comfort me in my life."

Su Lu hired the largest and most spacious cruise ship in town and viewed every single lantern on both banks of the river, from one end to the other.

The boatman had never seen such a handsome man, but he remained silent all day, only holding a plain porcelain jar and a red embroidered pouch at his waist, watching the lights on both banks.

The boatman thought he must really love watching lanterns, but then again, he didn't.

Everything that needed to be done has been done.

Su Lu found a secluded spot in the town, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, where lanterns stretched along both banks of the river every year during the Lantern Festival.

He changed into a brand new set of clothes, carefully wiped the plain porcelain jar clean, and placed it in the pit in front of the monument.

After they finished, Su Lu drew his long sword from his waist, about to stab it into his chest, when he heard an old voice from behind him: "Young man, wouldn't it be a pity to die like this?"

Su Lu paused in his grip on the sword, suppressing his surprise as he turned to look.

He was confident that his skills were unmatched in the world, yet he hadn't noticed when the old monk appeared behind him.

He remained calm and said, "There is nothing left in this world for me to cherish, so why can't I die?"

"And what about her?"

The old monk glanced at the "Nine Chapters on Governing the Country" placed next to the plain porcelain jar, and said, "This world she loved, won't you protect it for her?"

Those nine strategies were Xie Yutang's personal possessions. During his lifetime, he never showed them to anyone except Lin Tan. After his death, Su Lu kept them close to his body and never let them pass through anyone else's hands. How could this old monk know about them? Judging from his tone of voice, he even knew their contents.

Su Lu stared at the old monk for a long time: "Who are you?"

"Who I am is not important, but you are a man of great stature, and it is truly a pity that you died like this. Why not carry on her legacy, govern the country with benevolence, and restore peace to the world? Perhaps you can also find a way for her to be reborn in the Pure Land."

The method for rebirth in the Pure Land?

Su Lu's brows furrowed, and he was about to step forward to ask further questions, but the willow tree where the monk had just stood was now empty. Only a voice drifted from the void: "When the seas are calm and the rivers are peaceful, and the people live in peace, you will know for sure."

*

When Song Zhen saw Su Lu again, he was tutoring the young emperor in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, discussing classics, history, and politics. Seeing the young man standing quietly in front of the door, covered in frost and dew, he rubbed his eyes and then hugged him tightly.

"That's great." Song Zhen wiped his snot and tears all over him. "I thought you were dead."

Su Lu: "..."

From then on, a regent was added to the court of Dayan.

He ruthlessly reformed the system with an iron fist, weakening powerful families, protecting the people's livelihood, establishing schools, and launching the imperial examination system.

Under the reigns of previous emperors, the atmosphere of corruption, factionalism, and incompetence in the court was completely transformed. Even the most outspoken remonstrating minister, Ge Qing, could not find fault with it.

The people of the world all praised the Regent.

The regent only said that he was merely carrying on the late empress's wishes.

Xie Yutang's "Nine Chapters on Governing the Country" was printed and widely circulated in academies and the imperial court. The "Essays on Policy" subject in the imperial examination was even set by the regent himself to test its content.

In a short time, Xie Yutang's reputation for virtue spread throughout the country, and some people even built shrines and temples in his honor.

Su Lu ordered his men to search for the old monk, but they could not find him. Instead, they found an ancient temple on the back mountain of Sendai Town. He then ordered the temple to be renovated and sent people to stay at the foot of the mountain to go back and forth to the temple every day to sweep and worship.

After nearly half of their kingdom was slaughtered, the Northern Rong finally surrendered. Helou Batu submitted a memorial requesting to become a vassal state of the Great Yan, willing to follow the imperial calendar and remain a vassal forever. The envoy presented a piece of red jade, its texture lustrous, delicate, smooth, and translucent—a priceless gem.

That's a color she'll like.

Su Lu knew it the moment he saw the jade disc.

So they sought out the most skilled craftsmen in the land to have it polished into a red jade thumb ring.

One day, the man he sent to Sendai Temple returned with a secret letter, saying that he found it on the offering table while sweeping in the morning. No one had entered or left the temple overnight, and he didn't know who had placed the letter.

When later generations mention this regent, they cite his life as one of decisive and magnanimous rule, benevolent governance, and compassion for the common people. However, there is one thing that history does not shy away from recording.

He spared no expense in building an underground mausoleum, the walls of which were covered with obscure magic. When the mausoleum was completed, he changed into the moon-white sleeved shirt he had worn when he drove the carriage that day, held a plain porcelain jar, stood in the center of the array, and indifferently ordered his men to lower the stone door.

The stone door was built according to the style of a tomb door, and once it was put down, it could never be opened again.

The emperor, now a teenager, clung to the stone gate, crying and cursing at him, but was eventually persuaded to leave by Song Zhen.

Su Lu placed the plain porcelain jar on the central stone platform and plunged the dagger into his heart without hesitation. His heart's blood stained the jade floor beneath him, slowly filling the complex incantations carved on it.

The wound to his heart wasn't very deep, and as the blood was about to congeal, he twisted the dagger again.

On the night of the full moon, a room is filled with incantations filled with the blood of the heart. After forty-nine days, when the last drop of blood has been used up, the heart is cut out and placed in front of the altar, and the formation is complete.

The young man's face was pale from blood loss, and his thin lips were cracked and peeling, but there was no sign of pain on his face. He gently placed the blood-stained red jade ring in front of the plain porcelain jar, bent down and kissed it lightly.

The ever-burning lamp cast a white halo on the stone wall.

He saw the moon again.

The moon did not belong to him, but for a moment, its light shone upon him.

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Author's Note: *The last sentence is adapted from the internet.

"That wasn't my moon, but for a moment the moonlight did shine on me."

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Tangtang and Xiaosu's story has come to an end. Thank you, little angels, for accompanying us along the way. See you in the next story! [pink heart]