Chapter 192 Chapter 192 is the only genuine version...
"Let's go."
A brisk sound came from the carriage, and the wheels rolled out of the gate of Prince Jin's Mansion.
"Sir, look at this black cloud."
Gu Zhizhuo leaned out of the window and gestured for him to look at the dark clouds above his head.
It was almost dusk, the sky was getting dark, and rolling black clouds were hanging over the sky above Prince Jin's Mansion. When the wind blew, the big red wedding character pasted on the gate fell down again.
Xie Yingchen accompanied Gu Zhizhuo in studying astronomical phenomena and pondered, "Dark clouds covering the sky, will the family be destroyed and the people die?"
Hmm. She nodded with a silly smile: "Master said that the young master has talent."
Xie Yingchen laughed and said, "Master says this to everyone."
"No, not really. My master said that I have the greatest talent. If I were to become a monk and enter the Daoist sect, I might even become a national teacher and bring honor to my family."
Nonsense, why become a monk? Xie Yingchen hooked the end of her hair with his fingers, leaned over and whispered in her ear: "Instead of being the Imperial Preceptor, how about being the Commander of the Imperial Guards?" There was a hint of temptation in his voice.
Gu Zhizhuo hesitated for a moment between the Imperial Master and the Commander of the Imperial Guards, and happily chose the latter.
Very good, I won’t become a monk anymore! Xie Yingchen was relieved.
The wheels rolled forward, leaving Prince Jin's Mansion behind.
The Prince of Jin's mansion was decorated in white. All the big red wedding characters were taken down and burned to ashes, and the death was officially announced to the public.
King Jin summoned the manager of the small manor overnight and asked him about the whole process of how Xie Jing and his companions mistakenly entered the manor. After learning that Xie Jing did not dare to return to the capital, settled Ji Nan Ke, and hurried back to the western border, his heart was completely chilled.
When the palace steward came to inquire about the Crown Prince's funeral arrangements, the Prince of Jin simply replied, "Keep it simple," and then locked himself in his study for three whole days. Everyone assumed he was heartbroken over the Crown Prince's death, until, early on the fourth morning, he emerged from his study.
Although his face was no longer as dejected as it was three days ago, in just three days, his temples had turned gray and his black hair was tangled with silver strands.
When he walked into Wenyuan Hall, his old appearance shocked everyone.
"Your Highness..." Duke Wei blurted out, "How come you've aged so much?"
King Jin smiled and said, "I'm old." He said nothing more.
The morning court session has been suspended for a long time, and all political affairs of the Daqi Dynasty are now being handled in Wenyuan Hall.
After greeting Xie Yingchen, the Prince of Jin, in full view of the crowd, presented a memorial and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, since the beginning of this year, Daqi has been plagued by disasters. First, a dam burst, then an earthquake and an epidemic. Remnants of the previous dynasty are also eyeing the situation covetously, inciting public sentiment in Jiangnan and plotting treason."
Not just this year.
If you think about it carefully, there has not been a single year of good weather and good harvests since the current emperor ascended the throne.
It is either a natural disaster or a man-made disaster.
Others also thought of it and sighed.
Chongjiu took the memorial and presented it. Xie Yingchen flipped through it while listening to Prince Jin say, "I would like to ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to offer sacrifices to the Imperial Ancestral Temple on your behalf and pray for the country."
Many people were puzzled by these words.
Everything is fine, why are you praying for blessings?
Moreover, having the Crown Prince perform the sacrifice on the emperor's behalf? Wouldn't that be a declaration of the Crown Prince's legitimacy to the world... Of course, this would be a great boon for the Crown Prince's faction, but it also meant that the Third Prince's chances of succession were once again significantly reduced. Could it be that the Prince of Jin had driven Duke Cheng'en so mad that he was planning to abandon the Third Prince and surrender to the Crown Prince?
Duke Cheng En thought the same thing and said with a smile, "Your Highness, if you have anything to say, please talk nicely. Don't be impulsive."
Xie Qiyun is dead.
But the King of Jin had also stabbed him, so that was even. Why was he still being so unreasonable? Choosing a new master for such a small matter was too unprincipled.
"I agree."
Xie Yingchen closed the memorial, raised his hand to tell Lord Cheng'en not to interrupt, and said calmly, "After the death of Master Yuncheng, the position of Imperial Preceptor of Daqi has been vacant for ten years. Daqi has been plagued by disasters one after another. I believe that we should select an Imperial Preceptor as soon as possible."
The national teacher prayed for a great boost to the country's fortune. When Yun Cheng Zhenren was alive, he often went into seclusion to pray for the country's fortune.
Master entered the world for Yaoyao. Once Yaoyao's affairs are resolved, he will return to Tianxin Temple. Otherwise, Master is definitely the most suitable.
"The Daolu Division will select a suitable candidate and submit it within three days."
The Daolu Division was under the Ministry of Rites, and the Minister of Rites quickly agreed.
Without a national teacher, the Minister of Rites had to go to Taiqing Temple to ask the abbot for an auspicious date for the sacrifice. After three consecutive divinations, the auspicious day was set for October 15th.
It was also the day when Gu Zhizhuo came of age.
There were only ten days left, and the Ministry of Rites immediately became busy.
Duke Cheng'en wanted to stop it, but was also afraid that Prince Jin would really change sides and no longer care about Xie Jing, so he ran to Prince Jin's mansion for several days in a row, but couldn't even get in.
After seven days of rest, Xie Qiyun's coffin was hastily removed and buried in the accompanying mausoleum according to the rites for a prince or heir.
All funeral ceremonies should be kept simple.
The black coffin left the city silently. Duke Cheng'en came early in the morning, wiping his tears and calling him his virtuous son-in-law. He fell behind and tried to get close to the Prince of Jin. Thanks to his thick skin, he finally got on the Prince of Jin's carriage on the way back.
When he got on the carriage, his face was full of flattery and anxiety.
When he got off the carriage, he felt refreshed and quickly handed in his sign to go into the palace.
For several days, the capital city was peaceful and tranquil.
The government posted a notice, in order to pray for the prosperity of the country and the well-being of the people, after the crown prince prayed on behalf of the emperor, the court would officially appoint a national teacher.
For a time, it caused a lot of discussion in the city.
The most popular person in the capital now is undoubtedly Qingping Zhenren, and the people are secretly wondering whether he will be the new national master.
"I don't think so."
A scholar waved his folding fan, pointing out the landscape and saying, "Master Qingping's dealings are with the powerful and influential. As the Imperial Master, you should prioritize the well-being of the world and strive for national peace and the well-being of the people. How can you be so focused on the interests of the powerful and influential?"
"This national teacher, he is not worthy of it."
"Did you hear that?"
Gu Zhizhuo sat in a private room on the second floor, glaring at Qingping and saying, "Senior Brother, you just lack this sense of fairness."
Qingping raised his mustache in dissatisfaction: "What do you mean by only dealing with the rich and powerful? Only the rich and powerful would specially invite me to their place! Ordinary people go to the temple on their own."
He came to Beijing this time to accept someone's invitation to come and consult Feng Shui. Who among ordinary people would specifically ask him to consult Feng Shui?
"That's wrong."
Someone in the audience refuted the scholar, saying, "Master Qingping is kind to everyone. He never refuses anyone who comes to Taiqing Temple to ask for divination or talismans."
Right, right. Qingping nodded repeatedly and glared back at the junior sister.
"How many people have seen you act in accordance with everything in the temple?" Gu Zhizhuo pointed out, "When it's time to show off, you should show off and make a show."
"With your head covered, who would know what you did, brother?"
"If you want to become the Imperial Master, you must have the courage to stand above everyone else. Do you understand?"
"Okay, that makes sense." Qingping nodded stupidly.
"That's right."
Gu Zhizhuo patted his chest and said confidently, "Brother, you are right to listen to me!"
Becoming the Imperial Master is Senior Brother Qingping’s greatest wish in both his lives.
"So," Qingping scratched his head, unsure, "are we going to the city wall to divine?"
Gu Zhizhuo: "...What did I say that would make you think of going to the city wall to divine?"
"Isn't it?"
Qingping looked at her sincerely, with a pair of small eyes and clear black pupils.
Gu Zhizhuo: “…”
There was a noisy sound coming from the direction of the city gate, and Qingmei reminded her, "The eldest lady is coming."
Gu Zhizhuo couldn't wait to move to the window facing the street, leaning on the windowsill with both hands and looking out.
"Who's coming?"
"My brother." Gu Zhizhuo said, and added, "My brother went to Xiliang to pick up the bride for the Third Prince."
Oh. Qingping also sat over to watch.
Xie Yingchen did not go to greet them in person, but only sent officials from the Ministry of Rites to pick them up. A group of more than a hundred people entered the city gate along the main road of the capital. Leading the group was Gu Yican, who was dressed in fine clothes and rode a horse, looking very ostentatious.
Gu Yican's letter arrived three days in advance, saying that he would return to Beijing today. Gu Zhizhuo went out early in the morning just to pick him up.
It's not even noon yet.
Following behind were Xie Jing and a young man he didn't know. The man wore armor and had his loose black hair tied into a few small braids. Judging by his attire, he must be the eldest prince of Liang, Duoling.
There were two horses behind, one white and one black. On the white horse was an exotic girl, and half a horse's length behind her was Ji Nan Ke.
Uh, Ji Nanke? Why is she here too?
As the group got closer, Gu Zhizhuo casually threw a walnut, and Gu Yican grabbed it with his backhand. When he looked up and saw that it was his sister, he smiled brightly at her.
"Wait for me, I'll be there in a moment!"
Xie Jing and Duoleng also looked over in the direction of the sound.
"Huh?"
Qingping pointed at Duoleng quietly and said, "That man has good luck. He will definitely become the king of the grassland in the future."
Gu Zhizhuo gave him a thumbs-up and praised him, "Brother, your face-reading skills have become even more sophisticated."
In the previous life, after the death of King Liang, Duoleng succeeded to the throne.
At that time, because Xie Qiyun was afraid of fighting, Duoleng was closing in, and the Western Frontier was in danger. The court was already discussing ceding territory. The prince used a trick to sow discord between Duoleng and the King of Liang. The Liang Kingdom was in civil strife, and it could not pay attention to the Western Frontier, so it eventually withdrew its troops.
Later, Duoleng won, but was also badly damaged.
Before the prince's death, the State of Liang was unable to make any further progress.
Qingping touched his chin and said, "There's also a murderous aura about it. It's not simple."
He took out the abacus from his sleeve and casually told a fortune.
The people below had already walked away. Gu Zhizhuo turned his head and looked: "Brother, what are you calculating?"
"The one with good luck." Qingping said without raising his head, "I see a dark shadow between his eyebrows. He will have a disaster in the near future."
"Tell me quickly."
Qingping used his little finger to smooth down his curled beard: "Kan represents water, and earth controls water. Meeting earth is unlucky."
As he said this, he cast a new divination.
Gu Zhizhuo leaned over to take a look and said thoughtfully, "A trapped dragon finds water."
This hexagram is very auspicious.
The third hexagram of Qingping is to take risks and succeed.
Seeing that Gu Zhizhuo had finished reading the hexagram, Qingping packed up his counting sticks and said, "This person has excellent luck and is very considerate of matters. However, he will face a calamity within three months. If this calamity comes, it will be fatal. But if he can avoid it, he will never face another major calamity in his life and will surely become the king of the grassland in the future."
Got it! Gu Zhizhuo snapped his fingers, meaning that he should die quickly and not delay.
What Gu Zhizhuo cared about was the third hexagram.
Take risks and succeed.
Like "trapped dragon gets water", it is an auspicious hexagram.
Gu Zhizhuo used the compass to make a hexagram and pushed it over to him to read: "Take risks and go smoothly, Nine Purple Li Fire Luck."
Qingping stared at the compass. "Nine Purple Fire Luck" is usually related to the country's destiny.
He pondered over and over again, calculating and casting a hexagram, but the hexagram was too large, with so many intricate details and changes that he couldn't figure it out for an hour.
"Brother," Gu Zhizhuo said, resting his hands on his chin, "this is related to the fate of the nation. You should go into seclusion and read the hexagram thoroughly."
She raised her hand with great momentum: "When the time comes, once I emerge from seclusion, the sky will be filled with rosy clouds and heavenly music will float. The position of Imperial Master will be within my grasp!"
The more Qingping thought about it, the more it made sense. He stroked his beard and felt that he should go back and meditate, and also consult his master.
"Yaoyao."
The sound of brisk footsteps went up the stairs and pushed open the door of the private room.
"Senior Brother."
Gu Yican first greeted Qingping, then sat down next to Gu Zhizhuo: "Sister, I'm back."
He put his right arm on her shoulder and leaned over to look: "What are you calculating?"
"National destiny. Senior brother wants to be the national teacher."
Gu Yican applauded enthusiastically: "Brother, your divinations are flawless, it will definitely work!"
Qingping's face flushed slightly at his flattery: "Nonsense. I'm going back to seclusion first."
"Let's go together."
Gu Zhizhuo said as he poured a glass of warm water for Gu Yican: "You entered the palace?"
Gu Yican finished the drink in one gulp, wiped his mouth and said, "Yes, I saw the emperor in Hanzhang Palace. Let's not go home yet. I'll take you somewhere!"
The two of them followed him downstairs, sent Qingping onto the carriage, and then walked back side by side.
"Tell me quickly, what's going on in Xijiang now." Gu Zhizhuo pulled his arm and walked happily, and the ponytail behind Gu Yican's head also swayed.
"Jiang Youzheng is quite capable and has done a good job governing the Western Frontier. He asked if you could come back sometime and he would take you around to have some fun."
“Next year!”
The last time I went to Xinjiang, I just walked back and forth in a hurry and didn’t take a good look.
She also wanted to go to Shangxu Temple to ask about the Zhuyin Mantra.
Daqi respects Taoism, and human affairs do not involve Taoist temples. Therefore, Shangxu Temple will not be closed because of Changfeng's crime, but the court's documents will send Changfeng's crimes to Shangxu Temple for public disclosure.
"And then? Xie Jing ran away. Did you know? Did the Prince of Liang agree?"
Gu Zhizhuo asked several questions in a row, asking whatever came to his mind. After asking, he excitedly said, "It's a sugar man. I want to eat it. Go buy it."
Okay! After a while, Gu Yican brought back two sugar figures, a raccoon and a peacock. Gu Zhizhuo picked the raccoon and took a bite of its tail.
Crack.
Very crispy and sweet.
Gu Yican devoured the peacock tail in one gulp and said, "Not long after we arrived in Western Xinjiang, Xie Jing said he had something to do in Beijing and had to go back. He would come back as soon as he was done. I was too lazy to care about him, so I just let him go."
This matter was so insignificant to Gu Yican that he didn't even bother to mention it in the letter he wrote home.
"After meeting with Prince Liang, I threatened... no, I persuaded him in a friendly way." Gu Yican considered his words carefully. "We had a very pleasant conversation."
"We had just finished welcoming the bride and were about to leave when Xie Jing came back."
"Why is Ji Nan Ke here too... Cancan, buy that."
Gu Zhizhuo was referring to the crabapple cake.
It was the first time she saw someone selling crabapple cakes in the capital.
"Hurry, there are only two left."
Gu Yican was fast enough, but he was still a step too slow. When he ran over, only the last one was left. He had to wait for a cup of tea to light the next one.
"We each take half."
Gu Zhizhuo broke the crabapple cake in half with oil paper and gave him half.
One bite and you'll find sweet bean paste, and the browned bottom is crispy and sticky, and especially fragrant.
Fortunately, Gu Yican still remembered where he was just now because of this interruption, and continued: "When he was in Yizhou, Xie Jing told the Princess of Liang about him and Ji Nanke. The Princess of Liang said that she wanted to meet someone, so Xie Jing brought the person over."
The freshly baked crabapple cake was extremely hot. The high temperature made the red bean paste inside silky and scalded him severely.
Gu Yican didn't bother to care about their trivial matters. Anyway, his purpose of going to Liang Country had been achieved.
After finishing the Begonia Cake in his hand, Gu Yican thought of something important.
"Oh, sister. We just went to the palace. The emperor was very pleased with this marriage and he immediately sent for the Imperial Observatory to set the wedding date."
Gu Zhizhuo wiped his hands with a handkerchief, pulled his hand over and wiped it as well, then asked without looking up, "When?"
"October 14th, the Imperial Astronomical Observatory says, is an auspicious day."
It's already the ninth day of the tenth month, which means there are only five days left. Gu Zhizhuo calculated the time and said, "We're in a hurry."
However, long after it was decided that Xie Jing would marry, the Ministry of Rites had already begun preparing for the wedding.
Even if we rush, squeezing is not a problem, at most it will be a little more simple.
The wedding and the sacrifice ceremony had to be scheduled for two days before and after. The Ministry of Rites was really busy.
Gu Zhizhuo said happily: "I don't know if October 14th is an auspicious day, but October 15th is definitely an auspicious day!"
"certainly!"
It was both of their birthdays.
"arrive."
Gu Yican pulled her around a corner and stopped in front of the Jinyu Pavilion.
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