Chapter 201 Chapter 201 is the only genuine version...
The fourth watch drum sounded.
Xie Jing only put on an outer garment and hurried to the study.
After leaving the palace and setting up his own residence, he naturally had more people around him, especially the people in the Qiandi Mansion, all of whom belonged to him.
Xie Jing walked towards the desk and said to the person kneeling below, "You speak."
"Yes. The Prince of Zhenbei left the palace at the beginning of the evening hour and went to the horse race in the east of the city with the Fourth Master Zheng and others. They didn't return until three o'clock in the morning. The Prince of Zhenbei was at the racecourse the entire time and never left."
Xie Jing: "Who suggested horse racing?"
"Fourth Young Master Zheng. When the Fourth Young Master Zheng opened the odds, many young masters from merchant families came to place bets and join in the fun. Some even deliberately lost money to the Fourth Young Master Zheng and the King of Zhenbei. The King of Zhenbei was so happy that he treated those young masters to a drink."
Xie Jing sneered, Gu Yican was still acting like a frivolous playboy.
"Where's Gu Zhizhuo?"
Xie Jing had already heard from Xiao Yunzi that Gu Zhizhuo dragged Sun Nian to the palace and had a quarrel with the Queen Mother. He insisted that the Queen Mother punish Sun Nian and took Dan Ling away.
"After returning home, Miss Gu never left the house again, nor did she go horse racing."
Xie Jing nodded: "Continue."
"At three o'clock in the morning, the Grand Consort left the palace with the token, without alerting anyone..."
Xie Jing listened carefully for a full half hour before raising his hand to send him away.
Xie Jing leaned back in the armchair. After a while, he got up and went out.
While walking in the corridor, he suddenly stopped and looked at Ji Nanke not far away.
She stood before the hanging flower gate, the lantern's shadow cast over her, a light and shadowy presence that carried an indescribable sense of desolation. Ji Nanke hadn't appeared before him all day. Xie Jing assumed she didn't want to see him get married, but perhaps she had always been there, secretly watching him, yet afraid to approach.
Xie Jing felt so bitter in his heart that he walked towards her quickly without thinking.
"Ke'er."
He held her in his arms.
"Your Highness, I'm so scared..."
"I'm unwilling to give up. I should go far away, but I can't bear to..."
Ji Nan Ke sobbed and cried bitterly.
"I quarrel with you just to find out if you still treat me the same as before, so that I can make up my mind to stay away from you."
"I can't bear it...even if it means I will degenerate into a concubine."
Ji Nan Ke rarely showed weakness in front of him and cried like this.
Xie Jing hugged her, and the reluctance in his heart turned into reality.
The red candle flickers.
It was not until dawn that Xie Jing returned to his bridal chamber feeling guilty.
Jiaye had already put on her makeup and dressed up. Seeing him come back, she only asked, "Are you leaving?"
Xie Jing was a prince who had left the palace to set up his own residence. According to etiquette, he was required to enter the palace and kowtow to the emperor and empress on the day after his wedding.
He nodded repeatedly, quickly asked someone to prepare a car, and took Jia Ye into the palace.
The emperor was so excited that he didn't sleep all night.
He endured it again and again and waited for them to perform the formal ceremony and say some polite words before he suppressed his emotions and called out, "Jing'er..." His voice was a little trembling.
Xie Jing shook his head, then remembered that the emperor couldn't see, so he went over and squeezed his palm, saying gently, "Father, don't worry about me. Now that I'm married, I will definitely live a good life with the princess in the future."
The emperor understood his intention and said with relief, "Jing'er, you are my most beloved son. I am no longer able to see, and from now on, you will be my only eyes."
The emperor was afraid that he would not be dedicated, so he gave him a reassurance, meaning that the position would be passed to Xie Jing.
"Father, I will accompany you to finish your meal before I go to pay my respects to Mother."
Xie Jing ordered the meal to be served, then frowned as he looked at the incense burner in the corner of the room. "Is the incense almost finished? Li Deshun, go check it out."
As he spoke, he stuffed a small paper bag folded into a triangle into Li Deshun's palm.
"yes."
Breakfast was served, and Xie Jing leisurely accompanied the emperor to eat. The rich aroma of incense filled the Hanzhang Palace.
Xie Jing has completely calmed down from being nervous at the beginning.
Having come to this point, he has no way out.
My father is the orthodox emperor. He should not be trapped here and allowed to let the treacherous and corrupt officials take power.
"Father, please eat."
Xie Jing picked up the chopsticks and served the dishes.
Boom.
"What's that sound?" The emperor couldn't see.
Xie Jing didn't answer and continued to serve the dishes: "Father, these elephant eye buns are delicious. Please have another one."
Boom boom boom.
There were several consecutive muffled sounds, and the eunuchs serving in the hall fell down one after another, bleeding from their mouths and noses.
The emperor was so dizzy that his eyes dropped from his chopsticks.
Xie Jing hurriedly took out a porcelain bottle for him to smell, and threw another one to Li Deshun.
Heavy footsteps sounded from outside the hall. It was Gong Hai.
"emperor!"
Gong Hai rushed in, dressed in military uniform. Without his beard, his face was smooth and thin. He stumbled and knelt at the emperor's feet, crying out excitedly, "Your Majesty, I am glad to see you again."
His originally rough voice became shrill, and the emperor almost didn't hear it. Xie Jing leaned over and whispered in his ear: "Father, it's my eldest brother-in-law."
Gong Hai expressed his loyalty with tears in his eyes: "I will die for you!"
The emperor held his hands tightly. He could not see his appearance, but could only feel that his hands were weathered and rough.
"well."
The emperor said with relief: "I know your loyalty, I know."
"Father, don't delay. The eunuchs have all fainted. My brother-in-law will escort you out of the palace."
Gong Hai swore solemnly: "Your Majesty, all the members of the Jinwu Guard are loyal to you."
Gong Hai stood up, helped the emperor up, and asked someone to bring a set of Jinwu Guard armor, and personally helped the emperor put it on.
The emperor had been ill for so long and was extremely weak. As soon as he put on the armor, he staggered and almost fell.
Xie Jing rushed over to support him.
"Father."
"I'm fine." The emperor raised his hand. "I'm in good spirits. I can still hold this position for ten, twenty, or even thirty years!"
His cloudy eyes were filled with ambition.
"Your Majesty, let's go quickly." Gong Hai reminded him and was about to go out while supporting the emperor's hand when he suddenly heard some movement behind the screen.
Who is it?!
A hint of murderous intent flashed across Xie Jing's eyes, and he suddenly pulled open the screen. Xie Yan was huddled under the screen, bleeding from his nose.
The drug didn't seem to work well on him. Xie Yan looked at them anxiously, then crawled over on his knees, hugged the emperor's legs, and begged, "Father, I won't say anything nonsense."
Before he could finish his words, the emperor kicked him in the chest.
Xie Yan was the greatest shame in his life.
If Ji had not cast a spell on him, causing him to look so ugly, how could Xie Yingchen have easily replaced him?
Xie Yan cried out in pain, a hint of viciousness flashing in his eyes.
Xie Jing said, "I'll take him with me."
If we keep him here, it would be bad if the secret was leaked. After all, he is our father's biological son, we can't kill him.
The emperor remained silent.
"Your Majesty, let's go quickly. We are running out of time."
The emperor no longer paid any attention to Xie Yan and walked out with the support of Gong Hai.
"Come with me." Xie Jing said to Xie Yan with a complicated expression, "If you try anything..."
"Third brother, I will be good." Xie Yan begged for mercy pitifully. He had a fever, his nose was severely blocked, and he couldn't breathe.
Li Deshun was left behind as a cover.
But in just a moment, Hanzhang Palace was as quiet as if nothing had happened.
Xie Jing took Jia Ye to the harem to pay his respects to the queen, and then hurried to the Meridian Gate with Xie Yan.
October 15th was the day set early on to go to the Taimiao to pray for blessings.
All the civil and military officials in the court had to accompany the emperor, and Xie Yingchen had to go as well.
The loyal Jinwu Guards are guarding the Hanzhang Palace, and with Li Deshun here, it shouldn't be discovered so quickly that the emperor is absent.
"Your Highness Prince Rui."
After Xie Jing nodded in greeting, he stood silently in his seat, and Xie Yan followed him obediently.
"Did Miss Gu invite the princess as the guest of honor at her coming-of-age banquet today?"
Xie Jing looked in the direction of the voice and saw that the Duke of Wei was trying to get close to Prince Li.
"yes."
"Please invite the girl from the Song family to be the sponsor."
Duke Wei was extremely envious.
My granddaughter is too young, otherwise I would have to let her compete for Yousi. If Yousi can hold the ceremony of coming of age, the relationship between him and Miss Gu will definitely be close and inseparable in the future!
"I heard Miss Gu's coming-of-age banquet was very grand..."
Only female guests were invited to the coming-of-age banquet. Madam Gu waved her hand and sent invitations to every household and mansion in the capital.
The Zhenbei Palace hadn't held a proper banquet for several years, so every family rushed to attend the invitation.
"Yes, yes. I'll ask my wife to go there as soon as possible. The Gu family is small and can help take care of things."
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."
As he was singing his yes, Xie Yingchen arrived, followed closely by the True Man Qingping, dressed in a purple-gold robe and wearing a lotus crown on his head, half a step behind him.
Everyone greeted him.
Xie Yingchen, wearing his imperial robes, raised his hand and said, "Stand up."
Xie Jing opened his eyes slightly. Gu Yican was standing in front of him. He seemed to have not slept well. He was still yawning and looked lazy.
The whole capital watched Gu Zhizhuo's coming-of-age banquet.
Without the Gu family, Xie Yingchen has no one to use!
There will be no loss.
Xie Yingchen boarded the imperial carriage, accompanied by civil and military officials and the Imperial Guards. The group walked across the Meridian Gate Square.
The momentum is huge.
This was the first time the emperor had prayed in the Taimiao since he ascended the throne, praying for peace and prosperity for the country and the people.
The ritual system for praying at the Taimiao was established when Emperor Taizu was still alive, and common people were allowed to attend.
The blessing had been announced to the world long ago. As the imperial carriage passed through the streets of the capital, many people who had been waiting for a long time followed behind. They were talking to each other, some were noisy, and some were excited.
Ji Nan Ke stood on the second floor of a teahouse on the street, looking down, watching them go out of the city gate, his hands tightly gripping the window sill.
Life or death.
Whether it is glory or humbleness depends on today!
She is the girl of destiny, and fate will be on her side.
Rumble.
Bursts of muffled thunder sounded at the end of the sky, seeming to be there and not there.
"Hey, it's thundering."
Xie Danling pushed open the window and looked out. The sun was shining brightly outside, as if she had misheard the thunder just now.
"Fifth Princess, please sit down quickly. Your hair isn't combed yet."
Qiongfang pulled her to sit in front of the bronze mirror.
Gu Zhizhuo obediently let the nanny comb his hair while Qingmei said, "The Crown Prince and his companions have just left the capital. They should be at the Imperial Ancestral Temple in half an hour."
The nanny combed her hair into a bun and did not put on any pearls or other jewelry.
When she was dressed, Madam Zhu from the Madam's place came and announced, "My dear, the guests are all here."
Qiongfang helped her up.
"Cousin Danling, please go over first."
Gu Zhizhuo had to go to the ancestral hall to pay his respects first. The ancestral hall of the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion was right inside the mansion, and it only took an incense stick of time to walk there.
She knelt on the mat in the ancestral hall, looking at the three-layer wooden frame and the black tablet on the frame. Gu Zhizhuo's tears welled up in her eyes, but she forced herself to hold them back.
After Gu Zhizhuo kowtowed and burned incense obediently, he went to Duanyun Pavilion.
The lady chose Duanyun Pavilion as the main venue for today's event. It had been renovated three months in advance and even had fresh paint.
Duanyun Pavilion is built by the water and is connected by three pavilions and corridors. It can seat many people and can be used for viewing ceremonies.
From a distance, before anyone arrived, Gu Zhizhuo could hear the lively laughter inside. The corners of her mouth curved up and she quickened her pace.
When they were almost at Duanyun Pavilion, Gu Zhizhuo looked up at the sky.
"Cousin Zhuo."
Xie Danling was waiting for her, and the two went in hand in hand.
"Why are you looking at the sky?"
"It's going to rain."
"rain?"
The sun was shining, the sky was blue, the clouds were white, and the breeze was warm. It didn't look like it was going to rain at all. However, since her little cousin had said so, Xie Danling chose to believe it.
"It's going to rain. We need to tell the cat to stop basking in the sun on the roof, or it won't be able to run away in time."
Xie Danling began to worry as she spoke.
Gu Zhizhuo smiled, put his arm around her, and walked happily.
As soon as she entered Duanyun Pavilion, Xie Danling stood up straight and adjusted her dress, looking like a dignified and elegant princess. She pursed her red lips, her long eyelashes drooped slightly, and she looked extremely gentle and dignified.
Gu Zhizhuo smiled, stretched his shoulders, and listened casually to the conversations outside, which were about the Taimiao blessing ceremony. The last Taimiao blessing ceremony was during the time of the previous emperor, when the ceremony was presided over by Yuncheng Zhenren, and the sky was filled with rosy clouds.
Gu Zhizhuo was listening attentively, and Xie Danling couldn't sit still anymore, so she moved her chair over to listen with her.
"...Back then, my master was serving in Yongzhou. The drought was severe, and three provinces hadn't seen rain for three years. Later, as soon as the prayers were over, a torrential downpour followed. My master wrote back to tell me about this..."
Rumble.
There was another faint muffled thunder, which was covered by the crackling sound of firecrackers.
"Miss, the auspicious time is almost here."
The sun moved overhead, and it was almost noon.
Xie Danling didn't want to steal her limelight and urged, "Go quickly."
"Together."
Gu Zhizhuo put his arm around her shoulders and said with a smile, "Your main guest is my grandmother, your sponsor is Jiaojiao, and I have invited Song Jiuniang."
"Let's get married together."
Xie Danling's mouth curled up slightly, and her eyes were curved.
The two walked shoulder to shoulder into the main hall of Duanyun Pavilion.
Xie Danling's appearance startled everyone, and they wondered, "Could it be that the Fifth Princess is Miss Gu's sponsor?" But if she were a sponsor, she wouldn't be traveling with Miss Gu.
And when she and Gu Zhizhuo knelt on the rattan mat facing west, they attracted many surprised looks.
The Fifth Princess is going to be crowned together with Miss Gu. Isn't this against the rules?!
The princess's hairpin ceremony has always been handled by the Imperial Clan Court and the Ministry of Rites, and presided over by the Empress Dowager or the Empress. How could it be held outside the palace?
That’s right.
The fifth princess’ birthday is...it seems like none of them have received any invitation from the palace to hold a coming-of-age ceremony for the fifth princess?
"This is..."
Suddenly, someone in the viewing pavilion exclaimed softly, expressing excitement.
"He is the living immortal of Taiqing Temple. I heard that he is the master of the Imperial Preceptor."
Wuweizi had been staying at Taiqing Temple for half a year, and many people had seen him. He had also saved many people.
Wuweizi was holding a whisk, his hair and beard were all white. When he walked in from outside, his Taoist robe fluttered, and his compassionate face made him look like a legendary immortal.
There was a sudden silence all around. Someone leaned forward and looked at him with burning eyes full of admiration.
"Master."
Gu Zhizhuo raised his head and called out happily.
Wuweizi walked to the center of the main hall and stood in front of them.
"Today is the coming-of-age day for me and the Fifth Princess..."
As soon as he opened his mouth, everyone, except for a few people who knew the truth, was shocked to realize that Miss Gu was actually a disciple of the Taoist sect and the junior sister of the National Master?!
Moreover, this old immortal came in person to preside over the coming-of-age ceremony for Miss Gu!
Wuweizi finished his opening remarks with a smile.
He looked at Gu Zhizhuo gently and flicked his whisk: "The auspicious time has arrived."
Gu Zhizhuo's admirer is Yin Xiyan.
When Gu Zhizhuo asked her to be a sponsor, Yin Xiyan herself was shocked.
She didn't care about her background as a prostitute, but she didn't want Miss Gu to be talked about by others. As a result, she failed to convince Miss Gu, but was convinced by her instead.
Yin Xiyan picked up the sheep horn comb and combed her long hair gently and softly, again and again.
Gu Zhizhuo smiled at her.
An official came in holding a tray, on which were placed a robe and a hairpin for a hairpin.
Princess Li recited loudly: "On this auspicious day of the month, I will wear my first-born clothes..." (Note 1)
Boom.
There was a faint sound in the distance, like the sound of something heavy hitting.
Boom.
It was like bursts of muffled thunder.
"Are they firecrackers?"
The guests watching the ceremony also heard something and couldn't help but whisper to each other and look in the direction of the sound.
"Big girl."
Qingmei came in from outside, walked up to her and whispered in her ear: "The palace is surrounded, they are breaking down the door..."
She spoke very softly, and the guests watching the ceremony were too far away to hear her, but those who were nearby could hear her clearly.
Xie Danling clenched her fists nervously.
Who is it?! Princess Li almost blurted out, but seeing Gu Zhizhuo's calm expression, she swallowed the words back.
Gu Zhizhuo smiled and said calmly, "The coming-of-age ceremony will continue."
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