Finale (Part 1)
In a blink of an eye, the Queen Mother's funeral was already halfway through. That day, Wen Jiu and the Fourth Master were once again at the city gate to see the Ninth Master off.
"Why are you leaving in such a hurry? You've been rushing back for so long, how come you're leaving in just a few days?" Wen Jiu handed the package in his hand to Jiu Ye and frowned.
"Little Fourth Sister-in-law, don't you know me? I'm always busy, and overseas things are so tight. I have to keep an eye on this batch of goods myself. Those foreigners are different from us. There's no hierarchy. You can't interact with them with those old-fashioned people. If we can get these foreign weapons back this time, it will be of extraordinary significance to our Qing Dynasty. Fourth Brother, please wait for my good news."
The Fourth Master listened and patted him on the shoulder: "Just go for it."
Then, the Fourth Master took the package from the warm wine in his hand and said, "Hurry up and take it. When she heard you were leaving yesterday, she packed until late at night and sorted out several boxes. This is one of them."
Jiu Ye took it, took a look and smiled: "Little Fourth Sister-in-law really cares about me. Oh, it's all food? I've been wanting these spicy strips for a long time, and there's also beef jerky. You made so much?"
"I've prepared the recipe for you. It's inside. If you want to eat it, just ask someone to make it." Wen Jiu said, "The journey is long. I don't know when I will be back."
"Little Fourth Sister-in-law, are you really willing to give me this?" Jiu Ye's eyes suddenly lit up. "For so many years, you have kept this spicy noodle recipe to yourself and never gave it to me. I didn't expect to have such a pleasant surprise this time. However, no matter how I try, it will never be as delicious as Little Fourth Sister-in-law's, so it just barely satisfies my craving."
Wen Jiu shook his head and laughed: "You're so ungrateful."
"Fourth brother, let me go out with Ninth brother, right? I'm just sitting around doing nothing." Tenth Master was scratching his head anxiously, "Eldest brother went to the border, Fourteenth went to the frontier, Thirteenth and Eighth brothers are also very busy. Fifth and Seventh brothers each have their own errands, and now, not to mention Twelfth, Seventeenth, and Eighth, even the treasures are busy. I'm the only one with nothing to do, and now even if I want to find someone to practice with, I can't. Fourth brother, let me go with Ninth brother."
The Fourth Master glanced at him and said, "No."
The Tenth Master was so anxious that he kept turning around: "Little Fourth Sister-in-law, please help me persuade Fourth Brother."
Wen Jiu: "You, what are they busy for all day long?"
Master Shi was stunned. "Why? It's just because there's too much work. I can help."
Wen Jiu stretched out his finger and shook it. "No, they're busy all day long, aren't they just thinking about giving us some free time? You, carefree and happy, will definitely give your brothers the energy to work all day long."
"Well, what Sister-in-law Si said makes sense." Master Jiu nodded immediately.
Master Shi: “Ah?”
Wen Jiu nodded seriously. "Besides, who said you have no work? After the New Year, it will be the Wanshou Festival. By then, all nations will come to pay tribute, and there will inevitably be mutual competition. You are famous as the first Baturu of the Qing Dynasty, so how can we do without you? If you and Jiu Ye leave, where can I find someone as capable as you? Besides, if you go overseas, you may not come back for several years. What will happen to Wulanzhu? Can you bear to leave her?"
Master Shi blinked twice: "That's right, I'm busy with other things."
Then he looked at Jiu Ye and said, "Jiu Ge, go by yourself. I won't accompany you. Don't miss me too much when you are away from home."
Jiu Ye: "...You change really fast."
"Alright, after sending you a thousand miles, we must finally say goodbye. It's getting late. If we're any later, it will probably be dark by the time we get to the dock. Everyone, I'm leaving now."
The Fourth Master nodded: "Go ahead, and have a safe journey."
Jiu Ye nodded and said, "Fourth Brother, I'll trouble you to take care of the Emperor. His health has been getting worse and worse, and I'm a little worried."
"Don't worry, I'm here. Your mother and your wife will be at ease."
"Um."
Jiu Ye said, then he jumped on his horse and waved his hand with a smile: "Let's go back quickly, it's cold. When I come back, I will be able to see my nephew."
The Fourth Master touched Wenjiu's belly and curled up the corners of his mouth.
Tenth Master watched his ninth brother gradually disappear into thin air, his eyes slightly reddened, and he turned his eyes away: "Growing up is so boring, it was better to be a kid. Drinking and eating meat all day, without having to think about anything."
The Fourth Master patted the Tenth Master on the shoulder and said, "You, back then, we were able to endure everything thanks to our father. Now, if we continue to do as we always have, who will support our children?"
The Tenth Master was stunned for a moment, then glanced at the Fourth Master: "Fourth Brother, I know."
Then he bumped into the Thirteenth Master beside him and said, "Little Thirteen, what's wrong with you today? Why are you so silent? Are you going to cry just because you saw Ninth Brother leaving?"
Thirteen was stunned when Master Shi pulled him back to his senses: "No, I'm not. I was just thinking about something."
The Tenth Master looked over suspiciously: "What are you thinking about?"
Thirteen raised an eyebrow: "Nothing, just thinking about...Tenth brother crying just now."
"Little Thirteen!" Master Shi was immediately furious: "What nonsense are you talking about?"
The Thirteenth Master raised his lips and took the lead in mounting his horse: "Fourth Brother and Little Fourth Sister-in-law, I'll go first!"
When he turned around and went into the city, Shisan Bujin felt a lump in his throat.
That’s great.
Although we don’t see each other often, it seems that my brothers have found the life they want.
If he wanted to see them, he didn't have to sneak into the Heavenly Prison like he did in his previous life.
I couldn't help but pull the corners of my mouth.
Suddenly he shouted to the back: "That's great."
Master Shi: "Hey, you still dare to be so conceited, don't let me catch you!"
The Fourth Master looked at his two younger brothers, shook his head and laughed, "Thirteen is so lively now."
As he spoke, he got into the carriage with some warm wine in his arms.
He helped her tidy up her clothes and tucked her hands into his arms to warm them.
"Yes, Master Thirteen seems to be much better this time when he comes back. He didn't ask about the hawthorn again."
The Fourth Master frowned slightly. "Jiu'er, sometimes I think, if I had been more selfish back then and given the hawthorn to Thirteen, he might not be living such a hard life now..."
"Master, there are no ifs." Wen Jiu gently rested his head on the Fourth Master's shoulder. "Thirteenth Master made the matter of Shanzhao possible. His current life is his own choice. It is definitely not what Thirteenth Master wants if it is forced upon him."
The Fourth Master listened and couldn't help but sigh, "He's so lonely all alone, with no one to look after him. He's always on his own, and it's really hard to see."
Warming the wine: "Master, if we force him, will Thirteen be happy? Over the years, we have tried to persuade him countless times. As his biggest supporters, we might as well respect his choice.
Master, I have a hunch that Thirteen will meet his soulmate one day."
The Fourth Master was stunned for a moment: "I hope so."
Wen Jiu reached out and poked the corner of the Fourth Master's mouth: "Don't worry, Master. If we don't meet him, what's the harm in being alone? He is the world-famous Thirteenth Master."
The Fourth Master patted the hand warming the wine and said, "You. Forget it, let's not talk about him. You must be exhausted these days, right? You have a big belly and you still have to take care of it. This kid, he came at the wrong time."
"What are you talking about? Be careful, the child might get angry with you. Besides, how do you know it's not a son? What if it's a daughter?"
"If it were a daughter, I would burn incense and pray to Buddha."
Wen Jiu: "You don't like it because it's your son?"
"I like it. Our children, whether male or female, are equally loved. Don't think too much and take care of yourself."
After saying this, he squeezed the hand that was warming the wine, exhaled softly, and said, "Jiu'er, the emperor and I mentioned the matter of enthroning a crown princess a few days ago. This time, you are my legitimate crown princess. Let's see who would still use their status to argue. When this little guy is born, she will be the legitimate heir."
Wen Jiu was stunned: "Master, the emperor agreed?"
The Fourth Master was stunned for a moment: "Don't worry, I will agree."
Wen Jiu listened and laughed: "My Lord, the Emperor probably has a candidate for the Crown Princess in mind, right?"
Seeing that the Fourth Master pursed his lips and remained silent, Wen Jiu raised an eyebrow: "Is she Lord Wang's youngest daughter?"
The Fourth Master looked over in surprise: "You..."
Wen Jiu: "Jiu'er guessed it a long time ago. Over the years, I have been working hard and there is no place for criticism. Everyone can see it. However, since the implementation of the land tax system, the people have benefited, and you have also touched the pockets of those wealthy families. How can you not have complaints?"
"Half of the pens in the court are in their hands. The emperor is paving the way for me by letting me marry Wang's daughter. I guess he's not just asking you to marry one, right? Now, the youngest daughter of that age, the one from the Dong'e family, and the one from the Guarjia family, I'm afraid they all have suitable candidates, right?"
Listening to Wen Jiu's words, the Fourth Master rubbed his chin against her forehead and said, "I can't hide anything from you, but it's like this. You speak so clearly and logically. Why, do you want me to marry you?"
"That won't do." Wen Jiu hugged the Fourth Master's neck: "The Master is mine alone. I must have a way."
The Fourth Master chuckled, "You're right. It's just your fault. I do have a way, but it's going to be hard on Dabao and the others."
Wen Jiu was stunned: "Master, you wouldn't..."
"That's right. My father and I have already said that I am too old to marry, and the children are still young. When the time comes, let them choose."
Warming wine: "......"
"There's no other way. For the happiness of Father and Mother, I have to sacrifice them. I think they're willing to do so. This time, my legitimate Crown Princess can only be you. It has to be you."
Wenjiu: "...Master, how about we hide?"
The Fourth Master was stunned: "Huh?"
Wen Jiu: "I'm afraid Erbao will come and kill me with a knife."
Fourth Master: “…”
Wen Jiu saw the Fourth Master's appearance, and smiled for a while in his arms, then suddenly said, "Master, things are actually pretty good now. It's good if life can always be like this. Jiu'er is truly content."
"Yes, it would be nice if it stayed this way. Unfortunately, Master, this interface has become increasingly weak over the years. Speaking of which, the dark energy within the Emperor's Heart Tree seems almost uncontrollable. I'm afraid that the day the Fourth Master ascends the throne, the Emperor Star will crystallize, becoming the one with the weakest spiritual energy. We won't be able to suppress this dark energy at all."
Wenjiu listened and was stunned.
It’s okay. His is not enough, but I have. If mine is not enough, I can exchange it with my life value. I will definitely survive that day.
[Sigh... I hope we can really stop it. ]
Xiao Jin also couldn't figure out why, even though the Tanluan people had disappeared, the dark energy was still corroding the Emperor's Heart Tree. Even though the master had been collecting lifespans for decades, Xiao Jin always felt uneasy when he looked at the Emperor's Heart Tree shrouded in black mist.
Wen Jiu had actually prepared herself mentally, but when that thing happened, she still couldn't accept it.
The incident happened the day before the Fourth Master ascended the throne.
Suddenly, something strange happened. Countless black storms danced wildly around the Fourth Master, and the entire Prince's Mansion was shrouded in it.
The Fourth Master, who treated her like a treasure, slapped her in the chest.
"Mother, how could this happen? What happened to my father?" Erbao had the strongest martial arts skills, but he couldn't last long in the hands of the Fourth Master. He was knocked down and landed next to Wenjiu.
Wen Jiu shook his head slightly and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth: "What happened outside? Why is there such a loud noise?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a delicate and beautiful little baby came running towards him.
"Mother, this is so scary. It's like they want to eat people."
Wen Jiu held his daughter in his arms and protected her eyes: "Don't be afraid, Chang'an, they are just playing with you. Be good, let your fourth brother take you back first."
After saying that, Wenjiu glanced at Sibao and handed Chang'an to him.
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