Chapter 43 Chapter 43 Sister, Save Me
Jiang Zhaoxue asked Ye Tianjiao to work overtime to prepare, and Song Wuya also secretly mobilized all his strength to find talisman masters and formation masters to help Jiang Zhaoxue.
Most cultivators believe in destiny, but a thousand years ago, the human world had not yet formed an atmosphere of unconditional obedience to the Book of Destiny like the true fairyland.
Song Wuya and Ye Wenzhi actually found dozens of Jindan-stage cultivators.
In the realm of true immortality, golden elixirs are everywhere, but it is not easy to find dozens of golden elixir cultivators in the human world.
Jiang Zhaoxue received the list of cultivators from Ye Wenzhi and couldn't help but feel a little surprised: "So many people are willing to help you?"
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is inherently cruel, arrogant, and extravagant," Ye Wenzhi sighed, following Jiang Zhaoxue. "He allows his men to oppress the people, committing numerous heinous crimes and causing great public resentment. The Crown Prince's Mansion used to pay tribute to hundreds of women each year, only to have them disappear. He also once murdered someone in the palace. His tyranny was so extreme... the people were in a state of panic. If this is the fate of a true dragon..."
Ye Wenzhi gave a wry, mocking laugh and said nothing more. Jiang Zhaoxue, however, understood what Ye Wenzhi meant and pondered, "Master Ye, you've committed the entire family's efforts this time. Have you ever considered what might happen if you fail..."
Ye Wenzhi listened, his face darkening slightly. He simply said, "Master Jiang, don't worry. We've already made preparations."
Jiang Zhaoxue nodded and said in a deep voice, "I understand."
After a moment's thought, she made the arrangements: "You don't have to make any special arrangements for me this time. Just place these people outside the altar. I'll set up a spirit gathering formation for them, and I'll use them when the time comes. Just arrange my identity."
As he spoke, Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly remembered: "What is my identity?"
"Oh," Ye Wenzhi thought about it and said seriously, "I originally wanted to arrange an inconspicuous identity for the Immortal Master, such as a palace maid, but because the Immortal Master's eyesight is not good, I can only find some special identities."
Jiang Zhaoxue understood the explanation and asked curiously, "A fortune teller?"
"No." Ye Wenzhi shook his head and asked curiously, "You should be able to play the erhu, right?"
Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue looked up in shock: "Why do you think I can play the erhu?"
Jiang Zhaoxue couldn't help but correct him, "Not every blind person can play the erhu."
"Then..." Ye Wenzhi probed, "You should have a strong learning ability."
Jiang Zhaoxue was silent. She probably understood that there was no room for negotiation on this matter.
Ye Wenzhi also felt a little guilty and laughed dryly: "I heard that cultivators learn things very quickly. Um... I'll go prepare it first. Oh, there's more."
Ye Wenzhi remembered something and said to Jiang Zhaoxue, "We've almost decided on foster parents for Young Master Li. Taoist Pei Xiao has discussed with us that you and him should send Young Master Li to their family tomorrow. I want to ask for your opinion."
Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue paused.
Li Xiuzhi has been following them these days. He is a very well-behaved child. Not only does he not cause trouble, he also often helps her to the best of his ability.
It's probably a skill developed after leaving parents.
She calculated that Li Xiu Ji was almost five years old. She couldn't always take care of him, especially since the situation tomorrow would be dangerous. Sending him away early would also give him a place to go.
She nodded and replied, "That's it."
After discussing with Ye Wenzhi, Jiang Zhaoxue slept with Li Xiuzhi that night.
Ever since Li Xiuji met her, he has been saying that he doesn't want to sleep with Pei Zichen. Pei Zichen originally disagreed, but Jiang Zhaoxue forced him to suppress it.
At night, Jiang Zhaoxue showed rare patience. Lying on the bed, she held Li Xiuji in her arms and told him stories. Li Xiuji almost fell asleep several times, but at the last moment he struggled to wake up and asked, "And then?"
Jiang Zhaoxue was driven to collapse by him, but when she thought about leaving tomorrow, she regained her patience.
It was not until dawn that Li Xiuji could no longer hold on and finally fell asleep.
The next afternoon, Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen disguised themselves and took Li Xiuji to meet his adoptive parents.
The adoptive parents, also surnamed Li, were a long-childless merchant couple. Seeing Li Xiuji, they were overjoyed. The wife hugged him and, along with Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen, thanked him repeatedly, "We've never seen such a beautiful child. Thank you so much."
Jiang Zhaoxue listened to the thanks and felt inexplicably sad when she thought about parting with Li Xiuji.
She thought for a moment, then fumbled and said, "Self-cultivation?"
"elder sister."
As soon as Li Xiuji opened his mouth, he started crying.
Jiang Zhaoxue half-knelt down and opened her arms, saying, "Come, let me hug you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Zhaoxue felt Li Xiuji crash into his arms like a small cannonball.
When he rushed in, Jiang Zhaoxue realized that he had actually been crying.
Jiang Zhaoxue was at a loss for a moment. She hugged Li Xiuji and patted him, saying softly, "Sister can't always take you with her. Sister is leaving. You must listen to your parents and practice in the future. When you grow up, go to the True Fairyland Penglai and find the Penglai Queen Jiang Zhaoxue, okay?"
"Okay." Li Xiuji's body trembled slightly.
Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it, gave him a talisman and a jade pendant.
Knowing she couldn't stay any longer, she took a deep breath, stood up, rubbed Li Xiuji's head, and turned to leave.
Pei Zichen followed her, and when they reached the gate, Li Xiuji finally lost control. Even though he had tried hard to learn how to survive and accept his fate, he was still only a five-year-old child. He suddenly burst into tears and chased after Jiang Zhaoxue, shouting, "Sister! Don't abandon me! Take me away, I'm very good! I won't bother you! Take me away! I'm scared! I'm scared!"
Jiang Zhaoxue paused, and heard the couple behind him hurriedly hugging Li Xiuji. The sound of rattles came back to him, and the couple soothed him, "Xiuji, be good. We will treat you well. Come on, rattle."
"Sister! Let me go! Sister, don't leave me! Take me away!"
Li Xiuji was crying behind him, and Jiang Zhaoxue slowed down his pace.
Pei Zichen looked up and saw this, then walked forward silently and held Jiang Zhaoxue's hand.
Jiang Zhaoxue's eyes lit up instantly as she listened to Li Xiuji's cries and Pei Zichen's words, "My Lady, please look back."
"You can't turn back."
Jiang Zhaoxue pulled Pei Zichen and said with a smile, "We can't leave if we turn back. I can't support him forever. Children will always cry when they change their environment."
"Sister—save me!" Li Xiuji's voice was buried in the rattle. "Don't go! I don't want you to leave! Save me!!"
Jiang Zhaoxue ignored him and walked out of the door with Pei Zichen and turned the corner.
Pei Zichen looked at her quietly all the way. When Jiang Zhaoxue turned the corner, she looked up at the chaotic Li Mansion.
At that moment, she finally saw Li Xiuji's appearance.
From a long distance away, she saw a delicate and pretty child, crying so hard that her facial features could not be seen clearly. But perhaps it was the look of someone crying for help that made her think of Pei Zichen at first sight.
She forced herself to look away and said with a smile, "After being with you for so long, this child looks a bit like you."
As she spoke, she took the initiative to let go of Pei Zichen and sighed, "I hate this kind of separation between life and death the most."
"If you hate it," Pei Zichen followed Jiang Zhaoxue, "I won't try it again."
"Hmm?" Jiang Zhaoxue was puzzled. "Can humans control this?"
"If we hadn't met, there would have been no separation. Now that we've met, there's no need to say goodbye." Pei Zichen said with a smile, "Wouldn't that mean we wouldn't have to experience this?"
"That's easy to say."
Jiang Zhaoxue stretched lazily, listened to Li Xiuji's crying, and slowly walked away, diverting his attention and said, "Go back and practice the erhu."
After the two of them returned, Jiang Zhaoxue was depressed all day, but fortunately she had a very good attitude and had experienced many separations in her life, so a child would not disturb her too much.
She spent the whole night practicing the erhu and harassed everyone all night. After Qian Sisi wanted to beat her up, she finally calmed down and thought that if she still stayed in this time and space in the future, she would visit Li Xiu Ji from time to time.
Everyone woke up early the next day. Jiang Zhaoxue brought thousands of talismans obtained by Song Wuya and Ye Wenzhi. Ye Tianjiao was outside drawing a spirit gathering formation and waiting for arrangements.
Jiang Zhaoxue had taught him how to draw when he was in Zhuang Yan before. Now he can lead other cultivators and draw formations for them independently.
Pei Zichen went to the palace alone, while Qian Sisi followed Jiang Zhaoxue and was responsible for protecting her.
"You're following Sister Fairy?" Ye Tianjiao was a little surprised. "What's your identity?"
"She beats the gong."
Jiang Zhaoxue explained on Qian Sisi's behalf that Ye Wenzhi had already explained the whole process to her in the morning.
In order to show off, Qian Sisi took out a gong and banged it several times in Ye Tianjiao's ears.
Ye Tianjiao was almost deafened by her, and quickly covered his ears and said, "Alright, alright, I know you can knock!"
"You look down on me."
Qian Sisi stopped only after seeing Ye Tianjiao admit defeat.
Seeing that everyone had divided up their work, Jiang Zhaoxue sent a message to Song Wuya, who was staying in the Sky Prison: "I will set up the formation today and inform you that it is successful. Only then can you ask the ancestor. Do you understand?"
"clear."
Song Wuya responded.
When everything was ready, Ye Wenzhi hurried in.
It was still dark and the night wind was chilly, but he was sweating profusely. He said nervously, "Everything is arranged. Master Jiang and Miss Qian, come with me."
"good."
Jiang Zhaoxue stood up, thought about it, turned back, glanced at Pei Zichen, and warned: "Zichen, life is important."
"Disciple understands."
Pei Zichen responded, and Qian Sisi also said hello to everyone: "Let's go."
"Qian Sisi!" Seeing the two leaving, Ye Tianjiao hurriedly called Qian Sisi.
Qian Sisi turned around and saw Ye Tianjiao reluctantly walking up to her and handing her a stack of runes.
“Um…” Ye Tianjiao said vaguely, “Be careful today, I’ll treat you to a meal when you come back.”
Qian Sisi was stunned for a moment, then lowered her eyes to look at the blushing young man in front of her. She smiled knowingly, took the talisman in her hand, turned around and said, "Let's go."
Jiang Zhaoxue listened to the two people's interaction without saying anything. After they got on the carriage, Jiang Zhaoxue said, "Oh, did you receive a love letter?"
"Tsk, I didn't expect the second young master of the Ye family to be so easily deceived." Qian Sisi shook the talisman and couldn't help but ponder, "Do you think if I enter the Ye family, I will have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of my life?"
"Of course." Jiang Zhaoxue picked up the teacup from the side and said teasingly, "Are you moved?"
"I'm so moved." Qian Sisi pondered for a moment, "It's just that she's too young and fickle. The love of these young people is worthless. They like one today and another tomorrow. It's so fickle. How can that be considered love? Seriously," Qian Sisi raised her eyes and stared at Jiang Zhaoxue, "Are your eyes okay?"
"It won't hinder the action." Jiang Zhaoxue leaned against the small table and explained, "I can sense the spiritual power field. Although I can't see specific people, everyone has different spiritual power fluctuations. It's just that the image I see is different from yours."
"So powerful?" Qian Sisi nodded, then understood, "But don't worry, I will protect you well today."
As long as Jiang Zhaoxue can open the formation when Song Wuya asks his ancestors at the altar, everything will be fine.
The two chatted casually and took a carriage to the vicinity of the altar.
Someone led Jiang Zhaoxue and the others out of the carriage and took them through the back door into a courtyard. A eunuch was waiting at the gate. The driver who was leading them saw someone approach and said in a low voice to the eunuch at the gate, "Eunuch Zhang, this is them."
The eunuch looked them over, snorted coldly, flicked his whisk, and said, "Let's go."
The two followed the eunuch into the courtyard and heard music at the door. The eunuch walked in front and warned them, "I know you want to get a job. Musicians who have served in royal sacrifices will be paid twice as much outside. But it's not easy to become a royal musician. Your skills are not good enough to meet the eyes of experts, so don't play randomly today. Just pretend and don't make any noise. And you-"
The eunuch turned around and pointed at Jiang Zhaoxue, "Take off the veil from your face. Don't try to attract attention. If the noble notices, we'll all be in trouble!"
Hearing this, Qian Sisi looked at Jiang Zhaoxue worriedly.
Jiang Zhaoxue didn't care. She just took off her veil, revealing a beautiful but ordinary face.
Qian Sisi opened her eyes wide and quickly shut up. The eunuch nodded with satisfaction and led the two of them into the courtyard. After changing into the musician's palace costumes, he told them about their positions and today's affairs, and then left first.
After the eunuch walked away, Qian Sisi approached Jiang Zhaoxue and whispered, "Why did your face change again?"
"The expression hasn't changed," Jiang Zhaoxue said slowly while tuning her erhu. "It's just a trick; ordinary people can't see it."
Qian Sisi nodded, and the two of them mixed in with the musicians. After a while, they heard the eunuch outside shouting hurriedly, "Get up! Hurry and follow."
Everyone was in a hurry. Jiang Zhaoxue and Qian Sisi followed the crowd and trotted out with the musicians.
Asking questions to ancestors at the altar is a major event concerning the foundation of the dynasty. The entire court is well prepared, and all civil and military officials have been waiting there early.
Jiang Zhaoxue and his companions trotted to the altar. After the musicians were ready, the prince and his concubine carried the sedan chair from the main road to the square.
As soon as these people arrived, Jiang Zhaoxue and others started playing music.
Jiang Zhaoxue and Qian Sisi pretended to be serious and mingled with the crowd, watching the princes and concubines walk up to the high platform and take their seats to the sound of elegant music.
The emperor had not arrived yet, but the seats were already full of princes and nobles.
Crown Prince Song Wulan and Queen Zhao were sitting at the highest seat. Song Wulan was leaning against the armrest, holding a sachet in his hand, and looking down casually.
Seeing his expression, Zhao was furious and couldn't help but whisper a warning: "With so many people watching, how can you behave? Sit down properly!"
"What does it matter?"
Song Wulan glanced at Zhao and said nonchalantly: "If I have the fate of a true dragon, I will be the crown prince no matter how I sit. If I am not, even if I kneel down today, I will still be a waste."
"How dare you say that?!"
When Zhao heard this, she became furious: "You went to look for Shen Yuqing, but he didn't come to help you. What's the point of going?"
"He's not here," Song Wulan said slowly, playing with the sachet containing the talisman paper. "This is the greatest use. Let me ask you today, what use do you think he, a sword cultivator, has?"
This stunned Zhao. Song Wulan observed the surroundings and said nonchalantly, "The most important person is the fortune teller named Jiang Zhaoxue. Jiang Zhaoxue should only have one person protecting her. That person must go to the palace to isolate that thing and transfer Shen Yuqing away. Jiang Zhaoxue will have no one available around her. The fortune teller has no one to protect her, so there is nothing to fear. As long as she is found and Jiang Zhaoxue is controlled, Song Wuya will ask for her ancestors. That would be courting death."
"That……"
Hearing this, Zhao's eyes lit up: "Do you have a way to find her?"
Before he finished speaking, Song Wu Lan's gaze fell on Jiang Zhaoxue, and the sachet suddenly became hot and emitted light.
Zhao was a little confused: "What is this?"
"go."
Song Wulan raised his chin towards Jiang Zhaoxue and said, "Call up the blind erhu musician."
When the eunuch's words were passed on, Jiang Zhaoxue was just enjoying herself in the orchestra when she saw a eunuch approaching and respectfully said, "Young lady, the Crown Prince invites you."
Upon hearing this, Qian Sisi suddenly became a little flustered. She glanced at Jiang Zhaoxue with the gong in hand and was about to say something when she heard Jiang Zhaoxue say, "Eunuch, may I know what instructions His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has?"
"Just go if you're told to."
Seeing that Jiang Zhaoxue was not cooperating, the eunuch's voice hardened and he said coldly, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Father-in-law..."
Upon hearing this, Qian Sisi quickly smiled apologetically. Just as she was about to speak, Jiang Zhaoxue pulled her back and secretly slipped her a sound transmission note. She then stood up and said, "Please lead the way, eunuch."
As he spoke, Jiang Zhaoxue stood up and followed the eunuch onto the platform.
When she moved, everyone looked at her, and the princes and nobles whispered to each other. Jiang Zhaoxue listened to the discussions around her, and it was nothing more than that the prince was greedy for beauty and was doing something stupid again.
Jiang Zhaoxue turned a deaf ear to these words and followed the eunuch to walk behind Song Wulan.
She used her spiritual power to sense her surroundings and could clearly feel a bloody figure in front of her.
Blood can be seen in the "field" of spiritual perception, which shows that this person has a lot of sins on his hands.
"Coming?"
A gorgeous yet sinister voice rang out, and Jiang Zhaoxue saluted while holding her erhu: "Greetings, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"Sit behind me."
Jiang Zhaoxue heard the sound and felt someone coming up and helping her sit down.
After sitting down, Jiang Zhaoxue clearly felt a group of evil spirits gathering next to him.
Anan took a deep breath and said, "Such a strong evil spirit."
Jiang Zhaoxue remained silent, only hearing the young man in front of her say, "Today is boring. I just saw you playing the erhu downstairs, and it was quite charming. So I called you up here to keep me company. I'm sure you don't mind, young lady?"
"It is my honor to serve Your Highness."
Jiang Zhaoxue lowered her eyes in response, and Song Wulan chuckled.
"Really? I thought you wouldn't want to come."
Song Wu Lan said this, and took a gem-encrusted dagger from the side. He said slowly: "My interest in beauties lies in their skin. That's why I have peeled the skins of nearly a hundred beauties with my own hands over the years. That's why women are afraid of me. Are you not afraid, young lady?"
"No."
"Oh? Why?"
"Your Highness kills people because he's bored," Jiang Zhaoxue responded calmly. "I think I'm actually quite interesting."
Hearing this, Song Wulan paused slightly.
He thought about it, and finally turned around, looking Jiang Zhaoxue up and down, and chuckled, "Miss, you are right."
As he spoke, he gazed into the distance and spoke slowly, "I was born into a life of luxury, without having done anything, yet somehow I was given the position of Crown Prince. Originally, I could have taken this position or not, but only in this position can I kill people without restraint. This is one of my few hobbies, so I can only plan and calculate for it. But I always win, and I feel lonely."
"Let him pretend," Anan said after listening to it, "People like him deserve to be punished."
"Miss, can you play chess?" Song Wu Lan asked, taking a black piece from the chess table beside him and playing with it in his hand. "Miss, do you think I can win today?"
"I don't understand what Your Highness is saying."
Song Wulan asked directly, but Jiang Zhaoxue did not respond.
Song Wu Lan glanced back at her. Seeing that she was playing dumb, he chuckled and said, "My brother's fate was created by himself. Even if I did nothing, he wouldn't have succeeded today. The only one who can change this is the fortune teller. But I heard that the fortune teller takes a very long time to open the formation. Before the formation, he is no different from an ordinary person. Tell me, if I control the fortune teller, does my brother still have a chance of winning?"
"That depends on the situation," Jiang Zhaoxue said gently, "Your Highness can control this fortune teller."
"Then let's make a bet?"
Song Wu Lan turned around and looked at her.
Jiang Zhaoxue smiled faintly: "How dare I, a commoner, gamble with His Highness?"
"I promise you, if you win the bet, I will promise you one thing."
"What if I lose?"
Song Wulan listened, thought for a moment, and said, "Then...you must agree to one of my requests."
"What does your highness want?"
Jiang Zhaoxue was curious.
"I haven't thought about it yet, what about you?" Song Wu Lan was curious, "What do you want?"
"My request is simple," Jiang Zhaoxue fumbled to pick up the cup, took a sip of tea, and then laughed, "I want to give Your Highness a big slap."
These words made Song Wu Lan stunned, and then he laughed out loud.
At this time, a group of guards came running from outside, and the music became solemn and magnificent. Then the emperor's carriage moved slowly, and everyone stood up and saluted, welcoming the emperor to the altar.
As everyone knelt, the emperor took his seat and announced loudly, "Some time ago, the rebellious son Song Wuya secretly held a gluttonous feast and was arrested by the Tianji Academy. He refused to obey and wanted to open the altar to ask his ancestors for forgiveness. I, considering our father-son relationship, have granted him permission. Today, his life and death, and the future of the country, must be addressed to the ancestors. I summon the rebellious son Song Wuya to the altar!"
Upon hearing this, Song Wuya appeared in shackles amid the sound of music.
Qian Sisi looked up and saw Song Wuya stepping onto the altar step by step under the escort of soldiers.
He was wearing prison clothes and his hair was loose, but his expression was always clear and calm, maintaining the demeanor of a prince.
He began looking for Jiang Zhaoxue as soon as he entered the altar, and finally saw her the moment he stepped onto the altar.
Jiang Zhaoxue sensed his gaze and whispered, "The person behind the screen beside me is the vengeful demon. Point her out first and disrupt the situation."
As soon as her news came out, Jiang Zhaoxue instantly felt the fluctuation of spiritual power next door, which actually suppressed her news.
Jiang Zhaoxue admired it for a moment, and then she heard Song Wulan waving his fan and saying, "Beauty, I don't like my man talking to other men in secret."
Jiang Zhaoxue didn't say anything. Knowing that the news couldn't be spread, he felt a little depressed.
Song Wulan was guarding her, so she couldn't start the formation, and Song Wuya couldn't ask his ancestors.
While she was silent, she heard Song Wuya kneel down with a clang and said loudly: "Your son pays homage to the emperor, father."
"Alright," the emperor said, looking a little tired. "If you insist on opening the altar to ask questions about your ancestors and seek death, I will grant your wish. A fake dragon will never be recognized by the ancestors. Ask whatever you want. This will be my way of doing justice to your mother and you."
"I understand."
Hearing about the late queen, Song Wuya's face instantly turned cold. He knelt on the ground and said calmly, "But before I ask you, I must tell you something."
"explain."
"I, your son, hereby testify with my life that Empress Zhao is a demonic being. She plotted to murder the prince, brutally killed the former Empress Yang, and harmed thousands of civilians. She also tampered with the True Dragon's destiny to alter the fate of our Great Xia nation. I beg your Majesty to understand!"
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The author has something to say: There are some problems with the following content. I am still revising it and will post it tomorrow. You can just take a look at this for now.
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