In the quiet imperial study.

There were bursts of suppressed whimpering sounds floating in the air.

The west window next to the desk separated the two of them.

Inside the window is a young scholar standing with his hands folded, and outside the window is a young man squatting among the flowers.

The latter seemed unaware of the former's arrival.

Zhao Rong thought about it and coughed slightly.

The little emperor raised his head suddenly, his red and swollen eyes widened. When he saw the person coming, his tear-stained face was full of panic.

"Mr. Zhao...Mr. Zhao! I... I..."

Zhao Rong shook his head slightly, turned around, walked out of the study, circled to the flowers outside the west window, and stood in front of the young man who was wiping his tears in panic.

The little emperor covered his face with his sleeves and tried to stand up in a panic, but the next second, a big warm hand pressed his head.

The young man, who was nominally the most noble in Lidi, was stunned.

Zhao Rong stretched out his hand and the little emperor pressed it down.

Then he exhaled and squatted down.

The two faced each other.

In the middle is a crooked, bleeding food box and brightly colored floral clay.

"Mr. Zhao, I..."

"What do you mean by "I"? Aren't you still a half-grown boy? If you want to cry, just cry. Don't hold it in."

“…”

"But...but my mother said that I am the emperor and cannot show my vulnerable side to anyone."

"That's true, but this is for adults. Children can cry if they want to. You are only a few years old, do you have to live such a hard life? Don't cry too much now, or you will feel wronged when you grow up."

Zhao Rong smiled and rubbed his head.

The little emperor shook his head stubbornly, "Mr. Zhao, I am the emperor. My mother said that tears belong to lambs. Once we show our weakness, the jackals below will pounce on us and eat me and my mother clean."

Zhao Rong thought about it, smiled and nodded, "That makes sense. I'm sorry, sir, I didn't think it through. You really have to endure the way you live now and show it to those ministers. Tears should be saved for specific occasions."

The little emperor didn't expect Mr. Zhao to apologize humbly, and quickly wiped his tears and waved his hands.

Zhao Rong handed him a handkerchief.

The little emperor took it, wiped his tears, clutched the handkerchief, and whispered: "Thank you... Mr. Zhao, my mother also said that tears should be kept in a specific place, such as... next to my father's dragon coffin. She said that everyone should cry there, the harder the better, and those who don't cry are fools."

Ahem, idiot?

I can't cry, I'm sorry.

Zhao Rong coughed and felt a little embarrassed.

The little emperor had no idea of ​​what Mr. Zhao was complaining about, and after he finished speaking, the two of them, one big and one small, fell silent again.

Zhao Rong glanced at the little emperor.

After talking to him, the boy's attention was distracted and his tears mostly stopped.

At this time, the boy buried his head in his arms, his eyes looking at the food box on the ground between the two of them.

"Mr. Zhao..." he said suddenly.

"Um?"

"But I, I want to cry now." With a tearful voice.

The young scholar was silent for a while, but this time he shook his head and said, "Don't cry, you are the emperor."

The little emperor opened his mouth.

Zhao Rong suddenly reached out and took back the handkerchief in his hand, then rolled up his sleeves, lowered his head and dug the fertile flower mud in front of him.

The little emperor was stunned for a moment, then quickly rolled up his sleeves and started digging the hole with Zhao Rong.

The young scholar bowed his head and said calmly:

"I wanted to tell you a story, but after thinking about it, I decided not to... and I was afraid you would laugh at me."

"I, I won't laugh at Mr. Zhao!"

The little emperor dug the soil with his bare hands and shook his head vigorously.

Zhao Rong suddenly said, "In fact, you are much braver than me. I admire you for daring to hold the hand you want to hold."

The little emperor was stunned, looking at the bright red flower mud sticking to his fingers, "Mr. Zhao really admires me?"

Zhao Rong lowered his eyes and nodded calmly.

At this moment, he stopped moving, looked at the almost identical pits dug by the two men, then turned his head and looked at the tilted food box next to the pits.

The boy was silent. He reached out to pick up the food box containing the severed hand and put it into the pit.

The already dark blood dripped from the cracks between the boxes.

The two hands holding the box were shaking.

He pressed his ten fingers against the wall of the box, and his knuckles turned blue.

The young man gritted his teeth, "Li... Li Mingyi!"

A low roar.

For the first time, he boldly called out the name of the man in the dragon robe.

Countless times, the young man could only look up and call the man in the dragon robe "Uncle Emperor" affectionately.

Zhao Rong smiled.

No matter what King Li Xian's original motive was for doing this.

Should he stand from the perspective of a blood relative and teach the young emperor strictly to abstain from sex, or should he harbor rebellious intentions and use threats and intimidation?

There is one fact that can never be erased.

That is... he dared to send guards to present a pair of severed hands to the little emperor in public!

He defied the imperial power.

Zhao Rong felt that no man could tolerate this, let alone the little emperor.

Because the young man was taught from birth that in this Dali territory, no one is equal to him, and apart from his ancestors, ghosts and gods, there is nothing worthy of his awe. Even when he is humble and tolerant, he still hides this mentality.

Zhao Rong said with a smile: "You want to kill him."

The little emperor lowered his head and his expression could not be seen.

As he put the food box, which was also a burial coffin, into the pit, he gnashed his teeth and said, "Bold Li Mingyi, I...I will...I will kill you..."

Just as he said the word "behead", the young man suddenly staggered backwards, supported himself on the ground with his hands, and looked at Zhao Rong with a pale face.

"But Mr. Zhao, Li Mingyi... he is too strong. He has the skills, military power, military support and public opinion... he has it all!"

The little emperor raised his hand and wiped his face. "I heard from the sisters that he always takes the same route into the palace, and his footprints never change... This guy is too cautious. Mr. Zhao, how can I... how can I kill him!"

Indeed, Zhao Rong nodded, but did not say anything to give him an answer.

At this moment, the boy's face was covered with tears and the blood from his severed hand, blurring his face.

He said in a depressed tone: "My mother said that we are an orphan and a widow, and every step we take is dangerous. Fengshan is the biggest opportunity. I can't even protect myself right now..."

Zhao Rong remained silent.

Faced with the little emperor's unreserved heartfelt speech, he just listened carefully and nodded.

He lowered his eyes and calmly filled the burial pit with soil, his hands covered with mud.

The flowers here should bloom more abundantly next year... The young scholar looked at the lush flowers next to him and had an unexpected thought.

The little emperor stared blankly at the reaction of the Confucian scholar in front of him, and his expectant eyes gradually dimmed.

Yes, Mr. Zhao was only temporarily in Dali to offer sacrifices to the gods. He was not his teacher or subject, and could not give him advice or suggestions like Mr. Zhang did when they were not discussing privately...

The young man had no dissatisfaction in his heart. The rolled-up sleeve on his right arm had loosened, but he did not look at rolling it up again.

The young boy lowered his head and together with the young scholar, grabbed some soil and buried the severed hands.

There was silence between the two, one big and one small.

Just burying it.

The boy started crying again.

The young scholar turned a deaf ear to it.

After the pit was filled, he looked up at the bright sunshine, stood up, rubbed the boy's head with his dirty hands, and said softly:

"If you want to hold her hand, you can only do it by yourself."

The young scholar left.

The boy stopped crying, looked up at the back of the strange man, stunned and speechless.

"Rely... on yourself..."

Soon, there was a whisper among the flowers of the funeral hand...

…

Zhao Rong left the imperial study.

On the corridor, he took some clean water from the Sumeru object, washed his hands, then put his hands behind his back and left calmly.

After a while, outside a palace gate, Zhao Rong met Xiao Qian'er who had been waiting for a long time.

"Brother Rong'er, why did you just come out? I was so worried!"

In response to the little girl's complaint, Zhao Rong smiled and told her about his recent visit to the palace.

However, he only mentioned the matter of the little emperor in passing, and there was no need to elaborate.

"Brother Rong'er, you are so stupid that you can't even cry."

When Xiao Qianer heard that Zhao Rong was worried about acting according to the situation and crying whenever he wanted, she burst into laughter and covered her mouth with her hands.

She took his hand, squeezed it affectionately, and said angrily: "You stupid guy, we have been together for so many years, and you have watched for so long, but you haven't learned it."

Zhao Rong nodded and said with emotion: "Indeed, but it was you and Qingjun who cried every time. I wanted to try to learn, but you didn't give me a chance, alas." His tone was regretful.

“…”

Xiao Qianer: Do you think you are humorous?

The childhood sweethearts played around for a while, and under the smiling gazes of the palace maids around them, Zhao Rong took Xiao Qian'er's hand and left.

At a certain moment, Zhao Rong looked back at the tightly closed palace gate.

He did not try to coax the little emperor on purpose, but Zhao Rong admired his courage to hold his hand for the first time.

Oh, and Brother Yiwu...

But Zhao Rong finally missed that first time.

Perhaps, if I had picked her up at that time instead of turning around and running away, many interesting and unforgettable stories would have happened later.

Zhao Rong had thought about these countless times when he was in a daze afterwards. Even if the ending was similar to that of the little emperor, and they went their separate ways, there would still be no regrets.

It was just in the previous life, and we never met again.

Therefore, in this life, no matter Xiaoxiao, Qingjun, Qian'er, or even Su Qingdai, stretched out their hands to him, Zhao Rong would hold them as long as their heartstrings trembled.

No matter what, just get married first. As long as you love me, you won’t have any regrets...

"Brother Rong'er, you...what's wrong with you?"

Xiao Qian'er gently tugged at Zhao Rong's warm big hand and said with her head slightly raised.

She is very sensitive to her lover's reactions. Brother Rong'er...seems a little lost.

"It's okay... I suddenly remembered that I seem to have a silver medal that allows me to do whatever I want. Let's go. I'll take care of the Ministry of Rites in the afternoon and take you to the Dali Treasury to see if there are any good things that can be contributed to our Fengshan Ceremony."

Zhao Rong turned around and smiled.

However, at that moment, he was secretly alert in his heart, muttering softly... The pair of beautiful women's broken hands were a lesson for us. The little emperor was not able to hold them. What about me now... No, it's not enough...

The young scholar frowned slightly, then let go and left taking Xiao Qian'er's hand.

There is a little more urgency in my steps...

After a while, the two of them had a delicious lunch at a restaurant in the downtown area of ​​Hanjing, and then went to the Ministry of Rites together to meet up with their friends.

In the afternoon, Zhao Rong and other Confucian scholars including Gu Yiwu arranged the Fengshan ceremony in the Ministry of Rites.

The Minister and several Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Rites of Dali, along with a group of officials from the Ministry of Rites, stood aside modestly and honestly, listening obediently to the instructions of the two priests, Zhao Rong and Gu Yiwu.

Occasionally they looked up and glanced at the glittering silver medallion hanging from the waist of the young scholar who was calmly giving instructions...

After a while, Zhao Rong took a rest and sent someone back to the mansion to call Uncle Xiaobai and Su Qingdai.

After everyone arrived, Zhao Rong, holding the crescent-shaped silver medal, took them to the Dali treasury.

As if he had learned of their visit to the national treasury, Xuecan came with a group of Crescent Moon Girls.

However, when they saw the silver crescent-shaped medal on Zhao Rong's waist, they bowed and made way for him and followed him.

Confucian scholars such as Zhao Rong, Gu Yiwu, Xiao Qian'er, Su Qingdai, Li Bai and others took a tour of the national treasury and had a smooth journey.

Especially those secret vaults that store rare treasures are Zhao Rong's main focus.

Go wherever the security is most stringent.

No one dared to stop him.

At this time, the upright Gu Yiwu couldn't stand it anymore, coughed twice, and stood up, "Ahem, Ziyu, this is not a good idea, let's..."

"Aren't we preparing for the Fengshan Ceremony now?"

Zhao Rong answered and turned around with a look of innocence and confusion.

Gu Yiwu was stunned, "Ah?"

Zhao Rong said seriously, "Everyone, please don't be polite. Pick up some treasures you need and take them back to improve your cultivation. Even if it's just a jade pillow, it can help improve your sleep quality. If you get enough sleep, you can contribute more to the Fengshan Ceremony in a few days."

As he spoke, he picked up a spiritual medicine at hand. It was wrapped in crystal, had very long roots, and was overflowing with spiritual energy. It was obviously a good thing at first glance. Zhao Rong nodded and stuffed it into his sleeve without hesitation.

Everyone: “…”

Xuecan and the Crescent Moon Girl Li Nu: Are you contributing to the ceremony? You are just taking advantage of others, you are shameless.

The corners of the mouths of the treasury officials following at the back twitched violently, but they soon forced out a kind smile and nodded in agreement: "Wise, Lord Zhao."

They said one after another.

Some of the Crescent Moon Girls were fighting with indignation on their faces. The Snow Silkworm standing in front lowered his eyes and chuckled:

"Oh, I didn't expect Mr. Zhao to be so thoughtful."

Zhao Rong took it calmly.

Ignore her and pick up the treasure left and right.

Xuecan secretly thought to herself that she would report the truth to the Queen Mother after returning. However, she did not have much hope for this. The Queen Mother would definitely not care about it, and might even welcome it... Damn it, this greedy and lustful Zhao guy always took advantage of the Queen Mother!

You... take the things, you'd better do something for us! Otherwise...

The plump woman couldn't help but stare at the young scholar's back.

Zhao Rong ignored all this and told everyone to let go and take whatever they wanted.

He took Qian'er and Su Qingdai inside and picked up the panacea.

"Hey, what is this, such a big root..."

Zhao Rong curiously picked up a black, long and thick root-like object on the jade table next to him. After looking at it curiously for a few seconds, he threw it into his sleeve.

Snow Silkworm said unhappily, "Mr. Zhao, this is the whip of the witch bull that Nanxing County specially provided to the late emperor... Will it be useful for Mr. Zhao to hold the Fengshan ceremony?"

Dirty cow? This cow sounds very dirty... Then the whip of this dirty cow, cough cough, what a thing.

Zhao Rong remained calm and continued to move forward. He ignored the plump woman's sarcastic words and of course did not put the things back.

You teach me how to do things?

Xuecan waited for the crescent moon to leave the girl: "..."

Zhao Qian'er and Su Qingdai, who were following Zhao Rong closely, couldn't help but blush.

Especially the latter, who was originally from Nanxing County and seemed to know what this "dirty cow" was, and also the power of this... this bull whip.

The stunning woman in a black dress with long hair, her delicate face with light makeup on, blushing...

Zhao Rong couldn't help but look sideways.

At this time, the two girls probably realized that Zhao Rong might not be familiar with the treasure, so they stepped forward to help.

Zhao Rong wanted them to pick out what they needed, but the two girls shook their heads and refused. He was helpless, but Gui was still asleep, and he really lacked the ability to identify treasures, so he acquiesced to them.

Xiao Qian'er and Su Qingdai softly selected treasures for Zhao Rong.

They are also attentive and considerate, and each knows what their sweetheart or true love needs.

Therefore, they specifically selected those spiritual objects that would be helpful to Zhao Rong's cultivation of Breaking the Mirror.

There's even a bit of a competitive spirit in there.

You picked a good one for him, and I picked a better one for him. The two women were fighting overtly and covertly...

In the back, Xuecan and the other girls were watching with their eyelids twitching wildly and their flesh aching...

Soon, everyone left the treasury with great satisfaction and returned with a full load.

After a busy day, they finally returned to the mansion...

Midnight, inside the main house.

Zhao Rong, who was sitting at the table, gently took out the warrior's diary and the elixir carefully selected from the Dali treasury and placed them on the table.

The young scholar's eyes fixed.

Soar to the top, tonight!