Ran Ran tried his best to calm himself down, and at the same time wanted to pull out the mechanical stick on his waist to guard against the dragon's sudden attack.
But at this moment, a familiar voice rang in his ears: "You still know how to be afraid? I should expel a disobedient disciple like you from my sect immediately..."
This voice... is Master's!
This sound that filled his ears was the same as the one that his master had communicated to him through the white tiger. Ran Ran was certain that it was this dragon that was communicating with him.
The dragon didn't seem to have any ill intentions towards him. It carefully retracted the sharp thorns on its claws and lifted up Ran Ran, as if it was afraid of cutting Ran Ran. However, there were chains wrapped around its body, and the chains would rattle if it moved a little.
Looking at the master's body trapped in the dragon's tail, Ranran seemed to understand that the master was controlling the dragon with the beast control technique and attached his spirit to the dragon, so the master's body at this moment was just an empty shell without the spirit.
While Long was talking, he gently lifted Ranran up with his big claws and spit out a bubble to cover her. With the big bubble wrapped around her, Ranran could finally breathe freely underwater.
"Master, how did you turn into a dragon?"
The golden dragon held the bubble with his paws and continued to transmit his voice in secret: "This little dragon is about to reach adulthood. It has eaten too many Jindan cultivators before, but has been suppressed under the Questioning Pond. Its spiritual power cannot be digested, and its temperament has become more and more violent. If it is not controlled, the foundation of the palace will not be able to suppress it. It will overturn the entire capital, and no village will be spared. Now I will use the beast control technique to temporarily control it, and then see if I can completely subdue it and let it fly back to the deep sea."
Hearing this, Ran Ran understood that when the master saw the heavy rain in the capital and noticed something unusual on the river bank, he understood the crux of the matter. That day, the master pretended to be fooled, and then took the initiative to flee to the Wen Lake and jumped into it in order to control the lurking water dragon.
But... why is there such a huge beast in the palace? What exactly is Su Yu's intention in raising a dragon in the palace?
"Su Yu's life span is running out. He raises dragons to prolong his life span." Su Yishui explained.
In the past, Su Yu was plotted against by Prince Ping in order to seize the throne, and was poisoned. Although he was rescued by Mu Qingge at that time, his body was already damaged.
Later, he succeeded in becoming an emperor, but he could not maintain a healthy body. It is said that he had been seeking medical advice for many years, and later he even went everywhere to look for elixirs and miraculous drugs. Perhaps because his health was getting worse, he took a radical approach and looked for a way out.
Ran Ran understood everything at once. No wonder Su Yu was so interested in the corpse of the water demon in Wangxiang Pass, and sent many people to Wangxiang Pass to look for clues, and also recruited strange people like Bao Ming who could transform their bodies.
Because Su Yu's body was already badly damaged, those so-called alchemy and cultivation methods were of no help.
The emperor has always regarded himself as the true dragon emperor, and Su Yu is even more thorough. He just wants to merge his body with that of a real golden dragon, thereby gaining a thousand years of lifespan like a dragon.
She had heard from the old eunuch her master had found that the Wen Lake was expanded twenty years ago, which meant that the emperor had obtained the dragon at that time.
But where did this dragon come from? How did the Soviets transfer it to the Lake Wen?
Su Yishui knew the origin of this dragon. He said calmly, "Someone was once saved by Meng Zhang, the Azure Dragon from the Dragon Island in the East China Sea. Unfortunately, Meng Zhang was killed by... the demon from the underworld. Before the Azure Dragon died, it laid a dragon egg, which must have fallen into Su Yu's hands."
If what Su Yu got at the beginning was a newly hatched dragon, then everything would be easy to explain. However, this dragon was deliberately matured, and the growth period that should have lasted for hundreds of years was compressed to twenty years.
The little dragon had consumed too much spiritual energy and was growing too fast. Perhaps the lake would soon be unable to contain it. That was why Su Yu was anxious to find the Seven Evils Transfiguration Spell that could absorb the dragon's body, hoping to gain the dragon's spiritual power and prolong his own life.
It was precisely because of this dragon that there was incessant rain in the capital, which almost caused a flood disaster.
After figuring this out, Ran Ran tried to push the bubble wrapped around herself and float up and down around the dragon's body. Opportunities like this to see a dragon with one's own eyes were rare, so she would take the opportunity to take a good look while her master was able to subdue it.
Su Yishui helplessly looked at his disciple who was floating excitedly like a jumping bean.
There was no way. This was just a young girl whose mind was not mature yet. It was normal for her to be playful... and he knew that even if she grew up, her mind would probably be even more immature. You couldn't expect a person who had been playful and casual all her life to be calm and steady...
"But Master, it has eaten so many people. Why did you take such a big risk to save it? Isn't there a way to destroy it?"
After hearing this, the dragon looked at the bubble bean in front of it with deep eyes and said calmly, "It really deserves to die, but someone once promised its dying mother that they would definitely send the dragon egg back to its hometown Dragon Island. Unfortunately... she also had an accident later and could not fulfill her promise. I want to fulfill her promise and send this dragon back. As for the nature of dragons, there is no good or evil. After it is separated from the people who tempted it to do evil and far away from the world, why should anyone judge its good or evil?"
Ran Ran was floating on the dragon's horn at this time, and felt that what the master said was really good! But who was that old friend? Maybe it was Master Mu, right?
Qin Xuanjiu had said before that Mu Qingge had once suppressed the demon child on his own, saving the world from a catastrophe. Even the spiritual spring was peeled off from the demon child's body.
Now think about it, Mozi was able to kill an adult dragon. What a terrifying ability!
"Master, your body has been under the water. Is it in danger?"
Ran Ran saw that Su Yishui's body was also wrapped in a huge bubble. If the people on the lake discovered the abnormality under the water and took some measures, wouldn't the master be losing sight of one thing while focusing on the other?
Because the dragon's body was wrapped in countless long chains made of black iron, it did not seem to be able to move freely.
"I dare not fully activate the dragon's power, otherwise once it gets angry, it will be difficult to control. I can only look for an opportunity to see if I can take advantage of the Dragon Boat Festival to reduce its evil nature to the lowest level and then let it break the chains."
The Dragon Boat Festival is tomorrow.
Su Yishui originally planned to take a risk and take advantage of the strong sunlight at noon to urge the dragon to break the chains by itself, and then control it to rise into the sky and into the sea.
When he first discovered the clues in the capital, he wanted to enter the palace to find out what was going on. When he saw the scales under the water of the inner river, he vaguely guessed what was going on.
Just before he fell into the lake, he explained to Su Yuchen how powerful the dragon was. However, Su Yu insisted on using the dragon to survive, so Su Yishui simply jumped into the lake and temporarily controlled the dragon.
Su Yu naturally knew that he could not keep dragons as a threat anymore. Although he had many ways to kill the underwater dragon, Su Yu was reluctant to give up the opportunity to prolong his life. Naturally, he was afraid to act rashly and had no way to deal with Su Yishui for the time being.
The only thing Su Yishui had underestimated was Ran Ran's cleverness. He actually controlled Suzaku to see the scene of himself being captured. In the end, he ignored the danger and broke into the palace.
If she wasn't here, he would be free to do what he wanted. But she was in the Daqi Palace, so all of Su Yishui's previous plans would be useless. If he couldn't control the dragon, wouldn't Ranran suffer as well?
However, Ranran felt that the master's body must not be left in the pool any longer. While the vigilance was relaxed, it was a good opportunity to send his body out of the water first, so as to avoid Su Yishui losing both.
He recalled the joints where the geomagnetic field was reduced that he had discovered when he ran around the palace before, so he explained it to his master in detail again. After a brief discussion between the two, he slowly pushed his master's body and floated out of the water.
Zhou Feihua was waiting on the shore, but when she saw Ranran not only came up by herself but also pushed a man out, she couldn't help but be stunned.
When she saw that the sleeping man was Su Yishui, she immediately drew out her dagger and prepared to cut the man's throat. Ran Ran quickly stopped her and glared at Zhou Feihua, "What are you going to do? If you kill my master, the dragon under the water will be out of control!"
After that, she briefly described the situation underwater.
Zhou Feihua also knew that the time for the shift change was approaching and the sleeping pills should be ready, so she glared at Su Yishui hatefully, then helped Ran Ran carry him into the sedan chair and went all the way back to Zhou Feihua's palace.
After entering the palace, Ranran told Zhou Feihua the whole process and the current situation in detail.
When Zhou Feihua heard that the dragon in the water was actually raised by Su Yu to keep it alive, she didn't move for a long time, just trying to digest this matter.
She had been in the palace for a long time, and although she had long noticed something was wrong, she still couldn't believe that there was such a monster in the palace. To hide a little dragon without anyone in the palace knowing, only Emperor Su Yu could do it.
Since he ascended the throne, Su Yu has always been diligent and caring, loving his people like his own children. Not surprisingly, he is still known as a wise king a hundred years later.
But he actually did such a shocking thing, which was simply a joke with the lives of the people in the capital.
But think about it, Su Yu's health has indeed deteriorated over the years, and I am one of the few who can see him. Listening to the sound of His Majesty's coughing through the gauze curtain is really heartbreaking, and I feel like I am running out of breath.
But recently, His Majesty seems to have regained his spirits and looks much better. If it is true as Su Yishui said, it is the little dragon that saved Su Yu's life, then everything fits together.
Thinking of this, Zhou Feihua fell into deep thought, with his head down, not knowing what he was thinking about.
Ran Ran didn't actually expect Zhou Feihua to be of any help. If it weren't for the delicate situation of the Zhou family, Zhou Feihua would probably have considered her husband first, thinking about how to help His Majesty live longer, right?
At this moment, Zhou Feihua laughed at herself and said, "The reason why I entered the palace was that Mu Qingge asked me and my Zhou family father and daughter to serve the emperor. At that time, she said that she had privately changed the emperor's destiny and could not escape heaven's condemnation. However, the emperor Su Yu, who was temporarily supported, was still young and his nature was unstable. He needed someone to support him well by his side so as not to let down the people of the world. I thought there was no place more convenient than the palace, so I entered the palace as a concubine. But later, I was lazy and only wanted to avoid the jealousy and fighting in the palace. I also thought that Your Majesty was a good emperor who was diligent in government and loved the people. But... now Your Majesty has done such a thing. I didn't do the thing that my old friend asked me to do. If I let the situation develop, the king will not blame me, and I can only die to apologize..."
The meaning of her words was very clear. Although she and Su Yu were husband and wife in name only, in her opinion, she was still under Mu Qingge's earnest instructions. Now Su Yu had gone astray and actually did evil things in order to save his life. She could not deny the blame and could only try her best to get the emperor back on the right track.
Ran Ran felt that her words had some deep meaning. What does it mean to change the destiny privately? Shouldn't the emperor in the destiny be Su Yu? Who else could it be? Is it the rebellious Prince Ping?
Ran Ran did not understand the grievances between the previous royal families of Da Qi, and was confused for a moment.
However, what surprised Zhou Feihua more than Su Yu was that Su Yishui actually voluntarily allowed himself to be captured just to subdue the restless dragon.
"When did he become so concerned about the world?" While saying this, Zhou Feihua was still intentionally or unintentionally turning the dagger in her hand, as if looking for an opportunity to bypass Ran Ran and stab to death the unconscious man lying on the bed.
Ran Ran had no choice but to be on guard against her. She sat in front of her master to protect him, and said proudly, "My master has always been such a good person. Not only does he save the world, he also cares about his disciples and fights demons everywhere. Even if he doesn't have any cultivation, he can still become a god by accumulating good deeds!"
Zhou Feihua was a little unsure whether the person the little girl was talking about was the same person Su Yishui she knew.
In her impression, Su Yishui was always that cold-hearted boy. So after hearing Ran Ranman's innocent words, she just laughed lazily and said coldly, "It's just that a young girl like you who has not experienced much of the world can't see through his true face... But, is it true that he said that he can accomplish it by noon tomorrow?"
Ran Ran nodded and said in a deep voice: "But if we can find a way to untie the dragon chain, it will be safer. The ladies in the harem all said that the emperor turned over your cards the most. They all said that pillow talk works. Can you try to find a way?"
Zhou Feihua smiled bitterly when she heard this: "He turned over my sign? He just wanted to see me dancing with a sword in a red dress and reminiscing about my old friend. He and I didn't sleep together all night, so I couldn't blow it even if I wanted to."
When she said this, Zhou Feihua's face showed some regret, but she didn't have the resentful expression of an abandoned concubine in the harem. But these words made people feel sad. In this case, hasn't she been living like a widow in the palace for the past twenty years?
But Zhou Feihua said that it was all right. She had been enjoying calligraphy and painting in recent years, and had also become proficient in swords and spears. Her swordsmanship was even better than when she was a girl, so she was quite happy.
Ranran nodded after listening. Zhou Feihua turned the hard years of a concubine in the harem into the retirement life of a big boss in the inner court who retired to his hometown to enjoy his old age.
This Concubine Jing is truly a master at taking advantage of the passing of time.
Zhou Feihua listened to Ran Ran's envy, but smiled and said: "If I have the chance, I will definitely walk out of this palace, enjoy the mountains and rivers, and be free and unfettered. That's the life that people should live..."
Ran Ran also felt that it was a pity for someone like Zhou Feihua to stay in the palace to serve a sick emperor, so she said seriously, "There will definitely be a chance. When the time comes, we will have a good time and make up for all the years of debt!"
Instigating the concubine to flee was truly treasonous, but Zhou Feihua laughed heartily upon hearing it, clasped his fists and said in a very chivalrous manner: "Then I'll borrow your good words!"
It was incredible that they could have such a pleasant conversation despite their age difference of fourteen or fifteen years.
In this case, the cooperation between the two can still be discussed. Zhou Feihua promised that she would find a way to cover for her master tomorrow until the dragon flew away from the palace.
Ran Ran said that the Seven Evils Transfiguration Curse was just a sorcery used by Longquan to seduce people. Once used, one would lose his true self. Although Zhou Feihua hoped that Su Yu would recover, he could not do so at the cost of losing his mind.
If an emperor loses his benevolence and kindness, the consequences will be unbearable for the people of the world.
After the two of them discussed this, the sky was getting light. The palace maids had not yet gotten up, but Ran Ran felt hungry.
Fortunately, Concubine Jing lived a secluded life in the palace, so she actually had a small kitchen with a small stove for heating water and rice, which was just right for heating porridge.
When Ranran saw chicken and scallops in the small kitchen, she remembered the recipe of the secret chicken porridge mentioned in the manual, and learned how to cook a pot of it. The rice soup in it was just right to feed the unconscious master.
Although he was in a state of fasting and did not need to eat or drink, he still needed to replenish himself considering how haggard he was after being possessed by the white tiger last time.
Zhou Feihua watched Ranran busy feeding porridge to the unconscious man and wiping his face. Her attentive look seemed more like she was taking care of her beloved husband than being filial to her master.
While eating the porridge cooked by Ran Ran, she said, "Little girl, don't be fooled by your master just because he is good-looking. He is a heartless person. If you fall in love with him, it is doomed to have no good results... Your porridge is really delicious! Why don't you stay in my palace and keep me company..."
At this moment, someone outside the palace suddenly reported: "Your Majesty has arrived, Concubine Jing is here to receive him!"
It turned out that Emperor Su Yu heard that Concubine Jing was unwell, so he came to visit her early in the morning.
After hearing this, Ran Ran's body stiffened slightly, and she felt that things had returned to the starting point. Concubine Jing was going to be stopped by the emperor himself this time. And there was still a man in her bed, and it was Su Yishui, who might as well have been lying on her cousin in the imperial guards!
But Zhou Feihua was very calm. She carried the clothes in the suitcase behind the screen, and together with Ran Ran, she put Su Yishui into the suitcase.
After doing all this, Concubine Jing put some powder on her face and lips, and deliberately made her look haggard before going to see the emperor.
Since Ranran could not show up, she hid in Concubine Jing's inner bedroom to guard her master.
However, before Concubine Jing walked out, His Majesty the Emperor had already opened her door.
Concubine Jing quickly greeted His Majesty.
Across the golden tent, I could only hear the gentle man say, "My beloved, please don't be polite. I heard that you were not feeling well, so I came here specially to see you..."
After saying this, the emperor seemed to sit at the table in Concubine Jing's outer room.
On the table was the chicken porridge that Ranran had just cooked, still emitting steam.
Concubine Jing had no choice but to give way to His Majesty, saying, "I asked the kitchen to make some porridge just now. If Your Majesty is hungry, it can help to fill your stomach."
Ranran and two palace maids knelt in the inner room. Through the gaps in the brocade curtains, they looked up curiously at the Emperor Su Yu, whom they had only heard of but never seen.
The man sitting at the table with a gentle look on his face was 50% similar to the fake stand-in.
However, no matter how carefully a double is trained, it is impossible for him to have the elegance of a royal family. The emperor this time was different from the others in temperament and had an imperial demeanor.
Moreover, Ran Ran discovered that this Su Yu actually had some similarities with his nephew Su Yishui in his eyes and eyebrows, and it seemed that they were both descendants of the imperial Su family.
Unfortunately, Su Yu could not maintain the youthful appearance of a young man like Su Yishui, so his eyes and eyebrows were already marked with traces of time. Moreover, his paper-white skin and tall and thin figure also showed that he was terminally ill.
At this time, Su Yu looked at the fragrant porridge and seemed to be really hungry, so he smiled and said, "The small kitchen of Concubine Jing seems to be better at cooking than my kitchen. The taste of the porridge is very special."
The eunuch beside him had stepped forward earlier, scooped some porridge from the clay pot with a small bowl, and then took a sip. It seemed that Su Yu was very vigilant, and even if it was food for the concubine, the eunuch still needed to taste it.
But in the past, the eunuchs would just take a bite to test whether it was poisonous or not.
But today, after the eunuch who was tasting the food took a bite, he couldn't help but pick up the bowl and take another big sip. The way he ate... was quite voracious.
The eunuchs who served before His Majesty dared not eat anything full except a bowl of porridge before going on duty, otherwise they would be punished by being beaten with a stick if they farted or burped in front of His Majesty.
So the eunuch who was tasting the food was really hungry. He couldn't help but drink up the bowl of chicken porridge which was so delicious that it melted in his mouth...
When he had finished drinking the bowl, he realized that he had lost his composure. He was so frightened that the gluttonous insects disappeared and he knelt on the ground, waiting for His Majesty's punishment.
Su Yu smiled and was actually curious about what the porridge tasted like. The eunuch who was tasting it actually forgot all the rules of the occasion.
So he took the bowl of porridge that Concubine Jing had scooped out from the pot for him, stirred it with a spoon, and then took a sip... The smile on the emperor's handsome face froze for a moment, and then he chewed slowly, swallowed the porridge bit by bit, and drank the bowl clean like the eunuch...
"My dear, who made this porridge?" He suddenly asked Zhou Feihua while eating.
Zhou Feihua was somewhat confused by the question. She said absentmindedly, "It was made by the servants in the small kitchen."
The emperor looked up at her with a smile and said, "Call the person here and have her tell me how to cook it. I will just write down the recipe and give it to the people in the kitchen to prevent those fools from making food that is not to my liking to fool me."
Zhou Feihua never expected the topic would turn here and was really caught off guard.
Ran Ran did not expect that His Majesty was also a foodie, and actually asked how to make porridge in the middle of the night. At this time, the eunuch who was in charge of His Majesty had called the palace maid in the small kitchen.