five
The day before the mission departed, after the morning court session, Zhao Zhen brought Rong Wei to Xiaoyou Villa to quietly wait for Xuanyuan Tianyi, who was still fast asleep.
When Xuanyuan Tianyi arrived at the side hall, Zhao Zhen was engrossed in reading a book. Hearing Xuanyuan Tianyi's footsteps, he put down the book and smiled, "You've finally gotten up."
"How long have you been waiting?" Xuan Yuan Tianyi asked as he walked to the couch and sat down.
"Not long, only two hours." Zhao Zhen smiled. Indeed, it wasn't long; this was the shortest time he had ever waited since he met Xuan Yuan Tianyi.
Looking at the sky outside, Xuanyuan Tianyi turned to Zhao Zhen and asked, "You came right after court?" After seeing Zhao Zhen nod, he said, "You rushed over so early, it's not because I'm going to the Southern Frontier tomorrow and you came to say goodbye, is it?"
Because his thoughts had been seen through, Zhao Zhen shook his head indulgently: "You understand me best."
"That's all for the Imperial Cat." There was a rare hint of displeasure, like a child's whine, in Xuan Yuan Tian Yi's voice.
"My jest back then has unexpectedly brought him so much trouble." Zhao Zhen said, recalling the much-discussed cat-and-mouse rivalry, his tone tinged with helplessness.
Xuanyuan Tianyi glanced at Zhao Zhen's expression and laughed, "People in the martial world are impulsive and often risk their lives for the sake of titles, as you know. Knowing the name of the Five Rats, you still insist on bestowing the title of Imperial Cat upon Zhan Zhao. I really don't know what you were thinking. However, apart from the trouble, it has certainly brought him some amusement."
After listening to Xuan Yuan Tianyi's words, Zhao Zhen thought about how, since Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang met, although they always argued for a long time whenever they met, it was undeniable that Zhan Zhao smiled much more often. Thinking of how Bai Yutang would get so angry at the somewhat cunning Zhan Zhao, Zhao Zhen's smile deepened. Outside the complex court, Zhan Zhao was fortunate to have such a like-minded friend: "Tianyi, I entrust Zhan Zhao to you."
“You look just like a mother hen protecting her chicks right now.” Xuan Yuantian smiled and looked at Zhao Zhen. “The Southern Hero is not just a name; you know that better than I do. After these two years of experience in the imperial court, Zhan Zhao has long since shed his naivety and become much more mature. You should trust him.”
"It's not that I don't trust him, it's just that the witchcraft in the Southern Frontier is different from others. He's already being targeted, and I'm afraid he'll fall into their trap." As Zhao Zhen said this, he couldn't help but recall the time a few years ago when he suffered greatly from witchcraft in the Southern Frontier. If it weren't for Xuan Yuan Tianyi back then, who knows who would be sitting on the dragon throne of the Great Song Dynasty right now?
Xuanyuan Tianyi knew that Zhao Zhen had recalled the past, so he said, "Don't worry, I will definitely protect him."
"I want more than just his safety." Zhao Zhen rose and walked towards Xuan Yuan Tianyi, stopping two steps away. He gazed at the person before him, his voice filled with longing. "And you, you must return to me unharmed."
After gazing intently at Zhao Zhen for a long time, Xuan Yuan Tianyi spoke softly, "Have you considered how you would face the ancestral precepts and family rules if our earlier guesses were correct?"
"Compared to ancestral precepts and family laws, the fate of the nation is what I should consider more," Zhao Zhen said, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. The aura unique to an emperor instantly enveloped his entire being.
"It's good that you have a plan in mind." Xuan Yuantian looked at Zhao Zhen in front of him. Only when facing him would he not hide his imperial aura.
Zhao Zhen knew what Xuanyuan Tianyi was worried about, and made a royal promise: "Rest assured, no matter what we face in the future, I will not sacrifice Kaifeng Prefecture."
"I'm relieved to hear that." Xuan Yuan Tianyi leaned back, creating some distance between himself and Zhao Zhen.
Zhao Zhen scrutinized Xuan Yuan Tianyi for a long time before finally speaking: "Since when did even you stop trusting me?"
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s just that your status dictates that you often can’t do as you please. From the moment you ascended the throne, it was destined that you would have to sacrifice some people and some things. Even your closest relatives.” Xuan Yuan Tianyi’s voice carried a hint of remoteness.
"Is this why you refuse to enter the palace?" Zhao Zhen stared intently at Xuan Yuan Tianyi, who deliberately kept his distance. When he first heard Xuan Yuan Tianyi refuse, Zhao Zhen hadn't asked, because there were some things that Zhao Zhen understood even if Xuan Yuan Tianyi didn't say them. However, this didn't mean that Zhao Zhen didn't want to hear Xuan Yuan Tianyi say it. Or rather, for so many years, Zhao Zhen had been waiting for Xuan Yuan Tianyi to give him an answer, even if they both knew the answer in their hearts.
“I just don’t want to share you with other women.” There was a hint of resentment in Xuan Yuan Tianyi’s voice. She knew that Zhao Zhen had been waiting for her to say it herself. However, their fates had been sealed from the first time they met many years ago, and neither of them could escape it.
"If you had been willing back then, my harem could have contained only you!" Zhao Zhen leaned forward, bending down to gaze at Xuan Yuan Tianyi, exuding a dangerous aura. At this moment, stripped of his imperial dominance, Zhao Zhen was simply a man hopelessly entangled in his emotions.
Looking at Zhao Zhen's face, which was slightly flushed with anger, Xuan Yuan Tianyi sighed softly: "Empress Liu at that time would not have allowed you to do this!"
Zhao Zhen lowered his head even further, almost looking at Xuan Yuantianyi at eye level: "Actually, you know that if I wanted to, I could do it."
“But you are the emperor of the Song Dynasty. You must know that there are things you can do and things you cannot do,” Xuanyuan Tianyi said solemnly.
Upon hearing Xuan Yuan Tianyi's words, Zhao Zhen's anger intensified: "I am not the one who should be the emperor of the Great Song Dynasty. It was the late emperor who forced this upon me."
"Zhen!" Xuan Yuantian's voice was gentle, his gaze towards Zhao Zhen filled with affection, gradually soothing Zhao Zhen's emotions. "You had only recently ascended the throne. Although you had considerable influence among the common people, your influence in the court was still shallow. Although ancestral rules forbade the empress dowager from interfering in politics, Empress Dowager Liu still had the power to depose you and install a new emperor. I have witnessed your efforts over the years, and I do not want all your efforts to be in vain for my sake. There are some responsibilities you must bear, and some feelings you must give up. Sometimes I think, if it weren't for me, perhaps you wouldn't be the emperor. Being a carefree prince wouldn't have been such a bad thing. But everything is preordained. Perhaps the late emperor and the Eighth Prince bringing you to the Carefree Pavilion was Heaven's way of using me to reveal your true identity as the Son of Heaven."
At this moment, the anger in Zhao Zhen's eyes had disappeared, replaced by deep pain and resentment. He pulled Xuan Yuantian into his arms, his slightly trembling body revealing the suppressed emotions in his heart: "Promise me, you must come back safely."
Xuanyuan Tianyi didn't miss the fact that Zhao Zhen used "I" instead of "朕" (the imperial "I" in Zhao Zhen's speech). This wasn't an emperor's concern for his subjects, but a man's admonition to the woman he loved. Xuanyuan Tianyi nodded gently and buried his face in Zhao Zhen's chest.
After a long while, Zhao Zhen finally released Xuan Yuan Tianyi: "Remember what you promised me. I not only want the country to be stable forever, but I also want my loved ones to be safe and happy."
A beautiful smile gradually bloomed on Xuanyuan Tianyi's face. It was a genuine smile from the bottom of his heart, a smile he wanted to present to his beloved. "Zhen, since I placed you on this throne, then I will protect this empire for you."
Gazing out the door, the image of Zhao Zhen's proud and resolute departing figure lingered in his mind, and a nameless sorrow enveloped Xuan Yuan Tianyi. Feeling himself being pulled into a warm embrace, Xuan Yuan Tianyi asked softly, "Mo Yan, why me?"
Leng Moyan knew that what Xuan Yuantianyi was asking was why he had recognized her as his master and chosen her to be the owner of Xiaoyao Tower. The seemingly self-evident reason, coupled with Xuan Yuantianyi's sorrowful expression, made Leng Moyan tenderly stroke her cheek, ultimately unable to speak.
"I know, Mo Yan, it's not your fault. Even if you didn't acknowledge me as your master, I still couldn't escape the arrangement of fate. Deep affection is short-lived, my fate was already predetermined." Xuan Yuan Tian wrapped his arms around Leng Mo Yan's waist, just like when he was a child, buried his head in Leng Mo Yan's arms, and gently closed his eyes.
On the third day of the fourth lunar month, a wedding delegation led by a Grand Secretary of the Longtu Pavilion departed from Tokyo. Escorted by three hundred Imperial Guards, they were ordered to the border between the Song and Dali kingdoms to welcome Princess Qingyuan to the Song Dynasty. Accompanying them were two officials from the Ministry of Rites, four palace maids, and the two men, Xuan Yuan Tianyi and Leng Moyan, who were also ordered to accompany the delegation. To avoid attracting attention, Xuan Yuan Tianyi deliberately did not ride in her usual red carriage, but instead chose a plain-looking carriage without any decorations. Leng Moyan, who was driving, also used a bamboo hat to cover his rather striking lake-blue hair. In fact, Xuan Yuan Tianyi frequently entered and exited the palace, so the three hundred Imperial Guards were quite familiar with her. If anyone was unfamiliar with her, it was only the two officials from the Ministry of Rites; this was simply to guard against anyone with ulterior motives.
Since leaving the capital, the delegation had traveled day and night, finally arriving in the southern border region forty-five days later. That day, the delegation checked into the post station. After everyone was settled, Li Jie, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards, came to Bao Zheng's room. After exchanging greetings, Li Jie got straight to the point: "Lord Bao, tomorrow we will meet with the Dali wedding procession. After exchanging official documents, we can welcome Princess Qingyuan into Song territory. But since entering the southern border region, Lord Bao, what are your thoughts?"
Even if Li Jie hadn't said anything, Bao Zheng had already sensed something strange. Since entering the Southern Frontier, the local customs and traditions he usually encountered had become deliberately quiet: "Quiet, too quiet." Bao Zheng looked at Li Jie after saying this.
"Indeed, Lord Bao, it seems we are not well received. At least so far, we haven't met any local officials. This is quite unusual." Li Jie frowned slightly. Perhaps it was because the Imperial Guards were the Emperor's personal guards, and wherever they went, local officials would greet them warmly. But this situation was too unusual. If there were no special circumstances, then there was only one thing: the disloyalty of the Southern Frontier had reached a point of no concealment. It seemed that someone didn't want the delegation to leave!
As he was pondering, a commotion broke out outside. Li Jie looked up and exchanged a glance with Bao Zheng, and saw an Imperial Guard rushing over.
"What's going on outside?" Li Jie asked in a deep voice.
"Reporting to Vice Commander Li, Lord Bao, Lord Wang has suddenly gone mad for some unknown reason."
Upon hearing this, Bao Zheng and Li Jie quickly got up and went outside. When they reached the courtyard, Zhan Zhao had already subdued the crazed Lord Wang. Lord Wang's official robes were torn in several places, his eyes were cloudy and unfocused, and he stood there blankly. Bao Zheng and Li Jie frowned, but before they could speak, Xuan Yuan Tian stepped forward to Lord Wang. After pressing his right hand on several acupoints on Lord Wang's body, he struck him squarely in the chest. A mouthful of blood spurted onto the ground. Everyone present gasped, the timid ones turning deathly pale. Even Li Jie and Zhan Zhao, who had risked their lives, were moved. From the blood, a black worm, over an inch long, was slowly crawling. The sounds of vomiting began to rise from around them. Xuan Yuan Tianyi gestured to Leng Moyan with his eyes, then turned to look at Lord Wang. Lord Wang's eyes had regained their clarity and focus, but his face had gradually turned pale from seeing the worms he had vomited, and fine beads of sweat covered his forehead. Xuan Yuan Tianyi knew he was quite frightened, so he sighed softly and stepped forward gently, saying, "Lord Wang, please hand over your wrist to Tianyi."
Xuanyuan Tianyi placed three fingers on Lord Wang's still trembling wrist, and released him after a moment: "Lord Wang is fine now, but he is a little weak and needs to recuperate."
Although he was frightened, Lord Wang was, after all, a scholar, and he forced himself to calm down, saying in a slightly hoarse voice, "Thank you, Miss Xuanyuan, for saving my life."
"Lord Wang, you flatter me." After saying this, Xuan Yuantian turned his head and nodded to Bao Zheng and Li Jie.
Seeing that Leng Moyan had dealt with the insects, Li Jie glanced at Bao Zheng. Upon seeing Bao Zheng nod, he immediately arranged for the Imperial Guards to strengthen the defenses, with guards every three steps and sentries every five steps inside the post station. However, everyone knew in their hearts that no matter how strong the defenses were, it was easy to dodge open attacks but difficult to guard against hidden arrows when faced with these poisonous insects.
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