Chapter 2 Extra Chapter 2: Zhaohuang (Male and female protagonists, some parts involve the female protagonist giving birth to daughters...)
In the summer of the third year of Zhaohuang's reign, at the residence of Prime Minister Xu.
The rain poured down, and the raindrops fell like broken strings of water droplets along the patterns on the roof tiles.
The blood began to spread from the cracks in the blue bricks.
Water flowed across the bluestone bricks, forming a stream that flowed into the drainage ditch beside the courtyard wall. A bolt of lightning struck, illuminating the bluestone bricks; it wasn't just rainwater, it was blood.
Blood trickled down the intricately carved dragon-patterned floor tiles; one wonders how much blood could flow so continuously even under such torrential rain.
All eighty-five people from the Xu household were herded into the courtyard, their faces pale, shivering miserably in the rain.
Prime Minister Xu Gaizhi sat in the courtyard, carrying a cup of tea that had long since gone cold, and poured himself a cup of tea. The cup was soon full, and the contents were a dark, indistinct mess, whether from tea or rainwater, it was hard to tell.
Xu Gaizhi drank it all in one gulp without changing his expression: "Since you're here, come in."
The vermilion gate opened, and a dark, gold-painted umbrella-shaped canopy loomed low in.
The man held the umbrella with such steady strength that even the swaying raindrops obediently slid down the golden ribs, not daring to splash even a speck onto his clothes.
The dark-patterned boots stepped across the puddles, tapping the brick surface with an extremely regular rhythm, like the knocking of a vengeful ghost.
The young man, wearing a black cloak, walked in as if no one else was there, under the extremely oppressive gazes of the entire courtyard.
Beneath the umbrella, a jade-like chin.
Even just half a face is enough to make one imagine how cold and beautiful it must be, almost like a demon's face.
"Lord Xu, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Xu Gaizhi trembled as he closed his eyes, his teacup trembling.
Xu Gaizhi and Ge Qing were both veterans of two dynasties. The old man Ge seemed aloof, but he had no backbone and had long become Xie Yutang's "right-hand man". The task of suppressing Xie's chaotic rule and returning power to Lin was still up to him.
Xu Gaizhi, under the pretext of "restoring the Prince of Pingnan", raised an army of 100,000 in Yingkou to attack Xie Yutang, who was ten months pregnant and about to give birth.
Over the years, the Empress's control over the court has become increasingly stable. If she were to give birth to a child, wouldn't the world then belong to the Xie family?
Taking advantage of Xie Yutang's imminent delivery and her being most preoccupied with her own affairs, Xu Gaizhi resolutely raised an army.
To his surprise, the army was defeated after only seven days.
King Su Lu of the Northern Rong led an army of 200,000 to suppress the rebellion, crushing it with overwhelming force.
The rebel leader was stripped of his official rank and executed by slow slicing. The heads of several prominent families involved were beheaded at Duting Post Station in Yingkou, their property was confiscated, and their relatives were exiled. Those who pleaded for leniency at court were all demoted.
When the news reached the capital, Xu Gaizhi had anticipated this day.
"No! Don't kill my father! I beg you!" A young man suddenly broke free from his restraints, threw himself in front of Su Lu, and kowtowed repeatedly. "It was all my idea! It was my fault! Please spare my father!"
"Sorry, Ling!"
A pair of dark-patterned cloud-patterned boots came into view: "Actually, that's not wrong."
Xu Shuling looked up in a daze.
The young man leaned down, his cold and beautiful face like a demon from hell, his thin lips curled up, and his sword pierced his heart cleanly and decisively.
Xu Gaizhi's eyes were bloodshot, but he was firmly pressed down on the stone table by the guards on both sides, unable to move an inch.
"Su Lu, you'll die a horrible death! You vixen who seduced the master! Even your only child doesn't bear your surname! You think you're so noble! You're nothing but a dog wagging its tail and begging for mercy under a woman's skirt!"
Amidst the hoarse curses, the young man's pale fingers slid across the blade, and blood dripped like beads. His clear voice, like pearls falling to the ground, was clearly audible in the downpour.
*
Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Su Lu strode towards the inner hall. The palace attendants, while reporting the situation, hurriedly caught the cloak he casually took off. The dark fabric was flung off with the movement, leaving a trail of scarlet blood on the blue brick floor.
Before he could change his clothes, he washed his hands in a bronze basin and then heard a loud cry from inside the hall.
When the Northern Rong King entered the palace, the palace servants and imperial physicians knelt down. Su Lu's gaze was fixed on Xie Yutang, and the two understood each other's situation with just a glance.
Xie Yutang's temples were damp with sweat, but she seemed to be in good spirits. She gave him a slight smile and looked to the side: "Our child."
Su Lu took the swaddling clothes from the midwife. It was such a small bundle, completely red, with wet baby hair, like a freshly peeled lychee.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! It's a little princess! With a full forehead and a square jaw, she truly has the countenance of a dragon!"
The second half of the sentence was originally used to describe the princes, but now that the Empress of Da Yan is in power, she has decreed that all imperial heirs, regardless of gender, should avoid using the name "Zai Ning," taking the meaning of "peace and tranquility for all nations" from the Book of Documents.
His ambition to nurture the world and bring peace to the land is already evident.
The midwife was perceptive and naturally chose to say things that pleased the emperor. Sure enough, she received a reward from His Majesty and the king. Not only that, the entire palace received a three-month salary increase, and everyone was overjoyed.
*
In the third year of Emperor Zhaohuang's reign, the Emperor gave birth to a daughter, whom he named Xie Zaining. On the same day, Chancellor Xu Gaizhi conspired with his faction to rebel, and Su Lu, the King of the Northern Rong, led his army to quell the rebellion. Su Lu used harsh and severe punishments, implicating many people, which terrified the court and the public.
The princess was taught by renowned scholars from a young age, and she was proficient in all aspects of literature, military strategy, horsemanship, archery, and the art of being an emperor.
In the eighteenth year of Emperor Zhaohuang's reign, the Emperor issued an edict establishing his daughter, Zaining, as Crown Prince, allowing her to participate in court affairs. The Crown Prince was renowned for his virtue and benevolence, and all officials were devoted to him.
In the spring of the twentieth year, Emperor Zhaohuang abdicated, and the entire Northern Rong tribe submitted to the throne. The new emperor ascended the throne and changed the country's name to "Jing".
During the reign of Emperor Zhaohuang, reforms were implemented, the imperial examinations were established to select officials, women's education was initiated, and the Han and non-Han peoples gradually integrated.
When Emperor Jinghui took office, the government was efficient and the people were harmonious, the world was united, and the dynasty lasted a long time.
Two dynasties succeeded each other, lasting for fifty years. The treasury was full, and no one picked up lost items on the road. This period is known in history as the "Reign of Zhao and Jing".
*
"Aren't you afraid that history will record your iron-fisted methods?"
After Xie Yutang abdicated, he and Su Lu traveled all over the famous mountains and rivers, and saw the scenery of various places. In the spring, they had a horse race in Beirong. In the autumn, Xie Yutang said he wanted to eat rice cakes from Jiangnan, so the two of them traveled south. After eating the rice cakes, it was almost time for the Lantern Festival. The lantern festival in the neighboring town of Sendai was the most lively, with a wide variety of lanterns. Its fame spread all the way to the palace.
Since Su Lu took the initiative to bring it up, the two of them went to Sendai Town and took a boat to enjoy the lanterns. During the ride, they heard a storyteller telling folk tales, vividly recounting the Xu family rebellion.
"The King of Beirong was driven to rage by a woman; you can criticize him, but you can't criticize Empress Zhaohuang..."
After listening to a few words, Xie Yutang pulled Su Lu out. The two of them enjoyed the sea breeze. Xie Yutang used her fingers to remove the red jade bracelet on Su Lu's wrist and stroked the crabapple tree: "Gossip is a fearsome thing. You've done all the dirty work for me. Aren't you afraid of being cursed by future generations?"
"History is as its name suggests, consisting of only one person and one mouth. What future generations say about it is none of my business."
Su Lu smiled nonchalantly, raised his hand and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I want to go to Sendai Temple tomorrow. If you don't want to get up early, you can sleep in a little longer. I'll prepare the food before I leave and have Huaijin and Woyu heat it up for you."
Xie Yutang leaned on his shoulder, looking at the endless rows of lanterns on the shore: "Sendai Temple, what place is that?"
"A temple."
"How about we go this afternoon?"
"It's best to go early in the morning."
"Then I'll go with you."
"good."
The next day, Xie Yutang got up early, which was unusual for him, and went up the mountain with Su Lu.
The stone steps were covered with deep moss, and pine needles fell softly. Looking up, one could see a section of gray-white temple wall, half-hidden in the clouds and mist.
Upon entering, one is greeted by an old plum tree with roots that twist and turn like a dragon. The meditation room is very quiet, and the scriptures on the table are not yet bound, rustling softly as they are turned by the breeze.
Su Lu washed his hands and burned incense with utmost piety. When he bowed, his hair was spread out on the prayer mat like a splash of ink.
Xie Yutang followed his example and bowed, inserting incense sticks into the incense burner on the offering table.
The two walked down the mountain side by side.
"You believe in this?" Xie Yutang asked.
Su Lu took her hand, and the two slowly walked towards the inn where they were staying: "Now I believe you."
Xie Yutang seemed to sense something and stopped walking.
As the sun rose, the sky was filled with golden clouds, and the sunlight shone on his face, casting a shadow on his eyelashes and lower eyelids.
She looked at him and asked very softly, "So, did your wish come true?"
The two touched hands, and the red jade bracelet struck the red jade ring, producing a soft hum in the rosy light.
"It's done."
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