Everyone looked at the pile of ashes on the ground and whispered to each other, all of them believing it without a doubt.
Zhao Huan laughed and said, "Master Guo, what kind of monster is this?"
Guo Jing said seriously, "This is a nine-tailed fox demon. Your Majesty is the true dragon emperor, and this demon must not approach you. But the Empress is in danger."
When Zhu Lian heard this, his expression changed drastically: "What does Heavenly Master mean?"
"Empress, Your Majesty's incense is not strong. The spirits of the four seas are resentful and all think it is caused by Your Majesty. Now, only by asking Your Majesty to take more concubines and spread the dragon seed can the resentment of the four seas be appeased."
Zhao Huan had been planning to expose this Guo Jing, but after hearing his words, he couldn't help but feel a mixture of surprise and joy. What an opportunity! I've been worried about not being able to take a concubine, and this is the perfect opportunity to get the Queen's approval. It seems Guo Jing should be kept and used, greatly.
As expected, Zhu Lian's face turned pale upon hearing this, and his voice trembled: "Could it be that it was because of my obstruction that Your Majesty suffered such a disaster? I, I..."
As she spoke, tears welled up in Zhu Lian's eyes. Zhao Huan felt a pang in his heart. Was he really going too far in deceiving her?
Guo Jing was a natural at reading people's expressions. A few days ago, he'd heard about the Empress causing a disturbance in the harem after officials urged the Emperor to take a concubine. There's no such thing as a cat that doesn't steal fish. The Emperor would surely be delighted. He was only afraid of the Empress, so he didn't dare mention it again. Now was the perfect opportunity for him to get close to the Emperor.
Zhu Lian was heartbroken: "Well, since it is God's will, I will obey His will."
Zhao Huan's head buzzed with joy. He could now openly select concubines, three palaces, six courtyards, seventy-two concubines. Seventy-two concubines wouldn't be enough! I want seven hundred, a thousand. Choose! Go out and select from the people!
Guo Jing saw Zhao Huan's eyes sparkling in the hall, lost in thought. A faint smile crossed his lips, knowing that his flattery had paid off.
But I can't make this too obvious, or it will seem like I'm too impatient. I can't refuse too much, either, in case that bastard Guo Jing changes his mind.
It was time to act silly. Zhao Huan turned around and looked at Zhu Lian with feigned sadness: "Empress, I was appointed by Heaven. It is God's will that I have many sons and grandsons to continue the incense of my ancestors. But you are the one I miss most in my heart. Don't worry, Empress, you are the only Empress of the Song Dynasty. No one can take your place!"
Zhao Huan was speaking from the heart. Zhu Lian was extremely considerate and attentive to him. He also loved this queen deeply.
Zhu Lian looked at him with a serious expression and smiled bitterly: "As long as your Majesty says this, I will be satisfied."
Zhu Lian's face turned pale, and Zhao Huan felt a deep pain in his heart. However, his lust overcame his rationality, and Zhao Huan, the bastard, remained silent.
Zhu Lian slowly took off her phoenix crown, stood up and walked towards the palace.
Zhao Huan was shocked: "Queen, why are you doing this?"
Zhu Lian's tears rolled down her cheeks as she kowtowed, "Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for the loving relationship we share. However, I truly cannot bear to share Your Majesty's service with another woman. I hope Your Majesty will depose me. I am willing to become a nun and live my life in seclusion."
The ministers below were horrified. The Empress had just been crowned, and now she was about to be deposed by the Emperor. How could this be?
Zhao Huan was even more shocked. He had never expected the queen to be so chaste. He confessed that he had taken concubines only to satisfy his male desires. In fact, Zhao Huan loved this amorous queen deep down.
Zhu Lian obeyed him in everything, and in her little world, there was only Zhao Huan. Zhao Huan felt deeply guilty for deceiving such a simple woman just to satisfy his own desires.
Guo Jing was even more shocked. He didn't expect the queen to make such a choice.
Zhao Huan hurriedly stood up, took the Phoenix Coronet and walked over to put it on Zhu Lian. Then he gently helped her up and said, "I will not depose you, nor will I take a concubine. I wish to be with you for the rest of my life and not have any children from other families."
Zhu Lian had never imagined Zhao Huan would make such a great sacrifice for her. She burst into tears of joy, tears still streaming down her face. She threw herself into Zhao Huan's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
The entire court was in a state of embarrassment, with the emperor hugging the weeping empress. The dignity of the coronation ceremony was gone, replaced by a sentimental affair.
Zhao Huan felt even more guilty. He had wanted to give her a happy and joyful enthronement ceremony, but he didn't expect the situation to turn out like this.
As the saying goes, anger has no place to vent, Zhao Huan immediately targeted Guo Jing.
"Come here! Drag this deceitful Guo Jing out and have him beaten to death!"
Guo Jing was so frightened that his face turned pale. The civil and military officials were even more shocked.
"Your Majesty, this is unacceptable. Master Guo is a hermit. Killing him would be disastrous."
"Your Majesty, Master Guo is an immortal who has descended to earth. We cannot afford to offend him!"
Sun Fu, who had always believed in Guo Jing, fell to the ground in panic and said, "Your Majesty, do not deceive me. This Tianshi Guo has great magical powers. He can call the wind and rain, summon the six divine soldiers, and subdue demons and monsters. Your Majesty, please think twice!"
Zhao Huan pointed at Guo Jing and said, "I ask you, what is the trick behind your transformation? Tell me and I will spare your life!"
Guo Jing took a step back in fear, holding the peach wood sword: "Your Majesty, this is not a trick. I am summoning the heavenly soldiers to capture the nine-tailed fox demon."
"Drag him out! Beat him to death!" Zhao Huan was furious.
All the civil and military officials, except Li Gang and a few others, knelt down and begged for mercy.
"No!" Zhu Lian struggled to break free from Zhao Huan's embrace. She stretched out her delicate hand to block Zhao Huan's mouth: "Your Majesty, you must not kill this Heavenly Master. He has great magical powers. Killing him would be detrimental to our Great Song Dynasty."
Zhao Huan smiled, took Zhu Lian's hand and said, "He is not some worthless Heavenly Master. I will show you a good show."
"Guo Jing, I want to ask you this: Can you really fish out a copper coin from a frying pan?"
"Of course!"
"Alright, you'll perform for me now. Come, set up a big pot outside the hall. Add some hot oil and light some firewood!"
The emperor gave the order. The imperial kitchen was well-equipped, and soon a large pot was set up outside the palace, with vegetable oil poured into it.
Zhao Huan waved his hand and said, "My dear ministers, follow me outside to take a look!"
Zhao Huan took Zhu Lian's hand and said, "Queen, let's go and take a look too."
Zhu Lian didn't understand what was going on, so he just followed along stupidly.
Outside the main hall, the oil pan was already set up, with firewood burning underneath.
Guo Jingdao: "Your Majesty, I will first perform a ritual in this pot!"
Zhao Huan smiled slightly: "Accurate!"
Guo Jing arrived in front of the cauldron and began to act mysterious again. He muttered something and waved his peach wood sword wildly. Then, while no one was paying attention, he threw borax into the cauldron and stirred it with the peach wood sword. Then he pulled a copper coin from his pocket and threw it into the cauldron.
Soon the hot oil in the wok was boiling, and the vegetable oil was boiling in such a short time.
Guo Jing rolled up his sleeves, reached into the hot oil, and fished out the copper coin.
The ministers had already seen this move of his, but they still stared with their eyes wide open in disbelief.
Guo Jing held the copper coin proudly, his arm unharmed.
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