Chapter 435 Zhao Duan "Resurrection" (5k)
The study was filled with a strange atmosphere.
Zhao Duan felt a little reserved and surprised as he felt Zhenbao's hand guiding his own and holding the brush to draw lines on the paper.
However, his mind was not on painting at all, but on feeling the strange touch and feeling happy.
Although this was not the first time that the king and his minister had "held hands", the nature of this time was very different from the previous times.
The most notable point is...
"She's so proactive..."
"No, shouldn't a normal script have a man teaching a woman how to draw and then taking advantage of her? Oh no, I think I got the female lead's script... Oh, she's the Empress, so that's fine..."
Zhao Duan's mind was in a tangle of thoughts. His usual cleverness and slickness were gone at this moment. He felt a bit clumsy.
And from a perspective that he couldn't see, Xu Zhenguan's fair face was also slightly hot.
She was also a little surprised at her own behavior today, but perhaps it was the "disclosure" of a certain identity at the banquet that made her think that she should try to move forward and take the initiative to promote the relationship.
Well, the emperor, who had never been in a relationship with a woman, didn't know what to do, but she felt that she had to take the initiative.
Well, as a queen, I like to be on it - I only mean painting.
The two people had their own thoughts, and the only thing they had in common was that neither of them put their thoughts into the painting itself. Fortunately, with the support of the empress's skills, even if one had complicated thoughts and the other was distracted, the "self-portrait" finally sketched on the paper still had a good charm.
"Okay, that's enough."
Xu Zhenguan let out a light breath, withdrew his hand, felt the sweet sweat oozing from his neck, and said somewhat awkwardly.
"Oh, oh." Zhao Duan then put down the brush and stood up carefully.
"How about this painting?" Xu Zhenguan raised the corner of his mouth and raised his chin, indicating that he wanted to comment on this self-portrait.
There is a sense of showing off.
Zhao Duan was confused and nodded.
"This painting is so white... No, Your Majesty, it's so vivid... No, this painting is so vivid, it seems to have come alive, lifelike, yes, lifelike!"
"..." Xu Zhenguan rolled his eyes in mock anger, not bothering to correct his words. He stood up and said:
"Alright, it's getting late. I'll take Zhuang Xiaocheng and leave first. I'll also help you conceal the news of your return to the city. If anything happens, have someone contact you through the White Horse Prison. There are also Imperial Palace experts near your home."
He added, "I'll leave this painting for you to ponder."
Zhao Duan walked over respectfully, held up the drawing paper with both hands, and said seriously:
"I will have it framed and hung in my room to study day and night."
Xu Zhenguan said "yes", very satisfied with his attitude, picked up the box containing the tutor on the ground, took two steps, and suddenly felt something was wrong. He turned his head and glanced at him, warning:
"You are only allowed to speculate on it, and you cannot use it for any other purpose."
"Ah?" Zhao Duan held the scroll with a confused look on his face.
The empress's face was already slightly flushed, and she seemed to have remembered something. She carried the box out of the study, used magic, and returned to the palace.
Tsk tsk, it seems Zhenbao is not as naive as imagined... That's right, people in ancient times got married in their teens, and she is almost 30... Those who understand will understand... Zhao Duan was amazed, feeling that the cold fairy had suddenly become down-to-earth.
Shaking his head and carefully putting the portrait away, Zhao Duan walked out of the study and stood in the corridor waiting for a while.
Seeing Gongshu Tianyuan approaching from a distance, holding a "recording scroll" in his hand, he threw it to him like a hot potato:
"I'll give you what you want. Tsk... I was scared to death when His Majesty looked over at me just now. It's a shame that halfway through the recording, His Majesty used his cultivation to 'block' the room. Speaking of which, what did you and His Majesty do after you interrogated Zhuang Xiaocheng? Why did you take so long to come out?"
The fat little priest's eyes flickered around his waist, giving him a look that any man could understand, and he mouthed:
"A short separation makes the heart grow fonder?"
Zhao Duan's face fell, thinking to himself, you really think highly of me. With Zhenbao's personality, she would probably only take that step on the wedding day, in the bridal chamber...
"Brother Gongshu, what are you thinking about? Zhuang Xiaocheng is still in the house. Your Majesty and I are discussing the situation of the rebels, and it is inconvenient for us to discuss it outside."
Zhao Duan was righteous and looked down on Gongshu Tianyuan, saying that he was too dirty and that he was ashamed to be associated with him.
Then he coughed lightly:
"Alright, I've discussed this with His Majesty. From now on, everyone will stay at my house temporarily. When Prefect Luan arrives in Beijing, I will personally send Old Dog Zhuang off."
…
…
Due to deliberate concealment, few people knew about Zhao Duan's return, and even less did they know that the "dead" Zhuang Xiaocheng had been secretly imprisoned in the imperial palace.
In the next few days, Xu Zhenguan followed the strategy proposed by Zhao Duan, almost looking for trouble to crack down on the Li Party and weaken it.
The Li Party, which had been stimulated by the "New Deal" and was like a hedgehog with its hair standing on end, tacitly did not resist the empress's move.
Without even a symbolic resistance, certain interests were thrown out - this was completely consistent with what Zhao Duan had speculated.
In the courtyard of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
"Little Cabinet Master" Li Yinglong stood under the eaves and carefully reported to Li Yanfu, who was wrapped in a cotton coat, holding an arrow in the chilly spring breeze, and practicing "tossing a pot":
"...Father, as you instructed, everyone below is being patient and allowing Your Majesty to vent his anger."
"That's right," Li Yanfu, wrapped in a loose red robe, with a white jade pendant tied around his chest and his graying hair hanging down from his temples, clapped his hands and said after seeing the arrow hit the copper pot.
"Your Majesty is furious now. In his eyes, if it weren't for his father's pressure, Zhao Duan wouldn't have had to go to Binhai and die. If it were an ordinary woman, facing such a murder, she would have no idea how to retaliate fiercely.
But Your Majesty is still Your Majesty, and Zhao Duan is not the imperial consort who will be the bridegroom. Your Majesty needs to be angry, but not too much. If a woman is angry and provokes him, she may become a victim of his anger.
Li Yinglong smiled and said:
"Father is right. The people below also understand this principle and are very well behaved."
He was in a good mood, or rather, the entire Li Party was in a good mood recently.
With the help of the Kuangfu Society, they eliminated the great enemy Zhao Duan, which not only relieved their anger but also calmed the pent-up emotions within the party.
Li Yinglong said:
"However, regarding this juncture, regarding the new policy officials, especially the position that the Governor of the Grand Canal Transport wants, we still..."
Li Yanfu gave him a cold look:
"Don't interfere. The appointment and dismissal of new government officials is under scrutiny from top to bottom. The rest of the area is fine, but Jiancheng Road is too dangerous. We can't touch it. Got it?"
Li Yinglong nodded somewhat unwillingly: "I understand."
"Yes," Li Yanfu nodded with satisfaction, picked up another arrow, and said:
"The rebels Luan Cheng is escorting should be entering the city. Once Your Majesty has killed these rebels and vented his anger, this disaster will be over. Winter is not a good time to move around. Let's wait for the spring breeze to blow before we can move around."
…
Jizhao nunnery.
In the lonely little courtyard, beside the lotus pond, Prajna Bodhisattva stands quietly holding a jade bottle.
A pair of almost transparent eyes stared at the gradually melting ice in the pond and the fish swimming below, and said:
"How come you have the time to come here?"
By the pond, the monk Bianji, dressed in white, with red lips and white teeth, smiled calmly and said:
"Given the Bodhisattva's current status within Shenlong Temple, isn't it natural for him to inform you of any matters, big or small, within the temple?"
After the self-debate, Zhao Duan's sudden enlightenment of Buddhism attracted the arrival of the "Buddha", and the trend of Zen suddenly took off in Shenlong Temple.
With Prajna Bodhisattva as the representative, it was easy for the disciples who originally belonged to Master Dajing to come and join him in order to seek protection.
Today, in Shenlong Temple, Abbot Xuanyin is still the most powerful, followed by Prajna and Nagarjuna Bodhisattva, each leading a force.
It's a bit like the "Three Kingdoms" story.
Although Prajna was elected as the leader, he still had little interest in factional struggles and continued to live in Jizhao Temple.
"Oh, if you have anything to say, just tell me."
The graceful and plump figure of Prajna Bodhisattva was reflected on the water, and her voice was lazy and low.
She has been like this since she received the news of Zhao Duan's death.
Bian Ji said, "News has come from the temple in the east that people have been sent from Qingshan Mountain in the East China Sea to deliver a declaration of war to the court for next year."
Prajna became slightly interested, turned her head and stared at him with her beautiful eyes, and said suddenly:
"A declaration of war? Yes, I almost forgot... In the past, the Yu Kingdom's Taizu imitated the Buddhist and Taoist battles and also established a tradition of challenging the Qingshan martial arts tradition. It was after the Buddhist and Taoist battles."
Bian Ji smiled and said:
"To be precise, it will be in the early spring of next year. According to tradition, both parties must issue a challenge within a year before the scheduled battle.
The last time there was a battle, it was the royal priest Hai Chunlin who replaced the royal family members at that time and went to Qingshan to keep the appointment and barely managed it.
But this time, Wu Xiankui will not be willing to be fooled again. This time, the emperor in the palace can't escape. "
Prajna's brows were languid: "You seem very happy."
Bian Ji smiled and said:
"Why can't we Buddhists be happy to have the chance to witness the royal family's excitement? Or is Prajna Bodhisattva still worried about Zhao Duan? Because he helped you during the debate? Or does the Bodhisattva really have a crush on this cauldron?"
Prajna's brows suddenly turned cold: "Get out."
"Bang!!"
A surge of magical power exploded in the silent courtyard, and columns of water rose from the pond, scaring away the fish.
Bian Ji took several steps back, his face flushed red, and the monk's robe covering his body was torn into pieces.
Anger flashed across his face, but he quickly subsided and smiled.
"I will no longer disturb the Bodhisattva's rest."
He turned and left the yard, waving his sleeves and slowly walked towards the gate of Jizhao Temple.
Halfway through the journey, he stopped and raised his eyebrows slightly:
"Grand Princess Yunyang?"
Because the weather had warmed up, Princess Yunyang, who was basking in the sun in the courtyard, wearing a monk's robe that she had modified with scissors, stood in front of him, staring at the mage with red lips and white teeth, and said with a smile:
"I feel lonely here, with no one to talk to. I also have many questions about Buddhism. Master, it's been a while since you last came here. Would you be willing to give me some guidance?"
Study Buddhism?
Bian Ji's brows relaxed slightly as he looked at Yun Yang, who was dressed as a nun. Suddenly, the image of Prajna Bodhisattva emerged in his mind, and the images of the two women slowly overlapped.
"this……"
Yunyang smiled and pulled his sleeve, walking towards the meditation room:
"I'm just asking for advice on Buddhism. Master Bianji won't refuse, will he?"
"……All right."
…
…
“Crash—”
As the spring breeze melted the ice on the river, the earth thawed, and the rivers began to ripple, the official ship escorting the rebels finally slowly arrived at the capital's dock.
on deck.
Prefect Luan Cheng stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the city gate with General Yuanji, who was clad in armor and carrying a war hammer, and both breathed a sigh of relief.
"We're finally here."
Magistrate Luan smiled at Yuanji and said:
"You will disembark later. According to the rules, troops from outside the city cannot enter the city without orders to be transferred. I hope that the military officers from the Beijing camp will come and lead you to the Beijing camp for resettlement. I will lead the prisoners into the city. So I have to say goodbye to you for now."
Yuanji, who looked like a mountain of flesh, was filled with worry:
"Once the prefect enters the city, I'm afraid he'll face the wrath of His Majesty. I..."
No... you don't know the truth at all. Lord Zhao should have entered the city by now. Well, I hope nothing unexpected happened... Prefect Luan smiled and didn't explain.
Yuanji was immediately impressed.
Lang Shiba, who also walked onto the deck, silently held the wine gourd, drank it down with his head tilted back, wiped the corners of his mouth, and let the spring breeze caress his face, feeling a little bored.
When the group got off the boat, they were indeed met by people from the Beijing camp.
Yuanji and other local troops were led away, and the rebels on the boat were loaded onto carts by the imperial guards of the Beijing camp who were waiting there, and taken into the city together with Prefect Luan.
Inside the prison van, Lin Yuebai silently gazed at the growing city, looking thin and haggard.
Kou Qichi's lips trembled in the same prison car:
"Sister, we're going to die soon, right?"
Lin Yuebai smiled bitterly, hugged his brother, who had a different surname but whose blood was thicker than water, and said with a sense of relief:
"I'll probably have to torture you. During the interrogation, you don't have to bear it. Just tell me whatever they ask."
Seeing her brother's refusal to yield, she shook her head bitterly:
"Don't worry, the Grand Master is dead. The information we shared is worthless. If you suffer less, you'll have the strength to walk the path to the underworld."
In the prison van, many members of the Kuangfu Society were either frightened, relieved, numb, or dismissive.
There were various reactions, but everyone knew that they had absolutely no way out.
——Just because that thief Zhao died, the imperial court would certainly kill them all to vent the anger of the false emperor.
What happened next was not beyond everyone's expectations. The prisoners were escorted into the imperial prison by the imperial guards.
Luan Chengze bathed and changed his clothes, and went to the palace in person, but was stopped. People in the palace told him that the emperor wanted him to enter the palace for the court meeting the next morning.
Luan Cheng thought for a moment and agreed happily.
That night, the news that the rebel prisoners were escorted to Beijing caused a sensation in the entire capital. The last time such a large number of rebels were arrested was after the Xuanmen coup.
At the same time, the so-called coffins in the convoy containing the "body parts" of Zhao Duan, Zhuang Xiaocheng and others were also sent to different places.
The most popular thing was undoubtedly the coffin of "Zhao Shaobao", which was sent to the Zhao Mansion. Many people tried to go there to pay their respects, but were stopped by the doorman.
"The mistress of the house is in extreme grief, so we will not see any guests in the house today. I hope you can understand." Zhao Bo, dressed in mourning, explained to the guests.
Everyone expressed their understanding and left.
Just across the wall, Zhao Duan sat in the courtyard, eating rare fruits stored in the cellar while waving his hand with a gloomy face:
"Carry the coffin to the woodshed and chop it up for fire."
Eugene Hua and her daughter, who were wearing mourning clothes, looked at each other, wanting to laugh but feeling it was inappropriate.
"Brother, how long will this drama last? Now that the coffins have returned, if we don't make a big fuss, it will arouse suspicion." Zhao Pan asked cautiously.
Eugene Flower also pricked up her ears.
"And our coffin..." Haitang and Zhang Han also walked over quietly.
Zhao Duan took a bite of the apple and said with a smile:
"Okay, let's not perform until tomorrow when we go to court. How about that?"
He threw the core of the apple to the Pekingese, stretched himself, and rubbed his face.
"The drama is almost over now. It's time for us... to be 'resurrected'."
…
No words were spoken that night.
The next morning, all the ministers arrived at the Meridian Gate early, ready to attend court.
However, the protagonist today is not Li Yanfu, Yuan Li and other important officials, but Luan Cheng, the fifth-rank prefect in the crowd.
Countless eyes were focused on him, and the ministers were whispering to each other. Some expressed sympathy, while others laughed at him.
But the only thing they had in common was that no one took the initiative to talk to him.
Everyone knew that this capable local prefect would not be able to leave the palace safely today.
I'm afraid this official robe will be stripped off.
The fact that the rebel party's headquarters was hidden under his rule was a huge dereliction of duty. The most crucial thing was that Zhao Shaobao was dead.
The credit for capturing the rebels undoubtedly belongs to the deceased Zhao Duan.
The blame for Zhao Duan's death can only fall on Luan Cheng, who is still alive.
"Unfortunately, I wonder if Magistrate Luan can escape the death penalty..."
"Alas, even if the death penalty is spared, I'm sure I can't escape the consequences of exile..."
Whispering.
Only Luan Cheng stood in the wind, expressionless.
finally.
Accompanied by the ringing of bells.
The ministers entered the palace.
After a brief prelude between the emperor and his ministers, the empress, seated on the dragon throne, looked down at the ministers in the hall:
"Luan Cheng, the prefect of Binhai Road, stepped forward to answer."
Luan Cheng stepped out of the crowd, walked to the front respectfully, took out the memorial from his sleeve, held it up with both hands, and began to narrate the process loudly.
The content of the story was almost the same as the beginning of the secret letter from a few days ago, and the end also added a part about the successful escort of prisoners to Beijing.
But some people were surprised to find that Luan Cheng's report skipped the core paragraph about Zhao Duan and Zhuang Xiaocheng dying together.
Something is wrong!
There is a problem!
There were no fools among the officials in the court. They all realized that something was wrong and didn't understand what had happened.
"Very good," Xu Zhenguan nodded slightly on the dragon throne. There was no anger or blame in his tone, but rather a bit of appreciation.
Immediately, without waiting for the ministers to react, the empress said calmly:
"Mr. Luan has made great contributions in assisting Young Master Zhao in capturing the thieves. Coincidentally, the position of Provincial Surveillance Commissioner for the Binhai Road is vacant. Mr. Luan, are you interested in taking on this important task?"
A promotion? Shouldn't he have been beheaded or exiled? Why wasn't he punished for such a serious crime, but instead given a promotion and reward?
The ministers were confused.
Luan Cheng was overjoyed: "Your Majesty, I am willing to sacrifice my life for you! However, I dare not take credit for it. The credit for capturing the thief this time belongs to Zhao Shaobao. I only contributed a small part..."
The empress was quite satisfied with his attitude. Seeing that the ministers were already in a commotion, she raised the corners of her mouth slightly and said, "My dear minister, your words make sense. In that case, I will summon the young guard Zhao to see you!"
boom!
Like a depth charge, all the officials in the palace were stunned. Almost at the same time as the empress finished speaking, the guards at the door had already opened the palace door.
“Zazaza—”
With the sound of the heavy door opening, spring light shone into the hall from outside. Several figures stood outside the hall, and the one in the lead was very familiar to all the officials in the court.
Zhao Duan, wearing the official robes of the Grand Guardian, stepped over the threshold, his boots stepping on the spotless Golden Palace.
He glanced at the dull faces and smiled slightly:
"Your Majesty, I, Zhao Duan, pay my respects to you!"
Silence.
(End of this chapter)
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