Chapter 672: Four People Conspire
Is it possible... that Emperor Taizu is still... alive?
In the Zhao family's courtyard, by the pond.
When Zhao Duan slowly uttered this guess, he clearly saw that the face of the empress reflected in the water showed an expression of surprise, and then her long and thin eyebrows slowly raised.
The Empress did not immediately refute this "absurd" speculation, but thought for a while before asking:
"reason?"
Zhao Duan hesitated and shook his head.
"I can't produce any evidence, it's just a guess. Besides, no emperor would be willing to die, right?
It’s not like he has no way to survive. Tuoba Weizhi is an example, and so is Pei Niannu.
If the former was created by chance during Qiguo's experiment, then what about Pei Niannu?
I actually have some doubts. Old Xu gained a lot from the inheritance left by Qiguo, including the method of how to make the soul last forever..."
Xu Zhenguan thought about it seriously, and then said:
"But the ancestor's death was confirmed by countless people, including many powerful people of that era, who were all witnesses..."
Zhao Duan glanced at her and said:
"When Xu Jianwen died in the Xuanmen coup, there were so many witnesses."
Xu Zhenguan choked.
This is clearly a stain on her. If she had discovered Xu Jianwen's fake death and investigated it in time, many things that happened later would have been different.
“How can he… be the same as our ancestor?
Xu Jianwen's cultivation level was extremely low, making it easy for him to imitate, but his ancestor's cultivation level was truly astonishing.
Not to mention anything else, just that body is something that no one can imitate.
Besides, hasn't his life's cultivation also dissipated? The dragon soul is still with you."
Xu Zhenguan tried to find an explanation.
Zhao Duan said:
“But this possibility does exist, right?”
Xu Zhenguan paused, and although he was reluctant, he nodded:
"It's theoretically possible, but..."
Zhao Duan said seriously:
“Speaking of which, when I devoured Guhuo Zhenren’s memories last time, I seemed to have gained a clue from it.
The reason why he helped Xu Jianwen was to improve his own cultivation, but it seemed that he also had his eyes on the emperor's mausoleum. It seemed that he was related to the Underworld Cult?
But this memory is too fragmented and incomplete.
I was wondering if those evil cultists you mentioned knew something."
Xu Zhenguan was stunned again. She really wanted to say that the imperial mausoleum was a Feng Shui treasure land. Not to mention the rich spiritual energy, it was normal for the burial objects inside to be coveted.
But she keenly sensed the hint of temptation in Zhao Duan's words, and her pretty face changed again, and she said vigilantly:
"What do you want to say?"
Zhao Duan suddenly forced out a smile and said a little embarrassedly:
"Your Majesty, we will enter the Golden Gate in two days. No one knows what lies beyond. And all of this is related to our ancestors. Do you think it is necessary to conduct a verification just to be on the safe side?
What I mean is...is it convenient for us to visit our ancestor in the mausoleum?"
The empress was stunned.
The air was silent for several seconds.
Then Xu Zhenguan suddenly stood up from the chair, her beautiful eyes widened in anger, looking down at her fiancé, her voice rising a few notches:
"You want to dig up my ancestors' graves?!"
"Shh! Keep your voice down..."
Zhao Duan quickly stood up, smiled and stretched out his paw to comfort her:
"Either digging graves or opening coffins..."
"Say that again!?" The empress opened his claws.
"...Ahem, isn't this also for the overall situation?" Zhao Duan said somewhat embarrassedly.
This is indeed a bit difficult to say.
Regardless of the reason, digging up the royal tombs without any necessity, just because of an unfounded guess in one's mind, is a bit too presumptuous...
What's more, this was a feudal society that attached great importance to filial piety.
Putting aside other things, if the empress agreed to dig up the grave, as long as the news leaked out, her reputation as the emperor would be ruined. The official history would not dare to say it, but the unofficial history would definitely make her infamous for thousands of years.
"Of course, I was just saying." Zhao Duan saw that she looked unhappy and tried to make amends.
In the night, the empress's fair face kept changing under the light of the lanterns.
An extremely conflicted look appeared on her face, as if there were two little people fighting madly in her head, and she was wavering for a moment.
Intellectually, she actually agreed with Zhao Duan's opinion. Since all of this was influenced by the ancestors, she should indeed collect as much information as possible before entering the door to the unknown.
But emotionally... she was somewhat unable to accept it.
Just as the Empress was standing by the pond, torn between inner and outer feelings, Eugene Hua and her daughter cautiously tried to call out from the other side of the Chuihua Gate in the distance:
"Your Majesty? Dinner is ready..."
then.
Zhao Duan simply dragged the empress to the dining room. The empress was obviously relieved and temporarily dropped the topic.
…
The Zhao residence's dinner tonight was grand in scale. Although there was only one table, and due to time constraints, many of the main dishes could not be prepared in time, making them seem a little "simple", but it was also the best that could be prepared in the residence, and it was truly delicious.
Especially the dining utensils on the table, they were all brand new and precious antiques from the official kiln, priceless. They were gifts sent by the dignitaries in the capital to congratulate Zhao Duan.
Zhao Duan and the empress took their seats, accompanied by Eugene Hua and Zhao Pan.
Although it was not the first time that the empress came to their house, it was the first time she had dinner with them.
The mother and daughter were extremely reserved. Eugene Hua forced a smile and wanted to pick up some food for her "daughter-in-law" several times, but she didn't dare.
Even Zhao Pan, who used to be fearless, became intimidated and was suppressed by the empress's aura and dared not say a word.
Seeing this, Xu Zhenguan took the initiative to break the awkwardness. He personally picked up some dishes for You Jinhua and Zhao Pan, and gracefully picked up the teacup, saying with a smile:
"Mr. Zhao is a pillar of talent for the country. Those who were able to raise him have naturally made contributions to the country. I have taken the liberty of visiting you tonight and have brought no gifts. I will offer tea instead of wine. I hope Madam Zhao will not mind."
Eugene Hua and her daughter were flattered and waved their hands frantically. They saw the empress raise her neck and drink the tea.
Eugene's face was filled with fear and a smile. She hesitated and could only look to her stepson for help. It was obvious that she had difficulty controlling the boundaries of the relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law before they even got married.
"Da Lang, what should we do?"
Zhao Duan was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.
"Mom...it's so embarrassing." Zhao Pan covered her face with her hands.
The meal ended quickly, and Eugenia and her daughter finally left their seats feeling relieved.
Since the empress has not yet married, it is naturally not appropriate to let him stay overnight.
When Zhao Duan escorted her out of the house, Xu Zhenguan stood under the lantern, thought about it, and finally showed an embarrassment:
"The things about our ancestors..."
Zhao Duan showed a warm smile:
"Your Majesty, do not worry. This matter is indeed inappropriate. Let's just leave it at that."
Xu Zhenguan was immediately moved and realized that Zhao Duan would have to take a huge risk by entering the Golden Gate.
She wanted to speak, but Zhao Duan raised a finger, blocked her lips, and shook his head:
"Your Majesty, please go back and rest first."
"kindness."
Xu Zhenguan swallowed his words, nodded, covered his face with the cloak again with his hands, and then quickly disappeared into the night.
After watching the Empress leave, Zhao Duan turned back to look at the mother and daughter who followed behind him and said casually:
"I'm going to the government office for a while. I may not be back tonight, so don't leave the door open for me."
After saying that, he quickly disappeared at the end of the street.
The mother and daughter were left staring at each other.
I always feel like His Majesty and Dalang are acting weird tonight...
…
…
Tianshi Mansion, main gate.
Zhao Duan left the mansion, but did not go to the government office. Instead, he took many detours and arrived at the Tianshi Mansion.
This time, he did not knock on the door, but jumped and sneaked into the Tianshi Mansion lightly, and headed towards Zhang Yanyi's residence in the deepest part as if he was familiar with the place.
Along the way, I clearly felt that the bustling Tianshi Mansion in the past was much quieter, and I hardly met anyone along the way.
——Now many priests have rushed to the front line of Xiping Road, leaving only a small number of those who are not good at fighting and the apprentices under the priests.
Soon, Zhao Duan arrived at the deepest courtyard.
However, to his surprise, the gate was open.
In the yard, more than half of the huge banyan tree had turned yellow and withered.
In the night, the leaves of the entire banyan tree emit a faint light, illuminating the entire yard.
Under the tree, Zhang Yanyi, Jin Jian, Li Wushangdao, and Gongshu Tianyuan were all there, sitting at the tables and chairs. At this moment, they all turned their heads to look at him.
"You're here." The old Taoist priest opened his eyes with a smile on his face.
Zhao Duan was stunned for a moment, then walked into the courtyard and said in surprise:
"What are you doing..."
"Waiting for you," Li Wushang said lazily, half sitting and half lying in the bamboo chair. At this moment, his two smooth long legs were crossed, his snow-white arms were raised, and one hand was playing with the pure gold hairpin in his hair boredly.
A smile flashed through her emerald eyes:
"Master said you would come over tonight, so he asked us to come together."
Have you figured this out?
Zhao Duan was startled and looked at Zhang Yanyi warily.
The latter said calmly:
"Don't worry, I only know you're coming tonight, but I can't predict your intentions."
Good fellow, your mind reading skills are pretty good… Zhao Duan complained in his heart, then smiled, walked over and said with a smile:
"The Heavenly Master is truly astute. It's nothing special, really. I've already reported my trip to the East China Sea to His Majesty. Furthermore, His Majesty and I have also obtained the final code on the golden gate..."
He briefly told the action plan he had made with the Empress. There was no need to hide anything.
When Zhang Yanyi heard that His Majesty could also use secret techniques and use a puppet body to follow along, he was obviously a little surprised and exclaimed:
"You can actually control the puppet and travel to the north alone? The royal family's background is indeed impressive. This is good, haha, so that His Majesty won't worry about me."
Zhang Yanyi didn't care much about this.
Zhao Duan reached into his arms again, took out the Dragon God Grass wrapped in silk, and asked Zhang Yanyi to help deliver it to Xiping Road.
Zhang Yanyi was still not surprised, he just shook his head and said:
"I need to recuperate from my injuries these days, so it's not convenient for me to make this trip. However, I have already made arrangements. Please give the Dragon God Grass to this evil disciple."
He pointed at the "witch" Li Wushang and said.
Zhao Duan was stunned: "You?"
Li Wushang rolled his eyes and said with a grin:
"Why? Are you worried about leaving it to me, the envoy?"
She sighed softly and said helplessly:
"Master has issued a decree. I will set off tonight and head to Xiping Road to join my eldest brother, second sister, and fourth brother on the battlefield. I will also help you deliver this treasure to His Majesty on the way."
Zhao Duan suddenly realized and frowned:
"Are you leaving in such a hurry? Are you leaving tonight?"
Li Wushang raised his hand and pointed at the banyan tree above his head, which was already three-fifths withered and yellow. His expression finally became serious:
"Time waits for no one, and the situation is deteriorating faster than we imagined."
Zhao Duan's heart also sank.
He thought he and his group were moving very quickly, but it seemed that the enemy was moving just as fast.
"Okay, thank you for your help, Priest."
Zhao Duan bowed seriously and handed the Dragon God Grass to her quickly.
Li Wushangdao took his things and did not linger any longer. He stood up immediately, picked up a small bag at his feet, said goodbye to his master and the others, and then strode out of the yard.
Soon, a crane took off into the sky and headed straight for the night in the west.
Zhao Duan watched Li Wushang leave and suddenly felt a little disappointed.
Zhang Yan glanced at him and said:
"Anything else? I don't have time to entertain you."
Zhao Duan withdrew his gaze and looked at the three remaining masters and apprentices in the yard. Well, they were all comrades he could trust enough.
He nodded and said, "There is indeed one more thing I would like to ask the Heavenly Master for help with."
"Speak." Zhang Yan slowly picked up a palm-sized green jade teapot and put it to his mouth.
He has the attitude of a big boss, as if he can handle anything with ease.
"Oh, nothing. I want to ask the Heavenly Master to take me into the imperial mausoleum and open the coffin of Emperor Taizu to take a look." Zhao Duan said lightly, as if he was talking about a trivial matter.
The courtyard suddenly became quiet.
Zhang Yan almost dropped the teapot in his hand, and the old Taoist priest's narrow eyes widened.
Jin Jian and Gongshu Tianyuan were also confused:
"What did you say?!"
Zhao Duan looked as if to say, "Why are you making such a fuss? You are not calm at all."
He thought about it and did not reveal anything about the human world. He only said that in the process of searching for the "code" with the empress, he came up with a guess that Emperor Taizu might not have died, so he wanted to confirm it.
"this……"
The three masters and apprentices stared at each other.
a long time.
Zhang Yanyi slowly put down the jade pot and asked tentatively:
"Why would an outsider like me have to intervene in such matters? And why didn't His Majesty come in person?"
Zhao Duan looked at me like an idiot and said as a matter of course:
"Because we have to do this secretly without telling His Majesty. Otherwise, could His Majesty still be charged with the crime of grave digging? As a minister, I naturally have to share His Majesty's worries. This matter is of great importance, and Your Majesty cannot make the decision..."
Gongshu Tianyuan was stunned and blurted out:
"So, Brother Zhao, you're going to hide this from His Majesty and dig... the imperial tomb?"
Jin Jian seemed to be thinking of the countless burial objects in the imperial mausoleum. He suddenly swallowed his saliva, and a sly gleam flashed in his glasses...
Zhao Duan said unhappily:
"Don't waste your time talking nonsense. Just tell me whether you can help me or not. If I were just a warrior and didn't know any magic, I wouldn't need you."
The three masters and apprentices looked at each other again.
After a moment of silence, Zhang Yan pinched the teapot and pressed it heavily on the coffee table:
"Walk!"
…
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
