Chapter 81: The same year, the first conversation with the Empress in the Watchtower
Please ask me, the second brother, to serve the wine… Zhao Duan held the heavy black lacquered wine jar, knocked off the seal with his hand, and the aroma of wine immediately filled the air.
When the empress's sleeves just brushed past, an invisible force field spread around, shielding the cold wind outside.
Then this "First Watchtower" became quiet.
The starry sky above is shining, and there are thousands of lights on the ground.
On the empty and majestic rooftop of the "Emperor's Tower", there were delicacies and fine wines, a man and a woman alone... Zhao Duan suddenly realized:
Today's event was so grand, with hundreds of palace servants present. Even though most of the people who knew about it kept their mouths shut, some rumors were bound to leak out.
Zhao Duan's late-night secret meeting with the empress...will undoubtedly greatly increase the authenticity of the "scandal" between the two.
Is this also your purpose, Zhenguan?
Zhao Duan's thoughts were wandering, and he had already come to the opposite side of the empress and started pouring wine.
My eyes couldn't help but wander around.
The empress is powerful and tall, but she is still half a head shorter than him. Anyone with experience knows this.
The height difference doesn't need to be too big, just a little difference will allow the person on the higher side to have a clear view of the lower side.
What's more, you can sit and stand at the same time.
Although the empress wore a high neckline and wrapped her chest tightly to show her majesty, which artificially compressed the size of her dress, people were unable to see the scenery of the valley.
But the slender goose neck extends down, and the breathtaking arc makes people think about it.
“Huahua…”
The clear wine surged out, almost filling the porcelain bowl in front of the empress.
Zhao Duan moved the wine jar away and sat down cross-legged.
When he looked up nervously, he saw the clear eyes of the female emperor, quietly examining him.
Unexplained dry mouth... Zhao Duan was a little stunned.
This was the first time he had seen her face clearly.
Both times when I was grinding ink and when I was visiting the garden last time, it was a side profile.
As for the last time they had lunch together, Zhao Duan was feeling uneasy and had no interest in appreciating the food. He was almost in the mood for his last meal and didn't even look carefully.
Until this time, a circle of fiery red lanterns was hung high on the huge rooftop, and exquisite coiled dragon candlesticks were placed on the table among the delicacies.
Xu Zhenguan's face, which was natural and flawless, had never been so clear.
Her dark eyebrows are like distant mountains, her jade bones are natural, her cheeks are like piled snow, and her nose is particularly straight and upturned.
The royal majesty in her bones, combined with the cold and detached nature of a female monk, made Xu Zhenguan a unique and extraordinary woman in the world with noble temperament.
"Drink." The empress's voice was cold.
"Oh..." Zhao Duan also filled a bowl for himself and was about to raise his glass and say a toast, a skill he had acquired from his experience at the wine table in his previous life.
Xu Zhenguan had already picked up the wine bowl, raised his neck, and drank it all in one gulp!
So heroic!
The clear wine overflowed from the corners of her mouth and flowed down her snow-white, tight neck.
Zhao Duan hurriedly accompanied with a bowl.
"Pour the wine."
"Pour again."
Xu Zhenguan ate three bowls in one breath, and Zhao Duan also ate three bowls. He noticed that after the empress drank it, there was no trace of alcohol.
She was deliberately closing the pores all over her body, deliberately feeling the intoxication.
Soon, the empress whispered:
"Do you know why I came here to drink tonight?"
Zhao Duan blinked and said, "Tonight, the full moon is just right..."
He spoke slowly, seemingly organizing his words, but in fact he was observing people's expressions.
This was learned in my previous life, a little trick to guess what people were saying. I would say half a sentence first, and then adjust the second half according to the changes in my boss's expression.
This is similar to a novelist making adjustments based on reader feedback.
While observing his words and expressions, he said:
"But, although the moonlight is beautiful, it is always there, but happiness is rare."
In the "Retreat Records" written by a Song Dynasty scholar, it was recorded that Emperor Shenzong of Song wanted to execute a person, but was refuted by his ministers and failed to do so. In his indignation, Emperor Shenzong complained:
I can't do anything that pleases me!
When Zhao Duan read this story in his previous life, he was deeply moved and guessed that kings in ancient times had similar feelings.
Even a tyrant at the peak of autocracy must have been subject to checks and balances when he first ascended the throne in his childhood.
At the beginning of his journey, he had thought that the Empress, who possessed powerful cultivation, would be different, but after observing her for a while, it turned out not to be the case.
Pei Kaizhi was concerned about his descendants, while Xu Zhenguan was concerned about the stable survival of the Dayu Dynasty, or perhaps he also wanted to prove that he was no less capable than emperors of all previous dynasties.
If she had devoted herself to seeking the truth, she might have been able to live a carefree life, but what she wanted was to create a prosperous world.
Relying solely on force is not enough. Historical experience shows that rule maintained by violence is indeed feasible, but it can only be limited to a small area.
Once the ruling radius is too large, violence will fail systematically, and the logic behind it is very simple.
The larger the number of people a tyrant rules, the more people will be hostile to him, oppose him, and try to overthrow him.
The Empress's cultivation level of the "pseudo-celestial realm" is not enough to fight against an entire celestial being.
Even if she is promoted to "Valkyrie" and reaches the legendary realm of immortality, becoming invincible, a country ruled by a tyrant will not be prosperous.
Therefore, Zhao Duan felt that behind the glory of the Queen of Dayu, there were shackles all over her body, which locked up her cultivation.
She was not happy either.
"It's rare to have a happy experience... a happy experience..." Xu Zhenguan was stunned.
At this moment, the peerless empress seemed to be stabbed in the heart.
She stared at Zhao Duan in a daze, never expecting that he would reveal her thoughts in one sentence.
He understands me...
Once this thought came up, I couldn't stop it.
The Empress's gaze softened. She suddenly smiled, stood up, and with the full moon overhead, she paced over the railing, overlooking half of the capital, and said aloud:
"Well said! Cutting off one of Li's party members' arms today was a satisfying act, and it will all come to light."
She turned back and said with a smile:
"Then guess again, why do I only ask you to accompany me?"
She likes me... Zhao Duan quickly suppressed this wrong answer, thought for a moment, and said:
"Drinking alone is too lonely and boring. Perhaps my appearance is still quite impressive?"
Translated: It's so boring to go out drinking alone, why not ask a handsome guy to accompany you?
How can you be so shameless... Xu Zhenguan couldn't help laughing, shaking his head and said:
"You're wrong this time."
Zhao Duan asked knowingly, "Why is that?"
Xu Zhenguan snorted, and for a moment, some of the charm of a woman flashed across his face:
"At least when I drink with you, there won't be any random rumors."
This was incomprehensible, but Zhao Duan understood it.
Those in high positions will have their every move interpreted and speculated upon by countless people.
If the news of drinking with any minister spreads, it will trigger a series of uncontrollable risks.
But Zhao Duan is an exception.
The two of them already had a "scandal". Since he was a male concubine, it was natural for him to eat, drink, and sleep with her.
On the contrary, it will not cause court officials to make random speculations.
For some unknown reason, Zhao Duan suddenly felt that the woman in front of him was a little "pitiful".
"Your Majesty..." He opened his mouth, but the Empress raised her hand to interrupt him: "Shut up and listen to me."
Zhao Duan was silent.
The empress frowned: "Did you hear that?"
Zhao Duan pointed to his tightly closed mouth and waved his hand to indicate:
Your Majesty, you told me to shut up.
“…” Xu Zhenguan was inexplicably angry, but he was in a good mood and didn’t bother to argue with him.
She raised her hand and a jar of wine flew up on its own, the lid opened, and his slender fingers grasped it. He raised his head and took a sip. After a moment, he exhaled a breath of wine, sighed softly, and said:
"You just guessed a little wrong. I came here in the past, not to have fun, but mostly to relieve my sorrow."
Drowning your sorrows in alcohol, huh... Zhao Duan covered his mouth and said nothing.
Xu Zhenguan seemed to be lost in memory: "The first time was more than ten years ago."
More than ten years ago? That was during the time of the Third Princess? Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows.
Xu Zhenguan said:
"At that time, I was still young, but I had already entered the Imperial Academy in the palace to study. The Crown Prince and my second brother were also there. The Crown Prince was kind and generous, but a little dull. The Grand Tutor Dong, who taught at the academy at the time, commented that if the Crown Prince succeeded to the throne, he would be a benevolent ruler.
The second prince, on the contrary, was quite intelligent, and was good at both martial arts and studies. However, he had a passionate personality and only liked to make friends and travel, hanging out with celebrities, military generals, and nobles in the capital... He was not interested in studying.
Looking back now, I'm afraid that Second Brother already had the intention of cultivating his own followers back then? He was clearly still a teenager."
It was the first time that Zhao Duan learned about the other two protagonists in the "Xuanmen Coup". He was fascinated by the vivid description.
Xu Zhenguan didn't continue speaking, but waited for a moment.
He seemed to think that no one was answering him, so he just spoke to himself, which made him look stupid. He waved his hand helplessly:
"I allow you to speak."
Zhao Duan smiled, looked at the empress's back, and said:
"I dare not interfere in such royal secrets."
"Just say it when I tell you to!" Xu Zhenguan was slightly drunk, and his words and actions were very different from his usual majesty and calmness.
This is what you asked me to say... Zhao Duan muttered and asked:
"Your Majesty should be very good at reading."
The corners of the empress's mouth curled up slightly:
"Of course. I was the best student in the entire school at that time."
After a pause, Xu Zhenguan suddenly felt melancholy and sighed:
"But his academic performance was the worst in the Imperial Academy."
Zhao Duan was stunned: "Why?"
(End of this chapter)
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