Ping Zhao Lu

After the matter was settled smoothly, Xu Zhouye took a deep breath, walked out of the courtyard with a tired look, and began to prepare to leave.

He walked calmly to the post where the horse was tied, and skillfully untied the rope that was tightly wrapped around the post.

Then he patted the horse's back gently, turned the horse's head gently and skillfully, and then jumped onto the horse's back with a nimble body.

At this moment, the guard Xuan Qi, who had been waiting quietly on the side, quickly got on his mount.

He was the guard assigned to Xu Zhouye by Chu Yunxiao before Xu Zhouye left the palace. Not only him, but there were also a group of secret guards accompanying him to protect him.

At this moment, Xuan Qi saw that the queen was in poor spirits and couldn't help feeling worried.

He hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but persuade him, "Sir, you've ridden all the way here, day and night, and I'm afraid you can't handle it. How about you rest here for a night and then set off again after daybreak?"

Xu Zhouye shook his head and replied firmly, "I must return to the palace before dawn. Today is the day Wei Xian returns to the capital, and the palace has specially held a banquet to welcome him. If I can't get back in time for the banquet, I'm afraid it will arouse unwarranted suspicion from others."

Hearing this, Xuan Qi nodded in understanding, and stopped trying to persuade him. He then raised his whip high in the air, creating a crisp crack, and then spurred his horse on, galloping off behind Xu Zhouye.

*

"Hey! I say, it's almost the whole night, how long are you going to drag it out before you speak? Who is colluding with whom? If you keep holding it in like this and refuse to say anything, then I'm going to go back to sleep. I'm so sleepy that I feel like I'm going to die."

Zhuang Yan yawned, rubbed his dark and lifeless eyes with his hands, and sat listlessly on the armchair.

At this time, Shang Jiu, who was in charge of the case with him, had to leave first due to some urgent matters. However, before leaving, Shang Jiu told Zhuang Yan that if he couldn't pry some useful information out of this person, he would never be able to close his eyes and rest for a moment.

The man who was tied to the cross looked particularly relaxed.

The man's name is Xiang Heng.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, examining Zhuang Yan's face with great interest. Then, inexplicably, he asked, "Do you often feel weak, have a poor appetite, and dislike greasy food?"

Zhuang Yan's sleepy head snapped awake upon hearing this. He sat up abruptly, staring at the man in front of him with alert eyes, and raised his voice to ask, "What do you mean?"

However, in response to Zhuang Yan's questioning, Xiang Heng just smiled and did not answer.

Zhuang Yan's curiosity was growing stronger and stronger, like a cat's paw tickling him. He couldn't help but stand up, walked quickly to the man, and said eagerly, "Just tell me! If you can, I'll have someone cook you another delicious roast duck!"

When Xiang Heng heard about the roast duck, his eyes lit up. He quickly cleared his throat and said pretentiously, "Ahem, actually, your disease isn't incurable. It's quite common. Especially for people like you who like to drink, you're more likely to get this kind of problem..."

Zhuang Yan frowned tightly, his face full of reluctance, and shouted loudly: "Do I have to quit drinking then?"

Xiang Heng nodded solemnly and said seriously, "Drinking too much alcohol doesn't just damage your stomach; it also causes great damage to your liver. Look at the symptoms you're experiencing now; it's because your liver has been damaged. If you continue to indulge yourself like this and continue to drink like a lifelong alcoholic, then your teeth, your liver, your heart, and even your kidneys..."

When he heard the word "kidney," Zhuang Yan's heart suddenly jumped, as if someone had stepped on him. He stared at the man in front of him with wide eyes.

Xiang Heng's mouth corners slightly raised, revealing a slightly playful smile, and then he said slowly: "If your kidneys are damaged, the consequences will be serious! By then, you may not be able to do the things in the room in the future..."

Zhuang Yan's heart skipped a beat.

He is a man, how could he do such a thing... Besides, no matter who he is with in the future, he must show his masculinity!

"It's a small matter. I see from your face that you don't seem like someone who is obsessed with lust. If you are not good at that, then find someone who is very good. You can just lie down and enjoy the bliss. Isn't it wonderful!"

Xiang Heng smiled wickedly, and before Zhuang Yan could refute him, he shamelessly continued, "Look, the guy you were with just now, I think he's quite formidable, isn't he..."

Before he could finish his words, Zhuang Yan ruthlessly interrupted him: "You stinking rascal, if you say anything indecent again, be careful or I will punish you severely!"

As he said this, he seriously picked up the whip beside him and pretended to attack.

Xiang Heng had no choice but to shut up.

*

Golden Palace

Chu Yunxiao was wearing a bright yellow pajamas and sitting upright on the exquisitely carved dragon couch. His right hand gently supported his forehead, and his brows revealed an irritation that was difficult to conceal.

"Is there something urgent that you came here at this time?"

Shang Jiu paused, bowed his head, and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty, I have the audacity to come here in the middle of the night to report an important matter. Do you remember how you previously punished some high-ranking officials at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet? This matter has spread throughout the capital, and the rumors are intensifying. I am worried that these rumors will harm Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunxiao slowly raised his eyes, staring at Shang Jiu with a gaze as cold as a star. He asked in a low and majestic voice, "Oh? What's going on?"

Shang Jiu hesitated for a moment, seemingly afraid of angering the venerable emperor before him, but ultimately he steeled himself and replied, "Your Majesty, the rumors circulating outside are becoming increasingly absurd. Some even say..."

"What?" Chu Yunxiao raised his eyebrows.

"Your Majesty, you are comparable to Emperor Xin!" Shang Jiu replied with a stiff face.

Chu Yunxiao laughed instead of getting angry, "That's a good name."

Shang Jiu stared blankly at the moody emperor in front of him, not knowing how to respond for a moment, and could only remain silent.

Chu Yunxiao stood up, hands behind his back, and slowly walked to the window. He stared at the scenery outside and said slowly, "Do you really think I can't see through them? How can those people be good people? They just rely on their family background to bully the weak and take human lives. I can only say that I have eliminated a group of disasters for the people of the world this time."

*

At the beginning of the Mao hour, the sky was still in a hazy state before dawn, and the sky was only slightly pale.

The little prince was half-drowsy, but was abruptly woken up and forced to emerge from the warm and comfortable bed.

Although he was extremely reluctant, he had no choice but to get out of bed.

His little face was full of resentment and dissatisfaction, and his mouth was pouted so high that it seemed as if an oil bottle could be hung on it.

The palace maids who were serving on the side hurried forward and skillfully helped the little prince change his clothes and wash.

However, Chu Heyuan kept a gloomy face and seemed extremely resistant to this series of actions.

Shi'an, standing nearby, took in the young master's expression and naturally understood the resentment he felt. So, Shi'an softly consoled him, "Your Highness, please be patient for a moment. Consider this a rare opportunity for training."

Hearing this, Chu Heyuan couldn't help but sneer, with a hint of sarcasm on his lips: "Hmph! Wei Dingzhong is really very proud. He actually has to trouble this prince to go and greet him in person. I really don't know if his face is thick enough to withstand my smiling face?" His words were full of disdain and contempt for Wei Dingzhong.

Seeing this, Shi'an quickly tried to persuade him again, "Your Highness, please calm down. General Wei has, after all, protected our borders for many years, ensuring peace and tranquility. With such illustrious military achievements, it is only natural for Your Highness to go and greet him."

"Oh? Is that so? According to you, I have wronged him. General Wei has indeed made great contributions, but he is just trying to climb up the social ladder." As Chu Heyuan spoke, he bit his lips tightly and snorted coldly.

Humph! What's so great about that?! At worst, when I grow up a little, I can personally guard this desolate frontier! But... I've never heard of a prince guarding the frontier?

Chu Heyuan's small head held a vast imagination. The more he thought about it, the more interesting it became, his thoughts running wild like a wild horse.

Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind like lightning, causing him to raise his head sharply and look at Shi'an with curiosity. He couldn't wait to ask, "Shi'an, tell me quickly, what was father doing when he was my age?"

Whenever he asked this kind of question in the past, Shi'an always kept his lips tightly shut and refused to utter a word.

Either he would make excuses, saying that he was still young and knew too much and it was difficult for him to digest it, or he would find other excuses to get around it.

But now, I have grown up a little, and I have secretly heard various rumors about my father among the people.

Some people said that his father was a cruel and ruthless man who killed his brother and father; others spread rumors that his father was actually a man of unknown origin... All these statements were bizarre and absurd to the extreme.

Chu Heyuan naturally didn't believe these rumors.

Because of this, he wanted to find out the truth from Shi'an even more.

After all, Shi'an was a secret guard who had always followed his father. He must know a lot about the past!

Seeing that the young master was so curious, Shi'an sighed helplessly.

Upon seeing this, Chu Heyuan asked the palace servants waiting on the side to leave.

Then he leaned back on the chaise longue and made a "please speak" gesture.

Shian: “…”

After a long silence, Shi'an spoke slowly.

"Your Majesty, when Your Highness was this young, was already wielding a sword to fend off the enemy..."

At the age of thirteen, he led his army to crush the alliance between Liang and Jin. He was then made crown prince and entered the Eastern Palace.

He ascended the throne at the age of fourteen and named his reign Ping Zhao.

At the age of sixteen, he personally led the army to conquer the declining Xia and Zhou kingdoms and unified the world.

At the age of seventeen, he implemented a new policy, abolished the policy of "governing the country with benevolence and filial piety" and instead ruled the country with "law".

At the age of 20, she founded a girls' school and improved the "female official system" so that women all over the world could read and learn, and could become officials.

Now, the emperor, who was only 25 years old, had governed the State of Wei in an orderly manner and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment.

……

"I didn't expect Father to be so powerful!" Chu Heyuan's eyes were calm and his face showed admiration. "But why are you still afraid of the Empress Dowager?"

Shi'an coughed lightly and spoke slowly, "You're overstating your fear. When the Great Wei was founded, the Queen Mother and even the Empress held military power and could act as regents, but their authority could not surpass that of the Emperor. By the time of the previous emperor, the power of the imperial relatives had weakened somewhat, but they still had a certain amount of power, but they could not act as regents. The dispatch and mobilization of troops still requires the support of ministers. The Queen Mother now controls some of the military forces, and some conservatives align with her, making it quite difficult for Your Majesty to handle. Furthermore, loyal ministers are indispensable in the court, but treacherous ministers also have their uses. Although some of them respect the Queen Mother, they are ultimately concerned about the interests of the Great Wei."

Chu Heyuan understood instantly, "In fact, as long as the Empress Dowager is pure-hearted and doesn't covet the imperial power, my father will not bother with her."

Shi'an nodded slightly, "That's about what I mean."

As for the rumored murder of his brother and father, Shi An was hard to confirm. Although he was the emperor's secret guard at the time, he didn't really come into contact with many important matters, and Shang Jiu was basically the one who completed them.

But if you think about it carefully, the deaths of the late emperor and those princes are indeed a bit strange.

Let’s talk about the late emperor. He was in good health at first, but his condition deteriorated and he eventually died of illness.

Speaking of the eldest prince and the second prince, these two princes were born to the late emperor and He before he ascended the throne without the knowledge of the late empress.

Later, after the late emperor ascended the throne, he enshrined these two sons in the ancestral temple.

Therefore, Chu Yunxiao, who was supposed to be the eldest son, suddenly had two older royal brothers.

However, not long after, the eldest prince died of treason, and the second prince, now the King of Yue, was bedridden.

After this, the royal family's offspring continued to emerge like mushrooms after rain.

But today, there are only a few of the emperor's brothers and sisters still alive.

Among them, the King of Yue, the King of Huai, and the still-young King of Liang survived. As for the princesses... those who harbored ambitions were mostly married off to distant tribes; while those who were pure and simple were granted fiefdoms and lived a peaceful life from then on.

Most of the princes died young, died of illness, or sacrificed on the battlefield.

For example, the son born to Queen Mother Jiang died unexpectedly at the age of three...

As he was thinking, Shi'an suddenly felt a chill on his neck and shuddered. He thought to himself that he was discussing political affairs with the Crown Prince and making presumptuous assumptions about the Emperor. He was simply being reckless.

But luckily, there are only two of them here.

Thinking of this, Shi'an breathed a sigh of relief.