National Division

At the end of the whole year, Qi Jun lived very comfortably.

Ma Mingzi fasted for ninety-nine and eighty-one days, and didn't leave the customs until the twelfth lunar month, and he didn't even catch up with the completion of the observatory.In previous years, most of the blessing ceremonies would be held in Taoist temples during the twelfth lunar month. This year, Emperor Jing'an didn't mention it, and Ma Mingzi didn't say anything, so it just passed away quietly.

Concubine Ye Gui was sick longer than Zhen Mingzi, until the [-]th day of the twelfth lunar month, when the stove was about to be sacrificed in a few days, she finally lazily left the Liangyi Hall for the first time, and came to Zichen Hall to pay her respects to the Queen.As for all the palace affairs this year, naturally there is no room for her to intervene.

The empress is always in good spirits on happy occasions, and with the help of a virtuous concubine, she manages to take care of this big mess in the next year. Although there are some small problems, they are not harmful.I was talking with my concubines in the palace, when I saw Concubine Ye Gui came in, I smiled and asked someone to remove the tea and exchange it for longan soup: "The concubine is still taking medicine, so tea is not suitable."

Although Concubine Ye Gui said that she was "sick" for a while, she didn't look like a sick person at all, her face was red and white, and a person in her 30s still looked like her twenties. Although she was so stabbed by the queen, she sat calmly. After getting down, he took the tea with a smile: "Thank you for your concern, Madam. You have worked hard this time."

The queen snorted softly, with somewhat complacent expression on her face: "Yeah, at least there is nothing wrong. The second prince has been busy studying recently, why didn't he come to my place to say hello?"

These words hurt even more, even though the wound on Qi Zhang's face has healed up, there are still scars left, even though they are not disfigured, they are somewhat eye-catching.Concubine Ye Gui could not hold back her anger, she just smiled: "Thank you Majesty for thinking about it, but I am afraid that I will disturb Madam, since Madam has something to say, let him come to greet Madam when I turn back." After saying that, she turned her head and looked at Concubine Xian with a smile, "Speaking of which, Concubine Xian has also worked hard. I didn't know it before, but now it seems that Concubine Xian is also very capable. It really is in the bag, and it will be revealed when it is time."

The queen's face became gloomy, she took a sip of tea from the teacup, but glanced at Concubine Xian from the rim of the cup.Concubine Xian is usually taciturn, almost no one thinks that she is actually the one who gave birth to the third prince and the eldest princess. Although she has never been favored like a noble concubine, she is far different from other concubines.It was only at this moment that the queen remembered that the third prince was ten years old this year. Although he was not as outstanding as Qi Zhang, it was said that he was quite satisfactory.Now there are only four princes in the palace, Concubine Xian gave birth to one, if her natal family was not overshadowed by Ye's family, then...

The queen suddenly felt a little besieged.Concubine Ye Gui is a tiger, but Concubine Xian—who knows if she is a wolf?The one on the left and the one on the right, maybe their eyes are fixed on their own seats, and they can't sing alone. In this harem, she and Qi Jun's mother and son are really too lonely.

The queen served tea, and the concubines were all sensible, so they got up and left, and the Zichen Palace became quiet again.The queen sat there, the more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became. Just as she was about to call Qi Jun to discuss it, the palace lady Shao Yao came in from outside with a bit of worry on her face: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty has gone to the Taoist Temple of the National Teacher again!"

"What?" The empress couldn't care less about concubine Xian in such a hurry, "What are you doing in the Taoist temple?"

Shao Yao frowned deeply: "Qin Tianjian came to report this morning, and there was a long rainbow passing through Ziwei last night. This morning, the emperor first went to the star observatory to ask Xiuming Xianshi, but the immortal teacher said that the way of heaven is useless, and the emperor just manages the country. Yes, Your Majesty, it sounds dissatisfied, so I went to the Taoist temple again."

The queen turned around anxiously: "Why is the immortal master talking like this... What if it makes the other side gain power again because of this!"

At this time, Qi Jun was also at the observatory, and said exactly the same thing as Zhibai: "...how can you be so careless? You must know that if you let that side gain power because of this, all the previous efforts will be in vain! "

Zhibai held Xingtie in his arms, like holding a hand stove, and looked at Qi Jun innocently: "What Changhong pierces Ziwei, it's just a stream of energy, it's not like a big star falling to the ground can leave Xingtie Xingshi, It has nothing to do with the fate of the country, so what can I say?"

"You—" Qi Jun was so angry that he turned around in a circle, but he had no choice but to turn around and instruct Feng En, "Go and find out what the national teacher said to the emperor."

In fact, there is no need for Qi Jun to say, Feng En has already sent someone to inquire, but at this time, he can only back out in response.Seeing that there was no one around, Qi Jun couldn't help but said: "Before you answered, you never thought about Father's intentions? Since it has nothing to do with the fate of the country, why don't you say that it is a sign of peace in the world? Father is just asking for peace of mind."

Zhibai lowered his head and touched the star iron in his arms, and said indifferently: "Where is the peace in the sky... If the emperor can rule the world and bring peace to the world, why should he care about the sky?"

Qi Jun said angrily: "Don't I know this? I just wanted a word from you. When you lied to me to feed the snake, where did all those sweet words go? You only know to hold the star iron!" He looked at Zhibai With a careless look, a trace of suspicion suddenly rose in his heart, and his face couldn't help but gloomy, "Do you think that now that you can enshrine Xingtie, the affairs of the Eastern Palace have nothing to do with you?"

Zhibai was taken aback by his sudden gloomy expression, and quickly said with a smile: "Your Highness, why do you say that? I'm on the same boat as Your Highness, so how can you say that the matter of the Eastern Palace has nothing to do with me?"

"It's good that you know." Qi Jun said coldly, "I'll tell you the truth, you and Ma Mingzi are incompatible. If Ma Mingzi gains power, you don't want to offer this star iron! This is the capital, you If you want to cross the river and demolish bridges like you are in the southwest mountains, be careful not to burn yourself!"

Zhibai shrank his neck immediately, and said with a dry smile: "It's all happened in the past, what did His Highness mention about it... the matter of celestial phenomena, I was indeed negligent, if there is another time, I will be careful."

Qi Jun angrily said: "The opportunity is fleeting, who knows if there will be a next time!" Seeing Zhibai holding Xingtie cautiously, he became more and more angry, went forward and grabbed Xingtie and threw it on the altar. "Where is the teacher sent to teach you? How long have you been practicing calligraphy and painting every day?"

Zhibai's face became even more bitter, and he murmured: "I have practiced seriously..." With an idea, he whispered, "I extended my mother's life last time, and the lost cultivation has not yet been made up. I will make up for it. I... "

Qi Jun laughed back angrily: "You are also eloquent in front of me. If you can use this cleverness to three points in front of the father, it will not be so!" Zhibai said the truth, but For Emperor Jing'an, the truth is far from enough, especially when there is Ma Mingzi over there for comparison.

Zhibai secretly stretched out his hand and hugged Xing Tie back into his arms, and said with a smile: "Your Highness, don't be angry, I understand. Actually... Actually, Your Highness really doesn't have to be so jealous of the national teacher."

Qi Jun raised his eyebrows: "How?"

Zhibai coughed dryly, scratched his head and said, "Did Your Highness not realize that I actually got the reward for deceiving His Highness last time?"

"What?" Qi Jun frowned slightly, "What do you mean?"

"I'm not happy with the cause and effect." Zhibai raised his head and replied with regret on his face, "Although I was looking at the face of the Highness at the time...but it was because of bad intentions, which is why I was almost killed by an assassin later, and it was because of the empress. Prolonging life and losing cultivation, this is the retribution."

Qi Jun stared at him: "So?"

"The national teacher also has his own retribution." Zhibai glanced in the direction of the Taoist temple, "Smart words and tricks are just a small fault. Killing two lives for the sake of health-preserving souls is already damaging the morality. If he kills another person because of his lies, it is a big fault." . Karma is not ambiguous, and his retribution is to come."

"What about before he gets retribution? Just let him talk nonsense and continue to harm people?"

"It's a good thing, Your Highness doesn't need to interfere any more." Zhibai scratched his head again, hesitated, but said it anyway.

"Nonsense!" Qi Jun slapped the table, "It's not the reason for you to stand idly by! If you say that, why should there be an emperor in the world? Why should the emperor set up officials? Just let these people live and die by themselves." Yes. When someone falls into a well, it’s enough not to throw stones? You say you don’t need to interfere, but I think you’re just doing nothing to save yourself. Isn’t that a sin?” The more he spoke, the more excited he became, “If I were a commoner, there would be nothing I could do. That's all, since you are the crown prince and are supported by the world, you should work hard for the well-being of the people in the world. Now you are an immortal master enshrined in the palace, and all your expenses come from the common people, so why don't you repay one or two? Can you just watch them suffer?"

After the Star Observation Tower was completed, Emperor Jing'an originally wanted to send people to buy little Taoist priests to serve him, but Zhibai refused, saying that he was used to being quiet and didn't want people to serve him, so few people came in the main hall of the Star Observation Tower. Only a few middle-aged people and maids live in the lower room, do some cleaning every day, and serve Zhibai errands at any time.It is precisely because of this that when Qi Jun speaks here, there are fewer taboos than in the East Palace: "It is said that the world is peaceful now, but the abundance and aptitude of Kyushu are different, and the four barbarians are about to move around. Buddhism and Taoism, since the first emperor left, the tax has been increased by half; what is good at the top must be bad at the bottom. This is the case in the palace, and officials from all over the country can know it. In the case of Huishui county magistrate, the people under his rule frequently disappeared, and he acted instead. Reporting auspiciously, what is the use of such an official? He got the reward and was crushed into meatloaf by the giant python, but before he got the reward, how many people died in vain? If all the officials in the world were like this, what kind of world would this world be? Is it! Is this what you said about the goodness of heaven?"

The main hall of the observatory was built very spacious, and Qi Jun's voice echoed in the hall like gold and stones.Zhibai couldn't help showing hesitation in his eyes, pursed his mouth and lowered his head.Just as Qi Jun was about to say more, Feng En trotted in from the outside: "Your Highness, the national teacher said that Changhong Guan Ziwei is a sign of unity in the world and peace in Kyushu. He advises the emperor to go on a tour in the New Year and go to Mount Tai to worship the heavenly stone."

"Sacrificing to the sky and casting stones?" Qi Jun had nothing to say, "Is there any merit to remember?"

Taishan worshiping heaven, also known as Fengchan, is an ancient ritual that has existed since the Zhou Dynasty.As for the Le stone, it was established with great merit, so it was carved on the stone tablet as a record.Emperor Jing'an made tours and offered sacrifices to the heavens, which is also a common thing for emperors, but Keleshi——except for worshiping Buddhism and Taoism, Emperor Jing'an really dare not say that there is anything better than his ancestors.

Feng En said in a low voice: "The national teacher said that the auspicious stars and irons all descend from the sky, so it can be seen that your majesty is blessed by the heavens. With this auspicious auspiciousness, it is not an exaggeration to remember."

Qi Jun was so angry that he could only sneer: "Listen, what did the national teachers say? Just a few words, going on tour in the New Year is a waste of time and money. If you can only say something proper, you can avoid this tour, and you From the capital to Mount Tai, all the people along the way will probably thank you, isn't this a merit?"

Zhibai said nothing, but lowered his head even lower.

Because the emperor will go on tour next year, this year, the palace is extremely busy, not only to prepare all kinds of things for the new year, but also to prepare the utensils for next year's tour, the six bureaus and one division are very busy.

With such a busy schedule, the queen is a little stretched.She didn't want to use Concubine Ye Gui, and she didn't want to rely too much on Concubine Xian, so she had to do everything by herself, and even Qi Jun was exhausted, and there were still some troubles, which made Emperor Jing'an very displeased, and felt that he was very unhappy with the New Year's tour Not a good sign either.Fortunately, these few times Zhibai was by his side, giving advice casually, and it was nothing more than some good things that took a while to say, so that Emperor Jing'an didn't get angry.

It is said that it is the beginning of the spring tour, but in fact the first month is not out, and the road is very cold and it is not easy to walk. It was delayed until February [-] before the patrol team started on the road.This time, he was preparing to go to the great sacrifice, and he wanted to set stones to record the auspicious events, so Emperor Jing'an brought the empress, the prince, and the second and third princes. Only the fourth prince could not come because of his young age, and Concubine Ye Gui He stayed in the palace to take care of him. Naturally, the palace affairs were handed over to her again, with the help of Concubine Xian.In addition, Zhen Mingzi and Zhibai, as the two "immortal masters" enshrined in the palace, also accompanied them, and they also brought star iron; in addition, they brought more than [-] officials, plus the middle-aged palace guards below. Civil servants, with the guard of honor in front and the luggage in the back, meanderingly laid out all the way.Wherever he passed, there was a great momentum, and officials from all over the place greeted him from a distance, and tried their best, I am afraid that the flattery was not enough.

"It's just the beginning of spring, and the sea is still icy cold. The county magistrate of Penglai really has a heart to deliver such seafood." The queen looked at the steamed cassia on the table, with a slight smile on her face.There are also fish and shrimp in the palace, but it will take two or three days to send them from the sea to the capital, no matter how fast you go, naturally the flavor will be lost, it can't compare to the fresh catch and eat.

"What should I reward him with?" The queen has a weak spleen and stomach, so she can't eat too much of these things, but she loves the taste very much. After taking a few mouthfuls, she put down her chopsticks reluctantly, but still thinking about it, "It's rare for him to bother so much." .”

"He's just doing his duty as an official. The queen mother is the mother of the world, and she should be raised by the world. There is no need for that." Qi Jun persuaded the queen with a smile, but his face changed when he returned to his room, "Tianhan Di Dong, could it be that he went into the water to catch this seafood by himself? It was collected from the fishermen, and I don’t know how much it cost. Feng En, send someone to find out, how is this Penglai County official? Why come!"

Zhibai had just returned from dinner with Emperor Jing'an, and when he heard Qi Jun talk about the magistrate of Penglai, he said, "The magistrate of Penglai said that these seafood were offered to His Majesty voluntarily by the fishermen, and His Majesty asked to reward the fishermen with a hundred taels of gold. He personally commended the magistrate of Penglai County. The national teacher said that this is His Majesty's holiness, and the whole world is bathed together. The fishermen are grateful for the kindness of the emperor, so they will voluntarily present gifts. He also said that Penglai is a fairyland. Please stay for a few days. Immortal."

"Invite immortals?" Qi Jun snorted, "He can't even ask for rain, how can he invite immortals? It's just nonsense!"

Zhibai shook his head, "Penglai does have immortal energy, although I don't know how the national teacher's morality is, but if His Majesty has immortal fate, maybe I can see it."

Qi Jun's face couldn't help but change a little: "Really?"

"Your Majesty..." Zhibai said in a cautious tone, "He is truly a blessed person..."

That is to say, Emperor Jing'an may really be able to see the gods?If this is the case, then in the eyes of Emperor Jing'an, Zhen Mingzi might be like a god.Qi Jun closed his eyes, opened them again, and stared at Zhibai: "What about you? Can you invite immortals?"

Zhibai was a little bit troubled: "Yes, but I can... But Your Highness, although mortals are destined to be immortals, it is against the heavens to invite immortals. I have said to Your Highness before that the world is like a net, and you can change it by force. Even if the whole body is affected by one hair, the subsequent variables - I'm afraid it may not be as His Highness wishes."

"It depends on man's will!" Qi Jun said decisively, "If Zhen Mingzi succeeds in inviting immortals, this palace will be his world in the future. This is absolutely impossible!"

Zhibai lowered his head and sighed: "Then, let's see what the national teacher is going to do first."

Zhen Mingzi did what he said, and that night he fasted and bathed, and practiced in a Taoist temple by the sea.During the three days of his retreat, Emperor Jing'an's meals were still full of fresh seafood. As for the reward of one hundred taels of gold, according to Feng En's information, it was indeed sent to fishermen, but none of them The fishermen dared to spend it, but no one dared to say what the reason was.

There is no evidence, even if Qi Jun knew that there must be something strange here, and even he could guess why - the fishermen must have been threatened, and the gold was just distributed to temporarily fool Emperor Jing'an until Luanjia left. The gold will never fall into the fishermen's pockets even a little bit-it's just that he can't catch the fault of the Penglai county magistrate, so he can only lose his temper at Zhibai.

On the third day, Zhen Mingzi sent his disciples to invite Emperor An to visit the fairy mountain by the sea.