Dafeng Night Watchman

Chapter 748 - 748 Ascension to the throne

Uncle Xu and Xu Lingyue noticed her abnormality and turned their heads to look outside the hall.

In the night, Xu Qian'an, wearing a sky-blue brocade robe and holding a jar of wine, walked into the halo of lanterns under the eaves.

With another step, he crossed the threshold and entered the inner hall.

"Ning Yan!"

A happy look appeared on Uncle Xu's face, and he stood up suddenly and went to greet his nephew.

Aunt and Lingyue also smiled, but the former immediately snorted and put on a cold attitude, while the latter was as happy as a little girl, and stood up with her father to greet her eldest brother.

"Uncle, I'm back."

Xu Qian'an smiled.

When a wanderer returns, a sentence of "I'm back" is enough.

"Glad you're back." Uncle Xu patted his nephew's shoulder, took the wine from him, turned to his aunt's personal maid Lu'e and said:

"Prepare bowls and chopsticks for Dalang..."

Xu Lingyue seized the opportunity and called softly:

"Big brother~"

The tone was quite brisk, showing the girl's joy at the moment.

Xu Qian'an looked at his elder sister with a gentle smile:

"I haven't seen you for a while, and you've become more beautiful."

She perfectly inherited her aunt's beauty, and she was outstanding in appearance, pure and refined, with delicate features.

Xu Lingyue's smile became sweeter, and she complained softly:

"Big brother is coming back today, but he didn't send someone to inform me in advance, so that I can make some of your favorite dishes."

The three of them sat down at the table immediately. After Lu'e brought the bowls and chopsticks, Xu Qian'an and Uncle Xu drank and chatted, talking about Erlang who was far away in Yongzhou.

"Ning Yan, since you have returned to the capital, you must have heard about the fall of Qingzhou."

Second Uncle Xu took a sip of wine and said:

"Then you must have visited Erlang in Yongzhou. Your aunt has always been worried about Erlang. I told her that even if something happened to Erlang, you would have come back to inform us."

Xu Qian'an's expression froze for a moment:

"Qingzhou has been lost for some time. Didn't Second Uncle write to inquire about Erlang's situation?"

Second Uncle Xu's expression froze for a moment.

The uncle and nephew looked at each other in silence.

Although it was a bit out of place, what was this familiar feeling of déjà vu? I always felt that something similar had happened before... Xu Qian'an pondered for a moment and said:

"It's okay. The three great scholars of Yunlu Academy are all in Yongzhou. They will take good care of Erlang."

Uncle Xu could only comfort himself in this way:

"You're right."

At this time, Xu Lingyue found an opportunity to interrupt and said:

"Brother, why do you smell like powder?"

Hearing this, Uncle Xu immediately looked at his nephew with a look that said "a man without hair on his mouth is not reliable."

"Huh, is it that heavy?" Xu Qian'an sniffed in surprise and said calmly:

"Just now I was drinking with several colleagues in the night watchman's office. There were girls accompanying me at the table, but I just wanted to come back to see my second uncle and aunt, and you, sister. I'll be back after sitting for a while."

Xu Lingyue said "Oh" and smiled, very satisfied with this answer.

The main thing is that there are no green tangerines to buy at night, and Lingyin is not at home. I can't bear to see her chewing green tangerines with a ferocious face... Xu Qian'an muttered in his heart.

Xu Lingyue interrupted, and the family forgot about Erlang again.

Xu Pingfeng pondered for a moment and said:

"I heard that the eldest princess is going to ascend the throne."

Xu Qian'an then told the general situation, including the reason why he must abolish Yongxing.

"It's a precarious situation."

Xu Ershu sighed:

"What are your plans after the eldest princess ascends the throne?"

Xu Qian'an thought about it and said:

"I will go to Qingzhou first to meet Xu Pingfeng and officially draw a line with him to compete for life and death."

This will be his official declaration of war to Yunzhou and Xu Pingfeng as a chess player, representing Dafeng and himself.

Xu Pingzhi had a complex expression, with sadness, helplessness, sighs, and pain. He murmured:

"Flesh and blood are killing each other, father and son are killing each other, why do they have to do this......"

Xu Qian'an shook his head:

"Second uncle, he is not my father, you are my father.

"Between him and me, we must fight to the death. He will not let me go, and I will not let him go. I will chase him to the ends of the earth and never stop until I die."

He poured wine for Xu Pingzhi and said:

"Xu Pingfeng has no way out. He knows I will not let him go, and of course, neither will I."

Aunt said:

"I will ask the clan to cross out his name and expel him from the Xu family."

Aunt would definitely support her nephew without hesitation. Although this nephew is annoying and can't speak, he is the child she raised after all.

Xu Pingfeng is her husband's elder brother, not her elder brother.

"Thank you, aunt. "

Xu Qian'an rarely spoke human words, and then continued:

"Uncle, I still have a younger brother and a younger sister in Yunzhou. They came to Beijing with the Yunzhou delegation this time purely to disgust me.

"I have locked them up in the Sitianjian now."

He immediately told his uncle about the sisters Xu Yuanshuang and Xu Yuanhuai, including their encounter in Yongzhou.

"They don't sound bad. After all, they are the blood of my Xu family." Uncle Xu said earnestly:

"Bring them back to see me when you have time. Don't abuse them."

Xu Lingyue suddenly said:

"Dad, how could my brother abuse them? Even if they are hostile to my brother, follow the Yunzhou rebels to kill my brother, and oppose my brother everywhere, even if my brother suffers all kinds of grievances, he will not hurt them because they are his flesh and blood relatives."

Xu Pingfeng was about to nod when he was startled by his aunt's angry slamming of the table.

"Bah, they are just two bad guys, why bring them back?"

Auntie said angrily: "Don't bring them back."

"Why are you so angry..." Uncle Xu tried to reason with his wife.

Xu Qian'an glanced at his elder sister and said hurriedly:

"Okay, okay, don't quarrel because of them, uncle, drink some wine."

Xu Lingyue said with a smile:

"Brother, drink some wine."

She poured wine for him obediently.

Look at that sister from Yunzhou, she only wants to harm you, unlike me, who only feels sorry for my brother.

......

At the hour of Mao, the sky was dawning.

The drums and music in the palace sounded together, and the magnificent music was put together.

The coronation ceremony was extremely complicated. First, the Minister of Rites led the officials to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth for the new monarch.

After that, the new monarch wore mourning clothes to offer sacrifices to the ancestors in the Taimiao.

After these two steps were completed, the coronation ceremony was considered to have begun.

The Minister of Rites led the officials of the Ministry of Rites to the Temple of Heaven, the Temple of Agriculture and the Imperial Ancestral Temple to inform the gods and the spirits of the emperors of all dynasties that the new emperor would soon ascend the throne.

After returning, ritual music was played and the magnificent bells echoed outside the Golden Palace.

Eastern Palace.

Huaiqing put on the Daqiu crown with the help of the palace maids.

This uniform is extremely complicated, consisting of a crown, a middle single, a Daqiu, a black robe and a purple skirt. The crown is decorated with gold and has twelve tassels.

The upper garment is painted with six patterns of sun, moon, stars, mountains, dragons and Chinese insects. The lower skirt is embroidered with six patterns of algae, fire, powder rice, Zong Yi, Fu and Fu, a total of twelve Chapters, so it is also called the twelve-Chapter garment.

After being dressed, two palace maids brought a bronze mirror as tall as a person and placed it in front of Huaiqing.

In the bronze mirror, the eldest princess was lightly made up, with long eyebrows heavily drawn, highlighting her heroic spirit.

She was originally a cold and noble woman. Now she was wearing a twelve-Chapter robe and a twelve-tassel crown on her head, and she was full of luxury and majesty.

Even the senior palace maid who usually laughed and talked, dared not breathe at this moment, lowered her head and eyebrows, and was as docile as a quail.

Such a domineering woman is rare in the world.

An official from the Ministry of Rites stepped into the gate of the East Palace and said respectfully through the curtain:

"Your Highness, the time has come."

Huaiqing said "hmm", and left the East Palace surrounded by palace maids and eunuchs, and went to the Golden Palace to the sound of grand bells and drums.

After crossing the Jinshui Bridge and the square, Huaiqing walked on the steps and looked at the Golden Palace in front of him. He could vaguely see the throne high above in the magnificent hall.

What flashed through her mind was Yuan Jing, who was suspicious by nature and could not tolerate his talented offspring in power; Wei Yuan, a great master with gray hair; Jian Zheng, the guardian god of Dafeng who had made every possible effort; and Yong Xing, who was weak and lacked courage.

When she waved her sleeves and sat on the throne, she no longer saw anyone.

All gone!

From now on, it will be her era, no, it will be her and Xu Qian'an's era.

She and he are the two people standing at the pinnacle of power in Dafeng today.

Led by officials from the Ministry of Rites, civil and military officials entered from the Meridian Gate, crossed the Jinshui Bridge, and stood in order on both sides of the imperial road according to their official positions.

Then, Qian Qingshu, the Grand Secretary of Wuying Palace and the Prime Minister, held out the edict of enthronement, handed it to the Minister of Rites to hold the edict to the steps, and then handed it to the official of the Ministry of Rites to put it on the cloud disk and sent it to the eunuch in charge of ceremonies.

The eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, who was dressed in a red dragon robe, bowed and took the cloud disk, and read the imperial edict to all officials:

"The imperial edict says

"In the past, Emperor Gaozu flew across the Ji River, swept the world, reached Jingshan in the east, and preached to the Buddhist sect in the west. His benevolent and righteous voice shook the world, swept away the stubborn diseases of the Great Zhou, and restored peace to the four seas. For six hundred years, the four seas were peaceful, and the great achievements were restored to the emperor.

"Brother Yongxing, as a concubine's son, inherited the great cause, but was unfilial, stupid and weak, disrespectful to his ancestors, unloving to the people, and flattering the rebels, which angered both humans and gods.

"I am a woman, blessed by heaven and the spirits of my ancestors, so I was ordered to be in danger and bring heroes and sages around. Now, the civil and military ministers and hundreds of officials and people have resigned and advised me to be the emperor to rule the people of Qianli.

"I will follow the request of all and take the throne on January 17th, and set the reign title "Huaiqing". Now that the grand ceremony is over, all the common affairs should be carried out at the same time."

After that!

On both sides of the imperial road, civil and military officials knelt down and shouted:

"Long live the emperor!"

The shouts were like a tsunami, deafening.

On the throne, Huaiqing overlooked all the officials and ruled the world.

........

Observatory, Bagua Terrace.

Mu Nanzhi, wearing a gorgeous lotus-colored long dress, stood on the edge of Bagua Terrace and gently took off the bracelet on her right wrist.

The wind blew up her skirt and black hair, and she was as graceful as a fairy from the Yaotai, the most beautiful in the world.

She raised her right arm, and her sleeves slid down, and her white wrist was covered with frost and snow.

With her green jade fingers, Mu Nanzhi closed her eyes and whispered:

"I wish the flowers in the capital city to bloom and fill the world with fragrance!"

In the void invisible to the naked eye, the seeds of life overflowed from her body and floated in the wind.

Floating over the riverside, the willow trees on the riverside sprouted.

Floating over the courtyard, the courtyard was full of colorful flowers; floating over the streets and alleys, the grass and trees grew wildly, and the flowers bloomed in an instant.

Looking down from a high altitude, you can see the colorful colors spreading all over the capital, the fragrance of flowers floating, and the heart is relaxed and happy.

......

Later historical books record:

In the first year of Huaiqing, on January 17, the empress ascended the throne. The flowers in the capital city bloomed in an instant, and the fragrance was ten miles away. The auspicious signs came from the sky. The people in the capital were ecstatic. They went out of their doors, knelt in the streets, and shouted long live.

What the history books did not record was that on the day when the flowers bloomed all over the city, Xu Yinluo was arranging flowers in the Observatory of the Sitianjian all day.

......

Mu Nanzhi's eyes went dark, and she fell down limply.

She didn't fall to the ground, but fell into Xu Qian'an's arms.

"Take a break!"

Xu Qi'an hugged the old lady's waist, and felt that the best thing in the world was like this, and it could only be like this.

Mu Nanzhi lay softly in his arms, dizzy, and murmured:

"It's all your fault. You gave me a headache......"

Her half-coquettish and half-angry look could soften a man's bones.

Xu Qi'an raised his hand, gently kneaded her eyebrows, and sighed:

"There are thousands of beauties in the world, but only the flower god, there can be no one, and there can't be two."

Mu Nanzhi frowned:

"Don't talk nonsense, even if you wear your lips, I won't practice dual cultivation with you again. After helping you to advance to the second rank, we will be even. If you force me again, I will become a monk."

Xu Qi'an couldn't tell whether she was arrogant or she would never forget her first night, so that she had a psychological shadow.

"I know, I know!"

He picked up the beautiful 40-year-old aunt and left the gossip platform along the stairs.

Mu Nanzhi's problem was not serious, but she was exhausted and a little weak, so she felt uncomfortable all over.

The spirit of the immortal tree was still awakening, and the power she could use was limited. The operation of the city blooming was a bit difficult for Mu Nanzhi at the moment.

"Are you still uncomfortable?"

Xu Qiyan poured her a cup of warm water and passed some energy into it.

Mu Nanzhi felt dizzy and moaned:

"I want to rest......"

"Let's practice dual cultivation. Dual cultivation can quickly restore energy and spirit." Xu Qiyan took the opportunity to suggest.

He was not fooling around. When the qi was exhausted, relying on dual cultivation could quickly recover, which was much faster than natural recovery.

"No, you, if you touch me, I will become a monk." Mu Nanzhi shook her head and spat:

"Shameless."

She lay on the bed softly and weakly, kicking her feet weakly a few times, as if trying to kick off the embroidered shoes, but failed.

Xu Qianan grabbed her feet and helped to take off her shoes and stockings.

"I'll help you massage them, you'll feel much better..."

"Just massage your feet, don't think about doing anything else."

"Am I that kind of person?"

"Yeah, yeah, be gentle..."

.......

Yunlu Academy.

Zhao Shou fasted for two days, took a bath today, put on a brand new robe, combed his hair meticulously, and put on a Confucian cap.

His gray beard was also carefully trimmed with a razor.

Suddenly, the whole person was refreshed, completely different from the image of a free and unrestrained Confucian scholar before.

Zhao Shou took out a bamboo bookcase from the long-sealed cabinet, wiped the dust off the bookcase carefully with a sweat towel, carried it on his back, and left Yunlu Academy.

Just like when he carried it on his back to study, he came all the way to Yunlu Academy in Beijing to study.

After so many experiences, he seemed to be back to his youth.

On the official road to the capital, the sound of reading aloud came:

".....You must study hard when you are young, and you can establish yourself with articles. The court is full of scholars... Don't say that the Confucian cap is wrong, reading will not let you down......"

.......

When Mu Nanzhi woke up, it was dark. The room was dark without candles.

It was dark? Had she slept for so long? Her mind was fuzzy, and she sat up with difficulty, holding her forehead with her hand. After more than ten seconds, her drowsy thoughts gradually became clear, and she remembered the spell of Yi Nian Hua Kai during the day.

I didn't expect to recover so quickly...... Mu Nanzhi felt that except for the drowsy mind, her body was in excellent condition, and her dantian was warm, as if she was holding a stove.

She was about to lift the quilt and get up, but suddenly she realized something was wrong. Her back was chilly, and then she realized that she was naked and her dress was stripped clean.

Then, she thought of what happened after she returned to the room with Xu Qian'an.

She pinched his feet, and then she pinched his legs, and then... she was inexplicably practicing dual cultivation with him.

"Shameless." Mu Nanzhi pulled out the pillow that was placed on her lower back and threw it on the ground angrily:

"Can you still sleep with this pillow!"

She lifted the quilt and got out of bed. She rubbed her hands on the ground beside the bed for a long time, and finally touched the skirt. She put it on quickly, and then she felt the wetness at the root of her thighs.

The flower god was a clean person and a lazy woman. When she thought about having to fetch water for a bath, her anger value "swooshed".

After putting on the skirt, she groped to the table, lit a candle, and dispelled the darkness.

The room was quiet. Bai Ji was not there, the broken knife was not there, and the pagoda was not there either. This made Mu Nanzhi guess that the dog man might still be in the Sitianjian.

She lit the candles in the room one by one, walked behind the screen, and looked in the bright candlelight. The bathtub was full of water, clean and clear, definitely not the water that they had polluted last time.

Mu Nanzhi raised the corner of her mouth slightly, then quickly frowned and snorted:

"Damn man, you still have some conscience......"

........

Underground of the Sitianjian.

Xu Qian'an sat cross-legged in front of Zhong Li, suspiciously:

"Are you sure that as long as I knock enough times, I can get the card of the supervisor?"

Zhong Li sat duck in front of him to ensure that he was a little taller than Xu Qian'an, and said weakly:

"The chaotic life hammer is related to fate and destiny. The teacher's refining notes also said that those with good luck can be awakened by hitting. So it must be for you."

"But except for being a prostitute in a brothel, Wu Dalang and a scholar, nothing has changed." Xu Qian'an frowned.

Zhong Li whispered:

"This is not the point. The point is the teacher's purpose. What is the purpose of leaving the chaotic life hammer? To open your mind, but you are a second-grade, so you don't need to open your mind at all."

After saying that, she tilted her head, looking like she was testing you.

Pah~Xu Qiyan flicked her finger on her forehead and scolded with a smile:

"Are you testing my reasoning?"

He immediately restrained his smile, pondered for a moment, and analyzed:

"Although the supervisor has fallen, with his wisdom, he must have some trump cards to prevent any eventuality. Ordinary people know to prepare for a rainy day, let alone him.

"Then, if Dafeng doesn't have him, the most fatal shortcoming is the lack of top extraordinary combat power. Thinking in this direction, it is not difficult to conclude that the supervisor must have a way to make up for the disparity in combat power between the two sides.

"The chaotic life hammer is related to fate, and opening your mind..."

The more he thought, the clearer it became. Xu Qiyan suddenly had a flash of inspiration in his mind, like a thunderbolt hitting his brain.

He looked at the small wooden hammer in Zhong Li's hand with a fiery gaze, and his body began to tremble with excitement.

He knew the true purpose of the chaotic hammer.