radicalducati Chapter 83 Xu Qingya was captured by the emperor and taken to the palace!
Chapter 83 Xu Qingya was captured by the emperor and taken to the palace!
Chapter 83 Xu Qingya was captured by the emperor and taken to the palace!
Zhuge Zhengwo stayed in Jiangling to handle the aftermath.
Yin Yewang encounters the love destined for him.
Xu Qingya returned to the capital with three women.
They came and went in a hurry, from heading south to apprehend the murderer to destroying the Blackwater Road, it took no more than ten days.
In just ten days, Xu Qingya fought against the Ancient Sword Soul, angrily killed Wei Wuya, destroyed the Heavenly Mandate Sect, wiped out the Blackwater Path, and fought across thousands of miles, engaging in countless battles, large and small.
When he went, he was accompanied by two beautiful women.
When I returned home, I was accompanied by three beautiful women.
Cheng Lingsu was like a chick caught by an eagle, easily "suppressed" by Yin Susu. She sighed and said that the witch was bullying her and she really couldn't escape!
Given Xu Qingya's current reputation, no one dared to ambush him on the way, and he returned to Beijing safely without incident.
Upon returning to the capital, he was greeted not by his junior sister's bright smile, nor by Liu Qingci's unstoppable embrace, but by the shrewd and calculating face of the Minister of Rites, and numerous other officials from the Ministry of Rites.
These people were waiting for Xu Qingya at the city gate.
Before Xu Qingya could react, they had already pulled him into a carriage: "Lord Xu, the ancestral worship ceremony is tomorrow, and you must perform there tonight!"
"What ancestral worship ceremony? What ritual? I don't even know who my ancestors were!"
Xu Qingya was completely baffled.
The Minister of Rites was a frail old scholar, so Xu Qingya dared not exert too much force and could only let several officials from the Ministry of Rites surround him and change him into an official robe.
Seeing Xu Qingya being "kidnapped," Yin Susu was about to lash out when Yang Yan grabbed her.
"Susu, stop fooling around! It was Minister Fei of the Ministry of Rites who took Qingya away. I remember now, His Majesty said he was going to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to worship his ancestors. Qingya is a descendant of the Martial Saint and needs to participate in the ancestral worship ceremony. Let's go ask Qingci!"
Does Liu Qingci understand these things?
"No matter how outrageous Qingci is, he is still a prince of the current dynasty, how could he be completely ignorant?"
"What I mean is—to ensure the smooth running of the sacrificial ceremony, Qingci is not currently at the Prince's residence, but is studying etiquette at the Imperial Palace. Do you have a way to get into the palace?"
"Qing Ci must have gone through ancestral worship before, did he really need to perform the ritual? What family has such complicated rituals?"
"When you visit your extended family during Chinese New Year, your parents introduce you to everyone – 'This is Uncle Zhang,' 'This is Uncle Li.' Next year when you visit them, will you remember them all?"
Yin Susu rolled her eyes at Yang Yan.
Yang Yan: That makes so much sense! I was actually looked down upon by Yin Susu for my intelligence! Is that even fair?
Cheng Lingsu advised, "Sisters, let's go to the Prince's residence. It would be best if the Prince were there. If he's not, we can look for someone else!"
The three of them first went to Xu Qingya's residence, called Beitang Xin'er along, and then went to the Prince's Mansion together. Yin Susu's analysis was correct. Liu Qingci was not at the Prince's Mansion, but was practicing etiquette at the Imperial Palace. However, Dongfang Qingmu was at the Prince's Mansion, and Beitang Xin'er's father, Beitang Mo, was also at the Prince's Mansion.
With Beitang Xin'er's help, the relocation plan of Sifangmen proceeded smoothly. Beitang Mo led two hundred elite disciples to the capital, accompanied by Dongfang Qingmu's son, Dongfang Yu. With these people, Hulong Manor quickly established its basic management structure.
Unfortunately, only two branches of disciples from the Four Directions Sect came.
The whereabouts of the Nangong and Ximen lineages are unknown.
As for the traitors who betrayed the rebel army—
Dongfang Qingmu thought and thought, and concluded that he was definitely not a traitor, nor was Ximen Ruoshui. The traitor could only be Nangong Lie or Beitang Mo. This choice between two options did not seem particularly difficult.
The traitor is—Nangong Lie!
After I disappeared, Beitang Mo neither sought to join the imperial court for wealth and status nor usurped the position of sect leader. Instead, he diligently assisted my son, who is the recognized sect leader of the Four Directions Sect, while Beitang Mo is the guardian elder!
No matter how you look at it, he doesn't seem like an undercover agent!
An undercover agent definitely needs something in return!
What benefits did Beitang Mo receive?
Money, beauty, official position, fame—he obtained none of the things he pursued in life!
How could someone like that be an undercover agent?
Dongfang Qingmu convinced himself.
Beitang Mo: The kind of person I am is someone who can't even be a bad person. It's not that I'm not bad enough, but that I'm too stupid. I've done a lot of bad things, but I haven't enjoyed any benefits at all. I've lived half my life and haven't gotten anything!
As the saying goes, fools have their own kind of luck, and stupid people certainly have their own advantages. According to the theory that "whoever gets the most benefits is the mastermind," Beitang Mo got nothing, so he could not possibly be a traitor.
It is not very harmful and extremely insulting.
Both Dongfang Qingmu and Beitang Mo held the official rank of fifth-grade imperial bodyguard, but Dongfang Qingmu was the head instructor of the Dragon Guard Manor, while Beitang Mo was the deputy head instructor. Beitang Mo was somewhat dissatisfied, but what could he do when the other was the sect leader?
The position of sect leader is definitely higher than that of elder!
Yang Yan and the others found Dongfang Qingmu and asked him directly, "Senior, you are a bodyguard with a sword. Why didn't you accompany the Prince to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices?"
Dongfang Qingmu laughed, "How could I possibly be qualified to participate in the royal sacrifice? I used to be a rebel!"
Yin Susu teased, "You're now a fifth-rank imperial bodyguard, how come you're not qualified to participate?"
Beitang Mo coughed twice: "Miss Yin, we're new here. We're lucky to be able to serve as bodyguards. If we want to participate in the sacrificial ceremony, we'll have to wait another twenty or thirty years!"
Yin Susu carefully examined Beitang Mo.
Unlike Dongfang Qingmu, who has dragon-like eyebrows, phoenix-like eyes, lion-like hair, and a dignified appearance, Beitang Mo's eyebrows and eyes are somewhat lewd, and he likes to lower his head when he speaks.
Beitang Mo was dressed in fine clothes, but no matter how you looked at him, he looked like a scoundrel or a hoodlum. His eyebrows and eyes—Yin Susu frowned, thinking of a high-ranking member of the Ming Cult.
The Ming Cult revered its leader, followed by the Left and Right Light Messengers, and then the Four Great Dharma Protectors.
Why does Beitang Mo look so much like Fan Yao, the Right Protector of the Ming Cult? They look like twin brothers. Yin Susu remembers her father's comment:
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Among the high-ranking figures of the Ming Cult, Yang Xiao is the most talented and capable, Xie Xun has the best interpersonal skills and character, Dai Qisi is the best in the Ming Cult in naval combat, Old Bat's lightness skill is unparalleled, and Fan Yao is the most unfathomable.
Yin Tianzheng once said that if his physical functions declined to a certain extent and he only had the strength for one last battle left in his life, his target would most likely be Yang Xiao.
In terms of internal strength foundation, Yang Xiao is slightly better than Fan Yao, but he would rather offend Yang Xiao than offend Fan Yao, because that guy is too damn difficult to deal with.
After Yang Dingtian "disappeared," the Ming Cult's high-ranking members fought a fierce battle at Bright Peak for the leadership of the cult. Fan Yao did not participate in the battle, but he disappeared at the same time.
After that, there was no further news of Fan Yao!
Yin Tianzheng was worried that Yin Yewang and Yin Susu might accidentally offend Fan Yao, so he asked a master to draw portraits of them so that his children would remember clearly that they must not offend this person.
Remembering her father's instructions, Yin Susu subconsciously probed Beitang Mo: "Lord Beitang, did you visit Kunlun Mountain when you were young? What are your thoughts on Kunlun?"
Beitang Mo, not understanding, laughed and said, "I like stability the most and hate traveling around. I have no interest in snow-capped mountains and great rivers."
Yin Susu's use of "Lord Beitang" hit Beitang Mo right where it hurt. This title was hundreds of times better than something like "Elder Beitang." What good was being an elder? Being an official was much more satisfying!
Cheng Lingsu asked, "Your Excellencies, what are the procedures for offering sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple? Why is it so solemn? Even someone of the rank of Prince Qijian needs to participate in the ceremony."
Dongfang Qingmu looked up at the sky, while Beitang Mo chuckled and rubbed his forehead. These two, one had been imprisoned for more than ten years, and the other had been hiding in the Western Regions for more than ten years. One had been a sect leader in a daze, and the other had been a traitor who had gained nothing. The two of them couldn't even put together half a brain!
How could the two of them possibly understand the imperial court's regulations for offering sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple? Fortunately, Beitang Xin'er had read the records and explained, "Sisters, the ancestors of the Sifang Sect were descendants of Chen Shuzhi, and they left behind some records about etiquette. I know a little about it."
Yang Yan gestured for Beitang Xin'er to begin the lesson.
Beitang Xin'er said softly, "According to our ancestors' records, the procedure for worshipping at the ancestral temple is to first offer incense to the great-grandfather, then burn a memorial to worship Heaven, and recount the emperor's achievements—"
Beitang Xin'er rambled on for almost half an hour, leaving everyone completely bewildered. No wonder they needed to perform the ritual; who the hell could remember all of this?
Cheng Lingsu frowned slightly: "Sister Yang, instead of analyzing the process of offering sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, we should think about why His Majesty wants to offer sacrifices there. If it's just because the Liancheng Treasure was unearthed, it seems rather petty!"
Yang Yan complained: "Not stingy at all, girl. You don't know, when His Majesty ascended the throne, even if a mouse ran into the national treasury, it would be caught as meat and stewed into soup. The country was so poor that it couldn't even repair the palace. It could only be leveled and planted with some flowers and plants."
Yin Susu said disdainfully, "That old geezer, the late emperor, wanted to build the Chaotian Palace and the Ascension Platform in his pursuit of immortality. He needed golden pillars and silver platforms to guide the immortals. To raise money, he auctioned off various official positions in the court. The national treasury didn't even have a copper coin left!"
Beitang Xin'er smiled slightly: "I think both of you sisters should feel lucky. If the imperial court hadn't obtained the Liancheng Treasure, what would the emperor, with a stable court, a clear situation, and desperately short of money, have done to raise funds? Which sect would she have targeted?"
Yang Yan laughed, "Qingyi Tower! Linglong Pavilion's wealth is distributed across various prefectures, and the Sky Eagle Sect can always sail overseas to establish themselves. Moreover, the Sky Eagle Sect has roots in the Ming Cult; at worst, they can raise a rebellion! The easiest gang to defeat is clearly Qingyi Tower!"
Yin Susu added, "There are 108 floors in Qingyi, with 108 people on each floor, totaling over 10,000 people. Even disregarding other expenses, just the basic needs of these 10,000 people for food, drink, and shelter constitute a huge fortune!"
Dongfang Qingmu quietly pretended to be deaf and dumb.
Beitang Mo hid himself in the shadows!
These women are too fierce; almost every word they say can be judged as "disrespectful." Most importantly, they can't inform on each other because they are immediate family members.
Beitang Mo is the most direct descendant of the direct line!
Qin Nanqin concluded, "Since we can't reach a conclusion in a short time, and we're already here, let's have dinner at the Prince's residence and try the imperial chef's cooking!"
Dongfang Qingmu coughed violently.
Beitang Mo kept patting his chest.
As everyone knows, the imperial court is extremely poor, having been poor for three whole years. The treasure has just been unearthed and has not yet been used. As a prince, Liu Qingci must set an example and keep life in the palace as simple as possible.
The Prince's mansion did not have an imperial chef, only a few cooks who were good at stewing meat. Liu Qingci was not picky about food, and as long as there was meat in every meal, he was happy.
Liu Qingci liked to freeload meals from Xu Qingya, partly because he coveted Xu Qingya's good looks, and partly because Xu Qingya's cooking skills were far superior to those of the Prince's mansion's chefs!
How would you describe the cooks in the Prince's mansion?
—Luffy's "Dream Chef"!
They specialize in making big, dark, flavorful pork bones!
Upon learning that several distinguished guests were going to have a meal, the cook used all his skills and served more than a dozen bowls of meat and vegetables to everyone an hour later. The Prince's mansion did not have exquisite plates, but rather large rice bowls. Liu Qingci was born with superhuman strength and his blood and energy were as vigorous as a dragon and a tiger, and his appetite was also comparable to that of a dragon and a tiger.
Yang Yan and Yin Susu could tolerate the endless pots of stewed meat, while Qin Nanqin, who came from a poor background, loved it the most. Beitang Xin'er's jet-black hair was streaked with a few white hairs, and Cheng Lingsu, who had been a vegetarian since childhood, almost vomited. This was just too damn greasy.
After being reminded by Yin Susu and Yang Yan, Cheng Lingsu decided to eat more meat to improve her health. She didn't aim to become curvy, but at least she didn't want to break easily. However, this amount of meat and vegetables was beyond her limits.
"Is this the food His Highness is eating?"
Cheng Lingsu posed a soul-searching question.
This is different from what's written in the book!
Yin Susu patted Cheng Lingsu's shoulder: "The One-Shoulder King is born with superhuman strength, capable of tearing tigers and leopards apart, his qi and blood are like wolf smoke, he can eat a bushel of rice and ten pounds of meat in one meal."
Yang Yan chuckled, "Susu, you're making up stories to scare Lingsu again. It's not that exaggerated!"
Beitang Xin'er covered her mouth and chuckled, "Sister Yin's words are indeed not entirely true. The actual situation is that the Prince of the First Rank eats even more than she said!"
Cheng Lingsu: You fucking kidded me!
Dongfang Qingmu added slowly and deliberately, "There's a rule in the Prince's mansion: no wasting food! You're not allowed to leave the table until you've finished all your food!"
Women: Liu Qingci, you just wait!
"Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!"
Liu Qingci, who was studying etiquette in the palace, suddenly sneezed seven or eight times. Turning around, she saw the old-fashioned official from the Ministry of Rites staring intently at her: "Your Highness! Tomorrow is the sacrificial ceremony; you can't slack off!"
Liu Qingci looked at Xu Qingya beside her, her expression pitiful: "Qingya! I've been learning etiquette here for three days, I'm so pitiful! Make me some sauerkraut with pork belly, braised pork ribs, and roasted whole lamb—I'm so hungry I could swallow a whole cow whole!"
The old man said in a completely emotionless tone, "Lord Xu learned faster and has memorized all the etiquette movements, so he can go to the imperial kitchen to cook. The prince learned slower, and His Majesty has decreed that if you cannot remember these etiquette movements, you will not be allowed to eat dinner!"
Liu Qingci looked at Xu Qingya pleadingly.
Xu Qingya laughed and said, "I'll go cook! Once I've finished making these dishes, you'll be able to learn how to cook them!"
Xu Qingya went to the imperial kitchen to cook, while Liu Qingci painstakingly practiced etiquette. Liu Dinghuan, upon hearing this, found it quite amusing and instructed, "Eunuch Mi, tell the imperial kitchen not to serve the meal, and also tell Minister Xu to prepare more dishes. I will be dining in the Tongming Hall tonight!"
Mi Cangqiong: Hehe! I'm going right now!