Chapter Nine, the tree wishes to be still, but the wind does not cease
"Piao Xue" is the surname of the King of the Snow Domain, placed at the end of the name. Zi Xia Piao Xue was born at midnight in the summer, hence this name. It is said that at birth, he had purple hair and purple eyes, with red lips and white teeth, strikingly beautiful and enchanting like a woman. The reigning monarch, Chu Long Piao Xue, considered this an ill omen and did not show affection towards Zi Xia Piao Xue from a young age, while his brothers also treated him with great disdain. However, Zi Xia Piao Xue displayed extraordinary talent from an early age, having an exceptional memory for anything related to literature. At the age of six, due to his unique bone structure, he was noticed by the Grand Master of the Sacred Sect of the Snow Domain and was exceptionally accepted as a disciple. By the age of ten, he had mastered the legendary "Lotus Vine Divine Skill," which was feared by those in the martial world. He then returned to the palace, gradually began to gather followers, and by the age of fourteen, he bloodily seized the imperial capital and ascended to the highest throne, becoming the youngest emperor in the history of the Snow Domain.
Why are you being so unreasonable, you raccoon! Guo Jing is a character from Jin Yong's novel "The Legend of the Condor Heroes". How can I explain it to you clearly in such a short time? If you want to hear the story, you will have to wait until I put on my clothes and then I will tell you slowly. I am furious
In the twelfth year of Kangshun, the fourteen-year-old eighth prince of the Snowy Domain, Zixia Piaoxue, stormed into the Yongde Grand Hall with troops and assassinated his father to ascend the throne, renaming the era of the Snowy Domain to "Tianqi." The entire Snowy Domain was shaken, and there was widespread condemnation of the new king in both court and society, accusing him of "moral decay and loss of humanity, willing to kill his own father for the throne," asserting that he "would surely lose the people's hearts and would not remain in power for more than a month." Many loyal old ministers even jointly submitted their resignations. Zixia Piaoxue did not permit this, so these ministers collectively resigned to their homes. Zixia Piaoxue remained unfazed, greatly expanding the imperial examination, employing people beyond the usual standards, and promoting many young and capable individuals with noble aspirations to important positions; he also rewarded agriculture and sericulture, developing the economy. Gradually, the Snowy Domain began to show signs of prosperity. However, there were still many opponents in both the court and society, especially among the other princes, who glared at him with anger.
In my haste, I stamped my foot and stood up: "Call Yun'er again and see how I deal with you!" After saying this, I pretended to pinch the girl's face. As she fled, she shouted: "Yun'er, Yun'er, little Yun'er! The Crown Prince can call, so why can't I?"
I wish to pursue her, but the raccoon cat suddenly pulls me into its embrace and says: "Do not pay her any mind; tomorrow, find a formidable family, and naturally, someone will take care of her."
After a prolonged and strange silence, the Emperor finally spoke: "Indeed, what the Crown Princess said is reasonable. It was I who was momentarily confused; it seems that with age, I am not as sharp as the younger generation. Confused, indeed, I am getting old." The Emperor gradually reined in the murderous intent in his eyes, and everyone in the hall let out a sigh of relief. However, the gaze of Minister Pan towards me was filled with reluctance. My father looked at me and smiled with satisfaction.
Oh! I gasped, my heart racing as if I had just completed ten roller coaster rides. What kind of logic is this from the raccoon? I find it hard to wrap my head around it.
You are bored! Brother Jing is Guo Jing! I don't understand why the raccoon cat cares so much about Guo Jing. Could it be that he had a grudge against someone named Guo Jing in the past? Even if there is a grudge, he shouldn't vent his anger on me
I, however, do not think so. Although the 'heavens' are high and vast, 'clouds' can obscure the sun and cover the sky. If that is the case, could it not be said that 'clouds' are greater than 'heavens'? The emperor finished speaking with a smile, yet the audience fell into a profound silence, not daring to breathe. Some were anxious, while others felt a sense of secret joy. The Deputy Minister stood there, unable to advance or retreat. My palms were icy cold; it turned out that today's banquet was a trap, and the emperor's words were directed at my Yun family! Looking at my father, he sat calmly to the side, seemingly unconcerned, while the cat beside me squeezed my cold, sweaty hand and gave me a reassuring look. Just as he was about to say something, I could no longer wait and interrupted him.
Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence in the imperial study for a discussion on state affairs". Wang Laoji stood outside, trembling as he announced this through the intricately inlaid porcelain screen.
The raccoon cat's eyes shimmered like obsidian, and as it looked at me, it smiled in a bewitching manner: "As husband and wife, how can we speak of 'impropriety'?"
Father, you are not old at all; I believe you are still very young. Would you like to hear a story from me?
Of course, matters of the world have nothing to do with me. As long as they do not pose a threat to me or the Yun family, I generally just listen and do not discuss these matters with others
The raccoon cat slowly pressed its face against mine, its lips brushing against my earlobe: "Yun'er calls me 'raccoon cat', does she not?" The raccoon cat smiled mysteriously, "Alright, I like it. From now on, Yun'er shall call me that."
Yuling did not respond, but mischievously blinked her sparkling eyes, leaning close to my nose and staring at me: "Hehe, however, I must say 'Yun'er' is truly beautiful; this shyness, with her flushed cheeks, makes her even more lovely! No wonder the Crown Prince is so captivated; even I am starting to be enchanted."
"I, the humble daughter-in-law, dare to say that Your Majesty's words are incorrect." All eyes once again focused on me
"Xiangze Erlong" refers to the Crown Prince of Xiangze and the Third Prince, both of whom bear a striking resemblance to each other. Their signature peach blossom-shaped, elongated phoenix eyes have become the standard for mate selection among the women of Xiangze. The two are equally matched in strength, and their rivalry for the throne has become a well-known secret across the land. Furthermore, the love story between the Crown Prince and the rumored most beautiful woman in the world, "Princess Mint," has spread far and wide.
Seeing him leave, I truly felt a sense of relief in my heart
"Nanyun" refers to Yun Siru, the son of the Prime Minister of the Xiangze Kingdom. Born into a family of merchants and officials, he remains uncontentious, showing no interest in commerce or politics, and instead delights in the pleasures of brush and ink. His father, the Prime Minister, does not hinder him, allowing him to develop freely. Yun Siru's landscape and flower-and-bird paintings are unparalleled, and he possesses an ethereal appearance, resembling a celestial being, as if he has stepped out from those ink paintings. He later earned the title of "Saint of Painting," with his works being priceless. Suitors have nearly worn down the threshold of the Yun residence, yet Yun Siru has never accepted a single proposal, nor has the Prime Minister expressed any opinion. People speculate that Yun Siru likely disregards all beauties of the world because he has a sister of exceptional beauty, believing that no one can compare unless they surpass her in appearance. Regardless, this does not prevent young women from viewing Yun Siru as their ideal, believing that as long as he remains unmarried, they still have hope.
"Who is Jing Gege!" The raccoon cat tightened its grip on my wrist, and I felt as if my wrist was about to be crushed, causing my eyes to redden with pain
Hehe, I finally caught a glimpse of it! People say that His Highness the Crown Prince is very fond of the Crown Princess, and I didn't believe it, but seeing it today, it is indeed true! No wonder the Crown Prince doesn't go to see Ling'er anymore. A pink and lively figure bounced into the hall, and upon closer inspection, it was the Eighth Princess Yu Ling, with round apricot eyes, a delicate nose, and rosy lips, quite adorable, and she is twelve years old, the same age as me. The other princesses always regard the cold and aloof raccoon cat with a sense of awe and do not dare to approach her, but the Eighth Princess is very fond of getting close to the raccoon cat, constantly calling her 'Crown Prince Brother' in a playful manner. Upon closer inspection, it was indeed the Eighth Princess Yu Ling, with round apricot eyes, a delicate nose, and rosy lips, quite adorable, and she is twelve years old, the same age as me. The other princesses always regard the cold and aloof raccoon cat with a sense of awe and do not dare to approach her, but the Eighth Princess is very fond of getting close to the raccoon cat, constantly calling her 'Crown Prince Brother' in a playful manner. The raccoon cat, being such a cold person, does not seem to reject the lively Yu Ling. Since Yu Ling knows that I am the same age as her, she often comes to the East Palace to find me. I have never been very interested in social interactions and have not been very warm towards her. However, she persisted, and eventually, I was moved by her stubborn enthusiasm. Now, the people I interact with the most in this palace, apart from the raccoon cat and Xiao Shiliu, are this Eighth Princess.
Wonderful! Wonderful! Hahaha! This is the most novel and meaningful gift I have received this year! My son truly has a remarkable imagination! The Emperor was so delighted that he could hardly close his mouth, and the others were also awed by the momentum of the dominoes, continuously expressing their admiration.
Oh? What item could possibly be immovable? I am quite curious. Let us proceed to the Defang Hall! The Emperor, in high spirits, took the lead and walked towards the Defang Hall, followed by a group of attendants.
Upon reflection, those who vehemently criticized and slandered me, labeling me as "cunning and deceitful, with a silver tongue, adept at misleading others with words," may have been influenced by my remarks during this grand banquet. Historians refer to this incident as "the phrase that revealed the opportunity for assassination"
The Crown Princess says it is of no concern
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, and Her Highness, the Crown Princess, please enter the Yongde Hall!" A eunuch officiant outside the threshold announced loudly, instantly breaking the eerie atmosphere in the room. I "leaped" out from the embrace of the raccoon cat, feeling greatly relieved. In my haste, the jingling of my ornaments rang out, and a hairpin that I had not secured properly fell to the ground. The raccoon cat shot a dark and displeased glance at the eunuch at the door, who, not understanding the reason, trembled in fear. The raccoon cat bent down to pick up the golden hairpin, and when he looked up, his expression had returned to normal. He then personally placed the hairpin on my head and took my hand to step out of the Yongde Hall.
Not long after taking the throne, his elder brother Yu Peng Piaoxue raised an army in Yizhou, claiming the title of General, under the pretext of a campaign to attack the capital "Yudu" with an army of 100,000. He was suppressed with iron blood by Zixia Piaoxue and was executed by slow slicing. Although this uprising was quickly quelled, the hidden opposition still held significant power. These individuals "harbored intentions of rebellion in secret" and were always prepared to overthrow Zixia Piaoxue's rule. Since they had not yet revolted, a large army could not be dispatched to suppress them; thus, they could only be punished by brutal and harsh officials who abused their power. Consequently, some suggested to the new king to "exterminate all royal family members and nobles who do not align with him." Zixia Piaoxue then began to support cruel officials, opened the prison for edicts, and imposed heavy penalties and severe punishments, utilizing these cruel officials to eliminate dissenters and eradicate political enemies.
I do not wish to repeat it for the third time! Clearly state who Guo Jing is! The weasel pressed its mouth close to my ear and coldly commanded, making me feel the chilling wind slicing through my earlobe
After the Emperor reviewed this memorial, he ordered a thorough investigation. Upon verification of the facts, Liu Licheng was dismissed from his position and executed, along with the extermination of his nine clans. However, regarding the "backers" mentioned in the memorial, the Emperor chose to remain silent and did not address the issue, thus concluding the case. The official in charge of the archives found it inappropriate to bring it up again. The Emperor handled this matter with great finesse, maintaining a balance; he severely punished Liu Licheng, appeasing the faction of the Third Prince, while ensuring that Yun Shuixin was not implicated. The Emperor's intentions are difficult to discern, yet this incident undoubtedly marks a growing clarity in the struggle between the Third Prince and the Crown Prince. The Emperor handled this matter with great finesse, maintaining a balance; he severely punished Liu Licheng, appeasing the faction of the Third Prince, while ensuring that Yun Shuixin was not implicated. The Emperor's intentions are difficult to discern, yet this incident undoubtedly marks a growing clarity in the struggle between the Third Prince and the Crown Prince.
"Ling'er, don't be naughty. Why haven't you gone to Yongde Hall yet?" The raccoon glanced at Yuling, seemingly unconcerned, and continued with the massage. I usually consider myself to have a thick skin, but at this moment, I felt my cheeks burning as if on fire. I shot a glare at the raccoon, wishing he would stop quickly, but alas, the raccoon's skin was thicker than mine, and he continued unabated.
Within the Eastern Palace lies a place known as "Yangbi Pool," which spares me from the chill of bathing in winter. The palace is equipped with waterways that channel the waters of the Wei and Fan rivers into the palace. The Wei River is cold in nature, while the Fan River is warm, akin to a hot spring. Therefore, in summer, the cold water from the Wei River is drawn in, and in winter, the warm water from the Fan River is utilized, flowing continuously day and night.
It was not until a long time later that I understood he wanted me not to fall in love with someone like Guo Jing, just as Huang Rong did
The gift from the son is not convenient to move, and I must trouble Your Majesty and Empress to accompany me to the side hall, De Fang Hall, to take a look. The raccoon cat replied while holding my hand, her eyes filled with laughter
In summary, these five individuals are all prominent figures, frequently mentioned in casual conversations among both the aristocracy and the common people during tea breaks and meals
The eunuch who had been waiting outside the hall cautiously pushed open the door of the carved rosewood hall, and saw that the brightly lit hall was adorned with square jade stones of various colors and uniform sizes, placed at fixed intervals on the floor. Viewed from above, the arrangement of the small jade stones formed a pattern that represented the map of the Xiangze Kingdom
Then Assistant Minister Yu was taken aback and replied: "Heaven is the supreme and most exalted deity, the greatest of all. Under heaven, only the Emperor can be on par with Heaven, thus he is naturally the best.
Various extreme tortures severely struck the opposition of Zixia Piaoxue, fundamentally weakening their power, clearing obstacles for Zixia Piaoxue to consolidate his regime, and consequently earning him the title of "Demon King" among the people
As I was singing with great enthusiasm, suddenly my wrist was forcefully pulled upward by someone. Startled, I looked up and met the shadowy, half-squinted eyes of the raccoon. That gaze—indicating he was very angry. But why was he angry? It should be me who is angry, having been spied on while bathing. Ah! I was in the shower, completely unclothed, exposed! In a panic, I tried to pull my arm back to cover myself, but the raccoon was much stronger than I, and I couldn't retrieve it. I had no choice but to use my other arm to cover my chest under the water. Ah! I was in the shower, completely unclothed, exposed! In a panic, I tried to pull my arm back to cover myself, but the raccoon was much stronger than I, and I couldn't retrieve it. I had no choice but to use my other arm to cover my chest under the water.
"Hurry up and tell me! Who is Jing Gege!" The expression on the raccoon cat's face at this moment could freeze a person to death
Zixia Piaoxue has become a highly controversial figure. Some say he is cruel and bloodthirsty; others claim he is both wise and brave, invincible in attack and undefeated in battle; some describe him as intelligent and perceptive, possessing a celestial demeanor; while others accuse him of being full of cunning schemes, evil and ferocious, akin to the Third Prince of Xiangze Kingdom, King Yujing.
After three rounds of drinks, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Yu Guanmian, approached the Emperor to offer a toast: "May Your Majesty enjoy long-lasting fortune and longevity, equal to that of Heaven!" Upon finishing his words, he tilted his head back and drained his cup. However, the Emperor did not drink; he merely held up his wine cup and said, "Oh? According to Deputy Minister Yu, is this 'Heaven' the best in the world?" At that moment, the entire hall fell silent, unsure of the Emperor's meaning. I felt a chill in my heart; this scene was all too familiar, and I wondered who the old Emperor would target today.
"Haha! Preparing this gift, the Crown Princess has put in a lot of effort." The Emperor nodded at me
Finally, there is the segment of presenting longevity gifts, which is significant
"If Father Emperor is happy, it is a blessing for the minister's wife." I felt countless gazes once again focused on me, among which the most noticeable was the playful look from the lucky cat. The bird that sticks its head out gets shot, how did the raccoon cat reveal me? The tree wishes to be still, but the wind does not cease; today, I have once again become the center of attention
"Longzhonghua" refers to a man with the surname "Hua" from the Xilong region. It is said that this person is dashing and charming, skilled in the use of poison, and also proficient in medicine, saving lives or taking them based on personal preference. His whereabouts are elusive, yet he has won the hearts of many women, leaving behind a trail of romantic entanglements and accumulating considerable debts of passion. No one knows his origins, and not even his full name is known; it is only known that his surname is Hua. Some say he is the leader of the Wudu Sect, while others claim he is the Divine Physician of Xiaoshan. Regardless of the claims, they undoubtedly add a layer of mystery to his persona. No one knows his origins, and not even his full name is known; it is only known that his surname is Hua. Some say he is the leader of the Wudu Sect, while others claim he is the Divine Physician of Xiaoshan. Regardless of the claims, they undoubtedly add a layer of mystery to his persona
Upon receiving the battle report, the Kingdom of Xiangze and the Kingdom of Xilong immediately began urgent military drills, deploying double the usual number of troops to the northern frontier
Let go of me! I struggled.
Understood, you may go now. The raccoon cat replied, a hint of regret passing over its face. Yun'er should not soak for too long, lest she catch a chill. In the evening, I still wish to hear Yun'er tell the story of that Guo Jing.
In the fifteenth year of Kangshun, in October, the historian of the Lantai, Feng Changyu, submitted a memorial to Governor Liu Licheng of Shenyun Prefecture, accusing him of embezzling over one hundred thousand taels of disaster relief funds from the court over the past two years, requesting the Emperor to impose severe punishment to appease the public anger. The memorial subtly implied that Liu Licheng, as merely a governor, would not dare to commit such heinous acts without someone powerful backing him. The ministers in the court were in an uproar; who did not know that Liu Licheng was a faction of the Left Chancellor? This memorial of impeachment undoubtedly pointed fingers at the current Left Chancellor, Yun Shuixin.
"Raccoon cat"? Are you calling me?" The raccoon cat was taken aback
"Your Majesty, the Empress has arrived!" As soon as the words were spoken, the Emperor, dressed in a golden-trimmed longevity robe, entered the grand hall alongside the Empress, and everyone immediately knelt down. "Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, may he live for ten thousand years! Long live the Empress, may she live for ten thousand years! May Your Majesty's longevity be as enduring as the Southern Mountain, and may your blessings be as vast as the Eastern Sea!" After the Emperor and Empress took their seats, they smiled and waved their hands, saying, "You may rise!" The chief eunuch, holding a whisk, then announced loudly, "The banquet begins!" The palace maids waiting nearby entered in succession, carrying an array of exquisite dishes and fine wines. Following this, the raccoon and I led the toast to the Emperor, after which everyone present raised their glasses in salute to the Emperor.
I love taking baths; every time I take a bath, my mood becomes particularly good. When my mood is good, I enjoy singing. However, this pool is too large, just like singing in a KTV private room. Suddenly, I remembered a song and happily hummed while washing: "I am not Huang Rong, I cannot martial arts, I only want Jing Ge..."
This is what the Crown Princess desires; I am merely finding someone to carve and depict the jade.
The position of me and the raccoon cat is on the left side of the main seat, with the two sides below filled in order of rank by princes, princesses, and other civil and military officials. My father is seated below me on the same side, surrounded by a group of officials who are whispering about something. I glanced over and immediately spotted the fortune cat, still wearing that seemingly peaceful demeanor, gazing at me with its narrow, flower-like eyes. Thinking of how contradictory it is, having plotted to nearly drown me, my anger surged, and I shot it a fierce glare. Upon seeing me glare at it, a smile resembling a lotus flower blossomed on its lips, and it raised its wine cup in a mock toast to me. Just as I was puzzled, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my palm, and turning my head, I saw that although the raccoon cat was gazing calmly ahead, one of its hands was firmly gripping my palm under the table.
"Please, Your Majesty, push this jade stone over," said the raccoon cat, pointing to a jade stone in front of the Emperor's feet. The Emperor found it quite amusing and bent down to gently push the jade stone over. Instantly, the subsequent jade stones began to topple one after another in a chain reaction, totaling more than five hundred pieces, creating a magnificent scene. After the last jade stone fell, everyone could finally see that the original map design had been replaced by a large, bright red character for 'longevity.' Yes, this is the globally popular domino effect! After the last jade stone fell, everyone could finally see that the original map design had been replaced by a large, bright red character for 'longevity.' Yes, this is the globally popular domino effect!
It is said that the Lantai Ling Shi Feng Changyu has long been on good terms with the Right Chancellor Pan Xingye. Currently, the Right Chancellor supports the Third Prince, Prince Yujing. Without the consent of Prince Yujing, given Yun Shuixin's current position in the court, no Lantai Ling Shi would dare to write such a bold memorial. The other ministers, upon hearing of this matter, could not help but feel anxious, waiting for the Emperor's decision on the issue
Oh? What insights does the Crown Princess have? The Emperor rested his right elbow on the armrest, slightly tilting his head to look at me
Guo Jing is the son-in-law of Huang Yaoshi, the master of Peach Blossom Island, the husband of Huang Rong, the father of Guo Fu and Guo Xiang, and the sworn brother of Yang Kang, as well as a disciple of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan and Hong Qigong of the Beggar's Sect. Are you satisfied now? Today, what was wrong with the raccoon cat, peeking at me while I bathe just to find out who Guo Jing is
In ancient times, it is said that there was a one-legged divine beast called Kui. Kui envied the centipede, for the centipede had more legs and could walk. The centipede is a creature with many legs. The centipede, in turn, envied the snake, for the snake had no legs yet could move faster than the centipede. The snake envied the wind, for the wind moved even faster than the snake, yet had no form at all. What does the wind envy? The wind envies the eyes of humans, for wherever the gaze reaches, the wind has not arrived, yet the human sight has already reached there. The snake also envies the wind, for the wind moves faster than the snake, yet has no form. What does the wind envy? The wind envies the eyes of humans, for wherever the gaze reaches, the wind has not arrived, yet the human sight has already reached there. Is the gaze not the fastest? Ultimately, the gaze envies one thing, which is the human heart. When the gaze has not yet reached, the human heart can arrive. When our hearts stir, our thoughts can already reach. Thus, the human heart can transcend any time and space. How can the heart of the father emperor be so young and still speak of 'old'?
This space-time encompasses a total of five countries, with Mount Xiao and the Qi River serving as the boundary that separates the southern and northern regions. The southern region is divided into the southeastern country of Xiangze and the southwestern country of Xilong, characterized by interwoven mountain ranges. The northern region consists of three countries, from west to east: Chenxing, Beiyi, and Xueyu, with Xueyu being the largest in terms of land area.
However, Yun'er must not learn from that Huang Rong!" After saying this, she gave me a warning glance. I was completely puzzled, what should I learn from Huang Rong? Why did she only say half of it, leaving me in a state of confusion.
The winter in Xiangze Country, though not long, is not particularly cold. In recent years, I have become quite sensitive to the cold, and I wonder if this is a sign of poor health. Surrounded by a pool of swirling mist, I sit in the hot spring, staring blankly at the faint chrysanthemum-shaped bruise on my right wrist. It seems that Master Fang and my father are hiding something from me; this bruise is definitely not as simple as Master Fang claims. However, I have summoned various physicians from the Imperial Medical Institute multiple times, and they have all diagnosed me with only a mild pollen allergy, stating that my health is generally fine. During their examinations, they appeared calm and did not seem to be lying. I cannot help but wonder what the truth is behind this matter.
Wishing the Emperor a long and prosperous life! The raccoon and I kneel down together
I am now definitely as red as a ripe tomato from head to toe
Gradually, a saying began to circulate among the three countries—"Southern clouds, northern snow, flowers in the mountains; fragrant Ze, two dragons vying for pearls." This refers to the five individuals who are highly controversial in these three countries
"The Crown Prince is the worst, having obtained good fortune for himself, yet he belittles Ling'er and ignores you all." The girl blushed, stamped her foot, and turned to leave. It turned out she could also blush; as she walked away, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Turning around, I found myself staring into the eyes of the raccoon cat, whose eyes reflected shimmering waves, fully mirroring my face. My heart tightened, and I wanted to step back, but the raccoon cat's arm firmly wrapped around my lower back, as if under some enchantment... Her face drew closer to mine, and I was so frightened that I had to tightly shut my eyes... Turning around, I found myself staring into the eyes of the raccoon cat, whose eyes reflected shimmering waves, fully mirroring my face. My heart tightened, and I wanted to step back, but the raccoon cat's arm firmly wrapped around my lower back, as if under some enchantment... Her face drew closer to mine, and I was so frightened that I had to tightly shut my eyes...
The Yangbi Pool is said to have been built by the Holy Ancestor for his beloved concubine. Later, during the renovation of the imperial palace, it was designated for the use of the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace. The bathing pool is made of Han white jade, intricately carved with gold and stone, adorned with a variety of exotic flowers and lush leaves. Above it is a purple cloud canopy with nine dragons, and on all four sides are brocade curtains from Shu, spanning three rounds around the pool. A pavilion made of brocade is constructed on the bridge, with the central plaque depicting a phoenix, the left plaque representing the凝霞 (Ningxia), and the right plaque symbolizing承霄 (Chengxiao), with the three plaques resembling a formation of geese facing each other. Additionally, a horizontal bridge connects the three pavilions for ease of passage. Within the pool are placed warm jade lions, white crystal deer, and red stone horses, serving as "waterborne auspicious delights".
Gifts that had been prepared in advance were successively presented, consisting mainly of rare antiques, exquisite treasures, medicinal herbs, and rare birds, as well as offerings of singers from the Western Regions. Among these, the gift from the Fortune Cat was the most precious—a jade cauldron made from pieces of five-colored jade, intricately carved with vivid depictions of mythical beasts such as Taotie, Kui Long, and Qiu. The Emperor had always had a fondness for collecting jade artifacts, and this gift from the Fortune Cat was perfectly aligned with his tastes. Upon receiving the cauldron, the Emperor's joy was evident, and he praised it repeatedly.
Ah! Just now, in a moment of panic, I said something without even knowing what it was. Now I regret it and wish I could bite my own tongue off. I have no idea what consequences there might be for giving the Crown Prince a nickname. After all, one "Guo Jing" has already caused quite a stir, and now adding another "Limao" has left me feeling anxious and at a loss.
However, this is merely a beginning, not an ending. In the 14th year of Kangshun, which corresponds to the 3rd year of Tianqi, Zixia Piaoxue sought passage through the neighboring country of Beiyi to launch an attack on the northwestern country of Chenxing. The condition was that, upon victory, half of the territory of Chenxing would be divided and given to Beiyi. The ministers of Beiyi deemed this inappropriate, arguing that Beiyi and Chenxing were closely linked, and if the lips were gone, the teeth would be cold. They petitioned to reject Zixia Piaoxue's proposal. However, the ruler of Beiyi had long coveted the territory of Chenxing and found Zixia Piaoxue's terms very enticing. Without expending a single soldier, they could easily obtain half of the spoils simply by granting passage. Blinded by profit and disregarding the opposition of his ministers, the ruler of Beiyi insisted on signing the passage agreement with Zixia Piaoxue.
After that, it took me nearly a week to explain the plot summary of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" to the raccoon cat in a disordered manner. It was quite a struggle to convey it. After listening, the raccoon cat concluded with two remarks, "Guo Jing is a fool, and Huang Rong marrying him is also foolish." Then it added, "Well, this story is still more suitable for Yun'er to read." How dare it call me foolish; I was so angry that my teeth itched! The raccoon cat, seeing me upset, laughed even more happily.
Later, I learned that on that night, the Jingwei in the palace had been waiting in a corner of the side hall, feeding mosquitoes for an entire night, but ultimately did not receive the predetermined signal from the Emperor; a group of assassins from the Yun family was also hiding in the dark corners of the palace roof, waiting all night, intending to fight for the Yun family’s life, but unexpectedly, this matter ended up unresolved.
Your Highness, the Crown Prince, and Her Highness, the Crown Princess, have arrived! As I entered the Yongde Hall hand in hand with the raccoon cat, the previously bustling hall fell into an immediate silence, all eyes converging upon us, their expressions astonishingly uniform. Over the years, I have grown accustomed to this; those who see me for the first time always wear this expression. It was the same back at the Yun residence, where the maids and servants who had watched me grow up would also pause for a couple of seconds upon seeing me. Reflecting on this, I couldn't help but smile slightly, which immediately elicited gasps from the crowd. After taking my seat, many remained in a daze, their gazes fixed upon me, while the raccoon cat cast a cold glance with half-closed eyes. Someone below awkwardly cleared their throat, and everyone immediately lowered their heads in a guilty manner to pay their respects to me and the raccoon cat.
Hahaha! Good, good, good! The words of the Crown Princess are very much to my liking!" The Emperor clapped his hands and laughed heartily, raising his head to drink a cup of wine. The ministers below all raised their cups in unison, praising the Emperor's youth, and the voices of admiration rose and fell in succession. For a moment, the clinking of cups and the exchange of toasts resumed the festive and lively atmosphere of the banquet
Subsequently, Zixia Piaoxue personally led an elite force of 100,000 and, within just six months, easily conquered the Chenxing Kingdom. According to the agreement, Zixia Piaoxue allocated half of the occupied territory of the Chenxing Kingdom to the Beiyi Kingdom. However, citing the inconvenience of managing the other half of the territory due to its distance from the Beiyi Kingdom, a long-term transit agreement was signed with the Beiyi Kingdom. The ruler of the Beiyi Kingdom, overjoyed to have gained a large portion of territory, readily agreed, unaware that he was actually Zixia Piaoxue's ultimate target. The lending of this major east-west thoroughfare laid the groundwork for an irretrievable hidden danger. From then on, the citizens of the Xueyu Kingdom, from the royal family and officials to commoners and laborers, could freely traverse the east-west main road of the Beiyi Kingdom, allowing Zixia Piaoxue to gradually gain control over the initiative of the road.
In the fifteenth year of Kangshun, in October, the Snow Domain Kingdom annihilated the Northern Wing Kingdom, returning with a great victory. From this point on, the Snow Domain Kingdom became the largest nation in this time and space, occupying the entire northern region north of the Xiaoshan and Qishui rivers. Later, the paper agreement for passage was referred to by historians as the "Fishing Agreement," which, as the name suggests, indicates that the ruler of the Northern Wing Kingdom, short-sighted and focused solely on immediate benefits, fell for the cunning scheme of Zixia Piaoxue, who used a long line to catch a big fish.
If one says that clouds can cover the sky, then clouds must be greater than the sky. However, when a gust of wind passes, the clouds disperse. Does this not mean that the 'wind' must be greater than the 'clouds', and thus, naturally greater than the 'sky' as well?" After I finished speaking, the person below, who had recently submitted a petition to impeach the governor of Yunzhou in an attempt to implicate my father, Feng Changyu, turned pale, clearly realizing that the 'wind' I referred to was indeed the 'Feng' in question. He was so frightened that cold sweat broke out on his face, and even from a distance, I could see his discomfort and restlessness. After tormenting him enough, I continued, "Therefore, I believe that the hypothesis put forth by His Majesty earlier is somewhat biased. The sky can accommodate all things, and all things exist beneath the 'sky'. Nothing can be higher than the sky, so the most esteemed is still the 'sky'.
The raccoon cat, indifferent to my daze, took the towel handed over with the Sprite and said, "Aren't you going to change? Why are you still sitting there?"
To the utmost extent of luxury, everything is dazzling, yet it loses the original intention of bathing to soothe the body and mind. Therefore, when I bathe here, I lean back against the edge of the pool, close my eyes to rest, and do not look at the intricate and heavy decorations.
"Why has the prince's gift not yet been presented?" the queen asked the raccoon in a puzzled tone.
In the fifteenth year of Kangshun (the fourth year of Tianqi), the general of the Snow Domain led an army of fifty thousand to attack the Northern Wing, as if entering a no-man's land. By the time the Snow Domain's troops reached the heart of the Northern Wing, Lingdu, the ruler of the Northern Wing was still lost in a dream of unearned gains, oblivious to the reality.
On the ninth day of the eleventh month of the same year, the Emperor celebrated his fiftieth birthday, and the entire nation rejoiced. The palace also invited ministers and royal family members to celebrate the Emperor's birthday together. That night, the Yongde Hall was brightly lit, adorned with lanterns and decorations, as officials and royals entered in succession to attend the "Longevity Banquet." The cat and I waited in the Xinde Hall on the side of the main hall, as we could only enter after all the ministers and royal family members had gathered, while the Emperor and Empress would enter after us to signify their supreme status.
It has been a long time since I adorned myself in such heavy and elaborate attire topped with a phoenix crown, and I can only feel a sense of suffocation throughout my body, my neck feels as if it might break, all while having to pretend to be dignified and graceful, which is truly distressing. Last year, during the Emperor's forty-ninth birthday celebration, I was fortunate enough to avoid participation due to catching a cold, allowing me to lie in the East Palace and enjoy my peace. However, this year, there is no way to escape. I feel both frustrated and ponder how I might stretch my limbs. Suddenly, a weasel approaches me, startling me, and I see him place his hand on the back of my neck, disregarding the gazes of the surrounding palace maids and eunuchs, and he actually begins to gently knead my painfully stiff neck. I am left speechless, while Wang Laoji beside me looks utterly dumbfounded. The weasel, however, gazes at me with a flirtatious smile and says, 'Yun'er, just bear with it!' At that moment, I can only feel my cheeks burning, unsure of how to respond.
The term "Northern Snow" need not be reiterated; it refers to the "Demon King" Zixia Piaoxue, who possesses purple hair and purple eyes.
He wants to help me dry my body! What a lecher! I frowned and said: "I need to change my clothes, please do not look, and I kindly ask Your Highness to avert your gaze."
Yun'er, do not try to fool me. If you do not clarify things today, do not think about leaving here!