And said you're not a fairy

Chapter 191 The Most Ruthless Imperial Family
Kyoto.

The capital of Dayong Dynasty.

Even though the Dayong Dynasty has lasted for nearly 300 years, Dayong's national power continues to weaken, signs of the end of the dynasty have begun to appear, and Dayong's prefectures and counties are in chaos, but as the capital of the Dayong Dynasty, it is still peaceful and orderly.

It is the busiest and most populous city in Dayong.

Nearly 200 million people live in Kyoto, which can be said to be a treasure trove of resources and outstanding people.

Looking down from a high place, you can see endless houses and buildings, as well as the crowds of people walking shoulder to shoulder on the street.

You can even see some white-skinned, yellow-haired, blue-eyed Westerners among these people, as well as very savage-looking prairie slaves wearing animal skin dresses and braids, or people with tattoos on their faces, hands and feet, and dark skin. of barbarians.

Royal Palace.

Inside the Immortal Hall.

There are many bronze crane sculptures. In the middle of the main hall, there is a very large, seven-foot-tall double-eared alchemy furnace. The smoke rising from the double-eared alchemy furnace exudes a refreshing fragrance, which condenses and never disperses, making the whole place... The palace is like being in Penglai fairyland.

Yongming Jiang Xun, who is six feet tall and in his fifties, has fair and rosy facial skin and dark hair. He looks like a middle-aged man in his late teens. He is wearing a black Taoist robe and a pair of Bagua boots. With a Taoist bun on her head, she looked like a Taoist priest.

Sitting cross-legged behind the alchemy furnace, in the center of a high platform with nine steps, there is a yin and yang futon for meditating on.

"Your Majesty, the minister has something urgent to report!"

At this moment, a feminine voice came from outside the palace, interrupting Emperor Yongming's practice.

Emperor Yongming opened his eyes, with suppressed anger.

However, his practice had been interrupted, and he could only say in a deep voice: "Come in!"

Then the palace door opened, and a eunuch wearing purple eunuch clothes and a ribbon on his waist, who looked older than Emperor Yongming, walked in from the outside with small steps.

"What's going on? I have just experienced what the Imperial Master said, "Being in harmony with Tao, heaven and man are one; the heart is like still water, and light is like dust." If you can't explain why today, I will definitely kill you. skin."

Emperor Yongming looked coldly and calmly at the old eunuch who walked into the hall and knelt on the ground to salute him and cursed.

This old eunuch's name was Gao Daofu. He was a trusted eunuch who had been cultivating in his harem in recent years and was supported by him.

This eunuch was given the title of eunuch by his official rank and a third-grade general. In addition, when he was not involved in political affairs in recent years, many memorials submitted to him were handed over to the other party for approval. Therefore, this old eunuch can be said to be a high-ranking eunuch. Weights.

This also led to a large number of officials in the court gathering under his command.

He and Sun Baigui, who is also the prime minister, regard him as a fire and water. Sun Baigui denounces Gao Daofu as eunuchs, and the officials who take refuge in Gao Daofu's name are eunuchs. Gao Daofu denounces Sun Baigui for monopolizing power and not taking the current majesty seriously at all. There was a fierce fight in the court.

It was under such circumstances that Emperor Yongming sat firmly on the high platform, watching from the other side, and mastered the art of balance. Even though he was hiding in the harem to practice Taoism, and did not go to court for 13 years and did not deal with political affairs, he still firmly held the power in his hands. .

Of course, Gao Daofu's rise to power was completely indulged by Emperor Yongming.

Gaudolph also understood this. He put his position in a correct position, knowing that he was just a slave supported by His Majesty, a slave to balance the power of the ministers in the court.

Without him, Your Majesty can quickly support another powerful official.

Gao Daofu cooperated very well with Emperor Yongming, often creating the illusion of being domineering and domineering outside, and covering the sky with one hand in court.

In fact, he approved minor political matters in the court casually, but he would secretly come to Emperor Yongming to discuss major matters and ask for his opinion.

The old eunuch Gao Daofu turned pale when he was looked at by Emperor Yongming. He was the only one who understood the character of the emperor whom he had served for more than 20 years, knew his persistence in cultivating Taoism and becoming an immortal, and also knew that he usually did not show off his anger when he was really angry. He would get angry directly, but like now, he would look at him with an expressionless face and cold eyes.

"Your Majesty, the King of Nanxiang has ascended to heaven!"

Gao Daofu did not dare to delay and told the reason why he came to see Emperor Yongming.

"King of Nanxiang?"

"My fifteenth brother?"

After learning the reason, Emperor Yongming's cold expression quickly retreated.

Although he was devoted to cultivating Taoism, he still knew the priorities of things.

After all, he was a prince of the imperial court, so his death would be a serious matter.

"Yes, it is the fifteenth prince."

Gaudolph finished his salute, raised his head, and responded quickly.

The late emperor had a total of seventeen princes and eight princesses.

His master, Emperor Yongming, ranked fourth. The eldest prince in front was named the prince since birth.

However, because of his surly temperament, he frequently beat and scolded the maids and eunuchs in the palace, often resulting in deaths. From childhood to adulthood, in just 13 years, 400 maids and eunuchs died at the hands of the prince.

In addition, the prince was born with a hidden disease, had a hunchback, and had a poor image, so that the late emperor at that time did not like the prince.

Later, once, when the prince was 15 years old, when he went to the harem to meet his mother and concubine, he took the opportunity to do something inappropriate to the former emperor's concubine. The late emperor discovered it, and the late emperor was completely angered and deposed the eldest prince as the crown prince. , together with his mother and concubine, were thrown into the cold palace.

In the next three years, the second prince and the third prince began a three-year battle to win the throne. Not only did they win over ministers in the court, but local officials also needed to take sides if they wanted to be promoted.

In order to win the crown prince's position, both parties did everything possible.

Later, the fight between the two sides reached a fever pitch. The third prince took advantage of the second prince's outing, bribed his guards, and hired someone to assassinate the second prince. Although the second prince was not killed on the spot and saved his life, he was also seriously injured. Only the remaining Half life.

The assassination of the second prince was not a trivial matter. The mother-in-law, the empress, and the queen's family behind the second prince put pressure on the late emperor. The late emperor reluctantly handed the matter over to the Ministry of Justice for investigation, and finally found out that the person who assassinated the second prince was actually sent by the third prince. .

The late emperor was equally displeased with those who killed each other for the throne. He sent the third prince and his mother and concubine to the border, and also excluded them from the throne.

But the second prince, who was seriously injured by an assassination, only lasted for a year before dying.

In the end, the current emperor, Emperor Yongming, did not fight for it, so he got the throne for nothing and was made the prince.

In the same year, the late emperor passed away and was succeeded by Emperor Yongming, who was named Yongshou.

Although Emperor Yongming had never competed for the throne before, his imperial power was not weak. After ascending the throne, he quickly took control of the power in the court.

It was just that he later became obsessed with cultivating immortals. Even so, he still held power firmly in his hands despite not going to court for 13 years.

"Isn't my fifteenth brother's fiefdom in Chuzhou Mansion? Who dares to take action against the royal family?"

Emperor Yongming was not angry and patiently asked Gao Daofu the reason.

There wasn't much family affection in the Emperor's family, not to mention that he didn't have much impression of the fifteenth brother. When he learned that the fifteenth prince, King Nanxiang, had died, he only felt angry that the royal authority had been offended.

Other than that, there wasn't much sadness.

"Your Majesty, according to the investigation sent by the envoys sent by the chamberlain, the person who took action against the fifteenth prince should not be an ordinary person, but an expert with cultivation and Taoism similar to the national preceptor."

"in addition……"

Gao Daofu raised his head and glanced at Emperor Yongming.

"What else? Just tell me what you know!"

Yongming Emperor Qi Dao.

"In addition, the Fifteenth Prince seemed to have shown signs of rebellion before. Not only did he secretly raise soldiers and collude with the local city defense army, but he was also suspected of colluding with Bailian Dao. This is probably why some experts took action and killed the Fifteenth Prince. s reason."

Godolf told everything he knew in detail.

"What a fifteenth prince, but he has a disobedient heart."

"But he was also a waste. He was discovered and killed by the practitioners before he even started to do anything."

Emperor Yongming said after hearing this.

Since he ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, two princes have rebelled. Emperor Yongming has long been accustomed to the rebellion of his brothers.

It's a pity that most of them are wastes with only ambition and no ability, just like the fifteenth prince, King Nanxiang.

In Emperor Yongming's mind, the image of the fifteenth prince, King Nanxiang, appeared...

In his memory, the fifteenth prince, King Nanxiang, was a young man who wore white clothes, was always silent, was not good at dealing with others, didn't talk much, and looked honest but withdrawn.

To be honest, Emperor Yongming had a pretty good impression of this fifteenth brother.

I just didn't expect that as time went by, this honest and lonely young man would also have rebellious thoughts.

"It seems that the throne under my butt is really attractive!"

"For this reason, including the King of Nanxiang, three princes have rebelled one after another."

A sneer flashed in Emperor Yongming's eyes.

After hearing what Emperor Yongming said, Gao Daofu knelt down, looking horrified and not daring to speak at all.

"It's just that my fifteenth brother, who seems to have no brains, actually went to find Bailian Dao to cooperate. He doesn't know that Bailian Dao is an evil monster in the eyes of the people and Buddhists in the world? Fortunately, he didn't cause trouble. If he did, maybe he would It will be extinguished in an instant.”

Then Emperor Yongming said again.

Moreover, a hundred years ago, after the war in which the imperial court annihilated Bailian Dao, the relationship between the imperial court and Bailian Dao became mortal enemies.wrong!

It should be said that the relationship between the imperial court and Bailian Dao in all dynasties was a mortal enemy.

Even if his fifteenth brother really succeeds by relying on White Lotus Dao, he will eventually become the unstoppable leader.

Bai Liandao was just using his status as a prince.

"Your Majesty, it is very likely that the fifteenth prince will have no choice but to cooperate with Bai Liandao."

Gaudolph warned carefully from below.

"That's right. Of all the Buddhist and Taoist traditions in the world, which one dares to cooperate with an anti-king who has little strength?"

Emperor Yongming laughed dumbly.

"Your Majesty, how do you think the murderer of the fifteenth prince should be dealt with?"

Godolf asked.

"Have you asked the Imperial Master?"

Emperor Yongming was silent for a moment and said.

"I just went to ask. The Imperial Preceptor has made a divination. As a result, the Imperial Preceptor vomited blood and was injured on the spot. The tortoise shell and copper coins used in the divination exploded on the spot. The Imperial Preceptor said that this person has a great origin and may be an immortal. Please Your Majesty will forgive him for his shallow conduct, and please invite another expert."

Gao Daofu observed Emperor Yongming's expression.

"I don't know whether this fifteenth brother is lucky or bad. I have been looking for an immortal for so many years but I haven't found one yet, but this time he directly provoked an immortal."

Emperor Yongming's eyes were full of shock, and he said to Gao Daofu.

"However, the Master said that it is not necessarily an immortal. It may be a disciple accepted by an immortal in the human world. Once a mortal worships an immortal as his teacher, his own destiny will be protected by the immortal."

"Divining the disciples of the Immortal is equivalent to divining the Immortal."

"In the past year, in Chuzhou Prefecture and Luzhou Prefecture, it seems that there have been many traces of masters taking action, and they are suspected to be disciples of that immortal."

Then Gaudolph told another possibility what the Imperial Master said.

"Immortal disciple!"

"Even if you are a disciple of an immortal, that's fine."

Emperor Yongming's eyes lit up, and a flash of joy flashed in his eyes.

"When you find an immortal disciple, you are not far away from finding a real immortal."

"I have been searching for immortals for so many years, but I haven't found even one. This shows how difficult it is to find immortals. They say that immortals and dragons see their heads but not their tails. This is true!"

Emperor Yongming sighed.

"But Heaven is not kind to me. I finally waited until an immortal disciple appeared. As long as I find this immortal disciple, it is equivalent to finding the immortal."

Emperor Yongming said excitedly.

"Gaofu, you are responsible for this matter. I will give you three months to find this immortal disciple and please come to me."

Then Emperor Yongming gave the order.

Gaudolph looked startled, and then a flash of helplessness flashed in his eyes.

According to the information he received from the Imperial Preceptor, this immortal disciple’s Taoist magic was extremely advanced. Even Taoist masters like the Imperial Preceptor, who were close to immortals, could not predict his traces, and even encountered backlash. His Majesty sent How difficult it is for a mere mortal to find this immortal disciple and bring him to His Majesty!

But this was His Majesty's order, and he couldn't disobey it at all.

"The inner minister leads the order."

Gaudolph could only agree reluctantly.

"But Your Majesty, the minister is just a mortal, the immortal disciple has extraordinary abilities, and the minister may not be able to find him."

Godolf complained after agreeing.

"Then let the National Master lead the Celestial Master Dao and help you together."

Emperor Yongming said without thinking.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Upon hearing this, Gaudolph shouted and saluted.

Your Majesty has assigned you such a difficult task. If you can't complete it yourself, you will have to use someone as a support to reduce the punishment. It is just right to ask the national advisor.

"Your Majesty, the death of the fifteenth prince..."

Godolf then asked.

This is also the real reason why he came to see His Majesty this time.

No matter what the fifteenth prince said, he was also a prince from Dayong. His Majesty's half-brother died like this. It would be unjustifiable if the court did not pursue the matter.

"Draw up a decree to say that the Fifteenth Prince is treason, publish all the evidence of the Fifteenth Prince's rebellion, and show that the Fifteenth Prince deserves everything he deserves. In addition, everything about the Fifteenth Prince will be dealt with. Daofu, you should know what to do. How to do it?"

Emperor Yongming looked at Gao Daofu who was kneeling in front of him and said.

That immortal disciple was also helping the court and him in disguise. Naturally, he would not offend the other party, not to mention that he himself still wanted to ask for help from the other party.

Gaudolph felt a chill in his heart. He knew what His Majesty meant.

Clear everything related to the fifteenth prince to prevent his descendants or the forces related to him from resurrecting in the future and taking revenge on your majesty or the court.

And if this edict continues, tens of thousands of people may be implicated. Those with a good outcome will be sent to the frontier, and those with a bad outcome will be executed.

"The most ruthless imperial family."

Gaudolph's expression remained unchanged, and he was filled with emotion.

However, he could only sigh in his heart about the decision made by Emperor Yongming, and even he could not change it.

"According to His Majesty's will."

Gaudolph's voice echoed in the spacious palace.

……

Chen Yuan was riding a gray donkey, wearing a dark blue Taoist robe, carrying a sword box on his back, with a Taoist bun on his head, followed by a rat and a dog, walking on the official road.

He was already five days after they set off on the road. Since Chen Yuan and the painting saint Wu Yeshou said goodbye five days ago, Chen Yuan started on the road that day.

"Going further, we will reach Linzhou Prefecture."

Chen Yuan thought about the news he had just learned after asking passers-by for directions, and Chen Yuan said on the back of the donkey.

There are six prefectures in Jiangnan, namely Luzhou, Chuzhou, Pingjiang, Hongzhou, Guangling, Shouzhou and Linchuan.

Among them, Luzhou, Chuzhou, Shouzhou and Hongzhou are close together.

The shortest way to Zhongzhou Shangluo Mansion is actually Chen Yuan's original route back, from Chuzhou to Luzhou, and then from Luzhou Mansion to Pingjiang Mansion. The next door to Pingjiang Mansion is Guanzhong Shangluo Mansion.

"But I have walked the road before. If I were asked to walk it again, it would be too boring."

"I'd better go to Linchuan, pass Qingzhou, and then go to Shangluofu."

Chen Yuan sighed.

In this way, although it is a long detour, it is a completely new scenery.

At this moment, Chen Yuan felt that the sword box on his back was a little wet, and water droplets appeared from the sword box, soaking Chen Yuan's back.

"It's going to rain. Let's find a place quickly to avoid the wind and rain."

Chen Yuan was preparing to find a place to take shelter from the rain.

"Ok?"

Suddenly a chilling feeling appeared in his heart. Chen Yuan vaguely felt something in his heart. He looked towards the northwest...

It seems that in a very distant place, there is a noble middle-aged Taoist wearing a red purple-breasted Taoist robe, a fishtail crown on his head, a long beard on his chest, a piece of tortoise shell and a few copper coins in front of him, and he seems to be about to Divination.

Next to him, there was a man in his fifties, wearing a purple robe and a ribbon, with fair complexion, no beard on his mouth, and a feminine temperament, watching from the side.

This man looked very much like the eunuch next to the emperor in the palace that Chen Yuan had seen in movies and TV shows in his previous life.

(End of this chapter)