The Empress's First Running Dog

Chapter 672 The Four's Conspiracy
Is it possible that... Emperor Taizu is still... alive?

Inside the Zhao family's courtyard, by the pond.

As Zhao Du'an slowly uttered this guess, he clearly saw the Empress's face reflected in the water display a look of astonishment, before her slender eyebrows slowly rose.

Surprisingly, the Empress did not immediately refute this seemingly absurd conjecture. Instead, she pondered for a moment before asking:
"reason?"

Zhao Du'an hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said:
"I have no evidence, it's just a guess. Besides, no emperor would willingly die, would he?"
It's not that he can't survive; Tuoba Weizhi is one example, and so is Pei Niannu.

If the former was created by chance during the Qi Kingdom's experiment, then what about Pei Niannu?

I actually have some doubts. Old Xu obtained a lot from the legacy left by Qi Guo back then, including the method of how to make one's soul last forever..."

Xu Zhenguan thought about it very seriously, and then said:

"But the passing of our ancestor is a fact confirmed by countless people, including many powerful figures of that era who were witnesses..."

Zhao Du'an glanced at her and said:

"When Xu Jianwen died in the Xuanmen coup, so many people witnessed it."

Xu Zhenguan choked on his words.

This is undoubtedly a stain on her record. If she had discovered Xu Jianwen's faked death back then and investigated in time, many things would have been different.

"How can he be the same as our ancestor?"
Xu Jianwen's cultivation level was extremely low, making him easy to imitate, but his ancestor's cultivation level was earth-shattering.

Putting aside everything else, his physical body alone is something no one can imitate.

Besides, didn't he dissipate all his cultivation throughout his life? His dragon soul is still with you."

Xu Zhenguan attempted to find a perspective to explain this.

Zhao Du'an, however, said:

"But that possibility does exist, right?"

Xu Zhenguan paused, and although reluctant, he nodded:
"Theoretically it is indeed possible, but..."

Zhao Du'an said very seriously:
"Speaking of which, when I absorbed the memories of the Bewitching True Person last time, I think I got a clue from it."

The reason he helped Xu Jianwen in the first place was to improve his own cultivation, but it seems that he also had designs on the imperial mausoleum, which seems to be related to the Underworld Sect.
However, this memory is too fragmented and incomplete.

I was thinking, do you think those cult members know something?

Xu Zhenguan was stunned for a moment. She wanted to say that imperial mausoleums were auspicious places, and it was normal for them to be coveted, not to mention the rich spiritual energy.

But she keenly sensed a hint of probing in Zhao Du'an's words, and her beautiful face flickered with concern as she said warily:

"what do you want to say in the end?"

Zhao Du'an suddenly forced a smile and said somewhat embarrassedly:
"Your Majesty, look, we're going to enter the Golden Gate in a couple of days. Nobody knows what's behind it, and all of this is related to our ancestors. Do you think it's necessary to do a verification just to be on the safe side?"
What I mean is...would it be convenient for us to visit our ancestor's mausoleum?

The Empress was stunned.

The air remained silent for several seconds.

Then Xu Zhenguan suddenly stood up from her chair, glaring angrily at her fiancé with her beautiful eyes, her voice rising several decibels:

"You're going to dig up my ancestors' graves?!"

"Shh! Keep your voice down..."

Zhao Du'an quickly got up, smiling as he extended his paw to soothe the wound:

"It's either digging up graves or opening coffins..."

"Say that again!?" The Empress slapped his hand away.

“…Ahem, isn’t this all for the sake of the bigger picture?” Zhao Du’an said somewhat awkwardly.

That's definitely a bit hard to say.

Regardless of the reason, digging up a royal tomb without any real necessity, based solely on a baseless suspicion, is simply too presumptuous...

Moreover, this was a feudal society that placed great emphasis on filial piety.

Putting everything else aside, if the Empress had agreed to dig up the grave, and the news had leaked out, her reputation as an emperor would have been ruined. Official history might not say so, but unofficial history would certainly have condemned her for eternity.

"Of course, I was just saying." Zhao Du'an saw that her expression was not good and quickly tried to make amends.

Under the cover of night, the empress's fair face appeared to shift and change in the light of the lanterns.

A look of extreme inner turmoil appeared on her face, as if two little people were fighting fiercely in her head, wavering between them for a moment.

Rationally, she actually agreed with Zhao Du'an's view. Since all of this had the shadow of their ancestors, they should indeed gather as much information as possible before entering the unknown.

But emotionally... she couldn't quite accept it.

Just as the Empress stood by the pond, caught in a mental struggle, on the other side of the distant hanging flower gate, You Jinhua, with her daughter, cautiously tried to call out:

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty? Dinner is ready..."

then.

Zhao Du'an simply pulled the Empress toward the dining hall, and the Empress visibly breathed a sigh of relief, temporarily putting the topic aside.

……

Tonight's dinner at the Zhao residence was a grand affair. Although there was only one table, and due to time constraints, many of the main dishes couldn't be prepared in time, making it seem a bit "simple," it was still the best the residence could offer, and it was a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.

In particular, the tableware on the table were all brand new and precious antiques from the imperial kiln, priceless gifts sent to Zhao Du'an by powerful figures in the capital when they congratulated him.

Zhao Du'an and the Empress took their seats, accompanied by You Jinhua and Zhao Pan.

Although it wasn't the first time the Empress had visited their home, it was the first time she had dined with them.

The mother and daughter were extremely reserved. You Jinhua forced a smile and tried several times to serve her "daughter-in-law" some food, but she didn't dare to.

Even Zhao Pan, who was usually fearless, became timid and dared not utter a sound under the Empress's aura.

Seeing this, Xu Zhenguan took the initiative to break the awkward silence, personally serving food to You Jinhua and Zhao Pan, and elegantly picking up his teacup, smiling as he said:
"Minister Zhao is a pillar of the nation, and those who raised him are naturally also of great merit to the country. I have taken the liberty of visiting you tonight without bringing any gifts, so I will serve you tea instead of wine. I hope that Madam Zhao will not mind."

Yu Jinhua and her daughter were flattered and hurriedly waved their hands, only to see the Empress raise her head and drink the tea.

Yu Jinhua's face was a mixture of fear and a smile. She stammered and could only look to her stepson for help, clearly struggling to navigate the boundaries of this pre-marital mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship.

"Brother, what should we do?"

Zhao Du'an paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Mom...this is so embarrassing." Zhao Pan covered her face with her hands.

The meal ended quickly, and You Jinhua and her daughter finally left their seats with a sigh of relief.

Since the empress was not yet married into the family, it was naturally inappropriate for her to stay overnight.

When Zhao Du'an saw her off at the door, Xu Zhenguan stood under the lantern, thought for a moment, and finally showed a troubled expression:
"The things about our ancestors..."

Zhao Du'an flashed a warm, gentle smile:
"Your Majesty need not be troubled. This matter is indeed inappropriate. Let it be."

Xu Zhenguan was deeply moved, realizing that Zhao Du'an would be taking a huge risk when entering the Golden Gate.

She tried to speak, but Zhao Du'an raised a finger and silenced her with a kiss, then shook his head.

"Your Majesty, please go back and rest."

"kindness."

Xu Zhenguan swallowed his words, nodded, covered his face with his cloak again, and then quickly disappeared into the night.

Watching the Empress leave, Zhao Du'an turned back to look at the mother and daughter who had followed him out, and casually said:

"I'm going to the government office for a visit. I might not be back tonight, so don't leave the door open for me."

After saying that, he quickly disappeared at the end of the street. Only the mother and daughter remained, staring at each other in bewilderment.

I feel like His Majesty and the eldest son are acting strangely tonight...

……

……

The main gate of the Celestial Master's Mansion.

Zhao Du'an left the residence, but instead of going to the government office, he took a roundabout route and arrived at the Celestial Master's Mansion.

This time, he didn't knock on the door. Instead, he leaped in and lightly slipped into the Celestial Master's Mansion, heading familiarly towards Zhang Yanyi's residence at the deepest part of the mansion.

Along the way, it was obvious that the usually bustling Celestial Master's Mansion was much quieter; we hardly encountered any people.
—Now many priests have rushed to the front line of Xiping Road, leaving only a small number of those who are not good at fighting, as well as the apprentices under the priests.

Soon, Zhao Du'an arrived at the innermost courtyard.

To his surprise, the courtyard gate was wide open.

In the courtyard, more than half of the huge banyan tree had turned yellow and withered.

In the darkness, the leaves of the entire banyan tree emitted a faint glow, illuminating the whole courtyard.

Under the tree, Zhang Yanyi, Jin Jian, Li Wushangdao, and Gongshu Tianyuan were all sitting at the tables and chairs, and they all turned to look at him.

"You've come." The old master opened his eyes, a smile on his lips.

Zhao Du'an was stunned for a moment, then walked into the courtyard and exclaimed in surprise:
"What are you doing..."

"Waiting for you," Li Wushang said lazily, half-sitting and half-lying in the bamboo chair. At this moment, his two smooth, long legs were crossed, his snow-white arms were raised, and one hand was idly playing with the pure gold hairpin inserted in his hair.

A smile shone through her emerald eyes:

"Master said you were coming over tonight, so he asked us to come along."

You figured that out?
Zhao Du'an was taken aback and looked at Zhang Yanyi warily.

The latter calmly said:
"Don't worry, I only know that you're coming tonight, but I can't figure out your intentions yet."

"Goodness, mind reading is quite something..." Zhao Du'an thought to himself, then smiled and walked over casually, saying with a grin:
"The Celestial Master is indeed incredibly insightful. Actually, it's nothing much. I've already reported the trip to the East Sea to His Majesty. In addition, His Majesty and I have obtained the final password for the Golden Gate..."

He briefly explained the action plan he had devised with the Empress; there was no need to hide anything.

When Zhang Yan heard that His Majesty could also use secret techniques to have a puppet body follow him, he was clearly surprised and exclaimed in admiration:

"So you can already control the puppet to travel to the north on its own? The royal family's resources are indeed impressive. That's good, hehe, so His Majesty won't have any doubts about this old man."

Zhang Yanyi didn't seem to care much about this.

Zhao Du'an reached into his robes again, took out the Dragon God Grass wrapped in silk, and asked Zhang Yanyi to help deliver it to Xiping Road.

Zhang Yanyi remained unsurprised, simply shaking his head and saying:

"I need to focus on recovering from my injuries these next few days, so it's not convenient for me to make this trip. However, I have already made arrangements. You should give the Dragon God Grass to this wicked disciple."

He pointed at the "demoness" Li Wushang.

Zhao Du'an was taken aback: "You?"

Li Wushang rolled his eyes and said with a grin:

"What? You don't trust me, Your Excellency, with this?"

She sighed softly and said helplessly:

"Master has issued a decree that I will set off tonight for Xiping Road to join my eldest brother, second sister, and fourth brother on the battlefield. I will also deliver this treasure to His Majesty along the way."

Zhao Du'an then realized what was happening and frowned:

"Leaving in such a hurry? Setting off tonight?"

Li Wushang raised his hand and pointed to the large banyan tree above his head, which was already three-fifths withered and yellow. His expression finally became serious.

"Time waits for no one, and the situation is deteriorating faster than we imagined."

Zhao Du'an's heart sank.

He thought he and his group had moved very quickly, but it seemed the enemy had done so as well.

"Alright, then I'll have to trouble you, priest."

Zhao Du'an respectfully cupped his hands and quickly handed her the Dragon God Grass.

Li Wushang took his things and didn't linger any longer. He immediately stood up, picked up a small bundle at his feet, bid farewell to his master and the others, and then strode out of the courtyard.

Before long, a crane took flight and headed straight for the western night.

Zhao Du'an watched Li Wushang leave, and suddenly felt a little lost.

Zhang Yan glanced at him and said:

"Is there anything else? I don't have time to entertain you."

Zhao Du'an withdrew his gaze and looked at the three remaining master and disciples in the courtyard. Yes, they were all comrades he could trust.

He nodded and said, "There is indeed one more thing I would like to ask the Celestial Master for help with."

"Speak." Zhang Yan slowly picked up a palm-sized jade teapot and brought it to his lips.

He had the air of a big shot, as if he could handle anything with ease.

"Oh, it's nothing. I'd like to ask the Celestial Master to help me enter the Imperial Mausoleum and open the coffin of the founding emperor for a look," Zhao Du'an said casually, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

The courtyard suddenly fell silent.

Zhang Yan almost dropped the teapot in his hand, and the old master's narrow eyes widened suddenly.

Jin Jian and Gongshu Tianyuan were both completely bewildered:
"What did you say?!"

Zhao Du'an looked at him with an expression that said, "Why are you making such a fuss? You have no composure at all."

He thought for a moment, then left the details of the mortal world undisclosed. He only said that during his search for the "code" with the Empress, a conjecture arose that the founding emperor might not have actually died, and he wanted to confirm it.

"This……"

The three of them, master and apprentice, stared at each other blankly.

a long time.

Zhang Yan slowly put down the jade pot and tentatively asked:

"Why should an outsider like me have to handle such a matter? And why didn't His Majesty come in person?"

Zhao Du'an looked at him like he was an idiot and said matter-of-factly:
"Because we have to do it secretly, without His Majesty's knowledge. Otherwise, how could His Majesty be accused of grave robbing? As his subjects, we naturally have to share His Majesty's burdens. This matter is of great importance, and His Majesty cannot make a decision..."

Gongshu Tianyuan was dumbfounded and blurted out:

"So, Brother Zhao, you're going to dig up... the imperial tombs without His Majesty's knowledge?"

Jin Jian seemed to be thinking of the countless burial objects in the imperial tombs, and suddenly swallowed hard, a thieving glint in his eyes...

Zhao Du'an said unhappily:

"Stop talking nonsense and just tell me whether you'll help me or not. If I weren't just a martial artist who doesn't know any magic, I wouldn't need your help."

The three of them exchanged another glance.

After a moment of silence, Zhang Yan slammed the teapot heavily onto the coffee table:
"go!"

……

(End of this chapter)