Zhangsun knew very well that she could not return to the Zhangsun Manor now. Since the assassin knew that he had left the palace, he would definitely wait for her on her way back.
It was hard to believe that the forces behind the assassins had already infiltrated the Imperial City and even the palace. The successive assassinations were getting more and more dangerous. If it were not for Qing Ning who risked her life to protect her this time, she would definitely have died.
Ning Chen and Qing Ning had yet to wake up. Zhangsun had always felt that Ning Chen was a very special child. Ever since the first time they met, she had felt this way. It was said that it was lonely at the top. Ever since she became Empress Xia, she had experienced this feeling all the time. She did not know when it had started, but even her family members had a hint of respect when they faced her.
She was the one who brought up Xiaoning and was very close to her. However, it was precisely because of this relationship that she treated her with more respect than closeness. If there was any other emotion, it might be more gratitude.
The first time she saw Ning Chen, she had been watching a vigorous young man running after something. Out of curiosity, she did not disturb him. Who knew that the young man would run into her arms and ask about a copper coin?
From Ning Chen's gaze, she didn't see the flattery, hypocrisy, or even fear that everyone had when they saw her. Although there was a trace of guilt, it was obvious that he was a little embarrassed when he bumped into her. After she took his copper coin, this little guy actually wanted to ask for it back.
After that, she asked Qing Ning to bring Ning Chen to Weiyang Palace. She knew that a child like him would definitely cause trouble elsewhere. However, to her surprise, Ning Chen did not seem to appreciate her kindness. She could still remember clearly how reluctant he was when they met again.
What happened next was even more unexpected. She even summoned Ning Chen to confirm the truth. She had known many people in her life. If it was an old man who had lived for decades, he might be able to hide it from her. However, Ning Chen was only a 15-year-old teenager. She could tell if he was telling the truth or not at a glance.
Mars guarding the heart was not a big deal, but its appearance at this delicate moment was a big deal. Emperor Xia had already decided to send troops, and the Imperial Astronomical Supervisor had chosen to hide it even though he knew that the sign of Mars was coming. His goal was even more chilling.
Today, when she left the palace and returned to Zhangsun Manor, she was surprised to see Ning Chen with her.
What really surprised her was Ning Chen's performance today. From the time he pulled her away to the time he asked the shopkeeper for sulfur and saltpeter in the pharmacy to make something unknown, she had asked the shopkeeper to go to the place where they were assassinated. Half of the street there had been blown up beyond recognition. When the soldiers arrived, they found a ground full of broken bones.
Ning Chen's unexpected performance made her more and more surprised. She had even asked the shopkeeper about the blood transfusion for Ning Ning, but the shopkeeper had clearly stated that there had never been a case of blood transfusion being used to treat illnesses or injuries. Even medical books had never recorded it. However, regardless of whether she believed it or not, Ning Ning's pulse was gradually stabilizing. It was obvious that she had passed the critical stage.
However, this time, Zhangsun decided to hide the fact that Ning Chen had saved her. He also reduced the credit that Ning Chen had given her for reminding her of Ying Huo. This was not a suppression, but a means of protection. After all, the latter's foundation was too thin. If he suddenly made such a big contribution, it was easy for others to be jealous and plot against him.
The news of her being assassinated must have already spread to the palace. Ning Chen took advantage of the chaos to escape into the crowd and then rescued Xiaoning. In other words, no one knew their whereabouts now.
She had once thought of letting the shopkeeper go to Zhangsun Manor to inform him, but she dismissed the idea. If someone noticed, someone would probably come to Tranquility Pharmacy the moment the shopkeeper arrived at Zhangsun Manor.
Actually, the best person to report to Zhangsun Manor was Ning Chen. Because he didn't look familiar, many people knew his identity as the manager of Tranquility Pharmacy. Even if people noticed him, they wouldn't be able to guess where they were staying.
"Thirsty!"
At this moment, on the bed, Ning Chen half-opened his eyes and called out in a daze.
Hearing Ning Chen's voice, Zhangsun came back to his senses. He went to the table and poured a glass of water. He walked to Chuang and carefully helped Ning Chen up before bringing the glass of water to the latter's mouth.
Ning Chen was in a daze. He didn't know that the person in front of him was his most feared grandson. He raised his body slightly and drank a few mouthfuls of water. Then, he pushed the cup away and turned around to continue sleeping.
Zhangsun smiled helplessly. This was the first time in her life that she had served someone like this. Even the Xia Emperor did not have the fortune to do so.
On the other side, there were still no signs of Xiaoning waking up. After all, she was severely injured and would not wake up anytime soon. Fortunately, this was a pharmacy with all kinds of medicinal herbs. As long as she was out of danger, she would recover sooner or later.
Unknowingly, the sky had turned dark and night had fallen. Zhangsun's heart was filled with the matter of Mars. He walked to the window and waited for this moment to arrive.
At the same time, Emperor Xia stood alone in front of the Heavenly Mandate Hall in Emperor Xia's Palace. He looked up at the sky, his long robe fluttering in the wind. The night was cold and dewy, but no one dared to step forward to warn him.
In the southern sky, the Heart Constellation Imperial Star was as bright as ever. The Mars on the side was still as dim as last night. It did not seem to have changed, but those who paid attention to it realized that the distance between the two was really close.
To the west of the Xia Dynasty, in an unknown desolate divine hall, a young man who looked extremely ordinary walked out. It was just an ordinary step, but no one knew how far he had walked. However, the moment the priest walked out of the divine hall, the originally desolate land strangely disappeared, as if it had never appeared.
The world did not know that the disappearing divine hall was the first hall of the Eternal Night Divine Sect. They also did not know that the young man who walked out was the Deity of the sect.
Mars guarded the heart, and the world was dark for a hundred years!
This was the foretelling of the Eternal Night, and it was the same foretelling that the Ancient Meng Royal Court in the north, the Temple of Adversity in the southwest, and the Vastheaven Academy of Grand Xia all appeared.
At this moment, the most shocking change finally occurred in the sky. The originally dim Mars suddenly brightened up. The two stars were bright red and filled the starry sky.
"Heaven's will!"
In Duke of Taishi's Residence, the emperor's teacher looked at the sky and sighed. The star of calamity was about to strike, indicating that a great calamity was about to befall. This time, Grand Xia might not be able to avoid it.
"Taishi, you're too much!"
Amid the laughter, a beautiful figure walked over. He looked to be in his thirties and had a jade-like face. He was one of the three dukes, Duke Xi Yu.
" Good friend, you didn't come this late just to mock Taishi, did you?" The emperor's teacher glanced at the former and said indifferently.
Duke Xi Yu chuckled and replied,"I know that you must be in a bad mood tonight, so I came to accompany you to ease your mood."
"Oh? Then I'll have to thank you!" The emperor teacher said.
"Heh, you're welcome." Duke Xiyu accepted it with a smile.
" You're almost a hundred years old, but you're still so shameless," the emperor teacher said sarcastically.
"Sure," Duke Xiyu replied with a smile.
That night, the world was in chaos. Everyone's eyes were attracted by the two red stars in the sky. In the Revelation Hall, Emperor Xia felt a sense of weakness. Some people noticed that in the sky above Emperor Xia's Palace, the unshakable fate that had lasted for thousands of years was rapidly weakening. The invincible Xia Dynasty was finally no longer unshakable. The Divine Prefecture's innocence was about to change.
Luck was an indescribable power. Back then, the Divine Prefecture was divided and war broke out. The Xia Dynasty emerged and swept across the world. Hundreds of dynasties submitted and established a thousand-year-old imperial power. Even the Eternal Night Divine Sect, which had existed for countless years, had to hide in the darkness. This thousand years was indeed the Xia Dynasty's thousand years. There was no doubt about it.
But now, Great Xia's luck was truly weakening. What did this mean?
All the wise men in the world knew that this meant that Great Xia was no longer invincible and unshakable.
Fortunately, there were not many people in the world who could see this. After all, the number of people who could be called wise could be counted on one hand.
"What beautiful stars!"
In the inner courtyard of the Du An Pharmacy, as Zhangsun was frowning and thinking of a solution in the future, Ning Chen, who was supposed to be lying on the bed, secretly checked on Xiaoning's condition. He then wrapped himself in a blanket and leaned against the window, looking at the stars leisurely.
Zhangsun's forehead was filled with black lines. Only this fellow could say such words at this time.
However, Zhangsun had to admit that, putting aside the meaning of Mars Guarding the Heart, the scene of the two stars fighting and the blood red sky was indeed beautiful.
Zhangsun suddenly remembered that Ning Chen had also coincidentally reminded her about Mars yesterday because he had secretly climbed up to the roof of the Green Nimble Restaurant to look at the stars. This kid seemed to have a great interest in looking at the stars.
"Ning Chen, do you like to look at the stars?”Since he had nothing to do, Zhangsun asked curiously.
" Yeah," Ning Chen answered while counting the stars.
"You're not even sixteen this year, right?”
"Yeah, I know."
"Your home isn't in the Imperial City, is it?"
"Yeah, I know."
"When I asked you yesterday, the expert you mentioned was made up by you, right?"
"Yeah…Ah, no."
Ning Chen only reacted after he said that. He turned his head to look at Zhangsun and felt very annoyed. The older the ginger, the spicier it was. His little cultivation was not even enough to warm up Zhangsun.
Zhangsun glanced at the guilty Ning Chen and said slowly," Since you've saved me and Xiaoning today, I'll let you off the hook. You've made two great contributions, so I'll consider agreeing to a few of your requests.”
"Any number?" Ning Chen's eyes lit up as he asked excitedly.
"How many do you want?" Zhangsun asked, amused.
Ning Chen struggled in his heart and carefully slapped him. When he saw Zhangsun's dangerous gaze, he quickly retracted three fingers.
"Is two okay?"
" Go ahead." Zhangsun nodded.
" I don't want to be a eunuch. I want to leave the palace." Ning Chen opened his mouth and his eyes lit up. After waiting for so long, he finally had a chance to escape.
Zhangsun was stunned. She did not expect Ning Chen's request to be this. She thought for a moment and shook her head." No."
Ning Chen panicked and jumped off the bed. He argued," A gentleman's word is a promise. Your Majesty, you're the Empress. You can't go back on your word."
Hearing Ning Chen's questioning, Zhangsun wasn't angry. He slowly replied," BenGong is a woman, not a gentleman. Besides, BenGong only said that he would consider agreeing, but he didn't say that he would definitely agree."
Ning Chen was so angry that his face turned pale and he couldn't say anything. He sat on the bed and sulked.
" This is invalid. You still have one more chance to make a request," Zhangsun reminded.
"No more."
Ning Chen was in a bad mood. He turned around and buried his head in the blanket. He covered his head and said in a muffled voice.
" There's no rush. Tell me if you remember anything." Zhangsun was in a good mood when he saw Ning Chen suffer.
"Wuuu!"
Two whimpers came from under the blanket. It seemed to be a response, but it was more like a silent protest…
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。