At noon, all the civil and military officials stood outside Foxiang Temple.
Foxiang Temple wasn't big. It was said that during the Warring States Period, it was the former residence of Wei Wuji, the son of Wei State. Later, it was rebuilt into a Buddhist temple, but it was abandoned due to the war.
Later, a wandering monk came here and saw the shadow of the Buddhist Palace in the pond in the back garden. He also smelled the faint sandalwood fragrance in the air, so he bought this piece of land for charity. After renovating it, he named it Foxiang Temple.
Foxiang Temple worshiped a Maitreya Bodhisattva that was twenty feet tall. It looked solemn and majestic, and the incense was very prosperous. Usually, there were many pilgrims coming and going, and the huge Mahavira Hall was often crowded.
Today, Foxiang Temple was still packed with people. However, these people were all standing outside the temple because they were waiting for the Southern Liao Emperor Tong Hao to come to the suburbs to offer sacrifices.
On the third day of the previous month, an unprecedented earthquake occurred in the Southern Liao Kingdom, causing the Southern Liao Kingdom to suffer heavy losses and casualties. Tong Hao decided to go to Foxiang Temple to worship the heavens and ancestors, hoping to pray for blessings and protect the people from suffering.
Because of this, the Ministry of Rites had started preparing for all the ceremonies and orders seven days ago, arranging the shifts of officials, and the emperor's residence at the border.
On the day of the suburban sacrifice, the people in the city lined up on the road before dawn to watch the show. After all, it was the first time since the founding of the Southern Liao Dynasty that the emperor had come out of the palace to pray for the people!
Time ticked by, but there was no sign of the Emperor's carriage. It was noon, and the sun was high in the sky. Although there was a breeze, it could not wipe away the sweat and fatigue on everyone's bodies, because they had been waiting here since before dawn!
Just as everyone was getting impatient, a row of majestic imperial guards came from afar. Behind these guards were sixteen large banners, six large flags, four golden knots, and four ceremonial cloaks. Then, forty guards escorted a bright yellow carriage with nine dragons. It was the carriage of Tong Hao, the emperor of Nanlian.
When Tong Hao's carriage arrived, the noisy Foxiang Temple fell silent. All the civil and military officials knelt down and waited quietly. No one dared to raise their heads, except for Chu Yunzhang.
Chu Yunzhang was hiding in a big elm tree. He crossed his arms and leaned against the tree trunk, his long legs resting on the branches. Dressed in a white robe, he looked so natural and unrestrained under the cover of the thick branches and leaves of the elm tree.
However, his gaze was sharp. He stared at the approaching carriage without blinking. He stared at the monarch of the Southern Liao Kingdom, Tong Hao, who was above ten thousand people in the carriage. Countless astonishment and disbelief flashed through his heart.
Was that Tong Hao? Was that Tong Hao, the Monarch of the Southern Liao? But why did he…why did he look so much like her? Impossible! His eyes must have been playing tricks on him. Otherwise, he must have mistaken Tong Hao for her because he was too far away.
Chu Yunzhang shook his head. He couldn't help but straighten his body and look at Tong Hao again.
Tong Hao's skin was as smooth as butter, his eyes were like paint, his teeth were like a gourd rhinoceros, his collar was like a fish, and his red lips were delicate and alluring. How was this a man with a seven-foot-tall body? He was simply a girl!
Chu Yunzhang couldn't help but imagine that if he took off the dragon robe and changed into a girl's clothes…he could almost be sure that this Tong Hao in front of him was her.
However, how was this possible? The dignified monarch of Nan Liao Kingdom was actually a woman?
Impossible! If Tong Hao was a woman, then Nan Liao would have been in chaos long ago. How could it be peaceful until now?
These days, in order to find his youngest sister Chu Huanyi's Nine Phoenix Ring that had been taken away, he had been wandering outside. He had returned to Nanlai because he had heard that Chen Ruyan had appeared in the capital city of Nanlai. Thus, he had followed Nanlai and laid low for a long time to secretly investigate the whereabouts of Chen Ruyan and that mysterious man.
It was precisely because he had investigated everywhere that he had seen the prosperity and wealth of the Southern Liao Kingdom. He had also roughly understood the character of Jun Tonghao and everyone's evaluation of him. Therefore, he knew that Tong Hao could not be her!
Besides, was there anyone in this world who understood her better than him? Because of this, he knew very well that Tong Hao was definitely not her. She was not the one who had been hiding in his heart for a long time and whom he had always been unable to forget!
But for some reason, Chu Yunzhang's gaze fell on Tong Hao again. He saw Tong Hao sitting nervously on the first carriage, biting his lip, his hands intertwined, and his brows furrowed as if he was thinking about something.
Suddenly, Chu Yunzhang noticed a commotion in the crowd. As the commotion spread and expanded, a few men in black holding sharp blades pushed aside the crowd and rushed forward.
"Tong Hao, you licentious and fatuous ruler. Today, Foxiang Temple will be the burial place for your sins!”
As soon as he finished speaking, the figure immediately pounced towards Tong Hao.
Seeing this, the imperial guards protecting the emperor immediately blocked in front of Tong Hao's carriage without caring about their own safety, engaging in a battle with the few black clothed men.
Normally, such assassins would have been killed under the imperial carriage, but today, these men in black seemed to have come prepared. They had also calculated that when the Emperor went out on an inspection tour, the vast and long ceremonial procession would not be able to slow down at all. Often, two hours had already passed in front of them, but the honor guard behind them had yet to set off! They would use this opportunity to assassinate Tong Hao. As long as they defeated a few useless guards, they would definitely have a chance to complete the mission.
Therefore, some of these men in black entangled the guards, some attacked, and some covered for them. With each other taking care of each other, they actually climbed onto Tong Hao's carriage and pounced straight at Tong Hao.
"Tong Hao, accept your fate! Who taught you to reincarnate as the emperor of Nan Liao?”
With that, one of the assassins raised his saber and slashed at Tong Hao.
It was unknown if Tong Hao was scared silly or what, but he just sat there blankly, watching the knife fall straight towards his head.
At this moment, a white figure suddenly appeared. He carried Tong Hao and rolled to the side, using his back to block the knife for Tong Hao.
With a muffled groan, fresh blood dyed his clothes red.
Tong Hao was even more shocked. He widened his eyes and stared blankly at the man who had rushed out in the face of danger and saved his life!! Chu Yunzhang.
"You…You…"
Chu Yunzhang looked at Tong Hao with a complicated expression. He seemed to want to say something, but he couldn't get his anger up and fainted.
In Xiang Luan Hall, Tong Hao looked at the unconscious Chu Yunzhang on the bed with a pale face.
"How are his injuries? Are you okay?" he asked in a low voice.
When the imperial physician who was treating Chu Yunzhang heard Tong Hao's question, he quickly stood up and cupped his hands.""Reporting to the emperor, fortunately, this wound is not deep. It's only a flesh wound. It'll be fine with some medicine, but…"
"But what?"
"It's just that the blade seemed to be dipped in poison. Otherwise, with his injuries, it's impossible for him to be unconscious.”
"Are you saying that the reason why he's unconscious is because he was poisoned?”
The imperial physician frowned, his face filled with confusion and doubt," This is just my guess. Otherwise, there is no way to explain why he is unconscious."”
A trace of anger flashed across Tong Hao's handsome face." You're all a bunch of good-for-nothings! However, why are you giving me so many reasons to treat my illness and injury?”
The imperial physician knelt down in a panic." Your Majesty, please calm down. I will do my best to save him."”
"Humph! You'd better wake him up, or else…you don't have to come and see me!”Tong Hao flung his sleeves and sat down on a chair angrily, waiting to see how the imperial physician would treat Chu Yunzhang.
The imperial physician wiped his sweat and checked Chu Yunzhang's pulse. He flipped his eyelids and checked his wounds again. Then, he walked to the table and wrote down a prescription." Your Majesty, please let him drink this medicine. As long as he can drink it, everything can be saved. If he doesn't drink it, then I…"
Tong Hao glared at the imperial physician who was drenched in cold sweat. He took the prescription and looked at it before throwing it back to him." Go and brew the medicine!" I'll find a way to make him drink the medicine!”
"This subject obeys the decree!"
As soon as the imperial physician left, a hint of anxiety appeared on Tong Hao's handsome face. He came to the bedside and sat down, staring fixedly at Chu Yunzhang.
However, he saw his long hair draped over the pillow, his eyes tightly shut, and his lips tightly clenched. Not only did he lose his usual elegance, but his face was also completely pale. It made one's heart ache when they saw him. Tong Hao could not help but reach out to touch his face.
At this moment, the unconscious Chu Yunzhang suddenly opened his eyes and grabbed Tong Hao." Caiyi, long time no see. How are you?"”
The word "Caiyi" scared Tong Hao out of his wits, and his face turned pale. He quickly got up and tried to pull his hand out of his grasp." What, what nonsense are you talking about? Let go, let go!"
Chu Yunzhang shook his head and sat up, enduring the pain. He held Tong Hao's hand tightly. Unless you admit that you are Tong Caiyi.”
Tong Hao's entire body trembled. He widened his eyes and said sternly,"Presumptuous! Are you hurt? Or are your eyes on the back of your head? I am the emperor of the Southern Liao, how can I be Tong Caiyi?”
Chu Yunzhang smiled, but this smile tugged at the wound on his back. Although it was a flesh wound, it still made him grimace in pain. He immediately cried out,"It hurts!"
Tong Hao couldn't help but want to touch him again, but when he stretched out his left hand, he immediately remembered that his right hand was still grabbed by this person. In her panic, she quickly put her hands behind her back." Are you alright? Do you want me to call the imperial physician over?"
Chu Yunzhang was not listening to her at all. He stared at her with his deep eyes and said,"Impossible, I would never mistake you for Tong Caiyi. Even if you turned into ashes, I would still recognize you as Tong Caiyi, my Little Caiyi. Besides, if you aren't Caiyi, why are you so worried about me?”
Tong Hao's face turned red and white." You saved my life and got injured because of me. Shouldn't I care about you?”
"Is that so? " But why did you…" Chu Yunzhang stopped mid-sentence because his face suddenly turned pale and he fell on his back.
Tong Hao was in a panic. He could not care less about his status as the emperor. He rushed forward to hug Chu Yunzhang and leaned him against him." Hey, what's wrong with you?" Don't scare me. Hey, hey!"
However, Chu Yunzhang's eyes were tightly shut and he did not answer him. He seemed to have fainted again.
"Someone come!" Tong Hao shouted anxiously,"Chuan Tai…"
Before he could finish his sentence, Tong Hao immediately realized that he had been tricked. Chu Yunzhang did not faint at all. Not only did he not faint, but his lips were still on hers. They were slightly cold and probing as they sucked heavily.
Tong Hao turned pale with fright and tried to push Chu Yunzhang away in a panic, but Chu Yunzhang had one hand around her waist and the other on her chin. She could not move at all and could only let Chu Yunzhang kiss her wantonly.
Chu Yunzhang sighed in satisfaction and couldn't help but kiss her even deeper.
'He' was indeed Caiyi, his lover, Tong Caiyi! He knew every inch of Tong Caiyi! Especially her lips. He had kissed her countless times. Even if he could mistake her appearance and the person, he would never mistake Tong Caiyi's lips!
He sucked hard, nibbling on the softness and fragrance of her lips, intoxicated in the joy of meeting his lover.
However, Tong Hao did not have such joy and pleasure. She was flustered and exasperated. She reached out and slapped Chu Yunzhang hard, pushing him away at the same time.
Chu Yunzhang was stunned." Caiyi, you…"
Tong Hao was so angry that his entire body was trembling, and his face was flushed red." Someone, someone!”
Two eunuchs rushed in." Your Majesty!”
Tong Hao pointed at Chu Yunzhang, who was lying on the bed in a daze, and said,""Put Chu Yunzhang in the imperial prison and send someone to watch him carefully. Without my order, no one is allowed to visit him.”
That night, Tong Hao sat motionlessly in front of the bronze mirror, allowing a sweet-looking girl of about eighteen or nineteen years of age to take off her dragon crown.
Once the dragon crown was taken off, her long hair cascaded down like a waterfall, reaching her waist.
The woman held Tong Hao's long hair with one hand and combed it carefully with the other. She said softly,"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, no one would have guessed that the all-powerful Emperor of the Southern Liao, Tong Hao, was actually a woman.”
When Tong Hao heard this, he could not help but turn around and snatch the comb from the woman's hand. He started combing himself." Sister Lu Yi, no one will think you're mute if you don't speak!”
The woman named Lu Yi giggled and grabbed the comb back to comb Tong Hao's hair." If I really don't say anything, who are you going to tell this girl that you're full of worries? Are you going to tell all the civil and military officials in the court? Or tell it to your concubines?”
" Shen Luyi, you…" Tong Hao could not help but stand up and glare at Shen Luyi. His face was filled with shyness and anger, revealing his daughter's delicate appearance.
When Shen Luyi saw this, she smiled again. She walked in front of her and unbuttoned her clothes. She took off the dragon robe that she had been wearing for the entire day." Caiyi, don't be angry. I was just teasing you, so that you wouldn't have to keep a straight face the entire day and suffocate to death!”
So this Tong Hao was really Tong Caiyi.
Tong Caiyi sat back down on her chair, biting her lip without saying a word.
Shen Luyi did not mind, and as she removed the makeup on Tong Caiyi's face, she asked,""I heard that you were assassinated today. Are you okay? Were you scared? Have you found out the identity of the assassin?"
At the mention of the assassination attempt at Foxiang Temple, Tong Caiyi's pale face flushed red.
She thought of Chu Yunzhang, of the shock she felt when she first saw him, of how he had been injured because of her, and even more so of how he had kissed her so brazenly in the Xiang Luan Palace.
Tong Caiyi couldn't help but stroke the lips that he had kissed forcefully with her fingers.
Although it was already in the afternoon, the burning sensation was still there. It was as if his overbearing lips were still pressing on her lips, making her unable to hide or forget.
Tong Caiyi replied in her usual crisp and soft voice,"I'm fine, but Brother Yun is injured.”
"Brother Yun?" This 'Brother Yun' confused Shen Luyi, but when she saw the blush on Tong Caiyi's face, she immediately understood.
She lowered her head and looked at Tong Caiyi." Caiyi, the Brother Yun you're talking about, is he the Yue Tian of the Nine Phoenix of Dunhuang whom you almost married?! Chu Yunzhang?"
Tong Caiyi's misty eyes were filled with both worry and joy as she replied,"Who else in this world can make me call him Brother Yun?”
Shen Luyi could not help but be shocked. She quickly grabbed Tong Caiyi," He, he recognized you?”
Tong Caiyi nodded." He recognized me at a glance, and he even got injured trying to save me.”
"Where is he now?"
"In the Heaven Prison."
Shen Lu Yi was stunned, thinking that she had heard wrongly.”
"I locked Chu Yunzhang up in the imperial prison!”
"Why did you put him in the imperial prison? He saved you and got injured, didn't he? Moreover, you keep saying that he's the one you can't forget in your mouth and heart. Even in your dreams, he's the one you dream of. Why did you lock him up in the imperial prison after finally meeting him?”
Tong Caiyi let out a long sigh, a hint of helplessness and pain on her beautiful face." Sister Lu Yi, you should know that the situation in the court is unpredictable. If you're not careful, it could lead to an irreparable disaster. At that time, it won't just be me, but also you, even Mother, the Emperor, and even the entire Southern Liao will be in danger of being destroyed. Therefore, for the sake of the Southern Liao, I have no choice but to lock him up in the imperial prison!”
Shen Luyi was speechless.
She looked at the beautiful woman in front of her in a daze. Such a woman should be carefree, nestled in her lover's arms, chatting and joking, and confiding in her heart. But now, she was carrying the entire royal family on her shoulders, and even the survival of the entire Nan Liao. Was God joking with her?
If it weren't for the accident a year ago, Tong Caiyi would have become Chu Yunzhang's wife by now, living a happy life.
However, because of the accident a year ago, the real Emperor of NanLiao, Tong Hao, had fallen into a coma. In order to protect the country and the millions of lives of the people of NanLiao, Tong Caiyi had to pretend to be her brother Tong Hao and become the Emperor of NanLiao.
Fortunately, Tong Caiyi and Tong Hao looked very similar, so it was not difficult for them to impersonate each other. It was often said that no matter if Tong Caiyi wore a man's outfit or Tong Hao wore a woman's outfit, no one would be able to tell which one was Tong Hao and which one was Tong Caiyi.
But Tong Caiyi was a girl after all. It was already difficult for a girl to replace a man, let alone the Emperor.
Thus, after discussing with her mother, Empress Dowager Xiao, Tong Caiyi went to find Tong Hao's best friend, Shen Luyi.
Why did he look for Shen Luyi? Because other than being the person who understood Tong Hao the most, Shen Lu Yi was also very good at disguising herself. As long as she saw him once, she could disguise herself into that person's appearance. She could even learn the tone, tone, expression, and even the way she moved and walked. Thus, Shen Luyi was the most suitable person to help Tong Caiyi change her appearance and teach her how to behave and speak like Tong Hao.
As for the other reason, it was to let Shen Luyi become Tong Hao's concubine to block the mouths of the harem.
After all, Tong Caiyi was a maiden, and an unmarried maiden. Since she was a girl, it was impossible for her to find three thousand women in the harem to serve her, but she could not find any concubines to serve her, right? This would also arouse suspicion. Thus, Tong Caiyi simply summoned Shen Luyi into the palace and made her Consort Ying. The two of them spent the whole day together, rubbing against each other and sharing the same bed. Even if others spoke, they would only say that Tong Hao doted on Consort Ying, Shen Luyi. They would never think that Tong Hao was no longer the Tong Hao of the past.
However, Tong Caiyi had never expected that she would be assassinated at Foxiang Temple. What was even more unexpected was that Chu Yunzhang, who should be far away in Dunhuang, would actually appear at Foxiang Temple and save her life.
What should he do now? Was he going to lock Chu Yunzhang up in the imperial prison?
No way! What kind of place was the imperial prison? How could she keep Chu Yunzhang locked up there? Besides, everyone in the court knew that Chu Yunzhang had sacrificed his life to save her and was injured for her. It was already strange that she did not reward him, but why did she lock him up in the imperial prison? Besides…could she bear to? Even if he was fine, she couldn't bear to see him get hurt, let alone now that he was seriously injured because of her. How could she bear to lock him up in the Heaven Prison?
What should he do then? He had to think of a way to let him out.
"Sister Lu Yi, what should we do now?" asked Tong Caiyi. We have to think of a way to release Brother Yun.”
Shen Luyi pulled Zhang Xiudun to sit down." Don't be anxious. Tell me first, why did you lock Chu Yunzhang up in the imperial prison? Just to disown him, she locked him in the imperial prison?”
At the mention of this, Tong Caiyi's face flushed red." No, no, he…he…"
At this moment, a eunuch's low voice came from the palace gate.""The Emperor and Consort Ying have already rested. Let's talk about it tomorrow!”
"No way!" said another voice. The Emperor had instructed that Chu Yunzhang's matters must be reported to the Emperor. Eunuch, please do me a favor and inform him! If anything happens, you and I can't afford it!”
Hearing the name " Chu Yunzhang ", Tong Caiyi almost jumped up. Her face was pale as she wanted to rush out, but fortunately, Shen Luyi stopped her.
"Don't worry, let me ask first."
Shen Lu Yi slightly tidied her clothes and calmly walked to the door. She opened it and asked,""It's so late. Why are you making so much noise? Aren't you afraid that the emperor will punish you?"
When that eunuch saw Shen Luyi come out, he hurriedly knelt down." Empress, please forgive me! It's the Supreme Court's Lord Fang who has something to report to the Emperor.”
Shen Luyi turned to the Deputy of the Supreme Court, Fang Wenlu." Lord Fang, what matter do you have to report at this time? Can't we talk about it tomorrow?"
"Niangniang, this matter is urgent. If you don't say it now, I'm afraid it's too late!”
Shen Luyi frowned." Too late for what?”
"Then Chu Yunzhang…"
"Chu Yunzhang?" Shen Luyi pretended not to understand." Who is Chu Yunzhang?”
"Chu Yunzhang was the one who saved His Majesty at Foxiang Temple this afternoon. Later on, for some reason, he angered the Emperor and made him lock him up in the imperial prison.”
"What happened to Chu Yunzhang?"
"Chu Yunzhang is dead!"
The moment these words came out, Shen Luyi's entire person was instantly stunned on the spot, unable to speak for a long time.#
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。