Three days later, in Chang An.
The rusty iron door opened with a screeching sound. Xie Yun staggered half a step. The black cloth in front of his eyes did not allow the slightest bit of light to pass through. He was supported by someone as he walked into the weeds that were as high as his ankles. After more than ten steps, he stopped.
The guard came forward to remove the blindfold. The blood-red sunset in the distant sky made him close his eyes suddenly. After a while, he opened them again.
This was a backyard that had been abandoned for many years. The ground was full of weeds and withered leaves. Beside him was a mottled courtyard wall covered with moss. Under the moss, the bricks showed a kind of wind and rain rust. They stood in front of him silently.
The guards bowed and retreated. Their expressions were respectful, but they hid their vigilance. It was as if the defenseless commander of the Imperial Army in front of them was as ruthless and intimidating as the legends said. He could tear them in half at any time with a snap of his fingers.
Xie Yun did not pay attention to them. She did not say a word and looked around.
The spacious and huge deserted courtyard in his childhood memory was very narrow now. The unclimbable brick wall was also short. The wall that needed to be run to jump over now seemed to be easy to push down.
He was a little absent-minded.
It turned out that the memories that he thought were engraved in his heart had faded away. Even if he tried to recall, the first thing that came to his mind was countless vast moonlit nights in the North of Mobei.
A gentle and dignified female voice came from behind the brick wall, "Do you remember where you are now?"
"…" Xie Yun sighed, "Your Majesty."
Behind the courtyard wall, Queen Wu stood on the same patch of weeds. She did not care that her expensive and exquisite phoenix embroidered dress and silk shoes were stained with mud. She waved her hand and dismissed her confidant standing beside her. Her exquisitely made-up eyes were fixed on the dilapidated and low temple building not far away.
"Many years ago, when I was washing clothes under this tree, I heard a child's trembling voice asking, 'Is there anyone here?'
Can you give me some water? '"
Queen Wu paused. Her eyes fell on a cracked stone cave at the foot of the courtyard wall. She smiled and said, "Now you and I are covered in frost, and the Temple of Affection is so dilapidated. I didn't expect that this stone crack is still here …"
Xie Yun did not answer.
"… So as long as something has happened, there will always be traces left behind. Isn't that right, Xie Yun?"
It was unknown what Xie Yun was thinking. After a while, she said in a low voice, "But now, our hands can't reach through this crack, Niang niang."
Queen Wu was stunned.
That was indeed the case.
Xie Yun was no longer the child she used to be. She had lived like a princess for many years, and her skin was plump. This narrow and overgrown brick gap was indeed too small for her to stretch her hand through.
Queen Wu was somewhat disappointed. She sighed and said, "After I ascend the throne, I should change this place to the Burning Incense Court. Every few months, I would come here to meditate for half a day to remind myself not to forget the difficult times of my life."
Xie Yun asked, "Does Your Highness remember the people you met in those moments?"
"… Are you talking about yourself?"
Empress Wu laughed: "I thought you wanted to ask, this empress is a woman. In a situation where the Emperor does not have a dragon to rule the heavens, how can this empress risk universal condemnation to ascend to the throne?"
"Your Highness always has a way," Xie Yun said calmly.
His reaction was clearly developing in the worst direction that Queen Wu had expected. But for some reason, Queen Wu felt that it was not unexpected.
It seemed that if he did not answer in this way, he would not be the Xie Yun that she had known for so many years and understood for so many years.
"I …" Queen Wu said slowly, "I don't have a way.
I need your help. "
"The Emperor announced his abdication without appointing a Crown Prince. The officials tried their best to stop it. It is obvious that they are afraid that I will take the opportunity to ascend the throne after taking over as regent. As a result, there will be one more female lead in the world.
Right now, Chang An's people are scattered, and people's hearts are the most difficult thing to control in the world. I need to let everyone see that I am the True Dragon Lord chosen by the heavens and plant this idea deep into the hearts of the people … "
"Didn't Your Highness already spread the rumor that 'after Tang San Shi, the female lead, King Wu, will rule the world'?" Xie Yun interrupted.
"No, it is far from enough."
Queen Wu said, "The abdication ceremony is right in front of us. I need everyone to see with their own eyes an even greater and more sensational auspicious sign."
At this point, everything was very clear.
Inside and outside the courtyard walls, there was a suffocating silence. The evening wind blew through the desolate grass under the setting sun. The wind whistled in the distance, like the roar of the setting sun burning in the sky.
Xie Yun finally shook his head.
Even though Queen Wu could not see, at this moment, she could imagine him gently closing his eyes. His movements were gentle, but his determination was irresistible.
"No."
"If the Green Dragon Seal is activated again, I will die."
Xie Yun turned around and walked towards the iron gate that was surrounded and watched by the guards. His footsteps were rustling. Unexpectedly, Queen Wu's loud voice came from behind him, "Then what do I have to do to make you activate the Seal for me again?"
Xie Yun stopped in his tracks.
If one looked at this moment from a high place, this was actually an indescribable scene.
Xie Yun's back was facing the courtyard wall, facing the guards who were not far away as if they were facing a great enemy. On the other side of the wall, Queen Wu was facing the dilapidated back door of the Sensual Temple that was dozens of feet away. They were only separated by a wall, but the direction they chose was completely opposite.
The setting sun dyed the desolate garden golden red. Under the illusory glory, it looked even more bleak. It seemed like a flashy ceremony that was about to fall into darkness.
Xie Yun was silent. He did not answer for a long time.
"All the people I have met so far," Queen Wu finally said after a long time. There seemed to be a lingering sadness in her voice, "Most of them oppose me. A small number of them support me. Most of them do it for the stability of the aristocratic families and their own interests. I know that deep down in their hearts, they also think that my idea of ascending to the throne is against the principles … Now, even you think that I am wrong?"
Unexpectedly, Xie Yun denied, "No."
"…"
"Most people claim to be loyal and righteous, but in fact, everyone will choose the path that is most beneficial to them. It has nothing to do with right or wrong." Xie Yun smiled bitterly and said, "You and I are both like that."
He stepped forward and walked away from the courtyard wall.
The sound of his footsteps seemed to be stepping on Queen Wu's heart. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, as if she was trying to suppress some kind of emotion. After a few breaths, she finally could not help but tremble, "Where are the imperial guards?"
The guards guarding the iron gate rushed over in large strides.
"Take Commander Xie down …"
Queen Wu's voice stopped abruptly. After a while, she opened her mouth again, but there was a slight pain that could not be concealed.
"… Take him to the cool back hall and deal with him later."
The guard accepted the order and left. Xie Yun stopped in his tracks, a trace of a tired smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. He allowed the guard to grab his shoulder and walk out of the iron gate.
·
The last ray of light gradually disappeared. Queen Wu stood at the abandoned back door of the Sensual Temple for a long time. Finally, she said, "Yin Kaiyang."
"Yes."
In the darkness, Yin Kaiyang leaned against the door frame. He crossed his arms in front of his chest. His posture was casual, but his figure exuded a strong aura that could not be ignored.
"You heard what I said just now. I originally planned to show the auspicious sign of the descent of the True Dragon during the abdication ceremony. Now, Xie Yun is unwilling to cooperate … What do you think I should do?"
Yin Kaiyang's eyes contained a hint of mockery. "Queen of Heaven, Yin Tianqing is unwilling to cooperate. Even if you kill him, it will be useless. What else can you do?"
Queen Wu walked through the backyard of the Sensual Temple and walked towards the front door. Not far away, the attendants knelt on the ground to welcome her respectfully.
Yin Kaiyang followed her. Queen Wu's tone was very gentle. "What about you?"
"What?"
"Are you willing to cooperate?"
Queen Wu stood in front of the carriage and turned around.
Yin Kaiyang stood two steps away. His figure was tall and sturdy, but there seemed to be a faint white light flashing in his eyes. "Of course I'm willing."
Queen Wu seemed to be relieved and nodded slightly.
"The Dark Clan has always been loyal to the person who is destined to be. However, after killing the dethroned Crown Prince Cheng Qian, you chose the King Of Wei between the Emperor and the King Of Wei.
After that, the current Emperor inherited the throne and did not trust the Dark Clan. Because of this, you left the capital … "
"So I hope this time I bet on the right person." Yin Kaiyang smiled and reached out his hand politely.
Queen Wu raised her red lips and held his strong hand to get into the carriage. Amidst the neighing of the horses, the carriage slowly drove towards Shangyang Palace.
·
On the 11th day of the fifth lunar month of the second year of the Shangyuan Dynasty, the Emperor announced to the world that he would hold the abdication ceremony.
Before the ceremony, the civil officials remonstrated and knelt in front of the Supreme Harmony Palace, crying and begging. However, this caused Empress Wu to fly into a rage. On the spot, she had the Prime Minister Dai Zhide, Pei Yan, and the others thrown into prison. Afterwards, she killed several dozen of their henchmen.
The next day, the Emperor's daughter, Princess Changle, and her husband, the Zhao Family, joined forces with the royal family to oppose the Empress' regent. The couple were killed. Prince Li Xian of Yue was killed. The rest of the royal family members were killed one after another. Princess Changle's daughter, Princess Zhao, was imprisoned in the palace and ordered to starve to death by the Empress. Hundreds of people were implicated.
Even members of the Imperial Family were beheaded, and countless members of the aristocratic families were plagiarized.
Chang An was covered in mourning clothes and the streets were covered in blood. Every night, there was a curfew. Fully armed soldiers of the Valiant Cavalry Battalion patrolled every street and alley. Even the cries of children could not be heard in the capital.
An unprecedented terror enveloped the entire city of Chang An.
At the end of the month, bad news came from the Daming Palace. The Emperor's condition was deteriorating rapidly. It was inevitable that he would abdicate.
Under the increasing pressure, many people gradually understood the situation.
After all, the number of martyrs was in the minority. More people began to express goodwill to the Empress or even surrender. Not only were the aristocratic families behind Yuwen Hu, Li Xiaoyi, Liu Rengui, and the other generals with large military forces also changed sides and stood on the Empress' side.
Chang An, the number one city in the world surrounded by eight rivers and ten thousand countries, welcomed the Emperor's abdication ceremony amidst this bloody and treacherous situation.
·
In the Tai He Palace, the dying Emperor was being supported, but in reality was being escorted to the throne room. The ceremonial officials took off the flat imperial crown and the nine dragons robe, replacing it with the special crown that the Retired Emperor used.
The Emperor's seat on the Dragon Throne was empty, but the Empress sat on the side of the Dragon Throne. She wore a black robe and a crown on her head. Her top was painted with the sun, moon, stars, mountains, dragons, and insects. Her bottom was embroidered with the colors of algae, fire, Zong Yi, Li, and pink rice. A total of twelve patterns glittered in the golden and dazzling hall.
The people of the world looked at Chang An from afar. The people of Chang An gathered at the palace gates. In the square in front of the Tai He Palace, the Emperor's relatives, aristocratic families, civil and military officials … countless pairs of eyes, some filled with fear, some filled with grief, some filled with joy, and some filled with eagerness, all watched this scene.
— — The Empress was wearing the crown that was traditionally worn by the Son of Heaven to worship Haotian God.
On the high throne, Empress Wu lowered her gaze.
Xie Yun sat quietly not far to her left. His face was calm and his eyes were lowered. No one could see anything through his thick eyelashes.
His wide sleeves hung down to cover his hands, so no one could see the black iron chains around his wrists.
"…" Empress Wu retracted her gaze and looked at Yin Kaiyang on the other side of the crowd.
— — According to the original plan, Yin Kaiyang should open his seal and make the image of the Turtle and Snake appear in the sky. The Turtle and Snake would circle in front of her and kneel down to show the Mandate of Heaven.
Nothing could stir people's hearts more than an auspicious sign. In Chang An, nothing could attract more attention than the Emperor's abdication ceremony.
If the True Dragon appeared and submitted to her, the news would spread all over the world tomorrow. The seed of "the current Female Lead is the Mandate of Heaven" would immediately take root and sprout in the hearts of millions of people. But now that there was no Yin Kaiqing, she could only use the Mythical Beast Xuanwu to play the role of the Emperor.
Although it was inferior, it was better than spending more manpower, resources, and time to change the hearts of the people … Empress Wu sighed silently. She looked at Yin Kaiyang and nodded slightly, indicating that he could start.
However, Yin Kaiyang didn't move.
This man smiled in her eyes. There was a bit of banter, a bit of ridicule, and a bit of pity and sympathy in his eyes.
Then he took half a step back and disappeared into the air as if he had melted!
— — He left?
He actually left at the last minute?!
Empress Wu couldn't react in time. Then her expression changed dramatically!
At this moment, her confidant rushed forward from the back of the hall. His face was pale and he whispered in her ear, "Empress, something bad happened!"
"The Duke of Ying, Li Jingye, has raised his troops from Yangzhou. Together with the Great General of Huaihua, Shan Chao, they are armed with the imperial sword, the Red Ink Iron Certificate, and the former Emperor's Army Tiger Seal. In the name of purging the Emperor's evil forces, they have gathered hundreds of thousands of people and are marching toward the eastern capital!"