The Empress's First Running Dog

Chapter 80 The God of Drama Opens His Eyes
Aren’t you the most beautiful scenery... Zhao Duan swallowed the cheesy love words and followed Xu Zhenguan out of the "Yangxin Palace".

The dragon chariot had been prepared outside the palace, with dozens of female officials and eunuchs accompanying it.

Six pure-blooded horses are ready to go, and the dragon chariot is inlaid with gold, silver, jade, gems and pearls, showing its nobility.

He once thought that Yuan Li's car was already very impressive, but today he realized that it was nothing compared to her.

……

Full moon night.

In the southwest corner of the imperial palace in the capital, a team of imperial guardsmen in brocade uniforms were patrolling the streets.

The leader of the team was Zhou Cang, a captain of the imperial court.

As a member of the imperial guards, the Jinyi Yama Kings are also responsible for the defense of the capital, day patrols and night patrols.

The night is quiet, and the only sound is the collision of nails as you walk.

"Boss, that watchtower ahead is so tall."

Behind Zhou Cang, a newly promoted official looked forward with a curious tone.

Although this area is outside the imperial palace, it still falls under the jurisdiction of the government offices and few outsiders approach it.

Zhou Cang held the hilt of the knife with one hand, squinted his eyes and looked ahead at the dark building under the night sky, and said:

“That’s the ‘Emperor’s Tower’, the largest and tallest tower among the watchtowers built in the capital.

During wartime, it was a good place to deliver news to the palace and observe the capital. Later, when there was no war, many watchtowers in the capital were abandoned and used for other purposes.

In the past, during the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival, when Beifang was still open, people gathered and the sage would sit on top of it and enjoy the festival with the people.

But later, when Beifang City was closed, it became a forbidden area, and was rarely used except for repairs by the government office."

As soon as he finished speaking, the dark and tall "Emperor's Tower" suddenly lit up section by section.

Starting from the lowest point, lanterns were lit one by one all the way up to the top floor.

Zhou Cang: “…”

The young man asked, "Boss, didn't you say it's rarely used?"

Zhou Cang's expression changed, and he said, "Return the same way. There is no need to patrol the block ahead."

"Why?"

"Unless you want to disturb the Holy Emperor," Zhou Cang snorted and scolded:
"After the current saint ascended the throne, he would occasionally go up to the tower to admire the moon. When the saint went out on tour, the streets within a radius of several miles were cleared and curfews were imposed, and idle people retreated."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but look back at the tall building, and there was something he didn't say:
When the empress went up to the tower, it was customary to only light half of the lanterns.

It's all light tonight, could it be that the Empress is not the only one ascending the tower?
But who in the world has this honor?

……

……

At the bottom of the Emperor's Tower.

The noble and majestic dragon chariot slowly stopped.

Xu Zhenguan led Zhao Duan downstairs, and the eunuch who had been waiting there respectfully handed them a warm towel to wipe off the dust.

Hundreds of palace servants were waiting with their heads bowed under this "First Watchtower". The ancient building, shaped like an octagonal wind chime, was full of traces of time and had red lights, making it magnificent.

"Your Majesty, the imperial kitchen has delivered dinner to the top floor, and now is the best time to eat it," a female official said respectfully.

"Your Majesty, a curfew has been imposed in the surrounding area, and the Jinwu Guards are on guard in all directions to ensure that no one disturbs us." A guard stepped forward.

Xu Zhenguan nodded, and the palace ladies dispersed and stood with their heads bowed in the distance.

No one looked up or even glanced at the two of them the entire time.

"Are you surprised?" Queen Dayu suddenly asked with a smile.

Zhao Duan said honestly:

"Indeed. I was surprised that you came here. I was also surprised that the Saint would leave the palace. Just having a meal would have such a grand ceremony."

Xu Zhenguan has a graceful demeanor:
“When you reach a certain point, you will find that everyone in the world is kind, and any door will open in front of you.”

Zhao Duan seemed to be thinking about something.

The empress stepped up to the stairs.

The night breeze blew gently, and her white clothes fluttered, emitting a very faint body fragrance.

Zhao Duan followed closely behind, going up the spiral folding stairs.

He looked into the distance, and as the floor went higher, the scope of the capital city in his field of vision expanded.

The lights of thousands of homes are like a galaxy on the ground, but for Zhao Duan, who has lived in a modern city for many years and is accustomed to light pollution, this night view is too shabby.

"Your Majesty, what you are showing me is the night scene of the capital?"

When passing by the lantern, Xu Zhenguan's profile would be reflected in orange, like warm jade. When the lantern was removed, it would become dazzling white in the darkness.

Hearing this, without even looking at him, he said, "Are you disappointed?"

"Don't dare."

"That's still it, but of course this isn't the real scenery."

As he spoke, Xu Zhenguan stepped onto the stairs and lightly flicked his slender jade fingers.

A ray of golden light shot out from his crystal-like fingertips and sank into Zhao Duan's brow:

"Look at it this way."

Zhao Duan was caught off guard and felt a stinging pain in his eyes, followed by a chill.

When I opened my eyes again, I was shocked to find that the world was like a veil lifted, revealing the other side of its true self.

In the distance, above a market town, a huge and illusory ship was slowly drifting. It was shaped like an ingot, and its cabin was filled with mountains of gold, silver, jade, gems, and copper coins. On the erected mast, a huge sail was painted with a huge smiling face.

On both sides of the ship, there were beautiful boys and girls holding bamboo baskets, constantly dropping silver bills.

"That is the deity 'God of Wealth', and the ones serving him are 'The Boy Who Spreads Wealth'." Xu Zhenguan explained calmly.

Zhao Duan moved his gaze towards the direction of the "Big Bell Tower" of Tianshi Mansion.

The night sky was dyed blue, with magnificent ripples spreading out.

Countless strange, illusory and mysterious "gods" were floating around in the blue sky, in a daze.

Corresponding to it from a distance is the location of "Shenlong Temple".

The pale golden Buddha light tore through the night sky. In the center of the Buddha light, a huge "Buddha head" was vaguely visible floating above it, overlooking the world with compassionate eyes.

"The Tianshi Mansion compiles a list of righteous gods. When the priests practice, they will attract many gods to gather and linger there." Xu Zhenguan said.

After a pause, he said again:

"As for that magnificent Buddha head, it is the main deity of Shenlong Temple, the World Honored One, which represents 'wisdom'. Don't look at it too much. If you don't have enough cultivation, if you force yourself to look at the World Honored One, you will be instilled with wisdom by him. At the very least, you will feel dizzy, at the worst, you will become stupid, and at the moderate level, you will lose your mortal roots and have no worldly desires anymore."

Cut off the roots... Zhao Duan instantly withdrew his gaze and decided not to look in that direction anymore.

Is the night in the capital so lively?
When mortals stay home, the world seems to belong to the gods.

Zhao Duan was greatly shocked and asked curiously:
"I can probably understand that the practice of the priests and sorcerers led to the appearance of gods. But what about the God of Wealth in the sky above the market and the others scattered everywhere?"

In the field of vision, except for the "Tianshi Mansion" and the "Shenlong Temple", there are gods floating in every direction of the entire capital, but they are much dimmer and smaller in comparison.

"When all mortals gather their thoughts, they can also serve as offerings to the gods." The empress said succinctly.

Therefore, every household in the market town worships the God of Wealth, and when all their thoughts come together, they will manifest... Zhao Duan suddenly realized.

My eyes suddenly caught a glimpse in the direction of the "Banfang Theater", and I saw a dim god on it.

Hmm, a bunch of actors, what kind of gods do they worship? Curious.

"I see that there seems to be light in many mansions?"

"That is the 'house god' worshipped by the people. The powerful house god has created a world of his own. If a strong person steps in, he will be defeated if he is not careful."

"The last time I fought with the sorcerer from Prince Jing's mansion, I saw the 'Wind Master'. I heard there is also a 'Rain Master'?"

"When it rains heavily, if you open your eyes, you can see the 'Rain Master' in the dark clouds. If you are strong enough in martial arts, you can smack the 'Rain Master' to kill him, and the clouds will disperse and the rain will stop.

In the past, Emperor Taizu was a master of martial arts. It happened that there was a severe drought in the northwest and heavy rain in the south. The sorcerers sent by the court were ineffective. Emperor Taizu was furious and went to the south in person. He captured three hundred "rain masters" alive in the thick clouds and took them to the northwest.

Wherever we passed along the way, there were thousands of miles of rain clouds covering the area, creating a magnificent sight.”

Xu Zhenguan shares secrets.

What is South-to-North Water Diversion Project... Zhao Duan was fascinated by it.

Suddenly I thought, but there are still years of disasters recorded in history books.

It can be seen that extraordinary means may have a price and cannot be used easily.

At this time, the coolness in the eye sockets dissipated and the night sky returned to normal.

It is quiet and peaceful, the lights are like stars, and there are no more strange and mysterious scenes.

The king and his minister also came to the watchtower.

In the middle of the fence is a flat terrace, and on the low table in the middle are sumptuous dishes prepared by the imperial kitchen.

There were also dozens of pitch-black wine jars arranged around the place.

The night wind blew, and the stunning empress sat cross-legged, her three thousand black hair fluttering in the wind, her skin as white as ice and as white as snow, her beauty surpassed countless men in the world.

"What are you still doing standing there stupidly?"

Xu Zhenguan waved his sleeves, and with a "woop" sound, a jar of heavy osmanthus wine was held in Zhao Duan's arms.

He suddenly understood where the old supervisor got the fine wine.

Xu Zhenguan raised the corner of his mouth, his beautiful eyes narrowed:

"Waiter, serve the wine."

……

at the same time.

The Bafang Theater is brightly lit.

A big play had just ended and the actors had retreated backstage, but through the curtain, one could still hear the cheers from the hall.

The actor who was chosen by Pei Si Niang to play the role of "Xiao Sheng" took off his costume and sweat broke out on his forehead.

"Wu Ling, you've worked hard tonight." The theater owner came over and gave a thumbs up, his emerald ring gleaming brightly:
"This play is amazing. A guest wants to see you."

The young man named Wu Ling looked weak:
"I feel a little unwell and I am afraid it will be difficult for me to see you."

The class owner looked embarrassed, but finally gritted his teeth and said:

"Then go and rest. Don't catch a cold or damage your throat."

Wu Ling thanked him and walked through the crowd to the quiet bedroom behind the theater. When he was away from the crowd, his expression suddenly became sharp and he unfolded a piece of paper from his palm:
"Zhao Duan is still in the palace. He may return home tonight. We can wait for an opportunity to kill him."

Wu Ling narrowed his eyes and burned the note in the lamp.

Then he took out a scroll from the bamboo box under the bed and hung it on the wall.

In the painting, there is a god wearing colorful clothes and a pure white mask.

Wu Ling bowed his head and kowtowed three times: "Please, God of Drama!"

The stiff actor in the painting suddenly opened his eyes.

(End of this chapter)