The legitimate daughter was reborn, and the emperor’s little Jiaojiao went crazy.

On the steps, one in front and one behind, there was a man carrying a woman on his back.

The difference is that in the first couple, it was Emperor Mingde who was telling a story to Tang Chujun, "Later, the general's wife came to the Ninety-Nine Love Steps every day, bowing every step, rain or shine. She firmly believed that the general was not dead, and even if he was, she prayed to God to return her husband to her."

Tang Chujun's tears dripped down Emperor Mingde's neck. This story was so touching. "What happened next?"

"Later..." Emperor Mingde lifted his legs and walked upwards, thinking of the Empress Dowager Huizheng in his previous life, who kowtowed with every step, and kowtowed ninety-nine times in total, praying for General Weibei to go to war and seeking a way out for the survival of the Northern Wing.

That battle was the Battle of Lubei.

While listening to Shi Anxia's story, Cen Yuan was also thinking about the scene when Shi Anxia kowtowed with every step he took that day.

That day, Empress Dowager Huizheng led civil and military officials to gather at the steps of Baoguo Temple.

Her eyes were red, but full of solemnity and determination, "When the country is in crisis, I share the worries of the people. The country is about to fall, not because of fate, but because of the people's scattered hearts.

We should face challenges head-on with iron will and fearless hearts, build a solid mountain and river together, and we will surely be able to turn the tide!

I call on loyal and brave people all over the world to join us in this national crisis and turn the tide.

I firmly believe that people are good and united. I and all the people swear to build an immortal Great Wall with our flesh and blood to protect our northern wing for eternity! "

Civil and military officials lined up on both sides, kneeling on the ground and shouting, "Protect our northern wing, forever! Protect our northern wing, forever!"

Empress Dowager Huizheng finally cast her eyes on General Weibei and said solemnly, "The country is in danger, but it is also a time for turning. General Weibei is about to go to war. Today, you will take the lead and lead our heavenly soldiers to fight in Lubei, protect our land, and promote our heavenly power.

I know this journey is extremely dangerous, but I also know that your loyalty and bravery make you the pillar of the country and the people's support.

You are on this journey, as a teacher of benevolence and righteousness, practicing the way of justice. The safety of the country and the well-being of the people all depend on your shoulders... Now I will use tea instead of wine..."

The first cup is a toast to heaven and earth.

The second cup is to pay tribute to Buddha.

The third cup is to honor General Weibei and all the soldiers from the northern wing who have fought for the country.

The two looked at each other, both with tears in their eyes.

Maybe this trip will be a lifetime.

Yes, it is indeed a lifetime.

Afterwards, Queen Dowager Huizheng stepped onto the steps with solemn steps, slowly knelt down in the most standard posture, put her hands together, and lightly touched the ground with her forehead to complete a prayer.

Each step was high, steep, and narrow. After she stood on it, she had to turn sideways to face the east and then pray for blessings.

Ninety-nine steps, each of her steps was steady and solemn, because each step carried the weight of the entire country.

As Queen Dowager Huizheng slowly raised and gently lowered her knees, each kowtow was accompanied by a crisp sound of stone slabs hitting each other.

The voice echoed in front of the empty temple, and all the civil and military officials burst into tears. Because this was not just a formal prayer, but also a plea concerning the fate of the country.

Cen Yuan clearly remembered that the back of Empress Dowager Huizheng looked exceptionally strong that day, as if she was carrying the weight of the entire North Wing with her own strength.

On this side, Emperor Mingde's eyes were also filled with tears.

He left a mess behind and let the little girl bear everything.

He continued to tell the story to the little girl's mother. "Some people say that the general's wife exchanged her immortality for the general's life, and the general came back. They stayed together for ninety-nine days and died hand in hand. Others say that the general's wife never married in her life, waiting for the general to return, but she never waited for him. But she did not die, nor did she grow old. She lived alone in the world forever and never married again."

"Don't they have any children?" Tang Chujun asked crying.

Emperor Mingde took a breath and said, "Mr. Chu Sheng, whether they have children or not depends on you to write it down."

Tang Chujun was stunned, "Ah, Your Majesty, you know I am 'Mr. Chu Sheng'?"

Emperor Mingde suppressed his tears and smiled softly, which sounded particularly charming at night. "Chu Jun, Yao Sheng, isn't that 'Chu Sheng'? I have carefully read every short story you wrote."

Tang Chujun suddenly felt a little embarrassed. He leaned on his shoulder and tried to lean forward. "So the emperor also reads short stories? I thought you only read memorials."

"The emperor is also a human being." Emperor Mingde's ears were dyed red by the hot air that Tang Chujun suddenly blew in. He tried to calm down and asked, "Does your foot still hurt? It was so painful that I cried just now."

Tang Chujun quickly explained, "I'm not crying because my feet hurt. I'm crying because I remember how Xia'er's mother was abused by the Ye family. That must have hurt. Oh, it's all my fault. I blamed myself for not taking good care of Xia'er..."

Emperor Mingde wanted to say something, but he realized that he had only a few steps to the top. At this moment, the abbot and the young monks came out to greet them with a long string of lanterns, and the temple gate was suddenly brightly lit.

"Amitabha!"

Emperor Mingde also replied "Amitabha", then put Tang Chujun down from his back and supported her with his hands.

But Tang Chujun was stunned, his whole body was petrified and his blood seemed to have solidified.

What did she see?

birthmark!

There is a red leaf-shaped birthmark in the middle of Emperor Mingde’s neck!

It's evil! What good can she do in this life? Her son was replaced by someone else, her daughter was stolen by someone else, and even her little brother who had carried her on his back was mistaken!

She is such a mess!

She didn't hear a word that Emperor Mingde said to the abbot.

It was not until Emperor Mingde held up a lantern and asked the abbot and others to disperse that he asked her, "What's wrong with you? Are you still unable to walk? How about I carry you in first?"

Tang Chujun raised his head with tears in his eyes, "It's not that my feet hurt... it's that I recognized the wrong person... wuwuwuwu... it turns out that you are the one with the red leaf-shaped birthmark!"

Emperor Mingde didn't understand, so he let her go and took out a handkerchief stained with ambergris from his arms and handed it to her, "Who did you recognize wrong?"

Tang Chujun was fed up with himself. He couldn't do anything right and could only cry. He took the handkerchief and quickly wiped his tears. He took a deep breath and said, "I, I might be the little fat boy you mentioned."

Emperor Mingde was stunned at first, but then he understood and couldn't help laughing out loud, "Are you really that little fat guy? Hahahaha... I have only carried someone on my back twice in my life, and it turned out to be you!"

He continued to support her as they prepared to enter the temple, and couldn't help asking, "Then who did you think I was? Does he really have the same birthmark as me? Who took away my credit?"

No matter how stupid Tang Chujun is, he certainly doesn't want to tell Emperor Mingde the truth.

In fact, now that I think about it, Shi Chengyi's birthmark is on the left side and is light brown and leaf-shaped.

She had always thought that birthmarks would change color and fade, or even shift, as people grew older.

When Emperor Mingde saw her like that, how could he not understand?

Humph! Shi Chengyi!

As they were talking, Cen Yuan arrived, carrying Shi Anxia on his back.

Tang Chujun was shocked, "Xia'er, you twisted your ankle too?"