I was kicked out of the house, and I was reborn and became the emperor

Staring at the jade pendant, Emperor Taining's heart was filled with emotions and he murmured to himself.

"Don't worry, kid. I've made you suffer for so many years, and I will definitely protect you now..."

Noticing that the emperor was stunned, Fang Yi hurriedly asked, "Father, do you object to my child going to Jiuyuan County?"

Emperor Taining suddenly came to his senses and said, "No, whatever you wish is feasible. I actually have other concerns in mind. I have arranged for you to go to Yanzhou because there is another important task for you to undertake."

"What's the matter?"

"There are frequent wars in Yanzhou, and it is difficult for the Jinyiwei to infiltrate. I hope you can keep a close eye on the actions of the Grand Commander Zhuge Zhan. If Zhuge Zhan, who has always been neutral, shows any signs of change and leans towards the other two factions, report it to me immediately, and Liu Congwu will explain the details in detail."

Emperor Taining explained.

"I will definitely fulfill my mission... But, can you allow me to make a humble request?"

Fang Yi chuckled, glanced at the stern-looking Emperor Taining, and tested him carefully.

"What do you want?"

"I, your son... would like to ask Commander Zhang to accompany me to Yanzhou!"

Emperor Taining raised a cold smile and turned his gaze to Zhang Wenyuan who was standing like a stone sculpture beside him: "Zhang Wenyuan, what do you think?"

Zhang Wenyuan replied without hesitation: "I am willing to stay in Kyoto to protect your majesty's safety."

Fang Yi looked disappointed, and Emperor Taining felt sorry for him, so he said, "In that case, I originally intended to have you continue to escort Fang Yi to Yan, and you will stay there for ten days. As the saying goes, 'The master leads you to the door, but the practice is up to the individual'. After you teach him the martial arts skills, the rest depends on his own luck."

"Sir, obey the order!"

Zhang Wenyuan naturally did not dare to disobey the emperor's will and readily agreed.

"That's wonderful!" Fang Yi was ecstatic. His long-cherished wish was finally fulfilled.

Afterwards, Emperor Taining gave a few instructions and returned to Kyoto under the escort of Zhang Wenyuan.

Fang Yi enjoyed three quiet days in the palace. When the deadline came, he would pack up and set off for Jiuyuan County, his fiefdom in Yanzhou.

That afternoon, Fang Yi and Xiao Rou once again stepped into the most bustling place in Kyoto - Jiuqu Lane.

The market was bustling with people, and Fang Yi felt nostalgic. He glanced at Xiaorou and saw reluctance in her eyes.

"Xiao Rou, we will set off for Yanzhou tomorrow. You must be reluctant to leave Kyoto, right?" Fang Yi asked.

Xiaorou shook her head gently, raised her head and smiled: "As long as I can be by your side, no matter where I am, I am willing."

"Xiao Rou, you are so thoughtful..." Fang Yi looked down at the maid who was a head shorter than him, and couldn't help but recall the night when the black-clad assassin attacked and she bravely stood in front of him.

"Xiao Rou, it will be my turn to protect you from now on..." Fang Yi stroked Xiao Rou's obedient head and said softly.

"What did the Marquis say?" Xiaorou asked with an innocent look on her face.

"It's okay. The Marquis brought three hundred taels of silver today. We will buy whatever you like!" Fang Yi took Xiaorou's hand as usual and squeezed into the crowd. Xiaorou's cheeks flushed.

Xiao Rou has been serving the Marquis since she was young. In order to ensure the Marquis' safety, she always holds his hand tightly wherever she goes to prevent her demented master from getting lost.

Although the Marquis has recovered his lucidity, this habit has not changed. What has changed is that in Xiaorou's heart, in addition to family affection, another feeling has quietly sprouted...

After passing through several intersecting streets and alleys, the two arrived at the end of Jiuqu Lane. Fang Yi wanted to visit the mysterious Taoist priest again before leaving Beijing.

Unexpectedly, when I looked at the corner of the street, the Taoist priest and the fortune-telling stall were gone, and instead there was a stall selling rat poison.

Fang Yi was about to leave, feeling a little lonely, but unexpectedly the inconspicuous vendor called him. According to the vendor, the mysterious Taoist priest seemed to have foreseen Fang Yi's arrival and specially entrusted him with a rare item.

Upon hearing the news, Fang Yi couldn't wait to reach out his hand and took over an object wrapped tightly in sheepskin, exuding a mysterious aura.

"Did the Taoist priest have any other instructions? Did he leave any words for me to know?" Fang Yi asked anxiously.

At first, the vendor just shook his head, but then he seemed to remember something, and a cunning look flashed in his eyes: "Oh, the Taoist priest did leave a message!"

"What did you say?" Fang Yi asked quickly, unable to hide his anticipation.

"The Taoist priest said that if you can buy a few packets of rat poison, it would be a token of your appreciation to me."

The vendor narrowed his eyes and a flattering smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Is that all?" Fang Yi suddenly felt an indescribable sense of loss in his heart, and immediately ordered Xiaorou to buy all the rat poison.

Afterwards, the two found a secluded corner and slowly unwrapped the sheepskin package containing the things left behind by the mysterious Taoist priest.

Fang Yi originally thought that under the sheepskin might be a stunning martial arts secret manual, or a rare book on military strategy comparable to "Wu Mu's Testament", but he did not expect it to be an ancient bronze mirror with a strange shape.

The front of the ancient bronze mirror looks no different from an ordinary bronze mirror, as smooth as water, reflecting people without leaving any trace; however, the back is carved with puzzling mysterious totems and strange textures, which arouse people's imagination.

"What is the purpose of this ancient bronze mirror?"

The Taoist priest did not say a word, and Fang Yi was puzzled by this strange thing.

"My Lord, could this be the legendary magic mirror?"

Xiaorou came closer, smiling like a flower, and there was some teasing in her words.

"You have read too many books about gods and monsters. However, since the Taoist priest left it to me, this ancient bronze mirror must be extraordinary. Maybe it will reveal its true colors someday!"

As Fang Yi spoke, he carefully put away the ancient mirror and prepared to return home.

It was getting late. Just as Fang Yi and Xiao Rou were about to leave, the pair of eyes flashing with cunning light behind them showed a meaningful smile on the vendor's face, as if foreshadowing that there would be more unknown twists and turns and adventures waiting for them in the future...

……

As night fell, Fang Yi and Xiao Rou slowly stepped into the threshold of the mansion. Before they went in, they saw Zhang Wenyuan in casual clothes, waiting at the door. He said simply, "Let's go."

Fang Yi said nothing more. He handed all the items in his hands to Xiao Rou, then followed him silently into the night.

Soon, the two of them stopped at a familiar place. Fang Yi looked up and saw that it was the Jingzhao Yin government office where there had been a lot of turmoil not long ago.

Deep inside the palace, Emperor Taining, dressed in black, stood silently with his back to him under a plaque with the words "A Clear Mirror Hanging High".

"Within the palace walls, there are many spies and eyes, and this is the safest place. The current Jingzhao Yin is my confidant."

Emperor Taining seemed to know what Fang Yi was thinking and spoke first.

Fang Yi hesitated as he was about to speak: "Father, why did you summon me here so late at night?..."

"It will be inconvenient for me to perform for you in front of all the ministers tomorrow, so tonight will be your farewell party."

After saying this, Emperor Taining turned around, picked up the wine cups from the table, and filled two cups with mellow wine.

Fang Yi took it and drank it all in one gulp, feeling deeply moved: "I never thought that the trip to Yanzhou would be so hasty, but outside the capital, I don't need to play dumb in front of those people anymore."