My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1325 Cheerful

In a corner of the prosperous capital, stands the majestic and solemn Prime Minister's Mansion. This Prime Minister's Mansion is crowded with people, with carriages and horses coming and going every day, and there are many dignitaries. However, in this noble family, there is a little-known sickly third son - Zhou Xing.

Zhou Xing has been weak and sickly since childhood, as if a breeze could blow him down. He has a delicate face and a hint of bookishness between his eyebrows and eyes, but because he has been bedridden for many years, his face is often pale and lacks some of the youthful vigor. He is trapped in this small courtyard all day long. The blue sky and white clouds outside the window, the spring flowers, snow and moon, to him, are like an unattainable dream.

Ling Xue was originally an ordinary girl from the countryside. She came to the capital alone after her parents died. By chance, she entered the Prime Minister's Mansion and became a gardener in the back garden. Ling Xue was born very smart, with eyes as bright as stars and skin as white as snow. Although she was wearing coarse clothes, it was hard to hide her natural beauty. She was lively and cheerful, and she was curious about everything in the world, especially those beautiful flowers. In her eyes, each one was a fairy given by God to the world.

When she first entered the Prime Minister's Mansion, Ling Xue did not pay attention to the reclusive Third Young Master. She focused on her duties every day and carefully took care of every plant in the garden. The garden was originally a lifeless place, but under her careful care, it gradually became colorful and full of flowers.

One day, Zhou Xing was in a good mood and asked his maid to help him stroll around the mansion. When he walked near the garden, the fragrance of flowers filled his nose, which moved his heart. He slowly walked to the entrance of the garden and saw a woman in plain clothes squatting among the flowers, pruning branches and leaves attentively. The sunlight shone on her body, outlining a soft outline, like a beautiful painting.

Zhou Xing couldn't help but be fascinated and coughed a few times. Ling Xue heard the sound and looked back. She saw a pale but extraordinary young man. She stood up and saluted: "Hello, Third Young Master." Zhou Xing nodded slightly, his eyes still lingering on the flowers, and asked: "Are you taking care of these flowers?" Ling Xue smiled, her eyes full of pride: "Third Young Master, it is because of my careful care that they are so lush." ​​Zhou Xing took a few steps closer, carefully looking at the beautiful flowers, and a rare joy appeared in his eyes: "You are very capable. This garden is full of vitality because of you." Ling Xue lowered her head shyly: "I am just doing my job. It is an honor to be praised by the Third Young Master."

Since that day, Zhou Xing often asked the maid to take him to the garden for a short visit. Sometimes, he would quietly watch Ling Xue's busy figure, and sometimes he would chat with her. Ling Xue also gradually got used to the presence of the Third Young Master, and was no longer so reserved when talking to him. She would talk about interesting things in the countryside, those days of running in the fields, and her experience of picking wild flowers with her friends. Zhou Xing listened with great interest. He had never been exposed to such a world. Ling Xue's words were like a window, opening up a whole new world for him.

As time went by, Zhou Xing found that he missed Ling Xue more and more. Whenever he couldn't see her, he felt empty in his heart. Ling Xue also fell in love with Zhou Xing unconsciously. She admired his talent, felt sorry for his weak body, and was even more intoxicated by his gentle eyes.

However, this emotional journey was not smooth sailing. The Prime Minister's Mansion had strict rules and regulations, and there was a distinction between master and servant. Their identities were like an insurmountable gap. The servants in the mansion began to talk about it. Some said that Ling Xue had bad intentions and was trying to get close to the Third Master; others sighed that Zhou Xing was stupid and fell in love with a gardener.

These rumors reached the ears of the prime minister's wife. The lady was already worried about Zhou Xing's condition, and now she was very unhappy to hear that he was close to a gardener. She called Ling Xue to her side and scolded her harshly: "You girl, you are just a lowly gardener, how dare you dream and covet the third young master! Do you know the rules of this mansion? There is a huge gap between your status and that of the third young master, so don't have any unreasonable thoughts!" Ling Xue knelt on the ground in fear and kowtowed repeatedly: "Madam, please calm down. I dare not have any intention of overstepping the rules. I just serve the third young master and take care of the flowers with all my heart." The lady snorted coldly: "Humph! It's better to do this. If there is a next time, I will not let you off easily!"

Ling Xue returned to her residence with a feeling of grievance, tears streaming down her face. She knew the gap between her and Zhou Xing, but how could she just break off the relationship? Zhou Xing felt very guilty after learning about this. He ignored his own health and insisted on meeting Ling Xue. In front of Ling Xue's hut, he knocked gently on the door. Ling Xue opened the door and saw Zhou Xing's pale face full of worry and guilt, and she felt mixed emotions.

"Ling Xue, I'm sorry. I made you suffer." Zhou Xing's voice trembled a little.

Ling Xue shook her head: "Third Master, this is none of your business. I am of low status and shouldn't have such delusions." Zhou Xing held her hand: "I don't care about status, I only care about you. If I can't be with you, no matter how beautiful the scenery in this world is, it will be nothing but clouds to me." Ling Xue burst into tears: "But how should we face these obstacles?"

Just when they were worried, something happened in the Prime Minister's Mansion. The war on the northern border was intense, and the court ordered the prime minister's sons to go to the military camp for training. Zhou Xing, as the third son of the Prime Minister's Mansion, was also among those summoned. This sudden news caused chaos in the entire Prime Minister's Mansion.

Zhou Xing was extremely worried. He was already weak, how could he withstand the hardships of the military camp? But he knew that this was the family's responsibility and he could not shirk it. Ling Xue was even more worried. She stayed by Zhou Xing's side day and night, preparing his luggage and sewing warm clothes for him.

"Lingxue, I don't know if I can come back safely after I leave." Zhou Xing held Lingxue's hand tightly, his eyes full of reluctance. Lingxue tried hard to hold back her tears: "Third Master, you must take care of yourself. I will wait for you in the mansion." Zhou Xing nodded: "When I come back, I will definitely express my feelings to my father and mother and marry you." Lingxue nodded slightly, silently praying that Zhou Xing would be safe.

The next morning, Zhou Xing took a simple bag and set off for the military camp. Ling Xue stood at the gate of the Prime Minister's Mansion, watching his back as he walked away, tears blurring her eyes. She prayed for him in the garden every day, hoping that he would return safely soon.

In the military camp, Zhou Xing's life was miserable. The training was very intense, and he was weak, so he often couldn't keep up with the pace. But when he thought of Ling Xue at home, he gritted his teeth and persevered. In his spare time, he would write to Ling Xue, telling her about his life in the military camp, those days of sweat and tears.

As the days passed, the smoke on the battlefield became thicker. Zhou Xing's unit was involved in a fierce battle. The enemy was coming fiercely, and arrows were raining down. Zhou Xing fought bravely in the chaos, but was unfortunately hit by a stray arrow. He fell in a pool of blood, and his consciousness gradually blurred. His comrades hurriedly carried him out of the line of fire and sent him to the rear for treatment.

The news was like a bolt from the blue when it reached the Prime Minister's Mansion. When Ling Xue learned that Zhou Xing was injured, she was extremely anxious. She decided to go to the battlefield to find Zhou Xing despite everyone's objections. She slept in the open air and experienced hardships along the way, and finally found Zhou Xing's camp.

At this time, Zhou Xing was seriously injured and unconscious. Ling Xue stayed by his bedside day and night. Her tears kept flowing, and she held Zhou Xing's hands tightly, as if this could pass on her strength to him.

"Third Master, you must wake up! You promised me that you would come back safely." Ling Xue whispered softly in Zhou Xing's ear. Perhaps her sincerity moved the heavens, and Zhou Xing's injuries gradually improved. When he woke up, he saw Ling Xue's bloodshot eyes and haggard face.

"Ling Xue..." Zhou Xing's voice was very weak. Ling Xue threw herself into his arms excitedly: "You finally woke up! I was so scared..."

After a period of recuperation, Zhou Xing's injuries were no longer serious. He returned to the capital with Ling Xue. After this battle, Zhou Xing completely understood his own feelings and understood Ling Xue's deep affection for him. As soon as he returned to the mansion, he expressed his determination to marry Ling Xue to his parents. The prime minister and his wife were firmly opposed at first, but seeing their son's determination and thinking of his experience on the battlefield, they were inevitably shaken. In addition, Ling Xue had been in the prime minister's mansion for many years, and had always been diligent, kind and intelligent, with a good reputation. In the end, under Zhou Xing's insistence, his parents reluctantly agreed to the marriage.

However, just as they were preparing for the wedding, they encountered new troubles. It turned out that a prince in the palace was attracted by Ling Xue's beauty. Hearing that she was going to marry Zhou Xing, he asked the emperor to allow Ling Xue to enter the palace as a concubine. This imperial decree put the Prime Minister's Mansion in trouble again.

Zhou Xing was extremely anxious, as he knew that once Ling Xue entered the palace, she would be in danger. Despite his weak body, he went to the palace to meet the emperor, and declined the emperor's request on the grounds that he had just returned from the battlefield and was exhausted. The emperor was displeased by his firm attitude, but he had no choice but to give up. After this series of twists and turns, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue were finally married successfully. On the wedding day, the Prime Minister's Mansion was decorated with lights and was very lively. Ling Xue was wearing a phoenix crown and a bridal robe, and was as beautiful as a fairy; Zhou Xing was smiling, with happiness in his eyes. With the blessings of their relatives and friends, they got married and walked through every spring, summer, autumn and winter of their lives hand in hand.

After marriage, Zhou Xing gradually recovered under Ling Xue's careful care. He was no longer trapped in the house all day, but strolled in the garden with Ling Xue, admiring the blooming flowers planted by each other. They also often recited poems and painted together, sharing every bit of life.

Ling Xue, from a country gardener, has transformed herself into the third young lady of the Prime Minister's Mansion, but she still maintains her original intention. She manages the backyard of the Prime Minister's Mansion with her wisdom and kindness, making the garden more beautiful. She gets along well with the servants in the mansion and is deeply loved and respected by everyone.

Their story spread throughout the capital and became a legend among the people. No matter whether they were high-ranking officials or ordinary people, everyone who heard it was moved. They used their own experiences to interpret the true meaning of love, which is that no matter how different one's status is, as long as there is love, one can overcome many obstacles and write one's own chapter of happiness.

Not far away, the cave was pitch black and exuded a gloomy atmosphere.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, bringing with it a few low whistles. Then, a group of figures rushed out of the cave. The leader was the big man with a full beard, and behind him were a dozen of his men, all holding sharp blades and looking fierce.

"Brother, we've gained a lot today, haha!" a younger brother said with a proud smile.

The bearded man waved his hand and said, "Be careful, don't get caught."

Just as they were swaggering forward, Ling Xue gave an order: "Go!"

Zhou Xing rushed out like an arrow, the sword in his hand flashing coldly in the sun. He rushed straight towards the big man and immediately started fighting with him. The two of them fought back and forth, with swords flashing and sabers flying, and the fight was indisputable.

Ling Xue led other detectives to engage in a fierce battle with the thieves' men. For a while, shouts and screams resounded through the night sky. However, these thieves were all very skilled and there were many of them. Zhou Xing, Ling Xue and others gradually fell into trouble.

Zhou Xing's arm was scratched by a thief, but he still gritted his teeth and insisted on fighting. He saw the opportunity and kicked the thief to the ground, then turned around and continued to fight with the bearded man.

Ling Xue was not having an easy time either, her long sword danced like a silver snake in the moonlight, and each move was accurate in stabbing the enemy. But the opponent's attack was also very fierce, and she also suffered several minor injuries.

Just when the two sides were in a stalemate, there was a sound of horse hooves in the distance. It turned out that Zhou Xing's friend, Lin Yu, who was also a constable, had arrived with reinforcements.

Lin Yu was agile, holding two guns, and he shouted loudly: "Brother Zhou, Lord Ling, we are here to help you!"

With the reinforcements, the situation turned around instantly. Zhou Xing and Ling Xue were greatly encouraged, and together with Lin Yu and others, they fought hard against the enemy. The thieves saw that the situation was not good, and they fled in all directions.

Seeing this, the bearded man tried to escape, but was blocked by Zhou Xing. Zhou Xing glared at him and said, "You evil thief, don't even think about escaping today!"

The bearded man sneered: "You guys think you can catch me? Humph!" As he said that, he swung his sword and chopped at Zhou Xing.

Zhou Xing dodged sideways, then took a quick step forward and stabbed the big man's chest with the sword in his hand. The big man quickly jumped back to avoid the fatal blow. But he stumbled and fell to the ground.

Zhou Xing took the opportunity to rush over and subdue the big man. At this time, Ling Xue also led the detectives to capture all the other thieves.

When the villagers learned that the thief had been captured, they all came to watch. They expressed their gratitude to Ling Xue, Zhou Xing and others.

"Thank you, Mr. Judicial Commissioner and Constable Zhou, for helping us get rid of this gang of thieves. You are truly our benefactors!" The old woman shed tears of excitement.

Ling Xue smiled and said, "This is what we should do. Protecting the safety of the people is our duty. If there are evildoers like this again, we will not let them off easily."

Zhou Xing also smiled and said, "Yes, don't worry, as long as we are here, we will never let you get hurt."

After this incident, Zhou Xing admired Ling Xue even more.