My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1431 Holy Land
He ordered Zhou Xing to be imprisoned and await further orders.

Upon learning this news, Ling Xue was extremely anxious. She decided to go to Miao territory to rescue Zhou Xing. Ignoring everyone's advice, she ventured into Miao territory alone.

In Miao territory, Ling Xue encountered numerous difficulties and obstacles. The Miao guards attacked her, but Ling Xue used her swordsmanship and wisdom to overcome each crisis.

Finally, Ling Xue arrived at the place where Zhou Xing was imprisoned. Looking at Zhou Xing locked in chains, she felt a pang of heartache.

"Zhou Xing, I'm here to save you," Ling Xue said.

Zhou Xing looked at Ling Xue, his eyes filled with surprise and emotion. "Ling Xue, why are you here? It's too dangerous here."

Ling Xue didn't speak. She drew her longsword and cut the iron chains. Just then, the high priest and the clan elders arrived.

"How dare you, Ling Xue, trespass into the sacred land of Miao territory and rescue the Holy Son! Do you know your crime?" the High Priest roared.

Ling Xue was not afraid at all. She pointed her longsword at the high priest and said, "Zhou Xing and I are truly in love. There is nothing wrong with that. You cannot separate us."

The high priest sneered, "The difference between the Miao and Han people cannot be overcome by love. Today I will act on behalf of Heaven and get rid of you, this scourge."

As he spoke, the high priest brandished his magical weapon and attacked Ling Xue. Ling Xue quickly drew her sword to defend herself.

In the fierce battle, Ling Xue gradually found herself at a disadvantage. The High Priest's magical power was too great for her to handle.

Just when Ling Xue was in dire straits, Zhou Xing stepped forward. He stood in front of Ling Xue, using his own body to shield her from the attack.

“Father, High Priest, Ling Xue is my lover, and I will not let her be harmed. If you want to kill her, kill me first,” Zhou Xing said firmly.

The high priest and the clan elders looked at Zhou Xing, their hearts wavering. But they still insisted that Ling Xue was Han Chinese and could not be in love with the Holy Son.

Zhou Xing and Ling Xue are trapped in Miao territory, and their situation is extremely critical. But they do not give up; instead, they decide to join hands and face the difficulties together.

Using his knowledge of the Miao region, Zhou Xing identified the weaknesses of the high priest and the elders. He discovered that while the high priest and elders were stubborn, they were not entirely unreasonable. They were simply worried about the Miao region's traditions and interests being harmed.

Therefore, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue decided to express their determination and attitude to the High Priest and elders. They promised to abide by the rules and traditions of Miao territory, and at the same time, to contribute their efforts to the development and interests of Miao territory.

Before the high priest and elders, Zhou Xing said, "I know that my love with Ling Xue goes against the traditions of Miao territory. But I believe that love knows no race or status. I will prove with my actions that Ling Xue and I can bring benefits to Miao territory."

Ling Xue also said, "I am willing to respect the traditions and customs of Miao territory, and I will strive to learn about Miao culture and knowledge. I will work with Zhou Xing to contribute to the development and prosperity of Miao territory."

The high priest and elders were somewhat moved by their words. They began to re-examine the relationship between Zhou Xing and Ling Xue.

After some deliberation and discussion, the High Priest finally decided to give Zhou Xing and Ling Xue a chance. He said, "Since you are so determined, I will trust you for now. But you must pass a test to prove your resolve and ability."

Zhou Xing and Ling Xue readily agreed. The High Priest told them that the test involved venturing into the forbidden area of ​​Miao territory to retrieve a mysterious treasure. This treasure was said to possess immense power, and only true warriors could obtain it.

Zhou Xing and Ling Xue embarked on their journey to the forbidden land without hesitation. Inside, they encountered various dangers and challenges. But they always supported each other and overcame the difficulties together.

Finally, they found the mysterious treasure. It was a bead that emitted a strange light and contained powerful spiritual energy.

Zhou Xing and Ling Xue returned to Miao territory with the treasure. They handed it over to the High Priest. The High Priest looked at the treasure, a satisfied look in his eyes.

“You have passed the test. From this moment on, I acknowledge your relationship,” the high priest said.

The people of Miao territory rejoiced upon hearing the news. They were moved by Zhou Xing and Ling Xue's courage and love. From then on, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue lived happily ever after in Miao territory.

In the bustling capital city, there stood a brothel called Hongcui Tower. A place of constant revelry and entertainment, it was a favorite haunt of high-ranking officials and nobles. Within Hongcui Tower lived a courtesan renowned throughout the capital, named Ling Xue. With her graceful figure, exquisite beauty, and mastery of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she captivated countless scholars, poets, and dignitaries.

On this day, the Red Jade Pavilion was brightly lit and bustling with activity. Ling Xue, dressed in a stunning red dress, danced gracefully on the stage, like a fairy descending to earth. The guests below were mesmerized, applauding and cheering enthusiastically. Among them, an official in fine clothes stood out, his gaze fixed on Ling Xue with burning greed and desire.

This official was Li Wenzhong, the Minister of Revenue. Ling Xue deliberately feigned shyness, occasionally casting affectionate glances at Li Wenzhong. Li Wenzhong was so aroused by Ling Xue's charm that he couldn't wait to invite her to join him for drinks after the song ended.

Ling Xue smiled sweetly and gracefully walked over to Li Wenzhong and sat down beside him. Holding a wine pot, she poured wine for Li Wenzhong and said in a coquettish voice, "My lord, Ling Xue toasts you." Li Wenzhong smiled even more brightly and drank it all in one gulp. After a few cups of wine, Li Wenzhong's face was flushed, and his words became frivolous.

Ling Xue feigned drunkenness and leaned against Li Wenzhong's chest. Seeing this, Li Wenzhong became bolder and reached out to stroke Ling Xue. Ling Xue struggled slightly, then obediently leaned against him again, saying coquettishly, "My lord, you must cherish me." Li Wenzhong smiled smugly, "Don't worry, with me here, no one dares to bully you."

At this moment, the Third Prince Zhou Xing was sitting in a private room of the Red Jade Pavilion, observing everything downstairs through a hidden compartment. He was dressed in a black robe, his face was cold and stern, and his eyes were deep and sharp. Beside him were some intelligence files about Li Wenzhong.

Zhou Xing quietly observed Ling Xue and Li Wenzhong's every move, a vermilion pen in his hand marking the dossier. Every action and word of Ling Xue was within his calculations. He knew Ling Xue was his secret bodyguard, currently carrying out an important mission—to gather evidence of Li Wenzhong's crimes. At midnight, the crowd in the Red Jade Pavilion gradually dispersed, leaving only silence. Taking advantage of Li Wenzhong's deep sleep, Ling Xue quietly got up and stole a secret ledger from his study. This ledger recorded evidence of Li Wenzhong's years of embezzlement and bribery—ironclad proof of his crimes.

Ling Xue concealed the secret ledger in her sleeve and was about to leave when she heard footsteps. Startled, she quickly hid behind a screen. Just then, Li Wenzhong's confidant entered and began searching the study. Ling Xue held her breath, afraid to make a sound. Fortunately, the confidant didn't notice her and left after a brief search.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ling Xue quickly left the study and returned to her room. She hid the secret ledger in a secluded place, then changed into night clothes, preparing to hand it over to Zhou Xing.

The next morning, Ling Xue handed the secret ledger to Zhou Xing. Zhou Xing carefully examined it, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. He praised, "Ling Xue, you've done a great job. This ledger will be crucial evidence in our efforts to bring down Li Wenzhong."

However, Zhou Xing was unaware that Ling Xue's act of stealing the secret ledger had already aroused Li Wenzhong's suspicion. Li Wenzhong's confidants, while searching the study, discovered some clues and suspected someone had broken in. Li Wenzhong began a covert investigation, suspecting Ling Xue was the one who stole the ledger.

Meanwhile, the old emperor's condition worsened. The crown prince and the second prince engaged in a fierce factional struggle for the throne. The atmosphere in the court was tense and oppressive. The crown prince's faction and the second prince's faction attacked each other fiercely, their rivalry irreconcilable.

As the third prince, Zhou Xing remained neutral, observing the struggle from the sidelines. He knew that getting involved in the factional strife at this time would not benefit him. His goal was to gather evidence of officials' crimes, to improve the lives of the people, and to lay the foundation for his own future.

Li Wenzhong became aware of the power struggle between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, and thus he harbored opportunistic intentions. He skillfully maneuvered in court, sometimes supporting the Crown Prince and sometimes supporting the Second Prince, attempting to gain the greatest benefit from this conflict.

Zhou Xing was well aware of Li Wenzhong's ambitions. He decided to use Ling Xue to continue gathering evidence of Li Wenzhong's crimes, while also closely monitoring the struggle between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. He believed that this struggle would inevitably expose more problems, and he would strike at the right time to eliminate these corrupt officials in one fell swoop.

Ling Xue received a new mission—to get close to Lu Chenzhou, a border general. Lu Chenzhou held considerable military power and was an important figure in the court. Zhou Xing suspected that Lu Chenzhou was colluding with Li Wenzhong, so he sent Ling Xue to approach Lu Chenzhou and gather evidence.

Ling Xue, disguised as a merchant's daughter, met Lu Chenzhou at a banquet. Lu Chenzhou was attracted to Ling Xue's beauty and talent, and developed feelings for her. Ling Xue also deliberately became close to Lu Chenzhou, trying to extract useful information from him.

However, during her interactions with Lu Chenzhou, Ling Xue's identity was nearly exposed. On one occasion, Lu Chenzhou accidentally discovered a hidden weapon on Ling Xue's person. In a moment of panic, Ling Xue claimed that she carried the weapon for self-defense. Although Lu Chenzhou was somewhat skeptical, he didn't pursue the matter further.

Meanwhile, to protect Ling Xue's identity, Zhou Xing was forced into an engagement with the Prime Minister's daughter. This news pierced Ling Xue's heart. She didn't know what her feelings for Zhou Xing were—was it the affection between master and servant, or romantic love?

Ling Xue was caught in a deep dilemma. On one hand, she had to complete her mission and gather evidence; on the other hand, she didn't want to lose Zhou Xing. Zhou Xing, however, was unaware of Ling Xue's feelings. He only saw her as his bodyguard and never imagined that there might be any other emotions between them.

Li Wenzhong realized that his situation was becoming increasingly dangerous, so he decided to strike first. He falsely accused the crown prince of privately forging weapons to the emperor, attempting to use him as a tool to kill the crown prince.

Upon hearing this, the old emperor flew into a rage. He ordered the crown prince to be imprisoned and interrogated severely. The crown prince's faction was immediately thrown into panic, and they ran around trying to clear the crown prince's name.

Upon learning of this, Zhou Xing knew it was a golden opportunity to bring down Li Wenzhong. He conspired with Ling Xue to forge a letter accusing Li Wenzhong of treason. Then, they exposed Li Wenzhong's crimes in court.

However, Li Wenzhong counter-accused Zhou Xing of framing him with all the evidence. With both sides sticking to their stories, it became difficult to discern the truth. The old emperor ordered a thorough investigation, leaving both Zhou Xing and Li Wenzhong in a predicament.

Just then, Lu Chenzhou led his border troops to surround the imperial city. His aim was to force the emperor to hand over the tiger tally to realize his own ambitions. Zhou Xing never expected Lu Chenzhou to betray him, and he found himself in a desperate situation.

In the chaos, Ling Xue rescued Zhou Xing. However, when they arrived at the palace's secret passage, they discovered that Li Wenzhong had already laid an ambush there. Li Wenzhong laughed smugly, "Zhou Xing, do you think you can escape? Today you will die here."

Zhou Xing and Ling Xue were surrounded by Li Wenzhong's men and were in dire straits. Just then, Ling Xue suddenly discovered a secret passage. She pulled Zhou Xing along and they escaped through the passage.

However, Ling Xue was seriously injured. Her injuries worsened, and she was on the verge of death. In order to save Ling Xue, Zhou Xing broke into the forbidden area of ​​the palace to retrieve a magical medicine.

When Zhou Xing returned with the elixir, he discovered that Ling Xue was gone. It turned out that Ling Xue had been captured by Li Wenzhong. Li Wenzhong interrogated Ling Xue about Zhou Xing's whereabouts, but Ling Xue remained defiant, even unto death.

Just then, Zhou Xing appeared. He charged at Li Wenzhong, sword in hand. Li Wenzhong's men swarmed him, and Zhou Xing fought valiantly, but he was outnumbered.

Just as Zhou Xing was on the verge of death, Ling Xue suddenly unleashed her full power. She used the "Burning Heart Technique," an extremely powerful martial art, but one that shortens the lifespan of its user. Ling Xue spared no effort to save Zhou Xing.

Ling Xue used the "Burning Heart Technique" to kill Li Wenzhong and his henchmen, but she herself was also exhausted and died as a result. Zhou Xing held Ling Xue, heartbroken.

After Ling Xue's death, Zhou Xing ascended the throne and became the emperor of Li Kingdom. Upon his ascension, he purged the officialdom, eliminating corrupt officials one by one. At the same time, he dismantled the factions of the crown prince and the second prince, consolidating his rule.

However, Zhou Xing could never forget Ling Xue. He sent people to search for a way to revive her, but to no avail.

One day, Zhou Xing found a silk handkerchief painted with twin lotus blossoms on his desk. It was left behind by Ling Xue, stained with her last drop of heart's blood. Looking at the handkerchief, tears welled up in Zhou Xing's eyes.

From that time on, Zhou Xing never established an heir. He was diligent in his duties, working for the well-being of the country and its people. Under his rule, the Li Kingdom gradually prospered. The events of the Red and Green Pavilion, with the passage of time, gradually became a legend. But Zhou Xing would always remember the secret guard who had given everything for him—Ling Xue.

The torrential rain poured down, pounding against the dilapidated windowpanes with a crackling sound. Ling Xue huddled in a corner of the cold palace, her body trembling uncontrollably. Her eyes were filled with vigilance and anger, and she clutched a half-moldy steamed bun tightly in her hand.

At this moment, several eunuchs entered carrying a tattered garment. The head eunuch said in a shrill voice, "Princess, this is the late Emperor's edict, ordering you to be buried alive with him."