My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1434, Chapter 1516: Regret
While playing in the yard, Duoduo accidentally broke Ling Xue's carefully tended clivia. The crisp sound shattered the brief tranquility. Ling Xue silently knelt down, picking up a shard and cutting her hand. Blood dripped onto the blue bricks, a shocking sight. Zhou Xing frantically reached for a band-aid, but Ling Xue pushed his hand away. She said calmly, "No need, I'm used to it."

That evening, Ling Xue prepared a table full of dishes and brought out her treasured Moutai. She poured three glasses of wine: one for Zhou Xing, one for herself, and spilled the third on the floor. Zhou Xing knew that the spilled wine was a tribute to their deceased child. The three of them tacitly clinked glasses, and a barely perceptible cold smile appeared on Lin Wan's lips.

The moving company's truck pulled up in front of the old house, and workers were busy carrying furniture in and out. Ling Xue put Zhou Xing and Lin Wan's wedding photo into the trash can and was about to leave when Zhou Xing suddenly rushed over and snatched the photo back. In the struggle, the glass from the frame pierced Ling Xue's palm, and blood gushed out. Ling Xue looked at Zhou Xing, her eyes filled with no anger, only endless disappointment: "Keep it for your daughter to use as scrap paper."

Inside the Civil Affairs Bureau, people came and went. Ling Xue took off her wedding ring and threw it into the trash can at the divorce registration office without hesitation. Zhou Xing subconsciously reached for the trash can, but Ling Xue grabbed his hand. She said coldly, "It's been tainted by dirt; I find it disgusting." Zhou Xing's hand froze in mid-air, his heart filled with regret.

After leaving the Civil Affairs Bureau, Zhou Xing discovered that Ling Xue had listed all the gifts he had given her on a second-hand website for sale. Only the silver bracelet with the faded red string remained on the bedside table. It was their first Qixi Festival gift during their courtship, and now, bathed in sunlight, it looked particularly forlorn.

During the Qingming Festival, a light rain fell. Zhou Xing brought Duo Duo to sweep the tombs, only to see Ling Xue burning paper money in front of an unmarked tombstone. The firelight illuminated the jade bracelet around her neck, a keepsake left to her by her mother-in-law before her death. Lin Wan said sourly, "Quite devoted." Zhou Xing didn't speak, but his heart felt like it was being pricked by countless needles.

Not long after, Zhou Xing received an invitation from Ling Xue. It turned out she was getting remarried, and the groom was her college classmate. Tucked inside the invitation was a yellowed photocopy of a pregnancy test result, next to the date of termination of pregnancy was written, "I'm forever sorry." Looking at the pregnancy test result, tears blurred Zhou Xing's vision.

On the wedding day, Zhou Xing hid at a corner of the hotel, watching Ling Xue, dressed in a pure white wedding gown, slowly walk down the rose corridor. Duo Duo innocently asked, "Where did Mommy go?" Zhou Xing looked into the distance; a kite floated in the sky, a kite that looked exactly like the one they had flown in the park years ago. He knew that some things, once lost, could never be regained.

The story ends here. Zhou Xing stands in the corner of the hotel, watching Ling Xue's happy smile, and finally understands that some loves, once missed, are gone forever. Filled with regret and remorse, he embarks on an unknown journey, while the fire in his heart has long since been worn away by the years, reduced to a wisp of embers.

In the dead of winter, a blizzard raged like a ferocious beast across the entire dynasty. Inside the dilapidated temple, a ragged young girl huddled, the deposed Third Princess Xiao Xue. At this moment, she was dizzy with hunger and could only barely survive by gnawing on the grass roots in her hand.

Suddenly, the temple door was pushed open, and Zhou Xing, a Grand Tutor in black robes, entered carrying a medicine chest. His figure stood out remarkably tall in the wind and snow, and a hint of pity flashed in his eyes when he looked at Xiao Xue. Zhou Xing knelt down, carefully examined Xiao Xue's injuries, and then took out some wound medicine from his chest, gently applying it to her wounds.

Xiao Xue leaned weakly against the wall, looking at the mysterious Grand Tutor before her, her heart filled with doubt. Zhou Xing seemed to see through her thoughts and slowly said, "Princess, do not be afraid. I am Grand Tutor Zhou Xing." Xiao Xue was slightly taken aback, not expecting to encounter a high-ranking official in this desperate situation.

Zhou Xing brought Xiao Xue back to his residence and settled her in a secluded side room. From then on, he personally delivered medicine to Xiao Xue every day. One day, looking at Xiao Xue's pale face, he softly reminded her, "Princess, this medicine requires the use of aconite, a poisonous herb with three parts toxicity, as a guide to be effective." Xiao Xue was startled, but saw Zhou Xing calmly drink her bowl of black soup.

It turned out that the late emperor had long been wary of the Zhou family's power and harbored suspicions about Zhou Xing. Zhou Xing's actions were both to reassure Xiao Xue about taking the medicine and to demonstrate his loyalty to her. Looking at him, Xiao Xue felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

On the night of the Lantern Festival, Zhou Xing led Xiao Xue to the pavilion. In the distance, thousands of Kongming lanterns slowly rose into the night sky, like twinkling stars. Zhou Xing stood beside Xiao Xue and pointed to a special Kongming lantern, saying, "Princess, please look. There is a map of the northern frontier's defenses inside that 'Tian' lantern." Xiao Xue followed his finger and looked, secretly astonished.

Just then, the commander of the Imperial Guards suddenly appeared below the pavilion with his men. Zhou Xing remained calm, hiding Xiao Xue behind his back, and then greeted them with a smile. He cleverly dismissed the commander under the pretext of "discussing politics while watching lanterns." Only after the commander left did Zhou Xing breathe a sigh of relief, turning to look at Xiao Xue with concern in his eyes.

On the day of the imperial examination, the examination hall was silent. Zhou Xing sat in his proctoring position, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. Suddenly, he stood up and tore up an examination paper in front of everyone. Everyone was shocked, not knowing what had happened.

Zhou Xing walked up to a candidate, pointed to his exam paper, and said, "Your argument about 'water can carry a boat' is strikingly similar to the princess's casual conversation three days ago." The implication was that the candidate had plagiarized. Xiao Xue, sitting on the throne, watched this scene, understanding that Zhou Xing was paving the way for her.

After the exam, Zhou Xing took Xiao Xue to an ancient temple. The temple was filled with the smoke of incense and a mysterious atmosphere. A high monk presented a fortune slip, which Zhou Xing took and read: "Phoenix Reborn from the Ashes." He frowned and tore the slip to shreds in front of everyone.

However, late at night, Zhou Xing knelt alone before the Buddha, bowing devoutly. He picked up the torn divination slips and carefully pieced them together, discovering a fragment of the late emperor's secret edict on the back. This made him even more worried about Xiao Xue's fate.

At this time, a strange disease called "Red Eye Syndrome" was spreading in the capital, and those afflicted would be burned alive. Xiao Xue unfortunately contracted this disease during an outing. Zhou Xing was extremely anxious upon learning of this. He stormed into the palace with the tiger tally, declaring resolutely, "Today I will take Your Highness to Medicine King Valley. Anyone who obstructs me will be killed without mercy!"

Horse hooves shattered the palace lanterns as Zhou Xing galloped away with Xiao Xue in his arms. All the way, he held Xiao Xue's hand tightly, as if that would give her strength.

On the eve of the coronation ceremony, Zhou Xing came to Xiao Xue's palace and presented her with a dark blue robe adorned with pearls from the East Sea. He looked at Xiao Xue and solemnly said, "Princess, you will wear this robe to ascend the throne tomorrow. These thirty-six pearls from the East Sea represent the Zhou family's wealth accumulated over a century." Xiao Xue stroked the pearls on the robe, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

However, at that moment, an assassin burst through the window. Zhou Xing reacted swiftly, catching the poisoned dagger with his bare hands. Blood streamed down his arm, but his eyes remained resolute. Xiao Xue looked at him in terror, wanting to say something, but Zhou Xing interrupted her: "Princess, don't be afraid, I'm here."

On the day of the grand ceremony, the palace was solemn and dignified. Zhou Xing stood at the foot of the jade steps, personally fastening the twelve-tassel crown for Xiao Xue. When his fingertips touched Xiao Xue's cold forehead, a pang of pain shot through his heart. Urgent reports of smoke signals from the northern frontier came from outside the window, making the atmosphere even more tense.

At this moment, an old eunuch stepped forward carrying the late emperor's edict. Zhou Xing took the edict and, without hesitation, threw it into the brazier. He looked at the crowd and loudly proclaimed, "From this day forward, anyone who negotiates peace—will be executed on the spot!" His voice was firm and resolute.

At the triumphant return banquet, Zhou Xing sat beside Xiao Xue. He picked up a gold hairpin and secured Xiao Xue's slightly loose hair. Just then, he noticed an old scar behind Xiao Xue's ear. He was startled, for the scar perfectly matched the spot where his deceased wife had scratched on her deathbed. Xiao Xue noticed Zhou Xing's gaze and said calmly, "Is the Grand Tutor thinking of an old friend?" Zhou Xing was silent for a moment, then said, "Princess, you misunderstand." But his doubts grew stronger.

That night, Zhou Xing went to the imperial study. In a hidden compartment, he found the late emperor's handwritten note. The yellowed pages read, "If the Xiao family daughter ascends the throne, the entire Zhou clan will be exterminated." The flickering candlelight revealed the cold sweat soaking his clothes. He hadn't expected the late emperor to be so wary of Xiao Xue and him.

The autumn hunting grounds were filled with a lively atmosphere. However, danger was lurking beneath the surface. Suddenly, a poisoned arrow shot towards Xiao Xue. Zhou Xing had no time to think, leaping forward to shield Xiao Xue. The arrow struck him, and he fell into Xiao Xue's arms.

On his deathbed, Zhou Xing clutched a shard of the nuptial cup and weakly said, "That year at the temple... I fed you the medicine." Before he could finish speaking, he breathed his last. Xiao Xue was devastated, tears streaming down her face.

Xiao Xue sealed Zhou Xing's body in an ice coffin and placed it in the imperial court. Every day, she would sit there and discuss state affairs with Zhou Xing in the ice coffin. Three months later, the ice coffin was piled high with memorials, and Xiao Xue's hair gradually turned white at the temples.

At this moment, the Khan of the Northern Barbarians sent a marriage proposal. Xiao Xue looked at the proposal, sneered, and tore it to shreds. She scattered the shredded paper in front of Zhou Xing's tomb and said, "The Grand Tutor said he would watch me conquer the world."

Afterwards, Xiao Xue personally led an expedition to the Western Regions. On the battlefield, she wore Zhou Xing's silver armor and fought bravely against the enemy. The battle at Mingsha Mountain was exceptionally fierce, but she never retreated. In the end, she achieved victory.

On the day of her triumphant return, Xiao Xue released all the live peacocks that had been presented as tribute from the Western Regions. A palace servant saw a gray sparrow perch on her shoulder, and she said to the void, "Grand Tutor, look, this is what you meant by peace and tranquility."

Years later, an empress with white hair lay on her sickbed. Her body was very weak, but her eyes remained resolute. She wrote the edict of succession, then placed the imperial seal on top of the "Han Feizi," a book that Zhou Xing had often read during his lifetime.

The morning light shone through the carved window lattice, illuminating the withered twin lotus flowers on the desk. Those twin lotus flowers were planted by her and Zhou Xing years ago, and now they have long since lost their vitality.

On the day the new emperor ascended the throne, a torrential downpour began. The rain washed away the cenotaph of the youngest Grand Tutor in history, revealing half of a black robe embroidered with phoenixes. This robe was the very one Zhou Xing had given to Xiao Xue years ago.

Historical records state that "Emperor Zhaowu never established an Eastern Palace" because a low table used for meals was always kept in the Zichen Palace. That low table was once used by Xiao Xue and Zhou Xing together; it carries their memories and bears witness to the legend of an era.

Inside Chengqian Hall, candlelight flickered. Zhou Xing was sitting at his desk reviewing memorials when suddenly, an assassin disguised as a dancer drew a poisoned dagger from her sleeve and lunged at him. In the nick of time, Ling Xue, a lowly palace maid, leaped forward and shielded Zhou Xing with her own body from the fatal blow.

The dagger plunged deep into Ling Xue's right shoulder, instantly staining her clothes crimson with blood. Despite the excruciating pain, she tore off the assassin's gold-threaded belt as she fell. Zhou Xing stared at the scene before him, momentarily stunned, then a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

He strode to Ling Xue's side, picked her up, and placed her on the dragon throne. Then he reached out to tear at her clothes, wanting to check her wounds. Ling Xue struggled, using her last bit of strength to say, "Your Majesty... the embroidery is a tribute from Jiangnan..." Before she could finish speaking, her eyes closed, and she fainted.

Looking at the unconscious Ling Xue, Zhou Xing felt a strange impulse surge within him. As if possessed, he reached out and touched her bloodied lips. Just then, the blood-stained half of the jade pendant slipped from his palm. He stared at the jade pendant on the ground, his eyes somewhat unfocused, as if lost in some memory.

The imperial physician arrived quickly and treated Ling Xue's wounds. Zhou Xing watched from the side, his brows furrowed. He only breathed a sigh of relief when the physician said that Ling Xue was alright.

Late at night, inside the Yeting Prison, the firelight flickered. Zhou Xing sat at the interrogation table, coldly watching the bound assassin. The assassin was extremely stubborn, refusing to confess no matter how severely he was tortured. Zhou Xing's patience gradually wore thin. He stood up, walked to the assassin's side, and whipped him with the gold belt that Ling Xue had torn off. Once, twice... until the assassin's back was a bloody mess.

At this moment, a guard presented a testimony. Zhou Xing took it and his face instantly turned extremely ugly. It turned out that this testimony implicated Consort Chen, who had died suddenly three years ago. He crumpled the testimony into a ball and threw it into the brazier, a sinister glint in his eyes.

Ling Xue woke up in her room at the Imperial Household Department, feeling sore all over. She got up to move around, only to find that her clothes had been changed into brand new palace attire. She was a little puzzled, but still put on the clothes.

When she opened the wardrobe, she found an exquisite jewelry box hidden deep inside. Curious, she opened it and found a twin lotus hairpin inlaid with South China Sea pearls. She picked it up and examined it closely, a strange feeling welling up inside her.

At this moment, Zhou Xing entered the room. Ling Xue quickly put down her hair ornament and knelt down to pay her respects. Zhou Xing looked at her with a scrutinizing gaze. He walked to Ling Xue's side, reached out and lifted her chin, saying, "From now on, you will be my personal maid." Ling Xue was startled, but still obediently nodded.

One night, Zhou Xing returned to his palace drunk. He staggered into the room and saw Ling Xue guarding his bedside. His eyes became somewhat glazed, and he suddenly pressed Ling Xue down onto the brocade carpet. Ling Xue was terrified and struggled desperately. Zhou Xing's rough fingertips traced the scar on her collarbone, and he suddenly sneered, "This scar looks just like A Rong's."

Ling Xue felt a pang of pain in her heart upon hearing the name "Arong." She knew that this must be someone important to Zhou Xing. From then on, she served Zhou Xing with even greater care.

Soon after, a young eunuch brought over a bowl of medicinal soup.