My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1445 Left Alone
Ling Xue slowly awoke, feeling enveloped in a soft halo of light. A mechanical voice suddenly rang in her ears: "Welcome to the mission world, host. I am your personal system, Liu Ying." Before she could fully process this sudden information, a semi-transparent panel appeared before her eyes, clearly displaying the mission objective—to seduce Prime Minister Zhou Xing.

Meanwhile, a heated court assembly was underway. The young Prime Minister, Zhou Xing, stood tall among the assembled officials. As he raised his eyes, a fleeting, almost imperceptible look of disorientation crossed his vision. A voice within his mind was speaking: "Detected fellow transmigrator. Activating emergency protocol." This was a notification from his System Number One.

Soon after, a poetry gathering was held in the Imperial Garden. Following the system's instructions, Ling Xue deliberately recited "Prelude to Water Melody." Her clear, melodious voice echoed throughout the garden, attracting everyone's attention. Zhou Xing's previously calm expression subtly changed; he frowned slightly, his sharp eyes fixed on Ling Xue's direction. He recognized the lyrics as coming from a modern era, and a sense of unease crept into his heart.

After the court meeting concluded, Zhou Xing kept Ling Xue behind. He looked at her intently and slowly said, "Since you are well-versed in Western mathematics, would you be willing to assist me in revising the calendar?" Ling Xue was startled, but quickly composed herself, gracefully bowing and agreeing. She knew this was an excellent opportunity to get closer to him, and a crucial step in advancing her mission.

To better observe Zhou Xing's every move, Ling Xue moved into a side room of the State Council under the pretext of proofreading ancient texts. One late night, when all was quiet and everyone was asleep, Ling Xue tiptoed to Zhou Xing's study and peeked through the crack in the door. She saw him drawing something on his desk. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was a world map! Her heart suddenly raced; she realized this discovery was no small matter.

Just then, System One seemed to sense her spying and suddenly unleashed a black mist to obscure her vision. However, Liu Ying reacted swiftly, releasing blue light that pierced the darkness. The two energies collided violently in mid-air, startling the pigeons perched on the eaves. The pigeons flapped their wings and took flight, breaking the silence of the night.

The next day at court, someone impeached Ling Xue for interfering in state affairs. The atmosphere immediately became tense, and all eyes were on Zhou Xing. He calmly unfolded the river management strategy written by Ling Xue, explaining its feasibility and importance to the assembled officials. With his strong support, the impeachment was easily resolved, and Ling Xue secured her position in the court.

On that night when the rain poured down, Ling Xue braved the downpour to bring Zhou Xing some soup to warm him up. When she opened the door, she saw two bowls of instant noodles on the table. Their eyes met, and a subtle tension filled the air. Zhou Xing's lips curled into a meaningful smile; Ling Xue blushed and lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze. At that moment, an unspoken secret seemed to exist between them.

The Autumn Hunt Ceremony was held as scheduled. The Emperor, accompanied by his civil and military officials, arrived at the hunting grounds outside the city. Suddenly, a group of assassins sprang from the dense forest, raining down arrows. In the chaos, a poisoned arrow was shot towards the Emperor. In the nick of time, Ling Xue, without hesitation, leaped in front of the Emperor, the arrowhead piercing her shoulder blade. Blood stained her clothes, but she endured the pain and remained conscious.

Seeing this, Zhou Xing immediately used modern first aid to stop the bleeding and bandage her wound. During this process, their bodies were pressed tightly together, and they could feel each other's heartbeats and warmth. The guards presented the bronze tiger tally found on the assassin's body, engraved with a totem similar to the system's emblem. This discovery made them realize that a larger conspiracy was hidden behind it all.

During her recovery, Liu Ying warned Ling Xue, "The mission is stalled." Meanwhile, Number One issued a purge order to Zhou Xing. That night, the moonlight, like frost, spilled onto the floor. Zhou Xing, blade in hand, sneaked into Ling Xue's room. But at the last moment, he turned the blade and cut through the bed curtains, whispering, "Even the best acting must get tiring, right? A modern soul." These words exploded in Ling Xue's heart like a thunderbolt; she knew she could no longer hide it from this man.

The two decided to join forces to investigate the secrets of the Tiger Tally. Deep within the imperial tomb, they discovered an ancient altar filled with various strange artifacts. Upon activating the mechanism, a spatial rift appeared before them. Through the rift, they witnessed the awe-inspiring scene of their ancestors activating the system a thousand years ago. It turned out that all of this had a profound historical origin.

Just as they were immersed in the truth, the current emperor suddenly passed away. The situation became turbulent, and various forces began to stir. Zhou Xing decisively fabricated an imperial edict to support the sixth prince's ascension to the throne, while he himself seized the seal of regent. Ling Xue saw through his scheme and smiled as she handed over the edict stamped with the imperial seal: "I knew you were going to pull this stunt."

On the day of the new emperor's enthronement ceremony, crimson snow suddenly fell from the sky. This was an extremely rare celestial phenomenon, considered an ominous sign. The rampaging energy caused Ling Xue to vomit blood uncontrollably. Seeing this, Zhou Xing forcibly linked the two systems to form a protective shield, holding her tightly in his arms. Amidst the swirling snow, he firmly said, "Don't die in front of me." At that moment, time seemed to freeze.

With the war in the north intensifying, Zhou Xing decided to personally lead the troops into battle. Ling Xue, disguised as a man, accompanied him. The battlefield was filled with smoke and the drums of war. She used drones to scout enemy positions, providing accurate intelligence support to the army. Zhou Xing, meanwhile, commanded with composure, leading his soldiers in a valiant fight. Their seamless coordination quickly led to a preliminary victory.

On their return journey, the army was ambushed. The enemy was overwhelming and numerous. In the critical moment, the two systems merged into a golden barrier that enveloped the entire army. Under the dazzling light, the soldiers' morale soared, and they fought bravely. After this battle, legends of the "Golden-Armored Divine General and the White-Clad Immortal Lord" spread among the people. They were filled with awe and worship.

The victory banquet was a lively and festive affair, with toasts and laughter filling the air. In front of all the officials, Zhou Xing tore up the imperial decree bestowing the marriage upon him, gazing lovingly at Ling Xue and saying, "I can only choose my own wife." As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Ying and Number One simultaneously announced that the mission was 100% complete. Fireworks lit up the night sky, illuminating their embracing figures and making them appear exceptionally beautiful.

Years later, historical records state that Zhou Xiang reformed corrupt practices and ushered in a prosperous era. His story with his wife is widely celebrated. Deep within the library lies a yellowed manuscript, inscribed with the words: "This morning, while combing her hair, I saw the first silver strand; only then did I realize that all the grand schemes of things cannot compare to growing old together with you." These few words are filled with deep affection. In late spring, a gentle rain nourishes the earth, nurturing all things. The aging couple transforms into twin lotus blossoms in the courtyard pond. Their delicate pink petals sway in the breeze, releasing a faint fragrance. Zhou Xing and Ling Xue stroll along the veranda, admiring this beautiful scene. Suddenly, the sound of children playing breaks the tranquility; it is their offspring at play. The scene is warm and harmonious, evoking a sense of peaceful beauty.

The new emperor secretly told the historian to record these words: "Once upon a time, two stars fell from the sky, one a wise ruler who pacified the world, the other a benevolent heart who brought peace to the people." Later playwrights adapted the story into "The Tale of Two Strategists," and this wonderful play is performed in the streets and alleys every year during the Lantern Festival. People sit together to watch the performance, feeling the charm of that legendary love story for a long time.

The biting winds of the north swept across the land like blades, whipping up clouds of yellow sand. Zhou Xing, clad in black armor, stood before his tent, gazing at the distant, undulating mountains—the land frequented by the Hu people. He gripped his longsword tightly, his knuckles white from the effort, his eyes resolute yet filled with vigilance. The war had dragged on for a long time; the imperial reinforcements were slow to arrive, and supplies were dwindling. But he could not retreat; behind him lay the vast land and the hopes of the people.

Meanwhile, the Minister's residence was a hive of activity. Under the cover of night, Qingxuan secretly slipped into the storeroom and rummaged through some men's clothing and necessities. Her personal maid, Chuntao, anxiously tried to dissuade her, saying, "Miss, this is too dangerous! The border is bitterly cold and constantly ravaged by war. How can you, a woman of noble birth, endure such torment?" Qingxuan gently smoothed the embroidered patterns on her sleeves, her eyes gleaming with unwavering determination: "I have practiced martial arts since childhood, and I am no less skilled than any man. If I can lend him a hand, I will have no regrets even if I am shattered to pieces." She styled her waist-length black hair into a man's bun and cleverly concealed her originally delicate features with cosmetics, making her appear at first glance like a dashing young gentleman.

After several days of arduous travel, Qingxuan finally arrived at the military camp. She adopted the alias "Yun Heng," claiming to be a wandering swordsman seeking refuge with the general. Zhou Xing sized up the thin yet clever young man before him. Though he had his doubts, he decided to give him a chance. Thus, Qingxuan was assigned to the vanguard battalion.

On the day of their first campaign, the sky was overcast, as if foreshadowing the impending bloodshed. Drums and horns sounded across the battlefield, and shouts of battle shook the heavens and earth. Qingxuan charged ahead on her warhorse, her spear flashing with power. However, lacking combat experience, she inadvertently fell into a trap during a fierce exchange. Enemy soldiers quickly surrounded her, and the situation became extremely perilous. At this critical moment, Zhou Xing arrived galloping in. With a shout, he cleaved a bloody path with his broadsword, pulling Qingxuan onto his horse and escaping the danger. The dust kicked up by their hooves blotted out the sun, and their figures gradually disappeared into the chaos.

Ling Xue would send letters and supplies every month without fail. These packages were always carefully decorated, embroidered with twin lotus blossoms, and filled with various daily necessities and newly made clothes. As the soldiers passed these affectionate items around, a warm atmosphere filled the entire camp. Someone teased Zhou Xing, "The general's wife must be a fairy descended from heaven, so virtuous and considerate." Zhou Xing just smiled silently, then carefully put away the beautifully written letter, placing it closest to his heart in his bosom.

Meanwhile, Qingxuan was practicing archery at the training ground. Her old right shoulder injury had flared up again, causing excruciating pain, but she gritted her teeth and persevered. Sweat soaked her back, sliding down her spine. Suddenly, she noticed Zhou Xing practicing mounted archery not far away. Moonlight shone on his tall figure, outlining his perfect silhouette. Watching his focused expression and skillful movements, Qingxuan was mesmerized. Unconsciously, the arrow in her hand veered off course, shooting off to the side with a "whoosh." She lowered her head in a panic, a blush rising on her cheeks.

One night, a scout urgently reported an enemy night attack. Zhou Xing immediately summoned his generals to discuss countermeasures and formulated a detailed defense plan. Qingxuan volunteered to participate in the deployment and offered some unique insights. Zhou Xing greatly appreciated her suggestions and adopted some of them. Throughout the night's defense, Qingxuan remained steadfast at her post, never daring to slacken her efforts. As dawn broke, they successfully repelled the enemy's attack. At the victory banquet, everyone raised their glasses in celebration, the atmosphere exceptionally lively. Qingxuan, in her joy, drank a few more cups of wine and became slightly tipsy. She staggered to the campfire and sat down, her face flushed red in the firelight. Zhou Xing noticed the skin behind her ears that wasn't fully covered and was suddenly startled—this seemingly rugged young man was actually a girl! But he remained composed, silently averting his gaze.

A sudden blizzard swept across the entire border region, blocking major transportation routes with thick snow and completely paralyzing supply lines. Food supplies in the military camps dwindled, and soldiers began slaughtering their warhorses for food. Hunger hung like a ghost over everyone's faces, and morale plummeted. Qingxuan, seeing this, was deeply worried. She used the excuse of going hunting to secretly venture deep into the snow-covered mountains in search of wild fruits and edible plant roots to supplement their food supply.

Struggling through the biting cold, Qingxuan accidentally lost her footing and fell off an icy cliff. Just when she thought she was going to die, a rope managed to wrap around her waist. Looking up, she saw Zhou Xing scaling the cliff to catch up. He used all his strength to pull Qingxuan back to safety, but he collapsed from exhaustion. Qingxuan quickly caught him, feeling his cold body and rapid breathing, her heart aching. After finally getting him back to camp for treatment, Zhou Xing slowly regained consciousness.

In the days that followed, the two often sat facing each other, studying the topographical map. The parchment scroll lay spread out on the simple table, marked with important information such as mountains, rivers, passes, and fortresses. When their fingers simultaneously pointed to a strategic pass, the accidental touch of their fingertips sent a shiver through them. The howling wind and snow outside the tent masked their racing hearts, and a subtle emotion quietly blossomed in the air.

Soon after, Ling Xue's messenger brought the latest intelligence: someone within the court was colluding with foreign enemies, attempting to overthrow the dynasty from within; at the same time, a shocking secret was revealed—Qing Xuan's true identity had already been exposed to enemy spies! This news stunned everyone like a bolt from the blue. Zhou Xing realized that the situation was far more serious than imagined and that a countermeasure had to be taken as soon as possible.

Faced with a complex and ever-changing situation, Zhou Xing decided to use a clever tactic, taking advantage of the enemy's misjudgment to turn the tide. He publicly announced his intention to marry "Yun Heng" (i.e., Qing Xuan), hoping to mislead his opponents and lower their guard. Once the news spread, the Hu chieftain indeed fell for the trap, seeing an opportunity, and readily accepted the marriage proposal, sending a delegation to discuss the details.

On the eve of her wedding, Qingxuan sat in front of the mirror, getting ready. Her reflection in the bronze mirror showed a slightly shy yet captivating beauty. Suddenly, Zhou Xing entered, carrying a phoenix coronet and wedding gown, and helped her put them on from behind.