My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1450 Surprise
Now that the mastermind has been caught and the truth revealed, the world is in an uproar! The Emperor, enraged, orders a thorough investigation and that all those involved be severely punished! Thus, this thrilling struggle has finally come to an end…

After the storm passed, on the day "Drunken Immortal Abode" reopened, a long queue formed in front of the door. People came to support this brave and fearless female boss, praising her experience. Ling Xue, dressed in an elegant long dress, stood at the door to greet guests, her face beaming with a confident smile. She knew that all of this had not come easily; it was the result of her own hard work and the help of her friends.

Zhou Xing arrived as well, still as composed as ever, but with a gentler look in his eyes. He said to Ling Xue, "If you encounter any difficulties in the future, feel free to come to me." Ling Xue nodded gratefully. Actually, even without him saying it, after going through so much together, a deep bond of trust had been forged between them.

Several months later, on a sunny afternoon with a gentle breeze, Ling Xue sat in the courtyard, enjoying a rare moment of leisure while sipping tea and reading. Suddenly, she heard a commotion outside. It turned out that a group of children playing outside had accidentally bumped into a table and spilled their tea. One little boy timidly said, "I'm sorry, sister, we didn't mean to..." Before he could finish, his friends pulled him away, as if afraid of being scolded. Unexpectedly, Ling Xue wasn't angry at all. Instead, she smiled and beckoned them over to have some snacks and juice with her. The children were overjoyed and surrounded her, laughing and playing, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.

At this moment, Zhou Xing walked over, looked at the scene, and sighed softly, saying, "Sometimes I really envy you for having such a life." Ling Xue looked up at him and asked in return, "Then why don't you try to slow down and enjoy it too?" Zhou Xing was silent for a while, then answered seriously, "Maybe one day I will." After saying that, the two looked at each other and smiled, as if they had reached some kind of consensus.

Life went on peacefully and fulfillingly until one day, an imperial decree arrived from the palace, appointing Ling Xue as the royal chef and bestowing upon her a golden plaque inscribed with four large characters—"The Number One Chef Under Heaven." For a commoner woman, this was undoubtedly an extremely high honor, signifying a meteoric rise to power and a limitless future! However, surprisingly, Ling Xue refused this honor, saying she only wanted to be an ordinary chef, content to run her small tavern well; nothing else mattered…

The news caused quite a stir. Some praised her as a noble person who was indifferent to fame and fortune, while others ridiculed her for being ungrateful and foolish. But no matter how others judged her, Ling Xue always stayed true to her original aspirations and remained true to herself, still busy in the kitchen every day, cooking every dish with love to bring warmth and joy to people...

Years later, when people reminisce about that time, they are always filled with emotion. They say it was a legend and a miracle, and the one who created this miracle was none other than the woman named Ling Xue and those who silently supported her...

In late spring, a light drizzle fell on the cobblestone streets of Luoyang. Empress Ling Xue, dressed in simple men's clothing and wearing a bamboo hat, revealing only half of her delicate face, deliberately concealed her imperial majesty, disguising herself as an ordinary wealthy young man. Accompanied by her personal bodyguard, An Yi, she quietly entered the bustling city. This trip was not for sightseeing, but to secretly observe the people's conditions, sympathize with their hardships, and, more importantly, to take the opportunity to escape the turmoil and noise of the court.

The streets were bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of vendors hawking their wares. Ling Xue strolled along, her gaze sweeping over the dazzling array of stalls and shops. Suddenly, a calm and ancient atmosphere caught her attention—at the street corner stood an antique shop called "Moyunxuan." Above the faded vermilion lintel hung an old wooden plaque, its characters bold and powerful, seemingly concealing stories of bygone eras. Inside, the windows were half-open, revealing glimpses of various rare and precious items displayed on the shelves, their surfaces gleaming warmly in the soft light.

Ling Xue's heart stirred. She straightened her collar and stepped inside. Just as she crossed the threshold, a clear, melodious wind chime rang out, like a summons from across time. The shop was elegantly and serenely furnished, with the gentle fragrance of sandalwood wafting through the air. Several profound ink paintings adorned the walls, and exquisite Duan inkstones and brush holders sat on the tables, showcasing the owner's refined taste.

At this moment, a young man dressed in a moon-white long robe slowly emerged from the back hall. He was tall and slender, with a handsome face that exuded a refined air, and a subtle scholarly air about him. This man was none other than the shop owner, Zhou Xing. Seeing a customer arrive, the corners of his mouth slightly turned up, revealing a gentle smile: "Young master, what brings you to my humble abode?" His voice was clear and melodious, like a flowing spring, instantly making a good impression.

Ling Xue looked up at him, noticing his clear, bright eyes, twinkling like stars in the night sky. She nodded slightly and said casually, "I've heard your shop has a rich collection, so I've come to see it." As she spoke, her gaze swept across the shop. One precious antique after another came into view: a solemn and dignified bronze tripod from the Han Dynasty; a lifelike sancai horse from the Tang Dynasty; exquisite and delicate official kiln porcelain from the Song Dynasty… each piece was a rare treasure.

Zhou Xing followed behind her, patiently explaining, "This is a jade disc used by the imperial court of a previous dynasty, its carving is exquisite; that Buddha statue over there was made during the Northern Wei Dynasty, and it remains well-preserved after a thousand years..." His explanations were professional yet vivid and interesting, eloquently recounting the historical origins behind each artifact. Ling Xue listened intently, nodding in approval from time to time. When they reached a bronze mirror from the Warring States period, she couldn't resist reaching out to touch its cool, smooth surface, her fingertips tracing the intricate and ornate patterns on the back of the mirror, experiencing the charm of the ancient craftsmanship.

Just then, Darkwing appeared silently at the door, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily. As the commander of the guards, he was constantly aware of the surrounding activity and his master's safety. Seeing that there was nothing unusual inside the shop, he relaxed his tense expression slightly. However, his appearance still caught Zhou Xing's attention. The astute shopkeeper subtly observed the outline of the weapon faintly visible at Darkwing's waist, secretly surmising that this mysterious guest was no ordinary person.

Ling Xue's gaze fell upon an ancient jade pendant in the display case. It was a piece of warm, lustrous mutton-fat jade, carved into the shape of a coiled dragon, its scales so lifelike they seemed about to take flight at any moment. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes as she pointed at the pendant and asked, "Is there anything special about this jade?" Zhou Xing took a few steps closer, gently picked up the pendant, carefully wiped it with a silk handkerchief, and then showed it to her: "This is an artifact from the Han Dynasty imperial family, exquisitely carved from top-quality Hetian jade. You see, the lines are smooth and natural, the carving skillful and masterful; only a court craftsman could have made it." As he spoke, he turned the pendant over, revealing the small seal characters engraved on the bottom—"Eternal Joy."

Ling Xue took the jade pendant and examined it closely, indeed feeling a profound historical aura emanating from it. She feigned ignorance and frowned, "If it's said to be an imperial item, why is it here?" Zhou Xing smiled faintly and explained, "Life is unpredictable; it's common for many treasures to end up in private hands. Some were lost in war, others were acquired by descendants selling off ancestral property." His words were simple yet profound, seemingly hinting at something.

Just as the two were talking, a flurry of footsteps sounded outside the door. Several elegantly dressed young men rushed into the shop, led by a swaggering young man who was clearly a spoiled brat from some powerful family. After scanning the room, his gaze settled on the jade pendant in Ling Xue's hand, his greedy eyes making no attempt to hide it: "Hey! Let me see that!" Before anyone could react, he reached out to snatch it. An Yi instantly stepped in front of him, his cold face full of vigilance. Ling Xue, however, calmly stroked the jade pendant and smiled: "Does this gentleman also wish to admire this?" Seeing this, the brat became even more arrogant: "Enough nonsense! If I've taken a liking to it, it's mine!" He then tried to forcibly take it. Zhou Xing interjected at the opportune moment: "If you truly like this item, why don't you sit down and have a cup of tea to discuss it further?" At the same time, he secretly gave the shop assistant a signal to prepare a response.

The spoiled brat, startled, toned down his arrogance and sat down to drink tea. Zhou Xing then turned to Ling Xue and said, "Actually, distinguishing between real and fake isn't difficult." He then took some water and dripped it onto the surface of the jade pendant to observe the penetration and determine the material's authenticity; he then took out a magnifying glass to examine the fine details for any signs of artificial polishing; finally, he used a flashlight to shine on the internal structure to test the light transmittance, demonstrating each method to her. After this professional appraisal, he concluded: "Although not genuine, it is a rare high-quality imitation."

Upon hearing this, the纨绔's expression changed drastically, and he wanted to lash out, but his companions pulled him back and whispered a few words of dissuasion, so he had no choice but to leave dejectedly. After they left, Ling Xue sincerely praised, "Sir, you truly have discerning eyes!" Zhou Xing smiled modestly, "It's just a trivial skill, not worth mentioning." Through this little episode, the distance between the two had been reduced considerably.

Afterwards, Ling Xue continued browsing the shop's other collections and engaged in in-depth discussions with Zhou Xing. Their conversations covered a wide range of topics, from ceramics and calligraphy to seal carving and other artifacts. Whenever Zhou Xing discussed a particular area of ​​expertise, he could always draw upon a wealth of knowledge and speak fluently, demonstrating his profound cultural background and personal refinement. Ling Xue, though a woman, was in no way inferior to a man, offering unique insights and often providing novel perspectives that resonated with others. Before they knew it, the setting sun cast its last rays through the window, creating a harmonious and beautiful scene.

One evening, dark clouds suddenly gathered, a strong wind arose, and then large raindrops poured down. The once bustling street instantly became deserted, with pedestrians scrambling for shelter. Just then, a ragged old woman carrying a child rushed into "Moyunxuan." Soaked and trembling, she pleaded, "Kind people, please have mercy! Give my child something to eat!" It turned out she was a widow from a nearby village, her husband deceased, and her family impoverished, unable to raise her young child, forcing her to beg for a living. Unable to return home due to the torrential rain, she had come here seeking help.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Xing immediately instructed the shop assistants to bring dry clothes for them to change into and arranged for them to rest in a side room. He also ordered the kitchen to prepare ginger soup to ward off the cold and warm them up. He himself personally selected several new clothes suitable for children and handed them to the old woman, saying, "Take these clothes for your children." His words were full of concern. Ling Xue witnessed all of this and was deeply moved, secretly remembering this act of kindness.

However, misfortune never comes singly. Just when everyone thought the rain was subsiding, a group of fierce-looking, burly men stormed into the shop, demanding protection money or they would smash the shop and leave. The leader, a burly man with a menacing face and gleaming eyes, brandished a large knife and threatened, "If you know what's good for you, pay up now, or I won't be so polite!" The shop immediately descended into chaos, with customers scrambling to hide, fearing they would be caught in the crossfire.

Faced with the sudden crisis, Zhou Xing remained calm and stepped forward, saying loudly, "Gentlemen, let's talk this out. Why resort to violence?" He tried to reason with them to resolve the conflict. However, the other party ignored his advice and instead became even more aggressive, shouting, "Stop talking nonsense! Take the money or keep your life, it's your choice!" The situation became increasingly tense, and the air almost froze.

At this critical moment, Darkwing stepped forward, shielding everyone. His eyes blazing as he stared intently at the enemy leader, he said in a deep voice, "If you want to pass, first ask the sword in my hand if it agrees!" With that, he drew his sword, ready to fight to the bitter end. A fierce conflict was about to erupt, the atmosphere tense to the extreme.

At the critical moment, Ling Xue stepped forward and shouted, "Stop! I am an imperial envoy sent by His Majesty to handle this case. Anyone who dares to obstruct me will be killed without exception!" These words struck like a thunderbolt, stunning everyone, including the thugs, who were all stunned and couldn't believe their ears. They exchanged doubtful glances, hesitating whether to believe the young man before them. After all, no one dared to easily offend royalty!

After a brief silence, the thugs finally laid down their weapons, knelt down, and begged for mercy, indicating their willingness to submit to punishment. It turned out they were just a mob, bullying the weak and fearing the strong; once faced with a formidable opponent, they immediately revealed their true colors and proved utterly vulnerable. Ultimately, under Ling Xue's instructions, these men were taken to the authorities to face legal consequences and receive their due punishment.

Through this incident, Zhou Xing made a preliminary guess about Ling Xue's true identity, but he didn't reveal it, choosing instead to remain silent and wait for the right opportunity. Ling Xue, in turn, took this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Zhou Xing's character and way of handling things, developing a deep respect and fondness for him. The relationship between the two also underwent a subtle but profound change…

Since that incident, Ling Xue frequently visited "Moyunxuan," sometimes to purchase her favorite collectibles, but more often to chat and confide in Zhou Xing. They would enjoy tea together, discuss philosophy, and share their life experiences and insights; they would also go on outings to visit scenic spots and historical sites to enjoy the beauty of nature; occasionally, they would even play a game of Go to hone their skills and enhance their emotional connection. Gradually, an indescribable feeling quietly sprouted and grew in their hearts.

One sunny morning, the birds sang and the flowers bloomed. Ling Xue arrived at the shop early and found Zhou Xing practicing calligraphy in the courtyard. He held a wolf-hair brush, dipped it in ink, and wielded it with effortless skill, producing powerful and vigorous characters that resembled dragons emerging from the sea, their grandeur breathtaking. She quietly approached to watch and couldn't help but exclaim, "Beautiful calligraphy!" Zhou Xing turned around at the sound of her voice, saw her, and smiled warmly, inviting her to write with him and experience the beauty of ink.

So the two stood side by side by the stone table, facing each other, taking turns to create calligraphy works in their own style, commenting on each other's work, and learning from each other, making rapid progress.