I was forced to cultivate immortality when I just wanted to lie down

Chapter 80 The changing situation
The month of March when the orioles sing is also called the Peach Moon.

It was late spring, with clear skies and warm breezes. There was a bustling crowd of pleasure boats on the river waterway, and the peach blossoms beside the embankment were smiling, and the willow leaves were relaxed, making it seem like the magnificent scenery of the south of the Yangtze River.

Under the Shuimen Bridge, there are scholars and poets riding on black-sailed boats, enjoying the view along the river; there are also women who are out for a walk, carrying wine and food, passing by the bridgehead.

In addition to these leisurely people who enjoy the flowers and the spring, the peddlers coming and going on the streets also have their own places to go, either working to make a living or worrying about the world.

In a house with a closed gate along the street, a locust tree has taken root in the fertile soil and is struggling to sprout.

The seeds of the bellflower planted in the yard have sprouted into three-inch tall seedlings at some point. This flower can sense the aura of corpses, condense yin and gather evil, and is a flower that favors yin.

Although the bell flowers have not yet bloomed, the seedlings have already grown into patches of emerald green, and whenever a breeze blows, the flowers ripple like waves.

In front of the stone table, an antique chair with missing legs was swaying, as if someone was taking a nap on it; under the eaves, the hanging animal skulls turned into wind chimes, welcoming away the evil spirits in the yard.

On the roof ridge, a pitch-black cat without a single color was strolling gracefully.

It jumped from the roof to the top of the wall and then fell into the yard.

Passing by an antique chair, the black cat leaned its butt against it, and its tail, which stood upright like a stick, shook, splashing fresh cat urine on the leg of the chair.

After scratching the chair, it continued to patrol the yard, making countless marks along the way.

When they returned to the room where the coffin was parked, Black Cat tilted his head to glance at the doll sitting quietly in front of the coffin, and a hint of disdain appeared at the corner of his mouth.

It raised its paw gracefully, trying to cross the threshold.

"Meow-!"

The black cat's head suddenly fell down. Although the ground in front of it was solid earth, its feet suddenly went soft and it stepped on empty air.

Fortunately, it reacted quickly and stopped its rapid fall in just a split second. It then made an unnatural double jump while lingering in the air.

When its four claws were about to land, the black cat, whose fur had just exploded, found that its feet were stepping on empty air again.

For the next period of time, a black figure appeared in the room where the coffin was placed. It kept stepping on empty air, howling, and bouncing out of the pit.

When the noise in the house died down, the wild cat that had broken into the house also calmed down completely.

It's not that it's dead, but the wild cat is hanging upside down on the beam, swinging back and forth like a pendulum.

The cat bared its teeth, then curled up and stretched out its sharp claws hidden under its fur. It easily cut the iron wire around its hind legs, as if the poisonous iron wire with tiny blades was just fragile hair.

After finally landing on the ground again, the black cat no longer had the mood to play around. It carefully raised its claws and remained stiff for a long while before daring to step down again.

It felt the ground back and forth to feel its softness and hardness, and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that there were no traps or mechanisms.

In the next few days, the black cat hid during the day and came out at night. Occasionally, it would steal some fish or catch a mouse, and then put it on the coffin board to eat and play.

The puppet in charge of guarding the coffin seemed to be oblivious to the cat that was using the coffin lid as a scratching post all day long, and allowed it to stir up trouble in the house.

When the cat got tired of playing, it jumped onto the bed, curled up into a ball, and made purring noises.

Time flies, and a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

The Watergate Bridge residence remained peaceful and tranquil. The coffin, which had been lying there for over a month, showed no abnormalities except for a number of scratches.

Wang Ling, who was on duty at the Linhe government office, would regularly visit Jingxia Street to inquire about Xu Qing. The Wu brothers, who had long since returned to their paper-making shop, were also unaware of Xu Qing's whereabouts. They only knew that the shop's owner, Xiao Xu, had passed the imperial examination and was traveling to study abroad.

As for how long he will be gone or when he will come back, there is no definite information.

The proprietress of the incense and candle shop was a bit gossipy and kept telling everyone her own inferences, saying that Xu Ge'er was young and capable, and he passed the imperial examination at such a young age, so he definitely didn't want to continue in the corpse business. Who knows, he might have married a rich lady from some wealthy family and was living a happy life like a god.

How could he still be thinking about the small shop in front of him?

After hearing this, Wang Lingyuan believed most of it. After that, he rarely came to Jingxia Street to inquire about Xu Qing's whereabouts.

Hu Baosong, who worked in a street coffin shop, was unhappy, feeling that all his plans had failed again.

Only the Wu brothers still disagreed. They always felt that Brother Xu was not that kind of person!

In addition to the changes in Jingxia Street, a lot of things have also happened in Linhefang in the past month.

For example, the most famous brothel, Shuhuangge, was closed down and rectified by the government, and the newly arrived Tianjin gang and the pawnshops at Linhe Port had a fierce fight, in which many people died.

There was also Zhao Zhonghe, the chief constable of the patrol office, who was blessed with a baby boy. He arranged a full-moon banquet and sent invitations to many people he knew.

This also includes Xu Qing, whom he has always disliked.

That was because Xu Qing was not there, otherwise he would have thrown the invitation into the stove.

Who is Zhao Zhonghe? Never heard of him!

A stranger still wants him to contribute money? Maybe he drank too much fake liquor.

During Xu Qing's retreat, there were many trivial matters in Linhefang, but if we were to talk about major changes, we would have to look at the court.

In the past two months, the already unstable Dayong Dynasty has become turbulent again.

In the Yangxin Palace in the Luojing Imperial City, Emperor Longping opened his cloudy eyes and looked at the Third Prince who was like a frightened bird in front of him.

"I'm asking you a question. Your brother treats you well. Why did you do such a treasonous thing?"

The emperor loves his eldest son, and the people love their youngest son.

Ever since hearing the tragic news of Zhao You's assassination, Emperor Longping seemed to have aged a little. He looked at the third prince Zhao Rong, like an old dragon that had been sleeping for a long time and then opened his eyes again.

Zhao Rong was crawling on the ground, his clothes already soaked with cold sweat.

"Your Majesty, why do you say that? I have always admired you, my brother. Apart from you, my father and I, there is no one else I would be willing to submit to. How could I possibly do anything disrespectful to you, my brother?"

Emperor Longping leaned forward, stared at Zhao Rongguan for a while, and suddenly threw the teacup in his hand to the ground!
"At this critical moment, you still dare to pretend to lie. Do you really think that I am old and my eyesight is blurry?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not. Please calm down and don't hurt the dragon's body." Zhao Rong's body trembled, but he still kept his mouth shut.

"I only have five sons. Your fifth brother was born with the appearance of a dragon, but he died unexpectedly at the age of three. And then there's Yan'er. He was always kind, but ten years ago someone used witchcraft to damage his soul, turning him into a lunatic."

"Now, my eldest son, the crown prince, did not have a good end!" Emperor Longping was so angry that he could not help but cough violently a few times. The eunuch next to him wanted to come over to serve him, but he stopped him with his hand.

The old emperor's face turned grim, his eyes cold as he said, "Zhao Rong! Do you really think you can hide your actions from me?"

"Your Majesty has unjustly killed me! Even if I am cut into pieces or burned by heavenly fire, I will never have any evil intention towards my brothers!" Zhao Rong's body was shaking like a sieve, but at this moment he raised his head and looked directly at the old dragon in front of him.

"If your Majesty does not believe me, I am willing to swear an oath. If I do anything that would damage our brotherhood, I will be pierced through the heart by a thousand arrows. Even after death, I will be reduced to a beast, never to be reborn!"

Emperor Longping was silent for a long time, and finally waved his hand to let the third prince leave.

The old eunuch looked at his nose with his eyes and his heart with his nose, pretending nothing had happened.

But the old emperor obviously didn't want him to have it so easy.

"Mingde, what do you think?" The old eunuch Li Mingde's eyelids twitched. In a short moment, he thought of countless answers. Finally, he said, "The Third Prince has always been smart and clever. This servant really can't see it."

At the end of March of the same year, the third prince often wandered around the Queen's Palace, and occasionally went to find the King's uncle to discuss matters.

At this time, Zhao You and Zhao Cong, father and son, were both killed, and the position of Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace was vacant. The only relative of the Crown Prince left in the palace was not the real Crown Prince.

Instead, the Crown Prince's offspring took over as his replacement.

In the end, it takes three generations to complete a lie.

The Queen and the King's brother-in-law knew everything about this matter, but they had no idea that the Third Prince Zhao Rong also knew the inside story.

During the Crown Prince's funeral, Emperor Longping did not show any abnormal expression when he saw the 'Crown Prince' who was still the same age after so many years.

The other officials in the court and the concubines did not question the identity of the crown prince.

In their eyes, this Crown Prince has been living in seclusion all year round. Even during festivals and important occasions, he always refuses to see people on the grounds of poor health and recuperation. Apart from those close to him, who else would know what this Crown Prince really looks like?
Emperor Longping had of course met the Crown Prince. Crown Prince Zhao Rong was a little panicked at first, but when he saw that his father looked as calm as ever, he was completely relieved.

During the funeral, Zhao Rong supported his nephew Zhao Cong's coffin, crying and calling his royal brother. He looked as if his brother had really died, and he was as sad as he could be.

When the coffin was being sealed, Zhao Rong took out many sweets, cakes and candied fruits and placed them in the prince's coffin.

He then ordered someone to present a jade-carved horse as a burial item.

Zhao Rong could not hide his sorrow, and said that his brother the emperor loved sweets and fine horses the most when he was alive.

When the surrounding officials and ministers saw this, they all expressed their admiration for the Third Prince's kindness and filial piety. Emperor Longping was silent upon seeing this.

After that, Zhao Rong often communicated with the empress, his uncle, in the name of commemorating his imperial brother. During this period, he showed off his filial piety to the utmost, and treated the empress as his own mother in all his words and deeds. He said that since his imperial brother was gone, he would be the empress's biological child from now on.

The king's uncle and the queen did not know the real murderer who assassinated the prince. After the third prince gained their trust, he always tried to sow discord intentionally or unintentionally, pointing the finger of blame at the king of a different surname in Tianjin.

After hearing this several times, the queen was already 80% convinced.

Later, when the Queen learned that the Prince of Changting had recovered from his idiocy, she believed it completely.

She met with the emperor several times and told him how the Prince of Changting pretended to be crazy and stupid and how he deceived the emperor.

She even said that she had a dream that night in which the prince came to her and told her that he had died unjustly. When the queen asked where the injustice came from, the prince told her that it came from the Changting Palace.

Wood cannot withstand a hundred axes, and people cannot withstand a hundred words.

Emperor Longping was suspicious by nature. Now that he had heard too many unfounded slanders, even though he was suspicious in his heart, he would take his anger out on others.

There is no fault, but there are mistakes.

If you are not wrong, why are there so many people saying that you are wrong?
In early April, Emperor Longping summoned cabinet ministers and court elders to discuss the issue of appointing a crown prince.

At the end of April, Prince Changting was recalled to the capital, but was unable to see the emperor immediately.

The eunuch Li Mingde took out the poisoned wine bestowed by the emperor and entertained Prince Changting.

However, as a martial arts master, Zhu Cheng's body had long been out of the ordinary. With his innate skills to protect him, he seemed to be fine after drinking the poisoned wine!

After three rounds of drinking, Zhu Sheng expressed his loyalty to Li Mingde.

At this time, Zhou Qifeng, the national sword saint who is also a master, was guarding outside the hall. Zhu Sheng talked about how high-spirited he was when he and His Majesty were king and subject.

"How many years has the world been at peace? Now, Beizhao Prefecture has rebelled, and the barbarians in Nancuo have repeatedly challenged the prestige of the Great Yong. Although I wish to don my armor again, Your Majesty can no longer ride alongside me."

Zhu Cheng sighed, "You were born before I was born, and I was born when you were already old. Although I was fortunate enough to share the same boat with Your Majesty, our time was ultimately too short. I'm afraid we won't have the chance to revisit the days we once enjoyed."

Li Mingde used his internal energy to dispel his drunkenness and felt restless.

He eagerly waited for the poison to take effect, then smiled apologetically, "Your Highness is not young anymore. If I were to say so, future matters should be left to the young. Forcing yourself to interfere will ultimately be detrimental."

Zhu Cheng, now fully satisfied with his meal and wine, said with a smile, "This wine is truly rich. Eunuch Li must have had enough. Then I'll have to trouble you to report back so that I, as your minister, can once again see Your Majesty's face."

In the Yangxin Palace, Emperor Longping lay on the dragon couch with a face as pale as gold paper, and the ministers around him listened attentively, fearing that they would miss a single word of the holy words.

Zhao Rong, who had become the new crown prince, knelt in front of the couch. Emperor Longping opened his sleepy eyes, revealing an expression of love and hate.

"You are just like me. Although you can correct your mistakes, you will never admit them."

"Father." Zhao Rong looked sad.

Emperor Longping frowned and said, "You are already the crown prince of a country, and will inherit the throne as emperor in the future. Why are you still acting like a coward?"

After seeing Zhao Rong calm down a little, Emperor Longping gave him instructions on important state affairs.

"Prime Minister Yan can serve as an assistant minister. If you encounter any difficult issues, you can consult the two ministers Pan and Shi."

Emperor Longping had already drafted his will in advance. He just wanted to explain some family matters concerning the Zhao family's future in front of Zhao Rong.

"Rong'er, you only have two brothers left now. They are not as smart as you. You must treat them well in the future. You must also show more care to your eldest brother's offspring."

Zhao Rong agreed with tears in his eyes. Finally, Emperor Longping sighed and waved his hand to let him leave.

However, before Zhao Rong left, Emperor Longping gave him one more instruction.

He said that he would give him a stable country so that he would have no worries.

Zhao Rong didn't understand at first, but when he saw his father summon Prince Changting to an audience, he immediately understood the intention of his father's words.

Inside the Yangxin Palace, Prince Changting looked at the old emperor who was barely breathing. Even though he had all sorts of feelings in his heart, they finally turned into a sigh.

The two of them didn't need to say much, just a few glances and a few words were enough to understand each other's intentions.

Emperor Longping promised Zhu Sheng that the descendants of the Zhu family should share weal and woe with the royal family, and that Prince Zhu could also become a free and easy prince in the future.

After thanking the emperor for his grace, Zhu Cheng left the imperial city feeling relieved.

In early May, Emperor Longping passed away. The funeral bells tolled in Luojing and the whole country was in mourning.

In the same month, the King of Changting, loyal to his country and missing the kindness of the late emperor, committed suicide at the river mouth on his way back to Tianjin. His blood stained the Baijiang River, and he followed the late emperor.

The people of the whole country mourned and felt pity for the king of a different surname.

As for the death of Emperor Longping, it seems quite good if there is such a happy event to relieve the mood besides the sorrow.

The outside world is changing rapidly. In May, the peach blossoms have fallen, leaving only the green leaves more lush.

In a house in Shuimen Bridge, the coffin that had been sealed for a long time suddenly trembled slightly, and the black ghost jade inlaid on the coffin lid had turned into ordinary white jade at some point.

The moment the coffin trembled, the white jade shattered.

(End of this chapter)