My Lord is A Stone Chapter 74

From then on consort Shu brought Zhaoyang princess along more diligently, even more number of times, naturally they came across the emperor who rested at Xihua palace every day, maybe the ticklish thing last time made Zhaoyang princess become aware, even if the emperor was so dreadful in the rumours, in front of her the emperor was always good-natured and kind, although when the emperor smiled it was somewhat strange and rigid, but his goodwill was clearly conveyed, slowly she began to pay attention to him…, in fact their so-called blood relation simply did not require guidance, children subconsciously always want to follow their parents' footsteps.

On account of the fact that in their heart there will always be a very small wish, wanting to have their parents' love.

The weather gradually turned cold, a month flashed by, but for the emperor it felt like he had waited tens of thousands of years, when he thought after the wedding he could honourably hold Zhao Jin Yu…, the emperor only felt his entire person was invigorated, he walked on air, if it wasn't for the large group of people following him he would have almost hummed.

The emperor returned to the Xihua palace, because this was to be changed into the main palace hall for the empress, that's why a lot of things had to be altered, after all it had to fit the status of the empress.

Zhao Jin Yu and the emperor temporarily lived in the east wing, as the emperor entered he impatiently said, “Have you seen the ceremonial robe the affairs department has sent over?”

Zhao Jin Yu at this moment was just looking at the ceremonial robe, a deep red ceremony robe using gold thread, silver threads a soaring gold phoenix was embroidered, and rubies were used for the phoenix's eyes, its feathers were polished jadeites, cornelians, pearls, inlayed, gorgeous and dignified.

The ceremonial robe dazzled brightly under the sunlight coming into the room, Zhao Jin Yu single-handedly touched the ceremonial robe, a lonely expression on her face, the emperor's footsteps faltered seeing Zhao Jin Yu like this, he asked, “What is it? Could you maybe not like it?”

Zhao Jin Yu shook her head saying, “No.” However her face still held some sadness.

The emperor held Zhao Jin Yu's shoulders, lowering his head slightly looking at her face to face, his tone was all the gentler, he said, “What is it really? If you don't say it how will we know?2

Zhao Jin Yu knew she couldn't say the words…, it would be quite unruly to say it, but she really couldn't help it, every time she saw the emperor and Zhaoyang princess interact, she would unconsciously think of her adoptive father Zhao Chang Chun.

The emperor had promised Zhao Jin Yu before to treat Zhao Chang Chun well, however Zhao Jin Yu had not seen Zhao Chang Chun to date, and did not know where he was now.

Zhao Jin Yu naturally knew what the emperor did was right.

She was a victim of the Tiangui sect, seeing so many innocent people be persecuted by the Tiangui sect, and Zhao Chang Chun nevertheless was a double agent, the emperor not killing him, was already a favour beyond the law.

However she couldn't forget her adoptive father's kindness in bringing her up.

She no longer owed anything to the Zhao family already, to adoptive mother, also even to older brother…, all except adoptive father Zhao Chang Chun, she still felt she still owed him.

The emperor seeing Zhao Jin Yu did not speak for a time, he impatiently said, “Are you unwell? Did you catch a cold?” Then he reached out to feel her forehead, feeling it was a little warm, he yelled towards the outside, “Call for the imperial physician.”

Zhao Jin Yu hurriedly stopped him saying, “No need, I'm not unwell.”

The emperor seeing Zhao Jin Yu avoiding his gaze, with somewhat hesitancy, his mind understood a bit immediately…, he said, “Jin Yu, if you have something to say just say it directly to us, we said before, so long as you wish, I will even pluck a star in the sky for you.” Following which he pinched her nose, smiling affectionately, “I wonder which bold woman it is, that not only wants to monopolise our body and mind, yet not allow us to get close, such sufferings to us.”

Zhao Jin Yu face was slightly red, angrily she beat the emperor's chest with her fists, in the end she was gathered into her emperor's arms, then she pushed down onto the kang at the side.

The emperor's face loomed in her eyes, then his soft lips…, Zhao Jin Yu only felt she was caught in a storm by the emperor, fluttering in the wind, muddleheaded, however she also felt this was such a wonderful feeling.

When the two of them parted panting, the emperor's burning gaze seemed to ignite her, his hard chest rose and fell, with great difficulty did he then steady his mind, softly he asked, “Now tell us, what are you actually worried about?”

Zhao Jin Yu blushed, tenderly beautiful and alluring like a blooming Chinese rose, making the emperor unable to take his eyes of her.

“That…is, I want to see father.”

Although the emperor knew there would be such a day, but he still felt it was quite hard to manage, he said, “You're certain you want to see him?”

Zhao Jin Yu bit her lip nodding, she said, “I am getting married…, I want to tell father.” Then she solemnly said, “I know he is a surviving member of the Tiangui sect, and deserves to be punished for his crimes, however Your Majesty…, if it wasn't for father promptly sending me to Hangzhou, I wouldn't know how I would be now.” She couldn't forget Zhao Chang Chun had given a lot of thought to it.

“However he also imprisoned you, he clearly knew you are a child of the Zhao family, but he pretended to not know and kept you by his side.” The emperor sat up leaning against the window edge solemnly, half of his face under the sunshine, half in the shadows, a kind of unfathomableness.

“Yes, I know.”

“Even though he raised you with kindness, but he was more intent on using you.” The emperor ruthlessly said.

Zhao Jin Yu's eyes suddenly redden, covering her face she said, “I know, but everything can be fake, but only sentiments cannot be…, if Your Majesty saw how adoptive father treated me when I was younger, you would know why I say this, besides if he really wanted to use me, why would he have sent me back at a time of calamity, at that time he could have used me to blackmail the Zhao family.”

The emperor hated Zhao Jin Yu feeling sad, at last he reached out holding her in his arms, kissing her cheek he said, “Of course we know, if it wasn't for this…, humph.” A ruthlessness flashed through the emperor's eyes, “How would he still be alive now? Besides it seems to us, he is an incompetent father, he ought to be like how we treat the princess…”

Zhao Jin Yu seeing the emperor's boastful expression, suddenly felt like laughing, the little bit of sadness just now again disappeared, she said, “Your Majesty, adoptive father is much more qualified than you.”

The emperor glared at Zhao Jin Yu.

Zhao Jin Yu stared back without hesitation.

Finally it was actually the emperor was defeated, who knew…, Zhao Jin Yu staring appearance would be so lovely and adorable? He simply couldn't get enough of it.

The emperor felt if this girl was his death, he didn't have any resentment at all, his heart was only overflowed with happiness.

“Fine.” The emperor eventually opened his mouth to say, actually he knew how it was going to end from the beginning, because he simply could not say no to Zhao Jin Yu.

Zhao Jin Yu immediately beamed, she said, “When? Can it be today?”

The emperor tenderly rubbed Zhao Jin Yu's hair, saying, “It sadly can't be today, we have sent your father to Fahua temple.”

“Fahua temple?” Zhao Jin Yu seemed to have heard of this temple, because the head monk great master Hui Zhen was very famous, so much so that he surpa.s.sed the Baimashi which protected the country.

The emperor nodded, saying, “Perfect, by chance we're taking a break tomorrow, we'll take you there.” The emperor was a stanch person, since he decided for the two of them to meet he would not do a sloppy job, also in a few days it was the crowning ceremony, he was not willing to have Zhao Jin Yu distracted.

The next day, early in the morning Zhao Jin Yu was picked out from the quilt wrapped around her by the emperor, the emperor personally cleaned Zhao Jin Yu's face with the warm cloth nanny Li had given him, saying, “Little lazy slob, quickly get up, or we won't be able to return today.” In fact Fahua temple wasn't far, but the problem was it isn't easy for the emperor to leave for a short time, the imperial guards had to be dispatched, the place cleared, just preparing for the journey took several hours.

Zhao Jin Yu felt the warm towel rubbing gently on her face, she opened her eyes, seeing the emperor look at her with love and indulgence on his face.

Zhao Jin Yu bashfully took the towel saying, “I'll clean myself.”

The emperor watched Zhao Jin Yu's bashful appearance, he only felt she was as beautiful as a blooming lotus flower unable to be stopped, he itched to firmly pull her into his embrace, eating her cleanly, but he knew it wasn't possible right now…, he pushed Zhao Jin Yu's hand away, saying, 

“You helped us bathe before, now it's our turn to look after you, don't move.”

Nanny Li stared at Zhao Jin Yu with wide eyes, he means the eldest young lady, when did you bathe 

His Majesty the emperor?

Zhao Jin Yu turned even more red, she couldn't help ruthlessly kick the emperor, she said, “Your Majesty, stop talking.” Of course she knew the emperor was talking about when he had changed into a stone, at that time before every meal she had to put the emperor into a teacup for a washing, but to those hearing it without know the truth, such as nanny Li, it would be very ambiguous.

The emperor was not angry, raising his long legs he restrained Zhao Jin Yu's flailing little legs, his hands however did not stop moving, finally he carefully wiped her petal like lips, he said, “It seems like we have spoiled you recklessly, you actually kick us?”

Nanny Li maintained calm with all her effort, but she felt…, she couldn't control herself, His Majesty pampering the young lady like this, she felt embarra.s.sed for the eldest young lady. 囧.

This is the emperor of the great Zhou, how can the eldest young lady kick him as she wishes?

However His Majesty was not concerned at all, nanny Li reckoned one of them was willing to be hit and the other wanted to experience it, she no longer wanted to be an eyesore, nanny Li with a smile on her face, tiptoed away.

The emperor finished cleaning Zhao Jin Yu's face, directly pushing her back down, kissing the fragrant lips he had been drooling over for a long time, immediately becoming an earthshattering heated kiss, Zhao Jin Yu felt a fire had been lit inside her body by the emperor, boiling hot.

However her reasoning still returned, Zhao Jin Yu expended a great deal of strength to push the emperor away, gathering her lapel which was wide open, with a red face she said, “Your Majesty, we ought to set out.”

The emperor's gaze was burning, he took a deep breath before his thirst was controlled, saying, 

“Sooner or later we will be by you…, you girl will really be the death of us.”

Zhao Jin Yu laughed hehe kissing the emperor's cheek, she said, “Your Majesty, let's go.”

***

The carriage swayed on the road, Zhao Jin Yu had originally woken up early, this swaying made her want to sleep, the emperor felt sorry for her, holding her in his arms he said, “Sleep, when we arrive we will tell you.”

Like this Zhao Jin Yu slept in the emperor's arms, when she willingly opened her eyes again it was already noon.

Zhao Jin Yu rubbed her eyes, asking, “Have we arrived?”

The emperor was just allowing someone to put on a very thick lotus seed cloak on him, hearing Zhao Jin Yu's words he hurried to bend down, kissing her cheek, he tenderly said, “Why not sleep for a bit longer?”

Zhao Jin Yu saw Rui Fu who stood at the side serving lower his eyes as if he did not see, she still felt bashful though, lightly she turned away saying, “I'm not tired anymore.” Then she rubbed her rumbling stomach saying, “I think I'm hungry.”

The emperor smiled affectionately, stooping to pick her up, he took a cup of almond tea from Rui Fu pa.s.sing it to Zhao Jin Yu, he said, “Fahua temple's food is pretty good, it must be ready by now, drink a cup of almond tea first to moisten your throat.”

Zhao Jin Yu drank the almond tea without extra trouble, then under the emperor's care she put on an outer layer, it took some time because the emperor wasn't used to doing it and almost b.u.t.toned it up wrong, of course the emperor himself thought everything was very perfect, for this reason he very brazenly specially demanded a warm kiss as a reward. = . =

Constantly standing at the side Rui Fu thought…, his mind was on the verge of breaking down, how could their dignified and venerated Majesty become like this? He simply was like a wife.

The emperor helped Zhao Jin Yu off the carriage, the head monk was waiting at the gate for them since earlier on, Zhao Jin Yu saw the young head monk, she couldn't help say to the emperor, “How is he so young? So attractive and intelligent.”

The emperor, “…”

Rui Fu felt a kind of cold feeling surrounding them, yet he couldn't blame Zhao Jin Yu for saying this, this wasn't just some random person but great master Hui Zhen who the emperor had previously tortured, this person really was a lofty and magnificent person, a senior monk emitting a pure feeling.

Ever since the emperor returned to his real body he had released him. Great master Hui Zhen was also not resentful, he always remained calm, so much so it made the emperor feel some admiration, as a result when he had such a problem as Zhao Chang Chun…, since he couldn't kill him, and couldn't allow him to suffer in prison, of course he also couldn't be released, after all he was a surviving member of the Tiangui sect.

In the end he was sent to Fahua temple, hoping he would be able to reach enlightenment.

Great master Hui Zhen also did not say anything, silently receiving him into Fahua temple, Zhao Chang Chun was a famous scholar, talented in literacy, he had ways of dealing with people, very soon he had become good friends with great master Hui Zhen, and with the emperor's suggestion, his days pa.s.sed smoothly.

Great master Hui Zhen seeing the emperor and the empress had already arrived, he neatly kneeled, 

“Respectfully welcome Your Majesty the emperor, the empress.”

The emperor said you may rise, great master Hui Zhen stood up with the others.

The emperor and Zhao Jin Yu was lead to the room in the back by great master Hui Zhen, inside a table of food was already prepared.

Although Zhao Jin Yu was very hungry, but her heart was not here, clearly she was rather preoccupied, how could the emperor not understand her feelings, quietly he said, “First eat, then I'll let you see him.”

Zhao Jin Yu knew she couldn't be headstrong at this moment, she only nodded.

They sat in succession, because great master Hui Zhen was a Buddhist monk it was not a taboo, Zhao Jin Yu sat beside the emperor, great master Hui Zhen followed sitting to the side.

Even though it was a complete vegetarian meal, but there were many types of vegetables, Zhao Jin Yu counted at least eighty-one dishes, thinking this must be a custom for the emperor, even if there wasn't so many dishes…, it still had to be put together, because Zhao Jin Yu counted at least ten tofu dishes, Chinese cabbage with tofu, roll of dried tofu strips, radish with tofu, 囧.

Seeing such a senior monk as Hui Zhen for the first time, Zhao Jin Yu was nevertheless a bit nervous, not knowing why, that great master Hui Zhen wearing a red kasaya gave off a kind of special sacred aura, kind of like his entire body was surrounded by a red light, hazy, specially nice to look at.

Zhao Jin Yu's reaction naturally was not missed by great master Hui Zhen, when Zhao Jin Yu glanced at the great master Hui Zhen for the eleventh time…, great master Hui Zhen finally responded, he smiled at Zhao Jin Yu nodding he said, “Niangniang is the food not to your liking?”

In fact great master Hui Zhen did not want to speak to Zhao Jin Yu at all, she was the empress, and was a woman, he had to avoid arousing suspicion in front of the emperor, but he could not take Zhao Jin Yu repeatedly taking discreet glances at him…, the way the emperor looked at him from the side was like a knife, stabbing him uncomfortably.

Zhao Jin Yu smiled saying, “It's tasty.”

Great master Hui Zhen elegantly nodded, seeming very n.o.ble and pure, again he said, “Then please enjoy the food niangniang,  don't poke at the tofu, if you poke it until it's mushy then you can't eat it.”

Zhao Jin Yu's chopstick poking at the tofu stopped, awkwardly smiling.

Great master Hui Zhen heaved a sigh, saying, “It's close to the end of the year, the price of many things have inflated, these tofu rose from four coins to nine coins…, we've already made two meals into one meal.” Following which he smiled amiably, saying, “Just take it as training.”

Zhao Jin Yu suddenly felt these monks were rather pitiful, indeed she shouldn't waste food like this, she pulled on the emperor's sleeve, saying, “Your Majesty, why don't we give some donation.”

Although the emperor felt Zhao Jin Yu paid too much attention to great master Hui Zhen, of course he definitely wasn't jealous…, but in front of everyone how could he make Zhao Jin Yu lose face, he said, “Fahua temple has accomplished its welcoming, conferred hundred gold.”

Great master Hui Zhen remained indifferent, if it was someone else they would have been so moved kowtowing in grat.i.tude, he however was nevertheless calm, even though he did kneel in thanks for favour, however he was overall different from those people who try their best to fawn over the emperor, this made Zhao Jin Yu's opinion of him rise steadily, thinking it was fortunate for father to be able to be with such a person.

However, she couldn't carry on with this meal, the table of dishes looked sumptuous, in truth it was mainly mixed with salt, without even a single drop of oil…, who actually said Fahua temple food was nice?

“We will take you to eat something else later.” Sacred Buddhist temple, it also wasn't good for the emperor to order the chamberlains go remake the dishes in front of great master Hui Zhen, that's why he could only allow Zhao Jin Yu bear it for a bit.

Zhao Jin Yu nodded saying, “Your Majesty, I want to see father.”

The emperor nodded saying, “Let's go see him.”

Zhao Jin Yu was taken to a building outside by great master Hui Zhen, “Amitabha Buddha, please empress niangniang, inside is where Hui Wu lives.”

Zhao Jin Yu asked flabbergasted, “Hu Wu?”

“Empress niangniang did you not know benefactor Zhao has already become a Buddhist monk?”

Zhao Jin Yu simply found it hard to imagine, that person who looked gentle and refined when he smiled, father who looked bright as the moon would leave home…, a lot of complex feelings immediately rose in her heart, nodding to the emperor she lifted up her skirt moving into the building.

After Zhao Jin Yu had entered, the emperor stood in the doorway with his hands behind his back, a profound and solemn expression, Rui Fu stepped forward asking, “Your Majesty, why don't you go to the back to rest first?”

The emperor shook his head, saying, “We will wait here for the empress.”

The emperor was not leaving, other people naturally did not dare to leave, even great master Hui Zhen had no choice but to stand to the side to accompany him.

Rui Fu, imperial guards, eunuchs and maids, as well as the group of monks great master Hui Zhen brought with him, several tens of people stopped at this tiny doorway like this.

After two hours since Zhao Jin Yu had entered she had yet to come out, Rui Fu's legs were numb from standing, he could still endure it but was afraid the emperor could not, bowing as he walked forward, he quietly said, “Your Majesty, niangniang and Master Zhao has not seen each other for a long time, it is inevitably that the would have many things to say, I'm afraid an afternoon is not enough…, the wind is strong here, it would not be good if you catch a cold standing here.”

The emperor still did not move at all, with a collected expression he said, “This person Zhao Chang Chun is very shrewd, back then he had the t.i.tle of skilled manipulator in the Tiangui sect, very ruthless in his ways, audacious and unwavering…, we are only worried the empress is too young, and he's her own adoptive father…”

Great master Hui Zhen said from the side, “Your Majesty be at ease, in the bottom of Hui Wu's heart he has remained wholly devoted, he does not treat the empress differently.” Great master Hui Zhen rubbed his rather frozen hands and feet.

The emperor scowled, still unwilling to go back.

Rui Fu understood from their conversation. = . =

To speak frankly, the emperor was in fact worried Zhao Chang Chun would make life difficult for him, speaking badly of the emperor behind his back, no wonder he was so anxious…, that's why he kept watch of the doorway like this, the empress had been in the capital city for almost a month before he allowed them to meet. 囧

At this moment Zhao Jin Yu simply did not know what was happening outside, she pushed the door open to enter, a simple room came into sight, a bed, table and chair, as well as a bookshelf by the window.

A slim figure stood at the table writing, hearing signs of movement he turned his head, when he saw it was Zhao Jin Yu…, a smile blossomed on his face, his eyes also held a smile, dazzling almost blinding her eyes…, Zhao Jin Yu's tears rushed out like this.

“Why are you crying? Aren't you happy to see daddy?” Zhao Chang Chun wore a half sleeve sangha, extending his lankly fingers he helped Zhao Jin Yu wipe her tears, helplessly he said, “Foolish girl, 

are you too happy?”

Zhao Jin Yu in an instant threw herself into Zhao Chang Chun's embrace, like a wanderer who has finally returned home, Zhao Jin Yu fluttering heart finally found a smooth and steady pace.

“Daddy.” Zhao Jin Yu started crying again hugging Zhao Chang Chun.

Zhao Chang Chun with red rimmed eyes, raised his hands to gently pat Zhao Jin Yu's back, coaxing her like when she was young, “Don't cry, daddy will buy sweets for you.”

In the end Zhao Jin Yu actually cried even harder, when she was younger Zhao Chang Chun often used this phrase to coax her, such a talented and remarkable person, when it came to her he had no method, time and time again he could only rely on these words.

Zhao Chang Chun talked with Zhao Jin Yu for a long time, however the two people susceptibly avoided the topic of the Tiangui sect, they only talked a lot about the past, only when Zhao Chang Chun found out Zhao Jin Yu was to become the empress of the great Zhou, there was a trace of movement in his serene appearance.

He heaved a long sigh, stroking Zhao Jin Yu's head, he said, “Daddy did not take care of you well.”

“Daddy…”

“You are a good child.” Zhao Chang Chun shut his eyes, as if he was recalling the first time he saw Zhao Jin Yu, huddled together with a group of young beggars, each of the children's eyes were like wolves, only wishing for him to take out half a copper, she was the only one with clear eyes, hiding behind the crowd, her little body curled up, a lonely and vacant appearance, both pitiful and causing people true heartache.

At that time he had no plan to adopt her…, he was simply in a precarious state, how could he have also looked after a child?

However once he picked her up from that crowd, she held onto his sleeve unwilling to let go, when they ate, when they sat in the carriage, even when they slept she wouldn't let go, a little face smeared with dirt, only a pair of obsidian clear eyes were exposed, devoted and dependent on him, like you were her everything.

He said to himself then, if she really is the granddaughter of the Zhao family, then raise her as a chest piece, if she wasn't…, it could be considered fate to have such a cute child.

However as time pa.s.sed, this little lady slowly became the pearl in his palm, at first he was rather selfish not wanting to send her back to the Zhao family too soon, then after he hated to part with her.

“I ought to have sent you back earlier.” Thousands of thoughts ran through Zhao Chang Chun's mind, he finally said these words, “Then you won't suffer so much, maybe you would have married by now and become someone's wife, living a standard, but peaceful and steady life.”

“Daddy doesn't want me to be empress?”

Zhao Chang Chun stroked Zhao Jin Yu's cheek, he said, “Foolish child, as a parent of course I want you to live as you wish, the position of empress…, it sounds very venerated, but you have to give up a lot more than others, because His Majesty the emperor is not only your husband, but also a ruler of a nation, you are both his wife and his subject as well.” A common married couple could quarrel, but as an empress and subject she could not get angry at the emperor, only comply.

“Daddy, His Majesty treats me very well.”

Zhao Chang Chun saw the hidden worry in Zhao Jin Yu's eyes, which man was not nice to their wife in every manner as newlyweds? But with time it was not the same.

At this moment, Zhao Chang Chun felt an unprecedented pain.

“Daddy has harmed you.”

“Daddy, don't say that! If you hadn't pulled me out of that group of beggars…, I could have died a thousand times over.” No matter what Zhao Jin Yu could not blame Zhao Chang Chun, like the person in the entire world which was your boulder which could not be toppled over, they were your believe, your safe harbour, you would never blame them.

Zhao Chang Chun tearfully nodded, firmly hugging Zhao Jin Yu, he said, “Such a foolish child…, I ought to have known earlier, being able to leave the prison, pa.s.s my days idly here, it wasn't the emperor's wish…, it's because of you?”

Zhao Jin Yu somewhat sadly lowered her head saying, “Daddy, I can only do this much.” No matter what she could not forget the evilness of the Tiangui sect, Zhao Chang Chun was guilty, “I actually came across older brother and mother…” Zhao Jin Yu had not known of how to speak about older brother and mother with Zhao Chang Chun, on the way the emperor had told Zhao Jin Yu…, older brother and the remaining survivors of the Tiangui sect had escaped by boat to an island, naturally, this was a way to survive left by the emperor.

“Girl, don't say anymore, I know.” Zhao Chang Chun's face was ashen, clenching and unclenching his fist, letting go then again clenching his fist. “Your older brother he…, I did not teach him well, as for your mother, the day your mother followed me she knew a day like this would come.”

“Daddy…” Tears clung to the corner of Zhao Jin Yu's eyes.

“Thinking about it, our Jun family has owes you a lot, who would have imagined in the end we actually receive your favour instead.” Zhao Chang Chun looked at Zhao Jin Yu with adoration, “This is very good, your older brother and mother are alive, daddy is also alive, so long as we're alive there will always be a day we can reunite, actually daddy had already prepared to die a long time ago.” 

From the time he lived in incognito as Zhao Chang Chun, he had been prepared to die, having lived for so long…, he actually had enough already.

“Daddy…”

Afterwards Zhao Chang Chun stopped talking about this, looking as usual, he changed the subject to talk about Zhao Jin Yu visiting her family in Hangzhou, or brought up things from the past, Zhao Jin Yu was also very compliant, the two chatted happily, constantly joyous and harmonious, at night when the sky finally turned black, Zhao Jin Yu then had no option but to bid farewell to her father and came out.

The emperor seeing Zhao Jin Yu red and swollen eyes from crying, shivering in the wind, his heart was more painful than anything…, and not caring for others present, he directly gathered her in his arms, rubbing her hands he said, “Are you cold?”

Zhao Jin Yu bashfully wanted to push the emperor away, but the emperor tightly held her unwilling to let go, she saw great master Hui Zhen lower his eyes not watching insolently, as for Rui Fu and the others they all lowered their heads…, appearing as if they couldn't see anything, 囧.

After Zhao Jin Yu left, Zhao Chang Chun sat in his chair without moving for a long time, a good while later did he take a deep breath, again he hopelessly smiled, this smile contained some gentleness he was unaware of, he murmured, “Persevering all this time, in the end however I lost here…, several generations of our Jun family, what was the reason? Nothing, as is fated, the great 

Zhou already has a rightful rule, it's the end of the Tiangui sect, struggling at death's door that's all. 

As it should be…” Zhao Chang Chun looked in the direction Zhao Jin Yu had left, as if he could still see her slightly round little chin, just as cute as when she was a child, his heart softened, he said, 

“Let's just regard it as a dowry for you, daddy already owes you a lot, I can no longer cling onto you.”

“Come out.” Zhao Chang Chun calmed shouted.

A man wearing black secret guard clothes appeared in front of Zhao Chang Chun, Zhao Chang Chun was not surprised at all, instead he said unperturbed, “Go tell His Majesty, I'm willing to surrender and pay allegiance to the great Zhou offering the secret map.”

His words were extremely short, but it was like a stone weighing a ton in his chest, and today he finally threw away this stone.

That secret guard had always been following Zhao Chang Chun, he knew this sort of people were always stubbornly unchangeable, even if tortured they cannot be moved…, heart as hard as ice from thousands of years, a person very hard to deal with, who knew just seeing his adopted daughter today he would change his mind like this? How did he understand, even if it was a stone, there was a little bit of softness in his heart, and Zhao Jin Yu was the only little bit of softness in Zhao Chang Chun's heart.

The more he loved this adoptive daughter the more he felt he owed her, because he deprived her of her status, and this sort of debt ultimately became his way of freeing himself of worldly worries.

White Horse Temple in Luoyang, one of the earliest Buddhist temples in China.