Chapter 134: Arrangement

The Jingkang Shame that Su Xing knew was officially named the Jingkang Change in this world.

This was actually just the old routine of "covering up for those in power," still intending to deflect the blame from the Emperor and the high-ranking officials of the imperial court, defining the defeat by the Jin Army as a "change."

However, Su Xing wasn't a spiritual cleanliness freak. Everyone was killed, so naturally he was too lazy to care about these.

And in the Jingkang Change, the two emperors knelt naked in front of the Jin camp, performing the so-called sheep-pulling ceremony, while the palace maids, concubines, and princesses in the palace suffered a great disaster.

Among them, many committed suicide to protect their integrity, but there were also many who didn't have the courage to commit suicide and die, or didn't even have time to commit suicide, and were captured by the Jin people to the camp for pleasure, among which the best-colored and highest-status ones were spared this nightmare.

In history, they were taken to the north, and then distributed to the Jin nobles, and some were sent directly to the military camp, suffering all kinds of torture.

According to the palace maid, Zhao Fubao was still a perfect body, just collected by the Jin people, and didn't suffer any damage or military disaster.

But she was a daughter of the clan, especially after the Jingkang Change, the Jin people were directly beaten to collapse, and even their ancestors died in Bianliang City. As a result, the Jingkang Change didn't develop into the Jingkang Shame, and Zhao Huan, who should have been taken to the north, still sat on the throne.

Then these clan daughters who were taken into the military camp really became the symbol of his shame in Zhao Huan's eyes.

Although not all of them were killed, Zhao Huan also wanted to have a clean eye, especially since Su Xing expressed his threat to him nakedly, which also made Zhao Huan even more gloomy.

All the official women, clan daughters, and concubines who were taken into the Jin camp, if they were perfect bodies, were all put into the cold palace range, letting them fend for themselves. If they were damaged, almost all of them had disappeared silently.

And because of Zhao Huan's attitude, this so-called cold palace was the real cold palace, which belonged to the place where the emperor never wanted to see, but had no reason to kill.

Various money and grain were almost completely cut off, and there was no supply of charcoal, and other things were even more impossible. Basically, a normal person was locked in it, and at most lived for half a year or a year, either starving to death, freezing to death, or getting sick and dying. Basically, there could be no exceptions.

"The princess is sick..."

An said while wiping tears, "The cold palace can grow some vegetables and grain by itself, and there are some kind-hearted eunuchs who secretly gave some food and salt, and there are some old looms that can weave cloth by themselves, sell them through eunuchs, and exchange them for some food, but it's so cold, the cold palace is too cold, and the princess got sick not long after, and coughed up blood a few days ago..."

"I really have no way to think, I heard that the previous dynasty was very chaotic, I don't know what happened, I could only run out in the chaos, just thinking of finding you, immortal, but I know the people guarding the door, they are the people of the Golden Wu, if I come out, they will definitely take me, the humble concubine died, but the princess is no longer known..."

Su Xing took An and returned to the mansion, ordered warm water, thick porridge, cakes, etc., watching An carefully drink water, carefully eat porridge, her body was still trembling, Su Xing sighed, and asked people to take thick cotton clothes, and let An wear them.

An refused repeatedly, but after seeing Su Xing's calm face, she didn't dare not take it, and could only wear it on the beggar's outer clothes, and then had to kneel down to request Su Xing.

"No need to kneel, go, let's go to the imperial palace."

Su Xing was also decisive in action. Since he decided to save, then he should not be late, directly taking An and going to the imperial palace. 【134-

Upon learning that Wu Pifu had arrived at the imperial palace, Zhao Gou, who was in the middle of discussing how to head north with Zong Ze, Qin Gui, and others, felt his entire being turn sour; however, when he heard that Wu Pifu had headed toward the direction of the Cold Palace, he seemed to come back to life.

"The commoner Huan has committed a grave sin!"

Zhao Gou immediately called out loudly, then took his officials and hurriedly headed toward the Cold Palace.

This was Wu Pifu's first time coming to this Cold Palace, so naturally, he was unfamiliar with the layout, and as An walked slowly—seemingly ill herself—it wasn't long before Zhao Gou and his officials saw Wu Pifu from afar.

As the next Emperor of the Song Dynasty who had not yet ascended the throne but was already confirmed, Zhao Gou had no airs whatsoever; he walked ahead of the officials, and almost as soon as he had run up to Wu Pifu, he was about to kneel and prostrate himself.

Wu Pifu raised a hand, and a flow of Qi made it impossible for him to kneel; then, amidst Zhao Gou's horrified expression, Wu Pifu grabbed him and held him steady, saying earnestly and sincerely: "I do not like being knelt to. Zhao Gou, you must first treat yourself as a human being before I can treat you as one. I am not bloodthirsty; you can slowly think and come to understand this principle."

Zhao Gou was stunned, looking into Wu Pifu's eyes; his heart stirred, but this was not the time to think about such things. He immediately said: "My lord, please listen. The people in this Cold Palace are truly the result of the commoner Huan's sins. I was previously in constant danger, monitored and placed under house arrest by this commoner Huan, and I have been too busy these past few days; only now did I remember. I seek atonement, I seek atonement."

Wu Pifu let go of Zhao Gou and said: "This is your Zhao family's own private business, and I will not interfere. But Heaven has the virtue of cherishing life, so give them a way to survive. They are all suffering people; you do not need to give them glory or wealth, and their situation is not suitable for it, but at least give them food to eat, clothes to keep warm, and medical treatment when they are ill. Just like the common people I want you to treat well, treat them as common people, would that be acceptable?"

Zhao Gou agreed repeatedly. Wu Pifu paid him no mind and followed An forward, arriving at a dilapidated courtyard; the moment he stepped inside, he felt a chill.

It was not just a chill in temperature, but a certain supernatural chill.

The imperial palace was full of those who had died unjustly, especially in this Dream World with supernatural powers. Originally, there was the National Fortune Golden Dragon to suppress everything, but since Zhao Huan had structured the Buddhist Mi Sect's evil cultivation and fused that National Fortune Golden Dragon with evil magic artifacts, the Song Dynasty's National Fortune Golden Dragon had collapsed. It was unknown how long it would take to condense again, and these Cold Palaces were inevitably haunted by some evil spirits.

Never mind a young girl; even a full-grown, strong man would fall ill after staying there for long.

Wu Pifu followed An into a room in this dilapidated courtyard and, sure enough, saw Zhao Fubao lying unconscious on a broken bed, her face pale, covered haphazardly with some tattered quilt, and emitting a foul odor. An immediately began to wail, throwing herself to the bedside and half-lifting Zhao Fubao. Zhao Fubao's eyelids fluttered, but she lacked the strength to open them, and her breathing was incredibly weak; she was, in fact, at the point of death.

Seeing this, Wu Pifu sighed in his heart. Ignoring the stench and filth, he went straight to the bedside and reached out to pat Zhao Fubao on the back.

As his Qi circulated, his palm instantly became scorching hot. He controlled this Qi to penetrate Zhao Fubao's body, vibrating her internal organs and meridians. At the same time, Wu Pifu opened his mouth and let out a low roar, the sound controlled into a single line that fell directly onto Zhao Fubao's body, vibrating the areas where cold Qi had accumulated within her from the outside in.

In just over ten seconds, Zhao Fubao's complexion immediately turned rosy, and sweat beads appeared on her skin. She, who had been at death's door, actually opened her eyes.

However, Zhao Fubao was still in a daze and a fog, seeing only An, and then Wu Pifu, whose hand was pressed against her back.

"... Young Master, is it you?"

Zhao Fubao's crisp yet hoarse voice rang out, and her eyelids began to close again.

"Sleep for a while. You will be fine when you wake up."

Wu Pifu said softly. Under the soothing effect of this voice, Zhao Fubao closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep again.

With matters at this point, Wu Pifu sighed for the third time. He then reached out, rolled the tattered quilt around Zhao Fubao, picked her up, and turned to the stunned Zhao Gou and his officials, saying: "Zhao Fubao will live in my residence from now on."

Having said this, he ignored the reactions of Zhao Gou and the others, turned around, and walked away directly, with An trotting along behind him.

!

At this moment, a small green bird fell from the sky, landing beside Zhao Fubao's small face, and with a chirp, it gently rubbed its little head against Zhao Fubao's cheek.

After a long while, once Wu Pifu was no longer in sight, Zhao Gou was filled with wild joy, as were the officials. Although no one said anything, this wild joy undoubtedly made them feel much more at ease.

Along the way, Wu Pifu ignored the reactions and gazes of others; he only thought incessantly in his heart about how to settle Zhao Fubao.

Because she was the twin sister of the mute girl, even if only for the sake of the mute girl's image, he was willing to protect this young girl. But other than that, he couldn't really treat her as a wife or concubine, could he?

That made no sense.

So he had to find something for her to do.

Wu Pifu asked An: "Does your Princess know how to read?"

An was stunned and immediately replied: "The Princess has been educated in reading since she was young, and she has read classics like the Admonitions for Women, and she can even..."

Wu Pifu interrupted her: "Knowing how to read is enough."

Without further ado, Wu Pifu carried Zhao Fubao and brought An back to the mansion. He arranged a building for them to live in and let the maids and eunuchs in the mansion know that there were two more permanent residents. As for how they would get along with these maids and eunuchs, he believed that having lived in the royal family for so long, they would naturally know; he did not need to worry about that.

Once everything was settled, Zhao Fubao was left to be cared for by An. Seeing this, An immediately took on an air of authority, selecting four people from the maids and four from the eunuchs, then ordering this and that, personally arranging a medicinal bath, and personally serving Zhao Fubao as she washed up.

Leaving that aside, Wu Pifu went to the study, took out a sheet of rice paper, and wrote down some words from time to time.

At this moment, the bird flew to the desk, tilted its head, and chirped at him twice.

Wu Pifu shook his head and said: "She is not the mute girl, but since I want to protect her, I will just have to endure it. Besides, I have some ideas."

The bird chirped in confusion.

"A library!"

Wu Pifu said: "Since this world had those great demons and spiritual energy of heaven and earth a long, long time ago, and previously specified the Iron Smelting Record, it proves that this world must contain those high-level cultivation techniques."

The bird was ignorant. Wu Pifu smiled, reached out, and rubbed its head: "You currently rely entirely on instinct to absorb monster cores; that won't do. If there are monster clan techniques, it will certainly be of great benefit to your strength. Moreover, this world is now my rear area, my base camp, so tapping into the potential of this world is an imperative task."

"I have decided to sweep through the world, clearing out the monsters and ghosts of this world, especially those evil cultivators, like the Mi Sect—they actually dared to come and kill me, so how can I not return the favor? At the same time, I will collect all the cultivation techniques in this world. I will let the Zhao Song help me collect them together, and I will let Zhao Fubao help me organize and categorize them, searching for clues to various techniques or heavenly treasures."

Wu Pifu looked at the bird and said earnestly: "That is my arrangement for her."

(End of chapter)