Tianliangyuan

Chapter 429 Lucky Star Picks the Auspicious Melon

The legends surrounding Lu Duan are quite widespread, and it is said that the earliest account of its name comes from Qin Shi Huang.

After Qin Shi Huang destroyed the six states and unified the world, he collected treasures from the people everywhere to fill the imperial palace.

He enjoyed taming exotic birds and beasts, and built a "bird and beast park" on thousands of acres of land outside Xianyang to collect rare birds and beasts.

Qin Shi Huang asked the garden officials, "I want to see unique wild animals in the world. Can you catch them?"

The official in charge of the park said, "I do not know what kind of beast it is, so I dare not claim that I can catch it."

Upon hearing this, Qin Shi Huang found it reasonable and said, "Then I order you to crossbreed the animals in the garden to breed strange beasts."

The garden official dared not disobey the order: "As you command."

After that, the officials of the "Beast Park" were busy for several years.

One day, they saw a huge bison about to give birth, and it gave birth to a pair of one-horned monsters, one male and one female.

Its shape is bizarre, with a rhinoceros horn, a lion's body, a dragon's back, bear's claws, fish scales, and an ox's tail.

The officials were overjoyed and discussed how to name it before reporting the good news to Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

The Emperor Qin was delighted to see these two strange beasts he had never seen before. He asked, "What are the names of these beasts?"

The garden official hurriedly replied, "Jiaoduan."

Qin Shi Huang asked, "Why was this name chosen?"

The park official explained: "This beast has a single horn, which grows upright in the center of its head, perfectly balanced, hence the name 'Horned Horn.'"

Qin Shi Huang said, "The name Jiao Duan is still lacking. I bestow upon it the name Lu Duan. Does anyone understand the meaning of Lu Duan?"

An official from the garden said cautiously, "His Majesty bestowed the name Lu Duan, with the following meaning: the character 'Jiao' has seven strokes and its top part resembles two horns, referring to the horns of a two-horned beast; the character 'Lu' has six strokes and its top part resembles a single horn, referring to the horns of a unicorn. His Majesty's change is excellent."

Qin Shi Huang laughed and said, "Indeed, what a clever man." He then appointed him to be in charge of breeding the offspring of the Lu Duan.

From then on, the Lu Duan appeared in the world.

There are many legends about Lu Duan. The most widely circulated one is that it can travel 18,000 li a day, speak, and understand the languages ​​of the four barbarian tribes. It is also classified as an auspicious beast that can only appear when a "wise and virtuous ruler" is in power, and is listed alongside Zhou Shi, Fu Ba, and Qilin.

It is precisely because of so many legends that Emperor Yong'an was naturally overjoyed to see that he had obtained something that was extremely similar to the Lu Duan.

Does this foreshadow that Heaven is reminding its people that he is a wise and benevolent ruler?

"Your Majesty, it is recorded in the books that Lu Duan travels 18,000 li a day, can speak, and understands the languages ​​of the four barbarian tribes. When a wise and sage ruler is on the throne and understands the hidden matters beyond the world, Lu Duan will come with a book. Although we have not seen its true form yet, this transformed fruit can also demonstrate Your Majesty's virtuous and holy reputation."

The courtiers all offered their congratulations, saying, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Regardless, this is ultimately a good omen.

As an emperor, how could he not want to become a great emperor for all time?

The appearance of this auspicious sign seems to be a good start.

Soon, someone suggested that the melon be picked and then presented to His Majesty.

But the question is, how do we pick it?

After it's picked, may Your Majesty eat it?

Although the imperial physicians just said there was nothing wrong, who can guarantee it?

After all, nobody has eaten a single bite!

This melon, after being separated from the melon field, did not break off from the vine. Because of this, no one dared to approach and pick it, in case something else happened to the melon after it broke off from the vine.

"Your Majesty, I previously heard rumors circulating in the capital that Princess Anle is a celestial maiden descended to earth to assist a wise ruler. Now that this auspicious omen has appeared, why not invite Princess Anle to come and give it a try?"

The one who said this was an official from Jiang Taifu's faction.

And at first glance, this statement doesn't seem wrong.

Most of the people present had heard the rumors that Xu Zhaozhao was a lucky star, so they naturally felt that it would be best for her to pick or test the melons.

Emperor Yong'an sent someone to summon Princess Anle, while the emperor and his ministers moved to an empty palace.

Although this is a big deal, there are quite a few emperors and ministers present, so it won't be easy to get a share of the spoils.

Therefore, before Princess Anle arrived, Emperor Yong'an had only summoned a few important officials to the palace. After that, seven or eight more officials were brought into the palace.

Those who are able to enter are all key figures in Daxing, who have made great contributions to Daxing. If this fruit is edible, it should naturally be shared with these meritorious officials.

"Your Majesty, if this is edible, the Empress and the princes can also share in the good fortune."

The minister's suggestion was naturally approved by Emperor Yong'an.

He immediately issued an imperial decree ordering the Empress to bring the young prince over.

Why only bring the young prince?

I've heard that the young prince is weak, and if this item truly possesses miraculous powers, then it should be able to restore the young prince's health.

Xu Zhaozhao had anticipated this. When she went to the imperial estate, she disguised herself and was mistaken for a servant of the Marquis's mansion. Therefore, no matter who investigated, they could not trace her back to Xu Zhaozhao.

Now, if we ask her to cut a melon, we can easily guess who suggested it.

Xu Zhaozhao is heavily pregnant now, and it's a bit difficult for her to squat down.

So several servants helped her; some supported her, and others helped support the melon.

In the end, Xu Zhaozhao took a pair of golden scissors and cut the melon off.

These strangely shaped melons were originally fed by Xu Zhaozhao using her supernatural abilities. If she wanted, she could even make these melons grow to the size of a Lu Duan.

But this is fine as long as it's not too scary.

The melons were picked, and then Xu Zhaozhao carried them into the palace herself.

Because Xu Zhaozhao's belly was already protruding, the people around her were naturally very careful, afraid that something else might happen.

Xu Zhaozhao didn't walk fast either, carrying a melon and panting as she entered the hall.

"Your Majesty, I have successfully completed my mission and picked this melon."

Emperor Yong'an was overjoyed: "Good! Quickly put it down, don't tire yourself out."

Xu Zhaozhao smiled, but inwardly she thought to herself, "You're worried about me getting tired, yet you still made me pick melons?"

After the melon is placed on the table, who will cut it?

The key point is that no one is sure what's inside this melon.

They had seen large melons before, but they had never seen one like this before, especially a golden one.

So, who will cut it?

Everyone looked at each other, and in the end, this important task fell to Xu Zhaozhao.

Xu Zhaozhao was not surprised at all.

Who can blame her? The rumors about her being a lucky charm have been spreading like wildfire lately.

Originally, some ministers suggested that His Majesty should pick the melons himself and cut them himself.

But what if something unexpected happens?

For example, if His Majesty cuts the melon and its color turns black, green, or even rots, how should we deal with it?

Ultimately, they all wanted to avoid trouble, thinking that it would be fine as long as His Majesty could enjoy the fruits of his labor. If something went wrong, they could kill a few people to vent their anger, but it wouldn't affect His Majesty's reputation for virtue.

Tsk, a bunch of old foxes!

Xu Zhaozhao didn't have so many concerns. This melon was grown using her special ability, and she also controlled the direction of some of the special abilities inside. Therefore, the first melon offered to His Majesty was naturally the one with the most abundant ability to repair special abilities.