The next day, in the afternoon.
The bright and clean sunshine of early winter shines in the courtyard. On the stone table under the big tree are two small pots of fat beef and rice noodles in sour soup. In the middle are a plate of attractive tiger skin chicken feet, a plate of stewed dried beans, and two dishes. Cup of warm bubble tea.
Tao Ti and Zhang were sitting opposite each other, and the cat Yuan Bao was lazily nestling at Tao Ti's feet, basking in the sun with her eyes squinted.
The two chatted about business matters, Mrs. Zhang tasted the mellow stewed dried tofu, and praised calmly, "This dried tofu is good, with a moderate salty fragrance, and the more you chew, the more flavorful it becomes. It’s perfect for drinking.”
"If mother wants to drink, I happened to brew several large jars of wine a while ago, and you can take some back to drink later." Tao Ti said while gnawing on a fragrant tiger skin chicken feet, the chicken feet were crispy and tender. It does not lose its elasticity, but the inside is stewed so crispy that it melts away after one sip. After one bite, you want to eat the second one, and you can't stop at all.
"Okay, the wine you make must be good." Mrs. Zhang responded with a smile, picked up chopsticks and ate the sour soup fat beef rice noodles.
Eating this kind of soup in winter is the best way to warm your body. The soup is sour and appetizing. Slices of snowflake fat beef greatly satisfy the pleasure of eating meat. The rice noodles are soft and elastic. The hot and sour soup is sweet and sour with a touch of spicy. Whoever eats it will know the fullness and warmth of happiness.
Seeing that Mrs. Zhang couldn't stop eating with her chopsticks, Tao Ti also secretly heaved a sigh of relief. She specially made this sour soup fat beef rice noodle.
After all, I have to discuss some important matters later, and I can feel better after drinking this sour and warm soup.
Not long after, the food on the table was eaten up.
Holding Yuanbao in her arms, Tao Ti went back to the back room with Mrs. Zhang.
After Linglong offered two cups of Lushan Yunwu tea, she quietly withdrew.
Tao Ti lightly stroked Yuan Bao's soft hair, thought it over, raised her head and said to Zhang, "Mother, I invite you into the palace today. Apart from discussing the opening of the store, there is actually one more thing..."
Mrs. Zhang held the teacup with one hand, and lifted the lid with the other hand. The moist tea scent lingered at the tip of her nose. Her brows and eyes were indifferent, waiting for Tao Ti to continue.
Tao Ti said, "Mother should have heard about the fact that Prime Minister Zuo is suspected of rebellion?"
Mrs. Zhang hummed.
Tao Ti was silent, took a deep breath and said, "I heard that the mansion is very close to the Zhou family..."
Having said that, Mrs. Zhang also understood.
She raised her eyes to look at Tao Ti, with a smile on the corner of her mouth, "Ah Ti, you don't need to go around, I know what you want to say."
Tao Ti was stunned.
Mrs. Zhang took a sip of her tea, put down her teacup, and sighed, "I tried to persuade your father before, but he was obsessed with ghosts and refused to listen. Since he is ruthless and unjust to our mother and mother, why should we worry about it?" Looking at him? Although he is your father, but such a father... don't mind. Anyway, I will reconcile with him. If the Hou Mansion really collapses, if you want to return to your mother's house in the future, you can come to my house. As long as I am still alive , you have a natal family!"
Seeing her thinking so openly, Tao Ti's tense heart also relaxed a lot. Before that, she was worried that Mrs. Zhang would miss some old love—
After all, Zhang is an ancient local woman who has lived with Yong Weihou for almost twenty years.
Tao Ti was happy to hear this reaction, but she didn't show it on her face, she just said softly, "Your Highness said, he will look at my face and stay brave and wait for his life."
Mrs. Zhang put down her teacup and sneered, "He's the most vain man, taking away his rich clothes and food, and leaving him a humble life, compared to killing him directly, it's more unbearable for him."
She narrowed her eyes, and the smile on her mouth became more and more mocking, "He chose this path by himself, and what happened to him after that is all his own fault, and I have nothing to do with it. But you, Ati, don't do it for the sake of it." This matter created a quarrel with His Highness and hurt the relationship between you two."
Tao Ti nodded and smiled at her, "Well, I know."
The two sat and chatted over a cup of tea again. When the sun faded, Mrs. Zhang got up to leave.
Tao Ti personally sent her to the gate of the hall.
After watching Mrs. Zhang get into the carriage, Tao Ti was just about to turn around and go back when she heard a voice calling from behind, "Ah Ti."
Tao Ti stopped and turned around slowly.
On the carriage, Mrs. Zhang lifted half of the curtain, revealing a graceful and dignified face.
Tao Ti was puzzled, "Is there anything else for mother?"
Mrs. Zhang didn't speak, she just stared fixedly at the petite and beautiful girl at the door, her eyes moved slightly.
The face is exactly the same, but in less than a year, the confident and generous demeanor around her is no longer what she looked like before she got married.
After a while, Mrs. Zhang forced out a smile, "It's okay, it's okay. I'm getting old and my memory is not good. I wanted to tell you a few words just now, but now I forgot."
She waved her hand to Tao Ti, "Okay, you go into the house quickly, I'm leaving too."
Tao Ti didn't think much about it, she nodded at her, then turned and went back.
Mrs. Zhang put down the car curtain, the smile on her face gradually subsided, and the curvature of her mouth sank together with the light in her eyes.
After a moment of silence, she lowered her head, covered her face with her hands, and wept loudly.
…
Seven days later, the Ministry of Criminal Justice and Dali Temple jointly wrote a letter, affirming that Zhou Pinglin, the left prime minister, concealed weapons and armor, formed a party for personal gain, and intended to rebel. Afterwards, all the censors at Yushitai also jointly impeached the Zhou family for disrespect and treason, etc., and demanded that Emperor Zhaokang deal with the Zhou family and their party members fairly.
Pei Changzhou also tried to intercede for the Zhou family in the court, Emperor Zhaokang was furious, and scolded him unceremoniously, without saving him any face.
Pei Changzhou was scolded so that his face turned red and white, his head drooped, and he retreated unwillingly holding his breath.
When Yushi impeached the Yongwei Houfu, Pei Changzhou suddenly gloated, quietly looked at Pei Yan, the leader, and thought: Don't you have a deep relationship with that bitch Tao Ti? Now that something happened to your father-in-law, what do you do? .
Many people in the hall had the same thoughts as Pei Changzhou, and all cast their eyes on the prince.
But the prince stood up unhurriedly, with a calm and calm face, cupped his hands and said to Emperor Zhaokang, "Father, although the Yongwei Hou Mansion is the Yue family of my son, but the Lord Hou has done such rebellious and foolish things, son Both the minister and the Crown Princess are very disappointed. The Crown Princess is sensible and general, and I hope that the Emperor Father can deal with it fairly, and don't have to lose justice because of the in-laws."
Not to mention the court ministers, even Emperor Zhaokang on the dragon chair frowned.
Emperor Zhaokang caressed the exquisitely carved handrails, his black eyes narrowed, but he couldn't tell that this Dow was cruel.
But that's fine, too weak, how can I manage the affairs of the harem in the future, how can I be the mother of the world
As long as Tao's heart is for the crown prince, he doesn't care, and doesn't want to care about the rest.
"Since the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess have said so, I will not forgive the crimes committed by the Yongweihou Mansion."
Next, Emperor Zhaokang announced in a cold voice that the men of the Zhou family, Ding, would be executed and the women in the mansion would be confiscated. They would be sent to the official slaves together with the servants of the prime minister's mansion to be sold in various places. The household department would be responsible for confiscating all the properties of the Zhou mansion. As for other officials involved with the Zhou family, those who were demoted were demoted, and those who were beheaded were beheaded.
After all, Emperor Zhaokang cared about the face of the Crown Princess, so he did not sentence the entire family of the Yongweihou Mansion to be executed, but deprived him of the title of Marquis, his family property was confiscated, and everyone in the Yongweihou Mansion was enslaved in the cold land of Beiyan, and they were not allowed to enter for three generations. Chang'an.
The imperial edicts were issued one after another, and the atmosphere in the court hall became extremely depressing.
Looking at Pei Changzhou's pale face, the courtiers had a common thought in their minds: His Royal Highness is gone.
Those courtiers who originally wanted to arrange the crown princess to be "ruthless, ungrateful, filial and fraternal" shut their mouths wisely. At this time, the East Palace is in full bloom, and they dare not talk nonsense.
—
Empress Zhou was once again rejected by Emperor Zhaokang.
Li Gui, the head of the imperial court, smiled apologetically, and said resentfully, "Empress, Your Majesty is busy with government affairs, so I really don't have time to see you."
Empress Zhou pursed her red lips. She always knew that Emperor Zhaokang was cruel. I am afraid that even if she stood to death today, he would not come out to take a look.
It's just that when she thought about the fate of the Zhou family, she felt that the blood all over her body was congealed, and she really couldn't help it.
Li Gui continued, "Your Majesty asked the old servant to give the empress a message. The second princess is not in a good state of mind. Empress, you have time to intercede for the treacherous minister. Why don't you spend more time with the second princess..."
After all, Pei Lingbi is the daughter of the royal family. This happened on the day of her wedding. I heard that she is a little crazy. Emperor Zhaokang ordered people to take Pei Lingbi back to the palace, and locked her in the former palace, and ordered people to take care of her.
When she just returned to the palace, Empress Zhou went to see her, but she was frightened by her dazed daughter at that time. After holding her unconscious daughter and crying for a while, she didn't go to see her again.
After all, her daughter is useless, so she should focus on saving the Zhou family and seize any opportunity she can.
Seeing Empress Zhou's dazed expression, Li Gui reminded again, "Empress Empress, it's cold outside, you should go back first."
The palace maid also supported Queen Zhou, and softly persuaded, "Your Majesty, let's go."
It's been standing here for almost two hours, and the servants like them are frozen stiff, not to mention the empress, who is so precious.
Empress Zhou was silent for a long time, and looked at Li Gui indifferently, "Then please tell your majesty, Eunuch Li, that I will go back first."
Li Gui bent even lower, "Yes, ma'am, go slowly."
Empress Zhou's legs were numb, most of her body was leaning on the big maid, and she tried her best to get onto the sedan chair.
Before leaving, she looked back at the majestic and majestic Qinzheng Palace, and she could even imagine the indifferent expression of Emperor Zhaokang sitting in front of the table in that huge and quiet palace.
The most ruthless emperor's family.
Back then, Gu Qu's sword was pierced into his chest, and he was able to let go of the Gu family. Now that the Zhou family's rebellion is full of doubts, instead of seeking the truth, he ransacked all the men of the Zhou family and sent the women into slavery... This eccentricity , It's just out of bounds.
Empress Zhou's fingers tightened little by little, and the carefully maintained long nails sank deeply into the flesh, and then snapped off.
She doesn't feel pain either.
…
As the new year was approaching, Emperor Zhaokang did not want to massacre, so he specially set the day when Zhou's family would be executed on the third day of February next year.
"This rebellion is so strange. Father clearly knew it was framed, but he was aiming at Pei Yan! To the East Palace! He knew that this was Pei Yanbu's game, but he was willing to be fooled by Pei Yan! Pei Yan was his Son, aren't Lingbi and I his children?"
Pei Changzhou was furious and terrified. After a burst of impotent rage, he looked at Queen Zhou helplessly, "Queen Mother, is it true that uncle can't be rescued?"
Empress Zhou sat down with a gloomy expression, "I was mistaken. I never expected that useless woman Gu Yan to give birth to such a scheming wolf cub. If I had known this, I should have..."
She shut her mouth, her beautiful eyes were full of annoyance.
After pondering for a while, she said in a sarcastic and shrill voice, "Now that Pei Yan is in good health, and the Gu family has regained a foothold in Chang'an, your father is helping the East Palace to deal with our Zhou family, what else can we do? Wait for Pei Yan to take over, Get rid of us one by one? Or beg him for mercy now, please him servilely, maybe he can spare our lives?"
Pei Changzhou clenched his fists, his eyes were red, "How could I beg him for mercy? What kind of person is he!"
He had endured it for so many years. He thought that the position of the crown prince was in his hands, but he never expected that the situation would reverse in one day.
How can he accept this? !
Empress Zhou stared at him quietly, "Who can be the prince is ultimately determined by your father. As for you and Pei Yan, who has a higher position in his heart, I don't need to say more about it."
Pei Changzhou's face was pale, his figure shook twice, and he kept saying "what should I do" repeatedly.
Seeing Empress Zhou sitting with a blank expression on her face, Pei Changzhou hurried forward, as if grabbing the last straw, "Mother, please think of a way, you can't let Pei Yan be the crown prince, absolutely not... he and That Tao Ti hates me, and they will never let me go."
He was in a hurry, and suddenly said, "That's right! Since he can find an assassin, then I can also find an assassin. Let's kill him and kill him once and for all."
Empress Zhou closed her eyes, her voice was flat, "If you kill him, will your father make you the crown prince? Oh, your father may kill you with his own hands to comfort his beloved son who lives in heaven. As for the position of crown prince , he would rather choose Primary Four and Primary Five than you."
Pei Changzhou's eyes were red, and he said fiercely, "Then do nothing but kill them too! The only son left is me, the emperor, and he can only establish me."
Empress Zhou slowly opened her eyes, her eyes filled with deep and strong hatred and madness, she said sadly, "Since you plan to kill all the princes, why don't you just kill your father?"
These words startled Pei Changzhou.
All along, he only wanted to deal with his brothers, and never thought of killing the king and father.
In his heart, the father is like a god, high and inviolable, and he has always been in awe.
Even though he always complained about his father's partiality, annoyed that he didn't pay enough attention to himself, and hated him for treating Pei Yan so gently, but deep down in his heart, he still wanted to get close to his father, and one day he wanted to get his affirmation.
But at this moment, the queen mother called him a regicide
Pei Changzhou looked at Empress Zhou in astonishment, his voice trembling, "Mother, you, why do you have such thoughts."
"He forced me to!"
A glint of predation flashed in Empress Zhou's eyes, and she gritted her teeth and said, "We have endured for so many years, and we have endured for so many years, but in the end, we were played around by their father and son. Rather than groveling under the hands of that little beast, I would rather die and fight with my back , the big deal is that the fish will die and the net will be broken, and I will never live in mediocrity!"
Gu Yan, back then I could let you die, and now I can kill their father and son as well.
You just wait, wait until I send the emperor and your son, and let your family reunite in Huangquan.