At the beginning of the new year, carloads of corpses were pushed out of the palace in the early morning light and thrown into the mass graves.
The corpses of Empress Zhou and Pei Changzhou were also thrown into the mass grave together. They were wrapped in broken straw mats and were not fed to the dogs. They were just burned cleanly, saving two coffins.
On the first day of the new year, the palace was shrouded in gloom, and there was no joy of the new year.
In the evening, another news came out from the harem that the second princess, Pei Lingbi, had hanged herself.
I heard that when the little maid discovered her body, her body was already stiff and cold, her legs were straightened, and her tongue was sticking out, it was very frightening and frightened even the maids and eunuchs.
For a while, everyone in the palace became more and more cautious, and they didn't dare to make any noise or make noise, for fear of causing any crime.
Such a quiet and depressing atmosphere lasted until the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, when the spring break ended, all civil and military officials returned to court, and the court began to operate.
It was just the first morning court of the new year, Emperor Zhaokang was absent.
Li Gui, the head of the imperial court, held Fuchen in his arms, his pale and beardless face was also somewhat haggard. Standing up straight, he first informed the civil and military officials that His Majesty was unwell due to the cold and could not preside over the morning court.
Afterwards, he read out an imperial decree, the general content was that Empress Zhou and the three princes conspired against the palace, and they would be removed from the jade document and relegated to common people from now on, without any relationship with the royal family.
In the end, Li Gui looked at the crown prince who stood at the head of His Royal Highness Jinlong, bowed his waist, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, Your Majesty ordered that until he recovers, you will temporarily handle all the government affairs in the court on his behalf."
Pei Yan seemed to have guessed it a long time ago, there was no trace of emotion on his handsome and cold face, he nodded slightly, and said softly, "I know."
After a pause, he added another sentence, "Boss Li said something for Gu, let my father rest well, and I will be diligent in dealing with court affairs, and will never disappoint my father's high expectations."
"Yes, the servant will definitely bring the words to you." Li Gui hurriedly responded, and ordered someone to add a red sandalwood throne with moire inlaid teeth beside the dragon chair in the center.
Pei Yan walked up the exquisite white marble steps step by step, and glanced at the high and shining golden dragon chair out of the corner of his eye.
In a daze, he thought of the scene when his father hugged him and sat on the dragon chair when he was a child.
At that time, the father gave him the jade seal to play with, and said to him lovingly and affirmatively, "Yan'er, you are the crown prince, and this position will be yours from now on."
How he answered at that time, I can't remember now.
It's just that he always kept in mind that this position was destined to be his, and no one else had the right to covet it.
Pei Yan narrowed his black eyes, withdrew his thoughts, turned around, and Shi Shiran sat on the additional cloud pattern throne.
He was wearing a prince's dress, his jet-black hair was tied up and fixed with a golden crown inlaid with white jade. A white jade belt of the same color was tied around his waist, a sachet and a jade pendant were worn, his figure was tall and straight, his face was handsome, and his young brows and eyes were calm and majestic that did not match his age.
There were quite a few old officials in the audience, and when they looked up and saw the person in the seat, they thought it was their own eyesight—
For a moment, they thought that time traveled back to twenty years ago, and the young Emperor Zhaokang was sitting at the head.
Although the appearance is not completely similar, the aura exuded by the father and son is exactly the same, so powerful that it cannot be ignored.
Pei Yan casually rubbed the jade finger on his thumb, looked down at all the military officials below the stage, and said in a deep voice, "My loves, let's start discussing politics."
This calm and unhurried aura of the superior made everyone in the hall dare not make mistakes, and started to play the right one by one, honestly.
...
East Palace, Yaoguang Palace.
With so many incidents happening in the palace one after another, Tao Ti's mood couldn't get better.
It's not that she sympathizes with Empress Zhou and Pei Changzhou, it's just that it's the New Year's Eve, so many people have died, and she's always feeling sad and unmotivated.
During this period of time, the only thing that can make her happy is that the business of the milk tea shop is getting more and more prosperous in winter. Even if the daily limit is increased to 200 cups, the supply is still in short supply, and it is hard to find a milk.
Besides, when Tao Ti knew that Emperor Zhaokang was too ill to go to court, she looked worried and asked Pei Yan with a frown, "Your Highness, the emperor is ill, should I visit him as a daughter-in-law?"
Pei Yan's black eyes moved slightly, and he said calmly, "No need to go."
Tao Ti was startled, and hesitated, "If you don't go, it won't be good."
Pei Yanyan pulled her to sit in his arms, gently rubbed her delicate palms with rough fingertips, tightened the corners of his mouth, and said in a deep voice, "Father needs to rest now. He will recover after a while." I'll take you to visit him later, huh?"
As his son has already said that, Tao Ti couldn't say anything more, so she just nodded slightly, "That's fine."
Pei Yan didn't speak any more, just hugged her from behind, buried his head in her neck, closed his eyes wearily, and rested.
Since he stopped taking the medicine that pretended to be sick, his body temperature has gradually returned to normal, no longer cold and pale, but like a normal young man, scorching hot, extraordinarily hot.
For example, at this moment, his body is like a thick quilt, wrapping Tao Ti tightly, making her a little hot.
Tao Ti knew that he must be tired after a day of government affairs, she let him hold her, her eyes drooped, but she was thinking in her heart——
Is Emperor Zhaokang really sick
Although she didn't know exactly what happened on New Year's Eve, seeing Pei Yan's attitude towards Emperor Zhaokang was obviously different from before.
The alienation and indifference are obvious.
She wanted to ask Pei Yan several times, but seeing that he was busy and tired these days, she couldn't bear to ask.
She vaguely felt that what happened that day must be unpleasant, and since it would make Pei Yan uncomfortable, she didn't mention it.
After that, another snow fell in Chang'an City.
Pei Yan took charge of the government affairs and became more and more busy, leaving early and late became the norm.
Tao Ti gradually got used to it. Anyway, no matter how late she was busy, Pei Yan would go back to the Yaoguang Palace to settle down and fall asleep with her arms around her.
In such a cold weather, Tao Ti's body became more and more lazy. Every day, she just wanted to lie on the couch to enjoy the fire, eat, and sleep.
In the afternoon of that day, she had enough to eat and drink, leaning on the ginger-yellow embroidered light and green folding flower pillow, flipping through the storybook to pass the time.
As soon as I saw the key part of "the fox demon reveals his true face in front of the scholar", he heard salutes coming from outside the hall.
Tao Ti was slightly startled, and subconsciously looked towards the door, only to see Pei Yan bypassing the seven-foot landscape rosewood screen, lifting the crystal bead curtain and walking in.
There was a trace of surprise in Tao Ti's black and shiny eyes, and he said in surprise, "Your Highness? Why did you come back so early today?"
Pei Yan took off the black cloak on his body, handed it to the maid at the side, strode up to Tao Ti and sat down, staring at her with a warm smile in his black eyes, "You forgot what today is?" Shangyuan Festival?"
Shangyuan Festival.
Tao Ti blinked her eyes and realized after a while, "Wow, it's fifteen so soon?"
She didn't seem to do anything, just passed a year in a daze
Seeing her ignorant appearance, Pei Yan couldn't help but raised her hand and pinched her cheek, "I knew that you, a little fool, had forgotten the day, so I shouldn't have rushed to approve the booklet." It's over. After rushing all morning, my wrists are sore from writing."
Tao Ti also remembered what Pei Yan had promised before. He said that he would take her to play outside the palace on the Lantern Festival.
At the thought of playing, she immediately became energetic.
She immediately put the script aside, took his hand, and said in a soft voice, "Is your right hand sore? I'll rub it for you, and it won't be sore... But you have to keep your word, promise to take it with you." If I go out to play in the palace, I can't break my promise..."
Pei Yan lowered his eyes and saw her pink and tender cheeks like peaches, and the way she rubbed his hands muttering to him, he felt warmth in his heart, and the corners of his lips unconsciously raised a gentle arc.
"I won't break my promise."
As long as he promised her, he would never break his promise.
The two got together and got intimate for a while, then got up and packed up, ready to go out.
The days are short in winter, and when it was just getting dark, a carriage with a canopy and green curtains slowly drove out of the majestic palace gate.
In the carriage, Tao Ti was wearing a lotus-colored solid gauze dark-pattern begonia stand-up collar, with a swastika pattern Ruyi mother-of-pearl buttons on the collar, a plain white dress underneath, and a simple but dignified concentric bun. The gemstone bead flower hairpin is behind the temples, and the whole person looks pure and elegant, with a noble and pure temperament.
Like her, Pei Yan also wore a light-colored robe. Although the style was ordinary, it couldn't stand up to his handsome appearance. He didn't need more gorgeous and expensive accessories. Just wearing such a simple outfit was enough to show his dignity and aloofness.
Tao Ti is very satisfied with their outfits today, standing together is like wearing couple outfits, they match very well.
The last time she went out of the palace was to go to Lishan Hot Spring years ago, now after a depressing year, she can finally go out of the palace to get some fresh air, Tao Ti couldn't hide her excitement.
"Your Highness, the street is so lively!" She raised the corner of the car curtain and looked out, her eyes lit up.
I saw all kinds of lanterns hanging on the spacious street, row upon row of tiles in the market, people who came out to enjoy the lantern festival crowded shoulder to shoulder, most of them held a lantern in their hands, and they chatted and laughed while shopping, which was like a festive atmosphere in the world. .
"There's a big phoenix lantern hanging on the upper floor in front, it's really beautiful." Tao Ti was full of interest.
Is this the Lantern Festival in ancient times, the excitement is not lost to modern times.
Pei Yan looked at her sideways, and seeing the light and shadow of the lantern reflected in her clear eyes, he also bent his eyes and said softly, "Well, it's so pretty."
I don't know whether to praise the lamp or people.
The carriage walked slowly through the main street, and finally stopped at Dongshikou.
The east and west cities are the most lively places in Chang'an City during the Shangyuan Festival. Two rows of long lanterns are hung at the entrance of the square, and they glow with romantic light in the hazy night.
"Here we are." Pei Yan said, and picked up the vermilion cloak that was put aside, and put it on Tao Tizai carefully.
His slender fingers fastened the buckle slowly, and he warned in a warm voice, "There are many people on the street, I will hold you later, don't get separated from me."
Tao Ti had already flown to the busy street with her heart, and said casually, "I'm not a child anymore. Besides, if I get lost, I can go to the government office without fear at all."
Pei Yan's dark eyes froze.
Immediately, he reached out and pinched her chin, turned her little head around, and forced her to look into his deep black eyes.
He opened his thin lips lightly, "You are not afraid, I am."
Tao Ti was taken aback.
Pei Yan raised her eyebrows, patted her little head lovingly, and put the light gauze hat on her again, "Okay, get out of the car."