In the side hall of Zichen Palace, the lights lit up the hall, making it even more resplendent and resplendent.
In front of the long table made of pear blossom wood, the head seat was vacant, and on the right was Empress Zhou, and below that were Pei Changzhou and Pei Lingbi, as well as Concubine Xu Gui, the fifth prince, mother and son, and Concubine Shu, the fourth prince, mother and son. The table was full. .
Pei Yan and Tao Ti walked forward slowly, greeted each other one by one, and then took their seats.
On Tao Ti's left is Pei Yan, and on his right is the Fifth Prince.
The fifth prince was extremely excited when he saw her, and his eyebrows were beaming. If it wasn't for the occasion, the little overlord would have jumped up long ago.
Seeing his expression of wanting to speak but holding back, Tao Ti couldn't help laughing and said, "Xiao Wu, I haven't seen you for a month, you seem to have grown taller again."
When the fifth prince heard it, his little face turned red, and he said in a low voice, "I listen to you every day, a glass of milk a day."
Tao Ti smiled and said "That's good", then turned to chat with Concubine Xu again.
Not long after, Emperor Zhaokang walked in, and the hall fell silent instantly.
He changed into a vine-yellow uniform with a dragon pattern, which was not as imposing as in the daytime, but the majesty around him still made people dare not look directly at him.
Everyone stood up one after another and saluted Emperor Zhaokang respectfully.
Emperor Zhaokang strode to the upper seat, and said loudly, "Today is a family banquet, so there is no need to be polite, just sit down."
After he took his seat, everyone sat down.
With a wave of Li Gui's fly whisk, the palace people rushed in one by one, and delicate dishes were served one by one, as well as fruits, pastries and drinks. In just a moment, the table was full, and the delicacies were delicious, full of color, fragrance, and mouth-watering.
Emperor Zhaokang picked up the wine glass and was about to raise it to say a few words, when he suddenly thought of something, he turned to look at Pei Yan, "Yan'er, can your wound be stained with wine?"
Pei Yanwen said, "Going back to the emperor, my son's injuries have been recuperating for more than half a month, and he has almost recovered. The imperial doctor said that he should not drink too much, but it is not a problem to drink a few cups."
Emperor Zhaokang nodded, "Okay, then you only drink three cups today."
As he spoke, he signaled the palace servants to fill everyone's cups with wine, raised their glasses and said, "This time the prince went to Luoyang for inspection, worked hard all the way, and fell into a dangerous situation. Fortunately, my ancestor Dayuan protected my son." Come back safely... come, let’s raise our glasses and congratulate the crown prince on his safe return to court."
"Congratulations to the crown prince's safe return to court." After everyone at the table finished speaking together, they picked up their wine glasses and drank in one gulp.
Tao Ti also drank it all, and she pursed her lips with some unsatisfactory taste. This is indeed the royal wine treasured by the emperor. It's just that the cup is too small, and she emptied it after taking a sip.
After drinking the first glass of wine, the feast is over.
Although it was a family banquet, because of the presence of the emperor, no one dared to say much, and most of them ate in silence. Occasionally, someone would speak out, and it was the empress and the two concubines persuading food and wine.
When he was almost done eating, Emperor Zhaokang put down his chopsticks and poured himself a glass of wine. After drinking, those deep eyes looked straight at Pei Yan, and said in a deep voice, "Yan'er, tell Father, what happened on the boat that day?"
Pei Yan unhurriedly picked up the handkerchief and pressed the corners of his lips, calmly met Emperor Zhaokang's gaze, and told the story of the future—
"... Just when the assassin drew his sword and wanted to stab Erchen with the second sword, it was the crown princess who smashed a vase over, which made the assassin miss and failed. The assassin still wanted to move, but the crown princess was desperate He rushed over and knocked away the assassin. At that time, the son was already exhausted, and accidentally fell into the river. The crown princess also jumped down to save the son... "
Having said that, Pei Yan glanced at Tao Ti gently.
Tao Ti held the chopsticks and looked back at him in surprise.
Why are you still making up a story? But listening to him claiming credit for her and saying good things for her, she felt warm and sweet in her heart.
"Later we drifted to a village, and fortunately met a kind-hearted Yaonong family, who took us in. After resting at the Yaonong's house for a few days, Zhanping and the others came to find us."
Pei Yan didn't add any details, but only described a few sentences in such a simple way, but the danger in it, as long as you think about it carefully, you will know that it is extraordinary.
Emperor Zhaokang's face was not very good-looking, the corners of his lips were straightened, and he drank another glass of wine.
"The imperial doctor told me that you have three serious injuries and twenty-five minor injuries. Among them, the sword on the chest is only a little short..." Emperor Zhaokang stretched out his hand to compare, and his eyes became darker, "It's only a little bit worse." , to stab your heart. Yan'er, I almost lost sight of you."
Pei Yan pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and chose to remain silent.
Tao Ti felt wronged for him, she felt that little angel Pei Yan was too sensible and gentle.
Crying children have milk, if he doesn't express the grievance in his heart, how can Emperor Zhao Kang pay more attention to this matter
Biting her lip, Tao Ti drank the wine glass in front of her, put it down again, and mustered up her courage to look at Emperor Zhaokang, "Father, my daughter-in-law has something to say."
Everyone present, including Emperor Zhaokang, was a little surprised.
Emperor Zhaokang glanced at her with his deep eyes, and said a low "hmm".
"His Highness explained clearly the circumstances of the assassination. But the process of being rescued after falling into the water is not as simple as His Highness said."
Tao Ti said in a gloomy tone, "Your Highness was injured in many places. After falling into the water, he lost a lot of blood, and the Luohe River was so fast that I couldn't take him back to the shore. I had to tie our hands together with a rope, at least not to let him go." We drifted apart. In this way, the two of us drifted on the Luohe River for a full night, and we drifted forty miles away from Luoyang City."
Hearing the more specific journey, Concubine Xu Gui covered her lips in surprise, "My God, it's such a long journey."
Concubine Shu at the side also echoed with emotion, "The prince and princess are really blessed by heaven, Amitabha."
After they finished speaking, Tao Ti continued, "After going ashore, Your Highness had a high fever. His whole body was so hot that he lost consciousness. It was the first time I went out to find someone to help me, and I also met a man who wanted to get rich and kill me." Bad guy, fortunately His Highness woke up in time to avoid that danger."
Emperor Zhaokang was stunned, his thick eyebrows frowned, and he looked at Pei Yan, "Why didn't you mention this in the letter submitted by Zheng Xuan?"
Pei Yandao, "It's just a trivial matter, talking about it will only increase Father's worries..."
"It's not a trivial matter, it's just a little short. If the Orion really succeeds, we both have to explain where we are." Tao Ti said anxiously, with a look of fear on her face.
Pei Yan was silent.
Tao Ti continued, "Fortunately, I got help from Yao Nong later, but His Highness's wound has been soaked in water for a long time. In order to avoid infection, he used scissors to goug out a lot of carrion. He was sweating in pain, and he didn't cry One sound. After the wound was healed, he burned it again and again several times... If it wasn't for the good medical skills of the old Yao Nong, His Highness might be... "
She didn't continue talking, and everyone at the table fell silent.
Concubine Xu, Concubine Shu, mother and son, frowned and looked heavy.
Pei Lingbi lowered her head, fiddled with her fingers boredly, thinking, in so many dangers, this sick man and this little slut can come back alive, God is really blind! Why not let them die outside.
Pei Changzhou thought the same thing, he just felt that Pei Yan's life was really tough. But hearing that he suffered so much and suffered so much, I was very happy in my heart.
Emperor Zhaokang clenched his fists, thinking about something uncertainly.
When he looked up again, his eyes suddenly became suspicious, and he swept across the people present, except Pei Yan and Tao Ti—
After a long while, he looked back faintly, and smiled angrily, "King Mu, what a King Mu; he raised a good son and married a good poisonous woman! How dare they hurt my crown prince? It seems that they are tired of their jobs!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone at the table lowered their heads one after another, and the atmosphere became extremely depressed.
Emperor Zhaokang raised his hand and patted Pei Yan's shoulder, and said with a serious expression, "Don't worry, Father will seek justice for you."
Pei Yan was stunned, raised his eyes and said, "Father?"
Emperor Zhaokang said, "Since your Seventh Emperor Uncle's family is tired of work, I will give them a ride."
He was clearly talking about ransacking his family and exterminating his family, but he seemed to be discussing the weather today, his tone was so calm that it was creepy.
Pei Yan frowned and wanted to persuade him again, but Emperor Zhaokang raised his hand to signal him not to say any more.
Turning his face, Emperor Zhaokang looked at Tao Ti again, his usually indifferent gaze was a little more gentle, "Crown Princess, you are not bad."
Although it was only six simple words, the affirmation contained in it made Tao Ti feel relieved all of a sudden.
She said humbly, "Thank you, Father, for your compliment."
It's almost enough for a meal here.
Emperor Zhaokang ordered Li Gui to prepare a lot of precious gifts, most of which were given to Pei Yan and a small part to Tao Ti. Of course, after Pei Yan got the reward, he didn't keep any of it, and all of them were sent to Yaoguang Palace and entered into Tao Ti's private treasury.
The banquet spread out, and the fifth prince ran to Tao Ti and Pei Yan, cared for them sincerely, and said to Tao Ti, "Sister-in-law of the Crown Princess, please rest for two days. Take Xiao Liu to play with you. I, I... Well, it's Xiao Liu, Xiao Liu misses you."
Tao Ti bent her lips and smiled softly, "Okay, welcome."
On the other side, Empress Zhou's mother and son also dispersed at the gate of the palace. Pei Changzhou built a mansion a few years ago and moved out of the palace.
Gorgeous palace lanterns led the way ahead, Pei Lingbi held Queen Zhou's hand affectionately, and walked side by side in the long and dark palace alley.
The surrounding area was very quiet. Pei Lingbi held back all night, but finally she couldn't hold back, and asked Queen Zhou in a low voice, "Queen Mother, does Emperor Father mean to kill the whole family of Uncle Qihuang?"
Empress Zhou's expression turned serious, and she said in a deep voice, "Shut up."
She didn't deny it, just acquiesced.
Pei Lingbi couldn't help shivering, her hands trembling a little, "How can I say that Uncle Qihuang is also Father's brother, Father...how can he bear it?"
Empress Zhou glanced at her coldly, "Brothers are not brothers, and it's not from one mother. If it's from one mother, since ancient times, there have been few incidents of brothers in the royal family fighting against each other and father and son fighting each other? After all, it is true. Your Seventh Emperor Uncle committed crimes by himself, he can't manage his son well, and he can't control his concubine... who can be blamed for the crimes he committed?"
After saying this, Pei Lingbi's heart turned cold, he hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Queen mother, then, if the emperor father knew that the emperor brother and I wrote a letter to King Mu, would he kill us too? I just had dinner. At the time, Father seemed to be looking at us, his eyes were so cold, it made my scalp numb."
Feeling Pei Lingbi's trembling hand, Empress Zhou snorted coldly, "I didn't know how to use my brain when I did stupid things, but now I know I'm afraid?"
Seeing that Pei Lingbi was about to cry, Queen Zhou said slowly, "Don't worry, your uncle and I will take care of it."
Even if Emperor Zhaokang suspected them in his heart, he would not be prone to attack without evidence.