Xiao Anzi was taken out of the palace by Xiao Heye's men and left in Wen Yan's care.

This departure lasted for more than ten days.

The burned areas on Su Tiyue's hands have also grown a layer of whiter and more delicate skin, as if everything is slowly getting better.

After the Beginning of Spring comes the Rain Water solar term.

Spring returns to the earth, the temperature slowly rises, and several peach trees in the Imperial Garden sprout flower buds, while some cherry blossoms also bloom delicately.

A touch of pale pink amidst the lush greenery adds a splash of vibrant color to this otherwise lifeless imperial city.

Oh, by the way.

There's one more thing.

After Xiao Heye ordered the demolition of the incense hall in Nanyuan, a patch of jasmine flowers was planted there.

Although the matter of Prince Rong is long gone, if that incense hall still exists, Su Tiyue will always be reminded of the situation whenever she passes by and sees it, and her palms will always involuntarily sweat.

Xiao Heye knew she was timid and didn't want to see her even frown.

Today, the incense hall no longer exists; in its place is jasmine, which Su Tiyue loved most.

Jasmine is delicate and not easy to grow; it prefers a warm and humid environment.

But Xiao Heye took good care of them.

I imagine that when the jasmine flowers bloom in May or June, the delicate fragrance can be smelled even from a great distance in Tingyulou Yelange.

*

The next morning.

The Guangming Palace faces upward in the morning.

Although Zhou Ziqi was not yet full-term, the question of whether he could stay in the palace was brought up again.

The court was immediately abuzz with discussion.

Zhou Tingyue, dressed in a yellow robe, sat upright on the dragon throne, at a loss for what to do.

Those dark eyes were devoid of emotion, as if they were making a serious decision, exuding authority yet also gentleness and humility.

As expected, now, apart from Emperor Zhou Tingyue, Su Tiyue's father Su Sui, and two or three old ministers who support keeping Zhou Ziqi, everyone else hopes that Zhou Ziqi will be treated the same as the former crown prince.

First, he was demoted to a commoner, and then sent to the Sanqing Temple atop the Nine Heavens Snow Mountain, never to return to Yong'an in this lifetime.

Zhou Tingyue looked helplessly at everyone in the hall, then turned his head slightly to look at Xiao Heye and asked, "What does Minister Xiao think?"

Xiao Heye nodded slightly, smiled, and replied, "If it is the will of Heaven, why does Your Majesty not follow it?"

Those below felt as if Xiao Heye's words had spoken for them.

The assembled officials spontaneously prostrated themselves on the ground, kneeling for a long time, and loudly proclaimed, "Your Majesty, please act in accordance with Heaven's will!"

"Your Majesty, please act in accordance with Heaven's will!"

"...!"

Xiao Heye looked down at the people below, his face containing a hint of mockery and amusement.

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant...

The scene reminded Xiao Heye of the time when Zhou Yuheng was petitioned by thousands to be demoted to a commoner and banished from the palace.

Indeed, it's even worse.

Zhou Yuheng's situation back then was far more dire than Zhou Ziqi's is now.

Not only did the court officials want to expel him from Yong'an, but all the people of Yong'an, and even the entire population of Beiliang, felt that such an ominous person as Zhou Yuheng should not remain in Beiliang.

The petition, written in blood by ten thousand people, all pointed to the five-year-old prince.

The Heavenly Fiend is an ominous sign, and it is incompatible with the Northern Liang.

A few cold, hard words plunged Zhou Yuheng into an endless, dark hell.

People wished Zhou Yuheng would die so that Northern Liang could be at peace.

People would love to drink his blood and eat his flesh.

Ideally... he should never be reincarnated.

"Tsk..."

Xiao Heye's lips curled into a wicked smile. He walked over to Zhou Tingyue, leaned down, lowered his voice, and said in a sarcastic tone, "Your Majesty, you see... this is what you call being the people's choice."

Zhou Tingyue sighed, clearly still unwilling: "Minister Xiao, this matter... I will consider it some more."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Xiao Heye replied indifferently, then returned to his original position.

Zhou Tingyue glanced at the kneeling officials in the hall and waved his hand: "Rise, all of you. This matter will be discussed later..."

The people below remained unmoved, clearly dissatisfied with the emperor's decision.

Zhou Tingyue encountered this situation shortly after ascending the throne. Even though his image as an upright and benevolent ruler had been deeply ingrained in the public consciousness, this matter with Zhou Ziqi still caused a huge disagreement among the people.

The more stubborn Zhou Tingyue became, the less obedient the courtiers were to him.

The two sides were locked in an awkward stalemate. Only Xiao Heye stood behind the emperor, his hands folded in front of him, his right hand slowly dangling the jade thumb ring on his left thumb.

His expression was aloof, but his eyes held a smile.

They seemed detached from the matter, watching the spectacle with an air of indifference.

Xiao Heye really didn't care. Whether Zhou Ziqi stayed or left, whether he lived or died, he didn't care at all.

Xiao Heye only cared whether the palace was in chaos or not, and whether Northern Liang was in chaos or not.

The treacherous Master Xiao has always preferred to add fuel to the fire and fan the flames...

Just then, a guard at Xuanwu Gate came in and reported, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Huainan requests an audience."

Upon hearing these three words, everyone raised their heads slightly, exchanging bewildered glances: "The Prince of Huainan? What is he doing back in Yong'an?"

Xiao Heye's fingers froze, and his eyebrows twitched slightly.

He lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Zhou Lin, the Prince of Huainan, was the second younger brother of the late emperor and also Zhou Tingyue's second uncle.

Why did he suddenly return to the palace?

Xiao Heye knew Zhou Lin well; he was a shrewd and resourceful man who was good at leading troops and fighting battles. He had won countless victories.

He was previously renowned in the court, and he made no attempt to conceal this, acting flamboyantly.

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