At the beginning of the new year, cartloads of corpses were pushed out of the palace in the early morning light and thrown onto mass graves.

Also thrown onto the mass grave were the bodies of Empress Zhou and Pei Changzhou, wrapped in torn straw mats. Instead of being fed to the dogs, they were burned cleanly, saving the need for two coffins.

On New Year's Day, the imperial palace was shrouded in gloom; there was not a trace of New Year's joy.

In the evening, news came from the harem that the second princess Pei Lingbi had hanged herself.

It is said that when the young palace maid found her body, it was already stiff and cold, her legs were stretched straight, and her tongue was sticking out very long. It was very scary and frightened the palace maids and eunuchs.

For a while, everyone in the palace became more cautious and careful, not daring to make any noise or laugh, for fear of incurring any crime.

This silent and depressing atmosphere continued until the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, when the spring vacation ended, civil and military officials returned to court, and the court began to operate.

However, Emperor Zhaokang was absent from the first morning court session of the new year.

Li Gui, the former chief eunuch, held a whisk in his arms, his pale, beardless face looking a bit haggard. He stood straight and first informed the civil and military officials that His Majesty had caught a cold and was unwell, so he could not preside over the morning court.

Afterwards, he read out an imperial edict, the general content of which was that Empress Zhou and the Third Prince were plotting to forcibly abdicate, and that from that day forward their names would be removed from the Imperial Book of Records, demoted to commoners, and no longer have any connection with the royal family.

Finally, Li Gui looked at the crown prince standing at the head of the Golden Dragon Palace, bowed, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered that until he recovers, all court affairs will be handled by you on his behalf."

Pei Yan seemed to have guessed it long ago. His handsome and cold face showed no emotion. He nodded slightly and said calmly, "I know."

After a pause, he added, "Li Zongguan, please tell me to take good care of my father. I will work diligently in the court affairs and will never let my father down."

"Yes, I will definitely convey your message." Li Gui responded without hesitation, and ordered someone to add a red sandalwood throne with inlaid teeth and cloud patterns next to the dragon chair in the center.

Pei Yan walked up the exquisite white marble steps step by step, glancing at the high, golden dragon throne from the corner of his eye.

In a trance, he thought of the scene when his father held him in his arms and sat on the dragon throne when he was a child.

At that time, his father gave him the imperial 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."

I can no longer remember what he answered at that time.

But he always remembered in his heart that this position was destined to be his and no one else had the qualifications to covet it.

Pei Yan narrowed his dark eyes, collected his thoughts, turned around, and leisurely sat on the newly added cloud-patterned throne.

He was wearing the ceremonial robes of a prince, with his dark hair tied up and fixed with a golden crown inlaid with white jade. He wore a white jade belt around his waist, and a sachet and jade pendant. He had an upright posture, a handsome face, and a calm and majestic look between his young eyebrows that was totally inconsistent with his age.

There were many old officials in the audience. When they looked up and saw the person in the seat of honor, they thought they were seeing things.

For a moment, they thought they had traveled back in time to twenty years ago, and the person sitting at the top was the young Emperor Zhao Kang.

Although their looks are not exactly alike, the aura emanating from the father and son is equally powerful, so powerful that it cannot be ignored.

Pei Yan carelessly stroked the jade ring on his thumb, looked down upon the civil and military officials on the stage, and said in a deep voice, "My dear ministers, let's start discussing politics."

The calm and composed aura of the superior made everyone in the hall afraid to act rashly, and they all began to play the corresponding songs honestly.

………

East Palace, Yaoguang Hall.

With so many things happening one after another in the palace, Tao Ti was not in a good mood.

It wasn't that she sympathized with Queen Zhou and Pei Changzhou, but it was New Year's Day and so many people had died that she felt sad and couldn't get any relief.

During this period, perhaps the only thing that made her happy was that the milk tea shop's business was getting more and more prosperous in winter. Even though the daily limit was increased to 200 cups, the supply was still insufficient to meet the demand, and milk was hard to come by.

When Tao Ti found out that Emperor Zhaokang was too ill to attend the morning court, she looked worried and asked Pei Yan with a frown, "Your Highness, my father is ill. As his daughter-in-law, should I go to visit him?"

Pei Yan's black eyes moved slightly, and he said calmly, "No need to go."

Tao Ti was stunned for a moment, then said hesitantly, "It would not be a good idea not to go."

Pei stretched out his hand and pulled her to sit in his arms. His rough fingertips gently rubbed her delicate palms. His mouth tightened and he said in a deep voice, "Father needs to rest for the time being. When he recovers a little, I will take you to visit him, okay?"

Since his son had said so, Tao Ti could not say anything more and just nodded lightly, "Alright."

Pei Yan didn't say anything else. He just hugged her from behind, buried his head in her neck, closed his eyes tiredly, and took a rest.

Ever since he stopped taking the drug that pretended to be sick, his body temperature gradually returned to normal. It was no longer cold and pale, but hot as a normal young man.

For example, at this moment, his body was like a thick quilt, wrapping Tao Ti tightly and making her feel a little hot.

Tao Ti knew that he must be tired after a busy day of government affairs, so she let him hold her, lowering her eyes, but thinking secretly in her heart -

Is Emperor Zhaokang really sick?

Although she didn't know what happened exactly on New Year's Eve, Pei Yan's attitude when he mentioned Emperor Zhaokang was obviously different from before.

The alienation and coldness are obvious.

She wanted to ask Pei Yan several times, but seeing how busy and tired he had been these days, she didn't have the heart to ask.

She vaguely felt that what happened that day must have been unpleasant, and since it would make Pei Yan uncomfortable, she would not mention it.

After this, snow fell in Chang'an City again.

Pei Yan was in charge of government affairs and became increasingly busy, leaving home early and returning late becoming the norm.

Tao Ti gradually got used to it. No matter how late he was, Pei Yan would always return to Yaoguang Palace to settle her down and hold her in his arms until she fell asleep.

In such cold weather, Tao Ti's body became more and more lazy. Every day she just wanted to lie on the couch, warm herself by the fire, eat, and sleep. She was too lazy to move and enjoyed her leisurely hibernation days peacefully.

That afternoon, after eating and drinking her fill, she leaned back on a large pillow embroidered with turmeric and green onion branches, flipping through a storybook to kill time.

Just as I saw the key section of "the fox demon reveals its true face in front of the scholar", I heard sounds of salutes coming from outside the hall.

Tao Ti was startled and looked towards the door subconsciously, only to see Pei Yan walk around the seven-foot-long rosewood screen with a landscape pattern, lift up the crystal bead curtain and walk in.

Tao Tiwu's dark and moist eyes flashed with surprise, and she asked in a mocking voice, "Your Highness? Why did you come back so early today?"

Pei Yan took off his black cloak and handed it to the maid beside him. He strode to sit beside Tao Ti, staring at her with a gentle smile in his black eyes, "Have you forgotten that today is the Lantern Festival?"

Lantern Festival.

Taoti blinked her eyes, and after a moment, she realized, "Wow, it's already fifteen so soon?"

It seemed like she did nothing and just spent the New Year in a daze?

Pei Yan saw her confused look and couldn't help but raised his hand to pinch her cheek. "If I had known that you would forget the date, I shouldn't have finished reviewing the memorials in a hurry. I've been writing for the whole morning and my wrists are sore."

Tao Ti also remembered what Pei Yan had promised before. He said he would take her out of the palace to play during the Lantern Festival.

The thought of playing immediately made her energetic.

She immediately threw the notebook aside, took his hand, and said softly, "Is your right hand sore? Let me rub it for you, and it will stop sore... But you have to keep your word. You promised to take me out of the palace to play, and you can't break your promise..."

Pei Yan lowered his eyes and saw her pink and tender peach-like cheeks, and the way she rubbed his hands and muttered to him. He felt a warmth in his heart, and the corners of his lips unconsciously raised a gentle curve.

"I won't break my promise."

As long as he promised her, he would never break his promise.

The two of them cuddled together for a while, then got up and packed up, ready to go out.

The days are short in winter. Just as it was getting dark, a carriage with a gorgeous canopy and green curtains slowly drove out of the majestic palace gate.

In the carriage, Tao Ti was wearing a lilac solid gauze jacket with a dark crabapple pattern and a stand-up collar. The collar was inlaid with a swastika pattern and a ruyi pearl button. She was wearing a plain white long skirt and had her hair in a simple yet dignified concentric bun. Two pearl flowers inlaid with gems were pinned behind her temples. She looked simple, elegant, and of noble character.

Pei Yan, like her, also wore a light-colored robe. Although the style was unusual, it could not hinder his handsome appearance. He did not need any more gorgeous and expensive accessories. Just this simple outfit was enough to show his reserved and cold appearance.

Tao Ti was very satisfied with their outfits today. Standing together they looked like couple outfits, very well matched.

The last time she left the palace was to go to Mount Li Hot Springs before the New Year. Now, after a depressing New Year, she can finally leave the palace to get some fresh air. Tao Ti could not hide her excitement between her brows.

"Your Highness, the streets are so lively!" She lifted a corner of the curtain and looked out, her eyes lighting up.

All I saw were wide streets hung with all kinds of lanterns, shops were lined up in the streets, and people who came out to visit the lantern festival were shoulder to shoulder, most of them holding a lantern in their hands, chatting and laughing while strolling, creating a lively atmosphere.

"There's a huge strip of phoenix lights hanging on the building in front. It's really beautiful." Tao Ti said with great interest.

Is this the Lantern Festival in ancient times? It’s just as lively as the modern one.

Pei Yan glanced at her sideways, and saw the shimmering light of the lanterns reflected in her clear eyes. He also tilted his eyes and said softly, "Well, it's really beautiful."

I don't know whether he is praising the lamp or the person.

The carriage slowly traveled along the main street and finally stopped at Dongshikou.

The East and West Markets are the two most lively places in Chang'an during the Lantern Festival. Two long rows of lanterns are hung at the entrance of the market town, emitting a romantic light in the hazy night.

"We're here." Pei Yan said, picking up the scarlet cloak beside him and carefully putting it on Tao Ti.

His slender fingers were fastening the buttons slowly and he reminded her gently, "There are a lot of people on the street. I'll hold your hand later. Don't get separated from me."

Tao Ti's heart had already flown to the busy street, and she said nonchalantly, "I'm not a child anymore. Besides, if I get lost, I can go to the government office. I'm not afraid at all."

Pei Yan's dark eyes narrowed.

Immediately, he reached out and pinched her jaw, turned her head around, and forced her to look into his deep black eyes.

He opened his thin lips and said, "You are not afraid, but I am."

Tao Ti was startled.

Pei Yan frowned, patted her head lovingly, and put the light gauze hat on her, "Okay, get off the car."