In the side hall of the Zichen Palace, the lights illuminated the interior, making it look even more magnificent.

In front of the long pearwood table, the seat of honor was empty. On the right sat Empress Zhou, and below her were Pei Changzhou and Pei Lingbi, as well as Concubine Xu and the fifth prince's mother and son, and Concubine Shu and the fourth prince's mother and son. The table was fully occupied.

Pei Yan and Tao Ti walked up slowly, greeted everyone in turn, and took their seats.

Sitting on Tao Ti's left was Pei Yan, and on his right was the fifth prince.

The Fifth Prince became extremely excited and beaming with joy when he saw her. If it weren't for the occasion, this little bully would have jumped up long ago.

Seeing him wanting to say something but holding it back, Tao Ti couldn't help but laugh and said, "Xiao Wu, I haven't seen you for a month. You seem to have grown taller."

When the fifth prince heard this, his face suddenly turned red, and he said softly, "I listen to you every day and drink a cup of milk every day."

Tao Ti smiled and said "That's good", then turned around and started chatting with Concubine Xu again.

Soon, Emperor Zhaokang walked in and the hall instantly became quiet.

He changed into a gamboge uniform with dragon patterns. He didn't have the same imposing aura as during the day, but the majesty around him was still enough to make people dare not look directly at him.

Everyone stood up and saluted Emperor Zhaokang respectfully.

Emperor Zhaokang strode to the seat of honor and said in a loud voice, "Today is a family dinner, no need to be polite, please sit down."

After he sat down, everyone else sat down.

Li Gui waved his whisk and the palace servants immediately rushed in, serving one exquisite dish after another to the table, along with fruits, cakes and wine. In just a few moments, the table was filled with delicacies that were delicious and mouth-watering.

Emperor Zhaokang picked up the wine glass and was about to raise the glass to say a few words, when he suddenly thought of something and turned to look at Pei Yan, "Yan'er, can you drink wine on your wound?"

Pei Yan said in a gentle voice, "Father, I have been recovering from my injuries for more than half a month. Doctor Yu said I can't drink too much, but a couple of drinks is fine."

Emperor Zhaokang nodded, "Okay, then you only drink three cups today."

As he spoke, he signaled the palace servants to fill everyone's glasses with wine, raised his glass and said, "This time the Crown Prince went to Luoyang for an inspection, and he had a hard time along the way, and he fell into danger. Fortunately, with the protection of my ancestors from the Great Abyss, my son returned safely... Come, everyone raise your glasses and congratulate the Crown Prince on his safe return to the court."

"Congratulations to the Crown Prince on his safe return to the court." Everyone at the table said this in unison, picked up their wine glasses and drank them all.

Tao Ti also drank it all, and pursed her lips with a sense of unfulfilled desire. This was indeed the emperor's treasured wine, with a great taste, mellow and refreshing, not spicy at all, and with a special fragrance, very palatable. But the cup was too small, and she drank it all in one sip.

After the first glass of wine, the feast begins.

Although it was a family dinner, due to the presence of the emperor, no one dared to say much. Most of them just ate in silence. Occasionally someone spoke up, and it was the empress and two concubines who recommended food and wine.

When they were almost done eating, Emperor Zhaokang put down his chopsticks and poured himself a glass of wine. After drinking, he looked straight at Pei Yan with his deep eyes and said in a deep voice, "Yan'er, tell me what happened on the pleasure boat that day?"

Pei Yan slowly picked up the handkerchief and touched the corner of his lips, then calmly met Emperor Zhaokang's gaze and told him the whole story -

"…Just when the assassin drew his sword and was about to stab me a second time, the Crown Princess threw a vase at him, causing the assassin to lose his grip and fail. The assassin wanted to move again, but the Crown Princess rushed over regardless of everything and knocked the assassin away. I was already exhausted at that time, and I accidentally fell into the river. The Crown Princess jumped in to save me…"

Having said that, Pei Yan glanced at Tao Ti with gentle eyes.

Tao Ti held the chopsticks and looked back at him in surprise.

Why are you making up stories? But when she heard him take credit for her and speak well of her, she felt warm and sweet inside.

"Later we drifted to a village and were lucky enough to meet a kind herbal farmer who took us in. After we rested for a few days at the farmer's house, Zhan Ping and his team came to find us."

Pei Yan did not exaggerate and only described it in two simple sentences. However, if you think about it carefully, you will know that the danger is extraordinary.

Emperor Zhaokang's face did not look good, the corners of his lips were straightened, and he drank another glass of wine.

"Doctor Yu told me that you have three serious wounds and 25 minor wounds. The sword in your chest was just this short..." Emperor Zhaokang stretched out his hand and compared, his eyes becoming darker, "It was just this short of piercing your heart. Yan'er, I almost couldn't see you."

Pei Yan pursed his lips, lowered his eyes, and chose to remain silent.

Tao Ti felt sorry for him. She thought that little angel Pei Yan was too sensible and gentle.

The crying child gets the milk. If he didn't express his grievances, how could Emperor Zhaokang take this matter more seriously?

Biting her lip, Tao Ti picked up the wine glass in front of her and drank it all. Then she put it down again. She mustered up the courage to look at Emperor Zhao Kang, "Father, your 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 uttered "hmm" softly.

"Your Highness has described the assassination clearly. But the process of being rescued from the water is not as simple as Your Highness described."

Tao Ti said in a gloomy tone, "His Highness was injured in many places. After falling into the water, he lost too much blood. The Luo River was turbulent, and I couldn't swim him back to the shore. I had to tie our hands together with a rope to at least prevent us from drifting apart. In this way, the two of us drifted in the Luo River for a whole night and drifted to 40 miles away from Luoyang City."

After hearing the more specific route, Concubine Xu was shocked and covered her lips, "Oh my God, it's so far away."

The concubine beside him also echoed with emotion, "The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess are truly blessed by God, Amitabha."

After they finished speaking, Tao Ti continued, "After landing, His Highness had a high fever and was scalded to death. He was unconscious. The first time I went out to find someone to help, I met a villain who wanted to rob me and kill me. Fortunately, His Highness woke up in time and escaped the danger."

Emperor Zhaokang was startled, frowned, and looked at Pei Yan, "Why didn't Zheng Xuan mention this in the letter he submitted?"

Pei Yan said, "It's just a small matter. Telling it will only increase father's worries..."

"It's not a small matter. It's just a little bit away. If the hunter really succeeds, both of us will die." Tao Ti said hurriedly, with a look of fear on her face.

Pei Yan said nothing.

Tao Ti continued, "Fortunately, he got help from the herbal farmer, but his highness's wound was soaked in water for too long. In order to avoid infection, he had to use scissors to cut off a lot of rotten flesh. He was sweating in pain, but he didn't make a sound. After the wound was treated, he burned it several times again... If it weren't for the old herbal farmer's good medical skills, his highness would have..."

She didn't continue speaking, and everyone at the table fell silent.

Concubine Xu Guifei and Concubine Shu, mother and son, had frowned brows and looked heavy.

Pei Lingbi hung his head, playing with his fingers in boredom, thinking, after encountering so many dangers, this sickly person and this little bitch were able to come back alive, God must be blind! Why didn't he let them die outside?

Pei Changzhou thought similarly, and felt that Pei Yan was very lucky. But after hearing how much suffering he had endured, he felt very happy.

Emperor Zhaokang clenched his fists, thinking about something with an uncertain look.

When he raised his head again, his eyes suddenly became suspicious, and he glanced at the people present sinisterly. Except for Pei Yan and Tao Ti——

After a while, he withdrew his gaze and laughed in anger, "King Mu, what a King Mu! He raised a good son and married a vicious woman! How dare they harm my prince? It seems they are tired of living!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone at the table lowered their heads and the atmosphere became extremely depressing.

Emperor Zhaokang raised his hand and patted Pei Yan on the shoulder, saying sternly, "Don't worry, father will seek justice for you."

Pei Yan was stunned, raised his eyes and asked, "Father?"

Emperor Zhaokang said, "Since your seventh uncle and his family are tired of living, I will send them off."

Although they were talking about the confiscation of property and the extermination of the clan, it sounded as if they were discussing today's weather. Their tone was so calm that it was eerie.

Pei Yan frowned and wanted to persuade him again, but Emperor Zhaokang raised his hand and signaled him not to say anything more.

Emperor Zhaokang turned around and looked at Tao Ti again. His usually cold eyes were slightly more gentle than usual. "Crown Princess, you are not bad."

Although they were just six simple words, the affirmation contained in them made Tao Ti's uneasy heart relax all of a sudden.

She said modestly, "Thank you, father, for the compliment."

This is almost the end of the meal.

Emperor Zhaokang ordered Li Gui to prepare a large number of precious gifts, most of which were given to Pei Yan and a small part to Tao Ti. Of course, after Pei Yan received the gift, he did not keep any of it, but sent it all to Yaoguang Palace and into Tao Ti's private storehouse.

After the banquet, the Fifth Prince ran to Tao Ti and Pei Yan, showing his genuine concern for them. He then said to Tao Ti, "Sister-in-law, Crown Princess, please take a good rest for two days. When you have rested, I will bring Xiao Liu to visit you. I, I... well, it's Xiao Liu. Xiao Liu misses you so much."

Tao Ti curled her lips and smiled softly, "Okay, you are welcome."

On the other hand, Queen Zhou and her two children also dispersed after arriving at the palace gate. Pei Changzhou built a mansion a few years ago and moved out of the palace.

Gorgeous palace lanterns led the way in front. Pei Lingbi held Empress Zhou's hand affectionately and walked side by side in the long and dark palace alley.

It was very quiet around them. Pei Lingbi had been holding it in for the whole night, but she couldn't hold it in any longer and asked Queen Zhou in a low voice, "Mother, does father mean to kill the entire family of the Seventh Imperial Uncle?"

Queen Zhou's face sank, and she said in a deep voice, "Shut up."

Her not denying it was her acquiescence.

Pei Lingbi couldn't help but shudder, her hands were shaking, "After all, the Seventh Uncle is also my father's brother, how could my father...how could he have the heart to do that?"

Queen Zhou glanced at her coldly, "What do you mean brothers or not? They are not from the same mother. Even if they were from the same mother, there have been many cases of quarrels between brothers and fathers and sons in the royal family since ancient times. In the end, it is your seventh uncle who has committed sins. He cannot control his son and his princess... He has committed sins himself, who can you blame?"

Pei Lingbi felt a chill in her heart after hearing this. After a moment's hesitation, she asked, "Mother, if the emperor knew that my brother and I had written a letter to King Mu, would he kill us as well? When we were having dinner just now, the emperor seemed to glance in our direction. His eyes were so cold that they made my scalp numb."

Queen Zhou felt Pei Lingbi's shaking hand and snorted, "You didn't use your brain when you did something stupid, and now you're 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 couldn't get angry without evidence.