After a cool rain, early autumn arrived in the capital.

Everyone loves to praise the spring in the capital, because the sight of locust trees and peach blossoms in full bloom all over the city complements this most prosperous city in the world, but Yan Sikong likes autumn more. When the autumn wind blows, all things become withered, which makes him always feel awe for the vastness of the world and the cycle of life, and he reflects more deeply on his own insignificance.

But if he had known, he would have known that he would not like this autumn.

On a cold and sad morning, a great event happened in the empire - the Empress Dowager died.

This news was not surprising as the Empress Dowager was old and had been ill for a long time. However, it was a huge blow to the officials who supported the Crown Prince because she was the only one who could prevent Emperor Zhaowu from deposing the Crown Prince.

When Yan Sikong heard the news, he was calm. He had taken a quick glance at the Empress Dowager at the banquet on New Year's Eve and knew that she did not have much time left. It was beyond his expectation that she could still live until now. Although he knew what the Empress Dowager's death meant to Chen Yi, the struggle for the throne was inevitable.

Not only was he not surprised, he even breathed a sigh of relief. Although this was very disadvantageous to them, there was one good thing as well. Princess Wanyang had to mourn the Queen Mother for three years, and they would not get married for the time being.

Even though he knew that becoming a royal consort would be more helpful to him, and even though he had no say in marriage matters, he was still reluctant to marry Wan Yang because of Feng Ye.

The situation changes rapidly. Three years later, perhaps he will have achieved his revenge. On that day, if Feng Ye wants him to go with him, maybe... maybe he will agree.

In any case, at least he doesn't have to worry about it for the time being.

Emperor Zhaowu was very filial and brotherly, and he issued an edict to declare national mourning and to order all court officials to fast for a month. During the fasting period, no dancing or music was allowed in the entire city.

The atmosphere in the capital suddenly became desolate. When walking through the streets, the performers and storytellers who usually appeared there disappeared.

Feng Ye was very happy and said proudly: "As I expected, the royal family will not be allowed to marry within three years, so you can forget about becoming your consort."

Yan Sikong smiled faintly: "If I can avenge my father, it doesn't matter whether I become the prince consort or not."

"That dog is already sixty years old. He may not live for more than three years."

"Not necessarily." Yan Sikong narrowed his eyes slightly. "I heard that he is in very good health. Besides, I will never let him die of old age. I want him to pay for my father's life while he is still alive."

Feng Ye grabbed his waist and traced his clear facial lines with his eyes: "If these three years can make you achieve what you want, are you willing to give up your fame for me?"

Yan Sikong was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Feng Ye: "If I give up fame and fortune for you, are you willing to remain single for the rest of my life?"

Feng Ye was stunned and speechless for a moment.

Yan Sikong touched Feng Ye's face and said, "I know you can't answer me now. You are the only son of King Jingyuan, and the continuation of the Feng family depends on you alone. I can't answer you now either. My fame and yours may not conflict. If I really have to choose between the two, I choose you."

Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong and still said nothing.

Yan Sikong paused for a moment and said, "You are still too young. Think about this problem later."

Just when Yan Sikong was about to remain silent because of Feng Ye, he spoke up: "I used to think that I wouldn't mind if you got married, as long as the woman wasn't Xi'er. But, I gradually realized that I didn't want to see you with anyone, man, woman, anyone."

Yan Sikong looked at him quietly.

"But..." Feng Ye's eyes darkened, "With your background like this, how can I not let you leave an heir to the Yan family?" He smiled bitterly, "You are right, I don't know how to answer. I often think, if you were a woman, how great it would be, I would definitely let you marry into my Feng family with great fanfare, give birth to children for me, and let me love and pamper you for the rest of my life."

Yan Sikong smiled slightly: "What's so important about getting married? The most precious thing is that you and I have a mutual understanding."

Feng Ye hugged him tightly: "That's right, in our hearts, there is only each other."

"Now that the Queen Mother has passed away, the struggle for the throne will intensify. Perhaps this is a good opportunity to overthrow the eunuch party." Yan Sikong stared closely into Feng Ye's eyes, "As long as I avenge my father, I will never marry Princess Wanyang."

Feng Ye's eyes sparkled: "Really?"

"Really? I want to clear my father's name. After that, I'll do whatever you ask me to do. We can definitely come up with a better solution."

Feng Ye said happily: "Of course I can. Whatever you want, I will make it happen for you."

Yan Sikong kissed his lips with a smile and sucked gently.

Well, God took away everything from him, but also gave him a kingdom.

——

During the period of mourning, Yan Sikong was quite free. It could be said that he had been freed from the busy official duties since the end of the imperial inspection plan. The day of the empress dowager's funeral was his busiest day in the past few months.

However, he was busy walking and kneeling all day, while the Ministry of Rites was busy with their belts, spending hundreds of thousands of taels of silver to prepare for the Empress Dowager's funeral. The Minister of Revenue advised Emperor Zhaowu to save money, but was reprimanded in court for filial piety. After the reduction of the feudal system, the treasury was much more abundant, but Emperor Zhaowu was hard to change his nature and began to squander again.

Many officials thought that this ceremony was indeed too extravagant, but they did not make any further appeals. The main reason was that after the imperial examination, both the imperial court and the gentry were badly hurt and needed to recuperate, so it was difficult for them to cause trouble for a long time.

However, the death of the Empress Dowager was like a gust of wind that swept in, stirring up ripples on the originally calm surface of the water. Everyone had a premonition that a storm would arise soon.

On this day, Yan Sikong went to the East Palace to give a lecture to Chen Yi. Chen Yi, along with other princes, kept vigil for the Empress Dowager for seven days. This was the first time the two had met since the Empress Dowager's death, and Chen Yi was still wearing mourning clothes.

"Your Highness has lost a lot of weight." Yan Sikong bowed and said, "Please accept my condolences."

Chen Yu sighed: "Please take a seat, sir." He waved his hand and dismissed the eunuchs and palace maids.

Yan Sikong sat down and looked at Chen Yi's face carefully. Perhaps because he had been keeping vigil for the past few days and could only eat a small amount of food, coupled with excessive worry, he was so thin that his cheeks were slightly sunken, but he looked a little more mature for some reason. He was completely different from the ignorant and immature boy when he first met Chen Yi. He said, "The Queen Mother's funeral has been held. Your Highness must take good care of yourself these days."

Chen Yu's eyes were dull, and he seemed to have lost all life. "My mother is gone, and now even my grandmother is gone too."

"Many people are willing to serve you, Your Highness, and go through fire and water for you. Your Highness must not lose heart and must take care of your body." Yan Sikong said seriously, "The road ahead will become more and more difficult, and there will be more and more enemies."

A trace of hatred flashed across Chen Yu's eyes. Although it was fleeting, Yan Sikong still caught it. He gritted his teeth and said, "After my mother died, I am not afraid of anything. No matter how many monsters and demons there are in front of me, I will kill them one by one and avenge my mother."

"Your Highness is the chosen one of heaven, the true dragon emperor. Whatever Your Highness wants to do, he will definitely be able to do it."

Chen Yu looked determined and uttered "hmm" heavily.

"This time, in addition to giving lectures, I also want to remind Your Highness that now that the Queen Mother has passed away, Your Highness must be more cautious in what you say and do in the palace, and..." Yan Sikong looked around, "There may be spies from the eunuch party in your East Palace. You cannot trust anyone. You must use a short knife to protect yourself at ordinary times, and test food and water for poison first. Without the Queen Mother, they will have no scruples."

"I know." Chen Yu narrowed his eyes. "I study and practice martial arts every day, and my kung fu has improved a lot. When I sleep at night, there is a dagger under my pillow. They can get outsiders into the harem and pretend to assassinate the second prince. Maybe they can also assassinate me. How can I be okay?"

"It's good that your Highness understands. In the harem, your Highness still has two people you can rely on. One is Commander Zhu and the other is Concubine Xian. If there is anything urgent in the harem, you can ask these two for help."

Chen Yu hesitated a little: "Because of the assassination case, Commander Zhu has been demoted, and Concubine Xian...I have little contact with her."

"Your Highness, put it down. Although Commander Zhu was demoted, he is still on duty in the Imperial Guard. Taking advantage of the Queen Mother's death, Your Majesty will take into account our old friendship. I will ask the teacher to petition Your Majesty to reinstate Commander Zhu. The Zhu family is the Queen Mother's family, and the power of the foreign relatives should not be underestimated. Commander Zhu is also the best candidate for the commander of the palace. He will be back soon." Yan Sikong continued, "As for Concubine Xian, she is the biological sister of Prince Jingyuan. Now that Your Highness has the help of Prince Jingyuan, Concubine Xian is one of your own. Your Highness, don't forget to give her gifts during festivals."

"I see."

"Your Highness will be an adult next year. The teacher and I will carefully select a daughter from a prominent family to be your princess. If we take each step steadily, we won't be afraid of any storms or waves."

Chen Yu nodded, hesitated for a moment, and said shyly, "Do you know which daughter is suitable?"

Yan Sikong chuckled and said jokingly, "It seems that His Highness is in a hurry to marry a princess."

"I'm not in a hurry." Chen Yi argued, "I just... I just don't know what it's like to get married. I grew up in the palace, and apart from the concubines and palace maids, I've never seen any women. I even rarely interacted with my sister, the emperor."

"Your Highness, don't worry about this. Whoever marries your Highness will be honored and will do their best to assist your Highness."

Chen Yu pursed his lips, glanced at Yan Sikong, and whispered, "Will she be as pretty as you, sir?"

Yan Sikong laughed: "How can a lady from a wealthy family be compared with a pedantic scholar like me?"

"No." Chen Yu shook his head, "I think you are the most handsome man I have ever seen."

Yan Sikong blinked his eyes and said, "It seems that the servants of the East Palace are not very responsible and should be punished."

Chen Yu was surprised and asked, "Why do you say that?"

"Even His Highness' bronze mirror was not cleaned."

Chen Yu was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Talking to the master is the happiest thing. I look forward to the master coming to give me lectures every day in the palace."

"Being able to serve Your Highness is also the happiest thing for me."

Chen Yu looked at Yan Sikong, his eyes shining slightly.