The snow was quite heavy, mixed with raindrops and falling down slowly.

The wind grew stronger, causing the grass and trees to sway wildly.

The originally bright sky seemed to turn into a pool of dark ink, with colors flowing and changing.

Jiang Si opened the window, letting the wind blow in and lifting up the snow fox fur cape he was wearing, staring at the black sky and the rain and snow in a trance.

At this time in her previous life, she was already far away in southern Xinjiang. Only after experiencing it personally did she know that the weather on the winter solstice in the 19th year of Jingming would be like this.

The strong wind and heavy snow were not surprising, but what was strange was the sky that suddenly became as dark as night. No wonder so many things happened in the palace on Cuiluo Mountain outside Beijing.

There were soft footsteps approaching.

"Master, it's windy near the window, be careful not to catch a cold." Ah Man reached out and closed the window, keeping the wind out.

Jiang Si turned around and walked towards the table.

Aqiao immediately handed over the hot tea that had been prepared long ago.

Jiang Si took it and warmed his hands that were chilled by the wind.

"Master, are you worried about the prince?" Ah Man asked bluntly.

Jiang Si held the hot tea in his hand without saying anything.

Ah Man hurriedly comforted him, "Don't worry, the prince won't be frozen. I see that the place where the prince lives has everything, and the dragon has been lit."

"Well, when the wind and snow stop, let someone send some mutton soup to the prince." Jiang Si took a sip of hot tea and put his hand on his lower abdomen.

The fetus was less than three months old and her belly was still very flat, but she could already clearly feel the presence of that little life.

Jiang Si sometimes thought that this child seemed to have come too early.

The storm in the Great Zhou has just begun, and the blood and cruelty are still hidden under the veil of warmth and happiness. Things will become more and more difficult from now on.

At least in the next three or four years, people in the vortex of the royal family can't expect to live a stable life.

When I thought about it this way, I felt very sorry for the child.

Although Jiang Si didn't say anything, Aqiao and Aman still felt their master's heavy mood.

The two looked at each other.

"Oh, young master, are you missing your father?" Ah Man came over and tried to make Jiang Si happy.

Jiang Si withdrew his thoughts and smiled.

The maid guarding the door reported: "Cousin Dou is here."

"Come in."

The thick cotton curtain was lifted, and Dou Shuwan, dressed simply, walked in.

"Princess, how do you feel today? Are you still feeling bad?" Dou Shuwan came over with a smile, holding a small basket in her hand.

Seeing Dou Shuwan, Jiang Si smiled more sincerely and greeted her, "It's windy and snowy outside, why did you come here at this time?"

After living in the palace for more than two months, the two of them got rid of the initial unfamiliarity and became very familiar with each other.

When it comes to getting along with people, Jiang doesn't seem to have much in mind. He holds the attitude that when meeting a close friend, a thousand cups of wine are not enough, but when meeting a stranger, a single word is too much.

If you get along well with each other, then get along well. If you don’t, don’t waste time just being perfunctory.

Dou Shu is gentle, steady, sensible, and intelligent, and it is quite comfortable to be with her.

"It's better to come to the princess's place to chat and work than to stay alone in the room." Dou Shuwan took out needle and thread from the small basket and began to embroider the shoe uppers.

There is already a finished tiger-head shoe in the small basket.

Jiang Si picked up the tiger-head shoes and thought they were extremely cute. He praised, "My cousin has great craftsmanship. But it's dark outside today and the light is not good. You should just talk to me. Be careful not to hurt your eyes."

Ah Qiao's eyes were full of life, and she lit up a few more lamps upon hearing this.

The room suddenly became bright.

"I'm used to it. It's not a problem." Dou Shuwan kept working and chatted with Jiang Si intermittently, looking calm.

Jiang Si seemed to relax in such a comfortable and peaceful atmosphere.

The dark clouds covering the sky seemed to be moving slowly from the city to the outskirts. The sky on Cuiluo Mountain darkened later than in the city.

Just as the palace was celebrating and toasting, it suddenly fell into darkness.

The screams of the dancers, the clinking of cups and glasses, and the sound of heavy objects falling to the ground, all these sounds intertwined and echoed in the environment where people suddenly couldn't see, bringing panic to the people in the dark.

The guards standing in the corner stepped forward silently and surrounded Emperor Jingming in the middle.

Even if it is dark, these guards, who are picked from thousands, can react instinctively to protect the emperor in an instant.

As for the others, of course they can only wish for the best.

"Turn on the lights!" someone shouted.

It was already daytime, and the large windows in the hall were not lit.

There was a rustling sound, and finally a light came on.

At last, everyone could barely see each other's faces.

Among them, Zhen Shicheng looked solemn, as if he had a premonition of something.

"Your Majesty, are you okay?" Countless concerned voices rang out, covering up other noises.

Lights came on one after another, and the hall became bright again.

Emperor Jingming sat upright in his original position and waved his hands: "Don't worry, I'm fine."

All the ministers looked relieved.

If something happened to the emperor, the world of the Great Zhou would really change, and they would be doomed to die.

I'm glad Your Majesty is fine. I'm glad Your Majesty is fine.

Just when everyone breathed a sigh of relief, a scream rang out.

Emperor Jingming frowned and looked over.

Prince Kang pointed at the ground in panic, his voice trembling: "An, Prince An——"

Only then did everyone notice that there was a person lying on the ground not far from Prince Kang. Those who were closer could tell at a glance that it was Prince An without a doubt.

At this time, Prince An was lying motionless on the ground with a bloody hole in his heart. Blood was slowly spreading out from under his body, drowning the dagger at his side.

Everyone couldn't help but sigh.

Emperor Jingming was sitting far away, and his vision was blocked by the crowd, so he could not see anything. He asked anxiously, "What happened?"

The ministers moved aside to reveal the situation inside.

Just at this moment, the sky outside, which had suddenly darkened, brightened up again. Although the wind and snow continued, the light inside the hall was bright.

Emperor Jingming had good eyesight. He stood up after just one look and asked loudly, "What happened to Prince An?"

Without waiting for anyone to answer, he shouted again: "Zhen Shicheng——"

Zhen Shicheng stepped out of the crowd, walked quickly to Prince An and bent over him. After a moment, he stood up and said to Emperor Jingming, "Your Majesty, Prince An is dead."

The ministers' mouths twitched when they heard this.

Zhen Shicheng's description is too awkward. What does "dead to death" mean? Can't you use a more euphemistic term?

Zhen Shichengcai ignored what others thought and added: "He was stabbed in the heart and died instantly. I checked the direction of the dagger and it was not suicide."

The ministers rolled their eyes silently.

Prince An was alive and well, why did he commit suicide?

Zhen Shicheng stroked his beard.

Not making preconceived judgments is a skill that investigators must possess, and these people know nothing about it.

"My dear Zhen, please continue." Emperor Jingming regained his composure a little, and without even looking at anyone else, he just kept asking Zhen Shicheng.

When it comes to flattery, anyone is fine, but when it comes to solving cases, he only trusts Zhen Shicheng.

Zhen Shicheng could naturally sense this trust, and suppressed his emotion as he said, "The murderer must have taken advantage of the sudden darkness in the palace just now."