After provoking the holy maiden of Miao territory, she was infected with a love curse.

After early spring comes summer.

Delicate pink lotus flowers bloom in the middle of the lake, and a breeze creates green ripples.

After the emperor's death, General Shen Weishan arrived in time and subdued Prince Rui.

After discussions among the shocked senior officials, Prince Rui, disregarding fraternal ties, killed the emperor, thus committing treason.

He should be given a cup of poisoned wine and three feet of white silk.

He hanged himself.

Prince Rui was delirious on his deathbed, even slandering General Shen, who had rendered meritorious service in protecting the country, which made his crime even more serious.

He shall be executed immediately.

As for the selection of the crown prince, there was endless debate in the court and among the people. The eldest princess and the imperial concubine firmly supported the empress's daughter to ascend the throne as the crown prince.

This tug-of-war lasted all spring, until finally, the court officials bowed their heads.

...

"Ah Yin, why aren't you with your mother? Why did you have to come here?"

Zhao Huining plans to move out of the palace today and return to the residence of the Eldest Princess.

Unexpectedly, just as I was packing my luggage, a clingy little guy barged in.

Zhao Yin rarely saw Zhao Yuan. She had been raised by the Imperial Noble Consort since childhood, so she naturally called Gong Peilan "Empress Dowager".

Zhao Huining was not familiar with Zhao Yuan's only daughter, but she had grown up with the Empress. Thinking of the Empress's gentle appearance and remembering that she was the daughter of an old friend, she thought of her.

Her gaze and tone softened involuntarily, hoping that the child would resemble the Empress more and her brother less.

Although Zhao Yin is young, she is mature and composed, and her voice has long since lost its childishness.

She said in a serious tone, "Aunt, it was the Empress Dowager who sent me to see you off today."

"My mother said that I should chat with my aunt more often in the future, because my aunt is someone I rely on."

Concerned about Zhao Yin, Gong Peilan, who had followed along, overheard the child "talking nonsense."

She quickly came over and hugged the child, saying apologetically, "Your Highness, the child is just being silly and doesn't understand."

"Your Highness, please don't take it to heart."

Zhao Huining smiled faintly: "Peilan, you're always so distant with me."

"I know she is still young and her position as crown prince is unstable."

"If you need my help, just say so."

"Didn't I owe you a favor back then?"

Zhao Huining reached out and touched the child's braids. She pulled out a majestic little tiger doll from somewhere and handed it to Zhao Yin.

At first, Zhao Yin had a stern face. She just looked back, her eyes asking Gong Peilan if she could take the tiger doll.

Looking at Zhao Yin's face, Gong Peilan could only recall the way the Empress used to smile at her, and her mind was filled with countless thoughts.

Sister, I put your child on the throne, did you see that?

"Mother, may I accept the gift my aunt gave me?"

Gong Peilan was brought back to her senses by the word "Mother," and she nodded.

Gong Peilan: "Of course."

"This is something your aunt gave you, keep it safe."

Zhao Yin was very happy.

She immediately hid the little tiger in her arms.

"Mother, don't worry, I will definitely keep the things Aunt gave me safe and sound!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the sound of silver bells rang out from the palace. Jiawan was holding a string of bamboo tubes in her hand, staring blankly at Zhao Yin and Gong Peilan.

Jia Wan said in surprise, "It's you, kid."

"Didn't I already tell you that I won't tell you how to control the insects?"

Why are you still bothering me?

Seeing Jia Wan deliberately put on a fierce face, Zhao Yin immediately buried her head in Gong Peilan's arms and whispered, "Sister, I'm not bothering you..."

Unexpectedly, Zhao Huining, who knew the two, was stunned. She immediately reached out and grabbed Jiawan, pulling her back from walking forward.

Zhao Huining: "A-Shui, when did you two meet?"

Upon seeing Gong Peilan, Jiawan realized that the child had a "backer," and she immediately retreated obediently to Zhao Huining's side.

She had suffered countless losses at the hands of Han Chinese women, and this time, even if it was just a child, Jiawan planned to treat him like a bear.

We absolutely cannot let our guard down again!

Once bitten by a snake, Jiawan became afraid of ropes for ten years.

She tiptoed, the silver ornaments on her wrists clinking together, and whispered in Zhao Huining's ear, "It was just a few days ago."

"I was strolling around the palace when I met this child. She saw me playing with butterflies in the imperial garden and kept tugging at my skirt, insisting on learning the art of Gu poison from me."

"She's not from our Miao region, so I definitely won't teach her. She just kept pestering me, kept pestering me, Aning... I finally managed to shake off this little devil!"

Jiawan felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders after she finished speaking.

She looked at the child again, clapped her hands, and said loudly, "Kid, begging me won't help."

"Why don't you go ask another one later? Her skill in controlling insects is far superior to mine. The butterflies and bees she summons are very beautiful."

Even the flowers and birds obey her!

As soon as Jia Wan said this, Zhao Huining guessed what she was planning and couldn't help but laugh.

The speaker has no intention, the listener has the heart.

Zhao Yin really took Jia Wan's words to heart. Even as she saw Zhao Huining off from the palace, she kept looking around for the woman Jia Wan had mentioned.

...

The blazing sun hung in the sky.

The whole street was sweltering.

Yin Huaixi was the first to lift the carriage curtain, her long skirt swaying slightly as she stepped down from the carriage.

With long, slender, fair fingers gripping the bamboo umbrella handle, the oil-paper umbrella appeared above Yin Huaixi's head, and Sang Che slowly stepped down from the carriage.

"Huaixi, wouldn't it be the same if we waited at the Princess's residence? You're already sweating from the sun outside the capital."

Sang Che took out a handkerchief.

She gently wiped Yin Huaixi's sweat-dampened temples, her eyes filled with heartache.

The delicate handkerchief, with its subtle fragrance, made Yin Huaixi glance at Sang Che, and she moved closer to him.

Since taking Hua He's rare poison from the Western Regions, Sang Che's condition has improved significantly, and her cold ailment has been mostly cured.

In the summer, his skin felt cool to the touch, much like an air conditioner. Yin Huaixi gradually began to enjoy cuddling Sang Che as they fell asleep.

Feeling relaxed and comfortable.

Yin Huaixi: "Ache, you always think of me like this, don't you care about yourself?"

Just as she was about to take the handkerchief from Sang Che's hand to gently wipe her, she found that Sang Che was completely unharmed. There wasn't a single bead of sweat, nor even a single damp strand of hair.

Sang Che laughed: "Huai Xi, I don't feel hot at all, but you..."

Before he could finish speaking, Jia Wan's carefree voice came from afar.

"Ah Che!"

"Huai Xi!"

He stretched out his palm and waved it sharply.

When Jiawan saw the two figures nestled together, her eyes and brows were full of smiles.

"Long time no see!"

I missed you all so much!

Jiawan ran towards the two with her arms outstretched and immediately hugged Sang Che and Yin Huaixi.

Zhao Huining, who was following behind Jiawan, crossed her arms and watched this scene with a smile, but shook her head helplessly.

Gong Peilan held Zhao Yin's hand, and her maid behind her held up a large umbrella, watching Jia Wan's excited expression.

It took Yin Huaixi a great deal of effort to finally wriggle out of Jiawan's embrace.

Yin Huaixi: "Okay, Ah Shui."

"Get on the carriage."

"Didn't A-Che and I come to pick you up as promised?"

Sang Che bent down, her eyes smiling, and pulled out a bouquet of flowers from somewhere, handing it to Jia Wan.

Wan'er: "Ah Shui, welcome back to eat my and Huai Xi's wedding candy."