The Song Dynasty was the king for thirteen years before he knew that he was Tianlong.

Chapter 58 The Five Decline of Heaven and Man
Half an hour later, Zhao Ti collected the paper with Su Yuan's signature and left with a smile.

The Three Branches Hall collapsed overnight, leaving only Su Yuan lying on the ground howling and a team of bewildered imperial guards.

Originally there were many hangers-on under Zhao Ji, all of whom were ready to introduce Gao Qiu to the emperor for marriage. When they learned that the son of Prime Minister Su wanted to experience the fun of the underworld, they stirred up trouble and contacted the remnants of the gangs that had disbanded before, and set up a makeshift team, but they were defeated at the first blow.

Winter came in a blink of an eye. Zhao Ti went to the palace to visit Gao Taotao every few days and asked about his condition. Gao Taotao's complexion gradually worsened, but fortunately he did not die in early winter, which made Zhao Ti breathe a sigh of relief.

During this period, he invited Tong Guan to his house and asked Zheng Fu to be in charge of internal affairs and Tong Guan to be in charge of external affairs, to take charge of all matters big and small in the palace.

Two months later, by the end of the year, the eighth year of Yuanyou was about to pass and the ninth year of Yuanyou was about to arrive.

On New Year's Eve, Zhao Ti accompanied Gao Taotao for dinner in the palace. Although there were constant sounds of firecrackers outside, the Cining Palace seemed particularly deserted at night.

Zhao Xu came to pay his respects during the day, but left after staying for a short while. Other princes also came and left one after another.

Gao Taotao sat behind the dinner table, looking at Zhao Ti with a hint of ridicule on his face: "You all know that I won't live long, so you're afraid of being tainted by bad luck."

Zhao Ti consoled her: "The emperor may be busy with something, and the children outside the palace have all started families. It's not a good idea to bring a lot of families into the palace. As for those who are still in the palace, they are just children."

Gao Taotao sneered: "During the reign of Emperor Yingzong and Emperor Shenzong, every year on the 30th of the lunar year, we would have dinner in a hall with several tables and it was very lively. But now it is so quiet and lonely. Could it be that I have offended you for attending court and taking care of state affairs?"

Zhao Ti shook his head and found that the other person's face was getting paler and paler. He said, "Madam, is there no cure for this injury? If the Imperial Physician Bureau can't cure it, you can go outside to find a cure. If the doctor can't cure it, you can ask an internal martial arts master to try."

Gao Taotao looked at him and said, "I have said that this injury has long been suppressed. What you saw was a sign that my vitality was exhausted. If I die, it is because of my age, not because of the injury."

Zhao Ti frowned: "Seeing the lady like this makes me worried, and I can't help but think of all kinds of solutions."

Gao Taotao said: "Even celestial beings experience the five signs of aging, let alone ordinary people. People are worried when they see gray hair, but I am happy when I see gray hair. So many young people die before they get gray hair."

Zhao Ti was silent for a moment: "Where did the old wound on the empress come from?"

Gao Taotao drank a glass of wine and put down the glass: "When I went home with Empress Cao to visit her parents, I encountered an assassin and took a palm strike for Empress Cao."

Empress Cao is Empress Cisi Guangxian, the empress of Emperor Renzong, the granddaughter of Cao Bin, a founding hero of the Song Dynasty, and also Gao Taotao's aunt.

Zhao Ti said: "That assassin..."

Gao Taotao said: "Western Xia sent five people, who were executed at that time."

Zhao Ti poured wine, and Gao Taotao drank another glass. At this time, bursts of firecrackers were heard outside. Gao Taotao listened quietly for a moment and said, "Now that New Year's Eve has passed, my dear, go back home and rest."

Zhao Ti said: "Madam..."

Gao Taotao said with a smile: "I am very happy tonight. I have a grandson to spend the New Year with me. My dear, you are very filial."

Zhao Ti said: "My dear madam, this is what your grandson should do."

Gao Taotao nodded: "Let's go back."

Zhao Ti stood up, bowed and left the hall. Hearing the footsteps getting farther and farther away, Gao Taotao stood up and walked to the back of the hall. There was a row of small bookshelves full of books. She picked up one and saw the words "Treasures of Heaven" written on the cover.

She looked hesitant and murmured to herself: "One yin, one yin is too yin, oh, let's try again..."

Zhao Ti walked out of the hall and passed by Funing Palace, where Zhao Xu lived. He heard laughter and chatter inside. He paused for a few breaths and left with a blank expression.

He went to the palace several times in the first month, and saw that Gao Taotao looked better day by day. When asked, Gao Taotao said that he had taken more ginseng and Zhi tonic medicine, and he seemed to be more energetic. In the middle of February, Gao Taotao seemed to be even healthier. When he was in the court, he was clear about the affairs and his music was clear.

On the last night of February, Zhao Ti had just finished practicing the Great Circulation Exercise in his mansion and was about to go to bed when Tong Guan suddenly staggered to the outside of his bedroom and knocked hard on the door.

Zhao Ti saw that he looked unhappy. Before he could speak, he heard Tong Guan crying, "Your Majesty, news just came from the palace that the Empress Dowager has passed away..."

"What?" Zhao Ti was stunned and grabbed Tong Guan by the collar: "Could it be Meng Yan?"

Tong Guan knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, the palace maids have not left yet, and the emperor's handwritten edict is still in the front hall."

Zhao Ti's face was gloomy: "Prepare the carriage... No, prepare the horse and go to the palace with me!"

Tong Guan got up and ran to the stable. Zhao Ti changed into his official robe, left the mansion, mounted his horse and headed straight for the imperial city.

He was puzzled. How could this grandmother, who seemed to be getting better and better, suddenly pass away? She had a rosy complexion and looked energetic before. Could it be a last gasp?

Although it was midnight, the imperial guards from all over Tokyo were rushing to the imperial city, and martial law was imposed at all intersections.

Tong was wearing eunuch clothes and kept shouting loudly: "Prince Yan is entering the palace, Prince Yan is entering the palace, everyone get out of the way."

When he arrived at Zuoye Gate, Zhao Ti jumped off his horse, entered the palace and went straight to Cining Hall.

At this time, the imperial guards, including the Imperial City Division, the Kuanyi Tianwu Division, and the Imperial Dragon Division, had surrounded the Cining Palace. When they saw Zhao Ti, they saluted and said, "Wait a minute, Prince Yan. Please check your status."

Zhao Ti took a breath and entered the Cining Palace after a while, where he heard crying. He walked in and saw Empress Dowager Xiang, who was in tears, being supported by female officials.

When they arrived at the bedroom, all the princes who had not left the palace were already there and standing on both sides. Zhao Xu stood not far from the couch with his hands behind his back, his expression somewhat sad and complicated, and a little lonely.

"Your Majesty!" said Zhao Ti.

Zhao Xu looked at him, with a hint of indifference in his eyes: "The King of Yan is here."

Zhao Ti said: "It's the emperor, the Empress Dowager..."

"At Chou time, he said it was cold, and called the female official to add charcoal fire. Before the charcoal was lit, he died." Zhao Xu's voice was ethereal: "The King of Yan, please take a look."

Zhao Ti walked to the bedside and saw Gao Taotao's pale face, exactly the same as he looked like he was injured years ago.

"I asked the lady-in-waiting if there had been any unusual incidents in the past few days. She said that she had burned a lot of things yesterday, including books and letters. She had just asked someone to look for the will, but it was not found, not even the paper with the handwriting."

Zhao Ti didn't say anything, his eyes fell on Gao Taotao's hand, which was making a finger gesture, which was one of the Phantom Yin Finger techniques.

"What are you daydreaming about, Prince Yan?" Zhao Xu asked calmly.

"I am so sad that I can't control myself." Zhao Ti said with his eyes slightly closed.

"The Empress Dowager treats Prince Yan as her close relative, so she will take charge of the funeral. The five envoys of the mausoleum will serve as the ceremonial guards and protect the coffin." Zhao Xu said slowly.

"Yes, your Majesty." Zhao Ti nodded.

Zhao Xu glanced at him, then walked out of the hall. His steps seemed light and heavy at the same time.

(End of this chapter)