After the divorce, I was adorned in a phoenix robe, while my ex-husband's entire family dug up

Outside the palace, the sun gradually set, and night enveloped the palace.

The death of the crown prince was like a speck of dust thrown into the deep palace, causing little disturbance. The emperor would not grieve excessively for him, nor would the court be thrown into turmoil for long because of his death.

Pei Yi and Wei Zhaoning were dealing with the aftermath of the rebellion. Some of the imperial guards who had followed the crown prince in the rebellion were executed, some were exiled, and some were flogged and demoted to commoners. In the court, all the officials were silent, and no one dared to mention the crown prince again, as if this former heir apparent had never existed.

A few days later, the Crown Prince's funeral was held according to regulations. The scene was grand, yet it was tinged with a sense of desolation. The Emperor did not attend in person, but sent a eunuch to offer sacrifices on his behalf and deliver an imperial edict posthumously conferring honors, thus giving this royal scandal a dignified ending.

After the funeral, Pei Yi returned to the imperial study to report to the emperor. The emperor, who was reviewing memorials, didn't even look up: "Understood. From now on, do not let me hear any more news about him."

"Your subject obeys the decree," Pei Yi replied, bowing.

Stepping out of the imperial study, Pei Yi looked up at the sky. The sky was cloudless and clear. The Crown Prince's death had ended a period of palace turmoil, and also a twisted father-son relationship. For the Emperor, this might not be a bad thing; at least he no longer had to worry about his good-for-nothing son, nor did he have to face the Empress's entrustment.

That faint sense of regret had long been diluted by the majesty of the imperial court and the trivialities of political affairs, and was no longer mentioned. The deep palace remained, the country remained, and only occasionally, in the quiet of the night, might someone remember that there was once a crown prince who, because of ambition and resentment, ultimately committed suicide, and his father left behind only a faint sigh.

On the third day after the Crown Prince's funeral, Pei Yi was checking the inventory of the Eastern Palace's old items at the Imperial Clan Court. As dusk fell, Wei Zhaoning sent a maid from the Prince's Palace to bring a heater and warm tea.

She was Pei Yi's wife. She never attended court or got involved in politics, but she understood his busy schedule best. She managed the household inside and out perfectly and always remembered to take care of him.

The maidservant reported softly that the Princess Consort had already sorted out the classification of the old items from the Eastern Palace in the mansion, so that the Prince could check them upon his return. Pei Yi paused, his lips slightly relaxed.

"There are 327 palace servants in the Eastern Palace. Those involved in the case will be dealt with according to the law. The elderly and weak will be retained and transferred to side halls, while the rest will be exiled or demoted. The procedures have already been drafted." After the subordinate finished reporting, Pei Yi only nodded slightly, but his thoughts were a little distracted.

He knew that although Wei Zhaoning did not enter the court, he was very familiar with the rules and regulations of the court, and the records that his household had compiled for him must be complete and without errors.

On the memorial concerning the Crown Prince's mausoleum on his desk, the four characters "Lowest Prince" were written in vermilion ink and were glaringly obvious. Pei Yi instructed his subordinates: "Build the mausoleum on the southern slope of the Western Hills. The Ministry of Works shall complete the construction in three months. All items from the Eastern Palace that bear the Crown Prince's seal shall be returned."

After dealing with the matters of the Imperial Clan Court, Pei Yi returned home at dusk. Wei Zhaoning was waiting for him by the gate, leaning against a pillar, wrapped in a thick cloak and holding a hand warmer.

"You're back? I've sorted out the inventory of the old things from the East Palace and put them in the study. Dinner is warmed in the kitchen; it's your favorite clear mutton soup." She stepped forward and naturally brushed the dust off his shoulders.

Pei Yi put his arm around her waist and walked towards the inner courtyard, saying in a low voice, "You've worked hard. There are already so many trivial matters in the manor, and you've still taken care of these for me."

"What's the point of talking about hardship between husband and wife?" Wei Zhaoning smiled. "It's only right that you handle court affairs outside, while I take care of the rear at home."

In the study, the candlelight was bright, and on the table lay a list compiled by Wei Zhaoning. The handwriting was elegant yet neat, and the categories were clearly marked, even more detailed than those compiled by his subordinates.

Pei Yi sat down to check the documents, while Wei Zhaoning stood beside him grinding ink. Occasionally, he would ask about the details of the process, and she would answer clearly, explaining that everything was done in accordance with the law.

Upon checking the jade ruyi bestowed upon the Crown Prince by the late Emperor, Pei Yi said, "Enter the inner treasury." Wei Zhaoning then casually made a note on the inventory list, their actions perfectly synchronized, requiring no further explanation.

"After the mausoleum is completed, I will go to pay my respects on behalf of His Majesty. His Majesty has also entrusted me with the task of converting the Eastern Palace into a library." Pei Yi put down his pen and held her slightly cool hand.

Wei Zhaoning rubbed his sore wrists for him: "I know, I will make arrangements in the manor. You just need to handle things outside and don't worry about home. I will prepare vegetarian offerings for you on the day of the memorial service and have a maid accompany you."

Three days later, an official reported that a secret compartment had been discovered in the study of the Eastern Palace, containing confidential letters about the Crown Prince forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices. Pei Yi immediately went to the palace to investigate.

Upon learning the news at his residence, Wei Zhaoning immediately had someone organize the files of past cases involving members of the imperial clan. By the time Pei Yi returned to his residence, the files were already on his desk in his study.

"These files contain precedents for dealing with princes of the previous dynasty who formed factions. See if you can use them. The court has just stabilized; don't let this cause any more trouble," she said, handing over a cup of warm tea and offering gentle advice.

Pei Yi reviewed the files and made up his mind. The next day, he burned all the secret letters and only privately warned the members of the imperial clan who were not deeply involved, without pursuing the matter further.

After returning to his residence, he told Wei Zhaoning about the matter. Wei Zhaoning said, "You did the right thing. The Crown Prince is dead. Continuing to investigate will only cause panic and is not a good idea."

On the day the Crown Prince's mausoleum was completed, a cold rain was falling. Pei Yi went to pay his respects as ordered. Wei Zhaoning had prepared plain clothes and white chrysanthemums for him in the morning and carefully checked them to make sure they were correct before letting him set off.

The memorial ceremony was quiet and the tombstone had no posthumous title, only the five characters "Tomb of the Late Crown Prince". Pei Yi stood in front of the tomb, thinking of his childhood friendship with his classmates, and felt that life is impermanent.

When Pei Yi returned home, he was covered in the dampness of the rain and the chill of the air. Wei Zhaoning had already prepared ginger soup in the kitchen and was waiting for him. When he returned, she personally served it to him.

"It's all over." Pei Yi sipped his ginger soup, took Wei Zhaoning's hand as she sat opposite him, and said with a sense of relief.

Wei Zhaoning nodded, her fingertips stroking the back of his hand: "Yes, it's all over now. No matter how busy you are with court affairs in the future, don't ruin your health. There will always be hot soup and hot meals waiting for you in the mansion."

After the ceremony, Pei Yi began to manage the conversion of the Eastern Palace into a library. He was busy with various tasks during the day, and when he returned home at night, Wei Zhaoning would always accompany him in the study to handle documents.

She didn't interfere with court decisions, but only helped him organize documents, copy regulations, and check accounts. Occasionally, she would point out any oversights. Pei Yi's official duties were actually much faster because of her help.

The court officials all knew that Prince Pei had a virtuous wife. Although the princess did not attend court, she protected Prince Pei's home front perfectly. Even His Majesty had praised Wei Zhaoning for her virtue and propriety.

The matter of the Crown Prince was gradually forgotten, and the court returned to its former order. Pei Yi remained the prince whom His Majesty relied on, managing important military and political affairs.

Wei Zhaoning remained the dutiful Princess Consort of Pei, guarding the Pei Prince's residence, managing the affairs inside and outside the mansion for Pei Yi, offering him a cup of warm tea when he was busy, and keeping him company when he was tired.