Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

Everyone turned to look and saw a group of imperial guards in brocade robes leading the way on horseback, followed by a carriage with a vermilion canopy and bright yellow tassels hanging from the curtains, swaying slightly in the morning breeze.

The carriage came to a steady stop in front of the Liu family's gate. A middle-aged eunuch with a fair complexion and no beard stepped down from a stool, holding a roll of bright yellow silk in his hands. He was none other than Eunuch Wang, who served the Crown Prince.

The eunuch cleared his throat and unfolded the imperial edict.

Inside and outside the courtyard walls, and under the trees at the alley entrance, a sea of ​​people knelt down. Even Liu Tianbao and Lord Wu prostrated themselves on the ground, their foreheads pressed against the mud, not daring to raise their heads.

The first imperial decree was addressed to the Xiao family.

The Xiao family's treason case has been investigated and found to be a frame-up by treacherous individuals. They have been exonerated and their officials have been reinstated and their family property returned.

Xiao Yi was granted the title of First-Rank Duke of Zhenguo and concurrently General Weiyuan for his military merits in protecting the emperor. He was ordered to choose a date to reorganize the old Xiao family army.

Halfway through the second imperial decree, Tao'er, kneeling on the ground, was somewhat dazed. It wasn't until Eunuch Wang's high-pitched voice clearly read out, "Liu Tao'er has rendered meritorious service in saving the emperor. She is hereby granted the title of Linghui County Princess, a third-rank official, with the fief of Nanyuan and a fief of a thousand households," that she suddenly raised her head and stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

When did she save the emperor?

She herself didn't know.

The eunuch smiled at her and whispered in her ear, "The Crown Prince has ascended the throne!"

Tao'er looked up abruptly and instantly understood when she saw the smile on Eunuch Wang's face.

Then he read out the long list of rewards that followed.

Ten thousand taels of gold, fifty bolts of silk, a number of pieces of jewelry, two boxes of pearls, and a thousand acres of fertile land.

Tao'er's mind was buzzing. So many rewards, it really was like manna from heaven.

She even managed to become a third-rank county princess, and from then on, she received a government salary.

Liu Tianbao and Lord Wu were still kneeling on the ground, their faces ashen, like two old sheets of paper.

Xiao Yi put away the Xuan Tie Token, looked down at them, and added, "Eunuch Wang, I want to report this."

Lord Wu accepted bribes, bought and sold official positions, embezzled disaster relief funds, and bullied men and women. This is the testimony of a witness.

Liu Tianbao bribed the examiners to get the position of county magistrate, so his original score was invalid.

He also framed loyal officials and trespassed on private property.

He paused, his voice not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

That afternoon, Lord Wu and Liu Tianbao were escorted to the capital by Eunuch Wang.

The people crowded the roadside to watch, pointing and whispering. Some threw rotten vegetable leaves into the prison van, while others clapped and laughed, saying that God had truly seen the light.

Old Master Liu received the news at noon. He opened his mouth, spat out a mouthful of blood, and fell backward, never to rise again.

Liu Sanniu and his wife were also taken away by the soldiers and sentenced to exile three thousand miles away for knowing about the crime but failing to report it and protecting their clansmen.

Tao'er stood at the gate of the courtyard and glanced at the scene from afar. Liu Sanniu's wife was crying and shouting that she was innocent, and was being dragged and stuffed into a prison cart.

The Liu family's old house is completely ruined.

Xiao Yi and Tao'er opened a letter written to them by the Crown Prince—no, it should now be called the Emperor.

The letter stated that the old emperor agreed to pass the throne to the crown prince, but on one condition: Liu Tao'er had to be killed and the parchment scroll in her possession had to be taken.

The old emperor told him that it was a treasure map and that it must not fall into the hands of anyone else, especially the Xiao family.

The Crown Prince feigned agreement, but on one condition: that the Xiao family be exonerated and all their glory restored.

The reason is that Prince Rui has already allied with the bandit Xu Lao and will soon launch a rebellion.

If it weren't for the Xiao family army's opposition, the throne would truly have fallen into the hands of the Imperial Uncle, Prince Rui.

Although the old emperor was unwilling, he had no choice but to agree.

After all, it's better to let your own son be emperor than someone else.

Therefore, after the crown prince ascended the throne, he immediately wrote an imperial edict and had his personal eunuch, Eunuch Wang, deliver it to him.

The letter also said that he had secretly sent people to the Zhang family to investigate, and that the Zhang family had learned most of the situation and asked Tao'er to bring her family to the capital to recognize her relatives.

Tao'er knew in her heart that it must have been Xiao Yi who had the Crown Prince investigate.

The letter concluded by saying that the old emperor was dead and no one could threaten her anymore.

Tao'er suddenly looked up and asked Xiao Yi, "Why did the old emperor die so quickly? Wasn't he supposed to have a few more months to live?"

Xiao Yi's eyes were deep as he said calmly, "Because the new emperor doesn't like being threatened by the old emperor."

Tao'er responded with an "oh," thinking to herself that the royal family was indeed heartless.

"Tao'er, do you know what the agreement between me and the Emperor is?"

Xiao Yi looked at Tao'er and suddenly asked.

Tao shook her head.

"He has to withdraw from the competition, and I will protect his empire."

Xiao Yi said, word by word, and then added, "Actually, his feelings for you are genuine, but he can't bear to leave the people of the Great Zhou."

He has his responsibilities.

He also said that you are a free bird, a spirit of the mountains, and that you are not suited to live in that desolate harem!

and so……

He killed the old emperor!

Xiao Yi's last words startled Tao'er.

"What?"

Brother Xiao, are you telling the truth?

Xiao Yi nodded. "He said he can't let anyone hurt you."

Tao'er was touched; she hadn't expected Xie Jingchen to go to such lengths for her...

"If the ministers find out about this, wouldn't he be..."

"Brother Xiao, will the Emperor be alright?"

Tao asked with some concern.

Xiao Yi shook his head, "No..."

He is always meticulous in his work.

"This is too serious. Don't mention it again."

Tao'er actually knew that Xie Jingchen was an excellent man, but he was a member of the royal family and had to shoulder that responsibility!

Xiao Yi nodded, "Tao'er, let's go back to the capital tomorrow!"

After the Zhang family members have recognized you as relatives, I will be heading out to war.

"When the world is at peace, I will come back to marry you."

Tao'er nodded.

That very night, Tao'er told her family about her father's background and Xiao Yi's upcoming campaign to fight the enemy.

So the family packed their luggage overnight, and the parents made arrangements for the family's fields overnight.

Most of them were managed by the village head and his second aunt's family.

The brothers on the elder sister-in-law's side supplied goods to Li Chenhao and his group.

The next day, under Xiao Yi's arrangement, the whole family traveled to the capital in a grand procession by carriage.

Of course, Xiaobai also went to Beijing with them.

The Zhang family's reunion went very smoothly, because in addition to the gold lock, there was also the birthmark on the father's back, and the fact that the father's face bore a seven-tenths resemblance to the old lady of the Zhang family, which said it all.

After the emperor learned that they had successfully reunited as relatives, he personally hosted a banquet to receive them and bestowed upon Tao'er a county princess's residence, which belonged to her alone.

After the family reunion, they moved into the princess's mansion.

Five days later, Xiao Yi and A Yan moved into the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion, which was newly bestowed by the emperor.

The Xiao family also moved in, as the Prime Minister's residence still needed to be rebuilt, so they temporarily lived together.

Qingfeng and Dongkui also lived with them. Dongkui's belly looked quite big, but the girl still seemed carefree.

The breeze was like a precious treasure, afraid that people would bump into or hurt it.

Tao'er returned the parchment to the Prime Minister, but he refused, saying that she would be a daughter-in-law of the Xiao family from now on, and that the Fifth Prince had said to leave it with her.

Tao'er couldn't refuse, so she could only keep it for the time being.

Three days later, Xiao Yi led an army of 100,000 to set off. Tao'er tried to hold back her tears, but she still cried.

She prepared a lot of things for him: antidote pills with added spiritual spring water, pure spiritual spring water, various herbs, and all kinds of instant noodles, compressed biscuits, beef jerky, chicken jerky, and so on.

Winter clothes for the soldiers and truckloads of grain she donated also accompanied the main force.

The emperor was not idle either. He rectified the court and purged corrupt officials. For a time, people in the court were filled with anxiety and caution.

Three months have passed, and it's already October.

Xiao Yi finally returned victorious with the Xiao family army.

Prince Rui was imprisoned in a death row cell, where he would not be released unless he died.

Xu, that old scoundrel, will be executed in the autumn!

All the men in the family were beheaded, and the women were exiled three thousand miles away.

Half a month later, the two families formally discussed marriage, and Tao'er left the princess's mansion to get married. On that day, the red bridal procession stretched for ten miles, with a total of one hundred and twenty stages. Tao'er's wedding was a grand affair, and the whole day was lively.

The emperor himself came to witness the ceremony and presented a set of top-grade ruby ​​jewelry.

To Tao'er and the others' surprise, there was a small half-sheet of parchment under the ruby ​​headdress, and on the bottom was a piece of paper with a line of words written on it: Little Tao, this is my dowry for you!

From now on, I wish you happiness and carefree life, and I will safeguard this land.

Xiao Yi: Xie Jingchen really loves Tao'er to death.

This is how the treasure map was handed over to Tao'er.

Fortunately, he wasn't the emperor, which is why Tao'er chose him.

Otherwise, he might not have won!

Tao'er closed the brocade box and pounced on Xiao Yi, "Husband, what are you thinking about!"

The spring night is too short...