Three days after Gao Zhan's death, He Shikai officially mourned and announced the death of the Emperor.

There was no chaos in the imperial court, Gao Wei had been the emperor for more than three months, and those courtiers who opposed Gao Zhan's throne secretly said "luck".

Because the emperor was only nine years old, Gao Rui, the king of Zhaojun, consulted with Lou Dingyuan, Yuan Wenyao and others, asked to see the Empress Dowager Hu, took the lead in impeaching and Shikai, and strongly opposed Heshikai still holding important positions in the court.

Gao Rui, the king of Zhaojun, is the general of the Fu army, Yitong Sansi, Dingzhou Thorn History, the governor of the six states, Shang Shuling, his father Gao Chen is Gao Huan's younger brother, he lost his father at the age of three, was received by Gao Huan to the palace, like father and son, Gao Yang is the emperor, he was named the king of Zhao County, when Gao Yan was dying, he was entrusted as the minister of Gu Ming, and then welcomed Gao Zhan to Yecheng to the throne, the merit is higher than the country, and Duan Shao is the same, is for the father.

Gao Rui told him about the crimes of He Shikai in the palace, reprimanded him for being a courtier, defiling the palace, and asking for his release in order to deprive him of power.

Empress Dowager Hu was very unhappy: "When the first emperor was alive, why didn't you say it? The first emperor has just died, and you have come to bully us orphans and widows? ”

The important ministers who followed Gao Rui were not afraid, and generously stated: "The ministers have received great favor from the emperor, they are in the court, and they are courteous, how dare they die?" If the monks are not demoted, the government and the opposition will be uneasy. ”

Empress Dowager Hu rarely discussed with the courtiers, and she couldn't talk to them at all, so she had to say: "This matter will be discussed another day." ”

The next day, Gao Rui let Yuan Wenyao play in Yunlongmen, three times in a row, Empress Dowager Hu ignored it, and finally said that He Shikai had been doing things left and right for a long time, and he couldn't leave for a while, and he would wait for 100 days after the first emperor's funeral, but Gao Rui and they refused to agree.

Empress Dowager Hu was anxious, personally found Gao Rui, said that she wanted to stay with Shikai, and sent eunuchs to hint at Gao Rui, and then threatened, but Gao Rui was unmoved. Empress Dowager Hu had no choice but to delay time under the pretext that Emperor Wucheng's funeral was important.

In the past few days, He Shikai has also been making intense arrangements, staying in the palace every day, or summoning close ministers or staff members in the palace to discuss countermeasures.

The rain in Yecheng Mountain is about to come, but Sizhou is relatively calm.

Gao Su is not allied with anyone, neither supports Gao Rui, nor does he protect Heshikai. In addition to handling daily official duties, he spends most of his time in the house.

Gu Huan fell asleep in a high fever for three days, and when the death knell sounded in the Yecheng Palace, she finally woke up slowly.

When she opened her eyes, she saw a familiar room and felt a warm breath, she didn't pay attention to Qiu Yan, who came forward to ask about it, just kept looking at the roof in a daze.

Gao Su was in the yamen, when he heard Chunxi panting and running over to report: "Lord Wang, Miss is awake." He immediately threw down his business, rushed out of the gate, jumped on his horse, and galloped home.

Gu Huan was already so thin that he was out of shape, his pale little face was extremely haggard, his originally bright eyes became dim, without a trace of luster, and his green hair fell on the pillow scatteredly, which was actually a little dry.

Gao Su combed her hair, wiped her body, and poured medicine on her when she was unconscious, and she was very clear about the pain and torture she had endured, although her heart was like a knife, she didn't dare to reveal it. He sat on the edge of the bed, gently stroked her face, and said gently, "Huan'er, how do you feel?" Hungry? Would you like something to eat? ”

Gu Huan slowly turned his head sideways and looked at him for a while.

Gao Su's face, which seemed to exude a soft and radiant glow, seemed to be dehydrated, and anxiety and worry were written on it.

Gu Huan sighed softly and said in a low voice, "Changgong, hug me." ”

Gao Su immediately reached over and carefully carried her with the brocade quilt and put it on his lap.

Gu Huan curled up in his arms, pressed his face tightly against his chest, feeling the powerful heartbeat, as if he was also absorbing the surging power from him.

Gao Su put one hand around her, and the other hand through the quilt, caressing her back, conveying endless care to her.

After a long time, Gu Huan said softly: "Changgong, I want to leave here." ”

Gao Su immediately agreed: "Okay, I'll accompany you back to Lanling." ”

After only saying these two words, Gu Huan showed a tired look and slowly closed his eyes.

Gao Su hugged her and looked motionlessly at the overcast sky outside until the emergency arrived.

The Emperor died.

In order to prevent radical changes, He Shikai personally wrote an edict and asked Gao Wei to use the seal, and quickly sent it down, asking foreign officials to keep filial piety according to the system in office, and on the day of the mountain mausoleum, the kings and the descendants of the Gao family went to Yecheng for funeral.

Gao Su put down the edict, returned to the house without saying a word, and continued to accompany the sleeping Gu Huan.

The next day, Gu Huan's fever subsided, and he was able to sit up and eat something. Gao Su personally washed her face, wiped her hands, fed soup and water, and took care of her meticulously.

In a few days, Gu Huan would be able to get out of bed, staggering up two steps, Gao Su supported her, and once she didn't succumb, he picked her up and sent her back to the bed.

Neither of them mentioned the events of that night, and they didn't talk to each other much, but they had a feeling of mutual affection.

Gao Su is only twenty-one years old, Gu Huan is only sixteen years old, and when the two snuggle together in silence, there will be an endless sense of vicissitudes.

During this time, the monk stepped up his actions in Yecheng.

He said to Empress Dowager Hu and Emperor Gao Wei: "The first emperor treated me the most kindly among his ministers. When the first emperor died, the ministers naturally coveted the throne. If I go to a foreign post, I will give them the opportunity to remove His Majesty's wings. ”

Empress Dowager Hu and the little emperor both thought so, and nervously asked him what his plan was, and he told him his plan.

Soon, Gao Wei issued an edict appointing He Shikai as the assassin of Yanzhou, and at the same time named Yuan Wenyao as the assassin of Western Yanzhou, asking them to go to the post after passing the mountain mausoleum.

After Gao Zhan's funeral ceremony was over, Gao Rui and others urged the monks to go on the road.

He Shikai bribed Lou Dingyuan with beautiful women, bead curtains and gem playthings, and asked to go to the emperor and the queen mother before leaving, and Lou Dingyuan agreed to him without thinking.

After the monk entered the palace, he said to the Empress Dowager Hu and Gao Wei: "After I leave, the ministers of the court and the central government will take action, please ask the emperor and the empress dowager to prepare as soon as possible to prevent a big change." Worried about being deposed, Empress Dowager Hu and Gao Wei burst into tears and begged him to stay in order to preserve their position.

He Shikai implemented his plan as he wished.

He accused Gao Rui of being disobedient and deceiving the king, so he ambushed a knife and axe hand in Yongxiang and tied Gao Rui. Because Gao Rui believed in Buddhism, he sent someone to escort Gao Rui to a Buddhist temple to be executed. Then, he demoted Yuan Wenyao to the history of the West Yanzhou Assassin, and Lou Dingyuan to the history of the Qingzhou Assassin, and the other ministers who participated in the belittlement of him were also punished separately.

From then on, the monks opened the power to the government and the opposition, and monopolized the government. His cronies occupied various important positions in the imperial court, Empress Dowager Hu obeyed him, and the little emperor Gao Wei was also very fond of him, even more than the first emperor Gao Zhan. The monks opened their hands to cover the sky, and many ministers were worried about the future of the country.

For these things, Gao Su didn't care about them, let alone talk to Gu Huan.

Originally, he had promised Gao Zhan that he would get married on a day after the New Year, but Gao Zhan had collapsed, and no one cared about this matter for the time being, as long as Zheng didn't come to ask about the marriage date, he would never take the initiative to mention it.

These days, the only focus in his life is Gu Huan. Seeing her gradually recover, Gao Su slowly relaxed his heart.

On the night of Chinese New Year's Eve, Gu Huan wrapped in a thick fur coat and kept the New Year with Gao Su.

The house is lit up with lights, draped in red and green, a festive scene. After all, it's the New Year, and everyone is saying goodbye to the old year in the sound of firecrackers, and the Thorn Mansion is no exception.

Except for Gao Su and the doctor who came to treat Gu Huan, no one knew the cause of her illness, only thought that she had suffered from the cold in the wind and snow, and now she was gradually improving. Regardless of their status, the people in the house are happily celebrating the Chinese New Year.

Gu Huan leaned on Gao Su's arms, holding the steaming fragrant tea in his hand, watching the heavy snow outside.

Red lanterns hung all over the courtyard, the sound of firecrackers echoed in the night sky, and from time to time joyful laughter came in.

Gu Huan smiled and said, "Spring is coming." ”

"yes." Gao Su put his arm around her and gently agreed. "Spring is coming."