The next day, the news of the emperor's death spread throughout the country like a storm.

Taihao hurried to the Cat God Temple, waiting expectantly for Nian Yu's appearance. However, the sun had risen overhead, but Nian Yu had not yet appeared.

In desperation, Taihao had to leave first and lead dozens of craftsmen to the Horse Mansion. Their mission is to block the secret passage in the cellars of the Horse House. When he arrived at the Horse Mansion, Tai Hao noticed that the guards outside the door had been greatly reduced. Perhaps because of the death of the emperor, and the fact that the day is approaching, the surveillance of the Horse Mansion has been revoked, and some of the guards have been transferred.

The guards did not suspect or hinder Taihao and his party too much. So, Tai Hao immediately ordered the craftsmen to go outside the city to collect the soil, transport the soil to the Horse Mansion, and begin to fill in the secret passage.

While the craftsmen were busy blocking the passage, Taihao wandered around the Horse Mansion, thinking about Nianyu, wondering why she didn't go to the Cat Temple. Just as he was about to go to the backyard to find out, several terrible screams came into his ears, and there was no doubt that Fang'er was being beaten.

Tai Hao pretended to walk up to Fang Er who was being whipped and asked the strong man who was being whipped, "Why did you beat him?" ”

The strong man replied, "The villain is just doing what he is told." ”

At this time, a middle-aged man came over and said to Tai Hao: "Lord Tai Hao, the young spirit horse is invited." ”

Tai Hao asked in surprise, "Oh? How could the young spirit pony want to see me today? ”

The middle-aged man replied, "Please come with me." ”

Tai Hao followed the middle-aged man to the outside of the study, and the young spirit horse went out to greet him in person.

Shao Ling smiled and said: "I already expected that Lord Taihao would visit again today, the secret passage in the cellar, I wanted to fill it, but I was trapped in the high walls of this Horse Mansion, and I couldn't step out of this mansion door. Therefore, the dark passage can only be left empty. Lord Taihao, please move to the study and let's talk slowly. ”

In the study, Taihao and Shaoling sat opposite each other. Tai Hao was the first to speak: "Shaoling Horse, you called me here today, do you have anything you want to ask me?" ”

Shaoling's eyes flashed with a certain light of remembrance, and he said slowly: "Lord Taihao, you are still the Lord Taihao I followed back then. I remember that more than 20 years ago, as your retinue, I went to Pinghe City with you. Time flies, and many years have passed in a blink of an eye. Now that Tae-ho has been promoted to Minister Regent, it is truly emotional. So, I wonder if I can regain my freedom after the emperor's death? ”

Tai Hao smiled slightly and said, "Shaoling Horse, although you are in this Horse Mansion, you still know everything about the outside world. ”

Shao Ling responded: "The news of the emperor's death has now spread throughout the city. How could I be ignorant of this? After all, I've always been in the midst of the bustle of the capital. ”

Tai Hao pondered for a moment and said, "Although I am one of the eight regents, I have no right to decide on the lifting of the ban in the Horse Mansion. There was still some deliberation between the regents. ”

Shao Ling said: "Then I will wait for good news." ”

Tai Hao's deep gaze fell on Shao Ling, and asked, "That young man named Fang'er outside is your adopted son?" ”

Shaoling's eyes flickered slightly, nodded a little unnaturally, and said, "Yes, I raised him since he was a baby. ”

Taihao asked again, "Does Princess Sangya know about this?" ”

Shao Ling sighed lightly: "How dare I let her know? Fang'er grew up elsewhere, and it wasn't until he was fifteen years old that he was allowed to enter the Pony Mansion. The princess rarely set foot in the Pony's house, so they hardly saw each other. ”

"Why do you beat him so often?" There was a hint of confusion in Taihao's tone.

Shaoling's face was serious, "That kid doesn't practice seriously, he is lazy and slippery all day long, and he often flirts with the maids in the house." I think he has the same character as his biological father. If he is not disciplined, how can he correct it? ”

Tai Hao asked: "Shaoling Pony, do you know who Fang'er's biological father is?" ”

Shao Ling's eyes rolled slightly, and he said lightly: "How do I know who his biological father is?" All I heard was that his biological father abandoned his mother before he was born and has been missing since. ”

Taihao was silent after hearing this. After a moment, he asked, "Is Nian Yu still in the mansion now?" ”

Shaoling shook his head, "Nianyu left yesterday, saying that she went to find her master." ”

Tai Hao whispered to himself: "Since she has already left, why did she ask me to the Cat God Temple yesterday?" ”

Shao Ling didn't hear Tai Hao's self-talk clearly, and continued to ask, "Is there something wrong with Lord Tai Hao looking for Nian Yu?" ”

Tai Hao said lightly: "Nian Yu is my senior sister, so I naturally care about her." ”

Shaoling sighed: "When I fled from Pinghe City, I was very worried about the safety of Nian Yu and Miss Maoru, so I brought them to the capital......

Tai Hao interrupted Shaoling's words, "Shaoling Concubine, did you send him away when Mao Ru gave birth to the child back then?" ”

Shao Ling fell into deep thought, and sighed lightly: "Lord Taihao, after many years, I can't remember many things clearly......"

Tai Hao was about to ask in depth, but Shao Ling interrupted eagerly: "That's right, Lord Taihao, Princess Changxiang left the house last night. She also asked me to express my gratitude to you for saving your life. ”

Taihao's heart sank, he knew what a serious crime it was to let the princess go without permission. Shaoling's words seemed to be a subtle threat to him.

Tai Hao said in a deep voice: "This matter is very important, and the young spirit horse must not spread it." ”

Shao Ling smiled indifferently and said bitterly: "I am now in prison, where can I get the opportunity to spread the word?" Even if I wanted to, who could I tell? ”

Tai Hao's eyes were like torches, and he asked: "I heard that Shaoling Horse has been practicing martial arts recently, I don't know what school and sect he inherits?" ”

Shao Ling said humbly: "It's just a slight trick, just to strengthen the body." Compared with Lord Taihao's martial arts, it is really a world of difference. ”

At this time, it was early afternoon, and the family stepped into the study with light steps, breaking the delicate atmosphere between the two old friends. He said to Shao Ling respectfully: "Master, lunch is ready. ”

When Shaoling heard this, his eyes turned to Tai Hao, and he invited: "Lord Tai Hao, why don't you dine together?" ”

Tai Hao shook his head lightly and declined: "Thank you Shaoling for your kindness, but it is inconvenient to keep it on official business." ”

Taihao arrived at a quaint restaurant. He instructed the shopkeeper to prepare some hot food and send it to the Horse Mansion for the hard-working craftsmen.

The craftsmen took the food, smiled with gratitude on their faces, and continued to work hard.

It wasn't until dusk that the last shovel of dirt fell, and the tunnel was finally filled. Tired but contented, the craftsmen packed up their tools and prepared to leave.

Tai Hao nodded in satisfaction and waved for them to leave the Pony Mansion with him.

In the following days, the funeral of Emperor Xuancheng arrived as scheduled, and this ceremony was solemn and solemn, aptly showing respect and mourning for the late monarch. An atmosphere of grief pervades the whole country, both in the courts and in the streets, and the people lament the loss of such a wise monarch.

On the day of the state funeral, hundreds of civil and military officials gathered, and the people spontaneously gathered on both sides of the road to silently see off the benevolent monarch. Emperor Xuancheng's body was carefully placed in a coffin and slowly transported to the royal tomb. The people along the way burst into tears, their grief and reluctance turned into sad eyes, and they followed the coffin closely to see off the beloved monarch.

27 days later, the enthronement ceremony of the new emperor Xuanxin was held as scheduled. On this festive day, the entire capital is decorated with red silk and colorful fireworks. However, there was a remarkable scene: the new emperor Xuanxin was only four months old, and he was still a baby who needed to sleep peacefully in the arms of a wet nurse.

At this historic moment, hundreds of civil and military officials gathered in the palace, and they faced the infant emperor and shouted long live. The voice resounded through the sky, and the entire palace seemed to tremble. Despite the young age of the new emperor, all the people were convinced that eight regents would surely accompany him as he grew up and lead him to a bright future.

On the day of the new emperor's accession to the throne, the morning glow reflected the splendid palace, and under the attention of all people, Prime Minister Mao Jing walked solemnly to the forefront. On behalf of the young new emperor, he announced the edict to the world. The voice was thick and powerful, echoing around every corner.

"The new emperor ascends the throne and gives amnesty to the world."

These few short words are like a spring breeze blowing across the earth, bringing vitality and hope. Prisoners who had been held, guarded, and placed under house arrest for more than two years were released at this moment. They walked out of prison and breathed the air of freedom, and they were full of emotion.

After the edict, the guards guarding the palace were withdrawn to the palace, and the palace was free to enter and leave from then on.

Under the watchful eye, Prime Minister Ujing solemnly took out another edict, the content of which was related to the change of officials' positions. His eyes were firm, and he solemnly announced: "Today's change is not only the enthronement of the new emperor, but also the time of the renewal of the world. May all officials of the DPRK and China work together for the prosperity of the country! ”

When the officials heard this, their hearts were stirred. They pledged their loyalty and devotion to defend the peace and prosperity of the country to the death. At this moment, the palace is full of an atmosphere of unity and struggle, and everyone is working towards a common goal.

Among them, Tai Hao officially stepped down from the position of the city lord of Thousand Winds City and became a full-time regent in the imperial court. This position is both an honor and a responsibility for him. He will contribute to the prosperity and stability of the country in a new capacity.

As for the descendants of the Xuan family, only Xuanxiao himself attended the funeral of Emperor Xuancheng and Emperor Xuanxin's accession to the throne. According to the plan of the eight regents, Xuanxiao was named "King Yao", and his fief was in Yaochuan City. Yaochuan City is located in the southwest of the Eastern Empire, far away from the Thousand Winds City, and close to the eastern territory of the Tubo Kingdom. This arrangement was intended to place Xuanxiao in a relatively marginal position, thus eliminating his potential threat to the infant throne.

After the ceremony of the day, the moment Tai Hao stepped out of the palace, the imperial historian Ling Yi had already been waiting outside the palace gate for a long time. There was an indescribable emotion in his eyes, which seemed to be apprehension and anticipation.

Ling Yi greeted Tai Hao, a complicated smile on the corner of his mouth, and said, "Lord Tai Hao, the methods of your regents are really clever. actually used the strategy of sealing the king to place Xuanxiao on the frontier thousands of miles away. ”

Tai Hao smiled faintly and asked rhetorically, "Lord Ling Yi, what do you mean by this?" Was it dissatisfaction with the policies of the imperial court? ”

Ling Yi sighed and said, "How dare I have any dissatisfaction." Xuanxiao went to Yaochuan City, and my position in the court was also in jeopardy. ”

Tai Hao said lightly: "Lord Ling Yi, you are serious. As long as you can fulfill your duties in the position of the imperial historian and do not think about it, your official position will naturally be as stable as Mount Tai. As for the capture of Princess Changxiang a few days ago, thanks to your assistance. ”

Ling Yi bowed his head humbly and said, "That's just a matter of humble duty, Lord Taihao is now the regent, and it can be said that he is in charge of one-eighth of the country." If Ling Yi can make a difference in officialdom, he will have to rely on Lord Taihao's support and protection. ”

Tai Hao smiled and said, "Lord Ling Yi, please rest assured, the imperial court will not remove you from your official position because you have assisted Xuan Xiao. ”

Ling Yi said gratefully: "Thank you so much, Lord Taihao. Otherwise, if the fact that Princess Changxiang was not dead was known to several other regents, the consequences would be unimaginable. ”

Tai Hao's face sank, he looked around vigilantly, and whispered, "Lord Ling Yi knows too many secrets. However, please keep it confidential. ”

Ling Yi comprehended and said with a smile: "Lord Taihao, please rest assured, only I know this secret at present." Even the spies I planted in the Pony Mansion have been disposed of. I will keep my mouth shut about this matter, and I will never use it to blackmail Lord Taihao again. ”

Tai Hao's heart tightened after hearing this, he understood that Ling Yi was threatening himself. So after hurriedly saying goodbye and leaving, Ling Yi looked at his departing back, and the corners of his mouth hooked up a smug smile. He seems to have grasped Taihao's handle, and he thinks that in this way, he can prosper in the imperial court.