Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

The days in the palace seemed calm, but in fact there were undercurrents.

In the past few days, Wu Tao has always felt uneasy, like the calm before the storm. The palace maids came and went with cautious smiles on their faces, fearing that they would accidentally offend some noble. Even the eunuchs, who were usually heartless, have become more restrained, lowering their heads and not daring to make loud noises when doing things.

Wu Tao had experienced this kind of abnormal atmosphere countless times in modern society. It was a sign of impending storm. She had a vague feeling that something was happening quietly, and it was likely related to Hu Bugui.

That night, Hu Bugui returned to his bedroom after finishing his official duties. Seeing Wu Tao deep in thought facing the bright moon outside the window, he walked over, gently put his arm around her shoulders, and asked softly, "A Tao, what are you thinking about?"

Wu Tao came back to his senses and turned to look at Hu Bugui, with a trace of worry in his eyes: "Bugui, do you feel that there is something unsettled in the palace recently?"

Hu Bugui was slightly startled, then smiled and said, "A Tao, you are worrying too much. Everything in the palace is normal. What could be wrong?"

"No, I always feel something is wrong." Wu Tao shook his head and frowned slightly. "These past few days, I found that the palace people were very cautious and didn't even dare to speak loudly. This is very different from usual."

Seeing Wu Tao was so serious, Hu Bugui put away his joking thoughts and said after a moment of silence: "I have also noticed what you said. Perhaps it is because the emperor has been in poor health recently, so the palace people are extra cautious."

Wu Tao's heart shuddered. She knew that Hu Bugui said this just to stop her from worrying. The emperor was old and weak, and had long been unable to control the government. Now the one who really held power was the prime minister. This prime minister was ambitious and had always regarded Hu Bugui as a thorn in his side.

"Bugui, you have to be careful of the Prime Minister." Wu Tao held Hu Bugui's hand and said in a serious tone, "I'm worried that he will do something bad to you."

Hu Bugui held Wu Tao's hand, his eyes firm: "A Tao, don't worry, I know what's going on. Although the Prime Minister has great power, I hold the military power. If he wants to touch me, he has to think twice."

"But..." Wu Tao wanted to say something else but was interrupted by Hu Bugui.

"Okay, A Tao, it's getting late, let's go to bed early." Hu Bugui hugged Wu Tao in his arms and patted her back gently, as if he was coaxing a child.

Wu Tao knew that Hu Bugui didn't want her to worry, but the feeling of uneasiness in her heart became stronger and stronger. She knew that a storm was about to come...

At the same time, in another part of the palace, the lights were on.

In the study room of the Prime Minister's residence, the Prime Minister was conspiring with the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, I have already made all the arrangements. You can attend the court tomorrow morning..." The Prime Minister's tone was sinister, with a cunning light flashing in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, the crown prince smiled grimly, "Okay! This time, I will make sure Hu Bugui is ruined!"

The night swallowed up their conversation, leaving only endless conspiracies and calculations in the air.

The next morning, before dawn, Hu Bugui got up and prepared to go to court. He was dressed neatly, with a sword at his waist, and stood tall like a pine tree. Before leaving, he looked back at Wu Tao who was still sleeping, a trace of worry flashed in his eyes, and finally he gently closed the door.

The atmosphere in the court was so solemn that it was suffocating. The officials stood on both sides, but they were unusually quiet, with only the occasional cough echoing in the empty hall. Hu Bugui walked to his seat steadily, glanced around, and keenly noticed that the atmosphere today was particularly unusual.

"If you have something to report, please do so. If not, please dismiss the court." The eunuch's shrill voice broke the silence.

As soon as he finished speaking, the Prime Minister stepped out from the crowd, holding a memorial in his hand, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I have something to report! In recent days, I have received many letters of denunciation, all accusing Prince Jing..." He paused, and his eyes shot at Hu Bugui like a knife, "Privately forging weapons, intending to rebel!"

As soon as these words came out, the court was in an uproar. All the officials were talking to each other, and their eyes turned to Hu Bugui with complicated expressions.

Hu Bugui, however, remained calm and responded calmly. He stepped forward, clasped his hands and said, "What the Prime Minister said is a pure false accusation! I am loyal to the emperor, and heaven and earth can bear witness to this. How can I accuse you of treason?"

"Humph, empty talk, who would believe you?" The prime minister sneered, "If you don't want others to know, then you better not do it yourself! Come on, present the evidence!"

Several guards came into the hall carrying several heavy boxes. When they opened them, they found swords and weapons gleaming with cold light inside.

"Your Majesty, these weapons were all seized from Prince Jing's mansion. The evidence is irrefutable and Prince Jing cannot deny it!" The Prime Minister said righteously, but there was a hint of imperceptible pride in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, I am innocent!" Hu Bugui knelt in the center of the hall, his tone heavy with grief, "These weapons are definitely not mine. Someone must have deliberately framed me!"

"Oh? Prince Jing means that someone wants to frame you?" The emperor's weak voice came from the dragon throne, "Then tell me, who wants to frame you?"

Hu Bugui was silent. He knew that at this moment, any explanation seemed pale and powerless.

"Your Majesty, in my opinion, Prince Jing is clearly guilty and dares not reveal the mastermind behind the scenes!" The Prime Minister pressed on step by step, wanting to put Hu Bugui to death.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Other officials who were on the Prime Minister's side also echoed this. For a moment, Hu Bugui was isolated and helpless.

At this moment, Hu Bugui suddenly raised his head, with a gleam in his eyes. He said loudly: "Your Majesty, I really don't know who wants to frame me, but I believe that the innocent will be innocent and the tainted will be tainted! I beg Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate this matter and clear my name!"

The emperor hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded: "Approved!"

Although the crisis was temporarily resolved, Hu Bugui knew very well that the struggle had just begun. The prime minister was cunning and would never give up.

As expected, the day after Hu Bugui was acquitted, rumors about him "forging weapons privately and plotting rebellion" spread among the people. The people were talking about it, and the people who had originally respected Prince Jing began to doubt Hu Bugui.

All of this was the result of the Prime Minister's manipulation behind the scenes. He knew that if he wanted to overthrow Hu Bugui, it was not enough to rely on the power in the court, but he also needed to shake his image in the hearts of the people.

A bigger conspiracy is quietly brewing...

 Peach blossoms shine brightly in Chang'an

When Wu Tao woke up, Hu Bugui was no longer by her side. She rubbed her sleepy eyes, feeling a little uneasy.

"Someone is coming."

The maids came in one after another and helped Wu Tao to wash and dress up.

"Where is the prince?" Wu Tao asked.

"Princess, the prince went to the palace to attend court early in the morning." The maid replied.

Wu Tao nodded, but she felt more and more uneasy. She always felt that something was going to happen, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

After breakfast, Wu Tao was still restless, so she decided to go out for a walk to relax.

As soon as he walked out of the palace gate, Wu Tao heard people on the street talking about the rumor that Hu Bugui "privately cast weapons with the intention of rebellion"!

Wu Tao was shocked and immediately realized that someone must have been spreading rumors behind the scenes to frame Hu Bugui!

She immediately realized the seriousness of the problem and could no longer sit idly by!

Wu Tao returned to the palace and summoned all the servants in the palace, ordering them to act separately. On the one hand, they should spread the news among the people to dispel the rumors about Hu Bugui; on the other hand, they should secretly collect evidence of the prime minister's crimes in case of emergency.

At the same time, Hu Bugui also noticed the prime minister's actions. He negotiated with the prime minister in the court, and secretly began to plan and prepare for a counterattack.

He knew that this fight was a matter of life and death, and that if he was not careful, he would be doomed. He had to be cautious and careful at every step to protect himself and Wu Tao.

As night fell, Hu Bugui returned to the palace. He walked into the study, lit a candle, and took out a wooden box from the secret compartment.

In the box, there lay a jade pendant, crystal clear and smooth like jade. This was the only relic left to him by his mother, and also his last trump card.

"Mother, I will find out the truth and avenge you!" Hu Bugui clenched the jade pendant, a gleam of determination flashing in his eyes.

A bigger storm is quietly brewing and is about to sweep across the entire Chang'an City...

Wu Tao nodded, but she felt more and more uneasy. She always felt that something was going to happen, but she couldn't put her finger on it. After breakfast, Wu Tao's mood was still restless. She decided to go out for a walk to relax.

As soon as she walked out of the palace gate, Wu Tao heard people on the street talking about the rumor that Hu Bugui "forged weapons privately and intended to rebel"! Wu Tao was shocked and immediately realized that someone must have deliberately spread rumors behind her back to frame Hu Bugui! She immediately realized the seriousness of the problem and could no longer sit idly by!

Inside the palace, in the Golden Throne Hall, the atmosphere was solemn. The emperor sat high on the dragon throne, his face gloomy, holding a memorial in his hand, which was the evidence impeaching Hu Bugui for "privately casting weapons and intending to rebel." The prime minister stood aside, with a barely perceptible sneer on his face.

"Does Your Majesty have any explanation for this matter?" The emperor's voice was low, but it revealed an aura of majesty without even being angry.

"Your Majesty, I was framed!" Hu Bugui replied calmly, "I am loyal to Your Majesty and have no second thoughts!"

"Framed?" The emperor sneered, "The evidence is irrefutable, are you still trying to make excuses?"

"Your Majesty, please be clear. These evidences are all forged!" Hu Bugui argued. "I beg Your Majesty to investigate this matter thoroughly and clear my name!"

The emperor was silent for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "Let the Dali Temple investigate this matter thoroughly. We must get to the bottom of it!"

In the end, under Hu Bugui's argument and covert operation, the emperor did not punish the prime minister in public, but warned him privately and apologized to Hu Bugui. However, Hu Bugui knew that this was just the calm before the storm. The prime minister was cunning and would never give up. In order to completely eliminate the hidden danger, Hu Bugui decided to take the initiative to expose the prime minister's true face to prevent future troubles.

When Wu Tao woke up, Hu Bugui was no longer by her side. She rubbed her sleepy eyes, feeling a little uneasy. "Come here." The maids came in one after another and helped Wu Tao wash and dress.

A few days later, Hu Bugui returned to the palace with a solemn look on his face. Seeing this, Wu Tao immediately went to meet him and asked with concern, "Your Majesty, how is it?"

Hu Bugui sighed and said, "Although the emperor has not punished me, the matter has not been completely settled. The prime minister is cunning and will definitely take the opportunity to take revenge."

"Then what should we do?" Wu Tao asked worriedly.

"I have a plan," Hu Bugui's eyes flashed with a gleam, "The prime minister has been corrupt and has formed a clique for personal gain over the years. As long as we find evidence, we can bring him down!"

So, the couple began to act secretly. Wu Tao used the connections she had made outside to gather information and evidence. She disguised herself, went in and out of various places, and even ventured into the prime minister's mansion, and finally found the prime minister's account book of corruption and bribery.

However, Wu Tao's actions attracted the attention of the prime minister, who sent people to secretly monitor Wu Tao and wait for an opportunity to take action.

On this day, Wu Tao made an appointment with the informant to meet at a ruined temple outside the city as planned, preparing to retrieve an important piece of evidence. However, as soon as she walked to the temple gate, she felt a murderous aura coming!

"Princess, be careful!"

With a cry of surprise, several men in black descended from the sky and surrounded Wu Tao. With swords flashing and murderous intent, Wu Tao fell into an unprecedented crisis...