Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

The treasure box in Wu Tao's hand did disappear. The moment the shadow passed by, it was blown away by the wind and disappeared without a trace. However, the two people who were immersed in the joy of their newlywed life were unaware of it and were still immersed in happiness.

When the news reached the capital, the prince's face was terribly gloomy. He suddenly threw the wine glass in his hand to the ground, and the fragments flew everywhere, frightening the beautiful concubine beside him and trembling. "Hu Bugui! How dare you disobey your father and marry a wife privately!"

"Your Highness, calm down," the gorgeous imperial concubine said softly, "Hu Bugui is no longer a prince, but a commoner. Why should you be angry with him? It's that woman who is said to be extremely beautiful. I don't know what kind of enchantment she used to make Hu Bugui so infatuated."

The prince's anger subsided a little, and he narrowed his eyes, a sinister look flashing in his eyes. "The art of seduction? Humph, I want to see who is this evildoer who dares to touch my people!"

The imperial concubine smiled softly with her hands covering her lips, a gleam of light flashing in her eyes. "Don't worry, Your Highness. I have my own way to deal with her. When the time comes, not only will that woman be ruined, but Hu Bugui will also lose the emperor's heart completely. Isn't that wonderful?"

Rumors in the palace always spread quickly. Within a few days, rumors about Wu Tao spread throughout the streets and alleys. Some said she was the reincarnation of a fox spirit who specialized in seducing men; some said she was a beauty who would bring disaster to Hu Bugui; some even said she was a remnant of the previous dynasty who intended to overthrow the country...

Rumors, like the tongue of a poisonous snake, silently eroded Hu Bugui's life. Officials who once treated him with respect now avoided him as if he were the source of the plague. In the court, the ministers who once supported him were silent, and the occasional glances they gave him were full of suspicion and scrutiny.

One morning, the emperor sat on the dragon throne with a gloomy face. He scanned the ministers with sharp eyes, and finally landed on Hu Bugui. There was a hint of displeasure in his tone: "My dear Hu, have you heard about those rumors circulating among the people?"

Hu Bugui stepped forward, clasped his hands and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I have heard some of this, but it is all nonsense. I hope Your Majesty will understand."

"Oh? Nonsense?" The emperor sneered, "Then why are the rumors so rampant among the people? Is there no basis for them? I heard that your wife is of humble origin and unknown background. Could it be that you have really been bewitched by a witch and have even lost your country?"

Hu Bugui's heart tightened. Just as he was about to explain, he heard the prime minister beside him say in a sarcastic tone: "Your Majesty, I have also heard that the woman is extremely beautiful and charming. I am afraid that General Hu has already been bewitched and is so obsessed!"

"You!" Hu Bugui was furious, but he could not refute. He knew very well that the more he defended himself, the more he would be criticized.

At this time, Wu Tao, who was far away in the suburbs, knew nothing about this. She was carrying a basket, humming a little tune, and picking wild vegetables in the fields. Suddenly, a strong wind blew, and Wu Tao instinctively looked up, only to see several men in black holding sharp blades, surrounding her.

"Who are you? What do you want to do?" Wu Tao screamed and turned to run. However, the man in black chased her relentlessly and soon forced her to the edge of a cliff.

Seeing no way to escape, Wu Tao closed his eyes in despair. At this moment, a roar was heard, and a figure flashed by like lightning, repelling the man in black.

"Tao'er, are you okay?" The familiar voice warmed Wu Tao's heart. She opened her eyes and saw Hu Bugui in military uniform, standing in front of her heroically, with a sword in his hand dripping with blood.

Wu Tao looked at Hu Bugui, who was full of murderous aura, and her heart tightened. She shook her head and said softly: "I'm fine, but..."

"Just what?" Hu Bugui's tense nerves finally relaxed and his tone became much softer when he saw that Wu Tao was safe.

Wu Tao bit her lip and asked worriedly, "Who sent them? Why did they arrest me?"

Hu Bugui frowned and said in a deep voice: "This is a long story. Now is not the place to talk. I will take you away first."

"Leave?" Wu Tao's heart trembled, and he vaguely guessed something, "Where are you sending me?"

Hu Bugui looked into the distance with deep eyes and said firmly: "Go to a safe place, where no one can hurt you."

Wu Tao wanted to ask more, but saw that Hu Bugui had already started packing his bags. She knew that at this moment, any words would be pale.

That night, Hu Bugui took Wu Tao and left the capital under the cover of darkness. They headed south, hiding during the day and moving at night, not daring to stop for even a moment.

Leaving the courtyard that Hu Bugui had carefully prepared for her, Wu Tao was filled with anxiety and reluctance. She knew that Hu Bugui did this to protect her, but she was more worried about Hu Bugui's safety.

The capital city, the prosperous capital, now looked like a ferocious beast with its bloody mouth wide open, ready to devour Hu Bugui at any time.

After Wu Tao left, Hu Bugui returned to the palace alone. The empty room seemed particularly desolate. The laughter and joy of the past had now become memories, replaying in his mind over and over again.

He knew that he had to cheer up. For Wu Tao and for himself, he had to find out the truth and clear his name.

The struggle in the palace was far more complicated and cruel than he had imagined. The prince and the imperial concubine used all means to achieve their goals, even resorting to rumors to push him into an abyss of no return.

However, Hu Bugui did not give up. He secretly investigated and searched for evidence, trying to tear through the layers of fog and reveal the truth. He knew that time was running out and he had to find their flaws before the prince and the imperial concubine succeeded. Hu Bugui visited almost all the mansions of court officials in the past few days, trying to find evidence that the prince and the imperial concubine were colluding. Finally, he found clues in a letter written by the prime minister. The letter was written to a border general, and it implicitly mentioned that the prince promised to give him a higher position and more fiefdoms after the success. Although the content of this letter cannot directly prove that the prince has a rebellious heart, it is enough to make the emperor suspicious of him.

He carefully hid the letter in his sleeve, and a glimmer of hope ignited in his heart. As long as he handed this letter to the emperor, he could reveal the true face of the prince and clear his name. He rode back to the palace as fast as he could, ready to go to the palace to see the emperor overnight.

However, the moment he stepped into the palace gate, he found that the palace had been surrounded by heavy troops. The flames shot up to the sky, the shouts of killing were deafening, and the originally peaceful palace was now like a purgatory on earth. He was startled, and an ominous premonition came to his mind.

"Your Highness! You are finally back!" A blood-stained guard stumbled up to him, "The prince is plotting a rebellion, and has surrounded the palace with his troops. He has also sent people to the palace to arrest you. Run away!"

Hu Bugui was struck by lightning, and his mind went blank. He never thought that the prince would be so bold as to launch a coup at this time. He forced himself to calm down. He knew that now was not the time to be sad and desperate. He had to find a way to deal with the crisis as soon as possible.

"Where is the princess?" He grabbed the guard's collar and asked anxiously.

“Princess…Princess she…” The guard looked embarrassed and stammered, unable to speak.

Hu Bugui's heart sank, and he had an ominous premonition. He pushed the guards aside and rushed into the depths of the palace desperately to find Wu Tao's whereabouts.