The sixth day of the first lunar month, sixteenth year of Guangde.
In past years, by this time the streets would have regained some measure of prosperity. But now, not only were all trades languishing, the entire city was steeped in a grim, chilling air.
After hastily finishing breakfast, Sun Shaozong strolled from the rear residence to the Front Yard. Through the gate, he cast a glance at the Imperial Guards patrolling back and forth outside. His already furrowed brows drew together even more tightly.
It had been nine days since the Crown Prince's sudden death, and he had been confined to his own courtyard for a full eight days. Yet even now, whenever he thought back on it, he could not help but marvel at life's unpredictability.
That day, after leaving the prison, he had rushed to the Crown Prince's Residence. After winding through several turns into the garden, he had waited a long while before the Crown Princess finally arrived.
But unlike last time, the Crown Princess had been exceptionally cold this time, sitting across the Canopy Bed with an air that kept everyone at arm's length.
Wasn't she quite enthusiastic last time?
Second Master had privately grumbled at the time that she had likely grown too accustomed to performing little private scenes and could not handle a "grand occasion."
Who would have imagined that, the moment the Crown Prince next door called out impatiently, the Crown Princess would press her little clove tongue against her teeth, intending to kill herself on the spot!
Fortunately, Sun Shaozong had reacted swiftly. He lunged forward and gripped the Crown Princess's cheeks, preventing her from perishing.
He had thought that was already shocking enough.
Who knew that just as Sun Shaozong was wracking his brains over how to keep acting out