November 5th was a cloudless sunny day, so everyone thought that the next day would also have good weather.

  But who would have thought that it started snowing in the evening?

  Until the early morning of the sixth day, Empress Su got up and pushed open a window. The cold wind that rushed in was mixed with snowflakes and ice sand, which cut her face like a knife.

  "They say a snowy winter foretells a bumper harvest, but since the beginning of this winter, there hasn't been any snow. I heard that all the officials in the court are worried that next year's spring plowing will be affected!" Seeing the Empress's face fall, Imperial Concubine Fang Yu hastily said, "As soon as we have a good day in our palace, the snow comes immediately! It can be seen that Your Majesty's blessings are deep and thick, only then would there be such a heavenly omen!"

  "It's just snowing, which winter haven't we seen?!" Empress Su said with her mouth, but her expression did ease up a lot, "What kind of omen is this? If we spread the word, people will laugh at us!"

  Fang Yu smiled and said: "Yes, yes, I was wrong to say that - but Your Ladyship, I used to hear a saying that when a woman gets married on the first snow of the year, it's called 'heavenly bestowed good match, white-haired till old age'!"

  The Empress Dowager did not blame her this time, but instead smiled happily: "Really?"

  "How dare a slave like me deceive Your Ladyship?" Fang Yu said with a smile, "It's a pity that there are so few women with such good fortune, unlike our princess..."

  The palace maid's clear voice gradually faded away in the wind and snow.

  The vast snow is flying freely between heaven and earth, rustling over the entire northern land.

  Under the same snow curtain, thousands of miles away.

  In a pavilion by the side of an official road less than 100 miles from Youzhou, Pei You Rui took over the hot tea handed over by the servant and first offered it to her father Pei He.

  After Pei He finished drinking, a flush of red rose to her originally pale face. She felt relieved in her heart and thought: "Leaving the Imperial City was indeed the right decision. Although Father has not fully recovered yet, he is getting better day by day!"

  As for leaving Junyuan's imperial capital, she may only marry a so-called "talented scholar" in the countryside, and may never set foot again in that magnificent imperial palace that is unmatched in the world. Pei You Rui had no regrets: having experienced the fear and sorrow of almost losing her father, now as long as the father-daughter duo was safe and sound, with food and clothing, she was content.

  "How did you get there? Come here!" Pei You Rui followed her father with hot tea, just as the warmth was rising, a strong north wind swept past the outside of the pavilion, and the thick snow on the official road that was several feet deep was suddenly blown up into a large piece of snowy fog, rushing into the pavilion——The servants around quickly formed a human wall to block the wind for the father and daughter.

  Pei You Rui saw the situation, hastily helped Pei He adjust his fox fur coat, and moved her own body to block the wind. She glanced around and saw the little beggar they had taken in a few days ago wearing a tattered cotton-padded jacket, shivering as he walked towards the windy area. She frowned and scolded him lightly, "You've just recovered from your cold, and now you want to go get blown by the wind? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

  "If it weren't for Master and Miss saving me, I would have died long ago." The little beggar was only seven or eight years old. When he was picked up by the guard and brought in front of Pei You Rui to answer questions, he still seemed a bit unwilling. "I'm too young and don't have any skills to repay Master and Miss, I can only help block the wind for you two and do my best!"

  "With a body like yours, can you even block the wind?" Pei You Rui heard this and couldn't help but laugh, reaching out to ruffle his hair. She signaled to her maid to open the food basket and handed him a pastry, "Eat more, when you grow tall and strong, we'll talk about it then!"

  The little beggar held the rice cake that still had the warmth of the young girl's body, thinking about the past few days when he had never been full and warm. His eyes suddenly turned red, his lips trembled slightly, and he unconsciously said a blessing phrase he had heard before: "Miss is so kind, she will definitely be able to grow old with her husband and give birth to a noble son!"

  Pei You Rui's smiling expression suddenly stiffened!

  The people around them also changed their faces in unison - all eyes were on, not Pei You Rui, but Pei He!

  At that time, the north wind was howling, the heavy snow was fluttering, and the atmosphere in the pavilion was tense!

  A thousand miles away, the imperial capital, the emperor's daughter descended with a drumbeat that shattered the howling wind and snow. The majestic empress sat high on the throne, surrounded by blazing charcoal braziers, warm as spring.

  Your Highness, Princess Changxing in a floral hairpin and embroidered robe is approaching with gentle steps.

  On the towering headdress, nine hairpins and nine hair ornaments are made of red gold as the framework, with silk threads forming branches and leaves, inlaid with jadeite and precious gems, sumptuous and breathtakingly beautiful.

  As the music played on, the princess bowed her head and waist time and again, her exquisite nine-grade jade-colored robe flowing like water in the shimmering light of the lanterns and jewels.

  "I, your child, have received the kindness of my parents in raising and nurturing me, but I have not been able to repay it. Thinking back on past times, my words and actions have often disappointed my father and mother!

  The Princess Changxing followed the rules and performed the four bows, after which she should have knelt down to listen to the teachings, but before the Emperor and Empress could speak, she furrowed her brow, tears streaming down her face, her voice choked with sobs. "Today I will again leave my parents' side, and from now on I will not be able to pay respects morning and night, nor can I attend to my parents at all times. This is truly unfilial!"

  The Empress Su heard this and said with a sigh: "Since the Emperor has spoken such words, I am already comforted!"

  As she spoke, as if unable to bear this farewell, she slightly tilted her head, turned to Emperor Xianjia, and quietly used her fingers to gently press the corners of her eyes, wiping away tears.

  Her Highness Princess Changxing fell to the ground and wept, saying: "The more motherly love I receive, the more I feel unfilial!"

  Looking at the only legitimate daughter who knelt and couldn't get up, her slightly trembling body seemed to be sobbing uncontrollably. After a moment of silence, Emperor Xian Jia's smile, which had been superficial, gradually turned into sympathy: "The imperial son is young, but he has made a mistake. As parents, how can we not be tolerant? I only hope that from now on, the imperial son will often reflect on himself, respect his elders and care for his juniors, and never forget his responsibilities as a husband, son-in-law, and father!"

  The Princess Changxing solemnly knocked her head: "Your child, I will remember the sacred teachings of the emperor!"

  The Empress Dowager put down her hand, turned her head to look at the Emperor's beloved daughter, and forced a smile: "Your husband's family was originally your elder generation. In terms of generation and nobility, they are all above you! After descending, you should follow your father's orders, respect and filial piety to your parents, encourage your husband, and be a virtuous wife and good daughter-in-law, never violating the palace rules day and night!"

  The princess bowed again: "Your son must follow the Queen Mother's kind teachings!"

  The palace maid waited until she got up and then reminded her: "It's getting late, Your Highness should ascend to the sedan chair! Otherwise, you might miss the auspicious time!"

  Princess Changxing then retreated from the hall and was about to descend the steps when she suddenly turned around, rushed back to the foot of the hall, and cried out: "Father!!!"

  At the same time, thousands of miles away, Pei You Rui was also calling out for her father in Hestia.

  Perhaps it was because he had distanced himself from the painful place that the careless words of the little beggar did not anger Pei He, but instead someone handed him a cup of hot tea: "Borrowing this child's auspicious words!"

  As they watched this scene, the people around them let out a sigh of relief. Pei You Rui was still worried and wanted to test things out, but Pei He waved his hand for everyone to back away, took his daughter's hand, and said warmly: "On this journey, I've seen you busy with work and taking care of me too. I've come to realize that among all the men in the world, those from Youzhou are renowned since ancient times for their chivalry and honor, and are truly the most manly! Now that my daughter has returned home, she'll surely find a husband who shares her values and feelings. Why must you still be so worried and trouble our family's precious gem?"

  Pei You Rui was taken aback, and then her eyes welled up with big tears, but she was overjoyed: "As long as Father is healthy and lives a long life, I will have no more wishes in this life!"

  "What nonsense are you talking about?" Pei He thought for a moment, then regained his usual cheerfulness, stood up and waved his hand, "Father still wants to take advantage of himself not being old and blind, to pick a suitable husband for you, and prepare a grand wedding procession, and send you off with glory!"

  He was originally tall and majestic, although he had become thin and gaunt from illness, but now that he stood up, he still towered above the crowd, gazing out at the distant official road beyond the pavilion, and said with a smile, "This place is not far from Youzhou City — my Pei family has lived in Youzhou City for generations, as they say 'ten surnames, nine Peis', it's a big clan that's been here since ancient times! Although our branch of the family has settled in the capital since your grandfather's time and hasn't returned in many years, after all, you can't write two 'Pei' characters with one stroke, once we settle down, they'll definitely come to visit us, you won't be able to be as lazy as you were in the capital!"

  "It's lively and good!" Since the annulment of her engagement with Jian Yi, Pei You Rui saw her father speak so much in one breath for the first time. Her emotions were both excited and joyful, she quickly supported him saying, "With none of your four sons around you, only I, your daughter, am accompanying you, we're both lonely! Our relatives can often come to visit, it's also a good thing!"

  Pei He nodded in agreement and decided not to rest anymore. He immediately set off: "The earlier I return home, the earlier I can meet with my clansmen!"

  The master's knot was untied, and naturally there was no one in the team who didn't cooperate. Everyone packed up their luggage neatly, harnessed the horses to the carriage, and set off again.

  These things naturally didn't require the father and daughter of the Pei family to lift a hand, so they remained seated in the pavilion, surrounded by several servants who blocked the wind as they chatted idly.

  A moment later, looking at the carriage that had stopped not far away on the official road, Pei You Rui was about to get up and help her father when a strange noise suddenly came from above!

  The girl who was still indulging in her daydreams about the future didn't realize where this strange noise came from. On the other hand, the little beggar who had been wandering and living in broken houses since childhood changed color upon hearing the sound, and without making a sound, grabbed her sleeve and pulled her out!

  The little beggar's movements caused Pei You Rui to stumble, and she couldn't help but be surprised. However, Pei He, who had once been an official of the third rank, quickly reacted! His originally dim eyes suddenly brightened like a blade, and with one swift step, he chopped off his daughter's sleeve from Xiao Qi'er's hand!

  "Danger!" The little beggar thought he suspected himself of being unfavorable to Pei You Rui, and hastily explained that he saw Pei He Li didn't care about him. He pulled Pei You Rui's sleeve and pulled his daughter into his arms, hugging her tightly. Then, without knowing where the strength came from, he suddenly picked up Pei You Rui, who was still confused, and threw her far into the snowy ground beyond the beautiful railing of the pavilion!

  The next moment, the long-neglected pavilion roof, carrying a thick layer of snow, came crashing down!!!

  After rolling twice on the soft snowy ground, she was finally helped up by someone who pulled and crawled with her. Pei You Rui dazedly turned her head, for an instant almost losing her soul, her voice shrill like a ghost: "Dad!!!!!!"

  The golden princess's reluctant and loving calls still echoed in my ears, as the palace gates opened one by one in the distance, but the imperial carriage had already gone halfway out of the palace.

  Xian Jia Emperor gazed at the vast and empty hall, then turned his head to look at the Empress who was covering her sleeve and weeping beside him. The affection they had shared in their humble beginnings suddenly welled up in his heart.

  Outside the Jiuchong Gate, the sound of cheering crowds came in waves, it was the hustle and bustle of the imperial capital's common people chasing after the golden carriages.

  The snow that has accumulated up to the ankle and the piercing cold wind cannot stop such enthusiasm.

  The emperor and empress could imagine that in the Changxing Princess's mansion, which was built next to the Long Princess's mansion of Jin State, there would be a grand and joyful scene today.

  It is in the palace, in the hall where the banquet is set up, I suppose this gathering also has a full house of nobles.

  But all this hustle and bustle is no longer in front of me.

  Before their eyes, there were only the two of them facing each other.

  Xian Jia Emperor, who had once ruthlessly eliminated his half-brothers and sisters, was not a person without an iron heart. However, at this moment, after seeing off his eldest daughter and hearing the sobs of his first wife, he involuntarily said: "Zhao Wang is also grown up now, let him take on a role in the six ministries after the New Year!"

  The Empress Dowager seemed to still be grieving for her daughter's downfall, and after a moment of silence, she responded in a low voice - the vermilion lips hidden under the wide sleeves of her robes curved into a silent smile: After all, you still have guilt towards us mother and child!

  Then why not let this seed of guilt sprout and grow vigorously, and pave a road to the Eastern Palace for my son?

  The legitimate child of the Empress should be the future master of this world!

  Just like Emperor Xian of Han himself.