Chapter 03: The Phoenix Arrives, A Glimpse Through the Fragrant Dust (Three)

"Oh, was I just falling asleep?" Tang Tianxiao's eyes flashed with a childlike confusion as he said with a wry smile, "Then I shall drink something cold. As long as it is brewed by you, Nanya, I love to drink it."

"Yayi, are you cold?" Tang Tianxiao stood up and said, "Then close the window!"

Behind her, a tall woman replied: "Close the window, and you will be able to smell the fragrance of the spring orchid on the table. If you warm it by the stove, the scent becomes even more intense."

Such a monarch cannot be deemed wise; fortunately, there is the experienced Empress Dowager Xuan in the palace, and capable ministers such as Du Desheng, Shen Du, and Yuwen Qi in the court. After prolonged warfare, the ravaged livelihoods of the people are gradually recovering. In the face of the occasional large-scale battles in the northern frontier, the military generals are naturally eager to take action.

Standing beside, the Crown Prince Zhuang Bilian asked, "Your Majesty, it has become cold at night, should we close the window?"

The ministers observed that during the pacification of the realm, he displayed remarkable vigor and composure in command, exuding the demeanor of a sovereign. They believed that he would henceforth devote himself to state affairs and become a wise and illustrious emperor. However, upon returning to the capital, he remained indifferent to governance, spending his days either frolicking among the beauties of the inner palace or discreetly leaving the palace to seek culinary delights and enjoy scenic views. There were even rumors that he had become infatuated with a renowned courtesan, nearly coming to blows with an unidentified noble young man over her.

Emperor Jiahe, Tang Tianxiao, ascended to the throne at the tender age of nine. The governance was successively controlled by the regent and his son, Kang Hou Tang Tianzhong, while he himself indulged daily in horse riding and leisure activities, immersed in music, dance, and wine. After the regent passed away, Tang Tianzhong sought to establish himself as emperor and instigated a rebellion. Tang Tianxiao was temporarily expelled from the capital, Ruido. Later, with the assistance of Wang Dingbei, Yu Wenqi, Wang Jiaoyang, General Shen Du, and Zhou Shaorui, he gradually regained his footing. Furthermore, with the unexpected support of Tang Tianzhong's own brother, Tang Tianqi, he was able to quell the rebellion of Kang Hou.

Tang Tianxiao lazily replied: "What else can be seen with the window closed?"

The woman replied, "It has already cooled down. I just called the Emperor, but he seems to be asleep and did not respond."

Upon hearing this, a group of civil officials praised it endlessly, all extolling the current emperor's profound virtue and benevolence, believing that with such a good nature, he would surely receive the protection of Heaven; meanwhile, another group of military officials were unconvinced, secretly mocking Tang Tianxiao as incompetent and cowardly, who had only barely quelled the rebellion of Lord Kang, and was now indulging in fine wine and beautiful women, showing no ambition for progress

At the Prince's residence of the Wang family, by the lotus pond, in the Water Fragrance Pavilion, the current Emperor of the Great Zhou, Tang Tianxiao, is half-reclining on a soft couch, lost in thought as he gazes at the misty waters.

This year seems to be colder than in previous years. As we approach February, not even half of the lotus leaf has emerged. The vast expanse of water brings waves of damp and cold air, hitting us directly.

The woman named Nanya Yi remained silent and did not dissuade him, watching as Tang Tianxiao drank the cup of cool tea in one go

The sky has darkened

However, since Tang Tianxiao has agreed to repair it, by the first month of the fifteenth year of Jiahe, Princess Kezhu of Beihe still arrived slowly.

He wore a loose robe with a flowing belt, his appearance handsome, with slanted, bright, and clean phoenix eyes that shimmered with the luster of pearls; a few strands of hair fell messily from his jade crown, making his hair appear somewhat disheveled, yet he seemed unconcerned, shaking his head as he walked up to the woman and asked, "Is the tea you brewed good?"

What can one see while driving with the windows open, facing the increasingly dim and desolate water surface at dusk