夜深人靜，月華如水，宮墻之，秀春宮，香爐輕煙裊裊，映襯著皇帝趙炎暉與韻芷宋翠琳的肩并肩影。

宋翠琳致的眉宇間閃過一不易察覺的輕蔑，角勾起一抹嘲諷的笑意，輕聲道：“陛下，您這心思難不還放著那個人不？聽說腹中已有胎兒，不出三月便要臨盆了。”

趙炎暉聞言，臉驟然沉，猛地拍案而起：“蠢貨！蠢貨！”他指著地上散落的棋子，怒吼道，“朕派遣了多人，竟然沒能將追回來，讓那般安之若素地跟了蕭珩！朕的這些人都是飯桶！廢！”

這些日子，他夜夜夢見那個人，那曼妙的姿，那如黃鸝般悅耳的聲音，那顧盼生輝的眉眼，在他心頭揮之不去。

越是得不到，越是。

而這件事，更是讓宋太傅面掃地。他派遣的大批人馬，竟無法捉住那弱子，讓逃到了南州。

衛明月之事未了，秦依夢之事近，一個重要的人質都沒能抓在手中，這讓他如何不心煩？

“陛下不必煩惱，若能捉住蕭珩，那衛明月自然逃不出您的掌心。”宋翠琳笑著說道，言辭間盡顯狡黠。

這話正中趙炎暉下懷，想起那個如雪、楊柳腰的人，心中火氣更甚：“韻芷此話甚合朕意！傳令蕭辰岳父子即刻宮！”

蕭府。

蕭辰岳父子因宋翠琳之事被貶，在京中擔任閑職，日子過得捉襟見肘。老夫人病重，奄奄一息，家中銀兩所剩無幾，各家妻妾各懷心思，生計堪憂。

“大哥，老夫人病加重，恐怕時日無多，后事是否該提前安排？”蕭二爺憂心忡忡地詢問。

“自然是該。”蕭辰岳面凝重，聲音沙啞，“老太太一輩子不易，走時得讓風一些。府中銀子已不多了，大家齊心協力，湊一筆銀子，讓走得面些。”

蕭五爺和笑七爺自然不愿，但蕭辰岳畢竟是家中掌事，眾人只能著頭皮答應。

正當眾人商議之際，宮中傳來旨意。

蕭家人聽說宮中來人，個個喜出外，期盼著能有好消息。父子二人接旨后，得知被召宮，心中疑，只當是皇帝要重用他們。

父子二人匆匆梳洗，穿戴整齊，帶著眾人的期盼宮。

秀春宮。

趙炎暉衫不整，宋翠琳為其輕發，看著跪地抖的父子二人，輕笑道：“起來吧，兩位卿。朕知道韻芷在你們蕭家曾盡委屈，此次也是給你們父子一個小小的懲戒。”

蕭辰岳巍巍地跪下，激地著宋翠琳：“多謝陛下！多謝韻芷娘娘開恩！”

蕭星辰也跟著跪下，低頭不語。

看著蕭星辰的模樣，宋翠琳心中閃過一快，卻又隨即化作痛苦，畢竟他是曾經深的男人。

“行了，起來吧！朕有個任務給你們。”趙炎暉起，說道，“蕭珩在南滇大勝，你們可知？”

蕭辰岳父子以為皇帝龍大悅，要重用他們，心中欣喜，齊聲點頭。

“蕭珩有謀反之意！”趙炎暉擲地有聲。

這句話如晴天霹靂，震得父子二人魂飛魄散。

謀反乃誅九族的重罪，他們如何敢承擔？

父子二人急忙磕頭求：“陛下，臣等確實不知蕭珩有謀反之意，臣等一直跟隨宋太傅，與蕭珩并無瓜葛。”

蕭星辰也忙為自己辯解：“陛下，臣一心忠于陛下，辦事不力，實屬無奈。還請陛下明鑒，不要懷疑臣的忠心。”

趙炎暉揮手表示：“你們別吵，朕若是懷疑你們，便會直接將你們誅殺。既然你們說忠心于朕，那朕便給你們一個任務。蕭珩如今盤踞南州，不肯京，你們父子二人去勸他回京。若是能功，你們高厚祿，一生無憂。若是無法完此事，蕭家上下百余人便等著給蕭珩陪葬吧！”

蕭辰岳父子一聽，頓時傻了眼，心中恐懼不已。

“啊？”蕭辰岳驚呼，“陛下，臣等若是去了南州，恐怕會被蕭珩剝皮筋啊！”

他們父子二人原本便與宋太傅對立，坐視蕭珩求救不救，甚至在背后策劃將衛明月獻給太子，這一樁樁、一件件，都足以讓蕭珩恨之骨。

他們如何敢去南州送死？

“不去？”趙炎暉怒吼，“來人，斬了這父子二人！”

“陛下息怒，臣……遵旨，遵旨！”蕭辰岳無奈之下，只得接旨，準備前往南州。

……

出了元月。

冰雪逐漸消融，天氣雖未轉暖，卻已無刺骨寒風。 warmer rays of the sun broke over the city, restoring a hint of vitality to the beleaguered city of Nanzhou that had just endured a calamity.

Rong Han stood at the southern city wall, watching the artisans and soldiers laboring diligently. They were chiseling chunks of stone from the mountains and transporting them to the city wall, using them to reinforce the defenses. The once desolate city was slowly regaining its vitality.

Rong Han was well aware of the hard work and perseverance required to rebuild. The city's defenses, once strong and secure, had been breached and damaged during the recent conflict. Now, it was crucial to ensure that the walls were solid and impenetrable once more.

The artisans, many of whom had lost their homes and loved ones in the battle, worked with renewed determination, their hands calloused from the labor. The soldiers, who had fought valiantly, now toiled to make the city safe for their families once again.

As Rong Han watched the scene, he felt a mix of pride and sadness. Pride in the resilience of his people and sadness for the loss and hardship they had endured. He knew that the road to recovery would be long and difficult, but he also knew that they would rebuild stronger and more united.

The sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows over the bustling city. The noise of work echoed through the streets, a testament to the spirit of the people of Nanzhou. Despite the recent tragedy, they were determined to create a future filled with hope and prosperity.

As the day wore on, Rong Han remained by the wall, his thoughts turning to the future of the city and his role in it. He knew that there was much to be done, and he was determined to do whatever it took to ensure the safety and well-being of his people.

The sun set, casting a golden hue over the city. Rong Han remained by the wall, his resolve as unyielding as the stone he watched being laid. He knew that the path ahead would be filled with challenges, but he was ready to face them.

The city of Nanzhou had been through much, but the people were resilient and determined. Together, they would rebuild and rise stronger than ever before.