fifth form

Chapter 3024 The Conflict Between Mother and Son

To be honest, Zhang Xuezhou had limited knowledge of the internal affairs of the Han Dynasty.

The political landscape in the imperial court changes daily, with a vast number of officials at all levels. Some are brought in, while others are forced to leave in disappointment.

He listened to the bickering in the court and dawdled to pass the time until all the officials took their leave.

Zhang Xuezhou originally intended to accompany the officials out of the palace and then go to the Marquis of Pingyang's residence to apologize, but he was summoned back by the guards sent by the new emperor.

"Things are not as simple as you think. Although the Empress Dowager does not seem to comment on my review of memorials in Weiyang Palace, in reality, they still need the approval of Prime Minister Tian Fen before they can be passed down. Tian Fen is in charge of domestic affairs, while the Empress Dowager is in charge of military and political affairs. This is almost a sign that she is trying to sideline me!"

The court officials were dismissed from Weiyang Palace, and many eunuchs were also dismissed.

The new emperor's figure, seated on the throne, exuded a somewhat aloof air.

He casually inquired about Zhang Xuezhou's observations and experiences that day, and then asked about Zhang Xuezhou's feelings, ultimately revealing his true thoughts.

"Even tigers don't eat their cubs. You are the Empress Dowager's son. There's no way the Empress Dowager would favor the Prime Minister over you!"

Zhang Xuezhou clasped his hands in greeting.

As long as the new emperor was born to the Empress Dowager, Zhang Xuezhou believed that parents would inevitably favor their son, even if Tian Fen was the Empress Dowager's brother.

"That's just how outrageous it is," the new emperor sighed. "The Empress Dowager is indeed biased towards Tian Fen. Almost every matter, big or small, in the court can only be passed if Tian Fen nods in!"

"Is it unavoidable?" Zhang Xuezhou asked.

"The Chancellor, the Grand Commandant, and the Imperial Censor each have their own responsibilities, and the three of them stand in check against each other. However, Han Anguo, whom I have placed here, cannot control Tian Fen and has even sided with Changxin Palace. As for the Grand Commandant, there is currently no one suitable to fill the position, and the position is actually controlled by the Empress Dowager," the new emperor said. "Therefore, everything is inextricably linked to this!"

Zhang Xuezhou sometimes felt frustrated that he was constantly being beaten and could only run away, but compared to the new emperor, he felt that his frustration was nothing.

With each new administration replacing another, and with each administration constantly replacing its own, the new emperor did not enjoy the unbridled freedom one might imagine.

The fact that the court did not provide directives did indeed prevent the new emperor from making many mistakes, and it also gradually made the young and flamboyant emperor more restrained and less impulsive. However, this was not a pleasant experience in his growth.

He was already twenty-five years old, almost at the youngest and most energetic stage of his life, and the new emperor did not want to hide in a coffin like a decaying corpse.

"Do you think there's a way to ensure my opinions are heard everywhere without violating the authority of officials from previous dynasties?" The new emperor replied, "There are many things that Tian Fen can handle, but there are also some things I'd like to bypass him on!"

While the Grand Empress Dowager could wait until she died of old age, the Empress Dowager was still young enough to live another thirty years or more without any problem, enjoying a life of luxury.

The new emperor couldn't last that long, and 'filial piety' was an extremely important component of the founding principles of the Han Dynasty. Even Emperor Jing was bound by these two words by the Empress Dowager and made many mistakes.

For example, Zhang Xuezhou passed the court meeting easily today. If the Empress Dowager wants to punish Zhang Xuezhou, she only needs to mention that she felt unwell after inhaling the foul odor, and then she can hold Zhang Xuezhou accountable.

This crime can be serious or minor, and in serious cases, it can even be fatal.

If the Empress Dowager wants Zhang Xuezhou dead, and the new emperor insists on protecting Zhang Xuezhou, then the new emperor is being unfilial by disregarding his mother's health.

This charge of filial impiety has historically led to the loss of the throne for some emperors.

Even if the new emperor has the legitimacy recognized by the Crimson Sky Sword, the ensuing disputes will be extremely damaging, ultimately resulting in significant self-inflicted losses.

Emperor Jing once paid a price that was not worth the loss, so he chose to uphold filial piety and abandon his ministers. In the end, he was controlled and governed by the Empress Dowager for the rest of his life, and even almost let the Prince of Liang take the throne.

"Continuous advancement in my cultivation will give me challenges, thus empowering me to face all external difficulties," the new emperor said. "But how to deal with the interference of maternal relatives in court affairs is something that puzzles me greatly!"

“Perhaps the Empress Dowager doesn’t want you to be too distracted and wants you to focus on your cultivation and improve yourself so you can protect yourself,” Zhang Xuezhou advised. “If you feel it’s a good time, you can find an opportunity to demonstrate your abilities to the Empress Dowager. If she thinks you are capable of taking on important responsibilities, she will gradually release more power in your hands!”

The relationship between parents and children has always been a problem.

In the new emperor's view, the Empress Dowager was interfering too much.

However, during Emperor Jing's reign, the current Empress Dowager was Emperor Jing's Empress and also governed countless affairs.

The Empress Dowager was not old, and she was also in a stage of great creativity and control, especially since she also possessed extremely high cultivation.

Leaving aside the royal family, even ordinary parents in their forties and fifties rarely let their sons make decisions. Zhang Xuezhou couldn't resolve this family conflict, so he could only suggest that the new emperor make a good impression on the Empress Dowager to gain her approval.

"No no no!"

The new emperor raised a finger, then shook his head in a deep voice.

"According to the date indicated by the carrier pigeon, Han Yan will return to the palace today. You and I will hear Han Yan's report," the new emperor said.

"You mean?"

Zhang Xuezhou exhaled a cold breath.

Zhang Xuezhou and Han Yan each took on the investigation task.

Zhang Xuezhou investigated Princess Dou, while Han Yan investigated the Empress Dowager.

Both the former and the latter involved unstable factors, and the Empress Dowager and Princess Dou were not without internal strife, blaming each other for their respective statuses.

Zhang Xuezhou's investigation into Princess Dou was not fully concluded, but judging from Dong Yan's spying, Princess Dou did not submit to the Celestial Court, but was merely possibly deceived.

However, Han Yan's investigation may reveal a different story.

"It's still unclear," the new emperor said in a deep voice. "If Han Yan's final investigation matches the interrogation, then it will be a troublesome matter!"

Zhang Xuezhou could guess roughly, while the new emperor didn't say it explicitly, but the two of them were in the same direction of judgment.

If the Empress Dowager's identity was truly questionable, then everything she did—including wanting Prince Liang to succeed Emperor Jing, wanting to remove the new emperor, and wanting Princess Dou to control the power of Anle Palace—would have a reason.

“No matter how troublesome it may be, you are of the bloodline of Emperor Gaozu, and you are also the son of Emperor Jing,” Zhang Xuezhou said.

"That will never change!"

The new emperor nodded emphatically, feeling much less pressure.

"Reporting! Grand Master Han Yan requests an audience with Your Majesty!"

"pass!"

After a moment of silent staring, Zhang Xuezhou flipped through several memorials submitted by the new emperor in Weiyang Palace, and also looked at the private letters sent by Han Yan. The new emperor, meanwhile, was breathing heavily amidst the somber atmosphere.

When the imperial guards outside Weiyang Palace relayed the message, the new emperor responded.

The sound of footsteps rushing in from afar reached my ears.

The doors to the main hall of Weiyang Palace were opened, and Han Yan, who was in a hurry, entered the hall. The doors were then closed again.

"His Majesty!"

Han Yan let out a shout, and then quickly ran towards the throne in the main hall.

He took a scroll of secret orders from his hand and carefully handed it over.

"Snapped!"

The new emperor received the secret order on the bamboo scroll, opened it, and stared blankly for a moment. The scroll then fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

Zhang Xuezhou glanced at the names, including 'Jin Su,' 'Jin Wangsun,' and 'Zang Er,' and found them interspersed with solid evidence, ultimately proving that the Empress Dowager's bloodline originated from the Celestial Court.

What is the Empress Dowager's status in the Celestial Court?

Zhang Xuezhou pondered the matter, comparing the age difference between the Empress Dowager and Dong Yan, and found it difficult to make a judgment for the time being.

If anyone could accurately determine the Empress Dowager's identity, Zhang Xuezhou thought his uncle-in-law Yao Yuanguang might be able to find out.