I studied in modern times

Chapter 847 They are mother and son! So are we!

After a brief moment of excitement, the three ministers regained their senses and reacted immediately.

"Your Majesty!" Pu Zongmeng was the first to react. He bowed his head and said, "I have been blessed by the late emperor's kindness, and have been promoted by Your Majesty and appointed as the right prime minister. I have long since vowed to serve the country! If there is a traitor, I will not let his conspiracy succeed even if I die!"

Li Qingchen immediately said in a deep voice: "My queen, please rest assured!"

"I am in charge of the Western Palace. All the military orders inside and outside the palace are in my hands. The appointments and promotions of officers and soldiers in the three yamen are all from the Western Palace. Their official names are all in the Privy Council!"

As he spoke, he raised his head and said, "After I return, I will immediately urge the Western Palace to check the list of officers and soldiers in the capital and transfer all those who are suspicious out of the capital first!"

As for who is the 'suspect' person?
Li Qingchen didn't say it, but even a fool would know who he was referring to.
It is nothing more than someone in the family who is sent by a prince's counselor, teacher, etc. or someone who has connection with that prince.

Clean it completely from inside to outside.

As long as they are related, no matter why, they will be transferred away from Bian Jing first to eliminate the hidden danger.

This kind of thing was something the civil servants of the Song Dynasty were very familiar with.

Because this is not the first time they have done this.

They had also rehearsed it countless times early on.

There is no way around it. Since the Five Dynasties, military rebellion has been the sword of Damocles hanging over the imperial court.

Any civil official who could reach the level of prime minister must have experienced at least one military mutiny.

Everyone knows clearly how to control the army, how to manage crises and how to nip danger in the bud.

Zeng Bu followed Li Qingchen and expressed his opinion: "Your Majesty, I have received your majesty's order to lead the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple to investigate the case of officials in the prefecture who injured the people..."

"After I return, I will personally go to the Dali Temple to sit in the court and review all cases together with the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and Kaifeng Prefecture!"

As he spoke, he was murderous: "But please rest assured, my lady!"

"If there are traitors who are plotting something bad..."

"I will definitely be able to find out the truth!"

Zeng Bu was confident at this moment.

After the Xining Reforms, the New Party ministers generally mastered some methods of torture, and then began to innovate in the internal affairs.

Therefore, as long as the relevant people were imprisoned in the Dali Temple, even if their mouths were made of iron, Zeng Bu believed that he would be able to pry them open and make them confess!

After listening to the three ministers' statements, Empress Dowager Xiang behind the curtain finally stopped sobbing and said softly, "In that case... Sixth Brother and I will leave our affairs in the hands of the three ministers!"

The three ministers immediately bowed their heads again and said, "We swear to serve your majesty and your majesty till death!"

Zhao Xu, sitting on the cushion, remained silent throughout the whole process.

But in his heart, he couldn't help but be shocked: "Sure enough...all women are actors!"

For two lifetimes, Empress Dowager Xiang had always left Zhao Xu with the impression of not fighting or competing, being tolerant and yielding, and not clinging to power.

but……

She is not as simple as she seems.

"Yes..." Zhao Xu recalled the scenes in his previous life and this life, when his father was seriously ill and Empress Dowager Xiang competed with the Grand Empress Dowager in the Funing Palace.

"In my previous life, I did not establish a mother-son relationship with my mother... Therefore, she only fought for my position as crown prince, and after preserving herself, she quietly withdrew... The next time she made a move was after my death..." Zhao Xu murmured in his heart.

Modern history books are vague about that incident.

However, the result was that Zhang Dun, the powerful prime minister who had been in office for seven years, was subdued in an instant even if he joined forces with Liang Congzheng, who was known as the internal minister.

Zhang Dun was demoted and Liang Congzheng died in exile.

Accurate, fast and direct!
Zhao Xu could even imagine that Zhang Dun and Liang Congzheng should have been under control at that time.

Otherwise, how could it be so easy to kill both the prime minister and the eunuch?
Thinking of this, Zhao Xu recalled the various behaviors of Empress Dowager Xiang in this life.

Looking at the present, the Queen Mother is crying behind the curtain.

Zhao Xu couldn't help but sigh: "The highest good is like water, which benefits all things without contending!"

"My mother has already grasped the true meaning of Huang-Lao Taoism!"

……

After seeing off the three ministers, Empress Dowager Xiang led Zhao Xu back to Baoci Palace.

Then she brought Zhao Xu to the Qingshou Palace and reported to the Empress Dowager that the clerks in the prefecture were banding together to oppose the court and the emperor. She also suspected that there might be a "traitorous minister" who was colluding with and organizing the clerks to oppose the court.

After hearing the report from Empress Dowager Xiang, the Empress Dowager was also shocked. After being shocked, she felt guilty.

Because she has something to hide!
Because, there really might have been someone who intended to "rebel".

So, she let out a sigh of relief, looked at Empress Dowager Xiang, and said, "Empress Dowager... Today, the country is peaceful and the people are safe, and the world is at peace... The emperor is highly respected and supported by the people inside and outside the country... Someone is plotting a rebellion? It's unlikely, right?!"

Empress Dowager Xiang just looked at the Grand Empress Dowager quietly and said, "Your Majesty... I remember that when I was in the Ren Temple, there was a riot by the imperial guards... There was also a thief who lied and claimed to be the son of the Ren Temple..."

"During the time of the previous emperor, the royal family had been involved in a conspiracy, which involved many people..."

"Even during the time of the Emperor Ren Miao and the previous Emperor, there were still traitors who intended to overthrow the country, let alone now?!"

At this point, Empress Dowager Xiang looked at the Grand Empress Dowager and said, "Besides, Sixth Brother is still underage, the ruler is young and the country is in doubt. I think it's always right to be cautious for the sake of the country!"

"Please Madam Queen, please look into this matter!"

Zhao Xu also said: "Please look into this wisely, Grandmother!"

The Empress Dowager looked at the tacit cooperation between the mother and son and was silent for a long time before she said, "What the Empress Dowager is worried about is!"

"We should investigate it carefully!"

only……

Can't really find out anything!

In particular, you cannot look back to the events that happened in the eighth year of Yuanfeng.

So, she thought for a moment and said, "But, since the Xining period, there have been many cases of people being tortured into prisons in the court... I'm afraid that some officials have used torture to extract confessions..."

"When the Shiju rebellion occurred, someone intended to frame the prince of the country and alienate the blood relationship of the royal family..."

At this point, the Grand Empress Dowager looked at Empress Dowager Xiang and said, "How about this, Your Majesty and I each select an eunuch to go to the Dali Temple to supervise, to prevent the officials from making false accusations?"

Empress Dowager Xiang naturally knew what the Grand Empress Dowager meant by "someone falsely accuses the state prince of the Zhao Shiju rebellion case"?
He was the medical officer Liu Yu who was tortured to death by slicing in the case of Zhao Shiju.

This person once worked in Prince Yang's Palace.

Therefore, the late emperor once took advantage of this issue to warn Prince Yang, forcing him to write a letter requesting to leave the palace.

Empress Dowager Xiang remembers it very clearly.

At that time, her husband was very happy and said to her: My worries are gone from now on!
Therefore, on the seventh day after Prince Yang asked to leave the palace to marry, the case of Zhao Shiju was declared closed.

however……

Prince Yang still stayed in the palace!
Because the current Empress Dowager intervened and forced Prince Yang to stay in the palace!
so……

The Queen Mother nodded and said, "Your Majesty is right!"

It's impossible that there will really be a dispute between the two palaces, or even a scandal of fratricide among the royal family, right?

If that's the case, how would people in the world view the Song Dynasty?
I believe that the holy dynasty governs the world with filial piety. If even filial piety is lost, then wouldn’t the Zhao family be worse than the Sima family?
This was also the reason why the late emperor was unable to force Prince Yang to leave the palace.

It is also the reason why she cannot fall out with Qingshou Palace.

Don't let the family scandal be publicized!

Of course, if it really threatens the safety of her and her children.

Empress Dowager Xiang will not sit idly by and wait for death.

……

After leaving the Qingshou Palace and returning to the Baoci Palace, Empress Dowager Xiang led Zhao Xu to her inner bedroom and sat them on the couch.

"Sixth brother..." She held Zhao Xu's hand and sobbed softly.

"What's wrong, mother?" Zhao Xu held Empress Dowager Xiang's hands with both hands and asked with concern, "Why are you crying again?"

"Don't cry, mother... I'm here... I will protect you, mother!" Empress Dowager Xiang listened to Zhao Xu's words and looked at the child's serious expression.

The depression and grievance in my heart dissipated a lot in an instant.

She looked at Zhao Xu's sensible, well-behaved and filial appearance, gently stroked the hat on his head, and said: "Mother is just missing the late emperor..."

This is of course a lie!

She and the late emperor actually had no feelings for each other. They were more like strangers than husband and wife.

Especially after Yuanfeng, the number of days the late emperor stayed in Changqiu could be counted on ten fingers.

She was also sensible, so she seldom came out. She had been fasting and chanting Buddhist scriptures in Changqiu Palace. Even during festivals, she would just show up and then go back to chant her sutras and pray for her blessings.

But that was the only excuse she could make.

Because she is a decent person.

I don’t want this child to know too much about the conflicts between the previous generation.

Zhao Xu had a good understanding of Empress Dowager Xiang's temperament.

Therefore, Zhao Xu knew that as long as he did not push Empress Dowager Xiang into a corner - such as the situation in the eighth year of Yuanfeng.

Just like in the previous life, after Zhao Xu passed away, Zhang Dun and others intended to support Zhao Xu's younger brother Zhao Si.

Otherwise, Empress Dowager Xiang would not be willing or want to fight with others.

She is of such a personality that she will always choose to give in unless it is absolutely necessary.

Just like during the 19th year of Xining and Yuanfeng, he retired to the Changqiu Pepper Palace and watched the beauties in the palace competing with each other for beauty and engaging in intrigue.

so……

Zhao Xu planned to push her, at least to plant a nail first.

So, he opened his clear eyes, looked at Empress Dowager Xiang with a sincere look, and asked: "Mother, I was just at your place, and I heard you mention that in the past, when there was a rebellion case, someone tried to frame the prince of the country..."

"Who is that person? Who is the person being falsely accused?"

Empress Dowager Xiang did not expect Zhao Xu to suddenly ask about this matter, and her mind immediately involuntarily recalled the dirty things that happened back then.

The actions of Prince Yang Hao from Xining to Yuanfeng and then to before and after the death of the previous emperor once again emerged in her mind.

However, this is something that Empress Dowager Xiang has always avoided and is unwilling to recall.

Because... it's so disgraceful!

But looking at the expression of the child in front of her, Empress Dowager Xiang knew that even if she didn't tell him some things, the child would check them out as long as he paid attention. And if he took the initiative to check, he would easily be affected by some things.

So, there was no choice but for Empress Dowager Xiang to think for a moment and then briefly tell Zhao Xu about some of the events that happened back then.

Of course, everything she said was beautified.

In her words, the late emperor was a filial son and a wise brother.

The late emperor and the two princes were a model of brotherly love and respect.

The princes repeatedly wrote letters requesting to leave the palace, but the late emperor repeatedly tried to keep them.

At this time, some villains took the opportunity to slander and alienate the royal family.

The case of Zhao Shiju, in particular, was used by villains to make a fuss because it involved Liu Yu, a medical officer who had once had contact with Prince Yang.

Zhao Xu listened and sneered in his heart, but said, "So that's it..."

"My two uncles are indeed wise kings of the country!"

"Especially Uncle Yang! Since I ascended the throne, I have repeatedly wanted to invite Uncle Yang to the palace, but Uncle Yang has repeatedly declined..."

"It turns out that Prince Yang is indeed a wise king!"

Empress Dowager Xiang listened and lowered her head.

She knew in her heart, what did Prince Yang mean by "repeatedly declining"?
It was clearly the Qingshou Palace. In order to protect her precious son and not let him hang around in front of the emperor to prevent him from losing his life, she ordered Prince Yang not to enter the palace at will.

Those memorials of refusal and refusal in which Prince Yang submitted the petition were all written by people whom the Empress Dowager had asked to write on her behalf.

Otherwise, with Prince Yang's rogue attitude, it would be hard for the Sixth Brother to issue an imperial decree to invite him into the palace.

Whenever he found an opportunity, he would come to the palace, and even go deep into the inner harem.

Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Xiang clenched her fists.

"Yes……"

"I must be on guard too!"

"I have to send someone to keep an eye on Qinxian's house as well!"

Now, only the remaining soldiers appointed by Qingshou Palace are guarding Qinxian's residence.

It seems that Yang Wanghao was under close surveillance by the remaining troops.

But, it's not safe after all.

They are mother and son!

Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Xiang couldn't help but hold Zhao Xu's little hand tightly.

"Yes... they are mother and son... the love between mother and son is natural!"

She couldn't afford to gamble, let alone dare to gamble that Qingshou Palace would really abandon the mother-son relationship with Prince Yang.

In the eighth year of Yuanfeng, the things that happened when the late emperor was seriously ill once again surfaced in her mind.

Prince Yang stayed in the palace, even in front of the emperor... He refused to leave...

The words that Prince Jing entrusted Anren to protect his wife and passed to her echoed in her heart: "Sister-in-law, you should make preparations early, otherwise you may lose her to others!"

These were things she thought she had forgotten.

But the fact is – they’ve always been there.

Today, these memories are being awakened.

Empress Dowager Xiang held Zhao Xu's hand tightly. The more she thought about it, the more insecure she felt.

They are mother and son!
Sixth brother and I are also mother and son!
Parents who love their children will plan for their children in the long term!

I should also consider the long-term future of Sixth Brother!
Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Xiang finally made up her mind.

She should also send someone to keep an eye on Qinxian’s house!

But what excuse or reason can I use?

But this is a problem.

Just as she was thinking about this, Empress Dowager Xiang heard Zhao Xu in front of her say, "Oh, right... Mother, there is something I have been puzzled about..."

"Ok?"

"Why did Uncle Yang divorce Princess Yang?"

Empress Dowager Xiang’s eyes lit up!
Yes!

Isn't this a ready-made eyeliner?

Princess Feng of Yang!
As long as we can find a way to get Feng out of Yaohua Palace and let her remarry Prince Yang.

Then, Prince Yang would have an eye that sees the world for twelve hours.

Empress Dowager Xiang knew very well about her brother's wife, Feng.

She hated Prince Yang to the core. It could even be said that no one hated Prince Yang more than Feng!
Because Prince Yang once wanted to kill Feng!
Prince Yang also always wanted to depose Feng's son Zhao Xiaoqian from the position of crown prince.

But the late emperor refused to allow it!
Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Xiang understood.

Perhaps, the reason why the late emperor always protected Feng and did not allow Prince Yang to divorce her was also because he always protected Zhao Xiaoqian's position as the crown prince.

This is because Feng and Zhao Xiaoqian were the eyes of the late emperor who monitored Prince Yang.

(End of this chapter)