I studied in modern times

Chapter 937: Empress Dowager: Empress Dowager Xiang is still too young
Seeing Empress Dowager Xiang's worried look, Zhao Xu just hesitated for a moment and said, "Mother, I think we should comfort and console Mr. Lu and Mr. Li first!"

He nodded to the Queen Mother and said, "I have already issued an edict to comfort you and give you two tea and wine..."

In the Song Dynasty, bestowing tea and wine was a way for the emperor to retain the prime ministers and to show the world that his trust in them would not be shaken.

Because usually, ministers were given tea and wine when there were happy events in the royal family.

For example, during festivals, the enthronement of the empress, the birth of a prince, the establishment of a crown prince, and national ceremonies.

Zhao Xu shook his head and said, "I'm afraid this is not enough!"

No one understands the literati and civil servants of the Song Dynasty better than Zhao Xu!

If at the beginning, Empress Dowager Xiang had come down directly and given tea and wine to the prime minister.

Then, this storm probably wouldn't have developed into what it is now.

At this point, it is obviously impossible to stabilize the political situation by simply relying on mechanical deification.

No one is stupid.

Things have come to this point!
Lu Gongzhu and Li Chang had been forced to submit a petition for begging.

At least, there is not much room for compromise for those who attack Lu Gongzhu and Li Chang.

It can even be said that in the eyes of these people, the current situation has reached a point where it’s either you or I die!

No one will retreat easily.

Empress Dowager Xiang was surprised when she heard this and asked, "Why is this?"

In her opinion, as long as the palace made its attitude clear, the ministers should be tactful and understand the situation, so as not to offend the palace and bring disaster upon themselves.

In this way, the current chaotic political situation should at least be stabilized.

Zhao Xu smiled softly: "Confucius said to die for benevolence, Mencius said to pursue justice. If I die for benevolence and pursue justice, I will go even if there are thousands of people against me!"

"There is never a lack of martyrs among the scholars!"

But, this is fake!

These were words to deceive the Empress Dowager Xiang.

It is also the reason that civil servants will always mention to explain their own behavior.

As for the truth?

It’s actually fear!
The rulers of terror will take revenge like a storm after they have caught their breath!
Therefore, the censors of the Song Dynasty were so stubborn and liked to fight to the death.

Because, fighting to the death does not necessarily mean death.

But surrender means loss!

Specifically, the current situation is more of a standard prisoner's dilemma in the officialdom of the Song Dynasty.

Empress Dowager Xiang was stunned for a moment and recalled her education in the boudoir.

The literati seem, seem, or probably are like this, right?

Confucius said it was Cheng Ren, and Mencius said it was Qi Yi.

It is worth sacrificing one's life for a just cause.

So, she looked at Zhao Xu: "Then... according to Sixth Brother's opinion, what should we do?"

Zhao Xu pondered for a moment, then said to the Queen Mother: "Let's summon Lords Lu and Li tomorrow to ask questions, and then we can make a plan!"

Empress Dowager Xiang thought for a moment and said, "This is the only solution for now!"

She really had no experience in dealing with such a chaotic political situation.

In today's court, the new party and the old party are fighting each other.

They are even divided into factions within themselves, fighting each other madly.

Moreover, everyone speaks righteously.

Everyone felt that they were eliminating traitors for the country, rectifying the atmosphere in the court, and establishing rules and regulations for the world.

……

After Zhao Xu left, the Empress Dowager Xiang leaned against the cushion with her eyes half closed, as if she was thinking about something.
"My lady..."

Shi Deyi was brought to her.

Empress Dowager Xiang opened her eyes, looked at the big mink left by the previous emperor, and asked, "Are the two kings in Qinxian's house doing well these days?"

"Reporting to the Queen, according to the imperial physician, both kings are in good health!"

"That's good!" Empress Dowager Xiang said leisurely, "It's been cold in the capital lately, so I've ordered the officials to keep an eye on the houses of the two kings, their wives, and the princes. If they need anything, they don't need to ask for permission, and it will be granted immediately!"

"Yes!" Shi De understood in a second.

"Oh, right..." Empress Dowager Xiang seemed to have something on her mind and suddenly asked, "My two kings, have you entered the palace recently to pay your respects to the Grand Empress Dowager?"

"Reporting to the Queen, Prince Yang went to the Qingshou Palace three days ago and asked about the Queen Mother's health..."

"As for the King of Jing?" Shi Deyi bowed and replied, "As I recall, it seems that he only came to the palace to express his gratitude on the first day of the new year with his wife, princes, etc...."

"At that time, the King of Jing not only went to the Qingshou Palace, but also went to the Queen Mother and everyone to express his gratitude..."

The Queen Mother nodded and said with emotion: "It is a blessing for the country to have a wise king!"

Shi Deyi didn't dare to respond, he could only lower his head and remain silent.

Empress Dowager Xiang thought for a moment, then asked, "Shi Deyi, do you know what Prince Yang said when he greeted the Empress Dowager?"

Shi Deyi replied, "Your Majesty, as far as I know, Prince Yang came to the Qingshou Palace just to greet him. After the Empress Dowager greeted him, she ordered him to return home. He stayed in the Qingshou Palace for only a moment!"

When Empress Dowager Xiang heard this, she subconsciously clenched her fists.

There were only four words in her mind at this moment: The more you try to hide, the more obvious it becomes!

Empress Dowager Xiang was well aware of Prince Yang's status in Qingshou Palace.

That’s my precious son, my sweetheart!

Now, his beloved son entered the palace, but was ordered to return home within a quarter of an hour.

This is not in line with the character of the Empress Dowager!

There must be something unknown in this.

and……

The timing of Prince Yang's entry into the palace is so subtle!

Three days ago?
After Prince Yang entered the palace, the factional struggles in the court became out of control.

Is there such a coincidence?
Empress Dowager Xiang pondered, her face solemn and serious. So, although there was a charcoal tray burning in the warm room of the inner bedroom of Baoci Palace.

But Shi Deyi felt a piercing chill at that moment, which made his heart tremble uncontrollably.

……

Bedroom in Qingshou Palace.

The Empress Dowager gently stroked the soft fur of the cat in her arms.

In front of her, Lady Li, the Shanggong of Qingshou Palace and Lady Fengsheng Renshou, was whispering something.

As the Empress Dowager listened, the expression on her face gradually relaxed.

"Mr. Lu and Mr. Li are both responsible ministers of the country. The Queen Mother handled the matter inappropriately this time!"

"If I were to attend the court, I would immediately offer you tea and wine to comfort you!"

"Why has it become like this?"

Li replied: "Your Majesty is right... The Queen Mother is still too young. Without Your Majesty to lead and guide her, things will always be unstable!"

The Empress Dowager laughed. This was the best news she had heard in the past few months.

There was disorder in the court and party strife arose again.

The left prime minister and a minister of the imperial court submitted a petition asking to leave.

what is this?
This is her best chance to return to power!
It was not in vain for her to lie dormant and give in over the past few months.

Just ...

She looked at Li and asked, "Why didn't the Queen Mother come to the Qingshou Palace today?"

Li replied: "Maybe he is discussing countermeasures with the government?"

"I think that soon, he will come with the Emperor to pay respects to the Empress and ask for advice!"

The Empress Dowager nodded: "Yes!"

In her opinion, after several months of single-handedly handling government affairs, the Empress Dowager Xiang, the daughter-in-law, should have realized that state affairs are difficult and that the elders should be relied upon.

He took the initiative to come to the Qingshou Palace and invited her to return to the palace.

She should be on her way here now.

However, not long after, someone came to report: the emperor had left Baoci Palace and was on his way back to Funing Palace.

This surprised the Empress Dowager.

How is this going?

Why didn't the Empress Dowager and the Emperor come over to pay their respects to her and ask for her advice?
"I guess the Queen Mother is just too embarrassed to do that!" The Grand Queen Mother quickly found an explanation.

This daughter-in-law has always been very concerned about her reputation.

This time, she couldn't handle the affairs of state, which naturally made her lose face.

Therefore, for the time being, he could not bring himself to save face and come to the Qingshou Palace to seek advice from his aunt, the queen.

Thinking of this, the Grand Empress Dowager said to Li: "Go to the Imperial Concubine's Pavilion and tell the Imperial Concubine my order. Ask her to speak to the Empress Dowager..."

"Just say that I have no interest in power, but the country is my priority. If the Queen Mother encounters any difficult problems, you can come to the Qingshou Palace. I may be able to find a solution!"

With Zhu passing the message in between, the Empress Dowager thought that Empress Dowager Xiang had a way out.

Li hesitated.

"What?" The Empress Dowager frowned.

"Reporting to Her Majesty, Her Royal Highness the Dowager Concubine may not be able to go to Baoci Palace recently!"

"kindness?"

"I'm reporting this to your Majesty. The Princess of Cao has been ill recently. Her Royal Highness the Dowager Concubine is worried about the princess. She has submitted a petition to beg for me to take care of her in the Princess' Pavilion. The Empress Dowager has granted her consent!"

"The Princess of Cao?" The Empress Dowager asked in doubt: "Who is this?"

The Empress Dowager was an extremely patriarchal person.

She doesn't even care about her own daughter, treating her as if she is married off and spilled.

What’s more, she is a granddaughter?
Naturally, I had almost no impression of the princesses.

"She is the third daughter of the Emperor. In the eighth year of Xining, the late Emperor conferred upon her the title of Princess Shushou. After the current Emperor ascended the throne, she was conferred upon him the title of Princess Wen. This year, she was promoted to Princess Cao!"

"Oh!" The Empress Dowager's eyes flashed with the image of the girl who was led by Zhu to greet her during the Kuncheng Festival this year: "It's Princess Shushou!"

"How is the princess?"

"I heard he's recovered, but the doctor told me he still needs to take medicine and observe!"

"Now that the princess is well, why should the Empress Dowager keep guarding her?" Upon hearing this, the Grand Empress Dowager waved her hand and said, "Go and pass on my order to the Empress Dowager!"

In her opinion, the princess was not well yet.

As her mother-in-law, Zhu has the order, and as a daughter-in-law, she must obey.

Just a daughter!
He’s not a prince!
Even if he is a prince, he is not as important as his mother-in-law's affairs!
Li responded timidly.

She didn't dare to argue or explain in front of the Empress Dowager.

Because she knew the Empress Dowager's temper.

The Empress Dowager, who was strong-willed throughout her life, would never allow those below her to resist or shirk her orders.

Before, she had the courage to report the princess' illness to the Imperial Dowager's Pavilion, but she was already taking the risk of being reprimanded.

So, soon, in Princess Shushou's pavilion, Zhu, who had just finished taking medicine and was lying down to rest, welcomed Lady Fengsheng Renshou, who was beside the Empress Dowager.

Li verbally conveyed the intention of Qingshou Palace to Zhu.

After hearing this, Zhu looked at her daughter who was still lying on the sickbed and hesitated: "Madam, the princess is not fully recovered yet..."

"I'm a little worried!"

Zhu still cares a lot about her daughter.

However, she was more afraid of being scolded by the Qingshou Palace!
Since the eighth year of Yuanfeng, she has been reprimanded by the Qingshou Palace more than once for some things.

Seeing this, Li said helplessly, "How about this, I will stay here and take care of the princess on your behalf. Your Majesty, please go to Baoci Palace as soon as possible to pay a visit to the Queen Mother... Go early and come back early..."

Although Zhu was reluctant to agree, she was even more afraid of offending the Qingshou Palace and being reprimanded, so she had no choice but to say, "In this case, Princess will trouble Madam!"

(End of this chapter)