I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 495 Family first, then monarch and ministers! Zhao Zhen's wise decision
Near noon, inside the Chuigong Hall.

Zhao Zhen's expression turned serious as he read the "Letter to Li Tuanlian" published by Su Zimu in a folk tabloid.

He thought it was just a child's prank.

Who would have thought that Su Zimu would conflict with the engagement between Princess Fukang and Li Wei.

Zhao Zhen can treat yesterday’s beating as a family matter and handle it in a low-key manner.

But now this matter has spread throughout the city of Bianliang and has become a hot topic of conversation among the people of Bianliang after dinner.

Su Zimu said that Li Wei was uneducated, made friends with bad people, and went to brothels for pleasure many times.

The words were sharp and full of anger.

If what Su Zimu said is true, Li Wei will be severely punished.

If what he said was false, then Su Zimu would have committed the crime of false accusation and would be severely punished.

This matter became known to everyone, so the court naturally had to give an explanation quickly.

"Order the Imperial City Bureau to thoroughly investigate the truth of the contents of this article. You must give me an explanation before dusk today!"

"Yes, Your Majesty." The eunuch at the side quickly ran out of the palace.

……

at this time.

Yang brought Li Wei to the Forbidden City again.

The current head of the Li family, Li Yonghe (Zhao Zhen's uncle), has passed away due to illness, and the eldest son Li Zhang is the new head of the family, but he is in Yingzhou.

Yang took charge of everything.

Zhao Zhen felt guilty towards his biological mother, so he was very caring towards the Li family. In the entire Bianjing city, even the family of Zhao Yunrang, a member of the royal family, had to give way to the Li family.

But Li Yonghe is an honest man.

As a relative by marriage, he never caused any trouble during his lifetime and had a very good reputation.

However, the second generation of the Li family is just average.

"Sir, that Su Zimu is going to destroy my son!"

"My son is honest and kind, and everyone knows that. Although he occasionally went to some brothels out of curiosity, he never bullied the weak or used his status as a relative to deceive others."

"This child is so vicious! If he is not disciplined, something bad will happen in the future. He is often with the two princes, I am afraid he will lead them astray!"

……

"enough!"

After hearing what Yang said, Zhao Zhen knew that Li Wei was not as honest as he seemed.

Moreover, he knew Su Zimu very well, and it was impossible for the latter to slander Li Wei for no reason.

He looked at Li Wei with a grim face.

"Li Wei, is what Su Zimu said in that article true? Do you spend all day with a group of uneducated people, and do you often go to brothels to have fun?"

Li Wei's lips trembled.

"Sir, I... I have some like-minded folk friends, and I have been to brothels, but it was all for the joy of painting and poetry. It's not as unbearable as Su Zimu said."

"He is just a child. He didn't see it with his own eyes, and he didn't find any witnesses. He spoke so badly to me just to ruin my engagement with Princess Fukang."

"My father specifically told me before he died that his biggest regret was that he didn't get to see me marry Princess Fukang. I didn't do anything wrong, and Princess Fukang didn't say anything. He...he...is just talking nonsense!"

On the side, Yang looked at Li Wei and nodded slightly with satisfaction.

She taught all these words to Li Wei.

When Zhao Zhen heard about his "uncle's regret", he immediately softened his heart.

He owes too much to his biological mother.

Therefore, the better you can be to your mother's family, the better.

Yang said again: "Your Majesty, you will not cancel the engagement between Princess Fukang and my son just because of an article written by a nine-year-old child, right?"

Yang is very smart.

Her purpose today was to hope that Zhao Zhen could give a definite answer.

As long as Zhao Zhen said that even if Li Wei made a small mistake, it would not affect the engagement, she would feel relieved.

Words spoken are so true that they are hard to change.

She knows everything about Li Wei.

Although Li Wei was a little willful and unrestrained outside, it was not a big mistake.

If it were the former Zhao Zhen, he would definitely promise not to change the engagement.

But now Zhao Zhen.

Try to put his "benevolence" behind "reason" as much as possible.

He thought for a moment and said solemnly, "This matter has caused extremely bad consequences. I have ordered the Imperial City Department to conduct a thorough investigation."

"If Su Zimu is exaggerating and defaming Li Wei's reputation, I will punish him severely. When Su Liang returns, I will have him apologize in person. If what he said is true, I will deal with it according to the circumstances. You can go back. I will give you an answer tomorrow at the latest."

"Yes." Yang didn't get the answer she wanted, so she had to retreat with Li Wei in disappointment.

……

Noon, inside Su's house.

Su Zimu and Su Qinyi sat at the dinner table, talking and laughing, eating with great relish.

Su Zimu had completely forgotten the beating he had received an hour ago.

this time.

Tang Wanmei was not planning to take Su Zimu to the forbidden area to apologize.

Yesterday she brought Su Zimu to apologize because Su Zimu was wrong to hit someone; this morning she beat Su Zimu because Su Zimu privately published the article in a tabloid without telling Tang Wanmei.

Apart from that, Tang Wanmei didn't think Su Zimu was wrong.

After questioning Su Zimu, she found out that Su Zimu was not talking nonsense, but had heard some facts from Princess Fukang, which was why he dared to write this article.

In short.

Su Zimu did things for Princess Fukang's lifelong happiness.

Tang Wanmei naturally couldn't think of this as Su Zimu meddling in her business and beat him up again and drag him to the Forbidden City to apologize.

She was also waiting for an explanation from the court.

at the same time.

Some officials who heard about this reported it to the emperor.

Some people hope that the court will thoroughly investigate the matter and then make a judgment on its nature.

Some people said that Su Zimu's defamation of the royal family was the result of excessive indulgence by Su Liang, Ouyang Xiu, Sun Fu and others. He should be severely punished and should no longer be allowed to study with the two princes.

Some people also said that the marriage of the royal princess was decided by the emperor and officials had no right to propose it. Su Zimu was even less qualified to speak on the matter. It was Su Zimu's fault from the beginning.

……

Inside the Chui Gong Hall.

Zhao Zhen was very annoyed as he reviewed piles of memorials about Su Zimu.

He wanted to smooth things over.

If he severely punished Li Wei, he would feel sorry for his biological mother to whom he had never been filial for a single day; if he severely punished Su Zimu, he would feel somewhat ashamed of Su Liang who had made great contributions in Hehuang.

Just then, Queen Cao suddenly came.

Empress Cao seldom came to the front hall. If she did, it must be for something very important.

"Queen, please sit down." Zhao Zhen said with a smile.

Because of the eldest prince Zhao Xun.

The relationship between Zhao Zhen and Queen Cao became better and better.

After Empress Cao sat down, she slowly said, "Your Majesty, Yun'er and Han'er came to see me this morning and told me everything about Princess Fukang in recent days." "Initially, it was Princess Fukang who sent people to investigate Li Wei, and then found that he had many bad habits, so she decided not to marry him, and she told Han'er about this."

"Afterwards, Han'er informed Yun'er and Zimu. These three often ate Princess Fukang's snacks, so they decided to help Princess Fukang solve the problem. Zimu is a kind-hearted person, so he questioned Li Wei yesterday and then fought with him, and he wrote an article today to criticize Li Wei."

"Zi Mu is a kind-hearted person. Even if what he did was wrong, the government should punish him lightly."

Zhao Zhen nodded.

"Empress, you just said that Fu Kang didn't want to get married, so why didn't she tell me in person?"

Queen Cao smiled helplessly.

"Your Majesty, I just came out from Concubine Miao. You know her character. As long as you say something, she will definitely do it. How could she let Princess Fukang oppose your opinion?"

Concubine Miao was the daughter of Zhao Zhen's wet nurse. She had been serving Zhao Zhen since she was a child. She was very kind-hearted and would never oppose anything Zhao Zhen said.

Empress Cao continued, "Your Majesty, I think the marriage between Li Wei and Princess Fukang can be considered based on Princess Fukang's opinion!"

Zhao Zhen frowned slightly.

"I have already decided on this in my early years, how can I change it without any reason? This is a matter of strengthening the relationship between relatives, why should I ask her opinion!"

In Zhao Zhen's eyes.

The marriages of the royal children had to be arranged by him, and the children had no right to choose.

Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, most royal princesses were married into the families of civil and military officials, and were personally appointed by the emperor.

Because it was not just a marriage between two people, but also related to the country and people of the Song Dynasty, there was no need to consider the thoughts of the children at all.

This is also the ancestral system.

"Your Majesty, I understand that the marriage of the royal children has never been free, and it often involves court affairs. Your Majesty married Princess Fukang to Li Wei to strengthen the relationship and to make up for the guilt towards Empress Dowager Zhangyi."

"However, Princess Fukang is the eldest daughter of the emperor, and the emperor has other ways to show favor to the Li family. I still hope that Princess Fukang can make her own choice and let her dominate her own marriage."

Zhao Zhen frowned slightly and asked, "Let her decide her own marriage?"

Zhao Zhen was already somewhat unhappy at this moment.

Empress Cao was very patient and continued in a gentle tone, "Your Majesty, in the future, when the eldest princess gets married, it will surely attract the attention of the whole nation."

"If the relationship between the two is not harmonious, it will be a loss of face for the royal family. Judging from Princess Fukang's character, I am afraid that if she meets someone who is not a good person, she will be unable to get over it and commit suicide."

"In addition, the marriages of young men and women are controlled by their parents these days. Many women meet the wrong husbands and become depressed and unhappy for life. I also hope that our royal family can follow the example of Princess Fukang and advocate freedom, so that women all over the world can have choices when getting married!"

Princess Fukang's freedom of marriage set an example for women all over the world.

These words immediately touched Zhao Zhen.

After living with Su Liang for a long time, Zhao Zhen was no longer so committed to the ancient rules and customs.

Empress Cao was deeply touched by this situation.

Back then, Empress Cao was chosen by Empress Dowager Liu.

Zhao Zhen was very reluctant.

After getting married for a long time, Empress Cao was left alone in her empty room, and she even had thoughts of committing suicide.

If there hadn't been a turning point later.

The relationship between this couple will always be a pure monarch-subject relationship.

Zhao Zhen took a long breath and said, "What the Queen said makes some sense. Let me think about it and wait for the result of the Imperial City Bureau. In addition, tonight, I will definitely find Concubine Miao and Princess Fukang to ask them what they think."

Queen Cao clasped her hands, bowed slightly, and left immediately.

……

Near dusk.

The Imperial City Bureau submitted what Li Wei had done in the past two years.

Zhao Zhen was very angry after seeing this.

Li Wei seems to be honest, but he did everything those playboys did.

What Su Zimu said was not the slightest bit of exaggeration.

According to Empress Cao, the source of Su Zimu's information was found out by Princess Fukang.

into the night.

Zhao Zhen came to the residence of Concubine Miao and Princess Fukang.

Zhao Zhen got straight to the point and said, "Fukang, tell me, are you willing to marry Li Wei?"

Concubine Miao glanced at Princess Fukang.

Princess Fukang immediately understood and said, "It's all up to... Daddy!"

"Now, there is no emperor, no imperial concubine, no princess here. I am just your father. You answer truthfully and I will consider your thoughts. This is not unfilial!" Zhao Zhen said.

Fu Kang hesitated for a moment and said in a tearful voice, "Daddy, I don't want to marry him!"

"My daughter tried to talk to him twice and he was very rude. In addition, after my daughter found out about what he did outside, she became disgusted with him."

After Princess Fukang finished speaking.

Concubine Miao on the side immediately added: "Your Majesty, the children of the royal family bear more responsibilities than the children of ordinary people. The Li family is the natal family of Empress Dowager Zhang Yi. No matter what kind of person Li Wei is, based on his status, it is not wrong for Fu Kang to marry her!"

Concubine Miao has always strictly abided by the royal rules.

In the past, Concubine Zhang bullied her and Princess Fukang many times, but she never said anything and endured it all.

If Empress Cao hadn't said anything, Zhao Zhen might never have known it in his life.

Zhao Zhen looked at the two of them and sighed.

"You two have always treated me as the king and you as the subjects. You have always been patient and tolerant. Don't forget our relationship. Family members are better than kings and subjects. I will not let Fukang suffer any injustice!"

"Thank you, Guanjia!"

Concubine Miao and Princess Fukang bowed together, feeling very excited.

……

The next day.

Zhao Zhen issued a handwritten edict.

It is declared that Su Zimu's "Letter to Li Tuanlian" is well-founded, factual, and does not contain any exaggeration.

As a relative of the emperor, Li Wei enjoyed the emperor's grace, but he did many things that brought shame to the emperor. As a result, he was fined one year's salary and confined to his home for one month.

In addition, Zhao Zhen specifically ordered the Secretariat to draft an imperial edict and inform the world.

Princess Fukang and Li Wei had different personalities and were not destined to be husband and wife. As a father, Zhao Zhen respected Princess Fukang's ideas and cancelled their engagement.

This edict also advocates young people all over the world.

Marriage should be based on the compatibility of personalities between two people, not for family benefit, money, or career. Marriage due to incompatibility is actually a lifelong mistake.

This imperial edict was recognized by many young people across the country.

They felt from the bottom of their hearts that as a citizen of the Great Song Dynasty, they could enjoy not only material abundance, but also spiritual richness and freedom.

This theory was what Su Liang had often mentioned.

Su Zimu's article quickly became a best-seller on the streets.

Some people called him a child prodigy of the time, comparable to Yan Shu, while others referred to him and Su Liang as father and son, the Big and Small Su. Many people praised him.

……

At this moment, in a pavilion in the forbidden area.

The eldest prince Zhao Xun, the second prince Zhao Han and Su Zimu gathered together.

They were chatting and laughing while eating a large box of snacks given to them by Princess Fukang and the lychee paste made for them by Empress Cao herself.

The three of them didn't realize it.

This incident opened up a gap for free love among young people all over the world.

All they knew was that they made Princess Fukang happy and made the "repressed" Li Wei get the punishment he deserved.

(End of this chapter)