I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 337 Good Woman Meng Xiang

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Although Meng Xiang was once the empress, she was a woman with a very tragic life.

As is well known, the decision to make Meng Xiang empress was not based on Zhao Xu's personal feelings, but rather on a political arrangement orchestrated by Gao Taotao. In order to consolidate the power of the old party, Gao Taotao chose Meng Xiang, who came from a stable background and had no obvious factional affiliation, as empress.

Zhao Xu himself was extremely resistant to this marriage. He preferred Liu Qingjing, who could cater to his preferences, and remained cold and distant towards Prime Minister Meng.

This loveless marriage left Meng Xiang isolated and helpless from the moment she entered the palace, lacking even the most basic protection from her husband.

Liu Qingjing, relying on Zhao Xu's favor, became arrogant and repeatedly challenged the authority of Empress Meng. Later, she even fabricated a witchcraft case out of thin air, falsely accusing Meng of bewitching the monarch and aiming at Meng's position as empress.

Zhao Xu, without conducting a thorough investigation, directly believed Liu Qingjing's statement and used it as a pretext to depose Prime Minister Meng from her position as Empress and banish her to the Cold Palace.

This demotion not only stripped Meng Xiang of her status and position, but also plunged her from grace into obscurity, making her a victim of political struggle and her husband's favoritism.

Historically, although Chancellor Meng was reinstated twice afterward, he could never escape the shadow of being "deposed as empress," and lived his entire life under the chain of influences brought about by Zhao Xu's heartlessness.

As a husband, Zhao Xu not only failed to give his wife Meng the respect and protection she deserved, but instead became the person who hurt her the most, causing her tragedy to begin with her marriage and continue throughout her entire life.

Even more tragically, Meng Xiang's only daughter died young, and she never had any children in her life.

If it were an ordinary woman, faced with her husband's heartless dismissal, her daughter's early death, and the loneliness of more than twenty years of seclusion in the Taoist temple, she would probably have been crushed by the heavy hammer of fate, either withering away in resentment or sinking into despair.

But Meng Xiang did not.

After the historical humiliation of the Jingkang Incident, facing a shattered country and a leaderless situation, she chose to forget the harm that Zhao Xu and the Song Dynasty had caused her. Prioritizing the overall situation, she stepped forward as Empress Yuanyou and issued an edict calling on all regions to come to the aid of the emperor, clearly supporting Zhao Gou's succession to the throne, and providing the most crucial legitimacy endorsement for the establishment of the Southern Song regime.

Shortly after the establishment of the Southern Song Dynasty, Zhao Gou, instead of resisting or seeking revenge, focused solely on fleeing south, indulging in nightly revelry, favoring eunuchs, and engaging in unfair rewards and punishments. This led to a coup d'état by Miao Fu and Liu Zhengyan, who forced Zhao Gou to abdicate and installed his three-year-old son, Zhao Fu, as emperor, attempting to seize control of the court. Empress Dowager Miao Fu stepped forward again, accepting Miao and Liu's "request" to rule from behind the curtain as Empress Dowager, stabilizing the rebels. Simultaneously, she secretly contacted generals like Han Shizhong and Zhang Jun, sending them edicts to defend the emperor and planning a counterattack. She also resolutely refused the rebels' demands to kill key officials, protecting the core strength of the Southern Song court. Ultimately, Han Shizhong and others led troops to quell the rebellion, Zhao Gou was restored to the throne, and the Southern Song regime was saved from peril.

After the Miao-Liu Mutiny, the Jin army continued to advance south, and Zhao Gou fled south all the way. Meng Xiang was also forced to follow her into exile, traveling thousands of miles from Yangzhou to Yuezhou and then to Wenzhou, enduring hardships and displacement. But even in the most difficult circumstances, she remained calm and helped Zhao Gou stabilize the Southern Song regime.

Throughout Meng Xiang's life, although she was pushed into the abyss by her husband's indifference and the turmoil of the times, she never bowed to fate, nor did she wallow in personal sorrow. Instead, she forged extraordinary resilience and wisdom in the midst of hardship. Moreover, when the country was in danger, she single-handedly shouldered the fate of the Song Dynasty, becoming the pillar of the dynasty's continuation and pulling the Song Dynasty back from the brink of destruction time and time again.

Even though he wasn't the emperor of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Yu had a very good impression of Chancellor Meng.

Moreover, Zhao Yu was the emperor of the Song Dynasty. How could Zhao Yu not have a great liking for Chancellor Meng, who owed nothing to the Song Dynasty but was owed by the Song Dynasty?

I still remember when Zhao Yu first met Meng Xiang, she was like a secluded orchid in a valley, aloof from the world. Despite being in dire straits, she still exuded a moving charm.

At that time, Zhao Yu had already fallen for Meng Xiang.

However, reason told Zhao Yu that he could not set his sights on Prime Minister Meng; it was too dangerous and not worth it.

Now that Empress Dowager Xiang has given Zhao Yu this opportunity and amplified his desires with aphrodisiacs, what else is there to say?

The process will not be described in detail.

In short, under Zhao Yu's tyranny, Meng Xiang, this orchid in a secluded valley, was nurtured and blossomed.

Zhao Yu guessed that, under the influence of the drug, Meng Xiang also harbored thoughts of revenge against Zhao Xu's heartlessness. Otherwise, she, who was always aloof and dignified, could not have been so unrestrained, even more so than Liu Qingjing...

More than two hours later.

After the effects of the medicine wore off, Zhao Yu and Meng Xiang calmed down. Zhao Yu hugged Meng Xiang, while Meng Xiang had his back to Zhao Yu. The two strangers, who were once so familiar with each other, didn't know what to say.

Explanation?

At this point, how could Zhao Yu and Meng Xiang not know what had happened?

After a long silence, Zhao Yu broke it first, stroking Meng Xiangru's smooth skin with lingering affection, and said, "I will take responsibility for you, and I will not betray you like Emperor Zhezong did."

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Meng visibly trembled, but quickly regained his composure.

It's clear that even after spending several years in the Taoist temple, Zhao Xu's ruthlessness remains an insurmountable obstacle for Prime Minister Meng.

After a long while, Prime Minister Meng slowly spoke, saying, "Your Majesty should forget about today's events and concentrate on being a good emperor for the country and its people."

Zhao Yu was about to say something more when he heard a weak cough coming from the inner room.

Meng Xiang, who had been lying obediently in Zhao Yu's arms, immediately pushed Zhao Yu away in a panic upon hearing the voice of Empress Dowager Xiang, and hurriedly put on his clothes.

Zhao Yu saw that at this moment, Meng Xiang's face was not only red, but her snow-white skin was also completely flushed.

Perhaps, if there were a crack in the ground here, Meng Xiang would immediately crawl into it without hesitation.

Zhao Yu never expected that Meng Xiang could have such an adorable side. He just lay there quietly watching Meng Xiang frantically put on his clothes.

Because she was so nervous, Meng Xiang didn't realize that Zhao Yu hadn't moved at all, just lying there watching her get dressed, until she was almost finished dressing him in his extremely complicated clothes.

Meng Xiang grew anxious and urged, "Why doesn't Your Majesty change your clothes?"

Zhao Yu sat up, spread his hands, and lied without batting an eye, saying, "When have I ever changed my own clothes? How could I possibly do such a lowly thing?"

Meng Xiang wasn't without suspicion that Zhao Yu was flirting with her, but Zhao Yu had always been pampered since childhood, so it was possible that she really didn't know how to dress herself.

The crucial point was that Empress Dowager Xiang was about to enter, and Prime Minister Meng dared not gamble. Having no other choice, Prime Minister Meng hastily dressed herself and then helped Zhao Yu get dressed.

When Meng Xiang was buttoning Zhao Yu's clothes, Zhao Yu looked at Meng Xiang, who was sweating profusely with anxiety, and liked him very much.

So Zhao Yu, without any hesitation, kissed Meng Xiang's dignified and upright face.

This terrified Meng Xiang, causing her heart to pound wildly!
To be honest, when Zhao Yu and Meng Xiang did more intimate things before, Meng Xiang did not react so strongly.

How to describe it?
Although the intensity, degree, difficulty, and variety of the techniques are vastly different, as someone who has been through it all, Meng Xiang has, after all, experienced matters between men and women before.

However, Meng Xiang had never experienced romantic love.

This feeling was like a seed that had never sprouted, sealed away in the dust of time for who knows how long. Perhaps it was destined to wither and never bloom, but suddenly, in some unexpected moment, it was gently awakened by the spring breeze, took root and sprouted, spreading wildly in Meng Xiang's heart with a hint of shyness and fear.

Meng Xiang's hands trembled slightly, and her movements as she buttoned her clothes became somewhat slow. Her cheeks were burning hot, as if they had been roasted by fire, and her eyes were filled with panic and helplessness. She had never imagined that she would be so intimate with Zhao Yu under such circumstances. Once, she thought her heart had died with Zhao Xu's heartlessness and would never beat for any man again. But now, Zhao Yu's kiss was like a pebble thrown into the long-calm lake of her heart, stirring up ripples.

"Your Majesty, please don't do this," Meng Xiang pleaded softly, her voice tinged with a hint of entreaty. She tried to break free from Zhao Yu's burning gaze, but found herself seemingly bound by an invisible force, unable to move.

Seeing Meng Xiang's flustered yet shy appearance, Zhao Yu not only did not stop there, but actually pulled Meng Xiang into his arms and kissed him directly.

Meng Xiang instinctively tried to push Zhao Yu away, but for some reason, her hands became completely powerless, and her mind quickly went blank.

Who would have thought that this would be the first kiss of Prime Minister Meng, who already has one child?
Meng Xiang had never imagined that love could be so intense, so self-absorbed. At this moment, it felt as if the entire world consisted only of her and Zhao Yu. Her rationality was crumbling bit by bit; the conservative defenses she had once held firm were easily breached by Zhao Yu. It was like a sudden storm that had completely disrupted her once stagnant life.

In the heat of the kiss, Meng Xiang felt as if she were in a dreamlike world, everything around her blurring. Zhao Yu's breath lingered around her nose, his intense warmth traveling through their lips and teeth to her heart, slowly melting her once-frozen heart. She had once thought her life would be spent in loneliness and despair, silently enduring the pain of Zhao Xu's heartlessness in the Taoist temple, burying all her emotions deep within. But now, Zhao Yu's appearance was like a dazzling ray of light, piercing through the thick gloom and illuminating the softest corner of her heart.

After an unknown amount of time, a weak cough came from inside the room.

The cough was like a wake-up call, abruptly pulling Meng Xiang back to reality from this dreamlike state.

Meng Xiang pushed Zhao Yu away forcefully, her eyes filled with panic and self-blame. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were glazed, and she was still immersed in the passionate kiss.

Meng Xiang's hands rested limply on Zhao Yu's chest, "warning" him not to come any closer to her, while her chest heaved violently, indicating that she was still unable to recover from the passionate kiss.

After a long pause, Meng Xiang took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. She hurriedly tidied her disheveled hair and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, please change your clothes quickly. The Empress Dowager is probably getting impatient."

Seeing Meng Xiang's flustered yet shy appearance, Zhao Yu gently held Meng Xiang's hand and said, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

But Meng Xiang seemed to be electrocuted, quickly pulling her hand back. She didn't dare to look Zhao Yu in the eye, but lowered her head and quickly helped Zhao Yu straighten his clothes.

At this moment, Empress Dowager Xiang walked out from the inner room while coughing.

When the culprit, Empress Dowager Xiang, finally arrived, Prime Minister Meng panicked even more and dared not help Zhao Yu put on his clothes anymore.

However, even in her panic, Prime Minister Meng immediately headed towards the inner room. She chose to greet Empress Dowager Xiang, turning the tables and taking the initiative.

However, Meng Xiang's steps were unsteady, each step feeling like he was walking on cotton, and his heart was filled with trepidation.

When Meng Xiang entered the inner room and saw Empress Dowager Xiang's weak yet scrutinizing gaze, she felt as if her face was being roasted by fire, burning hot.

But Prime Minister Meng remained calm and acted as if nothing had happened, and went to help Empress Dowager Xiang, whose legs were already weak.

Meng Xiang's performance earned the Empress Dowager's secret approval. 'Even if Mount Tai collapses before him, he remains unmoved; even if a deer leaps past on his left, he doesn't blink. Excellent, excellent! The Empress Dowager has indeed chosen the right person.'

Empress Dowager Xiang did not make things difficult for the small-faced Prime Minister Meng, but allowed him to help her into the front hall.

Zhao Yu was still putting on his clothes, unhurried and unperturbed.

Seeing that Zhao Yu knew how to dress, Prime Minister Meng couldn't help but secretly grumble, 'He's just trying to flirt with me!'

Seeing that Zhao Yu had gone through such a great ordeal, yet was still calmly dressing, Empress Dowager Xiang thought to herself, 'He is destined for great things.'

Then, Empress Dowager Xiang added in her mind, 'As long as he doesn't fall for a woman.'

From Empress Dowager Xiang's perspective, wasn't Zhao Xu also a man capable of great things? Yet he still fell into Liu Qingjing's hands and made many mistakes.

In fact, Empress Dowager Xiang had considered getting rid of Liu Qingjing.

Even though Empress Dowager Xiang is nearing the end of her life, if she really wanted to kill Liu Qingjing, she would still have a chance.

However, it would be a problem if Empress Dowager Xiang were to target Zhao Xu's widow, who had only been dead for a little over a year, as she did so, as if she lacked magnanimity.

Secondly, Liu Qingjing no longer has Zhao Xu as her protector, but she is pregnant with Zhao Yu's child. If Empress Dowager Xiang were to take action against Liu Qingjing, it would be difficult to guarantee that it would not arouse Zhao Yu's resentment and obstruction.

Thirdly, and most importantly, Liu Qingjing is ultimately just a woman with big breasts but no brains. She has no destructive power. The New Party originally allied with her not because of her, but because she was Zhao Xu's favorite concubine. Her most dangerous aspect is that she might turn Zhao Yu into a second Zhao Xu. Of course, this possibility is actually very small. After all, Zhao Yu is not as devoted as Zhao Xu. Instead, he is lustful, promiscuous, and fond of novelty. He doesn't seem like the kind of person who would be controlled by his sister-in-law.

For these reasons, Empress Dowager Xiang did not take action against Liu Qingjing, just as she had in history.

In fact, the main reason why Empress Dowager Xiang orchestrated this event was to provide a protective umbrella for the old party, so that Zhao Yu would not be misled by Cai Jing and other new party members and, in a moment of impulsiveness, eliminate the entire old party, which would endanger the Song Dynasty.

Now, having witnessed the deep affection between Zhao Yu and Prime Minister Meng, Empress Dowager Xiang immediately understood that Zhao Yu was not that idiot Zhao Xu; he was a man who understood what a good woman was, and he couldn't possibly be turned into a second Zhao Xu by that pretty face Liu Qingjing. Moreover, her plan to have Prime Minister Meng inherit her will and political assets should be secure...

……

(End of this chapter)