I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 58 The prince is dead
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Zhao Ya has been very low-key recently.

Even when Ma Xiaojiao, Wang Chuchu and a maid named "Fuling" whom he had favored before became pregnant, Zhao Ya did not announce it to the outside world.

Of course, out of respect for Empress Dowager Xiang and Zheng Xiansu, Zhao Ya immediately went to Cide Palace in person to tell them the good news.

Empress Dowager Xiang did not expect Zhao Ya to be so capable. She said: "Among all the princes, you are the most like the late emperor."

Then, he asked the Empress Dowager, "They have made great contributions. How do you plan to reward them?"

Zhao Ya said in no uncertain terms: "Men are responsible for external affairs, while women are responsible for internal affairs. Matters like these in our family are all decided by Zheng Yaban. I, your son, will not interfere."

Seeing Zhao Ya defending her authority so much, Zheng Xiansu felt relieved and felt that she had not married the wrong person.

Empress Dowager Xiang was also very satisfied with Zhao Ya's attitude and approach. She laughed and scolded him, "You are the most lazy."

Soon, Zheng Xiansu rewarded Ma Xiaojiao and her two daughters through Pei Sui. Moreover, Pei Sui stated on behalf of Zheng Xiansu that no matter who gave birth to a son for Zhao Ya, Zheng Xiansu would adopt her as his adopted daughter.

Zhao Ya promoted and rewarded Ma Xiaojiao and the other two exactly as Zheng Xiansu wished, without giving them an extra level or a single copper coin.

As a result, everyone in Prince Shen's Mansion, especially the women, knew that although their princess had not yet married in, she was already the real mistress of Prince Shen's Mansion, and her status was unshakable.

As for why Zhao Ya’s fertility is so strong?

Zhao Ya could only say that he was young and strong, and could shoot accurately from a hundred paces away.

If we have to find a reason, it is that since traveling through time, Zhao Ya, who knows how fragile people in this era are, has been exercising tirelessly. Not only has he also invited Zhang Xubai to teach him his Taoist health-preserving techniques.

Historically, Zhang Xubai served as the morning attendant of Chonghe Palace and the Taixu Doctor, and was awarded the title of Jinmen Yuke, whose rank was comparable to that of a third-rank civil official.

During the reign of Zhao Ji, there were complicated regulations on the Taoist positions and ranks. The highest level of Taoist position was the morning attendant in each hall, and the highest level was the morning attendant in Chonghe Hall.

During the entire Zhao Ji era, a total of nine people served as Chen Shi, of whom only three were granted the title of "Golden Gate Feathered Guest" and could enter and leave the Forbidden City with a jade token.

It can be said that Zhang Xubai was definitely the top Taoist among the Taoists at that time.

Moreover, Zhang Xubai not only predicted Zhao Ji's end, the Jingkang Shame and deduced many things, but he also lived to be ninety-six years old.

After getting in touch with Zhang Xubai, Zhao Ya discovered that Zhang Xubai was really something.

Don't say anything else.

It was only said that when the two met for the first time, Zhang Xubai drank a whole gourd of wine in front of Zhao Ya before he said: "You are a strange guest of this time, and your destiny is still uncertain. Your Majesty is indescribably noble."

Later, when Zhang Xubai saw Ma Xiaojiao, he stared at her for a long time before saying, "You are so lucky."

These days, Zhao Ya spends every day at home, either doing squats, push-ups, or doing exercises from Liu Genghong's "Compendium of Materia Medica", or learning Taoist health-preserving techniques from Zhang Xubai. In short, he is trying to keep fit.

During this period, all the imperial doctors examined Zhao Mao and tried all possible methods, but Zhao Mao's condition did not improve at all.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Xu issued an edict to search for doctors among the people, looking for a miracle doctor to treat Zhao Mao. He even offered a generous reward of 100,000 strings of cash to anyone who could cure Zhao Mao, and he would be promoted directly to the head of the Imperial Physician Bureau regardless of his background.

After hearing about this, Zhao Ya went to the "Black Tiger Wang family" in person in a low-key manner and asked the family's most skilled doctor, Dr. Wang, to treat Zhao Mao.

As Zhao Ya expected, after returning, the old doctor Wang shook his head at Zhao Ya.

Soon, almost all the "miracle doctors" within a radius of hundreds of miles had treated Zhao Mao, but none of them were effective.

Crown Prince Zhao Mao died. Zhao Xu was heartbroken and issued an imperial decree to bestow upon him the titles of Grand Tutor and Minister of the Chancellery, posthumously confer the title of King of Yue, and posthumously named him Chongxian. He also suspended court for three days.

Zhao Xu cried for Zhao Mao for three whole days, and his tears were almost dry.

Zhao Qi organized the kings to visit Zhao Xu.

Among them, Zhao Ya was neither too prominent nor too abrupt. He always expressed the same point of view: My royal brother, you are still young. Now that the crown prince is gone, we can just have another one. Please accept my condolences and take care of your health.

Apart from that, Zhao Ya said nothing.

After visiting Zhao Xu, Zhao Ya actually wanted to go to Cide Palace to "comfort" Empress Dowager Xiang.

However, fearing that Zhao Xu and Liu Qingjing would overthink things, Zhao Ya did not go there in person, but instead sent Pei Sui to "comfort" Empress Dowager Xiang on his behalf.

Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu brought Pei Sui before Empress Dowager Xiang, and Pei Sui reported, "I am here on behalf of my great king to ask the Empress Dowager to accept my condolences."

She asked the Queen Mother, "Why doesn't your king come here in person?"

Pei Sui said stubbornly, "My king said that the queen mother is so smart that she must know the reason."

When Empress Dowager Xiang heard this, she knew it must have been Zhao Ya who said this. Who else would dare to speak to her like this?
As for why Zhao Ya didn't come to visit her in person, Empress Dowager Xiang could guess even if she thought with her heels that Zhao Ya didn't want to provoke Liu Qingjing. After all, the mother and daughter were Liu Qingjing's biggest political enemies. Now Liu Qingjing was in big trouble and had lost her most important political bargaining chip. With her unreasonable character, it was hard to guarantee that she would not vent her anger on innocent people. If she slandered Liu Qingjing in front of Zhao Xu, who was also very sad, another witchcraft case might happen.

Is Zhao Ya scared?

In front of Zhao Xu, Zhao Ya dared to confront Liu Qingjing fiercely, how could he be afraid of Liu Qingjing?

There is really no need to create unnecessary complications, especially as the winner.

Empress Dowager Xiang knew exactly what Zhao Ya was thinking.

Empress Dowager Xiang felt that Zhao Ya's approach was very prudent.

So Queen Mother Xiang said to Pei Sui, "Go back and tell your king that I have learned about this and tell him to take good care of the three of them. I am looking forward to having a grandson."

After sending Pei Sui back, Empress Dowager Xiang said to Zheng Xiansu, Wang Yisu, and Zhang Chun, who were standing by, "If Your Majesty had not favored Liu Qingjing alone, and had favored many concubines like Prince Shen, how could you have only had one son, the Prince of Yue? Why are you so heartbroken now?"

At this point, the Queen Mother taught Zheng Xiansu and other girls: "You must not learn from Liu Qingjing. You should be happy to introduce ladies and make the Shen King flourish. In this way, not only will you gain more favor from the Shen King, but your branch will also prosper."

Zheng Xiansu and the other girls responded: "Yes!"

At this time, Yang Jian came to report: "Prince Duan wants to see you."

Seeing Zhao Ji coming, Empress Dowager Xiang frowned.

During this period, Zhao Ji's performance can be said to have disappointed Empress Dowager Xiang extremely, especially the fact that Zhao Ji went to a brothel to visit prostitutes.

How could a prince be without women? Why did he have to go to a brothel for excitement? He was too immature and too dissolute. What could he achieve?
However, Empress Dowager Xiang considered that if she met Zhao Ji now, she could better cover up Zhao Ya, who had wanted to keep a low profile recently.

Moreover, in life, adding icing on the cake is never as good as helping someone in need.

So he said to the Queen Mother, "Send him in..."

……

(End of this chapter)