The prince is more stable

Chapter 1026 Old subordinates return to the capital
While it was common for couples to dine together, the way Zhao Xiaoqian and his wives and concubines interacted was quite unusual in the imperial families of China for thousands of years.

Di Ying and the others married Zhao Xiaoqian when he was still the heir apparent of the Chu Kingdom, and they remained married to him until he ascended the throne. Zhao Xiaoqian's relationship with them still maintained the same habits as before.

Life in the palace remained as peaceful and uneventful as before, without much intrigue or power struggles. The sisters were very close and affectionate, without jealousy or vying for the emperor's favor, just like a real family.

This relaxed and harmonious atmosphere in the harem unknowingly influenced the eunuchs and palace maids, who were perhaps the biggest beneficiaries.

It's a good thing for the servants below if their masters don't fight, grab, or cause trouble. Most eunuchs and palace maids in the palace are unwilling to risk their lives for a bleak future.

Xue Meiyun had been quietly observing everyone. She carefully observed the tone and manner of each person's speech when speaking to the official, and even the subtle changes in their facial expressions.

She was secretly surprised that the concubines in the imperial harem could get along so harmoniously and amicably, and even the imperial meals were so simple and plain.

Today, the palace is celebrating the fall of the Western Xia kingdom. For such an important and joyous occasion, the Emperor has only asked the imperial chefs to prepare a few more dishes, and they are all home-style dishes.

Moreover, Xue Meiyun could also see that the Empress, the Imperial Concubine, and the other concubines interacted very naturally with the Emperor. The sisters spoke very frankly, without any open or veiled sarcasm, and there was no attempt to belittle or plot against others in order to win favor.

What an amazing family!

It is exactly like an ordinary family home, and the relationship between husband and wife has almost reached a state of simplicity and authenticity, like an old married couple who have been together for decades.

Their words contained only a simple and understated affection, yet every expression and every action they took revealed to outsiders that their marital relationship could withstand any test.

"Madam, have a big pork hock. The meat is stewed to perfection today, so tender it melts in your mouth. It's very rare. The imperial chef has really put his heart into it."

Zhao Xiaoqian picked up a piece of stewed pork hock skin and held it to Di Ying's mouth.

Di Ying leaned back in disgust, quickly covering her mouth: "Take it away, I can't stand the smell of meat!"

Zhao Xiaoqian's cheek twitched: "You're already six or seven months pregnant, you shouldn't still have morning sickness, right?"

Di Ying snorted: "Anyway, I can't stand the smell of meat right now."

Zhao Xiaoqian frowned: "Have the imperial physicians examined him? What did they say?"

The woman beside her whispered, "My lord, the imperial physician said that my sister is naturally of a constitution and prefers a light diet. Before she got pregnant, she didn't like meat very much. But the imperial physician said it's okay, she can just supplement her diet from other sources."

"Traditional Chinese medicine and Taoism are somewhat similar. They both emphasize following one's instincts and eating whatever one wants, which means that the body needs it. If you dislike something, you don't have to force yourself to eat it."

Zhao Xiaoqian seemed to be deep in thought, and pondered, "So traditional Chinese medicine is so amazing. Recently, my constitution has been a bit cold, and I feel lonely and cold every night. I need eight or ten women to hold me before I can fall asleep..."

"I often feel ashamed, thinking I am a debauched and tyrannical ruler. I never expected that traditional Chinese medicine would give me such a perfect explanation: I am not a tyrannical ruler, I am just a big baby who craves love..."

The women all chuckled in unison, and Di Ying rolled her eyes fiercely: "My lord, there's no need to belittle yourself. You're just being utterly debauched."

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed heartily, then picked up his wine cup: "Alright, let's go through the formalities. Today we celebrate the destruction of Western Xia by the royal army, and from now on, Western Xia will be incorporated into the territory of our Great Song Dynasty. My wife and I will celebrate together for the sake of the Great Song Dynasty!"

The wives and concubines all rose and took their cups. Di Ying, who could not drink alcohol, also took a cup of light tea and stood up.

"The royal army has achieved unparalleled feats, all thanks to Your Excellency's strategic planning. Your Excellency is the most sagacious emperor of our Great Song Dynasty, and will surely become a sage ruler who will usher in a golden age for the Great Song Dynasty. I congratulate Your Excellency." Di Ying looked at Zhao Xiaoqian with burning eyes.

As the family dinner was drawing to a close, Zheng Chunhe quietly approached.

"Your Majesty, General Zhang Rong, who was stationed in Japan, has returned to the capital by imperial decree and is waiting for an audience outside the palace gates. Accompanying him are important figures from the two major Japanese families, the Taira and Minamoto clans. Would Your Majesty grant them an audience?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback and asked in surprise, "Zhang Rong is back?"

The two Japanese sisters at the table suddenly stood up, their eyes instantly filled with tears, and said in unison, "Our family has come too?"

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at them and said, "Old Zheng, bring them to the palace immediately. I will summon them to the Wende Hall."

As she spoke, Zhao Xiaoqian looked at the Japanese sisters and said softly, "Your family has come to meet us. Please come with me to meet them."

The two sisters nodded, tears streaming down their faces, their voices choked with emotion.

Half an hour later, Zhao Xiaoqian led the two sisters to the Wende Hall. As soon as they entered the hall, a tall and strong black figure flashed before them and knelt down in front of them, choking with sobs, "Your subject Zhang Rong has been summoned back to the capital to pay his respects to Your Majesty."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked closely, then laughed and helped Zhang Rong up with both hands.

"Zhang Rong! Haha, you still look as sleazy as ever. The climate and environment in Japan don't suit you."

Without looking closely, Zhao Xiaoqian sighed and said, "It's been over a year since I last saw you. You've worked so hard. You look much more haggard in the past year... Hmm? Wait a minute, why have you become so plump and fair-skinned?"

Before he could finish his emotional speech, Zhao Xiaoqian noticed something was wrong. This guy was indeed much fatter and whiter than before, with a rounder face and a thicker waist. He didn't look "worn out" at all.

The only sign that could be described as "weary" was that Zhang Rong's eye sockets were a bit sunken and bluish. Strictly speaking, it didn't look like he was wearing a haggard look, but rather like he was suffering from kidney deficiency due to excessive indulgence.

"What kind of life did you lead in Japan?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked thoughtfully.

Zhang Rong immediately looked embarrassed and said in a low voice, "I didn't suffer much in Japan, especially after Your Majesty later dispatched 5,000 additional Palace Guard troops to cross the sea. Now I have 10,000 soldiers under my command, enough to sweep away any feudal lord in Japan. Our military might is unmatched for a time." Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly realized, "So, your life has improved?"

Zhang Rong sighed, "Now, my soldiers, following the Emperor's orders, have annihilated most of the feudal lords in Japan, leaving only a few lords barely clinging to life..."

Then Zhang Rong suddenly gritted his teeth, revealing an angry expression, and said bitterly, "How hateful that these feudal lords, in order to save their lives, have actually gone so far as to use a honey trap on me..."

"Your Majesty... you've fallen for their trap! How despicable those Japanese devils!"

Zhao Xiaoqian gasped, his eyes widening in shock.

The honey trap! The honey trap he had been longing for had never been used on him since he transmigrated to this world. Whether at home or abroad, his enemies only fought him openly and directly, and no one had ever taken the indirect route to save the country.

...Why don't you give it a try! How dare you think so highly of my will?

I am but a mortal man, so easily swayed; the honey trap works every time I try it.

Zhang Rong easily obtained what he himself could not obtain, and it was even from Japan, a country famous for its service to men.

For a moment, Emperor Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly felt a sense of envy towards Zhang Rong.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian's changing expression, Zhang Rong hurriedly added, "Of course, although I fell for the honey trap, I wasn't completely fooled..."

"They tried to use beautiful women to wear down my will and dampen my fighting spirit, but they failed!"

Zhao Xiaoqian immediately showed a look of relief: "So, you didn't sleep with those beauties?"

"...It's not that I didn't sleep. I did sleep, but after I pulled up my pants, I still commanded the soldiers to attack cities and seize territories. I didn't neglect any important matters. I have basically completed the strategic objectives that Your Majesty asked of me."

Zhao Xiaoqian's cheek twitched violently. Looking at Zhang Rong's weak and listless appearance, he coldly snorted.

"You've truly suffered. In Japan, you not only conquered cities and territories, but also endured inhuman torture from Japanese women at night. You've endured so much hardship and made such great contributions. I feel so sorry for you, I wish I could suffer in your place..."

Zhang Rong waved his hand dismissively: "There's no need for that, I can handle this hardship..."

Zhao Xiaoqian was so angry that he kicked him: "Shut up! Someone, summon the imperial physician, give this guy a proper pulse diagnosis and prescribe a tonic. He's practically been drained of his life force."

There were other people in the Wende Hall, their faces quite unfamiliar. They had been quietly watching Zhao Xiaoqian and Zhang Rong talk, until Zhao Xiaoqian turned around, at which point the others in the hall knelt down before him.

"Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, on behalf of your patriarch, are a foreign subject of the Taira clan (Minamoto clan) of Japan!"

When chatting with Zhang Rong, Zhao Xiaoqian appeared relaxed and casual, laughing and joking, after all, Zhang Rong was his former subordinate.

When Zhao Xiaoqian sent Zhang Rong with 5,000 soldiers to land in Japan, it was a backup plan he and his family had made for themselves. The fact that he entrusted such an important mission to Zhang Rong shows that he trusted him enough.

At this moment, Zhao Xiaoqian turned around and faced the two members of the Taira and Minamoto clans of Japan. His expression changed instantly, becoming cold and arrogant, exuding an unapproachable imperial aura.

The two Japanese sisters were already crying their eyes out, each throwing themselves into their arms and calling out "Father."

Zhao Xiaoqian narrowed his eyes and said, "Are you two their fathers?"

The two men remained kneeling on the ground, nodding hastily: "Yes, she is indeed the daughter of the foreign minister."

Zhao Xiaoqian's expression finally softened a bit. Well, even though he didn't like the Japanese, they were still his father-in-law, so he had to be a little more polite.

He personally stepped forward and helped the two up, then looked them over.

Their clothing was somewhat incongruous. At this time, Japan was still imitating the Tang Dynasty in both culture and clothing. The clothes they wore were also somewhat similar to Tang clothing, with wide robes and sleeves and wide front openings. However, after some modifications, they resembled the kimono of later generations.

The two men were around forty years old, with a capable air about them, but their appearances...

After carefully examining their features, Zhao Xiaoqian blinked in disbelief: "Are you really their fathers? Their biological children? Are you sure you didn't mix up the babies after your daughter was born?"

The two were taken aback. They had been absolutely certain of something, but the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty asked the question with such seriousness and solemnity that they were completely bewildered.

The two quickly exchanged a glance and found that each other's expressions were full of hesitation.

A moment later, the two suddenly came to their senses.

What's there to doubt? They must be their biological children. These two daughters are the only link between the two great families of the Song Dynasty and Japan. There's absolutely no way they could have some dramatic or confusing storyline surrounding their birth!

"Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, they are my own children! I witnessed their birth and have cherished them since they were little! I swear this solemn oath!"

Zhao Xiaoqian's lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped himself.

Their birth doesn't mean anything. What I want to ask is, are you sure you participated in the process of creating them?

(End of this chapter)