The prince is more stable

Chapter 14: His Ambition is Great
The fulfillment of the vow at the Taoist temple went smoothly, but True Man Qingyang still had some resentment towards Zhao Xiaoqian. In front of Zhao Xiaoqian, he always acted like a chaste heroine and subconsciously clamped his legs together.

The father and son left the hall and were not in a hurry to return to the city. They strolled side by side in the Yuqing Palace.

Yuqing Palace is very popular, with a constant stream of visitors and believers, and the front courtyard is crowded with people.

But the prince certainly had privileges. True Man Qingyang personally led the father and son to the inner court of Yuqing Palace, which was a place for Taoists to practice meditation and was not open to the public.

It is spring and the weather is pleasant. Walking in the secluded paths of Yuqing Palace, I can see green trees everywhere, birds singing and flowers blooming. The sunlight shines through the gaps between the dense branches and leaves and falls to the ground, like falling stars in the sky.

Zhao Hao was too fat and would become breathless if he did a little more exercise. Zhao Xiaoqian held his arm with one hand and deliberately slowed down his pace.

It’s silent at this moment, but very warm.

The sun shone on my back, and two shadows, one tall and one short, were pressed closely together on the ground.

Zhao Hao stared at the shadow on the ground in front of him, and suddenly he felt something and sighed, "Qian'er, we are the only two of us in this world who depend on each other for survival."

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at him and said, "Father, the phrase 'depending on each other for survival' is a bit harsh. It smacks of misery. Our family isn't that miserable. 'Sharing prosperity' is more appropriate."

Zhao Hao was stunned for a moment, then he burst into laughter: "That's right, you and I, father and son, sharing wealth and honor, is enough for this life."

They only talked about wealth and never mentioned power.

Zhao Xiaoqian was not interested in power. In addition, the clan members of the Song Dynasty were usually not allowed to hold real power, and the purpose was to prevent them from seizing power and usurping the throne.

Whether it is the prime minister in the court, officials of the six ministries or local prefects and governors, there are basically no relatives of the clan.

Zhao Hao did hold several official titles, such as Sikong, Taifu, and Jiedushi of Jingnan, as well as some honorary privileges, such as being allowed to enter the court without bowing, being praised without being named, and being allowed to visit the palace once every five days, etc.

Although he had a lot of titles, Zhao Hao had no real power at all. He was only treated as the emperor's uncle.

The official title of "Jiedushi" was considered a powerful vassal with a large military force in the Tang Dynasty, but in the Song Dynasty, the so-called Jiedushi was actually an empty title and could not even mobilize a single soldier.

The clan members can enjoy wealth and prosperity, but they can only enjoy wealth and prosperity. Of course, there are exceptions.

For example, Zhao Tingmei, Zhao Kuangyin's younger brother during the founding period of the Song Dynasty, served as an official with real power and led troops, but that was an exception.

The father and son are not disappointed that their clan member cannot hold an official position with real power. In this respect, their personalities are quite similar. Both of them are people who are content with the status quo and are greedy for pleasure.

"Qian'er, the palace has been undergoing a calamity recently, and I've noticed a significant change in you. Anyway, in my eyes, you've grown up, and it seems like you've grown up overnight."

Zhao Hao stroked his beard with satisfaction. The fat man had a thick skin and even a short beard. There was a small wisp of goatee under his chin. He didn't know how hard it must have worked to emerge from the thick fat. It was really inspiring.

"After today, my memorial will be made public. I wonder how many court officials will hate our Chu Palace to the core. I'm thinking about buying you another house in Bianjing so you can stay out of the spotlight for a while and avoid getting yourself involved."

Zhao Xiaoqian was shocked. "Dividing the family? Is that what you mean?"

This won't do. I've only been in this world for a few days and I haven't even figured out how to make money. I'm currently happily relying on my parents. If the family splits up, who will I rely on?
"Father, I will not leave. You and I, father and son, not only share wealth, but also hardships. No matter how strong the storm is, we will face it together." Zhao Xiaoqian said seriously.

Zhao Hao's eyes immediately turned red when he heard this. He pressed his fat little hands on his arms and choked with sobs: "What a big son, what a big son!"

"My son is so sensible. I don't know how to praise you enough. Tell me what wish you have left unfulfilled. I will help you fulfill it today."

Even Zhao Xiaoqian, the person involved, felt that Zhao Hao's doting was a bit excessive.

But if you are the one being pampered, then there is no objection.

"Father, what I ask for is very simple. I only ask for four things in this life..." Zhao Xiaoqian said in a low voice after pondering for a moment.

Zhao Hao said with a smile, "Son, just tell me." "First, I wish to taste all the delicious food in the world. Second, I wish to drink all the fine wine in the world. Third, I wish to be admired by a beautiful woman. Fourth, I wish to fight against fate."

Zhao Hao was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes, unable to contain himself: "Even your wish is so pure and unworldly. I am inexplicably fascinated by it. My son's ambition is so good and great, and he has the spirit of a famous scholar and outstanding person. I have no regrets to have a son like you!"

"Let's go back to the palace. I'll do it for you!"

After walking for a while excitedly with Zhao Xiaoqian, Zhao Hao's pace became slower and slower, and he kept smacking his lips. Finally, he stopped and looked at him with a puzzled look.

"Wait, something seems amiss..." Zhao Hao pondered for a moment, then said cautiously, "My son's four wishes, to put it simply...could they be 'eating, drinking, whoring, gambling'?"

Zhao Xiaoqian said hurriedly, "Father, there's no need to be so vulgar. It's too vulgar."

"But what does it mean?"

"Well, that's what it means."

Zhao Hao's face twitched violently. This son, who had been confined to his home for years and never even left the house, had a lifelong ambition of eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling...

The last time I performed the exorcism ritual, it didn't work. I will definitely ask Master Qingyang for a talisman and stick it on my son's forehead in the middle of the night.

Trying to force a smile, Zhao Hao hesitated and said, "My son's hobby... well, it's like his father's hobby. A father and son sharing the same hobby is a good story."

Zhao Xiaoqian was also moved.

What is pampering? There is obviously nothing worth praising, but you still have to praise it.

Miraculously, neither the father nor the son felt embarrassed.

…………

After returning to the palace, Zhao Xiaoqian took his leave and returned to his own courtyard.

However, Zhao Hao was stopped by the chief secretary of the palace.

The royal palace had a standard configuration, staffed by formally appointed court officials, such as the chief secretary, who was equivalent to the palace's chief steward.

The Chief Secretary of the Prince's Palace was appointed by the Ministry of Personnel of the imperial court. If it were other dynasties, when the prince could hold real power, the Chief Secretary would be the prince's staff and military advisor, and most of the conspiracies, tricks, and bad ideas would come from the Chief Secretary.

If the prince cannot take power, then the chief secretary will be in charge of the prince's money, income and expenditure, land, etc., and accompany the prince to live a peaceful life, eating and waiting for death.

Although he serves the prince's family, he is a civil servant who is officially paid by the emperor.

Theoretically speaking, the Chief Secretary of the Royal Palace is loyal to the emperor and the court, after all, he is paid by the emperor.

Of course, it is hard to say who he is loyal to in private. If the prince he serves is a little bit knowledgeable, the benefits he gives him are far more than the court salary. Since he is willing to do good deeds for the prince, he will naturally do his best to serve him.

The Chief Secretary of the Chu Palace was named Li Zhongyi, and he was promoted from a minor local official. The fact that he was able to rise from a low-ranking official to the eighth-rank Chief Secretary of the palace showed that he had some connections.

Li Zhongyi was waiting for Zhao Hao in the side room of the front courtyard of the palace. After Zhao Hao entered, Li Zhongyi invited him to a secluded place.

"Your Highness, the culprit who knocked the Crown Prince unconscious with a single ball during the Cuju match a few days ago has been found. I have dispatched the palace guards and have secretly apprehended him. Your Highness is awaiting your decision."

A cold look flashed in Zhao Hao's eyes. "Found it? Oh, good! No matter who this bastard is, find a place to bury him! I said I would avenge my son."

(End of this chapter)