The prince is more stable

Chapter 337 Unexpected Discovery
Although he was a member of the royal family, Zhao Xiaoqian had never seen Empress Dowager Xiang since he traveled through time.

After all, for the ministers, the harem is a taboo and sensitive place, which can easily cause rumors. Which respectable minister would go to the emperor's harem for no reason?

Except Zhao Ji.

All the necessary etiquette for festivals and holidays was observed, and it was all handled by Zhao Hao. The various gifts given to the harem were also given in the name of the Chu Palace.

As for Empress Dowager Xiang herself, Zhao Xiaoqian had never seen her.

Seeing Empress Dowager Xiang beside Zhao Xu asking about it, Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly stood up and saluted respectfully.

Empress Dowager Xiang looked him up and down with a smile. A woman in her fifties, she had an elegant and graceful demeanor that inspired awe.

"Zi'an has grown a little taller and stronger than two years ago. When I saw you two years ago, you hid behind your father, your head almost hanging to the ground. You trembled in fear when anyone spoke to you."

"I saw you today, and you seem much more lively than before. You look more energetic and energetic. I heard that you have made many contributions to the government, which has impressed me."

Zhao Xiaoqian bowed his head and said, "I am only following the emperor's orders and doing my duty. This is my duty as an official, and I cannot claim any credit for it."

Empress Dowager Xiang glanced at Zhao Xu with a smile and said, "The country is fortunate and our ancestors have blessed us. Such a talent has emerged from the family of our Song Dynasty. Your Majesty should cherish and use him well. With Zi'an assisting you, the Song Dynasty will surely usher in a new era."

Zhao Xu responded with a smile.

Zhao Xiaoqian quickly glanced at Zhao Ji, who was sitting on the left side of Empress Dowager Xiang. He saw that Zhao Ji was smiling, with a calm and peaceful light in his eyes. It seemed that he had no jealousy towards Empress Dowager Xiang's words of praise for him, at least there was no clue in his expression.

Zhao Xiaoqian frowned slightly and almost suspected that Zheng Chunhe was spreading rumors.

There was one fact he did not ignore: Zhao Ji was only sixteen years old this year.

How could a sixteen-year-old boy be so scheming and cunning? Was he instigated by his advisors, or was he just born a ruthless scoundrel?
In just a short moment, Zhao Xiaoqian thought a lot, and on the surface he kept smiling as he asked and answered questions with Empress Dowager Xiang.

Next, the clan members came forward to toast and congratulate Zhao Xu. He burst into tears on the spot with great acting skills, bowed three times towards the direction of Emperor Shenzong's tomb, and choked up with words like "the country will have an heir and the country will last forever."

The performances by the clan members also included Zhao Hao.

There was no way Zhao Hao would be absent at such an event.

His performance was even more heartfelt. He cried so hard that his fat face was covered with snot and tears, and his facial features were distorted like a steamed meat bun whose shape was ruined. He looked so ugly.

Of course, the lines were also carefully prepared, starting from the sincere and close brotherly relationship with Emperor Shenzong, to watching Zhao Xu grow up since childhood, and then pulling Zhao Xiaoqian out to show off.

He then expressed great joy and admiration for Zhao Xu's having an heir, and finally came to the point, saying that the Chu King's lineage was willing to be forever loyal to the Song government and to Zhao Xu's descendants from generation to generation, and that if they broke their oath, Heaven would not bless them.

After he finished speaking, Zhao Hao was already crying out of breath. It was obvious that expressing true feelings requires physical strength.

Zhao Xu, with a look of emotion, offered Zhao Hao a glass of wine in return. Zhao Hao drank it all in one gulp with tears of gratitude, and was then helped back to his seat by the palace servants.

Zhao Xu sat back, wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, and turned to look at Zhao Xiaoqian.

"The Emperor's uncle is truly... a straightforward person."

Zhao Xiaoqian's cheek twitched slightly. "Your Majesty, please forgive me for laughing. My father's emotions are always so surging and fierce that most people can't bear it."

Zhao Xu said sternly, "Zi'an is wrong. The emperor's uncle is a loyal and upright minister. His ability to express himself well is not a shortcoming. I am deeply moved by what he just said!"

Zhao Xiaoqian said leisurely, "If your Majesty says so, how about I ask my father to go to Funing Palace tomorrow and explain it to your Majesty all day long? I can guarantee that your father won't repeat himself a word..."

"That's not necessary!" Zhao Xu forced a gentle smile. "Just try it a little, there's no need to get too obsessed."

The emperor and his minister talked in low voices, and in the hall there was a peaceful and joyful atmosphere as cups clinked.

Empress Dowager Xiang smiled as she surveyed her clan members. Her majestic eyes casually glanced at Zhao Xu and Zhao Xiaoqian, who were whispering to each other, and an unfathomable glint flashed across them. To Empress Dowager Xiang's left, Zhao Ji toasted with the clan members. His refined demeanor endeared him to the elders, and Zhao Ji, in turn, behaved with humility, elegance, and a calm demeanor. This image, the very image of a "gentleman" in the sage's book, was tailor-made for him.

…………

There was nothing special about the palace banquet. The emperor and the empress dowager just invited their relatives to eat and drink.

It was almost midnight when the palace banquet finally ended and the clan members tactfully said goodbye. Although everyone drank a lot of wine at the banquet, they remembered the palace etiquette very clearly and there were no melodramatic incidents such as drunkenness.

Zhao Hao and Zhao Xiaoqian also drank a lot tonight. Zhao Xiaoqian was okay, only about 50% to 60% drunk, which was considered a slightly tipsy state.

For some reason, Zhao Hao got drunk tonight and staggered as he walked out of the hall. Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly supported him, and the father and son walked towards the palace gate.

Zhao Ji, who was walking behind, saw that Zhao Xiaoqian was supporting the fat Zhao Hao alone and seemed to be struggling, so he hurried forward to help and held Zhao Hao's other arm.

The three of them walked side by side, step by step towards the palace gate under the waning moon in the hot summer night.

Walking on a beautiful night is supposed to be a very poetic picture, but unfortunately everyone traveling with you has their own thoughts.

"Brother Zi'an, I heard from the emperor that you are about to take up the post of Zhending Prefecture?" Zhao Ji suddenly asked.

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded: "That's right, the imperial edict may come down in a few days."

Zhao Ji sighed, "Zhending Prefecture is a border town, and I'm sure it's full of dangers. Brother Zi'an, you must be cautious when you take up your post and don't stand under a dangerous wall."

"I'll be careful. If you have some free time, come to Zhending Prefecture to play with me. I'll take you hunting, take you to provoke the Liao cavalry, and then we can experience together the feeling of being hunted by the Liao cavalry. In life, if you want to have fun, have something exciting."

Zhao Ji: “…………”

It was so tiring to chat with him, but luckily we were only a few hundred steps away from the palace gate.

"Of course, of course. I also want to see the scenery of the frontier." Zhao Ji laughed dryly.

As I got closer to the palace gate, I suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind me.

A young eunuch ran very quickly. After seeing the three people's backs, the eunuch hurriedly called out: "Sui, Sui..., Your Highness, the Prince of Suining, please stay. The Queen Mother has requested an audience with you in the Qingshou Palace."

The three of them paused, Zhao Ji turned around, smiled helplessly at Zhao Xiaoqian, then apologized and followed the little eunuch towards the harem.

In contrast, Zhao Xiaoqian seemed to be struck by lightning. His body stiffened instantly and even his expression became shocked and wooden.

It had been a while since Zhao Ji left with the young eunuch, but Zhao Xiaoqian was still standing there blankly, as if he had been cast under a spell and could not move.

Zhao Hao, who was supported by him, waited for a long time, but saw Zhao Xiaoqian not move. He raised his drunken eyes and looked at him in confusion.

"My, my son...what happened? Isn't the palace gate just in front?" Zhao Hao raised his hand weakly and pointed at the palace gate in front and asked.

Zhao Xiaoqian pretended not to hear anything, and only muttered to himself in shock: "Who? Shui? Sui? ... Sui! Prince of Suining!"

"Is it him? Is that what you mean?"

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian's shocked expression, Zhao Hao sobered up a bit and asked in confusion, "Qian'er, what's wrong with you?"

Zhao Xiaoqian turned his head and looked at him blankly, his expression full of disbelief.

"Father, before his death, a man revealed the murderer's name. He only said one word, and this word has always been an unsolved mystery..."

"Today, just now, I seem to know the answer."

(End of this chapter)