The prince is more stable

Chapter 36 Mother's Love
The facts were truly shocking. When the rumor reached everyone's ears, the first thought was that it was simply outrageous.

Zhao Xiaoqian, the crown prince of Chu, is only eighteen years old this year.

Where did an eighteen-year-old boy get the political wisdom to instigate his father, the King of Chu, to submit a petition to the government to abolish the old system and restore the new when the entire court was controlled by the old party?

Don’t underestimate it as just a memorial; it is actually not simple at all.

To submit this memorial, one needs not only an exquisite article requesting the restoration of the new law, but also extremely powerful wisdom, keen observation, superhuman courage, and the courage to face the criticism of thousands of people.

If an old fox who has been in the court for decades can do this, he may be able to do it.

But how could an eighteen-year-old boy have such courage?

The rumor was so widespread that not many people believed it at first. Regardless of whether they were from the new or old party, they all thought it was just a rumor.

However, when someone revealed that the rumor originated from the palace, the court officials were shocked.

No matter how unbelievable a fact is, it is still the fact.

In the past, there were very few rumors about the Prince of Chu in the city of Bianjing. The most glorious moment in Zhao Xiaoqian's life was probably the day he was one month old.

The legendary Prince of Chu is not good at speaking, is aloof and introverted, dislikes strangers, and has such a weak sense of presence that it is no exaggeration to describe him as transparent.

After eighteen years of not making a splash, I unexpectedly became a huge hit.

The emperor had his own considerations for abolishing the old and restoring the new. What is most shocking is how Zhao Xiaoqian guessed the emperor's intention in advance and decisively encouraged his father to submit the first memorial supporting the new law?

There are too many incomprehensible questions, most of which will have no answers, but there is no doubt that the way the court officials in Bian Jing look at the King of Chu and his son is completely different from what it was back then.

…………

Naturally, the Chu Palace also heard about the rumors in Bianjing City.

Zhao Xiaoqian had no comment on this. The rumor came from the palace, and he knew that it must have been done intentionally by the government.

As for why Zhao Xu pushed this young man to the forefront, it must be related to the struggle between the old and the new.

Whether it is to build momentum for the new law or to divert the attention of the old party forces, in short, Zhao Xiaoqian has no strength now, so he is willing to be his own pawn.

Every chess piece has his own awareness. Don't say anything hot-blooded and childish like "My fate is in my own hands". If you have the guts, go and yell this in front of the government and see what happens.

In the Yin'an Hall of the Prince of Chu's Palace, Zhao Hao and his son Zhao Xiaoqian were sitting and chatting.

The atmosphere of the conversation between father and son was very harmonious. Zhao Hao's personality was very easygoing, he had no temper at all. Moreover, as a clan member, he had received elite education since childhood and was indeed knowledgeable in literature. He could talk eloquently on any topic.

In front of his beloved son, Zhao Hao was even more open about everything, from the personalities of important royal relatives to the approximate numbers of the family's land and shops.

As we chatted, the topic gradually changed.

Zhao Hao's two small green eyes sparkled and he began to talk about love and romance.

Friends who often go to the third floor know that no man can refuse romantic topics.

Although it was a bit awkward to talk about this with his biological father, Zhao Xiaoqian still listened with great interest.

My son, please don't go to the brothels in Zhouqiao anymore. It's too chaotic and the women there are ugly, all old and ugly. They can't sing well and they try to trick you into buying more wine.

There are a few decent brothels on Panlou East Street, but most of the girls there are aloof and proud, and it's hard to get them to lie down even if you pay them money. You have to give them a few poems, and they won't do if they're bad.

Thinking back to those days, I loosened my fingers and lost thousands of coins that night, not even a hair... Oh, I won’t talk about it, it’s all tears.

They also came up with a gimmick: whoever the girl sang the lyrics of that person's play that night would be able to become a guest on the stage.

But just going upstairs to have a few drinks with her, and sleeping with her would take a long time, maybe even a year or two. Ugh! Female liar!
The Jiaofangsi on East Street of Yulou is quite good, mainly because most of the people there are wives and daughters of convicted officials. They are all fair-skinned and look decent.

The Jiaofangsi is a government-run institution, and the people in charge there will give me some face. It won't be difficult to sleep with any girl I like.

If my son is interested, go to the Music Bureau and report my name to me, and I will break his bones...

Zhao Xiaoqian carefully memorized every word Zhao Hao said, and even had the urge to take notes.

Every word was written with the experience of someone who had been through it all. It wasn't laced with blood and tears, but at least every word was precious, because... it was truly expensive, a detour paved with money. "Father, there's one more thing..." Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly said.

"What is it? My son, just speak frankly."

Zhao Xiaoqian hesitated for a moment and whispered, "I'm supposed to be eighteen years old this year. Eighteen years old... Why haven't you arranged a marriage for me yet?"

After saying this, Zhao Xiaoqian looked at Zhao Hao with a slightly condemning look.

I'm eighteen years old now. Even if I'm a piece of shit, I've waited for eighteen years, and now I should be able to find a dog that likes to eat me.

However, no.

This piece of shit can only admire itself...

In that evil and corrupt feudal society, weren't marriages always arranged by parents?

I accept the arrangement!

You take care of it!
"Ah, this..." Zhao Hao showed an embarrassed look, coughed twice, and said: "My son, you have wronged me. We are relatives of the Chu Palace. Isn't it easy to arrange a marriage?"

"As early as four or five years ago, your father wanted to arrange a marriage for you. In those years, many powerful and noble families came to us to seek marriage. You are the prince of Chu, very noble. Anyone who marries into our family would be considered marrying above his station."

Zhao Hao sighed, looking irritated, and said, "But your mother won't agree. She would rather die than agree."

Zhao Xiaoqian was shocked: "My mother?"

Zhao Hao glanced at him and said, "Your expression is exaggerated. Of course you have a mother. Did you pop out from a crack in a rock?"

Zhao Xiaoqian said nothing.

As for his mother, or to be more precise, his mother in this life, he had only vaguely heard some rumors since he traveled through time. His mother was a taboo topic in the palace and no one dared to mention it.

So far, he only knew that his parents had divorced, and his father had let himself go and taken in more than a dozen concubines in the palace.

As for his mother, because the royal family had to maintain its dignity, she had to become a Taoist nun after the divorce. It is said that she became a nun in Yaohua Palace.

Secretly keeping this place in mind, Zhao Xiaoqian continued to ask, "What did mother say about my marriage?"

Zhao Hao sighed, "I originally wanted to choose a daughter of a powerful family to marry you, but your mother disagreed. She said that marriages ordered by parents are often tragic and unfortunate, like the relationship between her and me."

"Your mother insists that you find your own beloved daughter to marry. It doesn't matter if she's rich or poor, as long as she's the one you love, your parents will agree."

"She also said that if I arranged a marriage for you without your permission, she would commit suicide in Yaohua Palace. This evil woman threatened me with her life, and I couldn't bear to see you lose your mother at such a young age, so your marriage has been delayed until now."

After Zhao Hao finished speaking, Zhao Xiaoqian was speechless for a long time.

He was somewhat shocked. He could feel the deep maternal love of his mother from Zhao Hao's narration, even though he had never met her.

She would rather die than let her son fall in love and get married freely. It must be said that in this feudal era, the mother's words were very advanced.

The place name "Yaohua Palace" popped up in my mind again.

Zhao Xiaoqian secretly calculated the time and planned to go see his mother.

While he was thinking, a servant from the palace stood outside the Yin'an Palace and said respectfully, "Your Highness, Crown Prince, there is someone outside the palace who wants to see you. His name is Cai You, and he said he came to give you some money..."

Before Zhao Xiaoqian could react, Zhao Hao's eyes lit up: "Send money?"

Then Zhao Xiaoqian felt a gust of wind blowing past his ears, and a fat black rat ran out.

Zhao Xiaoqian hurried to catch up, but before he reached the door, he heard someone talking outside the palace.

"I, Cai You, son of the newly appointed Minister of Revenue, Cai Jing, pay my respects to the King of Chu... Ah!"

"Get out of here, don't stop me! Money, it's all money! Haha! After all the hard work, sweetness finally comes!... Woohoo, I finally have money, how many girls can I sleep with with this!"

(End of this chapter)