The prince is more stable

Chapter 537 Concerns about Offspring
I have never been a father in my two lifetimes, so I dare not imagine how my own flesh and blood will be raised.

The hearts of all parents in the world are generally the same. They place great expectations on their children, hoping that they will possess all the good qualities and abilities in the world. However, they cannot bear to see their children suffer, and work hard to make up for their past regrets through their children.

Conflicting feelings pass year after year, and expectations are compromised year after year. Finally, with a long sigh, I have to accept the mediocrity of my child. Being able to live safely and smoothly until old age is a kind of happiness.

Zhao Xiaoqian seemed to have never thought about the issue of having children in this life. Even his wife's pregnancy was a matter of fate. He was a person who followed his heart and did not like to turn his life into a plan on PPT, with every step being so rigid.

In comparison, Zhao Xu has already been a father.

Before Concubine Liu became pregnant, Zhao Xu already had two daughters, both of whom had been conferred the title of princess. Zhao Xiaoqian had met them several times. The two princesses were still young, smart and cute, and seemed to be well-educated.

When the emperor and his ministers talked about their children, Zhao Xiaoqian was a little confused as he was too unfamiliar with this area.

And Zhao Xu was still showing off.

For some reason, Zhao Xu seemed very certain that Concubine Liu's baby must be a son. It was not known whether he had any basis for this or was just self-hypnosis.

As an emperor, Zhao Xu has not yet given birth to a prince, and he has been under a lot of pressure over the years. It all depends on Concubine Liu.

Zhao Xiaoqian just thought that the couple Zhao Xu and Concubine Liu were very interesting, and both sides seemed to be betting their own future.

Zhao Xu bet that she would give birth to a prince, so he tolerated Concubine Liu's misbehavior when she was pregnant. As the emperor, he had to endure a lot of anger from Concubine Liu, but he could not say a word.

Concubine Liu was probably also betting that her child would be a prince. She had a high stakes and probably knew that if it wasn't a prince, based on her behavior during pregnancy, Zhao Xu might kill her after she gave birth.

Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but maliciously speculate that if Concubine Liu found out she had given birth to a princess after giving birth, there would be chaos in Yanfu Palace. Zhao Xu would probably immediately pull out the Seven Wolves and beat her until she was paralyzed. She wouldn't even have to stay in confinement after childbirth and would just be confined to a wheelchair...

"Zi'an, you're smiling so wickedly, what bad ideas are you planning?" Zhao Xu stared at his expression, looking puzzled.

Zhao Xiaoqian came back to his senses and subconsciously touched his face: "A smile is a smile. How can Your Majesty know that there is any evil intention in my smile?"

Zhao Xu's lips twitched slightly. "When you smile normally, both corners of your mouth curl up, making you look cheerful. But when you smile wickedly, only one corner of your mouth curls up, and your eyes narrow a bit sinisterly... That was the way you smiled just now."

Zhao Xiaoqian was shocked. He was exposed?
How can you do bad things in the future?

I secretly warned myself that I must learn to manage my facial expressions in the future, otherwise my life will lack too much fun.

"Since Concubine Liu is about to give birth, Your Majesty might as well stay in good spirits these days and not work too hard on handling state affairs. Otherwise, if Your Majesty falls asleep as soon as you hold the newborn prince in your arms, the child will be so sad." Zhao Xiaoqian advised seriously.

Zhao Xu laughed. "Zi'an's advice is always... so novel and unconventional. I understand. In fact, since the situation between Song and Liao changed, I have spent much less time on state affairs. Zi'an has made a great name for himself in the country. The border situation in the Song Dynasty is now peaceful, and I rarely report to him. It's all thanks to you."

"It is my duty to serve the government. I dare not take credit for it. During this period of time, I also plan to take a good rest in Bianjing."

Zhao Xu said cheerfully, "Guarding the border is tough. You really should take good care of yourself. You'll have to continue to fight for me in the future. But Zi'an, you should also try harder during this time and try to get your wives and concubines pregnant soon. A talent like Zi'an should have many children and have more offspring."

Zhao Xiaoqian twitched his lips and said, "I received the emperor's blessing message. ...Rebound!"

…………

After saying goodbye and leaving the palace, Zhao Xiaoqian returned to the Prince of Chu's Mansion.

Entering the backyard, Di Ying and her two daughters were swinging on the swings in the back garden of the palace. Along with the happy laughter of the three girls, the flowers in the garden seemed to be more beautiful and bright.

When Zhao Xiaoqian saw the three women, he dragged them towards the north wing without saying a word.

The three girls were a little confused by Zhao Xiaoqian, thinking that something big had happened. They followed him into the room foolishly, with serious and worried looks on their faces.

After entering the room, Zhao Xiaoqian closed the door and began to undress, motioning to the three women: "Take it off, we're in a hurry."

Di Ying said in astonishment: "Sir, it's broad daylight, you are not thinking..."

"That's right, it's just as you think. This matter can be done day or night. Only completing the KPI counts. Hurry up." Zhao Xiaoqian took off his pants.

The three women immediately showed signs of shame. Di Ying was both ashamed and angry, saying, "Master is really... too lewd! No, in broad daylight... If the servants find out, will my sisters and I still be able to live as human beings?"

"Stop talking nonsense. What we're doing now is 'being human'. Let me ask you this: we've been married for two years and there's still no sign of pregnancy. Are you anxious?"

Di Ying and the other two girls were suddenly shocked.

Are you in a hurry?
Nonsense, of course they are anxious! The third woman is more anxious than anyone else. Since marrying Zhao Xiaoqian, she has searched through ancient books and various nonsensical books, trying to find a folk remedy that can help her conceive quickly. She has tried every possible method, but still cannot conceive.

Seeing that the official was taking in more and more concubines, and that the three already in Bian Jing were not enough, Di Ying was almost worried to death when she heard that Zhending Prefecture had taken in three more. The competition suddenly increased.

They usually treated each other like sisters, but if the concubine got pregnant first, Princess Di Ying would want to die.

At this moment, as soon as Zhao Xiaoqian said this, the three women's well-hidden thoughts suddenly appeared on their faces.

Zhao Xiaoqian fell onto the bed, made a "wood" shape, closed his eyes and said, "I'll take off my clothes first as a sign of respect. If you have figured it out, please line up honestly, one by one. Pay attention to the order and don't cut in line..."

Di Ying, Jiang Miaoxian, and Yuan'er exchanged glances, and suddenly, a fierce fighting spirit flashed across the three women's eyes, their gazes also tinged with a hint of competition. Now, regardless of whether they were the wife or the concubine, everyone was on the same starting line; whoever conceived first would enjoy the glory first.

So what if Di Ying was the legal wife? Pregnancy was determined by fate, and God might not necessarily give the legal wife face. If she got pregnant with the eldest son first, even if it was a concubine's son, it would be glorious enough in the Prince's Mansion, and everyone in the mansion would have to serve her like an ancestor.

Jiang Miaoxian and Yuan'er gritted their teeth and didn't care whether it was day or night. What mattered was to get to work.

Just as he was about to speak, Di Ying spoke first, "Everyone step back! I'll do it!"

Jiang Miaoxian and Yuan'er's faces suddenly fell, and they stepped back unwillingly.

There's nothing I can do about it. After all, she's the legal wife and has privileges even when queuing.

The clouds moved and the rain fell, and a few drops of Bodhi water poured into the two petals of the red lotus.

After a long time, the four of them lay powerlessly on the bed, gasping for breath one after another.

Di Ying turned sideways and fiercely grabbed the soft flesh around Zhao Xiaoqian's waist. "What's wrong with you today, sir? Why are you so impatient after just returning from the palace..."

Zhao Xiaoqian closed his eyes and sighed, "I was really upset today. The emperor was showing off in front of me that he was about to become a father. His face was really... Tsk!"

"Who doesn't know how to be a father? As long as you have a wife, you'll be fine. You guys should be prepared. In the coming days, we'll work hard. If we can have eight babies, I'll have earned back all my reputation as your husband."

Di Ying snorted and said, "Giving birth to piglets, and eight babies in one litter. My sisters and I have done nothing for this matter, so I have to ask you to do your best."

Jiang Miaoxian hugged his other arm and said, "Everyone in Bianjing is discussing whether Concubine Liu will give birth to a boy or a girl, and when she will give birth."

"The emperor said that it will probably happen in these few days..." Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly opened his eyes, and a complicated look flashed across his face.

In real history, Zhao Xu did have a son, but he died young. Zhao Xiaoqian's memory of him was a little vague. If nothing unexpected happened, the only son who died young was probably the one born to Concubine Liu.

This matter can only be kept to himself. Zhao Xiaoqian cannot tell anyone, otherwise there will be a disaster.

Some things are destined and cannot be changed by individuals, especially outsiders.

In the evening, Zhao Xiaoqian and Zhao Hao were drinking and dining in Yin'an Hall. It was a rare moment for the father and son to be alone, and Zhao Hao's mood was a little brighter than usual.

Zhao Hao picked up a piece of raw vegetables with chopsticks, mixed with just a little sesame oil and salt. The taste was hard to describe. Zhao Hao swallowed it in one gulp with a bitter face, chewing hard as if to vent his anger.

Zhao Hao has lived a life of luxury all his life and is even more picky about food than Zhao Xiaoqian. But there is no way around it these days. The food he eats is prepared by Zhao Xiaoqian himself. It is said that it is a "fat-reducing meal" just to urge him to lose weight. Zhao Hao endured it silently for many days and has not eaten meat for a long time.

Zhao Xiaoqian has a very standard figure, neither fat nor thin. After guarding the border for more than half a year, he has become stronger than before, with some of the majesty of a border commander. Sitting in his seat, he is like a tiger that intimidates a group of beasts, with an awe-inspiring aura without even getting angry.

Especially the faint murderous intent that unconsciously emanated from Zhao Xiaoqian, even Zhao Hao, who was sitting next to him, felt a little scared.

He had gradually realized that the man before him was not only his son, but also a frontier commander holding military power, with the lives of tens of thousands of Liao people on his shoulders.

Looking at his son's current appearance, Zhao Hao became more and more happy, and even the fat-reducing meal in front of him seemed to taste good.

"I have caused such a big trouble when I returned to Beijing this time. I am not surprised whether others impeach me or support me. But what is strange is that Zhao Ji should have taken some action, so why is there no action?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked curiously.

Zhao Hao sneered, "How dare he? Ever since you left the capital to guard the border, I've had people constantly watching the Suining County Prince's Mansion. Zhao Ji is just a little brat, how could he possibly turn the tables?"

After a pause, Zhao Hao smiled again and said, "...Well, he does want to make trouble. When your incident was at its peak a few days ago, there were several unfamiliar people frequently entering and leaving the Suining County Prince's Mansion. I wonder what this kid Zhao Ji is up to."

"But I'm not someone you can easily deal with. I sent someone to quietly follow those strangers, found a good feng shui spot, and killed them all without leaving a single one alive. Haha, this action probably scared Zhao Ji, so he became quiet, and he never said a word about your matter again."

Zhao Xiaoqian was startled and turned his head to look at Zhao Hao deeply.

Unexpectedly, in a secret place where he couldn't see, Zhao Hao had silently done so many things for him and saved him from a big trouble.

Zhao Xiaoqian raised his cup in a toast: "Father, thank you very much."

Zhao Hao sneered and said, "Why are you and I talking about this? It's hypocritical! Qian'er, everything I have is yours...except my wife. This is my bottom line."

After hesitating for a moment, Zhao Hao gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, if there's any concubine in the palace that suits your taste, just take it. We're not strangers, so it doesn't matter who uses her."

"...I'm not worried about you." Zhao Xiaoqian rolled his eyes.

A person's name may be wrong, but his reputation and nickname will never be wrong.

For example, the living father in front of him, others said that he was an old bastard in Bianjing City. Zhao Xiaoqian used to be a little dissatisfied and wanted to dispel the rumors and clear his name for his living father, but now he has changed his mind.

All I can say is that the reputation is well-deserved and there is no false reputation.

If a person is called "old bastard" by ten thousand people, these ten thousand people must have their reasons, and even his own son cannot refute them.

(End of this chapter)