The prince is more stable

Chapter 550: Reunion of Father-in-law and Son-in-law
The next morning, Zhao Xiaoqian and Di Ying got on a carriage, drove around the Imperial Street and Daxiangguo Temple, and arrived at Di's mansion on East Street.

Since marrying Di Ying, Zhao Xiaoqian has not had much contact with the Di family.

This was partly due to the Di family itself. After Di Qing was suspected by the emperor, his end was not very good. The descendants of the Di family also knew how to keep a low profile and basically did not interact too much with the court officials in Bianliang.

The Di family even deliberately distanced themselves from their son-in-law Zhao Xiaoqian, not wanting to cause trouble for the Prince of Chu's Palace.

Therefore, except for the New Year holidays, the Di family and the Chu Palace usually did not have much contact. Even if Zhao Hao met Di Zi in the palace, the two relatives would just nod and greet each other.

Today, Zhao Xiaoqian rarely brought Di Ying back to her parents' home. The servants in front of the Di family's door were stunned at the time, then turned around and ran, rushing into the house like putting out a fire.

As soon as Zhao Xiaoqian helped Di Ying get off the carriage, his father-in-law Di Zi came out to greet them personally, looking at the couple with a look of surprise but happiness.

Zhao Xiaoqian bowed as soon as he saw him: "Xiaoqian greets the father-in-law."

Di Ying also followed Ying Ying's lead and bowed: "Dad..."

After Di Zi's excitement subsided, he subconsciously looked around vigilantly, frowned, and whispered to Di Ying, "You ignorant thing, just come back if you're fine. Why did you bring your husband back? If someone sees you, he'll definitely be impeached."

Di Ying lowered her head in grievance.

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed and said, "Father-in-law, you are too kind. It is only natural for a son-in-law to accompany his wife back to her parents' home to visit her father-in-law. If anyone dares to gossip about it, I will burn his house down."

Di Zi was stunned, and could only smile bitterly and praise: "My dear son-in-law has been guarding the border for a long time, he is really domineering."

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed heartily, thinking there was no need to be polite to his father-in-law. He started walking towards the palace. After taking two steps, he suddenly stopped and pointed at the parked carriage of the Prince of Chu's palace. He said, "Old Deng... Wait a minute, is it safe for my will-o'-the-wisp to park outside your house?"

Di Zi: “…………”

"Well, I said the wrong thing, please don't blame me, father-in-law. I meant... gifts. Yes! Have the servants bring out the gifts."

As we all know, you must not come to your father-in-law's house empty-handed. The crickets behind your wife's family are more annoying than the complaints from your wife in person.

The Di Mansion's house is not very big. After all, it is the residence of a famous general who has fallen on hard times. The Di family has to keep a low profile and dare not buy a mansion even if they have money.

Compared with the Prince of Chu's Palace, the scale of the Di Mansion can only be described as shabby and pitiful.

The four-courtyard house is continuous from beginning to end, with no side courtyards or gardens or waterside pavilions. There are not many servants in the house, only dozens of them, who are dressed simply. Many parts of the house are dilapidated and have not been repaired, making it look like a middle-class family.

Zhao Xiaoqian hadn't been to the Di residence for over a year. He observed the place carefully upon entering. He couldn't help but frown secretly. He turned to look at Di Ying and whispered, "Withdraw 10,000 strings of cash from the palace account and use it to renovate your mother's house..."

Before Di Ying could reply, Di Zi, who was standing nearby, heard her and said hurriedly, "No, no, no, the house doesn't need any renovations. It's fine as it is."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Father-in-law, don't be too cautious. What happened back then is in the past. The emperor is a capable and wise ruler. He has long since stopped caring about the Di family's affairs. From now on, the Di family can be bolder when they are out in the world. There is no need to be so cautious and tread on thin ice."

Di Zi paused, his eyes quickly turned red, his lips trembled a few times, and he took a deep breath, trying to suppress his turbulent emotions.

"My dear son-in-law, please come to the hall." Di Zi said with a strong smile.

The son-in-law came to his parents' home, and the masters and servants of the Di family were all excited. Except for Di Zi, other relatives and servants gathered in the corridor outside the main hall, looking at Zhao Xiaoqian cautiously but excitedly.

Zhao Xiaoqian's fame is naturally known to everyone in the world, but many people don't know that Zhao Xiaoqian's wife is a girl from the Di family.

This is another reason why the Di family keeps a low profile. For well-known reasons, the Di family dare not announce to the outside world that their son-in-law is Zhao Xiaoqian, for fear of causing trouble and suspicion for Zhao Xiaoqian.

Today, the world-renowned Prince of the County is accompanying his wife back to her parents' home. The entire Di Mansion is as lively and bustling as a festival.

In the main hall of the Di Mansion, Di Zi sat in the main seat, while Zhao Xiaoqian and Di Ying sat on the side.

Only then did Di Zi look at Zhao Xiaoqian with an emotional look on his face.

"Two years have passed since I married Ying'er. The young man back then has now become a hero of the Song Dynasty. The Di family is proud to have such a virtuous son-in-law. My daughter followed you and has now been named the Princess of a County, which is considered extremely noble..."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and exchanged glances with the shy Di Ying, saying, "I would like to thank you, father-in-law, for raising my wife to such perfection. With such a virtuous wife, I have nothing to worry about in the future."

Di Zi sighed, his face gloomy as he said, "Don't say these things. It's me who has let you down, and it's the Di family who has let you down. It's a pity that Ying'er has been granted the title of Princess of a County. Otherwise, I would be ashamed to see you, my dear son-in-law. I just wish you would return the goods..."

When these words were spoken, Zhao Xiaoqian and Di Ying were both stunned.

"Why do you say that, father-in-law?"

Di Zi smiled bitterly and said, "You two have been married for two years, but Ying'er still hasn't given you a child. I feel truly guilty. Your virtuous son-in-law has served the country, leading the army in bloody battles on the front lines, while my daughter enjoys peace and tranquility, yet you haven't even laid an egg..."

Before he could finish his words, Zhao Xiaoqian interrupted him with a look of horror: "Wait a minute, father-in-law! My son-in-law is fighting on the front lines, and if Ying'er quietly gives birth to a child for me in the rear, that would be wrong!"

Di Zi was stunned, and after thinking about it, it seemed to make sense.

Looking at Di Ying again, she was already filled with shame and anger, glaring at Di Zi fiercely.

Di Zi was suddenly embarrassed and hurriedly tried to make amends: "That's not what I meant. Anyway... Ying'er, you have to do your best, understand! The lineage of King Chu is already small, and they rely on you, the wife, to expand the family of your husband. But there has been no movement for two years, you..." Di Zi was originally getting more and more excited, but when he saw Zhao Xiaoqian and Di Ying looking at him expressionlessly, Di Zi suddenly stopped talking, looking more and more embarrassed.

"Father-in-law, shouldn't we have a banquet and drinks when our son-in-law comes to visit?" Zhao Xiaoqian reminded in a low voice.

Di Zi woke up as if from a dream and said hurriedly, "Yes, yes, come, set up the banquet!"

Giving Zhao Xiaoqian an apologetic smile, Di Zi said, "It's been a while since we've had any distinguished guests in our mansion, and I've forgotten some of the etiquette. ... Oh, and please bring some more singing and dancing to entertain my father-in-law and son-in-law!"

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed heartily and was about to say something polite when Di Ying, who was standing beside him, said coldly, "Just have a banquet and drink, no need for singing and dancing. You have enough women in your backyard. Father, are you letting them wander around in front of you? Don't you think our backyard is messy enough?"

Di Zi and Zhao Xiaoqian were stunned. They looked at Di Ying, and then the father-in-law and son-in-law looked at each other.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled awkwardly and explained guiltily: "...My son-in-law is actually not that lustful. Those women in the backyard are all my true love."

Di Zi also forced a smile: "I understand, I understand! I have probably encountered true love more than a dozen times in my life..."

Zhao Xiaoqian stood in awe and said, "Learn from my father-in-law!"

Di Ying was so angry that she pinched him hard and said, "You only have six true loves now, and you're planning to get more than ten, right?"

Zhao Xiaoqian rubbed his waist and sighed, "I just envy my father-in-law's true love and touching feelings. At the same time, I feel sad that I have so many mothers-in-law, all over the world..."

Di Zi said uncomfortably, "...not that much, my dear son-in-law, you are exaggerating."

Di Ying said bitterly: "...Humph, man!"

The feast began, with fine wine and delicious food. Zhao Xiaoqian looked out of the court hall for a long time and couldn't help but sigh sadly: "Sure enough, there is no singing and dancing..."

After toasting his father-in-law three times, Di Zi's face flushed and he finally relaxed a little.

To be honest, Di Zi did not have much contact with this virtuous son-in-law. In addition, Zhao Xiaoqian now held a high position and a prominent title, so Di Zi was even a little nervous in front of him.

Now, after drinking some wine, Di Zi finally had some of the dignity of a father-in-law.

After three rounds of drinks, Zhao Xiaoqian put down his glass and started talking about business.

"I heard from Ying'er that my father-in-law wants to go to war with me?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked.

Di Zi felt a little embarrassed. After all, it wasn't a good thing for an elder to ask his son-in-law for help. But Di Zi still nodded and said, "Yes, if my son-in-law doesn't mind..."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "It's not difficult, but marching north to fight against the Liao army is ultimately a difficult and dangerous task. I still want to persuade my father-in-law to think twice and it would be best for him to stay in Bianjing and serve."

Di Zi sighed, "My dear son-in-law, you should know that I am no ordinary man. My father, Di Qing, was also a famous general of the Song Dynasty. His reputation was no less than that of the Zhe family in the northwest and the Tianbo Yang family."

"I have practiced martial arts since I was young, and I am strong enough to lift a tripod. I wouldn't claim to be brave enough to defeat ten thousand men, but back then, I was the bravest among the three armies, and few could rival me..."

Sitting up straighter, Di Zi's face flashed with a hint of nervousness, as if he was interviewing for a job in front of his boss, and he began to talk incessantly about his strengths and specialties.

"Besides being a brave warrior, I have also studied a great deal of military strategy. Whether it's deploying troops or fighting in battle, I can handle it with ease."

"If you don't believe me, my daughter Ying'er can testify for me. When I was young, I often practiced martial arts at home and became proficient in all kinds of weapons. Now I am forty years old, but I am still as brave as I was back then. I can still eat three dou of rice a day and lift three hundred pounds!"

As he spoke, Di Zi stood up, tightened his belt and walked out of the hall, as if he was planning to demonstrate his martial arts skills to Zhao Xiaoqian on the spot.

Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly stopped him: "Okay! I believe it, really! Father-in-law, please wait, there is no need to show it, it will scare me."

Di Zi smiled uncomfortably and said awkwardly, "I am a sincere person. I never lie. Every word I say rings true. If I follow my son-in-law to fight the enemy this time, I swear to make great contributions to the country..."

After a pause, Di Zi showed hesitation and said, "I just don't know whether the emperor... my dear son-in-law should know that the Di family's past events are a bit taboo after all."

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at Di Ying with a smile.

Di Ying covered her mouth with her hands and smiled, saying softly, "Father, when the official heard your request yesterday, he immediately submitted a memorial to the emperor, and the emperor quickly issued an order..."

Di Zi asked expectantly, "What instructions does the emperor have?"

"The official only approved it with one word: 'Approved'."

Di Zi's whole body trembled, his eyes suddenly turned red, and he knelt down respectfully towards the direction of Yanfu Palace.

"The emperor's grace is so great that the Di family is willing to die for the country!" Di Zi said with a sob.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Father-in-law, everything that happened to the Di family is in the past."

(End of this chapter)