The prince is more stable

Chapter 593 Congratulations, My Lord
The "Iron Certificate" is indeed an extremely difficult item to obtain; it's something that most people can't break.

Its essence is just an iron plaque with words engraved on it painted with cinnabar, hence the name "Cinnabar Iron Certificate".

Throughout Chinese history, many people have received imperial edicts of merit, including not only the Chai family but also Qian Liu of the Wuyue Kingdom at the end of the Tang Dynasty.

Among them, Qian Liu's iron certificate saved the lives of his entire clan during the Ming Dynasty. Because of this certificate, the Qian family was pardoned by special decree of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty, which led to the emergence of scientists such as Qian Xuesen and Qian Sanqiang who made great contributions to the establishment of the new China.

Sometimes you have to believe that there really is a mysterious force protecting the fate of China.

As for the Chai family's iron certificate, unfortunately, it did not play a significant role in Chinese history, nor did it develop any meaningful storylines.

Zhao Xiaoqian's current position is certainly the result of his rationality.

He knew that the investigation into the Chai family's affairs seemed to have reached a dead end. It wasn't that he was afraid of taking the blame, but that there was really no way to investigate further. Even if he interrogated the Chai family members, he would eventually have to release them, so interrogation would be pointless.

The law of the land is hard to violate, but the problem is, the Chai family is the law of the land!

"Is this how things are supposed to end?" Zhao Xiaoqian sighed, his expression full of resentment.

If it were anyone else, Zhao Xiaoqian would have acted accordingly. Even in Bianjing, he would have dared to challenge the current prime minister to a duel.

Now, even though they are on their own territory in Zhen Ding Prefecture, they are helpless against the Chai family, which is really frustrating.

Li Qingchen said with a wry smile, "What good would it do to just let it go? It's easy to question the Chai family, but the court in Bianjing doesn't dare to question them. If Your Highness questions them, the final result will be that the Chai family will be released without charge, but Your Highness will be impeached by the court officials and make a fool of yourself. Why bother?"

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed, "Yes, why bother..."

It seems that this is the only way.

Tian Jing was still locked up in prison. Zhao Xiaoqian had lost all interest in going back to interrogate him. What was the point of interrogating him if the real suspect couldn't be caught?

Turning around and glancing at the prison, Zhao Xiaoqian said indifferently, "Release Tian Jing. He's just a errand boy and hasn't committed any crime. There's no point in taking him."

Li Qingchen smiled wryly and replied, "Yes."

Zhao Xiaoqian thought for a moment and then said, "Old Li, can you help me write a letter and send it to the Chai family in Daming Prefecture? Make sure the letter is strongly worded and warns the Chai family that I hope this is the last time they will do something like this at Xuanqing Temple. If I find them committing any crimes again, I will not let them off easily."

Li Qingchen asked, puzzled, "Your Highness, are you serious when you say 'I will not let you off lightly'?"

“To scare him…” Zhao Xiaoqian paused, then suddenly smirked: “It may not be a scare tactic. In my hands, the ironclad edict grants one pardon, but only once; it cannot grant pardons indefinitely.”

"If there is a next time, the Chai family will know my methods, and even the ironclad guarantee won't protect them."

Li Qingchen nodded and withdrew. Zhao Xiaoqian stood alone outside the prison, feeling the winter wind blowing across his face, his skin stinging with pain.

In the adult world, it seems that there is no such thing as invincibility and fearlessness. Even the emperor has people and things he is afraid of. Zhao Xiaoqian now has great power, not only in military affairs, but also in the court. Yet he still cannot do anything to the Chai family.

After standing alone for a long time, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly summoned Zhao Xin.

"Activate the Imperial City Guard to investigate the Chai family's actions over the years, including cases where they were released by the government after committing crimes, their family assets and land, and their reputation in the local area, etc. Report back to me after you have investigated everything in detail."

Zhao Xin bowed and agreed.

After giving his instructions, Zhao Xiaoqian returned to the Prince's residence.

Zhao Xiaoqian was woken up in the middle of the night to interrogate Tian Jing. It was still dark, but the usually lazy Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't fall back asleep.

So Zhao Xiaoqian went straight to his study after returning home and began writing a memorial to the emperor.

Forgiveness is one thing, but things need to be clarified. It's not too much to leave the Chai family with a criminal record, is it?
At dawn, a memorial concerning the Chai family's involvement in illegal activities was completed. Zhao Xiaoqian sealed the letter with lacquer and ordered it to be sent to Bianjing.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Zhao Xiaoqian had to admit that he was a territorial person who wanted to control his own territory. He would get a little irritated when there were people or things he couldn't control.

He wanted to curse, but there was no one to curse at in front of him. His own wife was sleeping soundly next door, but they hadn't done anything wrong, so he couldn't just curse them for no reason.

After finishing his memorial, the servants of the Prince's mansion began cleaning the courtyard. Zhao Xiaoqian decided not to sleep and went for a walk in the courtyard after leaving his study.

Since he couldn't take action against the Chai family, Zhao Xiaoqian had no choice but to temporarily forget about the matter, treating it like a toad crawling on his foot, which disgusted him.

He pondered how to launch a war against the Liao Kingdom after the 50,000 troops of the three armies in Bianjing had arrived. In this battle, they must take the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

One can imagine that the Liao emperor and his ministers are under immense pressure, but the Song dynasty is not exactly having an easy time either.

Zhao Xu was determined to win the battle to reclaim Yanyun, and he emptied his coffers for this battle.

If the war goes poorly and the predetermined results and objectives are not achieved, the Song Dynasty will regress by decades in both military and economic terms.

Zhao Xu couldn't bear this responsibility. Although no one dared to make him take responsibility, he would definitely be so angry that he would die.

Zhao Xiaoqian could no longer bear the responsibility. If he lost this battle, he would truly be a playboy for the rest of his life, and his only mission in this life would be to mate, to have offspring for the King of Chu, and to continue the family line.

Abbreviated as "breeding pig". ...It seems pretty cool.

After wandering around the Prince's mansion, Zhao Xiaoqian returned to the front hall, where he saw Niao Niao personally carrying a tray and bringing him breakfast.

A pair of jade-like arms encircled his neck, and she gracefully leaned down to press her face against his, intimately touching him.

"My lord, you were called out in the middle of the night and didn't sleep all night, did you? You don't look well. How about you have breakfast and go back to your room for a nap? My sisters and I will keep you company," Niao Niao whispered in his ear.

Zhao Xiaoqian slurped up a mouthful of congee and sighed, "I look pale because I've been upset. Damn it, I have to swallow this anger myself."

Niao Niao asked in astonishment, "There is actually someone in the territory of Zhen Ding Prefecture who has caused the official such an insult? Who is this person?"

"Someone who relies on his cheat code to recklessly courts death on the edge of the law," Zhao Xiaoqian sneered.

Niao Niao opened her eyes wide in confusion, completely bewildered.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't explain, but suddenly remembered something and muttered, "If I ever achieve great merit in the future, I'll ask the Emperor for a special imperial edict. Damn it, I always thought that the 'golden edict of immunity' didn't actually protect me from death; instead, it was a death sentence..."

"But now that I see it, this thing is actually still useful for future generations. As long as the descendants don't do stupid things, it's better than nothing. For example, the Qian family's iron certificate was indeed useful."

Of course, if descendants insist on rebelling, they will not escape death regardless of whether they have a written decree or not.

After thinking about it this way, Zhao Xiaoqian felt much better.

If you can't beat them, join them and learn from the Chai family.

Seeing the smile that suddenly appeared on Zhao Xiaoqian's face, making him look much more cheerful, Niao Niao couldn't help but feel happy too.

"What are you thinking about, my lord? You seem to be in a better mood." Niao Niao smiled and fed him a piece of dried meat.

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed and fed her a piece of meat, saying with a smile, "I was thinking that we should keep going tonight. It's winter now, and if you get pregnant, you'll give birth in July or August next year."

"Children born in July and August are blessed. It's summer, everything is thriving, and all kinds of fruits and vegetables are in season. It's guaranteed to nourish you and your child until you're plump and healthy..."

Before she could finish speaking, Niao Niao, who was chewing dried meat, suddenly changed her expression, spat out the meat in her mouth, her face turned pale, and she bent over and began to gag.

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned, staring blankly at the meat in front of him, then looked at her.

"Seriously? What topic did I bring up that was so disgusting?" Zhao Xiaoqian said, patting her back as he spoke with displeasure, then smiled maliciously, "...Did you peek at me pooping yesterday? Can you picture it? Are you getting excited?"

Niao Niao bent over, still gagging and unable to explain. She simply straightened up and punched him hard, then bent over again to continue gagging.

After gagging for a long time, Niao Niao finally calmed down, rinsed her mouth with water, and looked very uncomfortable.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian sitting to the side staring blankly at her, Niao Niao couldn't help but punch him a few times.

"It's all your fault! It's all your fault!" Niao Niao said bitterly, hitting hard.

Zhao Xiaoqian grabbed her hand and said, "What did I do? Don't blame me for beating you up if you're being unreasonable. We don't tolerate this kind of behavior in our family."

For some reason, Niao Niao's pretty face suddenly flushed red. She subconsciously touched her belly, then covered her mouth and chuckled. Her laughter grew louder and louder until she was doubled over and unable to stop.

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes widened, and he muttered, "Oh no, did I marry a crazy woman who only started having an attack today?"

"I'll accept you being a silly old woman, but what about a crazy old woman? It's hereditary..."

Niao Niao punched him again, laughing and panting, "Get lost, I'm not a crazy woman, it's just... hehehe, it's just that I'm suddenly a little smug."

What are you so smug about?

A captivating, alluring look appeared on her delicate face. Her eyes sparkled, and she whispered in his ear, "I was thinking, if the Princess Consort of Bianjing were to discover that the eldest son of our Zhao family is not a legitimate son, I wonder if she would be angry, if she would throw me into the well..."

The words were a bit convoluted, and Zhao Xiaoqian didn't immediately understand: "What do you mean?"

Niao Niao said shyly, "...I didn't tell you, my lord, that I haven't had my period for almost two months."

Zhao Xiaoqian seemed to finally understand something; his breathing became rapid, and his pupils contracted sharply.

“You, you mean…” Zhao Xiaoqian’s eyes grew increasingly agitated.

Niao Niao shyly took his hand and gently placed it on her still relatively flat stomach. Then she nodded, the smile on her pretty face gradually fading, her eyes reddening, and large tears streaming down her face.

"My lord, congratulations."

Niao Niao wiped away her tears, her little mouth pursed, and she suddenly burst into tears. The crying grew louder and louder, as if she was venting the pressure of bearing children and procreation that she had been under since marrying him.

(End of this chapter)