The prince is more stable

Chapter 596 The Arrogant Royal Family
The arrival of the Chai family was within Zhao Xiaoqian's expectations.

After the Xuanqing Temple incident, Zhao Xiaoqian sent a strongly worded warning letter to the Chai family, clearly telling them that this was a one-time offense, and they would not be so lenient if they committed the same mistake again.

Although the Chai family had an unfair advantage, they also knew how to protect themselves. They couldn't confront Zhao Xiaoqian directly, since the imperial edict still required them to act accordingly.

If one doesn't know how to behave, the imperial edict will only hasten the Chai family's demise.

Zhao Xiaoqian did not doubt the sincerity of the Chai family's apology, but he simply did not want to see them.

With over a dozen lives lost under his jurisdiction still unresolved, Zhao Xiaoqian already felt guilty for failing to avenge the people, and it was impossible for him to sit down and laugh with the murderer.

Li Qingchen understood Zhao Xiaoqian's firm refusal, but still advised, "Your Highness, I think you should still meet him. The Chai family has been the hereditary Duke of Chongyi, and they also have officials in the court. In official circles, one must maintain appearances."

"They have come all the way from Daming Prefecture. It would be unreasonable for Your Highness to avoid seeing them."

Yes, it's all about social etiquette; we all understand the principles.

Zhao Xiaoqian hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Who are the people from the Chai family?"

“A member of a collateral branch of the Chai family, from the main branch of Fangzhou.”

Zhao Xiaoqian sneered: "You've committed such a serious offense, and all you've done is offer an apology. But the person who came to apologize is just a member of a collateral branch of the family. What? Do you think I, Zhao Xiaoqian, am unworthy to meet their Duke of Chongyi, Chai Ruone?"

"Old Li, do you really think the Chai family is sincere in coming to apologize? I am a prince of the Song Dynasty, and his reputation as a mere Duke of Chongyi is more valuable than mine?"

Li Qingchen was speechless for a moment, but after thinking about it carefully, it seemed to be true.

The Chai family's seemingly humble apology was actually insincere. From Li Qingchen's perspective, he felt that the Chai family was already being very generous by sending someone to apologize.

However, from Zhao Xiaoqian's perspective, the fact that the Chai family sent only a collateral relative to apologize was undoubtedly an insult to the Prince of Song.

Because of the unequal status, they don't carry enough weight.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled at him and said, "Now, get that collateral descendant out of here. The government office doesn't even need to serve him a meal."

Li Qingchen understood and immediately stood up and bowed deeply: "It was my oversight. I will make sure the Chai family gets out."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded.

Chai Ruona wasn't ignorant; she was simply spoiled by the imperial edict.

Although they appear humble to outsiders, this one incident reveals the arrogance in the Chai family's bones. It seems that the halo of the former imperial family has not yet been removed from their heads. The imperial court's favor to the Chai family over the past century has probably fueled their arrogance.

The imperial court indulges them, but Zhao Xiaoqian is not. He dislikes the Chai family, but he has no way to deal with them right now, so he has to swallow his anger for the time being.

…………

Bian Jing, Yanfu Palace.

Zhao Xu's workload has increased recently because there have been a lot more things to do.

The main tasks were the selection of soldiers for the three branches of the armed forces and the preparation of provisions and weapons.

Being born in this era is both a blessing and a curse for Zhao Xiaoqian.

Unfortunately, the Song Dynasty had been weak for a century, and its army lacked combat power. Fortunately, after Zhao Xiaoqian's training in recent years, the Dragon Guard Battalion's combat power improved, and he created an invincible elite royal army.

Fortunately, although the Song Dynasty was weak, it was wealthy enough.

Despite the numerous internal conflicts and factional struggles the imperial court has experienced over the years, it is undeniable that the national treasury remains relatively wealthy, with no shortage of money or grain.

From the Xining era to the present Shaosheng era, for decades, the new and old parties have alternated in power, fighting each other to the death. However, the court's tax revenue has remained relatively stable. After depreciation of taxes and grain, the annual income has generally fluctuated between 80 million and 100 million taels.

If we disregard military strength and focus solely on national wealth, the Song Dynasty was undoubtedly the richest dynasty in history, both in China and abroad.

Therefore, the Song Dynasty had ample logistical support for its military campaigns. When Zhao Xiaoqian led his troops into battle, he always focused on strategy and tactics, and he never had to worry about logistics. The army never had to worry about running out of food.

Zhao Xu has been busy with logistics, supplies, and military equipment lately.

He was well aware that the turn of events in the past year or two presented the Song Dynasty with an exceptional opportunity, one that would not come for a century. The future of the nation would depend on whether it could completely suppress or even destroy the Liao Dynasty within these few years.

Therefore, Zhao Xu attached great importance to the upcoming battle to recover Yan and Yun, which Zhao Xiaoqian was preparing for. He not only personally supervised the logistics, food and weapons, but also personally participated in and inquired about the selection of 50,000 troops from the three armies in Bianjing to go to the border.

Life seemed to have returned to the time when he had just assumed power. Zhao Xi was so busy that he worked day and night and hadn't even held his newborn son for several days.

Soft footsteps came from outside the hall. Zheng Chunhe entered the hall and saw Zhao Xu still bent over his desk. Zheng Chunhe couldn't help but show a look of heartache.

"Your Majesty has not slept for two days. This servant dares to urge Your Majesty to rest."

Zhao Xu didn't even look up and said, "You old dog, don't cause me any trouble. I'm very busy! Tell the Imperial Kitchen to bring me food. I'm hungry."

Zheng Chunhe hurriedly sent a eunuch to deliver the imperial meal, then walked to Zhao Xu's side and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Hejian has sent a memorial."

Zhao Xu looked up abruptly: "Zi'an has a memorial? Let me see it."

Zheng Chunhe handed over a memorial, which Zhao Xu solemnly unfolded. After a quick glance, his solemn expression vanished, and his expression gradually became strange.

Zhao Xu took another serious look, his face twitching slightly.

"I thought it was some major national event, but it turns out..." Zhao Xu murmured to himself, paused for a moment, and sighed, "So this is the kind of person you are, Zi'an..." Zheng Chunhe asked cautiously, "Has something happened to Your Highness, the Prince?"

Zhao Xu closed the memorial and shook his head helplessly: "Something has happened, but this matter... I don't even know how to judge it."

"This guy actually kidnapped the princess that the Liao Kingdom was sending to marry the Western Xia, and imprisoned her in the Juma River camp. It's simply... outrageous!"

Zheng Chunhe was also stunned. They kidnapped a Liao princess? And someone else's wife at that?

This... isn't that a bit too much?
Zheng Chunhe was a eunuch, and no matter how much the emperor trusted him, he was not allowed to discuss state affairs, so he had no choice but to keep quiet.

Zhao Xu sighed, "Zi'an did the right thing in the first place. The Liao Kingdom wanted to form an alliance with the Western Xia to resist the Song Dynasty. Sending a princess to marry the Western Xia princess was a form of alliance. Zi'an decisively ordered the princess to be kidnapped in order to cut off the possibility of an alliance between Liao and Western Xia."

"The matter is true, but I have a feeling this guy has ulterior motives. Could it be that he's really taken a fancy to the Liao princess's beauty?"

Zheng Chunhe smiled and said, "It's alright if His Highness takes a fancy to the beauty of the Liao princess. Your Majesty, if you think about it carefully, it's actually a way to bring honor to our Great Song Dynasty."

Zhao Xu thought it over and suddenly burst into laughter: "Not bad, not bad, you've made a name for yourself. Are you saying that a prince of the Song Dynasty is not worthy of a princess of Liao?"

After speaking, Zhao Xu unfolded the memorial, wrote a few words on it, and then closed it.

“Send someone to deliver this to Zian, telling him to prepare well for the recapture of Yan and Yun, and not to let beauty cloud his judgment.”

Zheng Chunhe accepted the memorial with a smile and was about to leave the main hall when he saw a eunuch rushing in from outside.

"Your Majesty, the young prince has caught a cold, has a persistent high fever, and is crying incessantly. The Empress Dowager requests that Your Majesty go to Jingfu Palace immediately."

Zhao Xu was taken aback, then hurriedly got up and walked outside, asking anxiously, "Has the imperial physician been summoned?"

"Yes, the imperial physician is treating the young prince," the eunuch continued. "Her Majesty the Empress also went to Jingfu Palace when she heard that the young prince was unwell."

As Zhao Xu strode forward, he angrily shouted, "Tell her to get lost! What is she doing here causing trouble!"

…………

Zhen Ding City, Prince's Mansion.

After lunch, Zhao Xiaoqian helped Niao Niao take a walk in the backyard of the Prince's Mansion.

With a sweet smile on her face, even though her belly wasn't showing yet, she walked with the unsteady gait of a pregnant woman, which was rather adorable.

The unexpected surprise not only relieved Niao Niao's anxiety, but also made the usually busy Zhao Xiaoqian spend several days with her, treating her like royalty.

These past few days have been the most unforgettable and precious days of her life since she married Zhao Xiaoqian.

What's even more remarkable is that Zhao Xiaoqian personally cooks all her meals every day, making them delicious and highly nutritious. If only she could live like this forever.

But Niao Niao knew very well that her husband couldn't stay with her like this forever. He carried a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, and the lives and fortunes of many people depended on him.

Niao Niao couldn't be so selfish as to let him waste his time and energy on her.

Spend two more days with me, two days will be enough.

Niao Niao secretly vowed in her heart that her greed would only last for two days.

Two days later, she would urge him to return to the Juma River camp and do the important things a man should do.

With Zhao Xiaoqian by her side, she didn't have many messy thoughts.

At this moment, he was supporting Niao Niao while frowning as he watched her walk.

“I’m telling you, your belly is still so flat, why do you walk with it sticking out like a duck that’s had a big meal? Can’t you be normal?” Zhao Xiaoqian said.

Niao Niao rolled her eyes at him: "How can I let outsiders know I'm pregnant if I'm just walking normally?"

"So, you walk like that to show off?"

“That’s right.” Niao Niao proudly raised her head.

"Then I understand even less. Getting pregnant is something every woman can do, right? What's there to brag about?"

"My lord still doesn't understand. Any woman can get pregnant, but only I can bear your child." Niao Niao smiled sweetly, her pregnancy giving her a mature and alluring charm she had never possessed before.

Zhao Xiaoqian's heart skipped a beat.

Niao Niao giggled, and inadvertently glanced at Zhao Xiaoqian's expression. After being married for so long, how could Niao Niao not know what her husband was thinking at this moment?

Suddenly, Niao Niao panicked and hurriedly said, "My lord, no!"

"Why not?"

"The doctor said that the first three months of pregnancy... are not a good time!"

Zhao Xiaoqian innocently replied, "What are you talking about? I didn't do anything."

Niao Niao gritted her teeth seductively: "My lord's eyes are practically devouring me... Anyway, no way. If my lord needs anything, you can go to the backyard and find those two Japanese sisters; they'll be more than happy to oblige."

(End of this chapter)