The prince is more stable

Chapter 597 Coming to Apologize
I offered my heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon thought I was a lecherous old man...

Zhao Xiaoqian really wanted to refute the rumor; Mingyue was right.

Now, Niao Niao has shed her youthful naiveté and exudes a charming and mature allure, seemingly possessing an even more irresistible allure than she did in her teenage years.

Zhao Xiaoqian can finally understand Prime Minister Cao.

My idol is too far away from me, so I want to find someone closer to me.

For example, his living father, Zhao Xiaoqian now finally understands why, with so many beautiful women in the world, his living father only loves widows.

Those who came before us cannot understand the paths we have walked without a certain amount of experience.

"I'll make you ginseng and old hen soup tonight. This ginseng came from the dowry of a princess from the Liao Kingdom. The doctor said it's a fifty-year-old wild ginseng, very potent. I didn't dare give you too much; I just cut a few slices for the soup. That's enough to nourish you. Too much is as bad as too little."

Niao Niao leaned happily on his shoulder with a sweet smile on her face, but deliberately frowned and said, "My lord, there's no need to supplement. I've been supplementing too much lately. If you fatten me up, you'll hate me in the future."

"Nonsense, I'd prefer you if you had a little bit of flesh on you. If you're as skinny as a reed, the baby in your belly will suffer along with you."

Niao Niao sighed, then suddenly remembered something, paused for a moment, and said, "My lord just said that the ginseng was obtained from the dowry of the Liao princess?"

"Is there a problem?"

"This is a huge problem! When did my husband get involved with the Liao princess again? And he even swindled her out of her dowry!" Niao Niao was furious.

Zhao Xiaoqian said sternly, "What are you saying! When did I say I cheated someone out of their dowry?"

Just as Niao Niao breathed a sigh of relief, Zhao Xiaoqian's next words made her heart jump again.

"...I clearly stole it, why would I need to lie?"

Niao Niao was furious. She pinched the soft flesh on his waist and said, "What's going on? Aren't there enough women in the house already?"

"Let go! This is a matter of national importance; what do women know!"

"Is seizing the dowry of a Liao princess a matter of national importance?"

"Stealing the dowry was just a side thing; my main target was the Liao princess," Zhao Xiaoqian said angrily, as if he had been greatly wronged.

Niao Niao opened her eyes wide in astonishment.

The matter seems to be getting bigger and bigger as we dig deeper. Which of this bastard's words are true and which are false?
"You, you kidnapped the Liao princess?" Niao Niao asked in a daze.

"That's right, we robbed it and hid it in the Juma River camp."

Why did you rob her?

“Because she is kind!” Zhao Xiaoqian blurted out, but seeing that Niao Niao’s expression was becoming increasingly unfriendly, he could only sigh and change his words: “I just said, you don’t understand matters of state.”

Seeing that Niao Niao was so angry that her breathing was rapid, Zhao Xiaoqian was afraid of upsetting the child in her womb, so he had no choice but to explain: "The Liao Kingdom and the Western Xia are going to form an alliance to jointly resist the Song Dynasty. The Liao Emperor sent a princess to the Western Xia for a marriage alliance. If you were me, what would you do?"

Niao Niao's expression finally softened a little, and she snorted, "Of course, it's to prevent Liao and Xia from forming an alliance."

"Then tell me, should I abduct this Liao princess who is going to be married off?"

After a moment of silence, Niao Niao said helplessly, "...We should take it."

"We've already taken the princess's dowry, so what's wrong with taking a few aged ginseng roots from her dowry to nourish my wife?"

“…No problem.”

Niao Niao glared at him resentfully and said, "My lord, you do whatever you want to the Liao and Western Xia. Are you treating the northern border of the Song Dynasty as your own backyard?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled slightly: "The border between Song and Liao stretches for thousands of miles, and I have 100,000 archers guarding the frontier. As long as I and my soldiers are here, Liao and Western Xia will never dare to invade the border. It is fair to say that it is my backyard."

Her beautiful eyes seemed shrouded in a hazy mist. She couldn't help but hug him tightly and said sweetly, "My lord, I am so happy. I never thought I would marry such a majestic general."

…………

The Chai family has sent people again.

Last time, a member of a collateral branch of the family came to the government office in Zhen Ding City, saying he wanted to apologize. Zhao Xiaoqian sent him away without even seeing him.

Zhao Xiaoqian's attitude undoubtedly served as another severe warning to the Chai family.

The Chai family finally realized that this Prince was no ordinary official of the Song Dynasty. If the Chai family continued to maintain the arrogant attitude of the former imperial family, they would truly become enemies with Zhao Xiaoqian.

The Chai family held a superior position in the Song Dynasty and originally feared no one. Even the current emperor showed them some deference. However, the Chai family dared not offend Zhao Xiaoqian.

Having won several battles against the Liao Kingdom, Zhao Xiaoqian's fame had spread throughout the land, and officials, scholars, and common people alike held him in awe and reverence.

What the Chai family feared most was that Zhao Xiaoqian held military power.

Throughout history, no matter how powerful a person is, they always have to show some respect to those who hold military power, otherwise it's hard to guarantee what their fate will be.

After the collateral relatives were slinked back to Daming Prefecture, the Chai family finally took the matter seriously.

They realized that Zhao Xiaoqian had developed resentment towards the Chai family, or rather, that it was more serious than just "resentment".

If the Chai family continues to maintain their arrogant attitude towards Zhao Xiaoqian, enmity is inevitable.

The Chai family did not want to become enemies with Zhao Xiaoqian.

A fallen member of the former imperial family dared not oppose the powerful and influential princes of the Song Dynasty.

After analyzing the pros and cons, the current Duke of Chongyi, Chai Ruona, set off from Daming Prefecture and hurriedly headed to Zhengding Prefecture. Two days later, while Zhao Xiaoqian was still racking his brains to come up with new dishes to nourish his pregnant wife, Li Qingchen came to visit again.

This time, not only Li Qingchen came to visit, but also Lü Huiqing, the prefect of Daming.

Upon entering, Li Qingchen's expression was quite calm, but Lü Huiqing wore a forced smile, clearly somewhat nervous.

Zhao Xiaoqian was not surprised by Li Qingchen's arrival. This guy had come to his house for meals more than once or twice, and he couldn't be driven away no matter what.

However, the appearance of Lü Huiqing puzzled Zhao Xiaoqian.

Wasn't this guy surveying the fields with Han Zhongyan and Liu Anshi, preparing to relocate farmers and displaced people? Why did he suddenly abandon his post and run off to his own home?
Putting aside his many questions, Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and welcomed the guests into the hall.

I'm so familiar with Li Qingchen that I don't treat him like a human being.

Since he wasn't very familiar with Lü Huiqing, Zhao Xiaoqian had to put on a smiling face and chat casually.

After chatting for a while, just as Zhao Xiaoqian was getting a little impatient, Lü Huiqing carefully revealed her purpose.

Chai Ruona, the Duke of Chongyi of the Chai family, has arrived in Zhengding City and wishes to see His Highness the Prince. However, His Highness the Prince and the Chai family had a few unpleasant encounters on the last two occasions, so Chai Ruona dared not make a presumptuous visit. Therefore, he asked Lü Huiqing to act as an intermediary and try to find out His Highness the Prince's opinion.

As for why Lü Huiqing was asked to act as a pimp, it's quite simple: Lü Huiqing was the prefect of Daming, and the Chai family had been living in Daming for many years, so the two families were quite familiar with each other.

After hearing Lü Huiqing's purpose, Zhao Xiaoqian rubbed his face in annoyance.

He really didn't want to see the Chai family; they were so annoying. He'd rather waste his time making soup for Niao Niao.

But Lu Huiqing was being very careful in front of him at the moment, which undoubtedly affected his reputation.

Lü Huiqing was a prominent official of the Northern Song Dynasty, and Zhao Xiaoqian did not want to offend him.

"Then let's meet," Zhao Xiaoqian said indifferently. "Whether they apologize or not is not important. The matter is over and there's no follow-up. Even if the Chai family doesn't apologize, there's nothing I can do to them."

The words were spoken in a calm and unhurried manner, but Lü Huiqing, a shrewd old fox in officialdom, immediately discerned the dissatisfaction in Zhao Xiaoqian's words.

Lu Huiqing hurriedly smiled and said, "The Chai family also knows they were wrong. They had slighted Your Highness before, but the Chai family has corrected their mistake. Duke Chongyi rushed to Zhengding City without stopping. I hope Your Highness will give the Chai family a chance to apologize."

Zhao Xiaoqian finally nodded and agreed to meet Chai Ruona.

Seeing that Zhao Xiaoqian had finally agreed, Lü Huiqing was overjoyed and thanked him.

Soon, Chai Ruona, who had been waiting outside the Prince's Mansion, entered the front hall.

Chai Ruona was wearing a black round-neck long gown, a jade belt around her waist, and cloud-patterned boots. She was nearly fifty years old, and her demeanor and gait were calm and composed.

Before anyone even stepped into the front hall, Chai Ruona burst into laughter.

"I have long admired Your Highness's reputation and yearn to meet you. It is my great honor to meet you today."

Zhao Xiaoqian forced a smile and stood up.

He spoke eloquently and was very humble and polite. Upon entering, he greeted the officials with the proper courtesy, his manners were impeccable.

You can't hit someone who's smiling at you; that's just human nature.

Zhao Xiaoqian then smiled and said, "So it's you, Lord Chongyi! I've heard so much about you."

Chai Ruona bowed deeply, his movements very elegant. Putting aside the sordid things the Chai family had done, just speaking of appearance and demeanor, the Chai Ruona in front of him was indeed a handsome old man.

Since they had already come, Zhao Xiaoqian naturally couldn't treat his guests coldly, so he ordered a banquet to be prepared in his residence.

When the food and wine were served, Zhao Xiaoqian raised his glass to toast Chai Ruona and the others, who quickly drank it all and then returned the toast.

After several rounds of drinks, Chai Ruona picked up his cup, stood up, walked to Zhao Xiaoqian, bowed deeply, and then drank it all. He said, "The Chai family has a large branch, and the descendants of each branch are of varying quality. Some of the unworthy descendants have caused trouble outside, and as the head of the family, I have no choice but to come out and apologize. It is truly a misfortune for our family."

Zhao Xiaoqian narrowed his eyes slightly: "When a family grows large, such things are inevitable. Lord Chongyi, you don't need to take it to heart."

Chai Ruona sighed and said, "The Chai family has had a lot of expenses in recent years. After all, there are many people in the clan, so we have to do a lot of business outside to support the family."

“But some members of the clan cannot distinguish right from wrong and will do anything to make money. I have heard about the Xuanqing Temple incident. It was done by a member of a collateral branch of the clan. He used the name of the Chai family to extort money and kill people. His crimes are heinous. I am ashamed that I have failed to discipline him properly.”

"I have come from Daming Prefecture today to apologize to Your Highness. After the incident, I personally broke the leg of the offending member of the collateral branch and locked him in the woodshed to reflect on his actions. He should have come with me to apologize today, but he is unable to walk due to his broken leg, so I had to give up. I hope Your Highness will not hold this against the junior."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded with a smile.

Some things may sound nice, but they don't stand up to scrutiny.

The claims about being a collateral relative or having a broken leg sounded serious, but Zhao Xiaoqian didn't believe them at all.

The Chai family built more than one Taoist temple that was used to extort money and kill people.

Not only in Zhengding Prefecture, but also according to the Imperial City Police Bureau, the Chai family built no fewer than twenty Taoist temples throughout the entire Hebei region.

Judging from the behavior of Xuanqing Temple, it can be inferred that these twenty-odd Taoist temples are not places for devout men and women to seek divine help and worship Buddha; their practices are roughly the same as those of Xuanqing Temple.

Chai Ruona's apology was sincere, and she seemed to really know she was wrong, but she didn't mention the more than twenty Taoist temples at all.

I'll admit to what's found, but I'll never admit to what's not found.

That's pretty much Chai Ruona's attitude at this moment.

Zhao Xiaoqian sneered inwardly. He'd come all this way to apologize, and all he got was nothing.

(End of this chapter)