The prince is more stable

Chapter 749 Being a Mother is Strong
Zhao Xiaoqian returned to Beijing yesterday, and Lady Feng naturally heard about it.

Although she missed her child terribly, Madam Feng restrained her urge to see her son. She knew that he would have many important matters to attend to after returning to Beijing, and he probably wouldn't have time to see her for a while.

She was surprised to find that Zhao Xiaoqian arrived the day after he returned to the capital, which delighted Madam Feng and made her gaze towards her son even more tender and loving.

In the front courtyard of the mansion, Madam Feng held Zhao Xiaoqian's hand for a long time, refusing to let go, and kept looking at her son, becoming more and more delighted with each look.

"You do indeed have the air of an important person, especially your eyes. They exude an imposing aura without being angry. If an unrelated person were to glance at you, they would probably be quite frightened, wouldn't they?" Madam Feng said with a smile.

She raised her hand to stroke Zhao Xiaoqian's hair, but Zhao Xiaoqian was too tall for Feng's hand to reach.

Zhao Xiaoqian slightly bent his knees, lowering his body so that Madam Feng could easily touch his hair.

Feeling his mother's gentle hand caressing his hair, Zhao Xiaoqian felt an immense sense of peace and tranquility.

Facing the storms of life alone, Zhao Xiaoqian has always felt like he's walking on thin ice. Only with his mother's side can he find a safe haven.

Madam Feng looked at her son with loving eyes and sighed, "I've heard a lot about you, about your name. Every day I send servants to the brothel at Zhouqiao to listen to storytelling. They turn your deeds into stories and tell them over and over again. The servants hear the stories and then tell them to me..."

“I love those stories, but I also feel sorry for your hardships. They all say you are a great hero, that you are a god descended to earth. But after hearing so many of your stories, no one cares about the dangers you have suffered over the years, and no one understands the hardships you have endured by living in the open.”

“Those stories only describe the glamorous aspects and not the tragic ones, and I don’t like that.”

"Qian'er, you are my child, a piece of my flesh. Others may not care about you, but I do. No matter what, I will always care about you."

Zhao Xiaoqian lowered his head in silence, tears falling to the ground, shattering like broken ice.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian looking dejected, Madam Feng stroked his hair tenderly and forced a smile, saying, "Come on, let's go back inside. I'll make you some tea."

The mother and son entered the front hall, where a maidservant served tea and teaware. Madam Feng's tea-making movements were fluid and skillful, and her every move exuded an elegant and noble air.

Zhao Xiaoqian's biological mother was also from a prominent and wealthy family. Her father, Zhao Xiaoqian's maternal grandfather, was Feng Zheng, the prime minister during the reign of Emperor Yingzong.

As the daughter of a prime minister, Lady Feng exuded nobility in both her background and upbringing. Even her simple tea-making movements were more elegant and graceful than others.

Zhao Xiaoqian sat respectfully in front of Madam Feng, watching as she handed him a cup of hot tea. Zhao Xiaoqian smiled, took a small sip, and nodded approvingly.

"How is it? Does it have a refreshing and sweet aftertaste?" Madam Feng looked at him with bright eyes, like a little girl waiting for praise, with a touch of innocence.

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded: "Mother's skills are becoming more and more exquisite. Others may not have the blessing to drink tea brewed by Mother herself."

Madam Feng smiled proudly: "Of course, I only show my tea-making skills to my child; no one else can have a taste."

The mother and son sat in the front hall, sipping tea and chatting casually.

“Mother, Niaoniao gave birth to a son for me. He has now passed his one-month birthday. He is chubby, cute, and very well-behaved.”

Madam Feng looked anxious, sighed, and said, "You mentioned it in your letter last month, but what's the use of just saying it? I really want to hold my grandson, I really, really want to..."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Mother, don't worry. I came here today to tell you that I plan to send you to Mizhou in the next few days to reunite with my wives and concubines. Then you will be able to hold your grandson."

Madam Feng was taken aback and stared at him intently. Coming from a family of prime ministers, she immediately sensed something different in Zhao Xiaoqian's words.

"Qian'er, what happened?" Madam Feng asked in a deep voice.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Nothing happened, everything is fine. Mother misses her grandson, so I will take you to see my son so that you can show some love to your grandson."

Madam Feng's face darkened: "Don't try to outsmart me. Tell me the truth, what exactly happened?"

Zhao Xiaoqian knew he couldn't hide it. After all, this mother was no mere figurehead. The prime minister's daughter had a keen sense of politics, and any unusual developments would alert her.

After a long silence, Zhao Xiaoqian had no choice but to tell the truth.

"His Majesty's health is deteriorating, and his death is likely imminent. The court in Bianjing is about to be in turmoil, and I may be caught in the storm. Therefore, I plan to send my mother, wife, and children away in advance to ensure your safety. Only then will I have no worries and can focus on dealing with the storm."

Madam Feng said in a deep voice, "There are rumors circulating in the city about the Emperor's health, but there are too many different rumors, and I don't know whether to believe them or not. After hearing what you said today, I'm afraid the turmoil in Bianjing is quite significant, and even you are not confident that you can get through it safely?"

Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head: "It's not that I'm not confident, but I can't let anyone hold my mother, wife, and children hostage and use them to control me." Madam Feng stared into his eyes and slowly said: "His Majesty's time is nearing its end. Are there any candidates for a new emperor in the court?"

"When a brother dies, the throne passes to his brother; the new emperor can only be chosen from among the emperor's brothers."

Feng immediately interjected, "Among the candidates for the new emperor, is there someone who is your mortal enemy?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was startled. He had never told his mother about his grudges with Zhao Ji, yet Lady Feng had so keenly noticed it.

It must be said, she truly lives up to her reputation as the daughter of a prime minister; she is indeed extraordinary.

With a shrewd and calculating father and a sharp and intelligent mother, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly felt a sense of awe about the genes he had inherited. He realized that his genes were so powerful that he always felt extraordinary whenever he looked in the mirror, and it was not just his imagination.

“I am mortal enemies with Prince Duan, Zhao Ji, and Zhao Ji is very likely to ascend the throne,” Zhao Xiaoqian said readily.

Madam Feng hummed in agreement, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly said, "I heard that the Emperor bestowed upon you a certificate of merit, but if Zhao Ji ascends the throne, this certificate may not be effective. In the end, you will still have to rely on yourself. After you have seen me, my wife, and my children off, what do you plan to do?"

Zhao Xiaoqian hesitated for a long time before finally looking up and staring directly into her eyes. He said slowly, word by word, "Mother is right. In the end, we still have to rely on ourselves. So, I plan to try and see if I can get that position."

"Since it is a succession system where the elder brother dies before the younger brother, and I am also the emperor's younger brother, if others can do it, why can't I?"

One sentence made Feng's ears ring, and he remained silent for a long time.

After a long while, Mrs. Feng exhaled, her expression gradually changing from shock to calm.

"You are a member of the imperial clan and should not have been qualified to compete for the throne. However, among all the members of the imperial clan, you are the only exception. After all, you are the only one who has made outstanding contributions to the Song Dynasty and has a great reputation in the court and among the people. Let me ask you one more question: after you returned to the capital, has the military power of the Yanyun garrison been returned to the court?"

Having witnessed her mother's extraordinary abilities, she was no longer surprised by Feng's calm demeanor at this moment.

Zhao Xiaoqian said in a low voice, "Although I have returned to the capital, the Emperor intends to replace the commander of the Yanyun garrison. However, I still have a group of generals who are loyal to me. Even if I hand over the military power, the new commander will not be able to command them."

A flash of excitement crossed Feng's eyes, and she said, "So, whether you're in the army or not, military power is always in your hands?"

"That should be the case within a year or two."

Feng nodded: "In that case, you have the leverage to compete."

Then Madam Feng sneered: "Your scoundrel father must have given you a lot of advice, right? What role did he play in it?"

Zhao Xiaoqian said somewhat awkwardly, "Uh, although Father is indeed a bit of a scoundrel, but... well, Mother can call me whatever she likes."

"Father intends to elevate me to the top at any cost, whether it's extreme wealth or the complete loss of my family. Father and I have no way out but to fight with all our might."

Feng sneered, "Over the years, your scoundrel father has accumulated a lot of shady things, waiting for this moment. He was ambitious back then, intending to compete for it himself, but now it seems he has changed his mind and wants to elevate you. That scoundrel still has a sliver of conscience left."

Zhao Xiaoqian cautiously probed, "Back then, when Mother and Father became enemies, Mother even went so far as to become a nun to break with Father. What exactly happened between you and Father?"

Madam Feng said coldly, "The younger generation doesn't need to know about the affairs of their elders. You will gradually discover this in the future."

"With the military power of Yanyun, the shady influence your father has built up, and the prestige you've accumulated in the court and among the people over the years, you have enough capital to contend for the throne."

"As your mother, I've always thought you're very intelligent. No matter what you do, as long as you want to do it, you'll definitely succeed. I believe this time will be no exception."

Looking into his eyes, Madam Feng said, "If you want to do great things, I won't stop you. Just as you judged, the situation will either lead to extreme wealth and honor or the death of your entire family. There is no other choice but to fight for the throne. So, since you have made up your mind, go for it."

"I will set off from Bianjing tomorrow to reunite with your wife and children. I will not cause you any trouble in Bianjing, nor will I be held hostage or used to threaten or manipulate you."

Zhao Xiaoqian rose and bowed deeply: "I have troubled you, Mother, wife and children, to go to Mizhou. I have arranged for a ship there, along with five thousand soldiers under my command to escort you. Please go to Japan for the time being. Once I and Father have accomplished our mission in Bianjing, I will bring you back to enjoy wealth and honor."

Madam Feng smiled and said, "Five thousand soldiers escorting you, my son, you really have a grand gesture. You are indeed a great man. Even when your maternal grandfather was prime minister, there was no such grand procession."

"I will leave tomorrow so as not to cause you any trouble. Remember, in the face of important matters, one must remain calm and decisive. Once you have taken action, you must not show mercy. Those who should be killed must be killed, otherwise it will only leave future troubles."

Madam Feng spoke very seriously. At this moment, she no longer seemed like a mother, but more like a battle-hardened female general. Her originally loving eyes were now filled with a chilling murderous intent.

(End of this chapter)