The prince is more stable

Chapter 849 Good News from Across the Ocean
After Zhang Rong's Song army occupied Kyushu Island, Lady Feng and Di Ying, along with other women, settled in a mansion near Nagasaki Port.

This mansion originally belonged to a feudal lord, but Zhang Rong drove him away. Most of the peasants and soldiers under the lord's command were slaughtered by the Song army, so Zhang Rong naturally took over the mansion.

After arranging for local women to clean the area several times, Zhang Rong respectfully invited Lady Feng and Di Ying, among other women, to stay, while he and his soldiers stayed in the main camp.

It must be said that although Zhang Rong was a military general, he was also quite meticulous.

Not only did they leave enough money for the Feng family and send soldiers to protect their residence, but they also hired a group of local women to serve the Feng family.

Zhao Hao said that Di Ying and the others had enjoyed a lot of good life, and that was true. In any situation, Zhao Xiaoqian would provide them with the best quality of life and would never let them be troubled by life.

The mansion is a typical example of Tang Dynasty architecture, a large courtyard house covering a considerable area.

The previous owner was a local lord, who obviously lived a very luxurious life. There were more than a dozen rooms for the servants alone, and the master's bedroom was even more extravagant.

Because Nagasaki was an important port for trade between Japan and the Song Dynasty, the feudal lords took advantage of this and made huge profits from the trade between the Song and Japan. Even the furnishings in their mansions were mostly from trade with the Song Dynasty.

Therefore, this mansion does not show much Japanese style in its furnishings; instead, it is mostly decorated in the style of the Central Plains Song Dynasty, including calligraphy, paintings, porcelain, silk, and so on.

Di Ying was even surprised to find tea in the mansion's storeroom. That's right, it was tea produced by the Chu Prince's Mansion in Bianjing, the capital of the Song Dynasty. It was something that ordinary people in Bianjing couldn't afford, yet it had traveled across the ocean to Japan.

The tea was preserved perfectly, showing how much the nobleman valued it. Moreover, the mansion also contained an exquisite tea set.

Di Ying immediately took the tea leaves and personally brewed tea for Madam Feng.

Madam Feng beamed with joy. She adored her daughter-in-law and was genuinely pleased with her decisive and authoritative demeanor.

In the backyard, there are some cherry blossom trees.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law sat in the courtyard, chatting casually while watching Di Ying brew tea with slightly clumsy technique.

Feng was holding her grandson Zhao Hao in her arms.

Zhao Hao is almost a year old now. Under Feng's patient guidance, he has gradually learned to call people and can pronounce "mother", "grandmother", "aunt" and so on clearly.

Looking at her grandson in her arms, who was watching his mother make tea with curious eyes, Feng couldn't help but feel affection and kissed his tender little face.

"He's almost a year old, and he looks more and more like Qian'er when he was little..." Madam Feng lovingly stroked her grandson's head, her eyes flashing with memories from many years ago.

Di Ying smiled and said, "Mother, there's no need to worry. My husband is currently doing important things in Bianjing. Before long, he will send someone to pick us up and take us back to Bianjing. This place is not a place to stay for long."

Madam Feng laughed and said, "Are you so sure he can accomplish such a great thing?"

Di Ying nodded vigorously, her expression even more resolute than when she joined the Party: "Whatever my husband wants to do, he will definitely succeed, without exception. I believe in my husband."

Madam Feng's eyes flashed, and she smiled, "What if it doesn't work? You must know that this matter is of utmost importance. Since ancient times, the throne has not been easy to seize. One either reaches the pinnacle of power or loses one's head."

Di Ying said firmly, "Even if things don't work out, my husband will definitely not lose his life. He is thoughtful and has already planned his escape route before he even starts. If things fail, he will definitely be able to get away unscathed and travel to Japan to join us."

Madam Feng's smile grew even brighter: "Your trust in Qian'er is quite surprising. For a husband and wife to trust each other to this extent, no one can touch your position as the principal wife for the rest of your life."

Di Ying chuckled and presented the brewed tea to Madam Feng with both hands, saying, "When I first met my husband, he swindled money from me, and I actually managed to get away with it. At that time, my bond with my husband was probably my destiny for this lifetime."

"A match made in heaven, you and Qian'er are blessed. If Qian'er can get through this hurdle smoothly, you will probably never encounter another crisis in your lives," Madam Feng said with a smile.

"My lord will definitely pass!" Di Ying nodded vigorously.

Concealing the worry in her eyes, Ms. Feng took a sip of tea and couldn't help but look towards the coastline.

Born into a family of prime ministers, she naturally understood how difficult and dangerous Zhao Xiaoqian's struggle for the throne would be.

Throughout history, the struggle for the throne has always been particularly brutal and bloody, unless it is a normal succession.

Although Zhao Xiaoqian made many preparations and arrangements in advance, no one could be sure that he would succeed.

Making any one mistake will lead to utter ruin.

Will he succeed this time?
She didn't care whether he could become emperor or not; Lady Feng only hoped that her son would live a good life and have a good life, unlike her, who wasted her life by marrying the wrong person.

"Mother, the tea has gone cold. Let me get you a hot one," Di Ying said softly.

When Madam Feng came to her senses, her grandson in her arms reached out restlessly, trying to grab the teacup in her hand.

Madam Feng smiled and dodged the question, saying, "Grandson, you are too young to drink this."

"Da, da da..." Zhao Hao made meaningless sounds, his chubby little hands still stubbornly gripping the teacup in her hand. "No, you can't drink it. You can't sleep peacefully at night, and if you drink this, you'll be even more unable to sleep." Madam Feng laughed happily.

The sound of hurried footsteps broke the afternoon tranquility.

The footsteps echoed from the front yard to the back yard, causing Madam Feng and Di Ying to frown.

Something serious must have happened, otherwise no one would dare to behave so disrespectfully in their residence.

A Japanese woman appeared before them, knelt down on both knees without saying a word, and mumbled a long string of words that neither Madam Feng nor Di Ying could understand.

With a sigh, Madam Feng said, "It seems we'll have to ask General Zhang Rong to go to the trouble of buying a few maids and servants from the Song Dynasty. Surely servants can speak human language. What exactly is she trying to say?"

Seeing that the two men couldn't understand, the Japanese woman anxiously pointed towards the front yard.

Madam Feng roughly understood what she meant. Holding her grandson and leading Di Ying, she walked to the front courtyard of the mansion.

There was no one in the front yard except for Zhao Xiaoqian's two Japanese concubines sitting in the hall.

Upon seeing Madam Feng emerge, the two Japanese sisters panicked and hastily prostrated themselves in a gesture of respect, addressing their mother in clear and distinct voices.

Helpless, Madam Feng said to Di Ying, "Teach them the rules of the Song Dynasty another day. They don't need to be so formal when they see their mother. It's too much and makes people uncomfortable."

Di Ying covered her mouth and smiled, saying, "I taught them this, but they insist on doing it this way, saying it's the highest level of courtesy Japanese women show to their elders."

At this moment, the older Ping Shi knelt down and said, "Reporting to Mother, General Zhang Rong has arrived. He is outside the gate and asks Mother and Sister Di to come out and meet him. He says he has important news."

Feng and Di Ying were immediately stunned, and then they both saw an incredulous surprise in each other's eyes.

"Could it be Qian'er, he..." Madam Feng became unusually excited.

Di Ying took her arm, her voice even more anxious: "Mother, whatever the news is, we'll find out as soon as we go out and ask! Hurry!"

Zhang Rong stood outside the gate waiting obediently. Ever since he invited Zhao Xiaoqian's female relatives to live in this mansion, Zhang Rong had never stepped into the residence to avoid suspicion. Even if he had something to report, he would ask someone to pass on the message outside the gate.

This time is no exception.

Upon seeing Madam Feng and Di Ying emerge, with little Zhao Hao in their arms, Zhang Rong tried to conceal the excitement on his face and bowed first.

"This humble general Zhang Rong pays his respects to the old magistrate, to the lady, and to the young master," Zhang Rong said, bowing.

Madam Feng asked anxiously, "Forget these formalities, tell me quickly, is there any news from Bianjing?"

Zhang Rong smiled and nodded vigorously, his eyes reddening for some reason: "Yes, there is news from Bianjing. General Zhong, on Your Highness's orders, sent someone with a letter. Your Highness has succeeded!"

"No, you can't call him 'Your Highness' now, you should call him 'Your Majesty'. Old Lord Ling, Your Majesty has accomplished something in Bianjing. On the 28th of last month, Your Majesty officially ascended the throne with the support of all civil and military officials, and became the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty!"

"At the beginning of this month, the Song Dynasty changed its reign title to 'Jingkang,' which is the new reign title set by the Emperor. Today is the fifteenth day of the sixth month of the first year of Jingkang in the Song Dynasty."

Overjoyed, Madam Feng swayed uncontrollably and almost fell over, but fortunately Di Ying caught her.

Di Ying was already in tears, murmuring, "It's done! My husband has indeed succeeded! I knew he would never fail. His abilities are extraordinary, how could he possibly fail? He... has finally become the emperor of the Song Dynasty."

Zhang Rong excitedly bowed to Di Ying: "This humble general would like to address Your Majesty the Empress in advance. His Majesty has issued an edict requesting that the old Lady Ling, Your Majesty the Empress, the young prince, and all the concubines board the ship to cross the sea to the west immediately."

"The Emperor has stationed two thousand elite soldiers at Mizhou Port. After you disembark, these two thousand soldiers will escort you back to Bianjing to reunite with the Emperor."

Madam Feng laughed heartily, a rare occurrence for her: "Good, good! As expected of my son, he truly has such ability; he actually managed to win this position!"

As she spoke, Madam Feng suddenly bowed to Zhang Rong.

Zhang Rong was shocked and hurriedly stepped back to avoid the bow: "Old Lord, you are... you mustn't do this, it will shorten my lifespan!"

Madam Feng said earnestly, "My son Xiaoqian's success this time is all thanks to the strong support of you all, Zhong Jianzhong, Zong Ze, Zhe Keshi, and you. Without the support of 100,000 soldiers, I don't know what would have become of him. The journey is long and arduous, and I thank you all on behalf of Xiaoqian."

"Your service in supporting the emperor will never be forgotten, and I, Xiaoqian, will certainly treat all of you meritorious officials well in the future."

Zhang Rong was both surprised and delighted. He hurriedly and humbly said that he dared not, but his ugly face made it difficult to hide his emotions. He was so ugly that he was practically bursting with ugliness.

"It is June now, and the sea is still relatively calm. We should not delay. I humbly request that the old lord, the ladies, and the young prince board the ship today. I will send four large ships with two thousand soldiers to escort you. After landing in Mizhou, the imperial army will take over and safely transport you to Bianjing."

(End of this chapter)