The prince is more stable

Chapter 881 Family Rules and National Laws
Inside the Funing Palace, the family is reunited.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked left and right, feeling extremely satisfied.

He had never been as happy as he was when he first ascended the throne.

Having come into this world, I've gone against my original intention of being a lazy bum all these years, running around and busy every day. Isn't everything I've done just for this scene before me?

Now, with his family, wife, and children all sitting in front of him, the joy and satisfaction he feels as the head of the household is something that outsiders cannot understand.

None of the family members are missing; in fact, there's one more...

Zhao Xiaoqian looked around, his gaze finally settling on Yelü Nanxian.

There's no way around it; of all the women present, she's the most beautiful, and any normal man would find it hard to ignore her.

Yelü Nanxian still had that aloof and stunning face, sitting silently with his wives and concubines, looking around the furnishings of Funing Palace with a hint of curiosity. However, when her gaze inadvertently met Zhao Xiaoqian's, her pretty face blushed slightly, and her eyes quickly looked away as if they had been burned.

If today is a family reunion, Yelü Nanxian is probably the only outsider present.

She was indeed an outsider; she had no relation or status with Zhao Xiaoqian. When she left Zhen Ding City to travel overseas, it was Di Ying who forcibly dragged her away.

The situation was urgent, and Zhao Xiaoqian and Di Ying couldn't afford to think too much about romance; it was inappropriate to discuss such things under the circumstances.

In order to prevent others from threatening Zhao Xiaoqian with those close to him, even Yelü Nanxian who had no official status, Di Ying had to take her away to prevent Zhao Xiaoqian's enemies from creating any opportunity to threaten him.

Now that they have weathered all the storms and their fortunes have turned around, in this family reunion, Yelü Nanxian's gaze towards Zhao Xiaoqian carries a strange, inexplicable meaning.

A silent, ambiguous atmosphere lingered between the two. The women present were all experienced in matters of love and sex, so they were naturally familiar with the strange and ambiguous atmosphere between Zhao Xiaoqian and Yelü Nanxian. Thus, the women smiled knowingly, pretended nothing had happened, and chatted as usual.

Zhao Hao couldn't be bothered with his son flirting with other women; his only concern was his grandson.

Seeing his beloved grandson sitting on Zhao Xiaoqian's lap, squirming restlessly, Zhao Hao's heart softened, and he quickly took his grandson into his arms.

By this time, Zhao Hao was somewhat familiar with his father and grandfather, so he stopped crying and resigned himself to being held in his grandfather's arms, letting him keep smacking his face.

"He's over a year old, he should be able to walk by now, right?" Zhao Hao suddenly asked.

Niao Niao smiled and said, "He can walk now, and he's quite restless. He likes to get down on his own and stumble around everywhere. He doesn't cry when he falls, which makes him look a bit like a boy."

Zhao Hao laughed with satisfaction and asked, "Can you talk now?"

"He can say some simple sentences and can call people, but he doesn't say much. He's probably been spoiled too much. He doesn't need to say anything; he can get what he wants with a simple gesture. So he's just too lazy to talk. His daughter-in-law is very anxious about it."

Zhao Hao smiled and said, "It's alright, take your time. As the saying goes, 'Great people speak slowly.' You can't rush things when it comes to speaking. As you get a little older, you'll naturally learn the words you need to know."

With a smile, Niao Niao leaned closer to her son, pointing expectantly at Zhao Xiaoqian and saying, "Hao'er, he is your father, call him Dad."

The group of people chatting suddenly fell silent, all eyes fixed on Zhao Hao. Zhao Xiaoqian also held his breath, watching his son nervously.

After a few more words of encouragement from Niao Niao, Zhao Hao looked at Zhao Xiaoqian, his small mouth trembling slightly before uttering a single, slightly broken word: "Da!"

Everyone burst into laughter, but Zhao Xiaoqian was overjoyed and looked at his son, encouraging him, "Say it again."

"clatter!"

"Hey!" Zhao Xiaoqian responded loudly, and for some reason, his eyes suddenly reddened, and a strong sense of happiness filled his heart.

Everyone burst into laughter again.

The hall was filled with joy, and the days were peaceful and serene.

Zhao Hao loved his grandson more and more as he looked at him, and sighed, "This child has a natural talent. When he grows up a bit more, we will invite some of the great scholars of our time to teach him. He will surely be extraordinary in the future. Our eldest son and grandson will definitely be successful."

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes gleamed as he said, "A little learning of Confucian classics is enough. I will personally teach him some science and engineering knowledge, which is the foundation for national prosperity."

Zhao Hao asked, puzzled, "Science and engineering...knowledge?"

"The flintlock guns, gunpowder, and cannons made by children, including the purification of snow salt, all belong to science and engineering knowledge. There are many other things besides these. What the country really needs is not the Confucian sayings and poems, but practical work to build the nation."

"After we destroy Liao and Xia, the Song Dynasty will be unified. At that time, we need to set our sights on the other side of the sea. Therefore, the Song Dynasty will need many talents, including shipbuilding, manufacturing new firearms, and planting new grains. My children will naturally need to learn many skills as well."

Everyone present looked at him in surprise.

They did not expect that Zhao Xiaoqian had such a long-term vision, with clear and well-defined plans for the country, his family, and his descendants.

Zhao Xiaoqian slowly said, "Throughout history, the lifespan of unified dynasties in China has never exceeded three hundred years. I hope that one day in the future, when the thrones of my descendants are no longer secure and they are forced to flee overseas to protect themselves, each of them will still possess extraordinary abilities. This will be their greatest asset in making a comeback." Looking around at the astonished crowd, Zhao Xiaoqian smiled, "Therefore, my approach to educating my children may differ from that of other families in the world. They will receive a more special education and learn some unique skills. These skills can provide them with a livelihood on a small scale, or contribute to the stability and prosperity of the nation on a large scale."

The hall was silent for a long time before Di Ying suddenly spoke first: "I support you, my lord. The great achievements you have made over the years are not only due to your planning and decision-making, but also to the novel objects you have created."

“Our children, whether born of the principal wife or not, must learn all of your skills and pass them down from generation to generation.”

When the principal wife spoke, the concubines naturally dared not object and nodded in agreement.

Zhao Hao's gaze swept over the women, then landed on Di Ying. He leaned close to Zhao Xiaoqian's ear and whispered, "Di Ying has returned to the capital. Make her empress as soon as possible. With a new emperor on the throne, the positions of empress and crown prince cannot remain vacant. They should be appointed early to appease the people."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded and said, "I will issue an edict tomorrow to confer the title of Empress, and Niao Niao and Miao Xian will all be conferred the title of Consort."

Upon hearing this, Di Ying was taken aback, and for a moment her expression became somewhat dazed.

When she married Zhao Xiaoqian, she never imagined that she would become empress one day.

At that time, she was just a happy young woman waiting to be married. The so-called wealth and poverty were not on her mind at all. She wanted to marry this person, whether he was poor or rich. The important thing was that he was the one.

"As for the position of Crown Prince..." Zhao Xiaoqian looked deeply at the chubby son in Zhao Hao's arms and said, "The position of Crown Prince is not urgent. The next emperor of the Song Dynasty should be chosen by a virtuous person, not by the eldest son of the legitimate wife."

"If any of our descendants are ambitious for the throne, they must demonstrate the ability and qualifications to match the position. The so-called 'qualifications' are a hard requirement. Every child in our family must be sent down to rural farms in various places after reaching adulthood, working alongside farmers incognito for several years before being allowed to return."

“Those who only know how to enjoy wealth and honor, who cannot understand the suffering of the common people, and who utter foolish words like ‘Why don’t they eat meat porridge?’ are not qualified to be crown princes.”

Zhao Xiaoqian looked around at the women and said slowly, "Today is supposed to be a day for husband and wife to reunite, but I'm going to establish the rules for our family first. No matter who gives birth to your children, they must all follow the rules I've set. There will be no exceptions."

The women quickly nodded in agreement.

Seeing the atmosphere was a bit somber, Zhao Hao quickly laughed and said, "On such a joyous day, let's not be so serious. It's rare for our family to get together, so let's talk about something happy. For example, when are you two going to give me a few more grandchildren? I'm not picky, boys or girls are fine."

The women lowered their heads in embarrassment.

Madam Feng snorted coldly, "What right do you have to interfere in our private matters? Having a child is all about fate; it will come when it's meant to. What business is it of yours to be here?"

Zhao Hao was taken aback, then flew into a rage: "What have I done to offend you again?"

"You're still alive and breathing, and you've already provoked me!"

Seeing the two start arguing again, Zhao Xiaoqian had a headache.

"Stop! Can you two call a truce? Your grandson is watching you..." Zhao Xiaoqian sighed helplessly, "After you two pass away, I will bury one of you in the North Pole and the other in the South Pole, and I guarantee that you will never see each other again in all your future lives."

Madam Feng sneered: "My son is filial, that's wonderful!"

Zhao Hao, however, said with dissatisfaction, "I don't care if you grind her bones to dust, but I want to bury her in Bianjing. I can't bear to leave this place."

Zhao Xiaoqian replied perfunctorily, "Alright, I'll bury you in Bianjing City, no, I'll just bury you in the backyard of the Chu Prince's mansion, bury you shallowly, so that when I miss you, I can dig you up to look at you and remember your voice and smile..."

Feng sneered with schadenfreude: "Why bother with all that trouble? Just hang his hundreds of pounds of flesh on the flagpole, and you can remember him anytime."

Zhao Hao's face darkened: "There's no need for such filial piety. I'm already past my prime, so let's not make a fuss. Let me rest in peace..."

…………

The meal was very enjoyable, and everyone didn't leave until late at night.

Today, the family was reunited and everyone was happy. Zhao Xiaoqian, who rarely drank alcohol, drank a little and was already seven or eight parts drunk when the banquet ended.

After the banquet, Zhao Hao held his grandson tightly and refused to let go, insisting on taking him back to the Chu Prince's residence. He wanted to sleep with his grandson that night, and Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't persuade him otherwise. So, he had to send two wet nurses with Zhao Hao out of the palace so that they could take care of the child if he cried at night.

Before Di Ying and the other women returned to the capital, Zhao Xiaoqian had arranged their respective palaces in advance. After the banquet, eunuchs led the women away.

On the first night of the couple's reunion, the women tactfully gave up their seats to Di Ying, who was the principal wife and would rightfully become the empress the next day. The first night of the reunion naturally allowed the couple to truly achieve a close reunion.

Zhao Xiaoqian's palace was in the Funing Palace, so Di Ying stayed there. Zheng Chunhe sent a palace maid to help Zhao Xiaoqian wash up, but Di Ying sent her away.

Looking at the drunken official, Di Ying's eyes welled up with endless tenderness and love. She personally wiped his body, undressed him, and finally helped him lie down on the bed.

The couple hadn't seen each other for a year, and were somewhat estranged. Di Ying suppressed her shyness, lay down next to Zhao Xiaoqian, and greedily inhaled the familiar scent of her husband, a sweet smile appearing on her lips.

(End of this chapter)