The prince is more stable

Chapter 925 Uproar and Chaos
Zhao Xi was a very mysterious woman, and her authority was also shrouded in mystery.

Normally, she hides in the shadows, and even Zhao Xiaoqian doesn't know which corner she's hiding in. Zhao Xiaoqian also rarely uses her or the Imperial City Guard's secret forces.

If it's used, it will definitely be a very big deal.

Tonight, after Di Ying went to sleep, Zhao Xiaoqian secretly summoned Zhao Xi.

Yes, it's time to use her.

Zhao Xi waited under the eaves outside the Funing Palace. When he saw Zhao Xiaoqian come out, Zhao Xi knelt down to pay his respects.

"Your subject Zhao Xi pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Zhao Xi was a woman, but Zhao Xiaoqian made an exception and gave her an official position. Her official post was as an official in the Imperial City Guard, on par with Zhen Qing. Moreover, Zhao Xi was able to control Zhen Qing.

The Imperial City Guard was a secret service agency directly under the emperor, and it even had the responsibility of supervising and checking the officials of the Censorate. However, don't assume that just because the Imperial City Guard held such great power, the head of the Imperial City Guard could act recklessly.

Zhao Xiaoqian put everyone's power in a cage, including Zhen Qing.

If Zhen Qing ever becomes arrogant and does something shameful behind Zhao Xiaoqian's back, he will soon find that Zhao Xi has come knocking on his door the moment he laid his hands out.

That's right, one of the powers of the Imperial City Guard's secret service is to monitor the Imperial City Guard.

Therefore, Zhao Xi could refer to himself as "your subject" in front of Zhao Xiaoqian.

Under the dim light of the palace lanterns, Zhao Xiaoqian gazed quietly at Zhao Xi's stunningly beautiful face, feeling a pang of regret in his heart.

What a beautiful woman! She could have lived a good life just by her looks, but she chose to rely on her abilities.

Putting everything else aside, if she were willing to become Zhao Xiaoqian's concubine, just based on her face alone, Zhao Xiaoqian was confident that he could make her have two children within three years and enjoy extreme wealth and status.

Zhao Xiaoqian dared to bet that Zhao Hao must have had lustful thoughts about her before he trained her as a bodyguard. However, he was afraid when he saw how perverse Zhao Xi's methods of doing things and killing people were, so he had to give up his lustful thoughts and ensure that his relationship with her was completely innocent.

And Zhao Xi did not disappoint. Over the years, she probably did a lot of shady things for Zhao Hao. The fact that a weak woman could get a "top-level" position in Zhao Hao's powerful and influential faction shows that she was indeed quite capable.

"I have two things for you to do, so write them down." Zhao Xiaoqian didn't bother with any pleasantries or small talk and went straight to the point.

"Yes."

"The first thing is that the new administration has begun discussing the equal taxation law for the land, and there are many opponents in the court. Some people may be getting restless and may secretly plot against us. You should lead your men to investigate this matter thoroughly. It would be best to directly uncover their impending conspiracy. If you cannot uncover it, at least collect evidence of their crimes."

"Yes, I obey your order."

"The second thing is that my Empress is pregnant, and... I did it."

Zhao Xi: "…………"

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at her and, seeing that she remained expressionless, said with displeasure, "Say congratulations."

Zhao Xi: "???"

"Can't you say congratulations? You don't even understand such a simple social etiquette. Do you really think you're some heartless killer?"

"...Congratulations, Your Majesty," Zhao Xi said with a stiff face.

"That's right, it finally feels a bit human."

As Zhao Xiaoqian spoke, he took out a prescription and handed it to her, saying, "Find a doctor in the countryside to ask if there is any problem with this prescription for preventing miscarriage. Also, keep an eye on all the staff in the Imperial Medical Bureau and other departments responsible for purchasing and supplying medicinal materials to the palace."

"Especially those who provide medicine and food to the palace every day, have your trusted subordinates secretly conduct another poison testing process. From raw materials to finished products, everything must pass through your hands. You are my last line of defense. Can you do it?"

Zhao Xi lowered his head and said, "Your subject obeys the decree; Your subject can do it."

"Alright, now that we've finished discussing business, as is customary, we should sit down and chat casually to build rapport. Little Zhao, how's work lately? Any plans to settle down? Are you a guy or a girl...?"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Xi stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Your subject takes his leave!"

Then Zhao Xi left decisively, showing absolutely no interest in chatting with the current emperor.

Zhao Xiaoqian smacked his lips, making a clicking sound.

This woman is as cold as ice. No wonder even her own father didn't dare to have any lustful thoughts towards her. Anyone who sleeps with her will wake up in the middle of the night to find themselves covered in bruises...

…………

The debate over the Fangtian Equal Tax Law was still raging in the court, and as expected, almost the majority of the court officials opposed it.

Yes, most of them, including both the New Party and the Old Party.

The New Party claimed to be carrying on Wang Anshi's legacy and continuing to implement the new policies, but once their own core interests were threatened, the New Party eventually began to oppose them as well.

Every day, there were no fewer than a thousand memorials opposing the equal taxation of the land plots, and the prime ministers in the Council of State Affairs were overwhelmed and simply couldn't keep up with them all.

At this moment when the debate between the court and the public was in full swing, an even more astonishing piece of news came from the palace.

The Empress is pregnant. This news spread throughout Bianjing immediately, and within a day, the entire city knew.

After the initial shock, the people were overjoyed. Many ordinary citizens in Bianjing spontaneously celebrated, and laughter and cheers could be heard throughout the city. Countless people gathered in Bianjing's restaurants, taverns, and brothels, excitedly discussing the topic of the emperor's offspring.

From the perspective of the nation and the reactions of both the court and the public, the topic of the Empress's pregnancy was even more prominent than the discussion of the Fangtian Equal Tax Law.

The equal taxation of the fields was just one of the provisions of the new policies of the Song Dynasty. It did affect the interests of many people, but the Song court and the public were more concerned about the issue of the emperor's offspring.

The empress's pregnancy means that the emperor's legitimate son is about to be born. Throughout history, the concept of "legitimate son" has been deeply ingrained in people's minds. The child of the emperor and empress is the legitimate son, and no matter what, he is the undisputed candidate for the next emperor.

Of course, this is on the premise that the empress gives birth to a boy.

From the perspective of etiquette, the child the Empress is carrying is far more valuable than the Emperor's eldest son, Zhao Hao.

Although Zhao Xiaoqian didn't care about the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate sons, and his affection for his children was fair, outsiders had different opinions.

A legitimate son is a legitimate son; he is born at the pinnacle, and his status is worlds apart from that of a son born out of wedlock.

The existence of an heir signifies the stability of the nation and the peace of mind of the people.

When Emperor Zhezong passed away, the lack of an heir led to a power struggle among the princes, nearly plunging the country into war. This demonstrates just how important the imperial lineage was to ordinary subjects.

The news spread throughout Bianjing and then rapidly to all parts of the country. The fact that the Empress was pregnant caused even the heated debate over the Fangtian Equal Tax Law to be temporarily halted in the Bianjing court.

Regardless of what the court officials thought of the Emperor, at this moment, officials from both the New Party and the Old Party acted in unison, submitting memorials to congratulate the Emperor and the Empress, which eased the tense atmosphere in the court.

Inside Yanfu Palace.

The atmosphere in the inner palace was even more joyous, with eunuchs and palace maids beaming with happy smiles, and the air seemed to be filled with a strong sense of joy.

Inside the Funing Palace, Di Ying leaned helplessly against the bed. A constant stream of people came to visit and offer their congratulations. Among them were not only her sisters like Niaoniao and Jiang Miaoxian, but also some imperial concubines, high-ranking female officials, eunuchs, and others.

Zhao Xiaoqian sat on a chair in the hall, looking at Di Ying who was surrounded by a crowd of people, a smile on his lips, quietly turning the pages of the book in his hand.

Several maids from the Di family also entered the palace as palace maids. Their duty was to serve Di Ying around the clock, and all her food, lodging and transportation were handled by these maids.

These maids were personally selected by the father-in-law, Di Zi. It is said that the selection process was very strict, involving tracing back three generations, much like taking the civil service exam, before finally choosing these maids. Di Zi assured them that they could be trusted.

The hall was filled with laughter and joy. The sisters who came to congratulate Di Ying all showed envy, while some of them concealed their disappointment.

Most of these disappointed women were selected to enter the palace during Zhao Xu's lifetime. They were not favored by Zhao Xu, and now they all yearn to be favored by Zhao Xiaoqian. Some of the more beautiful women even secretly harbor the ambition to replace Di Ying.

Unfortunately, after Di Ying became pregnant, these people's ambitions were dashed. After all, with a child, the empress's legitimacy was unshakeable, and her position as empress was practically guaranteed.

Among the crowd of people who came to offer their congratulations, Zhao Xiaoqian spotted a familiar figure.

Xue Meiyun, the woman who sang twice in the back garden in an attempt to attract his attention.

Of all those who came to offer their congratulations, Xue Meiyun was the most natural and enthusiastic, showing no sign of disappointment whatsoever. Instead, she generously congratulated Di Ying and even took out a pure gold longevity lock, preemptively arranging the child's lifespan even though the child was still in Di Ying's womb.

The women were chattering amongst themselves, discussing what pregnant women should eat to ensure their babies are born fair and beautiful, when suddenly Zheng Chunhe announced loudly from outside the hall: "The Empress Dowager has arrived—"

The women in the hall, including Di Ying, were taken aback. Di Ying was about to get up to greet them, but Zhao Xiaoqian raised his hand to stop her, signaling her to stay on the bed and not move.

A moment later, Empress Dowager Xiang, dressed in magnificent robes, gracefully entered the hall. The women in the hall all bowed to her with reverence. Zhao Xiaoqian also stood up and bowed to her.

Although he was now the emperor, the proper etiquette of respecting elders and superiors could not be disregarded. The Empress Dowager was an elder, and Zhao Xiaoqian still had to pay his respects.

Empress Dowager Xiang nodded kindly to Zhao Xiaoqian, then walked up to Di Ying, took her hand, and said with a smile, "We've finally waited for this day. His Majesty has a legitimate heir. Empress, you must take good care of yourself and follow the imperial physician's instructions. Do not overwork yourself, and do not eat anything indiscriminately."

Di Ying smiled and thanked the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager then exchanged pleasantries with her for a while and had a palace maid deliver some precious tonics and tribute silks to her.

After exchanging pleasantries, Empress Dowager Xiang approached Zhao Xiaoqian and said with a smile, "Would Your Majesty be willing to accompany me for a walk?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "That is exactly what I wish to do, Your Majesty. Please."

As she walked out of the Funing Palace, the smile on Empress Dowager Xiang's face vanished. She turned and gave Zhao Xiaoqian a deep look before sighing.

"Your Majesty, in principle, the harem should not interfere in state affairs, but there are some matters that, even if I don't intervene, come to me on their own..."

Zhao Xiaoqian asked, puzzled, "What does the Empress Dowager mean..."

Empress Dowager Xiang said helplessly, "In the past few days, wave after wave of court officials have come to see me... Has His Majesty been discussing the Fangtian Equal Tax Law, which was briefly implemented during the Yuanfeng era?"

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded: "That's right, it is indeed true. I am considering implementing the equal taxation of land and conducting a survey of all the land in the country."

Empress Dowager Xiang tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, could you consider whether to postpone or shelve this matter? To be honest, too many people in the court are against it. Many officials have come to me crying and complaining, and I am truly troubled by this..."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and looked directly into her eyes, but his tone was absolutely firm: "...No."

(End of this chapter)