The prince is more stable

Chapter 984 Defying the Imperial Decree and Speculating
Whether or not faith should be linked to money is a difficult question to answer, as everyone has a different attitude.

Some people believe that faith is simply about burning incense and kowtowing; if one is devout and without fault, divine protection will surely come.

Some people are very enthusiastic and generous, believing that if you love someone, you should dedicate everything to them. This "someone" can be Buddha, Taoist deity, or any random deity in heaven.

Zhao Hao undoubtedly belongs to the latter category. He is not only Zhao Xiaoqian's father, but he also wants to be the sugar daddy of the old charlatan of Qingyang.

Zhao Xiaoqian was speechless. What could he do with such a powerful father? The man was already quite old; he couldn't very well cut off the Chu Prince's control over the finances, could he?
I couldn't be bothered to ask Zhao Hao how much money he had given to that old charlatan; that amount would definitely give Zhao Xiaoqian a heart attack and high blood pressure.

Let's just consider it an old person being scammed into buying health supplements. Anyway, the effects of health supplements and worshipping gods are about the same; all they're asking for is peace of mind.

"As long as Father is happy..." Zhao Xiaoqian sighed helplessly.

Zhao Hao grinned, his face serious, and said, "The money isn't given away for nothing; it's useful!"

"What?"

Zhao Hao took out a neatly folded yellow talisman from his pocket and handed it to Zhao Xiaoqian.

"This peace and life-saving talisman was personally blessed by Master Qingyang. If you wear it day and night without taking it off, it will ensure the elimination of all diseases, protection from all evil spirits, and invulnerability to weapons..."

Zhao Hao solemnly hung the pendant around Zhao Xiaoqian's neck and nodded with satisfaction: "I don't know why, but my son looks a bit more pleasing to the eye when he wears this."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked down at the talisman hanging on his chest and sighed softly.

Sometimes I really want to report it to the authorities; even the imperial family isn't immune to telegraphic fraud.

"My own father, my own father, my own flesh and blood, my own flesh and blood..." Zhao Xiaoqian murmured a few incantations before finally calming down.

Turning his head, he saw Xue Meiyun still kneeling on the ground, her eyes wide open, curiously observing his conversation and interactions with his family.

Her eyes gleamed with an unusual light, as if she wanted to memorize the scene before her, then learn from it, replicate it, and finally try to immerse herself in the atmosphere.

She had already tried very hard to sleep with him.

Zhao Xiaoqian was in a bit of a dilemma. Logically speaking, today's birthday was just a family gathering, but Xue Meiyun was a complete outsider. He had only met Xue Meiyun a few times and could barely be considered a nodding acquaintance.

But since they gave such a precious and valuable gift, it seems even worse than a scumbag who pulls up his pants and then denies everything.

Before a scumbag pulls up his pants, at least he makes the other person feel good. What about Xue Meiyun? She gave such an expensive gift, but she definitely didn't get any pleasure.

After hesitating for a while, Zhao Xiaoqian met Xue Meiyun's expectant eyes and tentatively said, "Why don't you come to the table and have some too?"

Xue Meiyun's expression brightened, and she quickly bowed her head, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you for the banquet."

After saying that, she stood up, but she was very polite and did not dare to sit down. Instead, she took the initiative to stand next to Di Ying, served her some food and tea, and then stood behind Di Ying without moving like a dutiful maid.

Di Ying was a little confused by her actions. After a moment, she smiled and said, "My husband said to have you sit down and have your meal. You are a guest, so you don't need to serve me."

Xue Meiyun lowered her head and said, "Your Majesty's favor is too much for me to refuse, but Your Majesty the Empress is the mistress of the harem, and it is my honor to serve you. Please give me the opportunity to serve you."

As she spoke, Xue Meiyun looked up at Zhao Xiaoqian again, as if silently pleading for his permission.

Zhao Xiaoqian's lips twitched. This woman... was even more cunning than Niao Niao back then.

As the empress, Di Ying was naturally the head of the harem, but she seemed to have little experience in being an empress. At this moment, seeing Xue Meiyun's stunning beauty and her good manners and etiquette, she immediately developed a liking for her.

So Di Ying leaned close to Zhao Xiaoqian's ear and whispered, "My lord, this woman seems quite nice. Since I entered the harem, she has been very respectful to me. There is nothing wrong with her in terms of character and conduct. Why don't you favor her?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was deeply moved. The wife who took the initiative to introduce her husband to her girlfriend allowed him to start a sweet romance again and also gave him another chance to have children. Where could he find such a good wife?
In this era, women using manipulative tactics are still rare. Whether they are from wealthy families or modest backgrounds, they are expected to uphold traditional virtues and be gentle, refined, and devoted to their husbands.

Di Ying married Zhao Xiaoqian when she was a young girl, and her daily activities were basically confined to the inner courtyard of the mansion. She had little social experience and probably couldn't see through Xue Meiyun's scheming nature.

After Di Ying finished speaking, Xue Meiyun also heard it. She held her breath and looked up at Zhao Xiaoqian with a mixture of nervousness and excitement, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled noncommittally and said, "Let's see. It's better to let things take their course. Trying to do it deliberately would lose the true meaning of love between a man and a woman."

Xue Meiyun's eyes immediately dimmed, and she lowered her head, biting her lower lip without saying a word.

Zhao Xiaoqian, however, did not care about her feelings. He had seen many beautiful women in the world, and his aesthetic threshold for beauty was so high that others could not reach it.

Zhao Xiaoqian wasn't in a hurry to favor Xue Meiyun. He needed to thoroughly investigate the character and background of the women around him. Otherwise, who would want to sleep with someone in a muddle and then find out that it had caused a big problem?
First, let the Imperial City Guard secretly investigate her family background, whether she has a gambling father, a sick mother, a younger brother who is still in school, and a broken life.

Zhao Xiaoqian gave Xue Meiyun a deep look. Her father was the Vice Prefect of Hangzhou, a sixth-rank official.

A mere sixth-rank official could present a jade statue of the God of Longevity worth hundreds of thousands of strings of cash without batting an eye. Clearly, her father was no honest official. He wouldn't be able to sleep until he found out the truth about Xue Meiyun and her father.

Just as he was pondering, Zheng Chunhe hurriedly entered the palace and whispered to Zhao Xiaoqian, "Your Majesty, Vice Minister Cai Jing and twenty-three other officials are requesting an audience outside the palace gates. They have brought birthday gifts and say they are here to celebrate Your Majesty's birthday."

Zhao Xiaoqian frowned and said in a deep voice, "Didn't I issue an edict forbidding people from celebrating my birthday? Do these people intend to disobey the edict?"

Zheng Chunhe looked a little embarrassed and guilty, and his voice became even softer: "They said... they are willing to offer a thousand taels of silver, only asking the Emperor to grant them a banquet in the palace, and also asking the Emperor to accept their birthday gifts."

Zhao Xiaoqian exclaimed in astonishment, "What? One thousand taels of silver...?"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Xiaoqian immediately remembered that this was what he had said to Zheng Chunhe yesterday.

If you really want to join a palace banquet, that's fine too. Everyone just needs to contribute one thousand taels of silver as a food allowance. He'll serve everyone a buffet, all you can eat, but no takeout allowed...

But Zhao Xiaoqian was just being cheeky and joking when he said that, and he never took it seriously. So how did the words get out?
Turning to look at Zheng Chunhe, and seeing his increasingly embarrassed and guilty expression, Zhao Xiaoqian immediately understood.

"Did you spread the word about what I said yesterday?"

Zheng Chunhe said with a bitter face, "I took every word Your Majesty said seriously, but I really didn't expect that Vice Minister Cai and the others would also take it seriously..."

After a pause, Zheng Chunhe carefully added, "Besides, His Majesty said yesterday that although it is not your birthday, you cannot refuse the birthday gifts from the court officials. It would be a shame to disappoint everyone's good intentions..."

Zhao Xiaoqian took a deep breath and said, "Let them enter the palace. Hold a banquet in the Wende Hall. Tell the imperial chefs to prepare a dozen or so dishes immediately, served in large basins. The ingredients don't need to be too precious; ordinary home-style dishes will do. Also, prepare a few dozen bowls and plates and send them to the Wende Hall."

"It's a buffet, so it's a buffet. I'll make sure they feel right at home. Making money isn't shameful."

Half an hour later, Zhao Xiaoqian arrived at the Wende Hall wearing a yellow robe, where Cai Jing and other court officials were already waiting.

Upon seeing Zhao Xiaoqian's arrival, the assembled officials bowed in greeting.

After the ceremony, led by Cai Jing, the officials shouted in unison, "Wishing Your Majesty a long and prosperous life, and the Song Dynasty a glorious dynasty for ten thousand generations."

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed and told them to dispense with the formalities.

They had agreed not to celebrate his birthday, but these people still insisted on coming to give him birthday gifts. This action itself shows that everyone present was a bunch of opportunists. They didn't get promoted based on their abilities, but wanted to take shortcuts.

Sending birthday gifts to the emperor was undoubtedly a very effective shortcut.

Zhao Xiaoqian was not a foolish ruler; he would not be swayed by a flood of flattery. Of course, he would not refuse flattery either, since who doesn't like to hear compliments? So-called loyal ministers would not do this job. If one wanted emotional value and to relieve psychological pressure, one had to rely on treacherous ministers.

Amid the congratulations of his ministers, Zhao Xiaoqian walked into the hall and sat down. As soon as his bottom touched the chair, he smiled at the ministers.

"I am delighted that you have come to celebrate my birthday. Today I have prepared some simple wine and snacks for you all. Please do not find them offensive."

The officials were overjoyed, and they poured out their hearts and even paid money, all for the sake of getting this meal and trying to make a deep impression on the emperor.
What are a few simple dishes and drinks? They'd gladly accept any wild vegetables they were given to dig up from the palace's greenbelts.

The officials all said they dared not accept such praise, and bowed again to Zhao Xiaoqian to congratulate the Emperor on his birthday.

Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly extended his hand to the crowd and slowly said, "Since everyone is here, let's follow the rules. First... pay up!"

The courtiers were taken aback, completely bewildered.

Cai Jing reacted the fastest, immediately understanding what it meant, and hurriedly said, "I brought it, I brought it. It's on the gift box outside the palace, a thousand taels of silver, not a penny less."

The courtiers suddenly realized what was happening, and were then secretly shocked.

This thousand taels... Does the Emperor really want it?

And they asked for it face-to-face, using the most blunt and unceremonious tone and manner. What an attitude...

The ministers then came to their senses and understood.

Since ascending the throne, what has this emperor done that hasn't been unexpected? In just over half a year, the changes in the Song Dynasty court have exceeded those of the entire century since the founding of the nation.

Now that the officials just want money, compared to their previous unexpected behavior, this action and their behavior are quite normal, okay? It's completely reasonable and legal.

Don't you pay for meals?
Especially for palace banquets, there are so many wealthy people in the common people. Even if they spend all their money, who can afford to attend a palace banquet?
Those present only needed to pay one thousand taels, which was practically a clearance sale.

(End of this chapter)