Song Xiu

Chapter 32 Empress Dowager Du's Mistreatment (Please read on!)

There is a side hall inside Yanshou Palace.

This side hall was a place that Empress Dowager Du specially prepared for herself to burn incense and worship Buddha after she entered the palace.

Inside the side hall, the air was filled with the delicate fragrance of incense and the clear sound of wooden fish drums. Empress Dowager Du, who was devoutly worshipping in this environment, had a compassionate expression on her face and was quite like a virtuous empress.

However, Empress Dowager Du, who favored Zhao Guangyi, was ultimately not a person who was detached from worldly desires.

When Zhao Dexiu's stern declaration reached the side hall, Empress Dowager Du, who was holding Buddhist prayer beads, immediately opened her eyes.

Realizing that the situation in the main hall might be getting out of control, Empress Dowager Du lost all interest in continuing her Buddhist worship. With the help of palace maids, she appeared in the main hall in time.

As soon as Empress Dowager Du entered the main hall, she saw that her younger brother, Du Shenzhao, had been forced to the ground by Zhao Dexiu's sharp words, which made Empress Dowager Du subconsciously displeased.

How did a seemingly normal inquiry from an elder to a younger person escalate into this situation?
When Empress Dowager Du was about to question Du Shenzhao, Zhao Dexiu, who had already guessed that Empress Dowager Du would not be able to hold back and intervene, would not give Empress Dowager Du much time to react.

At Zhao Dexiu's prompting, the still-young Zhao Dezhao suddenly stepped forward and embraced Empress Dowager Du:
"grandmother!"

Zhao Dezhao didn't need to say anything; his expression of being a grandmother, coupled with a few cries, was enough to render Empress Dowager Du immobile.

Zhao Dexiu knew that Empress Dowager Du valued her reputation most, otherwise she would not have sent Du Shenzhao to be her vanguard.

Even if Empress Dowager Du, whose mind was manipulated by Zhao Dexiu, wanted to favor Du Shenzhao, she would not ignore Zhao Dezhao's cries at this time.

"What injustice did Dezhao suffer?"

After Empress Dowager Du asked this question, Zhao Dexiu, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward and told Du Shenzhao about his disrespectful behavior in detail.

As a subject, repeatedly questioning the prince and addressing him by his given name is extremely disrespectful.

When Zhao Dexiu accused him of great disrespect, Du Shenzhao was both shocked and terrified, wanting to cry but having no tears.

Du Shenzhao could only look to Empress Dowager Du for help—everything today was ordered by you!

Upon noticing Du Shenzhao's pleading gaze, Empress Dowager Du naturally couldn't bear to see her brother punished, and she wanted to use her status as Empress Dowager to exonerate Du Shenzhao.

But Zhao Dexiu, who had long harbored the intention of striking the dog to intimidate the master, would never allow Empress Dowager Du to have her way.

In front of the many eunuchs and palace maids around her, Zhao Dexiu said in a sorrowful tone:
When my grandfather passed away, he mentioned that my grandmother would take care of his grandchildren in the future.

I hope that Grandmother will uphold justice for her grandson today!

Upon hearing Zhao Dexiu's words, Empress Dowager Du's expression changed drastically.

Admittedly, as Zhao Dexiu's grandmother, he could often disregard Zhao Dexiu's requests.

But no matter how high her seniority, she could not ignore Zhao Hongyin's dying wish in public—that the husband should be the head of the household!
Realizing that she had to give Zhao Dexiu and his brother an explanation today, Empress Dowager Du, though reluctant, quickly made a decision.

Empress Dowager Du looked at Du Shenzhao with a cold and sharp gaze:
"The Du family has a distinguished reputation, how could they produce someone like you who doesn't know your place?"
I will have the emperor strip you of all your official titles and ranks. Go back to Dingzhou and reflect on your actions!

After delivering this punishment, Empress Dowager Du didn't even bother to look at Du Shenzhao anymore: "He's good for nothing but causing trouble!"
Empress Dowager Du ordered several eunuchs to carry Du Shenzhao, who was limp on the ground, out of the palace.

Just as Empress Dowager Du finished issuing her order, Zhao Dezhao's crying stopped.

This coincidence made Empress Dowager Du, whose mind was already in turmoil, even more gloomy, but she couldn't lash out because she cared about her reputation.

What I did today has truly backfired.

The more Empress Dowager Du thought about it, the angrier she became. With the help of a palace maid, she sat down and tried to calm herself down.

As her emotions stabilized, Empress Dowager Du finally noticed something was wrong.

Belatedly realizing what was happening, she turned her gaze to Zhao Dexiu:

It seemed like she had been led by the nose by Zhao Dexiu the whole time!
Inside the Chongyuan Hall, the daily meeting was drawing to a close.

After Fan Zhi finished reporting the last piece of government affairs, the officials in charge of rites in the palace were ready to organize the officials to leave the palace.

However, just after Fan Zhi entered the hall, a figure quickly stepped out from the ranks of civil officials and stood in the center of the hall.

The figure was none other than Lu Duoxun. Lu Duoxun was not of high rank, and he was positioned quite far back in the hall, so many people in the hall did not notice him when he first came out.

It wasn't until Ludosen stood in the center of the hall that his appearance drew the attention of all the civil and military officials inside.

However, many people do not know Lu Duoxun, nor do they know why he was teaching.

Among the officials, only a few, including Fan Zhi, Wang Pu, and Zhao Guangyi, noticed something unusual.

After standing in the center of the hall, Lu Duoxun raised his tablet, bowed to Zhao Kuangyin on the throne, and said loudly:

"Your subject, Lu Duoxun, Left Remonstrance Official, has something to report!"

As soon as Lu Duoxun said this, many scrutinizing gazes in the hall immediately focused on him.

Being watched by so many high-ranking officials and dignitaries inevitably made Ludoson nervous, but at the same time, it also stimulated his sense of excitement.

Zhao Kuangyin was also curious about Lu Duoxun's sudden departure from the class.

However, since his accession to the throne, he had issued an edict to broaden the channels for public opinion, and he would certainly not prevent Lu Duoxun from speaking in front of his ministers.

"What is it that you wish to report? Please tell me."

After completing the presentation process, Lu Duoxun did not hesitate any longer and spoke in a deep voice:
"The eldest prince will soon be sixteen years old. Your Majesty, please arrange his marriage in accordance with the old customs of the Han and Tang dynasties!"

As soon as Ludoson finished speaking, all the ministers in the hall were stunned.

The officials were taken aback, and naturally recalled Wei Renpu's departure from the palace the day before.

It turns out that Wei Renpu left the palace the day before yesterday to push for this matter.

Otherwise, the marriage of the eldest prince is a matter of great importance, and how could a mere Lu Duoxun dare to speak out rashly?

Looking at Lu Duoxun standing in the hall, Fan Zhi felt a pain in his eyes—it was coming again!
Feeling a pang of emotion, Fan Zhi recalled several years ago, during the reign of Emperor Taizu of Zhou, when Wei Renpu secretly orchestrated several power struggles in the court over the succession.

They're all in their fifties now, can't they just settle down for a while?

The nervous Fan Zhi grabbed Wang Pu's hand again with his fingers, and the pain from the hand made Wang Pu both surprised and angry.

Fan Zhi and Wang Pu were not the only ministers in the court who quickly recovered from their initial shock.

Zhao Guangyi and Fan Zhi almost simultaneously discerned Wei Renpu's intentions.

Anxious, Zhao Guangyi immediately turned his gaze to several of his trusted confidants in the court.

After receiving a signal from Zhao Guangyi, a courtier named Wang Xian quickly stepped forward and addressed Zhao Kuangyin:
"Since its founding, Lu Duoxun has remained silent and derelict in his duties."

Today he has acted contrary to his usual behavior, and his intentions are suspicious. I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly.

Because Lu Duoxun presented the Han and Tang dynasty rituals, Wang Xian could not find a good reason to refute him in time, so he could only say a few words that were meant to attack the heart.

After hearing Wang Xian's question, Lu Duoxun didn't take it seriously and immediately explained to Zhao Kuangyin:

"During the chaotic Five Dynasties period, many incompetent rulers emerged, who loved war and hated advice. What use were my words in the past!"
"Your Majesty is now wise and powerful, following the example of the Zhenguan era. A few days ago, you issued an edict to broaden the channels for expression. Now that Your Majesty is in court, I, your subject, will speak frankly and without reservation."

Lu Duoxun's explanation drew frequent nods from Zhao Kuangyin, who clearly agreed with it.

Seeing this, Wang Xian had no choice but to retreat.

Fortunately, Wang Xian's words bought Zhao Guangyi's other confidants time to think.

After Wang Xian withdrew, Wang Renzhan came out.

He was a meritorious official in Zhao Kuangyin's princely residence!
　Today is Tuesday, and I'll be recommending the next round of readings. Please help me read them!

　　Xiao Yu thanks you so much!
　　

(End of this chapter)