Song Xiu

Chapter 34 The Show-Off Shi Shouxin
Seeing that almost all the ministers in the hall agreed with Lu Duoxun's suggestion, Zhao Kuangyin then spoke:

"The drafter of the imperial edict listens to the decree:"

The system for selecting a consort for the eldest son of the emperor must follow the established rules: daughters of civil and military officials who are fifteen years of age but under eighteen, who are beautiful in appearance, virtuous in nature, skilled in etiquette, and knowledgeable in poetry and literature, are all eligible to be selected.

The Vice Minister of Rites, Liu Wensou, together with Chancellors Fan Zhi and Wang Pu, is ordered to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report based on the registered households. The selected families must respectfully obey the imperial decree and must not conceal or evade responsibility.

As soon as Zhao Kuangyin finished speaking, all the ministers in the hall bowed and said in unison, "Your subjects obey the decree!"

When the ministers raised their heads and followed Zhao Kuangyin's gaze, they saw that Wang Renzhan's face was alternating between pale and flushed.

The position of Zhizhigao was responsible for drafting imperial edicts and decrees for the emperor.

Zhao Kuangyin's words were an oral edict, and they still need to be polished by the drafter of imperial edicts before being promulgated to the world in order to conform to the system of official edicts.

Of the several people currently serving as imperial drafters, Zhao Kuangyin chose Wang Renzhan, the intention behind which was clearly malicious and meant to subtly criticize him.

After reading the imperial edict, Zhao Kuangyin rose and left the main hall.

Zhao Kuangyin's departure signifies the official end of today's court assembly.

However, the political impact of today's court debate will continue to reverberate throughout the court.

For example, Shi Shouxin.

Without Zhao Kuangyin's restraint, Shi Shouxin began to let himself go.

In front of all the officials, Shi Shouxin tapped Murong Yanzhao on the shoulder with his official tablet:

"Brother Murong, I've heard that my sister-in-law has given birth to many sons for you, but not a daughter."

Unlike my wife, who "wasn't good enough" and raised two legitimate daughters for me, one of whom is exactly fifteen years old.

My eldest daughter used to play with the eldest prince when they were little; they were childhood sweethearts!

Shi Shouxin became happier and happier as he talked, and eventually he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Shi Shouxin's words, each one a sharp rebuke, instantly plunged Murong Yanzhao into extreme depression.

Seeing Shi Shouxin's smug performance, Murong Yanzhao really wanted to punch him in public.

After Zhao Kuangyin ascended the throne, Murong Yanzhao, who was originally Zhao Kuangyin's deputy, naturally became the Commander of the Palace Guards.

Shi Shouxin, who was a close friend of Zhao Kuangyin, was also promoted to Deputy Commander of the Palace Guard.

In terms of military rank within the Imperial Guards, only Murong Yanzhao could surpass Shi Shouxin.

However, Murong Yanzhao had no legitimate daughter, which made Shi Shouxin feel that his status as a maternal relative was almost certain.

Shi Shouxin's smugness angered Murong Yanzhao, who stormed off.

After Murong Yanzhao left, Shi Shouxin smiled and went straight to Liu Wensou, the Vice Minister of Rites:
"Didn't His Majesty say that a report should be submitted according to the registered households?"

"Come, come, I'll go with you to the Ministry of Rites to register."

During the Five Dynasties period, the conflict between civil and military officials was quite severe. Most military generals looked down on civil officials, and civil officials were also afraid of military generals from the bottom of their hearts.

When Shi Shouxin arrived, Liu Wensou instinctively tried to get away.

But how could the frail man escape the grasp of the burly Shi Shouxin?

After grabbing Liu Wensou, Shi Shouxin pulled him towards the outside of the hall.

"Commander Shi, walk gently, walk gently, slowly."

When they saw Shi Shouxin excitedly pulling Liu Wensou out of the hall, the minds of many ministers inside the hall also began to stir.

Regardless of whether Shi Shouxin's behavior was rude, which minister in the palace did not share his eagerness to make his eldest daughter the Crown Prince's consort?

Upon realizing this, Han Lingkun, Gao Huaide, Wang Shenqi, and other high-ranking generals of the Imperial Guards hurriedly left the palace and rushed home.

Even some high-ranking civil officials began to lose their composure.

The difference between the Crown Prince's wife and the eldest prince's wife is only one word!

Soon after the court assembly in Chongyuan Hall ended, a eunuch left from outside Chongyuan Hall and headed towards Yanshou Palace.

When the eunuch returned to Yanshou Palace, Zhao Dexiu had not yet left.

Although she had revealed Du Shenzhao's affair, Empress Dowager Du, anxious for her son's safety, still wanted to keep Zhao Dexiu a little longer to see if she could glean any information. After the eunuch whispered something in Empress Dowager Du's ear, she suddenly realized—so this was why Wei Renpu had left the palace!

"Eldest son" is "the foundation of the state".
As she pondered these words, which carried strong political implications, Empress Dowager Du's gaze toward Zhao Dexiu grew increasingly deep.

Zhao Dexiu's quick wit had given Empress Dowager Du a new perspective on him.

Now it seems that Empress Dowager Du felt that his understanding of Zhao Dexiu was still somewhat superficial.

"Liu Ge'er has really grown up; he even has thoughts of getting married."

Empress Dowager Du looked at Zhao Dexiu and said meaningfully.

Facing Empress Dowager Du's gaze, Zhao Dexiu's respect did not diminish in the slightest.

"My grandson is still young and needs his maternal grandmother's care."

In ancient times, "壮" often referred to adulthood.

Seeing that Zhao Dexiu's attitude was as respectful as ever and without any flaws, Empress Dowager Du lost the desire to keep Zhao Dexiu around any longer.

I'm a little tired.

Upon hearing Empress Dowager Du's words, Zhao Dezhao, who was standing nearby, felt as if he had been granted a pardon.

He really didn't want to stay in Yanshou Palace for even a second longer.

Zhao Dexiu quickly stood up, bowed to Empress Dowager Du, and took his leave.

After leaving Yanshou Palace, Zhao Dexiu took a deep breath of fresh air.

It is not difficult to see from what Empress Dowager Du just said that the marriage that Wei Renpu and he planned together should have been successful.

Thinking of this made Zhao Dexiu quite happy.

Even Wei Renpu was unaware that Zhao Dexiu's most important purpose in planning the marriage was not to leave the palace, nor was it to seek power through his maternal relatives.

No matter how powerful the influence of maternal relatives is, they are ultimately not a completely reliable external force.

Zhao Dexiu wanted to use the marriage to announce to the world that the eldest prince of the Song Dynasty had come of age!
Only upon reaching adulthood can one fully realize the advantages of being the eldest son of the legitimate wife.

This means that Zhao Dexiu can now officially participate in political and military affairs.

I will be strong!
After the court session ended, Zhao Kuangyin returned to the Wansui Hall to review memorials.

But as he continued to critique the documents, Zhao Kuangyin felt that he couldn't concentrate.

To relax, Zhao Kuangyin put down his vermilion brush and got up to take a walk inside and outside the beautifully decorated Wansui Hall.

He had been emperor for more than half a month, and today was the first time he had the rare leisure to seriously examine everything in the Wansui Palace.

When Zhao Kuangyin was taking a walk, eunuchs such as Zhang Dejun followed closely behind him, in case Zhao Kuangyin gave any instructions at any time.

Upon arriving at a pavilion outside the Hall of Ten Thousand Years, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly turned around and asked Zhang Dejun behind him:
"Did the eldest prince say anything each time you sent the rewards to Yeondeok Palace?"

If it were any other eunuch, they would inevitably be at a loss for words when asked such a sudden question by Zhao Kuangyin.

The relationship between the emperor and his son is the most difficult to fathom.

But the intelligent Zhang Dejun obviously wouldn't.

Without hesitation, Zhang Dejun bowed and answered Zhao Kuangyin:
"Your Majesty, whenever a reward is bestowed, the eldest prince always greets the recipient with great courtesy and never shows any disrespect."

After hearing Zhang Dejun's answer, Zhao Kuangyin nodded.

Zhao Dexiu's reaction shows that he values ​​every reward he receives.

However, Zhao Kuangyin, who had other ideas in mind, was not satisfied with this answer.

"Can he even understand the boxing manual I gave him? And that coiled dragon staff, doesn't he even bother to ask if there are any staff techniques to teach him?"

Two murmured words revealed the complex emotions in Zhao Kuangyin's heart.

After much deliberation, Zhao Kuangyin, troubled by his thoughts, finally made up his mind.

"Let's proceed to Yeondeok Palace!"

(End of this chapter)