Harem Daily Life

Seeing that Queen Tao was very cautious, Marquis Zhongyong couldn't help but feel contempt for her, but he did come to discuss something with the Queen today, so he didn't show any look of contempt for the Queen on his face.

"Your Majesty should have learned that the battle in West City is getting serious, right? The military report from the border was delivered to the Ministry of War yesterday. I'm sure Your Majesty must have had a sleepless night." Marquis Zhongyong drank a cup of tea and said slowly.

Tao Yanyan has not seen His Majesty since last night, so naturally he does not know the military situation. However, since His Majesty has not returned after leaving, it must be true as Marquis Zhongyong said, that the military situation is tense.

"I have heard a little bit about it, please tell me directly, sir." Tao Yanyan wanted to hear what he was up to.

The Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery put down his teacup and stared at Tao Yanyan. "Your Majesty has just given birth to twins and ascended the throne of Empress. Her foundation is not yet stable. Chaos on the border and unrest at the court at this time are not good for Your Majesty's long-term interests."

Tao Yanyan smiled slightly. "Xia has invaded our Great Zhou, and the Great Zhou is no pushover. I believe that the war will end only a matter of time. The Great Zhou court will not be in turmoil, because Your Majesty will not allow the situation to deteriorate."

Marquis Zhongyong sneered, "Xia is no longer the weak Xia of a decade ago. They've been gathering strength for so many years, just for this battle today. If the Great Zhou doesn't take some tough measures, I'm afraid... forgive me for being unpleasant, but if Yan and Xia really join forces, the Great Zhou will be attacked from all sides. Your Majesty may no longer be able to sit at the throne and will have to lead the army in person."

After the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery finished speaking, he looked at Tao Yanyan with an ambiguous expression, "For so many years, my Rong family has led a hundred thousand troops to garrison the West City, which has brought long-term peace and stability to the Great Zhou. This has enabled Your Majesty to suppress the rebellion without any worries and secure your high position. But I never expected that not long after I arrived in the capital for medical treatment, my daughter would die tragically, my grandson would be poisoned, and even my power to command the troops would be taken away. It's truly like the saying, 'When the bird is dead, the bow is put away, and the hearts of military generals are chilled!'"

Tao Yanyan listened to the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery recounting the Rong family's loyalty and hardships, and narrowed her eyes. "I am deeply saddened by Concubine De's death, but we have thoroughly investigated the murderer and avenged her. As for the eldest prince's poisoning, the Queen Mother even sacrificed her own family for the greater good. I hope the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery will put aside his grudges and not dwell on this."

The Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery sneered again: "Your Majesty is so eloquent despite her young age."

Tao Yanyan didn't seem angry at his taunting, but instead smiled softly. "I'm only speaking the truth, Your Majesty. Please don't make too many assumptions. As for Your Majesty's power to command the army... the younger generation pushes forward, and whether it's a family or a country, the trajectory of development is always similar. The elders support the younger generation, cultivating successors, and the younger generation rises to the top, surpassing the elders. I think Your Majesty should understand this principle better than I do."

Marquis Zhongyong choked. If he continued to say that he couldn't figure it out, it would seem that he didn't care about the future of the Great Zhou.

He frowned, and after a long pause he said, "Your Majesty has a lot of great principles, and I, a military general, cannot argue with you. It's getting late, and Your Majesty must hurry back to the palace, so I will make it short. I asked Your Majesty to come here today because I have a suggestion, and I would like to hear your choice."

Tao Yanyan raised his eyebrows and nodded, signaling him to continue.

The Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery said, "Your Majesty has no powerful family to support her, nor any foundation within the court. The harem is filled with concubines, many of whom are more experienced and powerful than yours. Your Majesty is still young and will have other children in the future. Therefore, even if Your Majesty gives birth to a fourth prince, her position is not necessarily secure."

Tao Yanyan looked doubtful and acted as if he didn't understand: "Please speak frankly, my Lord."

The Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery finally revealed his ultimate purpose for today's visit: "The First Prince is of noble birth, has the Rong family's support, and is also extremely talented. If Your Majesty is willing to assist the First Prince in becoming Crown Prince, the entire Rong family will be at Your Majesty's disposal in the future, ensuring that the Fourth Prince enjoys a life of wealth and glory."

Tao Yanyan pondered for a moment. "To be honest, Lord Marquis's proposal is somewhat unrealistic. I have my own son. Even if he's still young, and even if I'm not powerful, I still have twenty years to wait for him to grow up. There's no reason for me to abandon my own son to support the eldest prince, right?"

Although Tao Yanyan didn't care about the throne, she would be the first to oppose it if the eldest prince was to be promoted.

That violent kid is not fit to be a king.

Moreover, it is reasonable to reject the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery in this way.

When Marquis Zhongyong heard her say this, he showed an expression of "not surprising".

He continued, "Of course I believe that if you give Your Majesty time, you will become even more powerful in the future. But time waits for no one, Your Majesty. The Xia army is stationed at the border, and the Yan State is ready to make a move. If the Great Zhou is defeated in this battle, it will be questionable whether Your Majesty can maintain the throne, let alone protect the Fourth Prince. However, if Your Majesty cooperates with me and promotes the First Prince to the position of Crown Prince, then my Rong family will do our utmost to ensure the eternal stability of the Great Zhou!"

Tao Yanyan's eyes turned cold. "My Lord, defending the country is the duty of a military officer. You are the emperor's salary and serve him, yet you resort to blackmail at this critical moment?"

The Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery said coldly, "Your Majesty, please don't lecture me on these grand principles. I only know that if the eldest prince is not the crown prince, then all our Rong family's efforts would be in vain for others. Your Majesty, please consider this more and don't be so quick to reject my suggestion."

Tao Yanyan rolled her eyes at him and said, "I don't think your suggestion is very good. I won't listen to you. Forget it."

The Loyal and Brave Marquis clenched his fist and used his final trump card.

"Your Majesty, since I'm here to talk to you today, I'm not afraid that you'll tell His Majesty. I might as well tell you a secret. If you remain unmoved after hearing this secret, then I have nothing to say and can only let the situation develop naturally."

Tao Yanyan frowned. "Lord of Loyalty and Bravery, when did you generals start beating around the bush so much? I thought you were the last word."

Marquis Zhongyong ignored Tao Yanyan's sarcasm and glanced at Shuang'er. "Your Majesty, please send the attendants away. The fewer people who know this secret, the better."

Tao Yanyan sneered and shook his head: "This person is my confidant, so my Lord, please stop beating around the bush and speak directly."

Seeing that she wouldn't listen, the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery said, "Alright, then I'll be frank. Your Majesty, have you heard that the Queen Mother had an engagement thirty-five years ago?"

Tao Yanyan shook his head, not understanding why this person brought up the Empress Dowager again.

"The Empress Dowager's previous engagement was with a family surnamed Shang. That family had saved the Shu family's grandfather, so the Empress Dowager and the Shang family's son were betrothed since childhood. Unfortunately, when the Empress Dowager was sixteen, she ran into the late Emperor at a palace banquet. The late Emperor, then the Crown Prince, fell in love with the Empress Dowager at first sight and eventually broke up the engagement between the Shu family and the Shang family. He ultimately married the Empress Dowager as the Crown Princess."

Tao Yanyan was speechless. "It happened over 30 years ago. Is there any need to bring it up again? Besides, having an ex isn't a stain, right?"

Marquis Zhongyong shook his head and continued, "That's where the problem lies. I heard that the late emperor and the empress dowager had a big argument over that Shang man. It seems that it's related to your majesty's background."

Upon hearing this, Tao Yanyan said sternly, "Lord Zhongyong, I hope you will be careful with your words!"

The Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery simply smiled and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I'm not questioning your Majesty's origins. However, I heard that Shang later went to the Xia Kingdom and became an advisor to the Xia Princess. He even mentioned to others that... the current Emperor of the Great Zhou was his offspring."

Tao Yanyan slammed the table, furious: "Lord of Loyalty and Bravery, stop talking nonsense!"

The Loyal and Brave Marquis remained calm and composed. "I naturally don't have the time to verify this, but if the soldiers on the border heard these rumors, do you think they would still be so focused on killing the enemy?"