Spring Drunk Chang'an

As early as a few months ago, Xiao Chuo mentioned to Emperor Yingwu that he had a beloved girl!

Of course, as a father and an emperor, Emperor Yingwu was certainly concerned about the future Crown Princess. He asked Xiao Chuo who this person was.

However, Xiao Chuo didn't tell him, only revealing a little bit, saying, "She's someone my father knows, and her identity is fine. My mother likes her very much, and she's my cousin..."

After these few sentences, isn’t the target locked?

Without a doubt, it is...

Song Zhinian!

Emperor Yingwu knew Song Zhinian. When Song Zhinian was a child, he went to the palace every day to accompany Queen Song, so he naturally saw her from time to time.

There is no problem with her identity. She is the granddaughter of Duke Cheng'en and the niece of the Queen, and her status is even more noble.

Queen Song loved her niece very much and raised her like a daughter at her knees. How could she not like her?

As for the last point, the prince’s cousin, isn’t that just mentioning the name?

Emperor Yingwu felt that the future wife chosen by the prince would definitely be Song Zhinian!

He was satisfied with the result, but not completely satisfied.

Satisfied with the fact that the Cheng'en Mansion was originally the Prince's in-laws, and the marriage...

It would be a waste, as he cannot be a powerful relative who is on the side of the prince.

He was dissatisfied that the empresses of two dynasties were both daughters of the Song family. The Cheng'en Duke's family, as an in-law, was too prominent. Having such a powerful minister was not a good thing for any emperor!

Emperor Yingwu's instinct as an emperor told him that he should stop it, but as the father of Yan Wang Xiao Xun, he didn't want to...

In fact, as the benevolent emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty, Emperor Yingwu had very complicated emotions when facing his heir, Crown Prince Xiao Chuo, and his most beloved son, Prince Yan Xiao Xun, who was born to him by true love.

Reason told him that the prince was very good, quite qualified, even an outstanding crown prince, although he did have some minor flaws, such as: a bad temper, occasionally acting too harshly, and unstable moods, but those were all minor details.

As a monarch, he has strict discipline, knows how to use people, works hard to govern the country, and cares for the people. With such a future monarch, Daxia can maintain its prosperity for fifty years.

In fact, to some extent, the prince is more wise than his father, the emperor.

As an emperor with a softer temperament and less desire for control and power, Emperor Yingwu was very pleased to have such an heir.

However, as a father, it was extremely difficult for him to know that his most beloved son, Xiao Xun, had such a 'rival'! !

Xun'er wanted to be the crown prince and Concubine Qu wanted to be the empress. Emperor Yingwu was very clear about this. As an emperor, he knew clearly that his empress was Song and his son was the crown prince.

Song had a strong character and was clear about what she loved and hated. She was the type of woman he disliked the most, but she was a qualified queen.

The prince is moody, cold and ruthless, has a strong presence and is extremely aggressive. He doesn't like to get along with such people. It is obvious to the naked eye that the prince will be a good monarch in the future.

As an emperor, he reminded Emperor Yingwu to serve the country and the people and not act arbitrarily.

But as a human being, Emperor Yingwu's heart clearly told him that his recognized wife was Concubine Qu and his favorite son was Xiao Xun.

So, he hesitated, he suffered, he struggled...

Being a king and being a human being were two levels that pulled at him in real time, making him like a schizophrenic. Sometimes he showed his respect for the crown prince, and sometimes he loved the Prince of Yan very much.

He went back and forth between his two sons. He neither abolished the crown prince nor repeatedly entrusted him with important tasks. He also tried his best to promote the Prince of Yan and gave him more power.

From time to time, he would put small pressure on the Crown Prince, such as not allowing him to live in the palace, or delaying his marriage. Intermittently, he would desperately find a good in-law for Xiao Xun, reward him, increase his fiefdom, and grant him the title of double king...

In the harem, Empress Song kept the palace gates closed. Except for the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, Emperor Yingwu never entered the gate of her Fengqi Palace and treated her coldly for more than ten years.

Concubine Qu held great power, held the phoenix seal, and was in charge of the six palaces. Emperor Yingwu almost lived in her palace and stayed with her forever, like an ordinary couple.

In the rear quarters and private rooms, Concubine Qu and Xiao Xun were victorious.

They fully accepted all the benefits of Emperor Yingwu as a man, a husband, and a father.

However, in the real big events, in the government affairs of the previous dynasty, it was the "battlefield" between the Crown Prince and Queen Song.

The great affairs of the country lie in sacrifice and military affairs.

Whenever they offered sacrifices to their ancestors or to heaven, the only one who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Emperor Yingwu, standing at the forefront, was Empress Song, regardless of whether she was favored or not. Where was the Phoenix Seal?

In front of all officials and common people, and when her name was recorded in history, she was the only queen of Daxia and the mother of a country.

However, in the court, when it came to dealing with state affairs, Prince Xiao Xun of Yan had little presence. In contrast, the crown prince even had military power.

Emperor Yingwu's masculine side was deeply suppressed by his imperial attributes, seemingly vulnerable, yet he struggled desperately to emerge...

But now, the Crown Prince and Queen Song have never made any mistakes, and they have seen through him. They always avoid Concubine Qu and Xiao Xun, and it seems that they are safe and have the upper hand.

But in fact, like in his previous life, once the prince's party revealed a flaw and was no longer the perfect heir, Emperor Yingwu would instantly become angry.

Bring his beloved son Xiao Xun to the stage.

In the previous life, the first and second dethronements of the prince were caused in this way.

But in this life, with Liu Chang'an meddling in it, the Cheng'en Mansion was safe and sound, Queen Song was not heartbroken and flustered, and the Crown Prince was not caught off guard.

They still firmly held the upper hand, so Emperor Yingwu felt aggrieved...

"Prince, your beloved is the girl from Duke Cheng'en's mansion?"

Sitting in the dragon throne, Emperor Yingwu asked in a gentle voice.

But his brows were furrowed.

"Your Majesty guessed right, it is my cousin." Xiao Chuo lowered her head and picked up the dishes leisurely.

He replied calmly.

Emperor Yingwu was silent, quickly weighing the pros and cons in his mind, his humanity and imperial nature struggling madly.

In the end, he finally felt that the influence of the two empresses might not be that great, so he sighed and asked, "Is it Zhinian? Well, that child was raised by me and the empress. She has a good temper and is virtuous. She is worthy of being the Crown Princess..."

He was speaking when Xiao Chuo suddenly interrupted him, "Father, it's not Zhinian."

"It's Chang'an!"

"Ah, what An?" Emperor Yingwu was stunned, his expression dull, and blurted out, "Who is that?"

"She's the eldest daughter of Duke Cheng'en..." Xiao Chuo said calmly. Seeing that Emperor Yingwu's eyes were still confused, she explained, "She's the daughter of my aunt Song Zhilan. Later, she was registered under my uncle's name."

"Have you forgotten? It was you who issued the imperial decree."