The prince is more stable

Chapter 4 The Crown Prince Steps Up
It has to be said that Zhao Xiaoqian has not yet realized that he is the crown prince of Chu. In his self-perception, he is still the ordinary person who did nothing in his previous life.

The biggest difference in values ​​between ordinary people and rich people is that rich people are sought after in danger, while ordinary people are very averse to any disturbance in life. They just want to make a small amount of money that can keep them from starving and live a peaceful life.

Of course, I was also full of confidence, looking up at the towering mountains in the distance, imagining that one day I would be able to climb to the top of the mountain and overlook the world.

However, as we grow older, the cruel reality teaches ordinary people a truth, that is, mountains can only be looked up to, and it is best not to have any unreasonable thoughts.

The difference between agreeing with this view or not lies in whether you have been ruthlessly whipped by society.

Zhao Xiaoqian, who traveled through time, is now a prince, but his mentality is still that of an ordinary person in his previous life. This ordinary person only wants his life to be peaceful, and any ripple will cause him inner fatigue.

So, when Zhao Xiaoqian heard that something happened to Zhao Hao, his first reaction was: The evil life has finally come to me!

"What does it mean to be detained by the Zongzheng Temple? Did father... commit a crime?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked with a frown. The word "father" sounded a bit awkward.

Zhen E shook her head, her expression sad: "I didn't know. After hearing that His Highness was in trouble, my sisters and I hurried here."

"The only people who can make decisions in the palace besides His Highness is you, the Crown Prince. I would like to ask for your opinion."

"Your Highness has always been a well-behaved person. He occasionally engages in dissolute behavior, but it is harmless and romantic. I don't know how Your Highness could have provoked the Zongzheng Temple."

Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but cast an admiring glance at her.

This woman is young, but she is well versed in the art of language.

The literal translation means that your father doesn't have the courage to do anything other than eating, drinking, gambling and whoring.

Zhao Xiaoqian had naturally heard of the Zongzheng Temple. In his previous life, he had watched a TV drama in which the emperor's body shook and he shouted, "Send it to the Zongrenfu for disposal."

The "Zongrenfu" here is actually the Zongzheng Temple in the Tang and Song dynasties. Although the name varies in different dynasties, the functions are basically the same.

Simply put, the Zongzheng Temple is a government agency specifically responsible for the royal family.

The emperor's aunts, uncles, cousins, and all other royal relatives who are related to the emperor are under the jurisdiction of the Zongzheng Temple.

Zhao Xiaoqian's father, Zhao Hao, was the son of Emperor Yingzong, the brother of Emperor Shenzong, the uncle of the current emperor, and the king of Chu. He was a genuine member of the Song Dynasty clan. No matter what he did, the first place to deal with him would be the Zongzheng Temple.

"Aside from being detained by the Zongzheng Temple, there's no other news?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked again, "What did father do in the past that could give others leverage? Don't you have any clue?"

Zhen E shook her head with tears in her eyes, and her expression became more and more anxious.

Zhao Xiaoqian was a little annoyed. When something happened to the head of the palace, it seemed that there was no one else who could come forward to solve the problem except him, his only son.

But... Zhao Xiaoqian has just arrived and is completely unfamiliar with this world. He doesn't know who to look for when something happens. How can he solve this big trouble?

"Are there any officials in the palace who can be used?" Zhao Xiaoqian finally thought of a solution.

There are indeed officials in the palace, such as the palace chief secretary, Sima, Yishan, etc., all of whom are regular civil servants of the state. Their official ranks are not high, ranging from eighth rank to seventh rank.

These officials can be understood as the right-hand men who assist the royal relatives and princes, or as the court spies who monitor the princes on behalf of the emperor.

When Zhen E heard this, she suddenly froze, as if she had not heard what Zhao Xiaoqian said. She lowered her head and remained silent.

The silence at this moment was deafening, and Zhao Xiaoqian understood.

After this trouble, the officials in the palace cannot be trusted. If the news spreads, there may be even greater trouble.

Some things cannot stand being magnified, and trivial matters can become huge cases overnight.

The only person who can be trusted in the palace now is his own son.

"Everyone... well, it's late at night, go back and get some rest. I will go to the Zongzheng Temple in person tomorrow." Zhao Xiaoqian comforted them with kind words and smiled at them.

Yingying Yanyan, fat and thin, the scumbag dad really deserves to die...

Zhen E and other concubines also knew that they could not help in this matter at all, so they bowed to Zhao Xiaoqian and quietly took their leave.

The next day, Zhao Xiaoqian left the palace before dawn.

This was Zhao Xiaoqian's first time going out, and also the first time he saw the scene of Bianliang City in the Northern Song Dynasty a thousand years ago.

As soon as Zhao Xiaoqian went out, he was stunned by the scene of Bianliang City.

The myriad descriptions can be summed up in four words: "extremely prosperous".

Just by taking a first glance from outside the carriage, Zhao Xiaoqian finally understood why history books described the Song Dynasty as "rich but not strong."

The streets were filled with men and women in gorgeous silk clothes, their expressions relaxed and contented. Countless peddlers carrying loads on their shoulders weaved their wares among the dense crowds. Merchants from outside the region led camels and horses loaded with goods and walked through the streets.

The biggest difference from other dynasties is that the grain transport in the Song Dynasty was very prosperous. There were four rivers crossing Bianliang, namely the Four Grain Transport Rivers of the Northern Song Dynasty.

There are many rivers in the city, which means there are also many bridges. The carriage that Zhao Xiaoqian was riding in went up and down, passed several arch bridges, and finally stopped at the Imperial Street in the inner city.

The Zongzheng Temple of the Song Dynasty was located here.

The palace attendants helped Zhao Xiaoqian get off the carriage. Zhao Xiaoqian looked at the tall and solemn lintel of the Zongzheng Temple in front of him, and he couldn't help feeling a little nervous.

A team of imperial guards was on duty at the gate, all wearing armor and holding swords, standing in front of the gate with an intimidating presence without being angry.

The family general stepped forward and handed an ivory plate to the imperial guard at the door. The imperial guard took a look at it, turned around and went in to report. Not long after, a chief clerk came out and politely invited Zhao Xiaoqian in.

Zhao Xiaoqian was a little surprised. He didn't expect that the identity of the Prince of Chu could still be used. He thought that since his father was detained, his identity as the prince would be discounted and he would be turned away.

After entering the side door of the Zongzheng Temple, Zhao Xiaoqian followed the chief clerk inside. He was so nervous that he couldn't help but secretly touch the thing hidden on his lower back with his back hand.

Hidden in the lower back is a small hammer used by blacksmiths for forging iron.

Zhao Xiaoqian had no intention of breaking into the prison to save his father, he did not have the ability to do so.

It's purely for the purpose of seeking a sense of security and self-protection.

To Zhao Xiaoqian's surprise, after the chief clerk brought him to the inner hall, the person who came out to meet him was the Minister of Zongzheng Temple, Prince Pu Zhao Zongsheng.

This person was a highly respected figure among the royal family of the Song Dynasty. He was the elder brother of the late Emperor Yingzong and theoretically the grandfather of Zhao Xiaoqian.

After traveling through time, Zhao Xiaoqian had given himself some lessons and naturally had heard of this person's name, so he hurriedly stood up and saluted as a junior.

Zhao Zongsheng was about sixty years old, and he looked very old when he walked, but his eyes were unusually sharp and bright, as if they could see through people's hearts.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian saluting, Zhao Zongsheng stroked his beard and chuckled, then said in a hoarse voice, "It's rare to see Zi'an. The last time I saw you was five years ago at the government's agricultural altar. It's been five years in the blink of an eye."

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked in confusion, and only realized after a moment that "Zi'an" should be his courtesy name, and probably only close elders and peers could call him that.

Zhao Xiaoqian still maintained his bowing posture and forced a fake smile for socializing.

Zhao Zongsheng continued to laugh, "I was deeply surprised when I heard from my subordinates that the Prince of Chu requested an audience. I thought the subordinates had made a mistake. Zi'an, you haven't left your house in years, have you? If I hadn't been forced into a corner today, I wouldn't have easily stepped out of your door."

Zhao Xiaoqian whispered, "I heard that my father was detained by the Zongzheng Temple yesterday. I'm really anxious. I've come to your house today to ask for an audience, regardless of my dignity. For the sake of our common clan, please let Grandpa Pu know a few things..."

The title "Grandpa Prince Pu" was a bit new. Zhao Zongsheng was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud, obviously quite pleased.

After laughing, Zhao Zongsheng's face suddenly darkened. He stroked his beard and said slowly, "Your father is indeed in the Zongzheng Temple. I ordered him to be detained yesterday."

"We're from the same clan, and there's no internal strife. Don't overthink it. But the matter your father is involved in... to be honest, it's a bit troublesome."

(End of this chapter)