Madam, don't do this!

Chapter 406 Empress Dowager Luo Yuheng (10,000 words)
"Those who know him will recognize him as your niece's husband; those who don't might mistake him for your son-in-law!"

Some things should not be said carelessly.

In this era, social norms are becoming increasingly stringent.

Women are placing increasing importance on their reputation.

Even though Luo Yuheng was usually a carefree and unconventional person, upon hearing these words, his expression turned gloomy, and his dark eyes stared at the Prince of Fu opposite him.

The next second, he suddenly raised his hand.

Snapped.

A slap landed on Prince Fu's face.

Prince Fu was able to avoid it.

Regardless, he was someone who could fight Yu Shuang, so his strength was naturally considerable; while he might not have reached the Grandmaster level, he was certainly at least a ninth-rank. In Prince Fu's eyes, Luo Yuheng's slap was soft and slow, yet he still took it. There was no other reason; Luo Yuheng was his elder sister, and if she wanted to hit him, he would endure it. Moreover, after saying it aloud, Prince Fu slightly regretted it, grinning, "Sorry, it was me..."

Before Prince Fu could finish speaking, Luo Yuheng pointed to the door and said, "Get out."

Prince Fu pursed his lips and finally stood up. He knew his elder sister's temper; she was stubborn and once she made up her mind, it was impossible to change it in a short time. "Alright, I'll come to see you again in a few days. But... please think carefully about what I have to say."

"Ningguo is the Ningguo of the Luo family."

“If this country no longer belongs to the Luo family, then it has no reason to exist.”

"Even if my elder sister doesn't want to hand over the border troops in Pingyang to me, you should keep them in your own hands. It's not good for outsiders to have too much power."

If they hadn't given too much power to people of different surnames, how could their royal family have fallen to such a state?
Before Luo Yuheng could reply, Prince Fu bowed and drifted away. Reaching the courtyard, he glanced at Gao Yang's quarters, wanting to see his daughter, but ultimately sighed. Gao Yang, though busy, seemed to be doing well. His figure disappeared into the night. After Prince Fu left, Luo Yuheng deflated like a punctured balloon, slumping onto the table once more, his brow furrowed, lost in thought.

Yu Shuang then stepped out from behind the screen, glanced at Luo Yuheng, and sat down opposite him: "You really want to control the military?" Blinking, Yu Shuang continued: "If you really have such thoughts, I advise you to tell Song Yan directly, and not to use those underhanded methods."

Although she hadn't lived in a wealthy family compound much, Yu Shuang felt incredibly experienced through those picture books and novels... Song Yan and Luo Yuheng had a good relationship and affection, but if they were schemed against too much, even the strongest feelings would eventually vanish.

"Given Song Yan's personality, if you directly tell him that you want military power, I think Song Yan would give it to you without hesitation."

"He was a very sentimental man."

“You members of the royal family, your eyes are all fixed on that hard dragon throne.”

"It's unlikely that Song Yan has no interest in that position at all. Men are all a little ambitious, but I can still see that you people around Song Yan are more important to him."

"If you're happy, he'll probably have to compromise himself."

Luo Yuheng glared at Yu Shuang with annoyance: "What nonsense are you talking about? What would I do with military power? Lead troops into battle?"

"I don't understand these things. Even if I lead the most elite soldiers out, they will most likely be wiped out."

Yu Shuang was speechless. How could there be such a person in this world, who could admit his own uselessness and still be so self-righteous?

"Besides, fighting a war requires enduring wind and rain, crossing mountains and valleys, and traveling long distances. You never know when we'll have to go to those icy and snowy places. Do you think I can endure that kind of hardship? Why would I want to make myself uncomfortable?"

Yu Shuang looked at Luo Yuheng very seriously, examining him from head to toe. His delicate skin was something even a young girl of sixteen or seventeen couldn't compare to. Then she shook her head and said, "He definitely can't take it."

Luo Yuheng was furious.

Although these are all true.

Is it really a good idea to be so decisive?
Let's at least save her some face.

She pouted, then flipped her head from her left arm to her right, her slender fingers gently tapping the teacup: "Yu Shuang, I have a question for you, and you must tell me the truth."

"Just ask."

Luo Yuheng raised his eyelids and thought for a moment: "Am I really as good to Yan'er as I am to the Prince Consort?"

After thinking for a moment, Yu Shuang said, "No, that's not the case."

Luo Yuheng immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Yu Shuang pursed her lips and said, "You're joking, aren't you? You treat Song Yan much better than you treat the prince consort."

Think about your son-in-law; he's lost his head.

Since ancient times, princesses have always been of royal blood and of noble status.

In addition, since princesses had no right to inherit the throne and posed no threat to their brothers, the relationship between emperors, princes and princesses in various dynasties was quite good, and some even spoiled and indulged them. As a result, princesses were mostly arrogant and flamboyant. The term "驸马" (驸马) was euphemistically called "marrying a princess," but to put it bluntly, it meant "marrying a princess" or "becoming a son-in-law in the royal family."

Even after marriage, they often lived separately. The princess lived in the princess's residence, while the prince consort lived in his own home. Every morning, he had to go to the princess to pay his respects, and even whether or not they could share a room depended on the princess's wishes.

If the princess doesn't have that idea, then you should keep it to yourself.

Let alone having three wives and four concubines, even if you go to a brothel once, be careful your legs might get broken.

Even more pathetic were those who had to serve the princess with utmost care and flattery, hoping that the princess would say a few good words about them.

And those who are utterly spineless, even if a princess keeps a male concubine, dare not utter a word, and even have to stand guard at the door.

Therefore, throughout history, any family with enough talent and ambition had no interest in princesses and avoided them like the plague, probably because they were unwilling to suffer such humiliation.

Of course, there were gentle and virtuous princesses, but they were few in number.

Then look at Song Yan. Although he was a son-in-law who married into the Luo family to bring good luck, Luo Yuheng doted on him to the extreme. It was this woman who was unwilling to suffer the hardship of a long journey who, upon hearing that Song Yan had encountered danger in Pingyang, immediately took a carriage from Ningping to come over without saying a word.

He traveled a thousand miles without uttering a single word of complaint, and even kept urging the driver to hurry up.

A prince consort deserves this treatment? What a pipe dream!

After thinking for a moment, Yu Shuang said, "You treat Song Yan almost like your own son."

His own son?
Luo Yuheng's brows lit up with joy, and the slight gloom that had been weighing on his heart vanished instantly.

Yes, I treat Song Yan like my own son, which is why I'm so good to him. They say a son-in-law is like half a son, so it's no problem for me to treat Yan'er well.

It's all because of that filthy Prince Fu's heart; he sees everything as dirty.

Seeing that Luo Yuheng's mood had improved, Yu Shuang's face also showed a slight smile: "However, what exactly do you think about Song Yan and the royal family?"

"What do you mean, what do you think?" Luo Yuheng was stunned and didn't react.

"Exactly, between your son-in-law Song Yan and your brother, whose side are you on?" Yu Shuang smiled: "Ningguo will be in chaos in ten to eight years, or at least three to five years. I don't believe you can't see that."

Since Ningguo is already in this situation, there aren't many concerns about what to say.

Luo Yuheng remained silent.

Of course she could see that.

Ningguo right now feels like the gunpowder Song Yan developed—it's just missing a fuse. Once that fuse is lit, the entire Ningguo will explode instantly. She's not stupid; she sees many things, but she forces herself not to think about them and just lives each day and night to the fullest.

This should be considered a form of escapism.

But now that Yu Shuang has cornered him, he has no chance to escape.

"If Ningguo falls into chaos, who do you think will be able to take that position?" Yu Shuang asked, staring at Luo Yuheng.

“The Prince of Fu, the Prince of Jin, the people promoted by the Yang family, and outstanding leaders in peasant uprisings are all possibilities.” Luo Yuheng pursed his lips and said in a deep voice, “And… Yan’er.”

Bailu Academy, however, is impossible.

In the end, they were just a group of scholars. They could control the court and oppress the emperor, but they were not qualified to sit on the throne. They were all out of the running from the very beginning.

It's laughable that the bunch of fools at Bailu Academy think they can control the emperor and act lawlessly.

"Let's leave the Yang family and the peasant uprising aside for now. After all, whoever sits in that position, your fate and Song Yan's are already sealed. What's that term again...? Right, remnants of the previous dynasty. They either die on the spot or spend their lives on the run." Yu Shuang said with a smile. Hunting down remnants of the previous dynasty is an old tradition.

Of course, the newly enthroned emperor outwardly bestows titles of kings and dukes upon the former imperial family, showering them with favors to demonstrate his leniency. However, it wouldn't be long before the remnants of the former imperial family would die for various reasons—accidents, drowning, dying of depression, or succumbing to plagues and diseases—the list goes on and on. A few members of the former imperial family did manage to die peacefully, but their numbers were not many.

“But, if it were Prince Fu or Prince Jin who rose to power through battle, do you think they could tolerate a consort who is good at fighting and can lead soldiers to trample the royal court?” Yu Shuang blinked and said the most explosive words in the most calm tone.

Anyway, she just didn't like that Prince Fu and didn't mind putting him in a bad light.

As expected, Luo Yuheng's body slumped, and his face turned deathly pale.

It cannot be tolerated, absolutely not.

"A mere outsider..." The voice of Prince Fu still echoed in my ears.

"You know what kind of personality Tianxuan has. Her feelings for Song Yan are deep to the bone. If something really happens to Song Yan, who can guarantee what Tianxuan will do? She might even sneak into the palace and take the emperor's life, which would be another tragedy of blood relatives killing each other."

“But what if it’s the other way around?” Yu Shuang curled her lips: “You’ve been with Song Yan for almost a year now. You know that although Song Yan is ruthless towards foreign races and enemies, he is a very sentimental person at heart.”

Luo Yuheng frowned, and began to think seriously.

After a pause, Yu Shuang continued, "Actually, from Yu Heng's perspective, whether it's Prince Fu, Prince Jin, or Song Yan, the son-in-law, who sits in that position, there isn't much difference."

“If Prince Fu and Prince Jin become emperor, you will still be the eldest princess. If Song Yan becomes emperor, you will be the empress dowager.”

"Tianxuan is Song Yan's legal wife, and their child will be the future crown prince, who will still have the blood of the Luo family flowing in his veins."

Luo Yuheng's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

The problem that had troubled her for so long seemed to have been solved all at once.

……

Songzhou Prefecture.

Ningping County.

Luo family.

It was another beautiful day, with a bright moon and few stars.

At this time of year, before mosquitoes and other insects, a table was set up in the yard, laden with dishes. Several charcoal braziers were placed in the four corners, dispelling any slight chill. As the night breeze blew, one felt refreshed.

There weren't many people around, just Luo Tianchu, Luo Tianquan, and Song Yan. It was simply because they had been separated for a long time, and the two brothers-in-law wanted to have a meal and drinks with Song Yan alone, and chat about the army and border defense. That's about all men talk about; they're not really interested in mundane family matters, which are things women like to gossip about.

When they involuntarily started talking about what Song Yan had done in Dongling City, their faces were filled with envy.

Both of them longed for such a carefree and joyful life.

However, due to her status and personality, she ultimately could not be as carefree as Song Yan.

"This time we part ways, and it may be several years before we meet again." Luo Tianshu's eyes showed some regret: "The weather has become more and more abnormal over the years. Those foreign tribes further north cannot continue to suffer from cold and hunger. They will inevitably continue to raid southwards. This requires a general who is good at fighting and to be stationed on the border."

"Although the Jurchens have suffered great losses because of you, these losses are not enough; moreover, you not only have to guard against the Jurchens, but also against the Xiongnu in the northern deserts," Luo Tianquan added.

“Pingyang and Mobei are not adjacent.”

Song Yan became somewhat curious.

“They are not adjacent.” Luo Tianshu shook his head: “However, the Xiongnu and Anzhou Prefecture are adjacent. The governor of Anzhou Prefecture is a good-for-nothing. If the Xiongnu attack, he will most likely abandon the city and flee. At that time, the whole prefecture will fall in an instant, and I don’t know what kind of suffering will occur.”

"If we take Anzhou, Pingyang will have to face the Xiongnu directly. If the Jurchens also invade at this time, Pingyang will be attacked from both sides, and the situation will be very bad."

Song Yan remained silent.

After a while, he finally spoke: "Tian Shu, Tian Quan, do you have any ideas?"

Luo Tianchu and Luo Tianquan exchanged a glance and couldn't help but smile. This young man, though young, was mature and quick-witted. He could solve almost everything on his own, and it was rare for him to ask them for help like this.

"In military campaigns, the two of us are no match for my brother-in-law." Luo Tianchu took a sip of wine, and perhaps because he had drunk too much, his face was flushed. "However, we are barely capable of offering advice."

"Our opinion is that we should take advantage of the summer to launch an attack on the Jurchens and completely suppress them in one fell swoop, thus ensuring peace on the border for decades. This way, we won't be so passive when facing the Xiongnu."

“We have studied that in the harsh and cold places like the northern desert and the western grasslands, warhorses usually go into heat between April and July, with the peak season being between May and June.”

Why do the northern tribes often migrate south to raid for grain in late autumn?

"On the one hand, heavy snow in winter blocks the mountains and makes it difficult to move around, while they need to seize food in advance."

"On the other hand, during the summer, warhorses go into heat, and stallions become irritable and easily angered. Pregnant mares are unable to march, and the bodies of mares that give birth are weakened, which greatly affects the cavalry of foreign tribes."

Song Yan's eyes gradually brightened.

Luo Tianshu continued, “Whether it’s the Jurchens or the Xiongnu, their biggest advantage over the Central Plains armies is their cavalry. In recent years, the Central Plains countries have gone astray in their methods against foreign tribes. We always think about catching up with them in terms of cavalry, but the Central Plains lacks grasslands and warhorses. No matter how hard we try to catch up, the gap is getting bigger and bigger.”

"Since we can't catch up, why not bring them down to our level?"

"In infantry combat, we, the warriors of the Central Plains, fear no one."

"If we can break through the Jurchen tribes, we can take the warhorses we can carry, and kill all the ones we can't take, making the warhorses extinct on the Haixi grasslands. Let's see what those Jurchen barbarians can ride to attack the border of Ningguo."

"I've heard that the Haixi Grassland is lush with water and grass. If that's the case, why not come up with a way to completely destroy the grassland?"

"Fire, flood, poison, quicklime, there's always a way."

Song Yan was startled and felt a chill run down his spine.

Luo Tianchu's methods are truly vicious; this is practically a plan to wipe out his entire family line.

If the grasslands on which the Jurchens depend for survival were truly destroyed, it would not only cut off the livelihood of this generation of Jurchens, but also ruin the lives of the next generation and the generation after that.

On the Haixi Grassland, fewer and fewer people will survive.

In the end, they were completely extinct.

They destroyed their ancestral temples.

To eradicate their descendants.

But that's it.

It's a pity there wasn't any paraquat in the medicine chest; otherwise, a few thousand barrels could have been dumped on the Haixi Grassland, turning that place into a desert. Of course, such an event as the extermination of a clan would inevitably be condemned by scholars of later generations, but Song Yan's reputation was already bad enough, so this little bit wouldn't make a difference.

Song Yan silently looked at Luo Tianchu and Luo Tianquan. He could see the shadow of Emperor Ninghe in the two of them, but compared with Emperor Ninghe, the two were less weak and more fierce.

Song Yan was somewhat touched that her two brothers-in-law were willing to offer her advice and suggestions.

There were some things Song Yan wanted to tell her two brothers-in-law; they also had the right to know the truth.

Regarding their identities.

However, Song Yan couldn't be sure if revealing the truth would have any impact, or disrupt Ninghe Emperor's plans... But Fang De had already guessed Luo Tianchu and Luo Tianquan's identities, so things probably weren't much better for the Yang family. In the Yang family's eyes, the Luo brothers, Luo Tianchu and Luo Tianquan, were absolutely Luo Jingyu's greatest enemies, obstacles that had to be eliminated.

Perhaps the assassins targeting the two brothers are already on their way.

Being completely ignorant is ultimately too dangerous.

Song Yan sighed: "Tian Shu, Tian Quan, I have something to tell you, but you two must not be afraid."

Seeing Song Yan's expression, the two brothers also became serious and sat up straight.

Song Yan cleared his throat, his expression grave: "Actually, you two are both Emperor Ninghe's biological sons, princes of the Ning Kingdom."

In an instant, the expressions on their faces became extremely strange. Song Yan thought the two brothers were unwilling to believe it, but to his surprise, the two brothers almost simultaneously shrugged:

"That's it?"

(End of this chapter)