A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 265 Self-Saving
Zhang Tang did not want to give away the credit.

The Embroidered-Robe Envoys surrounded the Marquis of Tangyi's residence.

Unlike the nine-layered gates of the Pingyang Marquis's Mansion, this mansion, which has been magnificent since the time of Emperor Xiaowen, is clearly a palace.

With its grand roof and long, flying eaves, the roof appears to overlap and stretch endlessly from a distance, creating a magnificent and luxurious atmosphere. Beneath the eaves, iron horses gallop, their melodious chimes ringing out, giving the scene a palatial and heavenly feel.

Stepping inside, you will see three palaces: the central main hall and two side halls on the east and west. The main hall stands out prominently, built on a mountain ridge more than six zhang high. The open square has thirty-six white jade steps leading directly to the main hall, resembling a majestic city gate, with the grandeur of a dragon tower and phoenix pavilion.

The two side halls are located on a flat area behind the main hall. Except for the white jade paving in front of the halls, the other three sides are green: bamboo forest to the west, pine trees to the north, and grass to the east.

The west side hall served as a study and bedroom, and apart from meeting with close confidants, there were very few ceremonial meetings held here.

The east side hall is much larger than the west side hall, with nine rooms and five courtyards. It was the main place where the owner conducted his daily affairs, with multiple gates and doors dividing it into many areas.

This is the majesty of Princess Guantao, the eldest daughter of Emperor Xiaowen, the elder sister of Emperor Xiaojing, the aunt and mother-in-law of the current emperor, and the Grand Princess of the Han Dynasty.

It was more like the residence of Princess Guantao than a Marquis's mansion, much like Princess Pingyang of Princess Yangxin, who, out of gratitude to her husband, named her mansion after him.

At least, that's how it appears on the surface.

When Princess Dou's husband, the third Marquis of Tangyi, Chen Wu, was alive, Dong Yan had already enjoyed Princess Dou's favor for several years.

Everyone knows this, and Chen Wu knows it too.

The kinship and love among the imperial family seem to be different from those of ordinary people, but Zhang Tang gradually got used to it.

It was a cold winter day. The over-seventy-year-old Princess Dou sat in front of a white bronze brazier emitting blue flames, gazing dazedly at Zhang Tang as he entered.

"Is that the Grand Minister of Works?" Princess Dou asked, gazing at Zhang Tang's figure.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Zhang Tang replied.

"Is that so?" Princess Dou didn't hear clearly and asked again.

Zhang Tang frowned.

The fourth Marquis of Tangyi, Chen Xu, explained: "I'm getting old. It's been like this for a few months now. My eyesight is failing, my hearing is failing, and I can't hear when I need to urinate."

As he spoke, he leaned close to his mother's ear and said loudly, "It is the Grand Minister of Works."

Princess Dou smiled like a child: "I can hear you, why are you shouting so loudly?"

"Please invite the Grand Minister to sit down."

Chen Xu quickly brought over an embroidered stool and arranged for Zhang Tang to sit next to Princess Dou.

Princess Dou looked at Zhang Tang and said with relief, "Did the Grand Minister of Works come to arrest me on the orders of my nephew?"

Zhang Tang paused for a moment, realizing that the "grand-nephew" she was referring to was the Emperor, and raised his voice slightly, "Not the Emperor, but the court wants to invite the Crown Prince to the Imperial Prison to learn about some things."

"Is it about Dong Yan?" Princess Dou asked bluntly.

"Your Majesty is indeed a man of few words and quick wit."

"What does the Grand Marshal want to know?"

"The Crown Prince and Dong Yan have corrupted the morals of men and women in the court, and have also caused Your Majesty to neglect your duties," Zhang Tang said without any hesitation.

Facing such an old and noble person, there is little difference between questioning him in the imperial prison and questioning him here; it is impossible to use torture. In fact, if Dou Taizhu were to die in the imperial prison, Zhang Tang would be more panicked than anyone else.

"The Grand Minister of Works must have heard some rumors that I received a pardon from my mother," said Princess Dou calmly. Princess Dou's mother was none other than Empress Dowager Dou, the powerful woman who held immense influence during the reigns of Emperor Xiaowen and Emperor Xiaojing, and in the years leading up to Your Majesty's ascension to the throne.

"Rumors are just rumors. May I ask, Your Majesty, do you have any proof?"

"Bring the Empress Dowager's handwritten letter."

Princess Dou looked at her son, and Chen Xu did not hesitate. He quickly went to the brocade box by his mother's bedside, took out the sacred object with both hands, and returned. Princess Dou then said, "Give it to the Grand Minister of Works."

Zhang Tang stood up, respectfully accepted the letter with both hands, and then slowly unfolded it.

Empress Dowager Dou's handwriting is clear and easy to see. The seal is square and rigorous, with a spacious layout, and the strokes are both square and round. The brushwork is evident at the turns and the overall style of the seal is vivid, which further proves the authenticity of the handwriting.

From the first year of Emperor Xiaowen's reign to the sixth year of Emperor Jianyuan's reign, a full forty-four years, the Empress Seal of the Han Dynasty was held by Empress Dowager Dou. Even during the reign of Emperor Xiaojing, neither the deposed Empress Bo nor the newly established Empress Wang ever touched the Empress Seal.

Empress Wang became Empress Dowager of the Han Dynasty after Emperor Xiaojing's death. Several years after His Majesty ascended the throne, Empress Dowager Dou passed away, and only then did she receive the Empress's Seal as Empress Dowager.

As for Chen Ajiao, she never touched the Empress's Seal until she was deposed. After the Empress Dowager passed away, it fell directly into the hands of Empress Wei.

Princess Dou could not possibly have forged the Empress Dowager's handwritten letter, nor was it possible for her to do so.

"Does the Grand Minister of Works wish to inspect?" Princess Dou asked with a smile.

One cannot write two "Dou" characters in one stroke. Although Dou Ying's entire clan was killed because of the late emperor's edict, which terrified countless princes and nobles, his own "Dou" was the Dou of the Grand Empress Dowager, and he would not be deceived.

Even though her mother had passed away many years ago, Princess Dou still dared to use the handwritten letter as an imperial edict from the Han Dynasty.

His Majesty the present will acknowledge it, and so will the Emperor of the Han Dynasty.

Without this letter of acquittal, how dare she begin to overstep the bounds of propriety as a princess or noblewoman?

What about moral depravity between men and women, or causing His Majesty to neglect his duties? Before this letter, what crime is that?
Zhang Tang didn't reply. Instead, he held the book close to his eyes by the firelight and looked at it again and again.

Chen Xu, who was serving nearby, was startled and closed the stove lid, reminding him, "Grand Minister, lest it catch fire."

Zhang Tang raised his eyes and laughed, "What's the use of burning or not burning?"

The expressions of Princess Dou and the Marquis of Tangyi, mother and son, changed instantly. "Grand Minister of Works, are you underestimating the Empress Dowager's handwritten letter?"

"Don't dare."

Without hesitation, Zhang Tang replied, "I was in court at the beginning of the Jianyuan era and experienced the supreme power of the Empress Dowager. However, I do not know how many years it has been since His Majesty read the Empress Dowager's handwritten letter and received her teachings?"

Princess Dou heard this clearly, but did not immediately express her opinion. She seemed to be pondering for a long time before finally saying, "What does the Grand Minister of Works mean?"

Zhang Tang returned the letter to Chen Xu and said indifferently, "Lord Tangyi, please read it for the Emperor."

“My son, A Piao, your mother will soon pass away. Though I cannot see, my mind remains clear. You have been intelligent since childhood, favored by your mother, and have relied on her love to run rampant in the palace, stirring up trouble… Now, as the Empress Dowager of the Great Han Dynasty, I pardon all your past sins—even those involving personal grudges, usurping power, or transgressing the rules of propriety, will all be forgiven and will not be pursued further.” Chen Xu paused.

Both mother and son looked at Zhang Tang, their eyes filled with confusion.

"Continue reciting."

"However, those who commit heinous crimes, such as regicide, treason, and rebellion, are unforgivable by Heaven, and even I, as their mother, am powerless to protect them!"
You should temper your brilliance, cultivate your character, return to your rural home, and live out your remaining years in peace. Your mother only wishes that you live a carefree life and never repeat the mistakes of the past, lest you endanger yourself and bring trouble upon your mother in the afterlife!

Ah Piao, your mother has protected you all her life, and will not rest until her death. From now on, you alone will have to weather the storms...

A deathly silence fell over the hall, and time seemed to stand still.

(End of this chapter)