My father Zhao Kuangyin

Now, don't be fooled by Princess Chang Le's delicate and pretty oval face.

She was beautiful, but not kind-hearted. After gaining the upper hand in the argument, she walked around looking at the minor official from Kaifeng Prefecture, becoming increasingly aggressive.

"Mother said that Uncle is vying with my brother for the throne, and on their wedding night, he even sent a lowly official to eavesdrop outside. It's truly...shameful!"

Cheng Dexuan's cheeks flushed red. As he covered his face with his sleeve and buried his head, he suddenly heard a commotion coming from inside the courtyard.

It didn't sound like a human voice, but more like the sound of objects colliding.

"Huh?! A wolf's gaze and an eagle's stare? What are you looking at? Did you hear me, the princess, ask you a question?"

Under immense pressure, Cheng Dexuan could only manage a perfunctory reply: "The princess accuses me of eavesdropping; what evidence do you have?"

"Caught red-handed? Isn't that evidence?" Gao Wanling smiled and said, "If I told my uncle that you were a spy sent by my uncle..."

Before he could finish speaking, Cheng Dexuan interrupted, "The princess has repeatedly questioned me, so what brings you here?"

"I...I came here of my own accord..."

Princess Gao seemed unable to explain why her swan-like white neck turned rosy all the way to her ears.

After stammering for a moment, Gao Wanling simply ignored it and, imitating an adult, put a turban over her head.

"How dare you, a mere lowly official, question the princess! Such insubordination is punishable by what penalty?!"

Cheng Dexuan was taken aback, but finally couldn't withstand the pressure. He begged for mercy a few more times, and after being pardoned by Gao Wanling, he slunk away.

Seeing this, Gao Wanling proudly raised her head and looked around like a lion surveying its territory. After confirming that no one was around, she quietly peeked into the bridal chamber.

Before she could even get a clear look at the live sex show, a graceful young woman opened the window and, with the help of the couple, jumped out.

"what!"

"Did you sprain your ankle?"

"No...no."

Chen Mi stumbled to her feet and awkwardly walked towards the corner of the wall behind the house where tables and desks were piled up.

Supported by this, she clumsily climbed over the wall, and, taking advantage of the darkness, bent down and walked towards the dimly lit area.

But as soon as they turned the corner, they were blocked by a petite figure.

"And who are you?"

Chen Mi looked at the luxurious clothes, her thoughts racing, and in her daze, she recognized them.

"This servant...this servant is a concubine, and just now I served the young master and lady by performing the three rites..."

It's hard to say, but Gao Wanling had acted out of wicked intent, and now that she heard the reason was reasonable, she didn't care about Madam Chen's novel way of going out and nodded in acquiescence.

Just when Chen Mi thought she could finally unload her burden, the princess followed closely behind, as if she were glued to her.

"What's wrong, Princess?"

Gao Wanling blinked, took two steps closer, and whispered a few words, causing Madam Chen's cheeks to flush red, leaving her speechless for a moment.

"Alright, enough joking around. Go on with your work."

"Yes..."

………………

Inside the bridal chamber, all the silks and brocades had been removed. Perhaps due to the exhaustion of the night, Zhao Dezhao seemed to be an incompetent husband, slumped on the bed, leaving Lady Wang and her concubine Wang Yuehua sitting there in a daze.

"After midnight, it will be the eleventh day."

After a long silence, Wang Zhaoyun coldly uttered a sound.

"I have one more hour, I'll rest a bit more."

After Zhao Dezhao agreed, he slowly took off his outer garment. When Wang Niangzi saw that there was a touch of crimson on the corner of his sleeve, she immediately stood up and approached him, and said in surprise.

"Are you hurt?"

"no."

Thinking of this, Zhao Dezhao couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

Tonight, he imitated Sister Jiu's words, putting on a show of the emperor coming to save him, unaware that the real hero who saved him was the usually carefree Xu Bailang.

If you're going to reward someone, reward them handsomely, and even promote them to deputy capital city, that's not enough...

"Then where did this bloodstain come from?"

As Wang Zhaoyun spoke, she reached for a handkerchief to wipe it.

However, when that slender arm was raised to mid-air, it was Zhao Dezhao who grasped it tightly.

Ok?

Wang Zhaoyun frowned as she looked over.

"This is the blood of a loyal minister; do not remove it."

“…………”

Well, Lady Wang is clever and quick-witted, and she sensed the danger tonight.

"It's because you're trying to forge it. Even if you openly declare your presence outside the prefecture, how dare those thieves from Kaifeng shoot you?"

"I've counted the steps. The distance from the Dengwen Drum Courtyard to that red building is 140 steps. Even if one could shoot, it wouldn't be enough to kill it."

Wang Zhaoyun raised her finger and pinched the top of his forehead, saying:

"That's shooting from a standing position. How can it be compared to shooting from a height, like from a two- or three-story building?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dezhao remained unperturbed and chuckled smugly:

"Is this a blessing or a curse? Emperor Gaozu of Han died from an arrow wound during his personal campaign, while I went unharmed. Is this not the will of Heaven?"

Lady Wang parted her lips slightly, pondered for a long time, and then had nothing to say.

"Does His Majesty desire loyal ministers, the Mandate of Heaven, or me?"

Faced with this century-old dilemma, Zhao Dezhao calmly laughed and said, "Having the empire means possessing the Mandate of Heaven. Besides, when has the court and the country ever lacked loyal ministers and treacherous officials? As for the palace, my wife was betrothed to me with the six rites of marriage. I am the Emperor, and my wife should be the Empress. Both are already in my grasp, so why should I ask for a share?"

At this point, Madam Wang finally smiled and led Zhao Dezhao to the table.

"It's getting late. If my husband is tired... we can postpone our intimate moments, but we must not be impolite and miss this auspicious time."

I definitely missed it.

If I had good ministers, why would I need to do this?

Despite his mixed feelings, Zhao Dezhao was still happy.

But more than his wedding night, he was concerned about his uncle's next move and the aftermath of Lei Jun's affair.

Of course, these are all secondary. The main question is whether Zhao Xianggong is worthy of his trust and reliance.

The old father, who held absolute power, became increasingly unwilling to listen to Prime Minister Zhao's advice.

From beginning to end, let alone Zhao Xianggong supporting him, it was actually himself who, as the paperhanger, had to clean up his messes.

This is a bottomless pit!

First, let's talk about Li Ma, then about the Lei family father and son, and their numerous illegal acts involving their cronies and cronies.

Even if Zhao Dezhao could set aside morality, in the eyes of Kaifeng Prefecture, the Prime Minister's residence was riddled with holes. They would patch one hole today and then rub another one tomorrow. When would it ever end?

If he hangs himself on Zhao Xiangong's head, not to mention the position of crown prince, whether he can even be made a king is another matter.

Just as the two kings were preparing for the first of the three rituals—sharing a meal—Zhao Dezhao suddenly asked a question:

"If Zhao Pu is dismissed as prime minister, could Yue Fei... possibly become prime minister?"

Wang Zhaoyun, holding the meat platter, paused and said solemnly, "Does my husband not know that the reason the Emperor is so indecisive is that he wants you to achieve real merit so that the civil and military officials can be convinced? As for Prefect Zhao, he has held the position for many years and has never lacked achievements. As for my father... he has no interest in court politics."

The emperor already intended to appoint the prefect as his successor. If Wang Pu were to replace Zhao Pu, it would have too strong a political connotation, almost equivalent to appointing a crown prince.

It's actually normal for an emperor's heart to be fickle.

Zhao Dezhao was eloquent, discussing politics and military strategy, but what were his real achievements?

How is this any different from Zhao Kuo's empty talk about war on paper?

While this move may gain the emperor's trust and even favor, it is far from reaching the point of abandoning or deposing the third brother, a suitable candidate for crown prince.

"My husband, you are not just talking, you are doing."

In the end, the meaning boils down to nothing more than "seeking truth from facts".

Zhao Dezhao nodded, smiled silently, and then sat down opposite Lady Wang.

Seeing that there was finally peace, Wang Yuehua was relieved and brought out the basin to begin the first ablution ritual.

After washing their hands, the couple sat facing each other in the same cell and ate the three kinds of meat (pork, fish, and dried meat) from the dishes on the table.

The last bite was supposed to be fed by the concubine, but Zhao Dezhao did it himself, even holding the meat in one hand and bringing it to her lips.

Wang Yuehua gently reminded him, "My lord, you've been rude."

"Too talkative."

While Zhao Dezhao was surprised, Madam Wang ignored him and accepted the gift with a smile.

The final hurdle is the wedding ceremony.

A thousand-mile marriage is tied by a single thread; between the cups of wine exchanged during the wedding ceremony, a thin, colorful silk thread hangs.

After exchanging cups, Wang Yuehua took the nuptial cup and wrapped it with a ribbon.

With the atmosphere set, Zhao Dezhao finally took a closer look at Madam Wang's magnificent and beautiful wedding gown.

What is most striking is, of course, the wide, trembling hills and valleys, and even the firm, flat belly that flows down the river, and the flushed cheeks after the face is opened, which is truly charming and beautiful.

At this moment, Zhao Erlang seemed to feel an endless stream of righteous energy.

This anger, after the concubine went out and closed the doors and windows, soared to the highest level.

…………

Meanwhile, outside the courtyard, where the lights were dim, the willows were bent high, their drooping branches swaying in the wind, sometimes fluttering in the breeze, sometimes clinging tightly to the dry wood.

Day and night alternate, yin and yang reverse, and when the bright moon fades and the sun rises slowly, dewdrops glisten on a single leaf and branch, like morning dew, for many days have passed.