03, Liao'e

Zhang He responded with a sound of acknowledgment, closed the bamboo slip, and placed it into the silk pouch, his movements exceedingly slow

He was feeling gloomy, while Liu Bingyi across from him merely responded with a light sound, showing no further concern, and resumed his cheerful demeanor. "Sir, you can rest assured about this. They treat me well, and when I grow up, I will naturally treat them well in return! You are teaching me to read and understand now, and in the future, I will know how to repay you, Sir!"

Zhou Yangmeng

After finishing reading "Liao E", I began to explain the principles within it sentence by sentence. Halfway through, I suddenly felt that the usually lively classroom had become excessively quiet. I paused to take a look, and indeed, I found Zhang Pengzu across from me already slumped over the desk, drooling, sound asleep and unresponsive. Just as my anger began to rise, I caught sight of Liu Bingyi sitting beside him, resting his chin on his hand, deep in thought, appearing very calm, completely devoid of his usual fidgety demeanor

Zhang Zhongweng looked at Liu Bingyi, who was full of curiosity, and suddenly felt a sense of discomfort. This innocent and naive young man had once been a survivor after enduring the trials of the storm, but how much did he really understand about the bloodshed and turmoil that had occurred in the imperial city? Zhang He had placed the heavy responsibility of education on his shoulders, but from which direction should he begin to guide this child? Should he be nurtured as the offspring of Empress Wei, or should he be treated as an ordinary child, allowing him to grow up carefree and happy?

Zhou Yangmeng was taken aback, and her smile froze on her face. Fortunately, being clever and somewhat knowledgeable, she quickly regained her smile and gently replied, "Understood."

She believed that Zhang He had brought up her ancestral surname without reason, merely to humiliate her. She was a consort of the emperor, euphemistically referred to as a favored采女; less flatteringly, she was simply the daughter of the emperor who was privy to the intimate affairs of the young emperor. Initially, the mother of Liu Chang, the King of Huainan, Zhao Ji, was a beauty by the side of King Zhao Zhang Ao. When Emperor Gaozu passed through Zhao, Zhang Ao, in an effort to please him, allowed Zhao Ji to spend a night with him. As a result, Zhao Ji became pregnant, but she was still officially a beauty in the palace of King Zhao, even though later she was implicated in the treason of Zhang Ao and, after giving birth to Liu Chang in prison, hanged herself. The mother of Liu Chang, the King of Huainan, Zhao Ji, was originally a beauty by the side of King Zhao Zhang Ao. When Emperor Gaozu passed through Zhao, Zhang Ao, in an effort to please him, allowed Zhao Ji to spend a night with him. As a result, Zhao Ji became pregnant, but she was still officially a beauty in the palace of King Zhao, even though later she was implicated in the treason of Zhang Ao and, after giving birth to Liu Chang in prison, hanged herself. She never obtained a legitimate identity. ... Later, Zhang Ao escaped disaster, flattered Empress Gao, married Princess Lu Yuan, and restored his noble rank and glory ... . ... Perhaps, in Zhang Ao's heart, he had long forgotten that among his women there had once been a beauty with the surname Zhao. Zhang Ao later escaped disaster, flattered Empress Gao, married Princess Lu Yuan, and restored his noble rank and glory ... . ... Perhaps, in Zhang Ao's heart, he had long forgotten that among his women there had once been a beauty with the surname Zhao.

Zhang He was completely unaware of the thoughts of Zhou Yangmeng, who sat opposite him. He merely inquired about the routine procedures of the night service, ensuring they were recorded, and then sent her away. His immediate concern was not how Zhou Yangmeng should be settled after receiving favor, nor was it the multitude of maidens taken into the palace by the Grand Princess, but rather a small woman.

What is so remarkable about having a pleasant title? The key is that her great-great-grandmother had the ability to conceive a dragon's offspring. Even if she is a daughter of the imperial family, what does it matter? As long as she firmly holds onto that innocent and naive young emperor, will she still worry about having no place to stand in this inner court in the future

No

The old man was rendered speechless by his words, left without a reply. Looking at that youthful face, a faint sorrow surged within him, and his eyes grew warm, nearly causing him to lose his composure on the spot

Indeed, the importance of the teacher's way is no less than that of one's own parents

She suddenly let out a long sigh, gradually swallowing the shame and anger that had previously welled up inside her.

Liu Bingyi felt a sense of elation and, recalling the story that Xu Pingjun had requested last night, he opened his mouth to ask: "Mr. Hao, could you tell me the story of the emperor's mother?"

The impassive demeanor of the Yeting Ling made her, who had always been full of confidence, feel uneasy. Her ancestors were originally not surnamed Zhouyang, but Zhao. They were related to Zhao Jian, the uncle of Liu Chang, the Prince of Huainan, who was the youngest son of their great ancestor. During the reign of Emperor Xiaowen, they were granted the title of Marquis of Zhouyang. However, after the Prince of Huainan conspired to rebel, the Zhao family was implicated and their marquisate was revoked. Consequently, the members of the Zhao clan adopted the name Zhouyang based on their geographical location. These matters were not particularly significant; even if Zhang He mentioned them, it would not be a cause for concern. Yet now, as she sat here, she felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles, completely uncomfortable.

Zhou Yang smiled charmingly, adjusting her skirt as she sat upright, her figure graceful yet imbued with a hint of enchanting allure. Zhang He silently praised her, indeed a rare beauty of the world, no wonder the princess had specifically chosen to bring her into the inner court.

Zhang Zhongweng absolutely did not expect such a sudden question, and was instantly taken aback. Liu Bingyi, completely unaware, continued to chatter incessantly with further inquiries: "Is she a fairy? Is she very beautiful? Can she fly? She..."

Hmm, my full surname is Zhou Yang, I am from Zhou Yang, but my ancestors originally had the surname Zhao

A small, small woman

Zhang He found it strange; when he looked up, it was Zhou Yangshi, who had served him in the Hehuan Hall last night. He pointed to a mat beside him and said, "Please."

Zhang He was engrossed in reviewing the bamboo slips, repeatedly verifying the family backgrounds and identities of the various采女. Outside, footsteps approached gracefully, and before long, a palace maid led someone in. Upon entering, the visitor did not perform a grand salute but merely stood and knelt in a respectful bow.

She was momentarily distracted, and it was not until she heard Zhang He’s inquiry that she came to her senses and replied: "5:25 in the Hai hour"

At that moment, he suddenly felt that the burden on his shoulders had become heavier, pressing down on him to the point where he could hardly catch his breath

He was reading Liu Bingyi, and Liu Bingyi was also reading him. Then the child propped his chin on his hand and asked in a deep voice, "Sir, I do not quite understand. You said, 'Father gave me life, and mother nurtured me. They cared for me, raised me, and looked after me, entering and exiting my life.' However, I have never even seen my parents, nor have they ever raised me. How then should I repay their kindness?"

At what time did Your Majesty leave the Hehuan Hall last night

Her voice was soft, melodious, and enchanting. Zhang He couldn't help but glance at her again. The records stated she was seventeen, but the spirited expression on her face did not resemble that of someone only seventeen.

The old man Zhang Zhong could only smile wryly and praise, "Good, good, a child with understanding and respect for filial piety."

The new round of disputes, grievances, and entanglements in the courtyard has only just begun

The elder Zhang Zhong held a bamboo slip and explained the "Book of Songs" in the hall: "The tall and lush plants are the wild rice, not the wild rice of the mugwort. Oh, my dear parents, you have toiled to give me life. The tall and lush plants are the wild rice, not the wild rice of the willow. Oh, my dear parents, you have labored to raise me. The bottle is empty, and the shame of the jar is evident. The life of the common people is not as long as the dead. Without a father, whom can I rely on? Without a mother, what can I depend on? When I go out, I carry my worries; when I come in, I find no comfort. Father, you gave me life; Mother, you nurtured me. You cared for me, raised me, nurtured me, and provided for me, and you were always there for me. I wish to repay your kindness. The vast heavens are boundless! The southern mountain stands tall, and the winds blow fiercely. The people have no grain, yet I alone suffer! The southern mountain is steady, and the winds blow gently. The people have no grain, yet I alone do not perish!"

Emperor Xianwu ascended to the throne at a young age and reigned for fifty-four years. Throughout his life, he favored countless concubines, with old loves and new affections rising and falling in succession. However, the most unforgettable figures in the inner palace were the four legendary women. These four held extremely high positions, among whom Chen and Wei successively became empresses, yet both ultimately met with tragic ends. Another, Lady Li, although she passed away early, was posthumously honored as Empress Xianwu after the emperor's death and was buried alongside him in Maoling, always accompanying him. The last, Lady Zhao, was particularly favored by Emperor Xianwu in his later years, and their only young son thus emerged, surpassing other princes and ultimately inheriting the Han dynasty's throne. However...

"Your parents do not wish to abandon you..." The doctor gazed at him with bright, clear eyes, and he suddenly felt that in the face of such pure and flawless gaze, he truly could not bring himself to share those cruel and dark truths with him. Thus, he changed his words, saying, "The officials in charge of your upbringing have nurtured you, raised you, cared for you, and provided for you. They can also be considered your kin, and you should repay their kindness. As the saying goes, 'A child wishes to care for their parents, yet they are no longer present'..." He suddenly paused, feeling that the more he elaborated, the darker the situation became, leaving him utterly at a loss.

Zhang He nodded, and Xu Guanghan, who was seated beside him, hurriedly took notes on the bamboo slips with a brush

The Emperor's biological mother is the former favored consort of the late Emperor, Lady Zhao, who is now buried in Yunling and posthumously honored by the Emperor as Empress Dowager Qianfu, known as Gouyi.