Chapter 6, Zhao Lihui

Feng Chun is now only twenty-four years old. Yuan Xiu is not worried that her fifth brother will have no legitimate heir. However, during the reign of Emperor Xianzong, Feng Chun's four elder brothers all had different mothers. Moreover, the favored Consort Sheng, who is virtuous and well-mannered, has a young son, Prince Xu, who has not yet posed significant pressure on Feng Chun. Currently, the Wang family has no offspring, and most of Feng Chun's children are born of Consort Zhao. The struggle for succession is the fastest way for internal strife within the royal family, without exception. And now, the Wang family has no offspring, and most of Feng Chun's children are born of Consort Zhao. The struggle for succession is the fastest way for internal strife within the royal family, without exception

Cai Lan was equally indignant, not forgetting to embellish the story: "The Empress indeed has a good temperament; while explaining to Wulang, she also sent Geng Jingzhai to check on Zhao Lihui's pulse"

After the death of Zhao Xian, the palace attendants naturally returned to Chang'an to mourn for their master, and they have already been buried with him. Meanwhile, the Xue family continues to remain there to oversee matters. According to the latest courier letter, she is expected to return in about half a month.

Yuan Xiu pondered for a moment, and then his eyes brightened: "Let's ask the elder sister! She already has a child, so she must know something."

Dr. Geng has always been straightforward. The late emperor tolerated his repeated outspokenness for this reason. Moreover, he is all alone, without family or friends, and would not be coerced by Consort Zhao, so how could he deceive Wulang?" Cai Lan said softly, "The Zhao family is arrogant, but considering Wulang's situation, we should still send some gifts over later as a form of congratulations.

Yuan Xiu paced back and forth in the room, hesitating whether to personally go and speak on behalf of the Empress. Outside, Cai Zi brought in a young eunuch, around twelve or thirteen years old, who appeared quite clever. This was Yu Anyuan, the adopted son of Yu Ting, serving alongside his adoptive father in the Ganlu Palace. Upon seeing him, Yuan Xiu recognized that he had been sent by Yu Ting and, without waiting for him to pay his respects, waived the formality: "Did your adoptive father send you to convey a message to me?"

At this moment, one slams the table in anger: "Is the national mourning something that only the Zhao family can uphold? What about everyone else? She is the most esteemed and privileged among them! Competing for favor has come at the expense of the well-being of the common people! What semblance of filial piety do King Han and King Wei possess?"

Yuan Xiu bit her lip, lost in thought and remained silent, until Cai Lan pulled her back and said: "This palace understands. Go back and inform Yu Tang to serve everyone well. Moreover, there are national laws and family rules. The Zhao family has fainted, yet King Han and King Wei did not summon the imperial physician in a timely manner, but instead forcefully entered the Ganlu Hall. What kind of reasoning is this? Let Yu Tang discuss this matter with everyone properly"

However, after Cai Lan left, she was gone for a full half an hour. When she returned, her complexion was quite poor: "A Jia, Wu Lang is likely unable to go to the Empress's side tonight"

Yuan Xiu understood that this was the Empress hinting at inviting Feng Chun to share dinner. She sought an opportunity to inform him about the situation in Pingjin. After pondering for a moment, she said to Xing Niang: "I will send Cai Lan to inform Yu Tang shortly. If Fifth Brother wakes up before dinner, please invite him to dine with Fifth Sister-in-law. If not, let Fifth Brother sleep a little longer."

Yu Anyuan noticed that she didn't even mention the word "congratulations" and that her words conveyed considerable dissatisfaction towards King Han and King Wei. Understanding the implication, he said: "I will relay every word of A's message to my adoptive father without omission"

However, the heavy rain indeed affected the funeral procession. The next day at the hour of Chen, Fengchun finally returned to the palace. The accompanying individuals were utterly exhausted, and they called upon those stationed at Ganlu Hall to come and assist Fengchun with changing clothes and bathing, after which they all fell asleep.

After hearing Cai Lan's words, Yu Anyuan smiled and thanked her for the reward, then took it with him

Yuan Xiu furrowed her brows: "What is it again?"

The apricot daughter hurriedly went to respond to the Wang family

In the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong, a man who spent his life in military campaigns, conquered much of the world and committed fratricide and patricide, was deeply troubled by the rivalry among his sons for power. Now, as the Tang Dynasty has entered its twilight, how can it endure such upheaval?

Cailan thought for a moment. Princess Pingjin, being the elder sister of Fengchun and having been married twice with a daughter, would certainly have more experience in childbearing and rearing to share with her younger siblings than a young aunt who had never been married, who would only be embarrassed to speak up. Thus, she nodded in agreement

Madam Xue is the wet nurse of Yuan Xiu. Half a month before the passing of Zhao Xian, it was discovered that the taxes and grain submitted from the Tangmu region of Jinyang by Yuan Xiu were significantly lower than in previous years. Although there had been reports of disasters in that area, Zhao Xian was worried that Yuan Xiu, being young, might be deceived by the officials assigned to that region by the princess. Therefore, Zhao Xian dispatched a trusted eunuch along with Madam Xue to investigate the matter.

After Yu Anyuan left, Yuan Xiu asked Cai Lan with a hint of displeasure: "Do you think I should call Geng Jingzhai over tomorrow to ask?"

Wang instructed that no one should be disturbed and specifically sent Xingniang to inform Yuanxiu: "I heard from Chief Steward Yu that everyone's meals have been significantly reduced these past few days. I kindly ask A-Jia to help persuade them a bit."

The Dream Tang reveres ancient rites, follows the Zhou system, and places great importance on the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate offspring. Fengchun is the fifth son of Emperor Xianzong. In terms of intelligence, Xianzong's second son, Crown Prince Li Yi, and his sixth son, Prince Qiong Li Yan, are actually not inferior to Fengchun. In fact, Li Yi's maternal family is the Cui clan of Boling, which is among the five prominent families and seven esteemed clans. However, due to Fengchun's descent from the Yuan Empress, Emperor Xianzong made a special distinction.

Although Yu Anyuan can be considered a close attendant of Fengchun, he is fundamentally different from the elders such as Yu Tang and Cai Lan. Therefore, he does not yet have the courage to address Fengchun as the fifth in rank, but instead refers to him as "everyone" according to the palace regulations. When Yuan Xiu mentioned Fengchun to him, he also used the term "everyone".

Cailan was sewing and comforted, "It rained all night last night, how could we not be prepared?"

A Jia said, "Yu Anyuan knows that Yuan Xiu is different from the other princesses. He respectfully stated, 'Just now, Doctor Geng reported back after taking the pulse of Concubine Zhao from Wanchun Hall. Since Aunt Cai Lan has already left, my adoptive father asked me to make a trip to inform A Jia.'"

Upon returning to Fengyang Pavilion, a heavy rain began to fall. As she listened to the sound of the rain, she felt quite anxious: "I wonder if Yutang remembers to bring the raincoat and hat for Fifth Brother"

Yuan Xiuwei frowned; she had a strong dislike for the spoiled Zhao family. However, although the Empress was favored, she had remained childless, while the Zhao family had already given birth to the eldest and youngest of the three sons of Fengchun, and now they were expecting another child. Even as a princess, her future status would be very secure.

Yu Anyuan was somewhat hesitant to accept. Cai Lan teased, "I rewarded you for your quick response, and your adoptive father will only be pleased to know this. Why are you afraid to accept it?"

The close attendants of Fengchun were mostly those left behind by Empress Dowager Wenhua during her lifetime. This included the palace maids of Caizi who were around Yuanxiu, also prepared by Wenhua in the past. They were distinctly different from those in the other palaces. Cailan accepted this task, casually pinning the needle onto the basket, and said with a smile, "I shall return shortly."

It was said that Zhao Lihui suddenly fainted. Due to the Empress's orders not to disturb Wulang, King Han and King Wei forcefully broke into the Ganlu Hall, and even Yuting was kicked on the knee by King Han, leaving the servant limping when she left. Cai Lan said indignantly, "When I left, King Han and King Wei were still there, repeatedly claiming that the Empress was plotting against Lihui!"

"I am not asking about Zhao. " Yuan Xiu frowned, "What I want to ask is about Fifth Sister-in-law! "

Yuan Xiu nodded and had Cai Lan fetch a pair of silver chopsticks for him: "It's not easy to make a trip in such heavy rain, take these to play with."

Yuan Xiu Dao: "What does Geng Jingzhai say?"

"Returning to the family, Doctor Geng diagnosed that Concubine Zhao has been pregnant for a month." Yu Anyuan observed Yuan Xiu's expression, which seemed to indicate a dislike for the Zhao family, so he concealed the smile he had originally prepared and simply reported in a formal manner.

Outrageous! Yuan Xiu had previously heard Princess Pingjin mention that King Han and King Wei, due to the favor of Concubine Zhao Li, looked down upon their aunt, which made her somewhat displeased with them. She originally thought that King Han was only six years old and King Wei even younger at four, and she was merely planning to remind Feng Chun to find a strict teacher for him to ensure proper education when King Han was to begin his studies in a few months. Now, hearing that they even dared to intrude upon the Ganlu Palace, especially when Feng Chun was busy with the burial of the late Empress Zhao Xian, enduring heavy rain both going and returning, and was utterly exhausted and in need of rest, it was truly disappointing that, as sons, they showed no consideration for their sovereign father! Feng Chun is Yuan Xiu's maternal brother; how could she not feel particularly distressed?

Cai Lan was taken aback, and Yuan Xiu sighed: "Fifth Brother dotes on the Zhao family, yet he has not established the Crown Prince until now, which clearly indicates he still has some expectations. However, King Han is about to initiate the process, and there has been no movement from Fifth Sister-in-law's side. If this continues, I fear the court officials will also petition for the establishment of the Crown Prince. If that happens and Fifth Sister-in-law becomes pregnant again, it would lead to another disaster"

Ke... ... Cai Lan understood that Yuan Xiu's feelings towards the Zhao family were not merely rooted in dislike, but rather in concern for the stability of the state. However, the unmarried sister-in-law inquired about whether her sister-in-law could bear children... ... She hesitated, ultimately expressing her disapproval in a roundabout way, "Ah Jia has not yet been married off; such matters, as Dr. Geng mentioned, might be beyond Ah Jia's understanding. Perhaps it would be better to wait for Madam Xue to return, and then Ah Jia can ask her?"