GBP Chapter 266 Prince
Chapter 266 Prince
The turmoil stirred up in Lingqiu County ultimately failed to escape the attention of many sharp eyes in the world. Among them, the secret report of the Dark Cavalry Division had been quietly delivered to the foot of the imperial city, waiting for the emperor's review.
Zhao Hengzhang sat at his desk. After listening to Xu Hu's report, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes. He asked softly, "Is what you said true? Is Mr. Zhao really my long-missing sixth son?"
Xu Hu bowed his head respectfully, his tone firm, "Your Majesty, I have verified through numerous sources and am absolutely certain that Mr. Zhao is the Sixth Prince."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hengzhen's voice suddenly rose, as if his long-pent-up emotions had found an outlet: "It really is my son Zhao Sheng! Great, great!"
Xu Hu, perplexed by this, stood there for a moment, stunned, staring at the unpredictable emperor. Meanwhile, Wu Wei, who knew Zhao Hengzhang's character well, saw through the emperor's barely concealed excitement the ripples Zhao Hengzhang's actions had stirred within Long.
In the imperial study, candlelight flickered as Zhao Hengzhang paced back and forth on the empty ground. Every step seemed to be stepping on the crest of his emotions, making it difficult to calm down.
"Xu Hu, how should I respond to Lao Liu's actions?"
Zhao Hengzhang stopped and looked at Xu Hu.
Xu Hu quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this still requires your judgment. However, if the Sixth Prince's actions in Lingqiu County were known to those in the court, I'm afraid it would cause trouble."
Zhao Hengzhen nodded slightly. "My son used to be a low-key person in the palace. I never thought he would dare to do something so big."
At this time, Wu Wei stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, although the Sixth Prince's move is good, he must also make corresponding arrangements to prevent..."
Wu Wei clearly had something in mind, but he didn't dare to say much. How could Zhao Hengzhen not understand?
Zhao Hengzhang frowned, "Wu Wei, what do you mean by that?"
Wu Wei said, "Your Majesty, the power dynamics within the court are complex. The Sixth Prince has recently made his mark. If his abilities are revealed too early, it will inevitably arouse jealousy. Perhaps..."
This old dog is still so cautious," Zhao Hengzhen thought to himself, then snorted coldly, "I want to see who dares to touch my son!"
The meaning is very clear, he still needs to protect his own species.
At this moment, a eunuch hurried in and reported: "Your Majesty, the Empress requests an audience."
Zhao Hengzhen thought for a moment and said, "Let her come in."
The Queen entered the Imperial Study, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard that the Crown Prince is plotting treason. I would like to ask for a favor."
Speaking of Crown Prince Zhao Kang, the emperor was filled with resentment. This eldest son was really spoiled. He was more of a hindrance than an accomplisher. He had no strength at all, yet he was still thinking of following others in rebelling.
"The Queen's actions have put me in a difficult position."
Upon hearing this, the Queen said, "The Crown Prince's affairs are indeed absurd. I am willing to give up my position in the harem to avenge the Emperor's life."
After saying that, tears as big as beans flowed down his face.
Zhao Hengzhen's face darkened, and he said unhappily, "He deserves what he has now. I had no intention of taking his life, but he wanted mine."
Seeing this, the queen said no more.
The atmosphere in the imperial study became increasingly solemn. Zhao Hengzhen had considered what Zhao Kang would do next, but when he saw what Zhao Sheng did, he suddenly felt that these sons were useless.
"Go ahead. I won't kill him, but he needs to learn to be content. If he doesn't have the ability, he shouldn't even think about doing something unreasonable."
After hearing what the emperor said, the queen collapsed to the ground like a deflated ball.
The emperor was actually quite nice to the queen, and Zhao Kang was not a bad person either. He probably wanted to fight for power in the court, but he ended up choosing the wrong direction. How could his enemy be the emperor?
After the queen left, Zhao Heng said to Xu Hu, "Place some capable people around Zhao Sheng, and don't let anyone hurt him wantonly."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Also," Zhao Hengzhen seemed to recall something and continued, "Li Xin only has this one daughter. Try to help the Sixth Prince with some things. Perhaps this is the way to disintegrate the Li family."
Everything went so smoothly. Zhao Hengzhen felt that supporting the sixth brother might not necessarily make him the emperor, but his support would definitely be beneficial to the next emperor.
Who is suitable to be the emperor?
In such a turbulent era, it seems not bad to have the Prince of Yan far away from him, Zhao Hengzhen thought to himself, and couldn't help but think of Zhao Hui's past over the years. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that this boy was not bad.
Zhao Hong's own economic development in Yuezhou has been booming in recent years. In the military, the court has combined the troops dispatched and the local troops, and has accumulated a stockpile of 800,000.
Privately, at least 300,000 private soldiers were trained for him in various places. Together with the people close to him, there were also tens of thousands of elite soldiers.
If this matter is a rebellion, the timing is not right yet, but anyone who dares to bully her will be killed by him in a matter of minutes.
How could he not be tempted by the lofty throne?
Zhao Hong's spies had already reported to him what was happening in the court. Upon hearing that Zhao Kang and Zhao Wei were out of favor, a subtle smile appeared on his face.
"The opportunity has come. It seems that what my mentor said is true. Opportunities always come to those who are prepared."
It seemed that he felt that he could enter the court.
"Qin Yongyi, send some gifts to my mother. Ugly oranges should be available this season. Send some over."
"King Yue, are you only sending ugly oranges?"
Qin Yongyi was puzzled. Wasn't it a bit of a waste to send the ugly orange from such a long distance?
"Well, there's no point in sending anything else, so let's just send some dried seafood."
"Okay, Your Majesty, I'll arrange it right away."
Qin Yongyi sang once and left.
Concubine Li is from the Wang family, and the thing her family has the most of is money. Over the years, his mother has been doing well in the palace. Although Zhao Hengzhen likes Concubine Li, he is helpless because of her poor health.
A few days later, Yuezhou sent ugly oranges, and the people in the palace laughed when they saw them.
The big and ugly tangerine was placed on Concubine Li's desk. No one had ever seen it before, but its ugly appearance made everyone laugh at it.
Zhao Hengzhen was invited to Concubine Li's bedroom and casually glanced at the ugly orange on the table.
"Is this sent by your son again?"
"Yes!"
"Very filial, but..."
Concubine Li handed over a peeled ugly orange.
"Your Majesty, for the sake of my child's filial piety, please try one. If it doesn't taste good, spit it out."
"Ah~ Hong'er is so filial, I..."
After saying this, Zhao Hengzhen gently picked up a slice of the ugly orange and slowly put it into his mouth. Instantly, the sweet taste of the ugly orange blossomed in his mouth, like the gentlest spring breeze, blowing through his heart, leaving an endless aftertaste.
"Wonderful! This is delicious, but why does it look so ugly?"
"Your Majesty, this ugly orange may not look impressive, but it is delicious inside. Just as you can't judge a person by his appearance, perhaps this is also its uniqueness."
Zhao Hengzhen nodded slightly and said thoughtfully, "Yes, the merits and demerits of everything in this world cannot be judged solely by appearance. Just like my Sixth Prince, he was not favored by everyone in the palace, and now..."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Li didn't know what the emperor meant by mentioning the Sixth Prince at this time. Didn't he say that the Sixth Prince was already dead? Why was he talking about him at this time?
Zhao Hengzhen put down the ugly orange in his hand, his eyes becoming more profound. "I need to think about this carefully. Hong'er should also return to the capital for an assessment."
At this time, Concubine Li said softly, "Your Majesty, why not recall Hong'er to the capital and have him assessed by the Ministry of Personnel? This will also let everyone know how much Your Majesty values the princes."