The ministers kowtowed deeply, their heads almost touching the ground. Sunlight shot in from the window panes, shining a sharp beam of light in the air, and the golden beast in the corner of the house quietly exhaled smoke and stretched out in the warm sun.
There was a strange stalemate in the study. Mr. Lu and the ministers didn't care who Zhao Chengjun loved or who was his wife, but what they cared about was this woman was Empress Dowager Yao's person.
Tang Shishi is a beauty sent by the Empress Dowager Yao and has a close relationship with the court. They heard that she herself acted aggressively and acted very arrogantly. This is a beautician trick on the face of Prince Jing's Mansion. Even if she doesn't kill, should she be kept? How can the hearts of so many subjects settle down?
Taking a step back, even if it is due to the face of the Empress Dowager Yao, Zhao Chengjun needs to make Tang Shishi his Wangfei, and he cannot kill Tang Shishi before the situation is clear, and he cannot let Tang Shishi raise the children of the Jing Prince's Mansion by herself. The young man who was born last night was surnamed Zhao. In the eyes of the staff, Ma Er and others, this is a child from the Jing Mansion, who will help the prince win in the future, but Tang Shishi is not.
Of course the son has to stay, but the woman has to be killed.
They came today to force Zhao Chengjun to make a statement. Either kill Tang Shishi, or limit Tang Shishi's influence, anyway, he has to come up with a solution.
Sitting behind the book case, Zhao Chengjun felt the silent urging of everyone. If it was before, he would not do things that were obviously contrary to popular sentiment, as long as it was not a matter of principle, it would be okay to let it go. But this time, Zhao Chengjun didn't want to let it go.
This is the woman he forced to stay by his side, whome he wanted to hold the stars to the moon, and the woman he loved. Why did they want to take her away from him? After Tang Shishi became pregnant, he galloped back from Suzhou. In the months when her morning sickness was the most severe, he accompanied her and was uncomfortable with her. Now Tang Shishi gave birth to his child, his only son, yet he will betray her like this?
The effort he put into Tang Shishi was far more than anything in his life. He had promised to accompany Tang Shishi in the days and evenings, and was driven by her all his life to vent her anger. Now only one year has passed, how can he let go?
His attitude was obvious, and Zhao Chengjun's determination was also firm. Tang Shishi will definitely be his wife and the mother of all his children. As a mother, raising one's own children is justified.
Zhao Chengjun can directly confess that this is the woman he loves, and don't even think about it if you want to hit her. But things are not so simple. It is easy for him to protect Tang Shishi, but it is the most difficult to maintain the people of the mansion and let everyone be still loyal to him and follow him without complaint.
After all, Tang Shishi has the label of Empress Dowager Yao. If Zhao Chengjun can't handle this matter well, he will be unable to deal with the matter of raising troops to attack Jinling in the future.
As for the tactics of slowing down, lying to stabilize the officials for the time being, it is not even within Zhao Chengjun's consideration. For one thing, this violates Zhao Chengjun's principle of believing in everything. Secondly, those in power are not afraid of making mistakes, but are afraid of indecision. If he doesn't make a clear statement now, and waiting to be delayed will only make people's hearts upset.
Zhao Chengjun finished thinking. After making sure that he was sure, he opened his mouth and said: "I understand your concerns, but people cannot stand without trust. I have told the court and subjects that Tang Shishi is the princess. Can she make a mistake and destroy her own promise? Since she became a princess, she has never betrayed me. Now she has given birth to a son. There is nothing wrong with her, so why will i abandon her? What's more, the reason why this prince stands here is to protect Territory, protect the family and defend the country, so that the people can sleep peacefully. Although she is a court lady, she is also a subject of Great Yan and the daughter of her parents. Now, you want to kill a woman who had done nothing wrong and had no power to fight back, just because she knew Empress Dowager Yao?"
Everyone was silent. After a difficult silence, the Mr. Lu said: "The princess is indeed infallible, but everyone is innocent, and she is guilty of a crime. She was sent by the Empress Dowager and her beauty is the greatest sin. I hope that the prince will reluctantly give up his love for the sake of the overall situation."
Zhao Chengjun replied: "This prince is not decieved. I will risk everything and anything for her."
"Wangye!" The crowd sighed, and they all bowed together, "I hope that the prince will put the overall situation first."
Zhao Chengjun endured his anger and said, "Well, you say that the overall situation is the most important thing, so this prince will discuss the overall situation with you. This prince's parents and elder brothers are all dead, and the first two fiancées died as well. If the princess had any accidents, wouldn't it be impossible to take off the name of King Gu Sha?"
(*King Gu Sha: I think he is a ghost...i am not sure though...)
The ministers were silent immediately. The people are ignorant and believe in the way of ghosts and gods the most. A person who kills a mother and wife is obviously not suited for being an emperor.
Everyone could only take a step back, and another minister proposed a compromise, saying: "The prince has a kind heart, and it is okay to keep the life of the princess. However, the young child is the future of the mansion, and he must not be raised by a lady of Empress Dowager Yao. Please move the little boy out of the house and forbid the princess to see the little boy again."
Zhao Chengjun shook his sleeves and said without hesitation: "Since the prince came to the fief, he has been educating the people to be loyal and filial, but i will do different? If this prince bypasses his wife and gives his children to other women to raise them, what will the people think of me? The people think that the prince dotes on other women and ignores his wife? In the long run, how can the prince win the trust of the people and advocate loyalty and filial piety?"
Ma Er didn't understand these words, but he knew at least that Zhao Chengjun didn't agree to kill the mother, and he didn't even agree to take the little son away. Ma Er was anxious and blurted out: "This is not okay. What should we do?"
Zhao Chengjun said: "She is both the princess and the child's biological mother, and it is right for her to raise her children. She is sincere and filial, and is not a wicked person. She should be allowed to raise her children."
When Zhao Zixun heard this, he lowered his eyes and said, "Father, she is a beauty sent by the court."
"I know." Zhao Chengjun increased his tone slightly, "But she is even more than that, she is Princess Jing, my wife, and the child's mother."
Everyone heard this. Zhao Chengjun is truly partial to the princess. Listening to Zhao Chengjun's words, he wanted to always let Tang Shishi be the princess, and he was the kind who was justified and had real power.
They far underestimated the degree of the favor of the princess. At first, everyone thought that Zhao Chengjun was so good to Tang Shishi because of the child in her stomach. Now that the child was born safely, Tang Shishi should be put to death. But this was not the case, Zhao Chengjun openly expressed his love for Tang Shishi and openly said that he will protect her.
They have already spoken for this reason, and it is enough for Prince Jing to take advantage of the situation. Prince Jing refuses, can they rush into the palace and embarrass the princess?
How dare they! No man can tolerate outsiders treating his wife and children like this, not even a dead brother. It is said that brothers are like siblings and women are like clothes, but since ancient times, no man can live without clothes.
Since ancient times, a man's beloved had to die with them. Mr. Lu quickly turned around and said: "The princess understands righteousness, and the prince believes her. The prince will be able to distinguish right from wrong, and abandon the dark. The prince is like that. He is the backbone of all of us, since the prince trusts the princess, the courtiers naturally trust the princess."
Zhao Chengjun breathed a sigh of relief and said, "This is good."
The most resourceful Mr. Lu has already expressed his stance, and the others have nothing to say but salute, apologizing for the disrespectful remarks made to the princess. The atmosphere in the study was very awkward, and everyone quickly asked to retire. Before they left the house, Zhao Chengjun's voice came from behind unpreparedly: "Today's words, after going out of this door, this prince has never heard it. From now on, she is the princess of Jing Mansion. If anyone wants to harm her, This prince will deal with it according to the law."
Everyone looked at each other, knowing that Zhao Chengjun looked calm and easy-going, and he was going to discuss the matter. In fact, they were very angry at their intentions to kill Tang Shishi. This time, the law didn't blame them, and next time, they won't have such good luck.
Several people lowered their eyes and sighed.
Tang Shishi slept for a long time, and she even felt that she had never slept this long since she was born. Tang Shishi moved her fingers, and the maids heard the movement and surrounded her one after another: "Princess, are you awake?"
Tang Shishi strenuously opened her eyes, and after trying for a long time, she could finally see clearly. She glanced around and asked, "What time is it?"
"It is already the Eighth hour."
"Eight hour." Tang Shishi murmured, "I actually slept for so long."
It was dark when she gave birth, but she didn't expect it to be dark when she woke up. Tang Shishi suddenly thought of something and quickly said, "Where is the child?"
"Don't worry, princess, the little prince is here." Outside the curtain, Du Juan's voice was near. She was holding a big red baby in her arms, and behind her were two sleek and honest women who were the child's nannies. Tang Shishi's eyes lit up when she saw the baby, "Hurry up and give him to me."
Du Juan put the baby on the bed and it leaned against Tang Shishi. Numerous maids gathered around and watched the child with Tang Shishi: "Wangfei, little master's nose is very tall and upright, just like the princess."
"His mouth is also red. This lip color is brighter than that of a girl. When the little prince grows up, I don't know how many girls will be jealous for him."
The maids laughed together, and Tang Shishi was also amused, looking at the child with love.
The child's appearance is not pretty, his skin is red and white, his face is wrinkled, and his hair is crooked. But in the eyes of Tang Shishi, this is the cutest face in the world.
The maids were rushing to look at the child, and suddenly an invisible coldness swept the audience. The maids knew right away that Prince Jing was here.
The maids stood up straight, bowed their eyes and saluted: "Greetings to Wangye."
Tang Shishi moved and wanted to salute, but was stopped by Zhao Chengjun quickly: "What are you doing? Lie down."
Tang Shishi gave a hum, leaned on Zhao Chengjun's hand, and slowly lay back on the pillow. Zhao Chengjun sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to probe her forehead: "You finally woke up. Is there any physical discomfort?"
Tang Shishi shook her head, Zhao Chengjun couldn't rely on her to tell the truth, and he felt sorry for her. His voice became softer and softer, and said, "I asked the kitchen to prepare you shredded chicken porridge. Would you like to have some now?"
That being said, Tang Shishi is really hungry, and giving birth is physical work, and she doesn't have any strength now. Zhao Chengjun turned around and ordered the servants: "Go and bring the food. Niang, take the child away."
Tang Shishi immediately stopped when she heard it: "Why? I didn't even look at it. Why did you take it away?"
"No one wants to take him away." Zhao Chengjun whispered to Tang Shishi, "You should eat first, and then take him back when you are finished."
Hearing Zhao Chengjun's words like this, Tang Shishi was relieved. The nursemaid took the baby and left, and Du Juan brought the porridge. She was about to test the temperature, but Zhao Chengjun stopped her. Zhao Chengjun took the bowl from Du Juan and waved to the maids: "You may all leave."
Seeing this, Du Juan resigned wittily: "Yes."
The maids filed back. Zhao Chengjun did not shy away from outsiders. He tried the temperature on the wall of the bowl, scooped a spoon, and steadily fed it to Tang Shishi: "Open your mouth."
Tang Shishi opened her mouth and frowned, and said, "It tastes so mild."
"You just finished giving birth. You can't eat oil and salt." Zhao Chengjun whispered softly and said, "Hey, finish eating the rest."
The last maid exited the inner room, and Du Juan stayed behind and closed the door. The maid said enviously, "The prince is so kind to the princess. He doesn't dislike the inauspiciousness of the delivery room. He also feeds the princess himself. If it was another man, he would not care this much for his wife."
Du Juan glared at them vigorously and said, "Be quiet and get out."
The maids bowed their heads and walked away quickly. Du Juan looked inside again. A man sat by the bed, patiently feeding his wife who had just given birth. Du Juan was relieved, closed the door, and left quietly.
The main building of Yan'an Courtyard was wide and deep, and Zhao Chengjun and Tang Shishi in the inner room did not hear any movement at the door. Zhao Chengjun finished feeding Tang Shishi, put the bowl on the table beside him, and said, "I have drafted a few names for him, and I can't decide which one is better. You can have a look later."
It's about the child's name, so of course, Tang Shishi complied. What she thought of, she hesitated for a bit, and asked, "Wangye, where will the child live in the future?"
"Naturally with us." Zhao Chengjun looked calm and said lightly, "Don't worry, he is accompanied by two wet nurses, four nannies, and several maids. Liu Ji will send someone to stare for you, so you won't be tired. "
Tang Shishi was obviously relieved, of course she was not afraid of being tired, she was afraid that the child would be sent away.
It was a surprise that the child got to stay with her.
This answer came too quickly and easily, and made Tang Shishi think it was fake. She bit her lip, hesitated several times, and stubbornly asked: "Wangye... other people, haven't they said anything?"
Zhao Chengjun was still calm and said, "No. He is my son, and the rest of the mansion is happy, so why would they neglect him? Don't worry, everyone likes him very much, and they thank you very much. You have been working hard during this time. It's all your credit to give birth to such a healthy child. Next, you have to take care of your body and recover your body as soon as possible, so that you can take care of your child better and let people inside and outside the mansion be rest assured."
Tang Shishi undoubtedly breathed a long sigh of relief, she had been worried that the people outside Jing Mansion did not like her. Unexpectedly, it was she who treats these gentlemen with the heart of a villain. The other people did not think so, but had kindness towards the mother and son. Tang Shishi's eyes suddenly glowed, and she smiled brightly: "Okay."
She must recover as soon as possible, continue to perform the duties of Princess Jing, and never disappoint anyone.