Chapter Sixteen: Zhao Yan, Wang Zong, and Princess Bao'an

  Cao Song was Cao Ying's cousin, and naturally also a member of the military family. However, the current military family is no longer what it used to be, and the members of the military family have transformed into spoiled sons. For example, Cao Song in front of him is a typical spoiled son, who excels in eating, drinking, and having fun, and is familiar with every brothel in Kaifeng City. But if you ask him about marching and fighting, he doesn't know anything.

  As for Huyan Ping, he also came from a military family, and his ancestors were very famous in later generations. That is the famous Iron Whip Wang Huyan Zan in the Yang Family Generals' Romance. However, in real history, Huyan Zan was not actually enfeoffed as a king, and his highest position was only that of a Cishi (a low-ranking official).

  The real Hu Yan Zan, although not enfeoffed as a king, was also famous for his bravery in the early Song Dynasty. His greatest merit was to follow General Wang Quanfu's expedition against Later Shu as a vanguard officer, suffering multiple injuries without retreating. After pacifying the country, Hu Yan Zan repeatedly suggested to Emperor Taizong of Song that he should launch an expedition against Liao, but unfortunately, Emperor Taizong thought him brave but lacking in strategy and never agreed.

  Song Taizong's refusal made Hu Yan Zan extremely depressed, to express his own wishes, he actually got the whole body tattooed with "Red Heart Kill Traitor" words, and also had two lines of words on the back of both ears, which were "Out of the door forget home for country, in front of the array forget death for master", and he not only tattooed himself, but also his family members including wives, concubines, sons and daughters, among whom women only needed to get tattoos on their arms, while sons had to get tattoos all over their bodies like him, this has become a tradition of Hu Yan's family, however, by the time of Hu Yan Ping, it was enough to just get tattoos on the forehead and both cheeks.

  All of the above were learned from casual conversations with Zhao Yan and Cao Xiong, among which Cao Xiong made fun of Huyan's family tradition of tattoos. However, Huyan Ping was not bothered by it and even shared some funny stories about his family members getting tattoos, including a story about one of his aunts who couldn't get married because of her tattoos. It's unclear whether he is really heartless or just naturally open-minded.

  After some idle talk, Cao Song suddenly spoke up: "Third Brother, your brother-in-law Wang Zong is going to hold a poetry and literature gathering in the Western Garden of the Marquis's residence one month from now, called the Western Garden Elegant Gathering. At that time, all the noble young men and famous poets in Kaifeng will attend. You used to dislike Wang Zong the most and never attended his gatherings. Are you still not going this time?"

  "King Xuan?" Zhao Yan felt somewhat familiar with this name, but couldn't recall where she had heard it before. "Which of my sisters did he marry? Why do I dislike him?"

  Seeing Zhao Yan forget even Wang Chen, whom he disliked the most, also made Cao Xiong sigh silently. Hu Yanping was about to explain to Zhao Yan, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he became tongue-tied again and could only let Cao Xiong speak up to explain.

  "Third brother, Wang Zan is a descendant of the famous general Wang Quanfu. Speaking of which, he is also a descendant of a military family, but the Wang family has long abandoned martial arts and turned to literature. Wang Zan was exceptionally intelligent from childhood, excelling in poetry, songs, and calligraphy, with a style similar to that of famous masters. However, compared to these, his painting skills are unparalleled, earning him the reputation as the most talented among the descendants of military families. After the emperor ascended to the throne, he held Wang Zan in high regard and married your sister, Princess Bao'an, to him..."

  "No need to say more, I remember!" Cao Song hadn't finished speaking when Zhao Yan interrupted him. His mind really did have memories of Wang Zong, not just from this life, but also from his past life.

  Wang Shen was also very famous in the history of Northern Song Dynasty. This person indeed had great talent, his poetry and painting were both unique, especially his landscape paintings, which were considered the best at that time. This earned him recognition from the scholar-official class, particularly among friends like Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, Mi Fu, Qin Guan, and Li Gonglin. Therefore, later generations also regarded Wang Shen as a member of the Su school. Later, when Su Shi's case of "Uttai Poetry" broke out, Wang Shen was also implicated.

  Above is Zhao Yan's impression of Wang Zong in his previous life, but in this life, Zhao Yan remembers that Wang Zong was worse than pigs and dogs. In the people Zhao Yan hated the most, Wang Zong ranked first. The main reason for this was Zhao Yan's poor sister, Princess Bao'an.

  Baoning Princess was the second daughter of the current Emperor Zhao Xing, named Zhao Shuning, two years older than Zhao Yan. After Zhao Xing ascended to the throne, she was granted the title of Baoning Princess. However, after her brother Zhao Xu ascended to the throne, also known as Song Emperor Taizong later on, Baoning Princess would be granted the title of Long Princess of Shu, but unfortunately this poor woman died at the age of thirty due to illness or being bullied to death by Wang Quan.

  Zhaoshuning has been very caring of Zhao Yan since childhood, and among the siblings, the relationship between the two brothers is the best. Originally, Zhaoshuning married Wang Chen, a great talent, whose family background was also good, and it can be said that they were a match made in heaven. Moreover, Princess Baoan's personality was gentle, and she was very filial to Wang Chen's mother, and even more caring towards Wang Chen himself, making her a model among the princesses of the Song Dynasty.

  However, Wang Mou was a lecherous person who not only had mistresses outside but also took in eight concubines at home. He even often brought them back home to have fun, and treated Princess Baoan with great coldness. It can be said that Zhao Shuning's life after marriage was very miserable, and she had already fallen ill several times because of this. When Zhao Yan learned about her sister's situation, she once went to Wang Mou's mansion to make a big scene, but unfortunately, it did not change anything, and instead, she was scolded.

  "Go! Why not go? This time I must go!" Thinking about Wang Zhen's own sister, Princess Bao'an, Zhao Yan gritted his teeth and said. Earlier, he had recovered some memories of Wang Zhen, which may have also been influenced by the previous Zhao Yan, causing Zhao Yan to develop an unreasonable aversion to Wang Zhen, even a desire to find trouble with him. No matter what, he couldn't suppress it, so in the end, Zhao Yan simply didn't suppress it and let everything follow his own heart.

  When Zhao Yan actually wanted to attend Wang Zhen's Western Garden gathering, Cao Song was stunned for a moment. Then he seemed to think of something and hastily opened his mouth to advise: "Third brother, you won't be thinking of going to the Crown Prince's mansion again like last time, will you? That can't happen! Last time you were already beaten with twenty boards by the authorities and strictly ordered not to look for trouble with Wang Zhen again. If this time you go and cause more trouble, who knows if the authorities won't directly split your buttocks open, or even temporarily take away your title of Duke?"

  "Hey, Ninth Brother, don't worry, causing trouble is actually a stupid move. I'm really going to attend the gathering, and not just this time, but every time Wang Zhan holds such gatherings, I'll be there!" Zhao Yan said with a very cold smile. He dared to bet that Wang Zhan definitely disliked him too, and if he wanted to annoy someone, he had to appear in front of him from time to time. Even if Zhao Yan didn't do anything, it would make Wang Zhan's mood worse, let alone the current Zhao Yan was no longer the same as before. Who knows, maybe he still had a chance to make Wang Zhan lose face, and that would be even more satisfying.

  Cao Song saw that Zhao Yan spoke with great logic, not like a temporary outburst of anger. This made him even more worried. If he had known this earlier, he shouldn't have mentioned Wang Zong's matter just now. What if Zhao Yan really quarreled with Wang Zong again? Maybe he would also be punished together, and even bear the reputation of sowing discord.

  At this time, when Huyan Ping suddenly recovered and opened his mouth: "Wang Zuo married the Princess of Bao'an, relying on his own talent, he didn't put the princess in his eyes..."

  Cao Song and Huyan Ping stayed at Zhao Yan's place for a while before getting up to bid farewell. Zhao Yan escorted them to the front hall, where Cao Ying also received the news and came to see them off. Although she didn't like her ninth brother and third sister-in-law, the etiquette of the royal palace couldn't be neglected.

  However, when Cao Song left, he quietly said a few words to Cao Ying and made an imploring expression. Cao Ying didn't show any reaction at the time, but after Cao Song and Hu Yanping left, Cao Ying unexpectedly came to Zhao Yan's study.

  "Just now, I heard Jiu Ge say that you are going to attend the Xiyuan Elegant Gathering hosted by Wang Zong?" Cao Ying asked as soon as she came in, directly asking, earlier Cao Song was thinking of letting her persuade Zhao Yan not to attend the Xiyuan Elegant Gathering.

  "How could you, are you afraid I'll cause trouble there, so you want to stop me from going?" Zhao Yan also immediately guessed Cao Ying's intention.

  Contrary to Zhao Yan's expectations, Cao Ying shook her head and said: "Princess Bao'an is gentle and kind, she respects her parents-in-law after marriage, and even allows her husband to take concubines. She can be said to be a model for us women. Princess and I are also close friends in the boudoir. Unfortunately, such a good woman married Wang Zong, who has talent but no virtue. It can be said that she suffered greatly. If you can make Wang Zong embarrassed, or even unable to show his face, it would be considered as avenging Princess Bao'an's grievances. So I won't stop you from going."

  "Huh?" Zhao Yan looked at Cao Ying with some surprise, "Although I'm going to attend the Western Garden gathering, even I don't have confidence in making Wang Zhan uncomfortable, how can you be so confident in me? Don't tell me you think I'm more talented than that Wang Zhan?"

  When Cao Ying mentioned Princess Bao'an, her attitude towards Zhao Yan had already softened somewhat. However, upon hearing Zhao Yan's words, she turned cold again and said: "King Wang holds a Western Garden Elegant Gathering every few months, where he and several skilled painters paint the scene of the gathering, then evaluate their work to determine the best. King Wang's painting skills are exceptional, and his works are always ranked first. If you want to make King Wang lose face, it would be best to use this time to practice your painting skills well. With that unique skill, you can definitely surpass King Wang and take first place!"

  Cao Ying finished speaking and didn't wait for Zhao Yan's response, turning to leave. However, just as she reached the door of the study, she suddenly turned around and smiled at Zhao Yan: "The Duke doesn't remember past events, I reckon he's also forgotten what kind of person my cousin is. But if I were you, I'd thoroughly inspect the study to see if anything valuable has gone missing."

  "Lost something?" Zhao Yan was a bit suspicious of his own ears, but when his gaze fell on his desk, he immediately shouted, "Damn it, where's my drawing?"