Chapter Sixteen: Casual Talks in the Palace

  It was already the time to light the lamps, and the palace was brightly lit. Today is the birthday of the current emperor, and during the day, the emperor had a grand feast for all his ministers and entertained envoys from all directions. In the evening, the empress dowager set up a family banquet in the Funing Hall, leading all the concubines to congratulate the emperor on his birthday. Although it was called a family banquet, not everyone could attend. Apart from Empress Wang, there were only Noble Consort Zheng Hongmei, Consort Wang Furu, Consort Liu Lianlian, and Consort Cui Yu'e, as well as several imperial consorts who had recently given birth to princes, and several older princes and princesses.

  Empress Wang led the consorts to pay their respects to the Emperor and offer him a longevity wine, while Zhao Ji spent the whole day feasting with his officials and foreign envoys, already showing signs of fatigue. Since her demotion, Empress Wang had been living in seclusion, rarely going out, and her health had been declining day by day. Although she put on some makeup today, it was hard to conceal her sickly complexion. After paying her respects, she sat down beside the Emperor.

  "Wishing the Emperor a long life, may his good fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea and his longevity as enduring as Mount Nan!" Next, Crown Prince Zhao Huan led two younger brothers and sisters to kneel down and wish Zhao Ji a happy birthday. He had grown up in the palace under the guidance of Empress Wang, and from a young age, he was already well-versed in etiquette, like a little old man.

  "Haha, great!" Zhao Ji laughed and said. Since he heard the words of Old Dao Liu Hun Kang, after raising the northwest of the imperial city, his sons and daughters were born one after another. Now he already has nine sons and four daughters, more than ten children. "What gifts will you all bring to your father?" With a group of children, he was in a great mood. Having so many children, he wouldn't face the awkward situation that happened after his brother's death, where there wasn't even an heir.

  "Your Majesty, I wrote a rhapsody today, describing the grand ceremony of all officials congratulating your birthday!" Zhao Huan said solemnly.

  "Your Majesty, I've written a poem to wish you a long life!" Zhao Huan's words had barely fallen when his third son, Zhao Kai, spoke up with a smile. Although he was born several months later than Zhao Che, he showed exceptional talent in the arts.

  "Your Majesty, I am unable to compose poetry, so I have copied out the Xiaojing and present it to you!" The fourth son, Zhao Ke, respectfully presented it.

  "I embroidered a handkerchief for Father Emperor, and pricked my fingers several times!" said Zhao Yudan, the eldest daughter, who was impatiently speaking. She and Zhao Shi were born of the same mother but had vastly different personalities.

  "I embroidered a sachet for Father Emperor," said Zhao Jin Nu, the second daughter, hastening to speak.

  "All right, all for Father, reward, reward!" Zhao Ji said with excitement, instructing the small yellow gatekeeper who was standing by to reward.

  "Hmm, not bad, this one is good too!" Zheng Guifei and Zhao Ji evaluated the children's gifts together, with smiles on their faces but sorrow in their hearts. If Rong'er were in the palace, she should be standing here too, but now who knows what she's doing.

  "Your Excellency, the third prince's poetry is truly exceptional, with a grandeur that is reminiscent of the great masters. He will surely be a top scholar in the future!" One of the attendants, Nei Sheng, said with a smile.

  "Yes, indeed, give the golden belt from the inner storage to Zhao Kui!" Zhao Ji nodded and said. After Emperor Taizong ascended to the throne, he had made thirty golden belts, each worth tens of millions of guan. One was for his own use, one was given to General Cao Bin, and the rest were stored in the inner storage. Zhao Ji had once given one to Tong Guan, who was monitoring the military in the northwest. Now, being able to give one to Zhao Kui could also be considered a great favor.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhao Kui caught Yang Jian's eye and immediately kowtowed in gratitude.

  "Huh? Where's Erlang? Why haven't I seen Erlang?" Zhao Ji asked with a smile, putting down the things in his hand.

  "Your Majesty, didn't the Second Prince already leave the palace to avoid disaster?" Yang Jian hastily said.

  "Oh! It's been almost a year since Erlang left the palace, maybe he has already forgotten about his old man!" Zhao Ji thought for a moment and said with a smile.

  "Your Majesty, with so many children around you, it's easy to forget!" At this time, Empress Cui stepped forward, peeled an orange and handed it to Zhao Ji's mouth.

  "Your Excellency, Erlang has not forgotten about the Emperor, he also submitted a congratulatory memorial!" Yang Jian said.

  "Bring it to me quickly!" Zhao Ji exclaimed with great joy, Yang Jia hurriedly took out the congratulatory tablet from his sleeve and handed it over to the emperor's desk, secretly smiling at Zheng Guifei. Ordinary people have eight eyes, but Yang Jia has ten, relying on his ability to handle matters and think of ways to swindle money for the emperor, he had managed to get this far. Even Cai Jing admired his tactics, he knew that the emperor was not fond of Empress Wang, but extremely favored Zheng Guifei, so he didn't dare hide anything.

  Zheng Hongmei was also extremely shocked, taking the folded paper from Yang Jia's hand and unfolding it to stare blankly at its contents. There wasn't a single word inside, only several drawings: The first drawing depicted a child eating, with a bubble emerging from their head containing a man and woman who resembled the emperor and herself; The second drawing showed a child sleeping in bed, with a similar bubble containing the emperor and herself; The third drawing featured a child sitting on the stairs with his chin in his hand, watching enviously as a mother dog played with her two puppies; The fourth drawing depicted a child running away in fright, pursued by a menacing figure wielding a knife, while a bubble above showed a man wearing a crown and holding a sword to protect him; The fifth drawing showed a child smiling and offering a large peach to a man dressed in imperial robes.

  "What did Erlang write?" Zhao Ji urged, seeing Zheng Hongmei staring blankly without a word.

  "Here it is!" Zheng Hongmei handed the folded paper to Zhao Ji.

  Zhao Jie took a glance, first stunned, then burst out laughing, and it took him a while to stop. He pointed at the folding fan and said: "Second Brother, this is really interesting, I didn't think he could come up with something like that." After finishing speaking, he couldn't help but laugh again.

  "Your Majesty is so delighted, let us also follow and rejoice!" At this time, Cui Yu'e walked over with a swaying gait and said to the Emperor.

  "Pass it on to everyone!" Zhao Ji smiled and handed the note to Cui Yu'e.

  "Hey, Erlang's painting is something else! When Sanlang was two years old, he painted better than this!" Cui Yu'e seemed to have reached the ultimate joke, and laughed so hard that she was shaking with laughter as she spoke to everyone.

  The note was being passed from hand to hand in the hall, with some people bursting into laughter and others trying to hold back their smiles. When it reached Zhao Huan's hands, he didn't laugh. Zhao Kai snatched it away, took a glance, and disdainfully handed it over to Zhao Jin who was standing stupidly on the side, not understanding what was going on. Before he could take a closer look, Zhao Yu had snatched it away from him, refusing to give it back to anyone else, as she too understood that everyone was making fun of her brother.

  The people in the hall laughed and ridiculed, listening to their whispers, Zheng Hongmei's face turned red and white with embarrassment, "Official family, Second Brother is still young and doesn't understand things, don't blame him!" She said softly to Zhao Ji.

  "It doesn't matter!" Zhao Ji waved his hand and asked a few children: "Do you know what the second son's painting means?"

  "Second Brother's painting is purely a childish scribble, his son doesn't have any talent!" Zhao Kai said hastily.

  "Heh heh, Second Brother's little drawing of a man wearing imperial robes really looks like Father Emperor!" Zhao Ji said with a silly grin.

  "Big Brother, what's wrong?" Zhao Ji didn't pay attention to the two little ones and turned to ask Zhao Huan.

  "Your Majesty, I have understood one thing, but I don't know if it's right or wrong!"

  "Oh, tell me!" Zhao Ji leaned forward and said.

  "Yes, the child in the painting should be Second Brother, and the two adults should be Father Emperor and Mother Empress. The meaning of the first two paintings is that the son thinks Second Brother is thinking of Father and Mother when he eats and sleeps. But the son is foolish and hasn't figured it out yet!" Zhao Huan bowed his hands and said in a proper manner.

  "Ah, Huan'er's words are quite right!" Zhao Jie was an artistic genius who could come up with questions like "Hidden ancient temple in the chaotic mountains" and "Buying a few sentences at the bridge where I live". Someone like him would never fail to understand the meaning behind Zhao Shi's paintings. He simply found it interesting that Zhao Shi's portraits had both the innocence of children and exaggerated brushstrokes.

  The queen took over Zhao's letter and smiled gently, nodding at the third paragraph and saying to Zheng Hongmei: "Sister, this second son is really a thoughtful person!"

  "Zheng Hongmei" is not a fool, she's just anxious about her child, and the insider is confused. After listening to Zhao Huan's words and being reminded by Wang Huanghou, she already understood the meaning of the painting. He envies the little dog for having his mother accompany him, while he himself is alone. The connection with the previous two paintings is very clear. Her nose turned sour, and tears fell down.

  "Er Lang's painting seems to mean that he is in danger and wants me to protect him. My son, who dares to touch a single hair on his head? But he drew me like a door god!" Zhao Ji said, pointing at the fourth painting.

  "Guān jiā, zhě ér huà de shì zhēn de, shàng gè yuè fǔ zhōng de yī gè guǎn shì mǎi tōng le huā yuán de yī gè huā jiàng hé dào guàn lǐ de xiǎo dào shì, qián rù nèi fǔ bǎ zhě ér piàn dào pì jìng zhī chù, xiǎng xíng cì tā, xìng kuī gēn suí tā de xiǎo huáng mén pīn sǐ jiù hù, sǐ le liǎng gè rén, cái shā le xí kè, zhě ér xiǎn xiǎn sàng mìng!" Zhèng Hóng Méi mǒ le bǎ yǎn lèi shuō dào.

  "These people have eaten leopard gall and dared to assassinate the prince, they must be exterminated!" Zheng Hongmei's words shocked everyone, and Cui Yue'e suddenly spoke viciously.

  "Hmph, thank you for your concern, sister. The person who assassinated the thief was recommended by someone from Commander Cui's mansion. From now on, we won't bother you with our affairs!" Zheng Hongmei said coldly, glancing at Cui Yu'e.

  "Second Brother still calls me 'Voice of the Mother', how can I not worry?" Cui Yu'e was already feeling guilty, seeing that things had been pointed out by Zheng Hongmei, she sat down with a awkward smile.

  "Yang Jie, what have you done?! Something was sent from the Second Master's residence and it led to such a big incident!" Zhao Ji's face didn't look good; someone had actually dared to lay hands on his own son.

  "Official, calm down!" Yang Jiaolong, who was in charge of the safety of the palace as the head of the Imperial City Guard, similar to the current Director of the Central Guard Bureau, and was responsible for the security work of the princes, quickly knelt down and said: "Your Excellency, it's not a small mistake. The second prince is far away in Xiangyi, and has not yet established his own court, so there is no precedent for sending palace guards to protect him!"

  "This" Zhao Jie was stunned, Yang Jian was right, the young princes all lived in the palace, after growing up and except for the crown prince, they would be assigned to separate residences and then have guards dispatched from the palace, but Zhao Jie had left the palace before coming of age, this was indeed a first, there was no precedent!