Chapter 37 037 I am powerless.

While living in the princess's residence, Zhao Jialing was surrounded by many servants and couldn't understand how her fourth sister had been bitten by a snake.

Being bitten by a snake is dangerous, and Zhao Jialing had no mind to paint. He hurriedly sent a physician from the Imperial Pharmacy to check on the situation.

She paced back and forth in the hall. She wasn't particularly close to her fourth sister, just slightly closer than the others. Imagining her fourth sister lying on the bed, her face ashen and barely alive, she couldn't help but shudder, a restless urge on her heart.

She didn't want anything to happen to her fourth sister.

"San San, how is it? Aren't you omnipotent?" Zhao Jialing couldn't help but ask.

Before the wise ruler could even reply, someone else came to announce that the prince consort was requesting an audience.

Gao Shao still has the leisure to come to the palace? Then he must be alright.

Zhao Jialing breathed a sigh of relief, but then doubts arose.

Why is she running to the palace instead of staying at the princess's residence to take care of her fourth sister?! Could it be that she wants to ask for a divorce while her fourth sister is too weak to cause any trouble? Zhao Jialing was thinking all sorts of things when she waved her hand and told the eunuch to let Gao Shao in.

Upon entering the hall, Gao Shao immediately performed a deep bow, saying, "Your subject is guilty."

Zhao Jialing: "?"

No way?

Zhao Jialing couldn't help but ask, "Are you going to take advantage of Fourth Sister's illness and then abandon her?" She sighed, "I've known all along that you have ill intentions."

"I had no such intention," the Emperor said, his words carrying little accusation, more of a sigh, yet Gao Shao's face still paled slightly. She lowered her head and said, "The princess's injury is related to me. Although it's nothing serious, she was quite frightened; it's my fault." She could tolerate the commotion with the princess in the palace, but the news had already reached the palace, leaving her no time to delay. She was the princess's husband; the princess was the true ruler. If the palace was furious, she would accept it.

"You released snakes to bite Fourth Sister?!" Zhao Jialing had a sudden inspiration, and her voice rose slightly. "Even if you're unhappy with Fourth Sister's madness, there's no need to harm her like this. Tell me quickly that there's a hidden reason. I still need the Minister of War to accomplish important things."

Gao Shao: "..."

Your Majesty is still so lively. Why did Xie Lanzhao say that Your Majesty has made great progress recently?

Although he came to apologize, Gao Shao refused to take the blame that wasn't his.

She respectfully explained the whole story.

Zhao Jialing was stunned and wanted to yell, "You're sick!"

Gao Shao loves raising snakes.

The princess was afraid of snakes, and since Gao Shao always played with her beloved snake, she had it thrown away.

Gao Shao and his elder sister started arguing again about their devotion to completing their studies.

Instead of clamoring to become a Taoist priest, the princess went to find the snake herself.

The place where she "released" the animals was also interesting; it was at Shangqing Temple.

The prince consort did bring back his beloved snake, but the princess suffered a terrible fate, as she was bitten by the snake.

Zhao Jialing: "..."

Why would the princess throw away the prince consort's pet? She's so afraid, why does she still want to personally coil around the snake?

Zhao Jialing's face turned red as he held back from saying things like, "You bother me with such a trivial matter."

She gazed at Gao Shao—

My impression of her is still from her childhood. Gao Shao also studied with them. Unlike Xie Lanzhao's introverted nature, Gao Shao was quite flamboyant and arrogant. It was precisely because of this that she caught the eye of my elder sister. The little prodigy gradually disappeared from Zhao Jialing's memory, replaced by "Gao Shao, who was cleverly taken away by my elder sister".

Then these two, through sheer willpower, managed to transform what was once considered an unpleasant situation into what everyone saw as a perfect match, a couple destined for a long and happy life together.

If she punishes Gao Shao, her elder sister will be able to move freely again tomorrow and will come to the palace to cause trouble again.

Zhao Jialing waved his hand weakly and said, "Go back and take care of your elder sister."

Are you still troubled by the question of who is the best and who is the worst? As the saying goes, there are no useless people, only people in the wrong place.

[Stop talking nonsense.] Zhao Jialing was annoyed and interrupted the Wise Ruler System directly.

[The main quest "Prelude to a Harmonious Family: Growing Old Together" is now open. Please complete the quest.]

Zhao Jialing: "..."

It's not like she and Xie Lanzhao grew old together, so how can this be considered her mission?!

[Princess Zhao Xianju is the host's older sister, so she's family. I've checked their futures, and the probability of separation or death is extremely high. Both of them are of very high status, and Princess Zhao Xianju's sudden death will cause a huge uproar in the court. In short, resolving the matter of these two is beneficial not only to the family but also to the nation.]

Zhao Jialing: [Why was it my elder sister who died suddenly!]

The shadow of death loomed in Zhao Jialing's mind, and a gloomy atmosphere settled over his face.

[Fine, even if I don't want to care about my elder sister, I still have to strive for my goals.]

What exactly is their conflict? It's not that Zhao Jialing only wants to rely on the system, but that she really has no other choice.

When Princess Jinxian and her husband had their argument brought to the palace, she and the Empress Dowager both inquired about it. But Fourth Sister, blushing, stammered and remained silent, finally managing to squeeze out, "It's nothing." As for the husband, he looked angry yet confused and innocent, which was truly disheartening. How difficult it was to resolve such a domestic matter! Her experience told her to stay out of their business; doing so might only earn her being seen as superfluous.

"You'll have to ask the host yourself," the Wise Ruler System replied dismissively, then began to play dead.

Zhao Jialing: "..."

After sending Gao Shao back, Zhao Jialing sent some precious medicinal herbs with him.

The princess's residence is in Wubenfang, not far from the Xie residence. Gao Shao is also acquainted with Xie Lanzhao, so perhaps he can find out something by asking Xie Lanzhao.

After discussing state affairs the next day, Zhao Jialing kept Xie Lanzhao behind.

However, the other officials' gazes were somewhat strange.

Zhao Jialing didn't think much of it. After waving away the people in her way, she eagerly walked towards Xie Lanzhao and asked, "Do you know about what happened at Princess Jinxian's residence?"

Xie Lanzhao asked, "Is it about the princess being bitten by a snake?" She was on good terms with Gao Shao and had heard about the princess's affairs.

Zhao Jialing nodded and then shook his head. After a moment's consideration, he asked, "Do you know why my elder sister and her husband are not getting along?"

Xie Lanzhao lowered her eyelashes and said calmly, "It's just an ordinary family matter."

“My elder sister is a princess, so this cannot be considered a family matter,” Zhao Jialing snorted. “Every move a princess makes concerns the dignity of the nation. If my elder sister and her husband behave improperly, I will also lose face.”

Xie Lanzhao said, "Why doesn't Your Majesty ask about the princess?"

Zhao Jialing pursed her lips: "I just can't get a straight answer out of them." How would she know what her elder sister was thinking? When she was making a scene, she was gritting her teeth, as if she wanted nothing more than a divorce from her husband. If anyone actually said anything bad about her husband, she would turn on them, as if those who spoke up for her were incredibly ungrateful. Zhao Jialing thought carefully for a moment, then suddenly said, "I remember now, the first time they had such a huge fight was when Gao Shao resigned from his official post, wasn't it!"

The dynasty did not prohibit imperial sons-in-law from holding official positions, and the title of Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant gradually became a nominal one, granted only when a princess married him. As for official posts, Gao Shao did not pursue the imperial examination route; he had already become the magistrate of Chang'an. Chang'an was a county in the capital, and its magistrate was a high-ranking official of the fifth rank or higher. It was only a matter of time before he entered the Council of State Affairs and became prime minister. However, Zhao Jialing had already ascended the throne, and Gao Shao could not accept any further official appointments.

"Could it be that Fourth Sister is dissatisfied with her because the Imperial Son-in-Law has no official position?" Zhao Jialing's eyes flickered as she gazed at Xie Lanzhao. "Alas, why did the Imperial Son-in-Law resign from his post back then?" At that time, the late emperor had just passed away, and some of the regents were still alive. In the midst of this murky situation, she only "ruled by doing nothing" and did not know much about the situation.

Xie Lanzhao lowered her eyes and remained silent.

How could she not know the reason?

King Zhong, Zhao Qingcao, was bedridden due to paralysis and had no chance of ascending the throne.

But what about Princess Jinxian? After all, she, Prince Hengshan, and Princess Zhongshan were born of the same mother. In the past, the imperial princes fought for power, resulting in mutual destruction. Those people still in court seem to have lay low, but who knows if they might harbor new ideas in the future? Princess Jinxian and her husband have no ambition, but who can guarantee that those behind them won't develop audacious and rebellious thoughts?

Her relationship with Gao Shao wasn't entirely pure; it was subtly tinged with wariness towards Princess Jin Xian. Gao Shao, intelligent and perceptive, knew where the line lay, so he proactively chose to resign from his official post.

“If the princess’s discord stems from her husband’s idleness, then perhaps giving him an official position would reduce the conflict,” Zhao Jialing added.

Such a commotion, it's obvious they have too much free time.

Xie Lanzhao didn't directly say "no." She looked at Zhao Jialing and said gently, "Then what does Your Majesty think the驸马 (imperial son-in-law) should do?"

"Huh?" Zhao Jialing slapped her forehead, unable to think of anything. A low-ranking official position wasn't suitable for a prince consort, and a high-ranking one—wasn't quite appropriate either. As for honorary titles, prince consorts already had plenty. She pursed her lips and sighed, "I want to find them something to do. This 'losing the snake and looking for it, only to be bitten by it' thing—isn't that something a three-year-old would do? If they have something to do, will they still be causing trouble?"

"They lack a bit of the spirit of an ox or a horse," the Wise Ruler System murmured.

[Not everyone is like Xie Lanzhao. I still hope she can rest more, but if I were to say that, others would think I'm trying to seize the prime minister's power. Thankfully, there's the "slight rest pillow" available; I see she's in good spirits and healthy.] Zhao Jialing thought to himself.

When the duties of assisting the emperor in governing the country and managing all affairs of state were reduced to the words "oxen and horses" in Zhao Jialing's mouth, Xie Lanzao's mood became complicated. She cast aside her initial displeasure and said to Zhao Jialing, "The Imperial Son-in-Law Gao is learned and knowledgeable, with a vast knowledge of maps, astronomy, and various arts. Mountains and rivers, geography, birds and beasts, even plants and insects, are all within his grasp, readily available to him. Mingde Academy has a natural history department; why not let the Imperial Son-in-Law Gao teach it?"

"What can my elder sister do?" Zhao Jialing blinked. "I'm afraid that while the prince consort is lecturing to his students, my elder sister might suddenly come wielding a whip. Although martial arts performances are noisy, we can't let them ruin the hard work that you and I have put in."

Xie Lanzhao remained silent.

How could Princess Jinxian be so absurd? How did she become a demon in His Majesty's heart?

She said, "The princess is able to abide by the law and still has some sense of propriety in her actions."

He simply submitted a petition to the Daoist sect, unlike a certain member of the royal family who was demoted from a prince to a duke for violating a prohibition.

Zhao Jialing nodded: "Then let her look at books on natural history." Having solved a problem that had been standing in the way, Zhao Jialing was in a good mood. She wanted to pat Xie Lanzhao on the shoulder and say earnestly, "You are truly my pillar of support," but she felt that it would be too mature and would not only fail to show her respect for Xie Lanzhao but would also make people laugh.

The thought flashed through his mind in an instant, and Zhao Jialing had already reached out his hand.

However, he didn't reach Xie Lanzhao's shoulder; instead, he grabbed her hand.

Caught off guard, Xie Lanzhao looked up, her eyes filled with astonishment.

[If the first step is like a fish in water, can the second step be like fish and water in perfect harmony?] Zhao Jialing was lost in thought.

"Your Majesty!" A blush rose on Xie Lanzao's fair face.

"Hmm?" Zhao Jialing looked at Xie Lanzhao, puzzled. "What's wrong?"

I've never seen Xie Lanzhao resist so fiercely when I grabbed her hand before.

Zhao Jialing was surprised.

How strange.

Is she in a bad mood? Is she taking it out on me?

A few breaths later.

Come at me, all of you! I'm fine. Who can blame me for being so magnanimous! I am mighty and strong, with a heart as vast as the Eastern Sea and shoulders as firm as Mount Tai, capable of withstanding the ravages of storms.

Zhao Jialing wore a blank and innocent face, but her inner thoughts were in turmoil, and she was quite amused by herself.

Xie Lanzao is numb.

Who's going to take care of her?

On second thought, well, at least it's not during the court assembly.