Zhao Huan walked to the door, closed it, and said, "Princess, don't forget, I am also a regent."
Yuan Yun turned around, her gaze following Zhao Huan, and said, "But you are different from Erzhu Hua and the others."
Before his death, the late emperor entrusted his son to Empress Feng and four other ministers to serve as regents.
Grand Commandant Erzhu Hua, Minister of the Imperial Secretariat Tu He, Grand Master of the Palace Li Shou, and Grand Marshal Zhao Huan.
Tu He and Li Shou were civil servants, while Er Zhu Hua and Zhao Huan were military officers.
Since Lady Feng could not give birth to a son, she took Yuan Xiu, who had lost his birth mother, into her family at a young age. However, all she wanted was a title, and she did not treat Yuan Xiu well in reality.
Based on this relationship, first Lady Feng was made empress because of her son's status, and then Yuan Xiu was also made empress because of his mother's status.
However, Yuan Xiu was too young, and Empress Dowager Feng used him as a puppet, wielding absolute power in the palace.
Although his younger brother Feng Bao did not hold a higher official position than the four regents, Empress Dowager Feng granted him the title of Duke, and he was respectfully addressed as the Imperial Brother-in-Law by everyone in the court, becoming a tool in Empress Dowager Feng's hands.
Zhao Huan understood what Yuan Yun meant and said, "But Li Shou is the same as me; he hasn't abused his power or interfered in politics. Why not go after him?"
"Tu He is Li Shou's brother-in-law."
After a pause, Yuan Yun said frankly, "The Grand Marshal holds military power."
Zhao Huan smiled and said, "Does the Eldest Princess intend to seize power by force?"
“I don’t know.” Yuan Yun shook her head and said, “But when it comes to this kind of thing, the one with the knife is more useful than the one with the pen.”
"Please return, Princess. I will not help you."
Zhao Huan answered decisively, walked back to the table and sat down, saying, "But don't worry, tonight I will pretend you never came, and I won't reveal a single word of what you said."
Yuan Yun did not move, and said in a deep voice: "After the Empress Dowager's faction and powerful ministers are eliminated, my younger brother will need someone to assist him in ruling. I am just a woman and do not understand politics, so I can only appoint the Grand Marshal as prime minister."
Seeing that Zhao Huan did not interrupt, Yuan Yun controlled the pace and continued, "I haven't read many books, but I've always believed that a man's ultimate ambition is to be able to conquer the world on horseback and govern the country on foot. The Grand Marshal is the Dragon Commander of the Dragon Spearmen and has also risen to the rank of Grand Marshal. Conquering the world on horseback goes without saying. But if he could become the Prime Minister and the head of the civil officials, given his current age, he would be unprecedented and unparalleled in the Great Jing Dynasty. He would have no regrets in this life!"
Zhao Huan tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table and said, "Princess, you have indeed surprised me. I see the shadow of the late Emperor in you. But I'm sorry, I still cannot agree to your request."
"Why?" Yuan Yun finally lost control of the rhythm and began to ask.
Zhao Huan was silent for a while, seemingly organizing his thoughts, before saying, "You and Yuan Xiu are still children."
Yuan Yun paused for a moment, then said nothing more, bowed deeply to Zhao Huan, and left.
Watching Yuan Yun's disappearing figure, Zhao Huan sighed, "What a clever girl..."
When talking to intelligent people, you don't need to spell things out or explain them.
The maternal relatives and their faction are a united front, impossible to shake from within.
However, of the four regents, Zhao Huan and Li Shou were conservatives, while Erzhu Hua and Tu He were radicals, which created an opportunity for them to take advantage of the situation.
It was indeed the most suitable person for Yuan Yun to find Zhao Huan.
Zhao Huan refused, saying that Yuan Yun and Yuan Xiu were still just children.
It's also very clear.
It's not that I don't want to help you, but you're too young and not strong enough. I don't want to die with you.
Yuan Yun stopped asking questions because she understood.
One month later.
On a warm spring day, Zhao Huan returned home early, planning to take his wife out for a spring outing.
As soon as Zhao Huan entered the courtyard, he saw Mu Zhaojun sitting in the pavilion admiring the flowers, with a girl behind her massaging her shoulders.
Zhao Huan only saw the girl's face when he got closer.
I'm not very familiar with her, because she's not a maid in the household.
Yet it felt somewhat familiar; I had seen it one night a month ago.
Zhao Huan coughed and waved his hand, signaling the others in the pavilion to leave.
After the Qing people had finished speaking, Zhao Huan nodded slightly and said, "Your subject Zhao Huan greets the Princess."
Mu Zhaojun stiffened for a moment, looked at Yuan Yun in surprise, and asked in doubt, "Are you the Eldest Princess?"
Yuan Yun pressed down on Mu Zhaojun's body as she was about to rise and pay her respects, saying, "Madam, there's no need for formalities. Let's just talk normally."
Mu Zhaojun looked at Zhao Huan, who nodded and sat down on another chair.
"Why has the eldest princess come again?"
"If the Grand Marshal had agreed to my request last time, I probably wouldn't have dared to come again."
Zhao Huan narrowed his eyes and understood the meaning behind Yuan Yun's words.
If you agree to something too readily, it's actually less reliable.
Zhao Huan said, "It's pointless. I'm doing very well now, and I won't agree to your request."
Yuan Yun continued massaging Mu Zhaojun's shoulders without stopping, saying, "I believe that the Grand Marshal is not someone who only cares about personal honor and disgrace. You have ambitions."
Zhao Huan laughed and said, "You've only met me a few times, there's no need for you to say such flattering things."
"No. Whether a person has beliefs and ambitions can be seen."
Yuan Yun said earnestly, "There is light in the Grand Marshal's eyes."
Zhao Huan closed his eyes and stopped talking.
Just then, a child who looked to be about ten years old ran over.
"Father! Mother!"
"Cheng'er".
Mu Zhaojun hugged the running Zhao Cheng and took the opportunity to shift her position, preventing Yuan Yun from continuing to massage her shoulders.
"Cheng'er, have you finished your homework?"
"No. My invincible brother invited me to play with birds!"
"Nonsense, you're not allowed to go anywhere until you finish your homework."
"I'm going! I already promised Brother Invincible yesterday. A real man shouldn't break his promise!"
Zhao Huan withdrew her gaze and looked at Yuan Yun, saying, "Do you remember what I told you? You and my son are still just children."
Yuan Yun looked into Zhao Huan's eyes and said seriously, "I have already given the Grand Marshal's words to my younger brother."
"We are indeed children."
“But we… can be your child.”
Upon hearing this, both Zhao Huan and Mu Zhaojun were stunned.
Mu Zhaojun looked at Yuan Yun with almost fearful eyes.
Zhao Huan stood up, took Zhao Cheng's hand, and said, "Children can't stay children forever; they will grow up."
After speaking, Zhao Huan led Zhao Cheng away.
"Dad, where are you taking me? I want to play with birds."
"A person should keep their word. Dad will help you finish your homework before you go find Wudi."
Watching Zhao Huan and his son's retreating figures, Yuan Yun pursed her lips.
"You may leave now." Mu Zhaojun sighed and walked out of the pavilion.
She understood what Zhao Huan and Yuan Yun meant.
Yuan Yun's statement that she and Yuan Xiu could have Zhao Huan's child was the biggest promise she could make to Zhao Huan.
Zhao Huan said that children grow up, which is to tell Yuan Yun that you only need a father when you are still children, but you don't need one when you grow up.
Are there few instances of people discarding their tools after they've served their purpose?
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