Chapter 142: After giving birth, you and the princess can have a bunch of your own children...
Zhang Xiuhua hurried over upon hearing the noise. "What did you say? Bai Jinan is dead?"
Chunlan nodded: "It is said that the emperor gave him poisoned wine before returning to the palace."
Zhang Xiuhua's heart sank. "What about the poison in the princess' body?"
Chunlan was stunned: "What kind of poison is in the princess's body?"
Zhang Xiuhua then told Su He about how she was poisoned by the Heart-Eating Flower.
Chunlan broke out in a cold sweat and could only ask Su He, "Then what should the princess do?"
Su He smiled faintly and reassured them, "Don't worry, I've been collecting more detoxification recipes these days, and I'll always be able to find a way."
Zhang Xiuhua was so anxious she was about to cry, "But...but it's been so long, and the princess still hasn't found the recipe, has she?"
Su He replied, "But now that I'm a princess, I have free access to the Jixian Academy, Liang's largest library. Facing this vast sea of books, I'll naturally gain something different."
Zhang Xiuhua could only clasp her hands together and chant, "Please pray to the gods and Buddhas to keep the princess safe and sound. Please pray to the gods and Buddhas to bless her..."
The next day, Su He began to enter Jixian Academy to collect books.
The next day, the emperor personally named Su He the "Princess Yongyi" of Liang State, which means bravery and perseverance, and gave her a princess mansion.
The princess's mansion was once a prince's mansion. The prince was Zhao Chengye's uncle. He was beheaded for privately raising an army to seize power and usurp the throne. The mansion he lived in was therefore left vacant. Because the mansion was exquisitely decorated and more expensive than the imperial palace, no one dared to move in.
Now the emperor specially gave it to Su He, which shows how much he values this daughter. He even equipped Su He with a guard of a hundred people to protect her safety anytime and anywhere.
Su He expressed his gratitude solemnly and was full of gratitude.
Compared with Bai Jinan's perfunctory attitude at the beginning, this real father was indeed sincere to her.
Therefore, even after she moved out of the palace, she would often walk around the Weiyang Palace in between going in and out of the Jixian Courtyard, make tea for the emperor, or play a game of chess with him, and occasionally accompany the fifth prince to fly kites and guess riddles.
Everyone says that royal family affection is as thin as paper, but she felt a surge of warmth after recognizing the emperor.
On the other hand, Xie Wuhen was also promoted from Shaoqing of Dali Temple to Qing of Dali Temple.
The former Dali Temple Minister Liu Qinian was stripped of his official position and became a commoner because he sided with Zhou Ping.
On a sunny day, Xie Wuhen escorted Prince Zhao Chengde and Deputy General Hu Xu out of the city gate.
Before leaving, he clasped his fists again to express his gratitude: "If it weren't for the prince's help this time, the Daliang state would have collapsed long ago. Your Highness is kind and I am grateful for your kindness. The journey ahead is long and arduous, so I hope you take good care of yourself."
It was thanks to Zhao Chengde's handwritten letter that he was able to successfully contact the frontier deputy general Hu Xu on the eve of the enthronement ceremony, and then successfully defeat all the rebels the next day.
Zhao Chengde smiled and said, "Don't call me Prince, call me General."
Xie Wuhen paused: "The emperor..."
Zhao Chengde looked back at the towering city gates. "My brother the Emperor never saw me from beginning to end. It was better not to see me, to avoid embarrassment for both him and me. Fortunately, he was finally willing to give me freedom and appointed me as a frontier commander again."
He sighed as he spoke, "From now on, I will be General Zhao, not Prince Zhao anymore. After today, I will never set foot in the capital again. Thank you, Master, for taking care of yourself."
Hu Xu, standing by, interrupted, "That son of a bitch, Zhou Cheng, has been messing around with the army these past few years. The soldiers on the frontiers have long been fed up. Now that the prince has returned, it's a great joy. Why should we be sad?"
Zhao Chengde reminded: "It's not the prince, it's the general."
Hu Xu grinned with his stubbled mouth and said, "Yes, it's a general, not a prince."
The three of them exchanged a few more pleasantries before saying goodbye to each other.
Xie Wuhen then entered the palace and reported to the emperor that Zhao Chengde had left the capital.
The emperor began to make tea in front of the tea table again.
He poured a cup for himself and another for Xie Wuhen, then asked, "Did he say anything?"
Xie Wuhen replied: "The prince said that he would only be a general, not a prince anymore, and he also said that he would never set foot in the capital again."
The emperor drank tea and remained silent for a long time.
After a moment, he suddenly asked, "Zi Yu, do you also think that I am too cruel?"
Xie Wuhen replied: "The emperor has his own limitations."
The emperor sighed deeply and patted the throne beneath him. "You are right. Sitting on this throne is like sitting on a tightrope. If I am not careful, I will be doomed. I have to be on guard."
He bowed his head and said, "I understand, and I hope Your Majesty will be at ease."
The emperor then smiled and said, "This time, it's all thanks to Ziyu. I wonder what reward Ziyu would like?"
Xie Wuhen replied solemnly: "I am only fulfilling my duties and do not need any reward. Besides, the emperor has promoted me, and I am deeply grateful. I have no other request."
The emperor replied, "Your promotion is based on your ability and is not a reward."
He added, "How about I give you another marriage decree...you and the princess..."
"Your Majesty..." He interrupted the emperor, "Your Majesty has finally found the princess and successfully recognized her. Don't... force the princess again..."
In the last marriage decree, wasn't she forced to marry him?
The emperor felt a little embarrassed and immediately took back the words: "Zi Yu is right. You are all not young anymore and you all have your own rules of conduct. I am old and will not interfere in your affairs."
Xie Wuhen lowered his head and replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."
After a moment, he tentatively said, "If the emperor insists on rewarding me with something, I do have a favor to ask."
"What's the matter, Ziyu, just tell me."
"Your Majesty, can you find a way to improve the Liang Law Commentary?"
The emperor was puzzled: "How to improve it?"
Xie Wuhen replied, "It's about improving the rights of slaves. In Liang, slaves were a huge group, and they were also the emperor's subjects. However, they were never able to make their own voices heard, and were often oppressed and humiliated by their masters. Unable to bear this, they rebelled, leading to frequent incidents of slaves and masters being killed. If the 'Liang Law Commentary' can protect the personal rights, property rights, and litigation rights of slaves from a legal perspective, I believe it will be able to largely prevent such vicious incidents from happening, thus restoring peace and order to the country and the people."
He thought, this is what she wants most, right?
When they first got married, she complained about the unfairness of the law and even encouraged him to change it. Now, he has done his best to make her get what she wanted.
The emperor was silent for a long time after hearing this.
He thought of Duofu who died because of "slave reporting to his master", his daughter who had to walk on thin ice all the way for revenge, and he even thought of Bai Jinan who was a slave and servant in the royal family.
The emperor sighed deeply and finally responded with "Okay".
He said: "I will ask the Secretariat to draft a detailed bill concerning the laws on slaves."
Xie Wuhen's chest relaxed, and he said solemnly: "Your Majesty is wise."
A month later, the "Law on Slaves and Servants" of the "Liang Law Commentary", which was drafted and reviewed by three provinces and finally approved by the royal family, was finally issued.
The "Slave Law" clearly stipulates that masters are not allowed to beat, scold or punish slaves at will, and especially are not allowed to kill slaves at will. At the same time, slaves are not required to be employed by force and can use their personal property and skills to earn money.
More importantly, when slaves were assaulted by their masters, they could finally file a complaint with the government.
In this way, the entire "Slave Law" can be said to have fully protected the three important rights and interests of slaves.
On the day the law was promulgated, the people of the capital cheered.
Fireworks on the banks of the Qingshui River lit up the entire night sky, and the sound of drums and music resounded throughout the streets.
The people, regardless of their social status, all shouted "Your Majesty is wise."
Although they came from humble backgrounds, they no longer have to stand up straight and feel helpless. Now that they have basic rights and interests, their lives have hope.
In the princess's mansion, Su He looked at the fireworks in the sky and suddenly remembered that Xie Wuhen had once set off a grand fireworks display for her in the Xie family's Wangxiang Pavilion.
She stroked her bulging belly and ordered, "Prepare some cakes for me. I'm happy today and will rest later."
Chunlan smiled and replied, "I should be happy today. From now on, I won't have to worry about being a slave anymore."
He continued, "I heard from the palace eunuchs that it was Lord Xie who proposed this legislation to the Emperor. I wonder if Lord Xie did it for the princess? After all, the princess suffered a lot because of her slavery."
Su He breathed a sigh of relief: "No matter who it is for, he has done a great good deed."
Zhang Xiuhua took over the conversation: "How about...Princess, tell Master Xie about the child as well?"
Su He's expression slightly restrained: "This child is mine alone. Auntie, please don't involve other people in the future."
"How can this be someone else? He's obviously a child..."
"Auntie," she interrupted.
Zhang Xiuhua made a bitter face and shut up helplessly.
At this time, in the Wangxiang Pavilion of the Xie family, Xie Wuhen was also looking at the fireworks in the sky.
He recalled that he had stood in the attic with her to watch the fireworks, and he even remembered the way her eyes shone brightly under the fireworks.
Wu Sheng, who was standing nearby, babbled, "Now the people on the street are saying that the boss is a kind man. This morning, many people even placed eggs and vegetables at the gate of our mansion, saying they wanted to repay the boss for his kindness."
Xie Wuhen replied: "I have done them no favors at all. I am just acting according to the princess's wishes."
Wu Sheng was puzzled: "But it was clearly the chief who proposed the legislation to the emperor?"
He was silent for a moment, then ordered, "Spread the word in the streets and alleys, saying that I was sent by the princess to the emperor to propose legislation for slaves."
Wu Sheng was stunned for a moment: "Boss, are you trying to build a good reputation for the princess among the people?"
He replied: "She just returned to the palace and needs this reputation."
Wu Sheng nodded and said "yes".
But before Wu Sheng could build Su He's reputation, Su He's reputation in the community completely collapsed - the news that she was pregnant spread like wildfire, from the servants in the princess's mansion to the streets and alleys, and from the streets and alleys to the mansions of dignitaries.
The princess had the highest status and was born into a wealthy family, she was the role model for women in Liang State.
Now this "role model" is pregnant while still in the boudoir. How can people not be surprised and angry? She has thrown away all the innocence and virtue of a woman. She is really shameless and unruly.
As the rumors spread, the words people used became more and more unpleasant.
The rumor soon reached the emperor's ears.
He immediately summoned Su He into the palace, and after Su He took off her cloak, he took a special look at her belly to confirm that she was really pregnant.
The emperor suppressed his emotions and said, "I blame myself for being careless and not being able to discover He He's situation in time."
Su He bowed solemnly and said, "I am sorry that your son has behaved improperly and brought disgrace upon the royal family. I hope your Majesty will forgive me."
The emperor asked directly: "Is it Ziyu's child?"
Su He immediately shook his head: "No."
"Whose is that? You may not have been in contact with other men."
"It's my son's child alone."
The emperor was so angry that his head hurt: "You have the same temper as your mother, very stubborn."
Then he asked, "The rumors outside are very unpleasant. What are you going to do?"
Su He replied: "I want to give birth to this child."
The emperor's face was filled with worry: "But this child has no father."
Su He smiled slightly: "But he has his son, his father, the emperor, and his uncle, the fifth prince. So many relatives, that's enough."
The emperor sighed, "Well, since you've made up your mind, then do as you please." Finally, he couldn't help but ask, "Are you really unwilling to tell me who the father of your child is?"
Su He shook his head: "Father, please don't ask."
The emperor was deflated. "Okay, I won't ask any more questions. I won't ask any more questions. Just take care of your health and don't pay attention to the rumors outside."
He then instructed Zhao Fu: "Go to the storehouse and prepare some more high-quality Ganoderma lucidum and old ginseng, and send them to the princess's mansion."
Su He looked at the old man who was furious but trying to suppress his emotions, and felt a mixture of emotions.
He reigns supreme over the world.
At first she was afraid of him, not used to him, and did not dare to get close to him, but after experiencing the palace coup and spending some time together, she found that this old man who looked like Bai Jinan was strict on the surface but kind in reality. He gave her unprecedented honor and favor, and even allowed her to do whatever she wanted. Even if the whole world was scolding her, he still protected her unwaveringly.
Thinking of this, her heart warmed and she called out "Father".
The emperor looked at her helplessly: "Hehe, what else do you want?"
Su He smiled sweetly, "Father, you are the most important person to me in this world. Sooner or later, I will tell you who the child's biological father is."
The emperor finally smiled and breathed a sigh of relief: "That's more like it."
At this time it was a public housing unit of the Dali Temple.
Wu Sheng asked, "Boss, since the rumors about the princess are so unpleasant, will she abort the baby?"
Xie Wuhen was reviewing the case files when he heard this and paused, "If she wanted to abort the child, she wouldn't have waited until now." He then ordered, "Anyone who slanders the princess will be severely punished."
Wu Sheng replied, "You don't need to tell me that. I have already arranged it."
He then asked, "Boss, why do you think the princess won't reveal who the father of her child is? It is said that even the emperor doesn't know."
Xie Wuhen secretly clenched his fist and answered irrelevantly: "When will that Fang be executed?"
Wu Sheng replied, "I heard from a jailer at the Ministry of Justice that he will be executed in ten days."
At the end, he suddenly realized: "Oh, I know. The princess doesn't want people to know that the child's father is a serious criminal who committed treason."
Xie Wuhen had a cold face and was silent for a long time.
Wu Sheng couldn't help but persuade him, "Boss, that man surnamed Fang is about to be beheaded. There's no chance he'll ever be with the princess again. If you can't let the princess go, why don't you... ask the Emperor for her hand in marriage?"
He added, "Even if you have to give the child to that Fang family member to raise, at least... it's the princess's child. Besides, you and the princess can have a bunch of your own children in the future."
He added, "If the chief goes to ask the princess to marry him now, it will solve her problem. Perhaps the princess will agree to the marriage immediately."
Xie Wuhen paused after hearing this, then glanced at him and asked, "Are you free today?"
Wu Sheng choked and murmured, "I'm only thinking about the boss. You should think about it carefully." After saying that, he slipped out of the public housing.
Xie Wuhen spoke very little that day. After finishing his shift, he went straight home and entered the study. He didn't see anyone and didn't even have dinner.
The next day, he got up and told Wu Sheng, "Prepare the carriage and go to the palace."
Wu Sheng's face lit up with joy: "Boss, have you figured it out? Go and ask the Emperor to marry the princess?"
Xie Wuhen ignored him and walked straight out of the study door.
In less than half an hour, the carriage arrived at the palace gate.
Xie Wuhen got off the carriage, entered the palace, and came to the gate of Weiyang Palace.
Zhao Fu was guarding the door. When he saw Xie Wuhen, he hurriedly came forward with a smile and said, "Master Xie, you are here early today."
Xie Wuhen asked, "Is the emperor in the palace?"
Zhao Fu nodded: "Yes, the princess is here too."
He paused and asked, "Princess, are you here so early?"
Zhao Fu replied, "The princess gathered some flower dew for the emperor early in the morning, saying it would be good for his throat, so she sent it here specially."
He was a little dazed when he heard this. Could it be that she really liked flower dew? That's why she sent flower dew to the emperor?
Zhao Fu pulled him into the second door and brought him a brocade stool. "It's windy outside. Sir Xie, please wait inside. The princess should be out soon."
Ever since he was rescued by Xie Wuhen last time, he has been full of gratitude to Xie Wuhen, and he will do his best to take care of him.
Xie Wuhen thanked him and then sat on the brocade stool waiting to meet the emperor.
Behind the second door was the Weiyang Palace. Through the small hole in the door, he could even see the figures of the father and daughter, and the sound of their conversation could be heard faintly.
He heard Su He ask, "Father, can you spare Guard Fang's life?"
The emperor replied: "Hehe, he and Bai Jinan committed the crime of treason."
Su He said, "But if it weren't for him, I would have died on Fuzi Mountain, at the hands of Bai Jinan. He saved my daughter once, and she saved him again. This way, we are even."
The emperor sighed and said, "Forget it. I will spare his life and expel him from the capital."
Su He knelt down and said, "Thank you, Father."
Xie Wuhen clenched his fists, suddenly stood up and walked out of the Weiyang Palace.
He was in a hurry, taking big and fast steps.
Zhao Fu called out behind him, "Didn't Master Xie want to see the Emperor? Why did you leave?"
He replied, "I suddenly remembered that I have other things to do. I will come to see the emperor next time." He left the palace without looking back...
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