Chapter 115 The daughter is a handful, and the son isn't much better.
Cui Shiliang has been very pleased with himself lately, and is beaming with joy.
Regarding the disaster relief efforts in Hebei Province, he originally intended to use a strategic retreat to advance his cause and advocate for the Second Prince.
To everyone's surprise, Liu Liniang told him that Li Yuanzhao was secretly ordering female students to write disaster relief strategies, clearly making thorough preparations to personally go to the disaster area and claim the credit for himself.
If Li Yuanzhao were sent to Hebei Province, with her abilities, she would surely be able to win over the hearts of the people and consolidate her power through disaster relief. At that time, all my previous calculations would be in vain!
He immediately realized that the opportunity was too good to miss and launched an attack in the imperial court.
Even he himself hadn't expected that he could so easily bring Li Yuanzhao down and seize the job.
Although he knew perfectly well that the disaster situation in Hebei Province was probably far more severe than the local officials had reported.
But this was not a difficult task for him.
Weizhou, Dezhou, and Luozhou are all located right next to Qinghe County.
That is the foundation of the Cui family!
Apart from their branch that moved to the capital, the vast majority of the Cui family members still live in their ancestral home in Qinghe.
With vast tracts of fertile land and abundant grain reserves, we have more than enough to cope with this disaster relief effort.
At that time, all that is needed is to carefully select a group of shrewd and capable officials to accompany them, and arrange for nephews and nieces from the clan to assist them. How could they not create a remarkable political achievement?
Liu Liniang thoughtfully suggested that her eldest son could go along as well.
Firstly, it would allow him to accumulate experience, and secondly, it would allow his eldest son to gain the title of "meritorious in disaster relief," paving the way for his future promotion.
He readily accepted the suggestion and found his daughter-in-law not only pleasing to the eye but also clever and useful.
From then on, he no longer avoided discussing confidential matters involving court politics with Liu Liniang, often calling her in to discuss them and even listening to her opinions.
The happiest people besides Consort Gui and Cui Shiliang were the Third Princess Li Yuanshu when Li Yuanzhao was punished with confinement.
During this period, she played the role of "devoted and filial daughter" to the fullest.
In order to please her father, she even imitated the ancient story of "cutting flesh from her own arm to heal her father," secretly cutting a small piece of flesh from her arm to give to the emperor as medicine.
When the emperor learned of this, although he scolded her for "making a fuss," his eyes were full of emotion and pity.
In today's world, the world is governed by "filial piety".
The princess's filial piety not only deeply moved the emperor but also earned her widespread praise among the court officials.
Therefore, when Li Yuanshu expressed his desire to establish his own government and be granted a fiefdom like his elder sister and brother, he was in a good position.
Perhaps feeling a pang of guilt for having intended to send her to marry the Tibetan king, and also because his daughter was indeed "filial and sensible," the emperor finally nodded in agreement under the influence of these two conflicting emotions.
For the imperial family, establishing a government office and granting fiefdoms were not major events.
His Majesty has few children, with only these three reaching adulthood, so there is really no need to be stingy with his request for his daughter.
He issued an imperial edict bestowing upon Li Yuanshu the title of "Princess Yaoyang," and even renovated and transformed his former residence, which he had once owned when he was the Prince of Yan, into the "Princess Yaoyang Mansion," which he then granted to Li Yuanshu.
In addition, one prefecture and four counties were allocated as his fiefdom.
From then on, Li Yuanshu was able to legitimately break free from the control of the Imperial Concubine and resided in a mansion outside the palace.
Having suddenly gained abundant wealth and autonomy, she began to imitate Li Yuanzhao in every way, recruiting advisors and talents in her household.
He frequently hosted banquets to entertain guests from all directions, and his behavior became increasingly flamboyant.
She was generous and never stingy with money or silver for those who sought her help.
Even if the other party is a poor scholar who failed the imperial examination, as long as he has some talent, she will treat him well.
Over time, many talented but unappreciated individuals were attracted to her and flocked to Princess Yaoyang's residence.
The Cui faction had previously impeached Li Yuanzhao for "privately keeping retainers and associating with scholars," but now that they saw their own princess from the Cui family going even further, they felt embarrassed and ashamed.
The Imperial Concubine was furious, but her daughter was completely beyond her control. No matter how she tried to persuade or reprimand her, Li Yuanshu ignored her.
After saying too much, Li Yuanshu hid in her princess residence and stopped going to the palace altogether, leaving her helpless.
The daughter is a handful, and the son isn't much better.
The imperial edict has been issued, and three days later, Li Yuanyou will lead a team to Hebei Province for disaster relief.
On this day, the Imperial Concubine personally came to his palace to help him pack his belongings.
Li Yuanyou, however, lazily leaned to one side, munching on an autumn pear and muttering complaints.
"Your subject has no intention of going to provide disaster relief... I'm perfectly content staying in the palace, why should I go to that impoverished place to suffer? Mother, could you please talk to my uncle and tell him not to make such decisions on his own next time?"
The imperial concubine abruptly stopped folding clothes, almost laughing in exasperation.
The older brother had worked so hard to get this opportunity, but the child not only didn't appreciate it, he was also full of disdain.
She dismissed the palace servants around her, took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and patiently persuaded them.
"It'll only be a month or so before you come back, it'll be over in the blink of an eye. Your uncle has already taken care of everything for you, and the people accompanying you are all capable, even your eldest cousin is going with you. They'll handle everything, you just need to show your face and go through the motions, how much trouble could it possibly be?"
“I’m not willing to go through the motions.” Li Yuanyou pouted, his face full of reluctance. “Besides, disaster relief has always been the responsibility of my elder sister. If I take her job now, won’t she be angry?”
"What do you mean 'hers' and 'yours'!" The Imperial Concubine put down the clothes in her hands, walked up to him, and said seriously, "You are also your father's son. Isn't it only natural for you to share his burdens? If you do a good job this time, you will make a good impression on your father. Then, the court officials will naturally suggest that you be made crown prince. Wouldn't that be a natural progression?!"
"Mother!" Li Yuanyou abruptly threw down the half-eaten pear in his hand, sat up straight, and his face turned bright red. "How many times have I told you that I don't want the position of Crown Prince? Why won't you listen?"
"Are you out of your mind? How dare you utter such absurd words!" The Imperial Concubine was both shocked and furious. "That is the position of Crown Prince, the most prestigious position in the world, and you don't even want it?"
“Your subject is not crazy.” Li Yuanyou also lost his temper, retorting with a stiff neck, “You know perfectly well that my elder sister is smarter and more capable than me, and she is more suitable to be the crown prince!”
The Imperial Concubine said firmly, "You are your father's only son! That position can only be yours! No matter how capable your elder sister is, she is ultimately not qualified!"
Li Yuanyou retorted, "Then my elder sister is also Father's child, why isn't she qualified?"
"She isn't—"
The imperial concubine blurted out, then abruptly stopped, hastily covering up her words, "...She's not a man!! What kind of logic is there in this world for a woman to be emperor?"
"Why can't a woman be emperor? If my elder sister ascends the throne, wouldn't she be one?" Li Yuanyou frowned, his face full of confusion. "Mother, I really don't understand, why must we fight for it?"
"Why?! Why?!"
The imperial concubine's fingertips trembled with anger at his words, and her voice suddenly became shrill.
"Li Yuanyou, how old are you? Can't you use your brain? The struggle for the throne has always been a life-or-death struggle! If we don't fight for it, do you think your elder sister will let my son and me go, or the Cui family, after she ascends to the throne?"
“How…how could this be?” Li Yuanyou shook his head, seemingly unable to believe that Li Yuanzhao could be so heartless. “My elder sister…”
The imperial concubine sneered as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world.
"You really think she treats you like a younger brother? You were implicated in the death of the Grand Tutor last time, and how could she not have been pushing you down behind the scenes? She's wanted to bring you down for a long time! Now she'd rather you die sooner rather than later, so that there will be no future trouble! How can you be so naive!"
“I don’t believe it… My elder sister isn’t that kind of person…” Li Yuanyou’s face paled, but he still stubbornly retorted.
He grew up with his elder sister and the two had a deep bond. Moreover, he had never thought of competing with her for anything, so why would she do this?
"Believe it or not, it's up to you!" The Imperial Concubine took a deep breath, her tone cold and hard. "Anyway, you have to go to Hebei Province. Your father has already issued an imperial decree, and you can't do whatever you want!"
"Once you take this step, whether you like it or not, there will be no turning back. From now on, you and your elder sister will be complete enemies, and it will be impossible to go back to the way things were before!"
After the imperial concubine finished speaking, she turned and left without looking at Li Yuanyou's pale face.
She knew her son was weak-willed and still harbored ridiculous fantasies about Li Yuanzhao.
But now, whether he likes it or not, he has to be pushed forward.
The Cui family and the mother and son had no way out.
Besides, what right does that bastard Li Yuanzhao have to sit on the throne?
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