Chang En got the news, bowed his head, and returned to Emperor Wende quietly and quickly.
"Your Majesty, the commoner Liu has died!"
Emperor Wende was stunned for a moment before realizing that the commoner Liu that Chang En was referring to was the former Princess Chaoyang.
"What's going on?"
Emperor Wende was not happy. He had promised Empress Dowager Xiao that he would spare Chaoyang's life, but he was dead in the blink of an eye. Could it be that the people from the Zongzheng Temple were pretending to obey their orders, secretly plotting to kill him?
If this is the case, the Zongzheng Temple should also conduct a thorough investigation.
Chang En quickly said, "I heard he committed suicide by hanging himself."
"oh?"
Emperor Wende's tone lightened considerably, but a new question loomed in his mind. "Did she hang herself? In my impression, she was an extremely strong-willed person, seemingly able to overcome any obstacle. Her children and grandchildren were still in exile, yet she chose to hang herself. Has this matter been thoroughly investigated? If she truly committed suicide, was she not murdered by someone else?"
Chang En quickly explained, "Your Majesty has ordered that the life of commoner Liu be spared. Even if we were to have the courage to do so, we would not dare to disobey His Majesty's order. Besides, this is the will of commoner Liu. It is undoubtedly suicide."
After saying this, Chang En hurriedly placed the suicide note in front of Emperor Wende.
The suicide note had already been checked by several people and there was no problem. It was confirmed to be Chaoyang's handwriting.
Emperor Wende unfolded the suicide note and read it carefully.
After reading it, Emperor Wende sighed with emotion, "How pitiful are the hearts of parents in the world. Even before her death, she was still concerned about the safety of her children and grandchildren. I beg you to be lenient with her."
"Your Majesty is right." Chang En echoed.
Emperor Wende thought for a moment and then ordered, "Give her a proper burial in the Zhao family's ancestral tomb. Also, when the Zhao family arrives at their place of exile, arrange for some light work for them."
Chang En took the order and wrote it down one by one.
Then he cautiously reminded Emperor Wende, "Your Majesty, where is the Empress Dowager?"
Emperor Wende thought for a moment and said, "I will go and tell him myself."
After finishing his mission, Emperor Wende set off for the Cining Palace.
Empress Dowager Xiao was not in good spirits.
When something happens to a member of the royal family, hundreds of people are implicated.
Empress Dowager Xiao is old and nostalgic. Lately, she's been thinking about the past, including Chaoyang and the two demoted old princes.
Thinking too much inevitably makes me feel sad, so I am not in a good mood and eat less.
"Why is the emperor here?"
"I heard that my mother was not feeling well, so I came to see her."
Empress Dowager Xiao's eyes were filled with sorrow. "Lately, I've been thinking about your father and your childhood. Alas, I can't see any of the people I knew."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Wende coughed lightly and said, "If your mother feels lonely, while the weather is nice, why not ask someone to come into the palace to chat with her? Or ask the children to entertain her."
Empress Dowager Xiao waved her hand and said, "Let's talk about it later." She was obviously not in a good mood.
Emperor Wende had no good solution as he was still concerned about his important matters.
"There is something I want to tell my mother."
"What's the matter?" Empress Dowager Xiao's tone was a little weak.
Emperor Wende hesitated for a moment, then said, "Aunt Chaoyang is gone."
Empress Dowager Xiao was visibly stunned. "What do you mean 'gone'?"
"He's dead."
When Empress Dowager Xiao heard this, the muscles on her face twitched and throbbed. Her eyes instantly turned cold. "Could it be that someone has harmed Chaoyang?"
Emperor Wende shook his head. "No one harmed her. She chose to hang herself. This is her suicide note. Please review it, Mother."
Empress Dowager Xiao took the suicide note from Emperor Wende with trembling hands and read it word by word.
At the end, Empress Dowager Xiao shed tears.
Empress Dowager Xiao was filled with sorrow. "She lived a respectable life, but I never thought she would end up in such a desperate situation. I feel so sorry for her."
Emperor Wende frowned slightly, somewhat displeased. "Mother, please don't say that. If Mother treats her unfairly, I will die. She has violated the law, and it is her own fault that she has come to this point."
Empress Dowager Xiao realized she had said the wrong thing, quickly wiped away her tears, and said atonement, "I lost my composure just now. You're right. It's her own fault that she has come to this point."
"Your Majesty, I have no other requests but two. First, give her a dignified burial. Second, be lenient with her children and grandchildren, ensuring they live well. If given the opportunity in the future, I hope they can return to the capital."
Emperor Wende was very straightforward. "Don't worry, Queen Mother. I have already instructed that she will be buried with honor and her children and grandchildren will be treated leniently. As long as the Zhao family behaves honestly, abides by the law, and reforms themselves, I will allow them to return to the capital in ten or eight years."
“Okay, okay!”
Empress Dowager Xiao looked excited, and she felt that she had done her best for Chaoyang.
"Please leave this suicide note with me."
Emperor Wende shook his head, "That's inappropriate. This suicide note must be filed away. I beg your forgiveness, Mother."
Empress Dowager Xiao sighed and returned the suicide note to Emperor Wende. "Forget it. Keeping the suicide note is nothing more than a reminder of the past. I'm old and can't stand such things. Sigh, I've been thinking about the past so much lately. Could it be that I don't have much time left?"
"Mother, please don't let your imagination run wild. I'll come and spend more time with you when I'm free."
"The emperor is thoughtful."
Emperor Wende simply stayed in the Cining Palace for lunch before leaving.
In a blink of an eye, the news that Emperor Wende had lunch in the Cining Palace spread throughout the harem.
Empress Pei immediately realized that she had neglected Empress Dowager Xiao recently.
"Go to the garden and cut some beautiful flowers to put in the vase. Then come with me to the Cining Palace to visit the Empress Dowager."
Queen Pei reacted quickly enough.
However, he was still criticized by Emperor Wende.
Emperor Wende sent someone to remind Empress Pei that as an empress, while she was busy taking care of the harem affairs, she should not forget to respect the Empress Dowager.
The Queen Mother is lonely. Instead of spending your time on the concubines in the harem, you might as well spend more time talking to the Queen Mother to relieve her boredom.
After being beaten, Empress Pei felt very aggrieved and burst into tears on the spot.
"Eunuch Chang, you know my difficulties."
Chang En bowed and said, "Your Majesty also understands the Queen's difficulties. However, today, when the Queen Mother mentioned that her time is running out, Your Majesty became anxious. Please understand your Majesty's difficulties."
Empress Pei wiped away her tears and said, "I understand. I was just about to go to the Cining Palace to talk with my mother, and I even had someone cut some fresh flowers and put them in a vase for good luck. Not just today, but every day from now on, I will go to the Cining Palace to talk with the Empress Dowager to relieve her boredom. I also often bring the children there, for fear that the children will make a fuss and disturb the Empress Dowager."
Chang En laughed, "The Empress is thoughtful. His Majesty will be very happy to know about this. The little grandchildren are so cute. I think the Empress Dowager will also be happy to have them around."
"I understand."
After Chang En left, Empress Pei packed up and went to Cining Palace.
As soon as she moved, all the concubines in the harem moved.
The Cining Palace became lively in an instant.
Every two or three days, Empress Pei would bring a few of the emperor's little grandchildren to the Cining Palace to show their presence and make Empress Dowager Xiao happy.
Emperor Wende suddenly promoted Marquis Xiao, Empress Dowager Xiao's nephew. He also mentioned Xiao Qin'er's elder brother in court, saying he was a talented person in the court. If he was well trained, he would become a pillar of the court in the future.
This move sends an extraordinary signal.
Is Emperor Wende planning to reuse the Xiao family?
Then why did Xiao Zhaoyi in the palace only receive one reward and no more honors?
It seems that it is still because of Empress Dowager Xiao's face.
Queen Pei was a little anxious.
He couldn't help but send someone to call Liu Zhao to the palace to talk.
"Your father promoted Marquis Xiao, and in front of the court officials, he gave the Xiao family a decent honor. Everyone in the court said that your father wanted to make important contributions to the Xiao family, but you are not in a hurry at all?"
Liu Zhao was really not in a hurry.
"My son is indeed not in a hurry. Father values the Xiao family, and Mother should be happy. Fourth brother's wife is a member of the Xiao family. The Xiao family is respectable, and Fourth brother can also have more help."
Liu Zhao spoke seriously, as if it were true.
These words sounded fine, but Empress Pei felt uncomfortable.
This is not Liu Zhao's style.
Liu Zhao would not be so generous.
She frowned, "Don't you have any ideas?"
Liu Zhao shook his head, "My son has no idea."
Empress Pei was furious. "Your Majesty favors the Xiao family. What should the Pei family do? You only remember that your fourth brother's wife is from the Xiao family, but don't forget that Xiao Zhaoyi in the palace is also from the Xiao family."
Liu Zhao laughed when he heard this. "A mere Xiao Zhaoyi, is your mother actually afraid of her? Not to mention that she didn't give birth to a prince, even if she did, so what? Your mother has me and my fourth brother, so what else is there to worry about?"
Empress Pei said solemnly with a stern face, "In the court, either the east wind prevails over the west wind, or the west wind prevails over the east wind. When the Xiao family prospers, the Pei family is naturally overshadowed. Don't forget, the Pei family is your direct maternal family. The Xiao family is a layer away from you."
Liu Zhao lowered his head, sneered, and had to remind Empress Pei, "But mother, don't forget that the Pei family already has Marquis Lu. If you continue to compete with the Xiao family, aren't you afraid that your influence will attract attention and arouse the suspicion of your father?"
My father is not the late emperor, and he will not trust Lu Hou unconditionally. Lu Hou is in the northwest, and although he seems to be stable, he is actually walking on thin ice.
If the Queen Mother really wants the Pei family to be prosperous for a hundred years, then listen to your son and don't do unnecessary things. Don't forget, this is only the second year of Wende. It's too early to draw conclusions now.
Empress Pei gritted her teeth, "What about your uncle? Are you going to live under the shadow of Marquis Lu forever?"
"Don't worry, mother. I have already arranged Fifth Uncle's assignment. The Ministry of Personnel will issue the appointment document within half a month at the latest."
Empress Pei's anger turned into joy. "What kind of job did you arrange for your uncle?"
Liu Zhao kept it a secret, "Then Queen Mother Jiu will know."
Empress Pei was not very happy. She kept her mother in suspense, and it turned out that she had alienated her.
Less than half a month later, seven or eight days later, the fifth master of the Pei family received his job. He was appointed Shaoqing of the Imperial Household Department, a rank of fourth rank, a clear promotion.
At the same time, Pei Rong, a younger member of the Pei family and Liu Zhao's former tutor, entered the Dali Temple.
When Empress Pei heard the news, she laughed.
She grumbled to her confidant, Eunuch Wen: "The eldest brother may look mean and unkind, but he's incredibly efficient in his work. He arranged for his uncle to be the Junior Secretary of the Imperial Household Department. It's a good position. It doesn't involve much work, it's prestigious, and he's in charge of horse administration."
Eunuch Wen wanted to remind Empress Pei that the Ministry of War was interfering in horse affairs and that the power of the Imperial Household Department was almost completely devoured by the Ministry of War.
It is obvious that Liu Zhao was not very satisfied with his own uncle, so he arranged a position for him that seemed decent but was actually somewhat embarrassing.
On the contrary, Pei Rong, who had been promoted to the important Dali Temple without showing any signs of success, was promoted. It was obvious that the person Liu Zhao really wanted to use was Pei Rong, not Master Pei Wu.
However, Pei Rong is from the second branch of the Pei family.
Eunuch Wen hesitated for a moment, but still did not remind Empress Pei.
Empress Pei doesn't understand the situation in the court very well, so let her continue to be confused.
It's good to live in confusion.
Otherwise, Queen Pei would have to argue with the Crown Prince again.
…
Pei Rong ran to the palace to find Liu Zhao.
"Why did you arrange for me to work in the Dali Temple? I can't do that kind of work."
Liu Zhao looked at Pei Rong with particular disdain.
He put his feet on the table, not having the dignity of a prince at all, just like a gangster.
"So many people want to enter the Dali Temple but can't, and you actually despise them."
Pei Rong hurriedly explained, "I'm not disgusted. I'm just worried that I won't be able to do well and embarrass you. I told you at the beginning that if it really doesn't work out, you can ask me to go to Xinmin County and be a county lieutenant."
"The Xinmin County Magistrate is the most powerful official in the Ministry of Personnel. No one, not even you, can take him away. Do you know how much effort I put into helping you get into the Dali Temple? If you don't appreciate it, break your own legs and get out."
Pei Rong was speechless. "Forget it, forget it. Now that things have come to this, I will try to do a good job. If I lose face and get impeached, don't blame me."
Liu Zhao picked up a book from the desk and threw it at him. "There are still a few days before you report to the Dali Temple. Why don't you hurry up and catch up on your studies? When you go to the Dali Temple, don't tell anyone that you were my study partner."
Pei Rong grabbed the flying book and chuckled, "I'm going to tell you, I'm going to embarrass you."
Liu Zhao yelled at Lin Shuping, "Lin Shuping, get this bastard out! Your Highness doesn't want to see him."
Lin Shuping was cheerful.
Pei Rong jumped up and down, "I have to go do some work now, no need to rush me. I'll treat you to a drink tomorrow."
When he finished speaking, the man was already at the gate of the yard, running very fast.
It can be imagined that Pei Rong's desire to survive is really strong!
Lin Shuping smiled and said, "Young Master Rong has a pure heart. Your Highness's help in running his business was not in vain."
Liu Zhao said with disdain: "If it weren't for him, why would this prince have to be with Li Shizhong, oh, now I should call Li Zhongshu Ling Lord Xu Weiwei."
Liu Zhao had snatched the Dali Temple position from Lord Li and reserved it specifically for Pei Rong. It had indeed taken a lot of thought.
Lin Shuping said, "It's time for His Highness's appointment to come."
Liu Zhao wanted to work in one of the three ministries, with the first choice being the Secretariat, followed by the Ministry of Palace Affairs or the Ministry of State Affairs.
He had reached an agreement with Lord Li at the beginning.
Lord Li has been promoted, and now it is time for him to fulfill his promise.
Liu Zhao called Qian Fu over and said, "Remind Lord Li not to forget what he promised me."
"I understand."
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