Only Zhao's mother would believe what Zhao Xifang said. One time it could be said that she was framed, but Zhao Xifang and that man had met secretly five or six times. Could this still be a frame-up
However, Zhao's father and the others did not expose her. After all, having this excuse was not bad and could help the Zhao family save some face.
Zhao's father and his companions went to interrogate the caught adulterer. The adulterer was not a tough guy as he seduced Zhao Xifang for money. So he confessed voluntarily without even being tortured.
"Someone asked me to do this. The first time, I used drugs. The second time, I threatened Miss Zhao with her bellyband. The third time, she was half-hearted. The fourth time, I asked her out again, and she didn't refuse."
The first and second times, Zhao Xifang could still be forgiven, but after the third time, she became addicted and no longer resisted fooling around with men other than Prince Yu.
"Who asked you to do this?" Zhao's father asked in a deep voice.
"It was an old customer who often came to the opera. She was an old lady dressed respectably. She should not be the one who made the decision."
"What's the name of that old customer? Where does he live? How can we find him?" Father Zhao continued to ask.
"His surname is Wu, his given name is Renyi, and I heard that he lives in Guiliu Alley."
Father Zhao signaled his son that he could go and arrest the person first, and he continued to interrogate him, "What benefit did that person give you?"
"Give me five thousand taels of silver, and when the matter is done, give me another five thousand taels."
Father Zhao sneered. He spent 12,000 taels of silver. The person behind this was quite generous.
Things are most vulnerable to in-depth and detailed investigation. After an in-depth investigation by the Zhao family, they discovered that it was really done by Mrs. Song II, just as Zhao Xifang said.
What the Zhao family didn't expect was that Prince Yu seemed to be involved.
The Zhao family father and son were dumbfounded. It turned out that Prince Yu took the initiative to wear the green hat.
Prince Yu, the Zhao family can’t win, so they can only fight against the Song family.
After Mrs. Song learned the whole story, she was so angry that she almost fainted. "Are you crazy? Do you want to make the entire Song family die?"
No matter how Mrs. Song roared or how furious she got, Mrs. Song II remained silent. She was always resentful of the Song family's unwillingness to seek justice for her daughter.
Just when the Song and Zhao families were attacking each other, the division of the Zhuang family was settled. Zhuang Shenmao insisted on marrying the young widow, even if it meant a feud between father and son.
When Jiang Changning heard this, he sighed, "This is true love!" and put the matter aside without caring about it anymore.
Whether Zhuang Shenmao lives a good life or not is his own choice and has nothing to do with others.
The startled wind blew away the bright sun, the light flowed westward, and in the blink of an eye it was October of the fourth year of Xuanzhi, and the Empress Dowager brought up the matter of the selection of concubines again.
Four years passed, and Jiang Changning not only failed to persuade Emperor Xuanzhi to have everything he wanted, but she also monopolized the emperor. However, she was unable to give birth to a son or daughter for Emperor Xuanzhi.
The Queen Mother's dissatisfaction with Jiang Changning grew day by day. "Those people in the harem do not please the Queen. We should select some people to expand the royal family. Three princes are still too few."
Jiang Changning had never stopped the selection of concubines. She had no objection to the Queen Mother's selection of concubines. But she was unhappy when the Queen Mother complained that she had given birth to too few sons. "Mother, how many sons do you have?"
The Queen Mother's expression froze, "Are you unwilling to participate in the selection?" Since she couldn't compete with Jiang Changning in giving birth to a son, she had to focus on other things.
"The selection of concubines is entirely up to my mother." Jiang Changning smiled and raised her hand to adjust the phoenix hairpin on her bun. "The palace is lonely and boring. It would be more lively if some new people came in."
"Don't promise anything in front of me, or you'll start gossiping in front of the emperor." The Queen Mother said vigilantly.
Jiang Changning chuckled and said, "Don't worry, mother. Your Majesty is a man of few words, and I, the queen, will keep my word. My words are as good as gold."
"When the emperor comes, you promise me in front of him, and I will believe you." The empress dowager was on high alert.
"Okay." Jiang Changning agreed readily.
Emperor Xuanzhi was truly a filial son. He would come to Ciren Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager every morning and evening, and would come to have meals with her every now and then.
When he came in and saw the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law sitting opposite each other drinking tea, he smiled and said, "Mother, you have good tea, please give some to your son, don't just focus on your daughter-in-law."
"You talk as if you haven't spoiled my good tea." The Queen Mother smiled reproachfully.
Jiang Changning picked up the kettle and poured a cup of tea for Emperor Xuanzhi, offering it with both hands, "Your Majesty, after drinking the Queen Mother's tea, you must listen to her."
As a couple for many years, Emperor Xuanzhi could tell that there was something else behind his queen's words. He took the teacup and winked at Jiang Changning.
Jiang Changning smiled without saying anything, picked up the teacup, "Your Majesty, this tea tastes sweet, you must taste it carefully."
Emperor Xuanzhi did not dare to drink the tea, so he put it back on the table and asked with a smile, "Does your mother have something to tell your son?"
The Queen Mother coughed lightly and said, "Emperor, you have been on the throne for several years now. It is time to select the best candidates for the imperial examination."
Emperor Xuanzhi glanced at Jiang Changning, and the empress dowager quickly added, "The queen also agreed." She glared at Jiang Changning and told her to respond quickly.
"Your Majesty, your mother said that you don't have many children, and she wants to choose someone to come in and give birth to more children for you. As the queen, I can't share your worries, but I can't stop others from sharing your worries."
To Emperor Xuanzhi, these words sounded really sarcastic.
The Queen Mother didn't hear it, "It's right for the Queen to think so."
"Since both my mother and the Queen are interested in holding a beauty contest, then let's do it," said Emperor Xuanzhi.
The Queen Mother smiled with satisfaction. Jiang Changning raised his eyebrows, then continued to drink his tea with an expressionless face.
"I will issue an edict tomorrow and ask the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites to help with the selection. They will definitely be able to pick out a few satisfactory ones." The Queen Mother said excitedly.
Jiang Changning didn't want to respond, but the Queen Mother asked her, "Queen, what do you think?" "My Queen mother has a good eye and will definitely pick out the best ones to serve Your Majesty." Jiang Changning didn't intend to interfere in the selection of concubines.
However, Emperor Xuanzhi once promised her that the positions of the people in the harem would be decided by her, but I don’t know if this is still true.
After having lunch at Ciren Palace, the couple got up and left.
As soon as he left Ciren Palace, Emperor Xuanzhi went to hold Jiang Changning's hand.
Jiang Changning let him lead her, and Emperor Xuanzhi asked in surprise, "You're not angry?"
"Why are you angry? I remember what your majesty said. I believe in your majesty. Please don't let me down." Jiang Changning said seriously.
Emperor Xuanzhi laughed, "There are many men of marriageable age in the royal family and noble families who need to be arranged to marry."
Jiang Changning understood that this show was chosen for other men, and the Queen Mother's wish would be dashed.
The next day, the Empress Dowager issued an edict, ordering the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites to jointly carry out a national beauty contest.
When the Qin Dynasty was first established, there was no system of elections every three years. It was established by the lustful emperor Guangzong, and was followed by the two succeeding emperors.
After Emperor Xun ascended the throne, he was too young to hold a selection. Emperor Xuanzhi was not selected either. This time, the national selection was held with great fanfare.
(End of this chapter)