Chapter 1152: Chapter 1142: Memorials (27)
Prince NanAn was feeling troubled.
The psychological shadow of being splashed with his son’s urine washed over him.
Was there something about his face that annoyed every onlooker?!
Prince NanAn brushed the crumbs from his chest.
Zhao Xu coughed for quite a while before recovering, and the Dragon Desk was littered with pastries.
He stood up, looking at Prince NanAn and Chu Shun, full of surprise, "How did you guys enter the palace?"
But the joy lasted only a moment before Prince NanAn poured cold water on it, "And this isn’t even the beating you deserve!"
Zhao Xu, "... ."
There were still eunuchs serving in the Imperial Study.
At Prince NanAn’s words, their eyes widened so much that they nearly popped out.
Did they hear wrong?
Did this man say he wanted to beat the Emperor?
Did he eat bear heart and leopard gall?!
Zhao Xu’s mouth twitched for a moment, and he laughed, "Coming all this way just to beat me up, I accept it."
Chu Shun stepped forward, looking at the documents on the Dragon Desk, "You haven’t ascended the throne yet, why do you have so many documents to approve?"
Talking about this matter, Zhao Xu got a headache.
Ever since he broke through the capital, he had been busy non-stop, and he couldn’t remember the last time he had a proper meal.
Even though he wasn’t the Emperor yet, he was already sick of reading documents.
Although they supported Prince Ling as Emperor, and Prince Ling did serve as Emperor for more than a month, he didn’t look at a single document.
All documents were handed over to Zhao Xu for review.
Prince Ling was also unwilling to watch Zhao Xu work tirelessly, but no matter how he felt, he couldn’t help with this work either.
He temporarily took over the position for the people of Nanliang but wasn’t the real new ruler of Nanliang.
Reviewing documents is an Emperor’s task, and as a temp, it’s inappropriate for him to overstep, or people might misunderstand and think he desires the throne, bringing trouble upon himself.
Hence, no matter how busy Zhao Xu was, he had to handle the documents, while Prince Ling comfortably acted as a hands-free shopkeeper, strolling with Princess Consort Ling in the Imperial Garden, playing chess to pass the time.
But Zhao Xu and General Shi had just entered the capital not long ago, and their military matters were even busier and more important.
Military power is greater than royal power; even being Emperor requires gradually reclaiming military power. With half the military power already in his hands, how could he easily let it go?
Days ago, Zhao Xu stayed at the barracks during the day, returned to the palace at night, and worked overnight reviewing documents.
Those days wore him out, fearing he might die of exhaustion before ascending the throne.
Though he recovered in recent days, there are still many documents to review.
In a few days, his enthronement ceremony would take place, followed by the rewards for the generals, and Princess Jing Mountain’s bridal sedan was on its way to Nanliang, already within its borders...
These matters would delay time, and a moment of slack would lead to an ever-growing pile of documents.
Nowadays, even in dreams, he dreamt of leaving documents unreviewed...
Seeing Prince NanAn, Zhao Xu asked, "Has my cousin given birth yet?"
"She gave birth a while ago, your little nephew is here too," Prince NanAn replied.
The smile on Zhao Xu’s face was beyond description.
Prince NanAn and the others’ arrival was already enough to satisfy him.
Unexpectedly, his cousin also came.
Then—
Zhao Xu ordered the eunuchs in the Imperial Study to leave.
He took a bundle, packed the documents on the Dragon Desk into it, and tied it up.
Prince NanAn held his forehead, "You aren’t planning to take the documents with you everywhere, are you?"
"I asked my cousin to help share the workload," Zhao Xu said.
"... ."
If Prince NanAn and the others weren’t so unreliable.
He could spare them, only to trouble his cousin.
There are many who can help, like Prime Minister Zhao, Prince Ling, Prince Jing, General Shi...
But not a single one dared to, and force couldn’t be used.
He could command Dong Chenglang, but he’s not in the Capital.
Prince NanAn and the others dare not only to help but even want to beat him.
Seeing that bulging bundle of documents, Prince NanAn and the others’ lips twitched wildly, feeling immensely sorry for Xie Jingchen in their hearts.
Such is fate.
Wherever he goes, he’s destined to be ordered around and bullied.
In Daqi, there’s the Emperor and Marquis Dongxiang, yet here in Nanliang, delivering a congratulatory gift, he still gets targeted by Zhao Xu to help review documents. What more can be said?
"Take more," Prince NanAn suggested.
"We’re off to drink."
Zhao Xu straightforwardly packed the remaining documents on the Dragon Desk, carried them out of the Imperial Study.
Prince NanAn was dumbfounded.
He was only casually speaking.
Yet Zhao Xu really took them?!
Zhao Xu wanted to go outside the city gate to receive the Princess Consort, but was restrained due to his status. He hadn’t ascended the throne yet and could still leave the palace freely, but after a few days, that wouldn’t be possible.
It’s not just impossible, but surely...
When Zhao Xu left the palace, eunuchs tried hard to stop him but were subdued with a single glare from Zhao Xu.
These little eunuchs were former Palace Attendants, promoted by Zhao Xu.
Unfamiliar with this new emperor, the eunuchs served with extra caution, fearing their heads would be at risk with a single displeasure.
Advising the Emperor not to leave the palace was their duty; once Zhao Xu refused to listen, they dared not protest further.
Zhao Xu rode out, accompanied by guards and Prince NanAn, heading straight to the Palace.
Months later, seeing Zhao Xu again, one could sense he became more composed and substantial, yet visibly thinner.
With a call of "Aunt," tears welled up in the Princess Consort’s eyes.
She choked for a while, unsure what to say, only uttering, "Aunt didn’t mistake you, your grandfather and father can smile in their graves."
Zhao Xu also hadn’t expected this day would come, and he said, "Thanks to my cousin’s strong support, otherwise Donglin Prince Mansion wouldn’t know when they could clear their name."
Without Xie Jingchen’s help, with Dong Chenglang alone, at best there was a fifty percent chance of recruiting General Shi to assist him.
And fifty percent risk that General Shi would be killed by Duke Huguo.
Without General Shi and Prince Jing’s help, he and the Zhao Family overturning the court was as difficult as ascending to heaven.
The participation of Beimo in the war and the murder of Duke Huguo are of paramount importance.
Therefore, Zhao Xu had no reservations asking Xie Jingchen to help review the memorials.
Originally, half of this Nanliang kingdom was conquered by him.
It’s just a pity that his cousin is the Heir of Prince Zhenbei of Daqi and married a Daqi Princess; if he were in Nanliang, he would be the rightful heir to the throne.
Zhao Xu was chatting with the Princess Consort about family matters, curious to know about his father and grandfather. Although Prime Minister Zhao and Princess Consort Ling had spoken about it, they didn’t know as much as the Princess Consort did.
Just then, Xie Jingchen and Su Jin came in.
Su Jin was holding Yuanyuan in her arms, gently patting him on the back.
Yuanyuan had just been fed, and with Su Jin’s gentle tapping, he burped.
Zhao Xu stood up and called out, "Cousin, Cousin-in-law..."
Xie Jingchen nodded.
Su Jin smiled gently.
Zhao Xu looked at Yuanyuan in Su Jin’s arms and asked, "Can I hold him?"
Su Jin then handed Yuanyuan over to him.
The eyes of Zhao Xu and Xie Jingchen were quite similar, and Yuanyuan’s eyes resembled Xie Jingchen’s a lot, naturally making him look quite similar to Zhao Xu too.
Yuanyuan was not afraid of strangers and looked at Zhao Xu with big, dark eyes.
Zhao Xu teased him, and Yuanyuan smiled at him.
"He smiled at me," Zhao Xu said to Xie Jingchen.
Prince NanAn sat to the side, watching Zhao Xu with a knowing look, having gone through this himself and having suffered greatly.
He thought he was captivated by such innocent smiles, always getting the short end of the stick with his own son.
Spitting up milk, peeing, pooping...
All because of that smile.
Who could have thought such a joyful smile could be such a pitfall?
Especially after being fed, it’s either spitting milk or about to pee.
Just as he thought this, Yuanyuan burped again and spit up milk on Zhao Xu.
Prince NanAn, "..."
Prince NanAn’s lips curled slightly.
Not schadenfreude.
But relaxed.
He’s still the one who understands kids best.
Zhao Xu, who hadn’t interacted with children before, was quite startled.
Su Jin quickly stepped forward, took Yuanyuan from Zhao Xu’s arms, sat down, and wiped the milk from Yuanyuan’s mouth and clothes with a handkerchief.
Zhao Xu looked at Xie Jingchen and asked, "Is Yuanyuan alright?"
"He’s fine, he often spits up milk," Xie Jingchen replied.
Zhao Xu was relieved.
He had thought maybe he held the child too tightly and hurt him.
His chest was soaked, so the Princess Consort quickly instructed Xie Jingchen to take Zhao Xu to change clothes.
After changing into one of Xie Jingchen’s brocade robes, he sat for a while longer before joining Xie Jingchen and the others in the garden pavilion for conversation.
Zhao Xu stayed for lunch at the Palace.
A table was set with over thirty dishes.
Half were Nanliang dishes, and half were from Daqi.
The Emperor sent Imperial Chef Li to take care of Su Jin’s diet; when Su Jin came to Nanliang, Imperial Chef Li naturally followed.
He was quite interested in Nanliang’s cuisine.
But in Daqi, it was hard to find authentic Nanliang dishes; upon seeing the Nanliang Imperial Chef in the Palace, he was eager to try.
It so happened that the Nanliang Imperial Chef was also interested in Daqi cuisine.
The two hit it off and decided to have a culinary contest and exchange skills.
The dishes today were a feast for the eyes and palate, with beautifully sculpted fish, phoenixes, and peacocks, making one reluctant to dig in.
The Nanliang Capital and the Daqi Capital are separated by thousands of miles, with significantly different tastes.
Su Jin was not picky and ate as she was used to, though Xie Jingchen clearly preferred Daqi cuisine.
The Princess Consort preferred the Nanliang flavors.
Being pregnant, her taste became more selective, so the Prince specially hired a chef skilled in Nanliang cuisine to cook for her.
A large portion of the Nanliang dishes on the table were the Princess Consort’s favorites.
Back then, Princess Consort Ling was engaged to Prince Donglin’s Heir and had known the Princess Consort since childhood; they were as close as sisters and she knew her preferences well.
Knowing the Princess Consort would come, she arranged for the Imperial Chef to be at the Palace to cook her favorite dishes.
The meal lasted over an hour, and Zhao Xu got a little tipsy.
Worried about his safety returning to the palace, the Prince instructed Prince NanAn to escort Zhao Xu back to the Zhao Family.
Xie Jingchen saw Zhao Xu off, and Zhao Xu, tipsy, said, "Cousin, since you seldom come to Nanliang, can you help me review the memorials?"
Xie Jingchen, "..."
Why did he feel so much like kicking him out of the Palace?
He knew it was a rare visit to Nanliang, yet still asked for help with the memorials.
But after Zhao Xu spoke, he leaned directly on Chu Shun’s shoulder.
"Has he passed out?" Chu Shun’s mouth twitched.
He only drank one jar of wine.
Isn’t his drinking capacity a bit too weak?
How can an Emperor have such poor tolerance for alcohol?
Su Jin carefully observed Zhao Xu for a moment and then chuckled, "He fell asleep."
Chu Shun, "..."
Xie Jingchen, "..."
He could fall asleep like this?
How tired was he?
The Princess Consort felt a pang of pity and said to Xie Jingchen, "Chenchen, could you help your cousin with the memorials for a couple of days?"
What could Xie Jingchen do?
There wasn’t even an opportunity to refuse, was there?
