After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1120 - 1102: The Little Emperor, Sober and Clear-Eyed

"Oh?" Zhao Hanzhang asked with a smile, "Has Master Xun already made a choice?"

Xun Zu replied, "Inspector of Jingzhou, Wang Si Niang, is beautiful and intelligent, and also from the Wang Family, she should be the Middle Palace."

He added, "I have heard that General Beigong has a daughter known for her virtue. If the Great General cannot make a decision for the time being, he can summon virtuous women from all over the world to Luoyang for selection."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and turned to ask the Little Emperor, "Your Majesty, do you wish to marry the Middle Palace?"

The Little Emperor shook his head repeatedly, his face turning pale.

He couldn’t understand his studies, but he understood this matter: establishing an Empress meant he would become an adult, start ruling, and then... die.

Look at Emperor Xian, look at Cao Mao. Although Emperor Xian ended well, many who followed him died during the turmoil, and he himself lived in constant fear. He didn’t want such a life;

The Little Emperor looked at Xun Fan and Xun Zu with tearful eyes. They were his only two uncles, and if he ended up like Emperor Xian, these two uncles would surely die first.

And then there was Cao Mao, and upon thinking of his end, the Little Emperor shuddered.

No, he wouldn’t establish an Empress. He didn’t want to be Cao Mao; if he had to be, he’d rather be Cao Huan!

The Little Emperor shook his head at Xun Fan and Xun Zu, who were watching him closely.

Xun Fan then expressed his understanding, stepped forward, and said, "Your Majesty is still young. There’s no rush to establish the Middle Palace; he should focus on his studies for now."

Xun Zu immediately disagreed, "Grand Tutor Xun, after the New Year, His Majesty will be eleven, not so young anymore. By the time the betrothal and national rituals are complete, it will be another one or two years..."

"Enough, tonight is New Year’s Eve. You two shouldn’t argue over such matters, turning good events into bad ones," Zhao Hanzhang said, "I understand Master Xun’s thoughts, but marriage is a major event. It’s not just about parental orders and the words of a matchmaker; I also need to hear the opinions of the parties involved. The candidates you suggested are all excellent, but this matter concerns not only His Majesty but also those virtuous women. Are they willing to enter the palace?"

Xun Zu: "How dare they defy the imperial decree?"

Zhao Hanzhang: "That wouldn’t be any fun, would it? An imperial decree indeed cannot be defied, but isn’t the decree yet to be issued? I dislike forcing others, and His Majesty thinks the same. So why is Master Xun pressing them?"

"The Middle Palace is the mother of the nation and should be chosen for her exceptional virtue. Being selected is a great honor, how could it be forced?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "One man’s honey is another man’s poison. Master Xun has read too few books, which leads to such assumptions. I think both His Majesty and Master Xun need more studying."

She said, "After the New Year, Master Xun should spend more time reading at home and offer fewer suggestions."

Xun Zu’s face turned red with embarrassment, almost bleeding under the gaze of the officials.

Xun Fan sighed. During the rest of the palace banquet, almost no one dared openly invite Xun Zu for a drink, as if he was being isolated.

Mrs. Wang sat above Zhao Erlang, silently raised a cup and drank to calm her heart. Seeing Princess Hongnong watching her from a distance, she immediately smiled at her.

Zhao Hanzhang brushed the matter aside gracefully, allowing everyone to continue with their performances, eating, and chatting.

These days, Ji Yuan and Ming Yu hadn’t been idle, speaking with many officials, persuading them to agree to the reforms Zhao Hanzhang wanted. Of course, her unique wedding still wasn’t recorded in the "Rites". As for what changes might happen to marriage customs among the people in the future, it depended on the strictness of the court’s regulations and management.

If they were lax and open-minded, perhaps some might truly imitate her.

The palace banquet went on until midnight, after which everyone left with a bit of drunkenness.

Since Xun Zu brought up the marriage issue, the Little Emperor had been on edge. As soon as the banquet ended, he withdrew first, not caring about Zhao Hanzhang’s suspicions. He immediately sent someone to call for Xun Fan and Xun Zu.

If he didn’t see them tonight, he wouldn’t have a chance to see them for the next seven days. Who knew if Xun Zu might misunderstand him and do something under his name outside?

He also knew that seeing them at this time couldn’t be hidden from Zhao Hanzhang, but he wasn’t trying to hide it from her. After all, nothing in the palace could be kept from her, no matter when.

So the Little Emperor merely hinted for the eunuchs and palace maids to leave, not caring where they might hide to spy on him.

Xun Fan and Xun Zu hurried to see the Little Emperor.

Seeing them, the Little Emperor wept, asking, "Why are my two uncles pushing me to my death?"

Xun Fan remained silent, while Xun Zu asked, pained, "Why does Your Majesty say that?"

"Isn’t the third uncle aware of the consequences of me establishing the Middle Palace?" the Little Emperor asked tearfully, "Currently, the Great General and I are on good terms; she handles state affairs, and I only need to be a studying emperor. Why force the establishment of the Middle Palace?"

"Your Majesty, those who do not plan for the future will face immediate concerns. Zhao Hanzhang now needs Your Majesty to solidify her reputation. Without expanding her power, once she reconsolidates the aristocratic families, you’ll lose any chance of regaining control."

The Little Emperor asked blankly, "Uncle, I’ve expressed my unwillingness to compete with the Great General. Are you... still intent on fighting her?"

Xun Zu, with a righteous demeanor, whispered, "I understand Your Majesty’s concerns. You’re unable to act freely in the palace, with spies around you. But it doesn’t matter; you can lay the blame for everything on us. Zhao Hanzhang knows we have such plans, but she currently needs us and you to steady the people, so she won’t openly break with us."

Little Emperor: ...

The Little Emperor wiped his tears, ceased crying, and seriously observed Xun Zu’s demeanor. Once confirming his sincerity, he couldn’t help but ask, "Uncle, do you think I can be a good emperor?"

Xun Zu solemnly stated, "Your Majesty is wise; given time, you will be a wise ruler."

Little Emperor: "...I’ve been studying very hard; I haven’t intentionally hidden my talents. But compared to Zhao Hanzhang, I’m nowhere near as capable. Even so, you believe I can be a good emperor?"

Xun Zu, seriously, "Your Majesty is the legitimate ruler..."

"What legitimacy? Tell me, when did King Chenliu of the Wei Kingdom die?" the Little Emperor asked Xun Fan.

Xun Fan replied, "He passed in the second year of Yongning."

The Little Emperor then began counting on his fingers.

Seeing this, Xun Fan quietly said, "Eight years ago."

The Little Emperor then lowered his hand, "See, the last emperor of Wei has only been dead eight years. Even though I am young and not proficient in my studies, I’ve heard enough from my elder brothers about our ancestors. Our claim to the throne is illegitimate, hence the aristocratic families don’t acknowledge us, causing the Jin Dynasty to face constant obstructions."

He sincerely told Xun Zu, "Uncle, I mean it sincerely. You may think I lack ambition, but a person must know their own limits. It’s not that I haven’t looked into governance, but I simply can’t understand it. I don’t want to be a Grand Duke of Gao Gui Village; I just want to be King Chenliu."

He wept, "If Uncle continues pushing me, at most I’ll become another Emperor Xian. Though Emperor Xian ended well, I anticipate General Zhao, who values her reputation, wouldn’t want to kill me, but it’s different for my uncles."

Xun Zu: ... The Grand Duke of Gao Gui Village was the previous dynasty’s emperor who was executed on the streets by the Sima family, whereas King Chenliu lived peacefully as the last emperor of the Wei Dynasty, passing away naturally.

Emperor Xian was usurped by the Cao family but died peacefully, with his funeral conducted grandly. However, everyone who intended to help him regain power ended up dead.

Including but not limited to his wives and in-laws...

Xun Zu involuntarily shivered.