Side Story: Xiao Shaoduo 6
"Alright, alright, go, go." Wu Zong patted Xiao Ziya's head affectionately.
He had a very good relationship with Xiao Ruotong and Zhao Ruxi, and their children were about the same age, so they had been very close over the years. He had watched Zhao Ruxi's three children grow up.
His daughter, Wu Miao, and Xiao Ziya were as close as sisters. He and his wife could also tell that Xiao Shaoduo seemed to have feelings for Wu Miao.
Although he was not very willing to let his daughter marry into the royal family, seeing Xiao Lingyan's unwavering devotion to Zhao Ruxi for more than a decade, and considering that Xiao Shaoduo was a good child whom they had raised, he and his wife did not object to the marriage.
The assignment Wu Huaisi gave Xiao Shaoduo —to critique the young ladies of the capital—was his idea. He wanted to see what kind of person Xiao Shaoduo was behind the scenes, and whether, while he was interested in Wu Miao, his gaze would also linger on others.
After seeing Wu Zong off, Xiao Shaoduo went to call his younger brother Xiao Shaohui, and the three siblings went to the central palace for a meal.
Previously, during the time when Xiao Lingyan was paralyzed, Xiao Ge was worried about having no successor, so he took in two or three young concubines. However, before he was sure that Xiao Lingyan could recover, he did not dare to let them get pregnant, so as not to cause any trouble.
Later, Xiao Lingyan recovered from his illness and married Zhao Ruxi. Zhao Ruxi gave birth to Xiao Shaoduo. Xiao Ge had a crown prince and a grandson that he was very happy with, so he completely gave up the idea of having any more children.
Therefore, no more princes or princesses were born after the sixth prince.
Although Consort Xian was neglected by Xiao Ge and dared not make any rash moves, she was still unwilling in her heart.
When Xiao Shaohui and Xiao Ziya were just born, the sixth prince Xiao Lingcong, was still under the instigation of Consort Xian, trying to get close to Xiao Shaoduo. Although Xiao Shaoduo did not fall for it, and Xiao Lingyan and Zhao Ruxi took precautions, Xiao Ge was still worried and did not want his youngest son to do anything foolish.
After thinking it over, he simply made Consort Noble Consort Cen and Xiao Shaoduo the Crown Prince, thus giving Xiao Lingyan and Xiao Shaoduo the most legitimate lineage and status, declaring to the outside world that their positions were unshakeable, and dispelling the unrealistic fantasies of some people.
Even if something Xiao Lingyan, the throne would still belong to Xiao Shaoduo or Xiao Shaohui, not to Xiao Lingcong or the crippled Xiao Lingpu, to prevent them from having any ambitions. In this way, their safety would be guaranteed to the greatest extent possible.
After that, Consort Xian behaved herself. Xiao Lingcong also behaved himself. When he turned seventeen, he got married, established his own residence, and became a prince without official duties.
Now in the palace, Consort Xian lives her life peacefully. The other concubines have no sons, and Xiao Ge treats them well in their daily lives, so they all live peacefully and dare not have any other thoughts.
Xiao Ge, on the other hand, was someone who enjoyed lively atmospheres and the simple pleasures of everyday life. Noble Consort Cen... oh no, now Empress Cen, was getting old and afraid of being alone. It wasn't that Xiao Ge disliked Empress Cen; he had simply been considerate of the Cen Family and unwilling to bestow more honors upon the Cen Family.
Now that the Cen Family's power has been dismantled, Empress Cen has become Empress, Xiao Lingyan become Crown Prince, Xiao Ge no longer has any scruples. However, having neglected Empress Cen for twenty years, it is not easy for the two of them to warm up to each other now, as neither of them can let go of their pride and face.
Xiao Lingyan and Zhao Ruxi were both filial people. Empress Xiao Ge and Empress Cen treated them well. They lived in the palace and could not ignore the needs of the elderly.
Therefore, Xiao Lingyan suggested that they simply move the meal to the Empress Cen's residence in the central palace. Xiao Ge and Xiao Lingyan could skip the meal when they were busy with official duties, but if they had time or were in the mood, they could come and enjoy family time with Zhao Ruxi and the three children.
So now, they are like a modern three-generation family, gathering together every day for meals to strengthen their bond.
With their mediation, Xiao Ge and Empress Cen's relationship grew increasingly harmonious. They always had endless things to talk about when discussing their son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter. Sometimes they would play chess or look at paintings. Xiao Ge also spent more and more time in Empress Cen's palace.
The elderly couple truly became companions.
After Xiao Shaoduo and his two siblings arrived at the Empress Dowager's palace and chatted and laughed with their grandmother for a while, Xiao Ge, Xiao Lingyan, and Zhao Ruxi entered.
With his son and daughter already in their teens, Xiao Shaoduo was due to marry soon according to the customs of the Great Jin. However, Xiao Lingyan and Zhao Ruxi, both in their thirties, seemed to have been forgotten by time, showing little sign of aging. Zhao Ruxi had gained a more mature charm and temperament, becoming even more beautiful than when she was younger.
"... Look, your son is so grown up, and I'm getting old. It's time for you to take over the reins and let me rest." Xiao Ge had probably been talking to Xiao Lingyan about the succession all the way, and now that they were in the central palace, she was still talking about it.
"Father, you are still in good spirits. If you feel tired, I will share some of the political affairs with you, but please don't mention the matter of succession again," Xiao Lingyan said.
Xiao Lingyan's words were not truly a case of shirking responsibility, as he had told Zhao Ruxi years ago. In fact, he had shouldered all the arduous and demanding political affairs over the years.
He knew that Xiao Ge only said these things when he felt tired.
Having reigned as emperors their entire lives, it's impossible to ask them to relinquish their power. They are extremely suspicious, and they won't trust anyone to take over power.
Even if Xiao Ge abdicates and becomes the retired emperor, he will not relinquish all his power. He will not trust the decisions made by Xiao Lingyan and will continue to remotely control the entire Great Jin from behind the scenes.
Xiao Lingyan had no interest in being a puppet. He felt that it was better to continue their relationship as it was now than to be distrusted by Xiao Ge after being passed on the throne.
Xiao Ge is getting old and not as strong as he used to be, so he can take on more of the burden.
As long as Xiao Ge doesn't become senile and make mistakes, he will be a good crown prince.
Hearing his son say this, Xiao Ge felt comforted and even more grateful that he had made Xiao Lingyan the crown prince.
If it were any other son, they would probably have long wished for his death. He wanted to pass the throne to them, and they were just as eager.
Only Xiao Lingyan was never interested in power; yet when it came to handling political affairs, he was exceptionally capable, possessing no lack of ability, tactical skills, or intelligence. To this day, Xiao Ge has no complaints about this son.
He glanced at Xiao Shaoduo.
He was extremely satisfied with this imperial grandson.
Not only Xiao Shaoduo, but also Xiao Shaohui and Xiao Ziya were educated very well by Zhao Ruxi.
Indeed, when an emperor chooses concubines, he cannot only consider their family background and appearance, but also their intelligence, knowledge, and magnanimity. Zhao Zhiwei intelligent, wise, insightful, and has a deep understanding of things, which is why she was able to raise such an outstanding child.
Thinking about all this, Xiao Ge sat down in a very good mood.
Zhao Ruxi had already stood up with Empress Cen. After Xiao Ge and Xiao Lingyan sat down, she personally served them ginseng soup. "Father, Your Highness, please have a bowl of ginseng soup first."