That night, Zichen Palace was brightly lit.
While the palace servants, imperial physicians, and even the child's father were still worried, within the ti it takes for one incense stick to burn, the future heir of the Great Song Dynasty, little Zhao Xi, soon let out her first cry since birth.
The midwives who had been trembling with fear, their hands shaking uncontrollably: "..."
Gently wrapping the little girl in the pink-blue swaddling clothes prepared long ago, the head matron quickly recovered and hurriedly brought the child before the official:
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Look, this little princess is truly beautiful. To be honest with you, Your Majesty, this humble servant has assisted in many births over the years, but I've never seen such a lovely child!"
"Not only beautiful, but also particularly considerate of others!"
These words were not false. Other children when first born are all wrinkled, unlike this little princess before them.
Look at those bright, shining black eyes - you can tell she's clever right away. Based on her experienced judgnt, she'll definitely grow up both beautiful and intelligent without a doubt.
Truly worthy of being the official's child! Even her offspring is so extraordinary.
Gently teasing the little one in her arms who had her eyes open, as if curiously exploring sothing, An Ning soon revealed a slight smile.
The next morning, when the officials were inford that His Majesty had safely given birth to a daughter: "..."
Ignoring the various ssy thoughts of the officials, An Ning turned and lightly laughed at soone who had been standing nearby for who knows how long:
"What are you standing there for? Don't you plan to co hold her?"
Seeing how stiff his movents were, she couldn't help but laugh again: "Being so hesitant and cautious really doesn't match Minister Zhang's usual style, does it?"
Absolutely unwilling to admit he had been frightened by the basins of blood water earlier, his gaze pausing for a mont on her sowhat pale face, Zhang Zihou unusually didn't argue back. Instead, he silently stepped forward, took the little one from her mother's hands, and rather stiffly held her in front of him:
"Is Your Majesty feeling better now?"
***
By the ti Lady Miao and her party hurriedly arrived, everything had already returned to normal, except for the additional little one in their arms.
It must be said that this little one was quite fortunate. Coincidentally, on the very second day after the little one's birth, the Song army completely broke into the Western Xia capital, winning this war with the excellent achievent of capturing the Western Xia ruler alive.
When the news arrived, accompanied by the ssage of the official safely giving birth to a royal daughter, the entire nation once again fell into excitent!
Ask anyone - who is born without backbone from the start!
The Great Song, this vast great nation, had been frequently harassed by a remote small country with only a few million population, possessing no advantages in either population or geographical environnt, constantly taking the tax money they worked hard to cultivate all year round as tribute gifts, bestowing coins and silk.
Called a suzerain state, but which suzerain state has to pay tribute to its subordinate states and frequently gets beaten up too!
Their face had been trampled into the ground, yet so people in the court were still deceiving themselves, thinking they could whitewash peace!
Accompanied by the Morning Daily's full-page massive report, the passion and fervor between the lines instantly struck the hearts of all those with aspirations.
Su Zizhan, who had recently been transferred to the Ministry of War, was particularly inspired, releasing several poems in succession, many of which were adapted by various music schools and entertainnt houses into catchy tunes and songs, widely circulated among the common people!
This inspired many talented scholars to imitate them.
For a ti, An Ning's prestige as the official once again reached its peak.
By the ti the army returned victorious, the little one's full moon ceremony had already passed.
Standing before the officials once again, the official before them was still wearing slightly plain official robes. Whether in physique or complexion, she was no different from before. Now facing a group of generals whose bloody aura had not yet faded, she didn't lose any ground in terms of presence either.
Even compared to the sharpness of the soldiers, this official before them had her own casual composure of being completely in control.
For a mont, the officials felt another wave of emotion.
So people are truly born to be emperors!
Feeling the sa emotion was the protagonist of this welcoming banquet, Di Qing, General Di.
Ask any general - expanding territory and opening frontiers, having such achievents in this lifeti, who wouldn't be proud, who wouldn't be pleased?
However, he would never forget that ten years ago, this very person had said to him directly:
"General, have you heard this saying - forcibly fitting into a circle incompatible with oneself, the final result can only be exclusion."
"General Di, sotis the more you do, the more mistakes you actually make."
At that ti, the girl who was less than fifteen years old, her face still carrying childishness, said with near certainty.
In those eyes, for a mont, Di Qing seed to see his own tragic fate of being abandoned by everyone. But at that ti, he wanted so badly to climb higher, to firmly establish his footing...
Sure enough, the prediction ca true!
When he stepped into the position of Privy Councilor that he had dread of, it seed to also mark the beginning of his tragic downfall.
Fortunately...
Before this expedition, he had also had concerns:
"According to Your Majesty's aning, Western Xia may already be of little concern, but if the Liao Kingdom takes this opportunity to intervene, I'm afraid it would be disadvantageous for our army."
However, what answered him was the other party's almost imdiate light laugh:
"Minister Di, rest assured. The Liao Kingdom you speak of will likely be very busy soon."
It was only later that he learned that right during the Song-Xia war, the Liao Kingdom's Imperial Grand Uncle Yelü Chongyuan suddenly launched a rebellion, and this rebellion ca with such force that it affected almost half the court. The Great Liao was already in chaos - where would they find the leisure to interfere with others...
He didn't dare think whether this had anything to do with this person's manipulations.
Clearly located within the palace, yet having complete understanding of the situations in both the Liao Kingdom and Western Xia, knowing the defensive strengths and weaknesses of various Western Xia locations like the back of her hand...
This was the current official.
Taking a deep breath of turbid air, Di Qing imdiately bowed deeply and clasped his fists firmly together, saying loudly before everyone:
"The praise from Your Majesty, this subject dares not accept. That this campaign proceeded so smoothly is entirely due to Your Majesty's brilliant wisdom and deep understanding of the enemy, allowing us soldiers to have no worries about the rear..."
"Your Majesty's grace and virtue, we subjects absolutely dare not claim credit!"
***
"It seems Zhigui is in quite a good mood today!"
After the banquet, as the officials each departed, Ouyang Xiu and Han Qi happened to be going the sa way, so they simply walked together.
Understanding what the other ant, Han Qi just smiled faintly: "The years of friction between Western Xia and the Great Song has now beco a serious threat to our heartland. Now that we can successfully reclaim it, of course it's a great joy!"
As for military commanders gaining excessive prestige outside, potentially endangering court stability - if the previous emperor were in power, he might still be worried, even taking action about it!
But this current one.
Military power, prestige, political skill - one could say he lacked nothing.
Brushing his slightly ssy sleeves, Han Qi lightly laughed:
"With the official like this, forget about one General Di, even ten of them - would he truly dare to entertain even the slightest thought?"
I'm afraid the mont such a thought erged, it would already be a path to certain death.
Why should they bother playing the villain!
Under the setting sun, the two soon exchanged knowing smiles.
The only remaining worry, Ouyang Xiu soon sighed:
"The official likely has intentions to establish a crown princess."
It's just unknown how much of the current ruler's skills this successor will possess!
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