Tibet.

Chapter 1272 Weihe River Auspicious Omen
The Regent's Palace has been busy these past two days. Taiwei gave birth to a boy, and another pregnant woman, Shen Zhenzhu, also showed signs of labor.

Several midwives and imperial doctors were busy taking care of Shen Zhenzhu.

It was an open secret in the court that Shen Zhenzhu lived in the Regent's Palace, but it did not cause any waves.

A very important reason is that Shen Zhenzhu was not the first wife of Crown Prince Li Yu. Li Yu’s first wife was Cui, the daughter of Lady Korea.

Although Shen Zhenzhu was later named the Crown Princess, the nature of the title was different because she was a concubine after all.

Historically, Shen Zhenzhu had a status because of her son Emperor Dezong of Tang. Now Li Shi was assassinated and died early, and did not become the crown prince, so neither the Zongzheng Temple nor the court officials took her seriously.

This is also the reason why Shen Zhenzhu was not welcomed when she returned to her parents' home.

The person who had the greatest influence was Yang Yuhuan, so those who knew the details were very cautious and dared not leak even a single bit.

In Wangxian Tower, Dugu Xinyue was chatting with Yang Yuhuan. They had just received a letter from home saying that their husbands were already on their way back to Chang'an, which made the whole family full of expectations.

"Sister, I think you shouldn't escape, but find a way to adapt. Your husband's rise to power is inevitable. At his position, he no longer represents his own interests, but the interests of countless people."

Dugu Xinyue sighed, "I know that I have to take this path, and I have no intention of escaping it, but I just don't want to take this path in my heart."

Yang Yuhuan took a sip of tea and smiled, "What are you worried about, elder sister? You are married, are you worried that he will abandon you?"

"No, I just have a kind of inexplicable worry that I can't explain. Alas! I can't explain it clearly. Maybe I am a little worried that the Dugu family is too powerful and doesn't know how to advance or retreat, which will cause me endless troubles."

Yang Yuhuan was silent for a moment and said, "There is something I shouldn't say, but I think I'll tell you. My husband told me about the Dugu family."

"What? Tell me now!"

"It was probably last year! One night when he was chatting with me, he mentioned overseas and the West. He said that the territory outside was too large and it would be difficult for the court to take care of it. He considered establishing vassal states and sending some wealthy and powerful families to establish vassal states. When he gave an example, the first one he mentioned was the Dugu family."

"what!"

Dugu Xinyue was shocked, "Did my husband really say that?"

Yang Yuhuan nodded and quickly explained: "Don't worry, sister. He told me all this because I have no family and no children, so he has no scruples."

Dugu Xinyue took Yang Yuhuan's hand and said with a smile: "I won't worry too much. Sometimes I would be more than happy if my husband doted on you more. Just like you said, you have no family and no children, so why should I worry?"

After a pause, Dugu Xinyue smiled and said, "Actually, I envy you too. Although you are much older than me, we look like sisters when we stand together. Your skin is even more delicate than mine. And your appearance, hey! Even I am attracted to you, let alone men."

"Big sister is joking!"

The two chatted and laughed for a while, then covered up the matter of the Dugu family.

At this time, a maid said at the door: "Madam, Prime Minister Wei wants to see you. Please wait in Qingfeng Hall!"

Dugu Xinyue nodded and smiled at Yang Yuhuan: "I'll go first, we'll talk later!"

She got up and went out. Qingfeng Hall was located in the Qinzhengwu Building. It was where the princess temporarily received ministers. She needed to take a light carriage to get there.

In the carriage, Dugu Xinyue was still thinking about the secret revealed to her by Yuhuan. Could it be that her husband really wanted to divide the country into vassal states?

This is a big deal, and she will tell her father when she gets the chance so that the family can be prepared in advance.

The carriage slowly stopped at Qingfeng Hall. Several maids helped the princess down and walked into the hall. Wei Jiansu hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects.

Dugu Xinyue smiled and said, "It's so hot today, and I have to trouble Prime Minister Wei to come here in person. You can just send one of your men to deliver it."

"Today's report is somewhat important. If Princess has any questions, you can ask me at any time." As he spoke, Wei Jiansu presented a memorial. Dugu Xinyue took the memorial and was shocked when she saw the title, "Preliminary Selection of the Qualifications of the New Emperor of the Tang Dynasty."

Dugu Xinyue had been handling official business for her husband for several months, so she gradually calmed down. She looked at the content, put it aside and said with a smile: "The Regent is already on his way back, so let him take a look at such an important memorial!"

Wei Jiansu was overjoyed, "Is His Highness coming back?"

Dugu Xinyue nodded and said, "When I received the letter from home, His Highness was already in Taiyuan. I guess he is about to enter Guanzhong now."

Wei Jiansu stood up and said, "Then I'll leave this memorial here for now and wait until Your Highness comes back. I'll take my leave now!"

Wei Jiansu bowed and said goodbye and left.

Dugu Xinyue carefully read the five principles again, her brows slightly frowned, was Wei Jiansu confused today? He actually asked her to review such a major matter. Was he too anxious and wanted to get things done before her husband came back?
She really couldn't figure it out, so she could only wait for her husband to come back and ask.

In the morning, a fishing boat was fishing on the Wei River outside Xianyang as usual. The two fishermen were a father and son. The father was called Sun Xiaolu, a farmer near Xianyang who made a living by farming and fishing. The son was his eldest son, only eighteen years old. He started fishing with him last year, and the survival skills were passed down from generation to generation in this way.

Sun Xiaolu threw the net in and felt that there should be a catch, but when he went to pull the net in, he couldn't pull it up.

"Da Lang, come and help me!" Sun Xiaolu shouted anxiously.

Sun Dalang jumped over and asked, "Daddy, what's wrong?"

"I don't know what I caught, it's very heavy, come and pull it together!"

The father and son worked together to pull the fishing net, but they still couldn't pull it. Sun Xiaolu was a little anxious because he had just bought the fishing net and must not damage it!

"You hold the net, I'll go down and take a look."

"Daddy, don't go! What if it's some water monster?"

"Nonsense! It's not a water monster, it's probably a big rock that got tangled up in the fishing net. I have to go down and untie it."

Sun Xiaolu took off his coat and dived into the water. Sun Dalang stared at the water surface anxiously, for he was afraid that there was a water monster below that would swallow his father in one bite.

Suddenly, Sun Xiaolu emerged from the water and shouted, "This is terrible! Go back and call for help. Get a rope!"

The news of the treasure found in the Wei River caused a sensation in the whole Xianyang. Hundreds of thousands of people in the city ran to the river to watch the excitement. County Magistrate Wang hurried to the river with dozens of constables and yamen runners.

He saw a huge black object lying on the shore, so he quickly went down with the yamen runners.

A group of people were watching the huge treasure, when suddenly someone shouted, "The county lord is here!"

Everyone made way for it, and Magistrate Wang walked forward with his men. Only then did he see the object clearly and was immediately shocked. It turned out to be a large bronze tripod that weighed at least several thousand kilograms.

Magistrate Wang was a Jinshi (Jinshi) and he knew that this was an extraordinary thing. Although it was covered in mud, its design was very simple and ancient, and it was obviously an ancient artifact. There seemed to be inscriptions on it, and it must have been cast by an ancient emperor.

"Who dug this up?" asked County Magistrate Wang.

Sun Xiaolu hurried forward and said, "Your Excellency, I discovered this by accident while fishing."

"I'll give you ten strings of cash as a reward. The cauldron has now been taken over by the government!"

He ordered his attendants, "Cover it with oilcloth and notify Chang'an immediately."

(End of this chapter)