Great Zhou Empire: Kill Zhao Kuangyin at the beginning

Chapter 557: The Soong Sisters (Special thanks to the monthly ticket from book friend and novel lover AA!)

Mrs. Song continued:
"So what does the husband plan to do now?"

Kou Zhun sighed and said:

"Ding Wei has made things difficult for me over trivial matters, and I cannot possibly disturb Your Majesty over this matter. Now I have no choice but to send more people to look for these master craftsmen everywhere."

Mrs. Song pondered for a moment and said:
“My husband, if we act this way, it will only delay the process, and if His Majesty knew about it, he would definitely blame the Prime Minister and the Second Prime Minister for being at odds.

It would be better for me to go and beg Princess Song. As long as Princess Song is willing to come forward, it will only take a word from the King of Song to make Ding Wei dare not embarrass her husband again. "

Kou Zhun hesitated and said:
"No!
The King of Song was deposed as the Crown Prince because of his limited intelligence. If Your Majesty knew about this, he would think that the Prime Minister and the King of Song were too close and were in a clique. Wouldn't he be very angry?"

Mrs. Song smiled and said:
“Husband, don’t worry.

My husband has been the Prime Minister for seven years and will step down in three years, but my son Sui'er is still young and has not yet entered the officialdom.

Who would believe that my husband has joined the King of Song and formed a clique?

If your husband is obstructed in building the statue for the imperial mausoleum, then he will fall into Ding Wei's trap, which will make him appear more talented than your husband. Your Majesty may be so angry that he will remove your husband from the position of Prime Minister and promote Ding Wei to the position of Prime Minister!"

Kou Zhun pondered for a while. He was reluctant to let his wife go to her sister, Princess Song Chun, for help, but he knew that if he fell into Ding Wei's trap and was removed from the position of Prime Minister, he would be depressed for the rest of his life even if he didn't die of anger.

Mrs. Song saw Kou Zhun hesitated and advised:
"My husband is an upright person who disdains to seek personal gain, but Ding Wei is a cunning man. If we don't let him know how powerful he is this time, he will use countless vicious tricks against my husband in the future.

Is my husband going to be so passive all the time and let him do whatever he wants?"

Kou Zhun finally made a decision and sighed:

"I never thought that I, Kou Zhun, would face such an embarrassing day!
Then there is Mrs. Lao."

Mrs. Song said with tears in her eyes:

"My husband doesn't blame me for not being able to bear children, and doesn't take me in as a concubine. He treats me with deep affection, and I don't know how to repay you.

Given the deep bond between us sisters, Princess Song will definitely lend a hand in such a small matter."

The next day, on the afternoon of March 14, the 50th year of Kaixi, Mrs. Song, escorted by her personal maid and servants, set out for the Prince of Song's Palace in Luoyang.

The "national highway" between Bianjing and Luoyang had been open for more than 20 years, and even the provincial and county roads were well connected.

The distance between the two cities is only a little over 400 miles, and it takes two days to reach the destination by taking the national highway.

The Prince of Song's Palace was located in the center of Luoyang City, covering a vast area, almost one-sixth the size of the Imperial City of Bianliang.

Mrs. Song was sitting in a carriage all the way. Through the window, she saw that Luoyang City was full of shops and densely populated. Many people were wearing gold and silver. It was as prosperous as Bianliang.

At one o'clock in the morning, the carriage arrived at the south gate of Prince Song's Palace.

Soon after the servant handed the name card to the guard of Prince Song's mansion, Mrs. Song was summoned by the Princess Song.

When Mrs. Song and Princess Song met in the main hall of the harem of Prince Song's mansion, they were both delighted and chatted about many trivial matters.

Song Chun said:
“From my observation of Sister’s expression, it seems like there is something on her mind.

You and I are a family, so feel free to talk about anything."

Song Wo smiled and said:

“The queen is as meticulous as a hair.

Although this matter is not a big deal, it is not easy to resolve without the help of the Queen."

Song Wo immediately told him about the matter between Kou Zhun and Ding Wei.

Song Chun said angrily:

"This Ding Wei is really not a gentleman.

Seeing that the "Time Palace" he supervised the construction of was greatly favored by his father, he immediately became arrogant.

In my opinion, Ding Wei's revenge for the flattery he suffered in the past is fake, and his real intention is to frame Kou Shoufu and fight for power and profit! "Song Chun paused and continued:

"My brother-in-law and my sister have always loved each other, so it's right for you to come to me, sister!
Prime Minister Kou has always been upright and honest, and he doesn't engage in any conspiracy or intrigue, but how could he allow Ding Wei to bully him!

Don't worry, sister. There is no need to alarm King Song and His Majesty. I can help you vent your anger."

Song Chun asked his sister Song Wo to sit in the palace, and he went to the main hall in the front yard of the Prince Song's Mansion and summoned Meng Tao, the eunuch chief of the palace.

Since the King of Song ignored everything every day and just ate, drank and had fun, the state affairs were handled by the Prime Minister of Song, Lu Mengzheng, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Zhang Qixian, who led the officials of the royal palace.

All matters within the palace were decided by Princess Song.

After greeting, Song Chun said:
"General Manager Meng, I order you to leave for Bianjing immediately to meet Ding Ci Fu.

For example, Prince Song heard that Your Majesty had issued an order to build statues of Your Majesty and the concubines in the imperial mausoleum. He wondered when the statues of Your Majesty and Empress Shengci would be completed?

Your Highness and I can't wait to see the statues of our father and mother."

When Eunuch Meng wanted to ask for more details, Song Chun said:

"Chief Steward Meng, just follow my orders and do your job. Don't ask any more questions."

Meng Tao agreed repeatedly and went downstairs to prepare for the trip.

Half an hour later, Eunuch Meng had his carriage and entourage ready. After receiving the token from the palace, he left the palace and headed for Bian Jing.

Princess Song Chun returned to the backyard of the palace and asked her sister Song Wo to stay in the palace. The two of them talked about their family affection.

Two days later, at noon on March 18th, Eunuch Meng and his entourage had already arrived at Ding Wei's mansion in Bian Jing.

After handing over the name card, Ding Wei came out in person shortly afterwards.

Ding Wei bowed and said with a smile:

"I am very sorry for not welcoming you to the Song Palace. Please come in and have a chat."

Ding Wei was the second assistant in the cabinet, a high-ranking official of the first rank. Meng Tao was the chief eunuch in the Palace of Prince Song, but of the third rank. However, he was a household slave representing Prince Song, so Ding Wei naturally humbly called himself "your humble official."

Meng Tao smiled in return:

"Greetings, Lord Deputy Minister! I am here on the orders of His Royal Highness Prince Song and His Royal Highness the Princess to pay a special visit!"

Ding Wei's heart moved, and he quickly extended his hand to invite Meng Tao into the mansion.

The group walked into the mansion, and Ding Wei led Meng Tao to sit down in the main hall in the backyard.

After a brief exchange of greetings, Meng Tao said:

“Ding Ci Fu, His Royal Highness Prince Song and His Royal Highness Princess Consort have heard that His Majesty has issued an order to build statues of His Majesty and the ladies in the harem at the Imperial Mausoleum.

I have specially sent my servant to ask you when the statues of Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Holy Empress will be completed?

Prince Song and his wife, the Princess, are eager to see the statues of their father and mother."

Ding Wei was startled:
"It's not my responsibility to build the statues in the imperial mausoleum. How can the King and Princess Song ask me about this?"

As soon as this thought came to his mind, Ding Wei suddenly remembered that Princess Song Chun was the younger sister of Kou Zhun's wife Song Wo. In an instant, he understood.

Ding Wei smiled and said:

"Your Majesty has handed this matter over to Prime Minister Kou to supervise. With Prime Minister Kou's ability, I believe that construction will start soon, and it won't take long for the statues of Your Majesty and the Holy Empress to be completed."

Meng Tao nodded and stopped talking about the matter. After the two chatted about some official gossip, it was almost noon.

Ding Wei immediately invited Meng Tao and his party to a banquet at his house, where they drank and chatted.

Towards evening, after seeing off Eunuch Meng who was anxious to return to Prince Song's palace to report, Ding Wei sat down in the side room in a depressed mood.

(End of this chapter)