Chapter 11: Zhao Ji Was Deeply Wronged

…

The chief steward of the Shen Prince’s mansion, Director Qian, was an old retainer from the palace of the original master’s mother, Imperial Consort Lin; in loyalty and ability, he had no outstanding qualities, and was only kept on account of seniority, often relying on his age to assert authority.

Zhao Yu disliked using such men, but had kept him around because no suitable replacement had been found until now.

Now that he had Huang Jingchen, Liang Shicheng, and Li Yan, Zhao Yu directly promoted Huang Jingchen to deputy chief steward, and elevated Liang Shicheng and Li Yan to key positions within the Shen Prince’s mansion, preparing to gradually replace all incompetent staff in his household so they wouldn’t hinder his major plans.

Huang Jingchen and the other two had anticipated Zhao Yu would elevate them, but never imagined he would entrust them with such heavy responsibility.

The three were deeply moved.

Huang Jingchen spoke first: “Grateful for Your Highness’s great favor, this servant will exhaust every ounce of energy to repay your kindness—even through a thousand trials and perils, I swear eternal loyalty!!!”

Liang Shicheng and Li Yan quickly echoed him, their words brimming with loyalty and resolve.

“I have placed you three in critical positions not merely for the internal affairs of the mansion. The court is now in turmoil, with rival factions circling like hungry wolves. Imperial Consort Liu, having borne the imperial heir, has turned her blade toward the Empress Dowager, threatening the very foundation of Great Song. Though I am the Emperor’s younger brother, in this game of power, I must tread as if walking on thin ice.”

Afraid these words might frighten Huang Jingchen and the others and backfire, Zhao Yu changed tone:

“The Empress Dowager is the pillar of Great Song; she will never allow Imperial Consort Liu to act recklessly and disrupt the court’s order. Though Liu appears powerful, she first conspired with outside ministers to interfere in state affairs, then fabricated a witchcraft case to frame the Empress, and ruthlessly suppressed dissent—I am certain she will soon face retribution and be abandoned by His Majesty.”

Huang Jingchen and the other two were no greenhorns fresh from the palace—they understood perfectly:

Politics was about choosing sides.

Whenever political storms arose, every participant had to promptly declare allegiance, select their side, and demonstrate loyalty to those in power.

For those in power, any politician not standing with them—including those who remained ambiguously neutral—was automatically classified as an enemy.

Political enemies were naturally targets for elimination and suppression.

Thus, promptly choosing the correct side was an essential skill for any politician of this era—a matter of future prospects, even life and death.

Huang Jingchen was a man of loyalty and righteousness.

Liang Shicheng and Li Yan were both extremely shrewd men.

Naturally, they unhesitatingly pledged their lives to serve Zhao Yu.

“Your Highness, please instruct us—what should we do now?” Huang Jingchen quickly assumed his role, asking about his duties as deputy chief steward.

“Fortresses are most easily breached from within. I want you three to purge every hidden threat in the mansion, leaving no opening for enemies.” Zhao Yu said.

“Also, I refuse to be blind or deaf. You must gather intelligence for me—especially intelligence from within the palace.” Zhao Yu added.

“Yes.” The three replied in unison.

“Your Highness, may we recruit additional personnel?” Liang Shicheng asked.

“Decide for yourselves according to circumstances.” Zhao Yu cut straight to the point, focusing on the big picture.

The three were overjoyed!

Li Yan rushed to add: “I do not avoid favoring kin. I have several brothers and nephews who are obedient, and during my service in the palace, I met several utterly loyal men—I wish to bring them all into the Shen Prince’s mansion.”

At this stage, Zhao Yu had no time to care about his subordinates forming cliques—he needed to grow as fast as possible, gaining the strength to compete with Zhao Ji for the throne, so he replied decisively: “Bring them to me. If they are truly capable, I will put them to proper use and reward them generously.”

Zhao Yu turned to Huang Jingchen and Liang Shicheng: “You two may also recommend talent to me—the more, the better…”

…

Zhao Ji knew that yesterday, when the Empress Dowager most needed him, he chose to ignore her—he was certain she now harbored resentment toward him.

Zhao Ji felt deeply wronged.

That was the Emperor and the future Empress—only a fool would dare oppose them!

Zhao Ji believed his choice then was entirely reasonable. Didn’t everyone else make the same choice?

Zhao Ji even thought that if Zhao Yu hadn’t stubbornly intervened to protect his mother, he himself would have sailed through this crisis unscathed.

Without doubt, Zhao Ji now hated Zhao Yu. Zhao Yu had placed him on the fire, jeopardizing his greatest political backing—the Empress Dowager.

He could settle accounts with Zhao Yu later; his immediate priority was to restore the Empress Dowager’s trust.

As soon as dawn broke, Zhao Ji hurried to Cide Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager.

Coincidentally, Li Lin was cleaning the entrance to Cide Palace that day.

Li Lin was exceptionally beautiful: her figure was graceful, her steps light as willow branches dancing in the wind; every gesture radiated unique charm. Her eyes, slightly upturned, resembled clear pools—bright, pure, yet faintly cold and distant; a single glance could stir the heart.

Even among many beautiful palace maids, Li Lin shone like a radiant pearl.

At that moment, she swept the ground with elegant, efficient motions, composed and poised—as if every movement carried perfect restraint.

Such an extraordinary Li Lin immediately caught Zhao Ji’s attention.

Zhao Ji smiled and approached her: “I’ve never seen you before—are you new?”

Li Lin had already seen Zhao Ji, and from nearby maids had learned this handsome young man was Prince Duan—the infamous Emperor Huizong of Song, one of history’s greatest fools.

She had never liked Zhao Ji to begin with; now seeing him as frivolous and licentious as history recorded, she disliked him even more.

Li Lin detoured no words, especially not toward Zhao Ji: “I’m not a messenger. If you wish to see the Empress Dowager, go find Director He.”

With that, she flicked her braid and walked away, utterly unconcerned with offending Zhao Ji.

Zhao Ji, stung by the rebuff, felt deeply embarrassed.

Yet this did not make him dislike Li Lin—on the contrary, it made him more intrigued by her.

But this was Cide Palace, not his own Duan Prince’s mansion—he dared not act rashly.

He cast one long look at Li Lin’s retreating back, then summoned the eunuch guarding the gate, ordering him to announce his arrival.

To his dismay, the eunuch returned shortly with this reply: “The Empress Dowager is not receiving visitors today. Your Highness, please return.”

Seeing the Empress Dowager now refused even to see him, Zhao Ji’s heart tightened; he quickly lowered his demands: “Then are Zheng Yaban or Wang Yisu in the palace? I would be content to meet either of them.”

Zhao Ji already knew the Empress Dowager intended to bestow Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu upon him, and he had wished to take these two brilliant, beautiful women as concubines.

Now that his previously good relationship with the Empress Dowager had fractured, Zhao Ji hoped Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu could help mend it.

But even worse news came from the eunuch: “Both Yabans are attending the Empress Dowager and cannot come out to meet Your Highness.”

Zhao Ji immediately knew this was an excuse.

Yet for now, he could not tell whether this was the Empress Dowager’s will—or Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu’s own.

“Whichever it is, it’s bad news for me.”

“It seems the fallout from yesterday’s incident is far greater than I imagined.”

Zhao Ji did not press further, but replied with sincere politeness: “Then I shall return tomorrow to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager.”

With that, Zhao Ji departed with dignity.

But this was merely surface behavior.

Deep inside, Zhao Ji was roaring: “Zhao Yu, today’s humiliation is all your doing!!!”

…

(End of Chapter)