Chapter 11: Zhao Ji Feels Wronged

…

The head steward of the Shen Wang Fu, Chief Qian, was an old retainer from the palace of the original owner's mother, Consort Lin, and in loyalty and ability he had no outstanding qualities—merely a long tenure, and he always liked to lord it over others with his seniority.

Zhao Yu disliked using such men, but until now there had been no suitable replacement, so he had kept him on.

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 Wang Fu, preparing to gradually replace all the incapable people in his household so they wouldn't hinder his grand plans.

Huang Jingchen and the other two had anticipated Zhao Yu would elevate them, but they never imagined he would rely on them so heavily.

The three were deeply moved.

Huang Jingchen spoke first: "Grateful for Your Highness's great favor, this servant will exhaust every ounce of wit and effort to repay your boundless grace—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 Wang Fu. The court is now in turmoil, with rival factions circling like hungry wolves. Consort Liu, having borne the imperial heir, has turned her blade toward the Empress Dowager, threatening the very foundation of our 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 that speaking thus might frighten Huang Jingchen and the others and backfire, Zhao Yu changed his tone:

"The Empress Dowager is the pillar of our Great Song—she will never stand idly by while Consort Liu acts recklessly and disrupts court order. Though Consort Liu appears powerful, she first conspired with outside ministers to interfere in state affairs, then fabricated a witchcraft case to frame the Empress, and has 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 their allegiance, pick their side, and show loyalty to those in power.

And for those in power, any politician not standing with them—including those who equivocated or claimed neutrality—was automatically marked 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 age—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 unwavering loyalty to Zhao Yu.

"Your Highness, please instruct us—what should we do now?" Huang Jingchen quickly fell into 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 Wang Fu, leaving no opening for enemies." Zhao Yu said.

"Also, I do not wish to be blind or deaf. You must gather intelligence for me—especially 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 say: "I do not shun kinship in recommending talent—my family has several brothers and nephews who are obedient, and during my service in the palace, I met several utterly loyal men whom I wish to bring into the Shen Wang Fu."

At this stage, Zhao Yu had no time to care about his subordinates forming cliques—he needed to grow strong as quickly as possible to gain 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 each to his proper use and reward them without stint."

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 and pretend not to hear—surely she would be displeased with him.

Zhao Ji felt deeply wronged.

That was the Emperor and the future Empress—only a fool seeking death would oppose them, right?

Zhao Ji believed his choice at the time was entirely reasonable. Didn't everyone else make the same choice?

Zhao Ji even thought that if Zhao Yu hadn't stubbornly stepped forward to protect his mother, he himself would have passed through this crisis unscathed.

Undoubtedly, Zhao Ji now hated Zhao Yu. Zhao Yu had put him on the fire, causing him to risk losing the Empress Dowager—his greatest political backer.

The score with Zhao Yu could be settled later; the urgent matter now was to restore the Empress Dowager's trust.

So as soon as dawn broke, Zhao Ji hurried to Ci Xiao Degong to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager.

Coincidentally, today was the day Li Lin was sweeping the entrance to Ci Xiao Degong.

Li Lin's appearance was exceptionally striking—her figure was graceful, her steps light as willow branches dancing in the wind, every gesture exuding a unique charm. Her eyes, slightly upturned, seemed to hold a pool of clear spring water—bright, pure, yet faintly cold and distant; a single glance could stir the heart.

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

At this moment, Li Lin swept lightly, her movements elegant and efficient, composed and poised—as if every motion carried perfect restraint.

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

Zhao Ji smiled and approached Li Lin, striking up a conversation: "I've never seen you before—are you new?"

Li Lin had already seen Zhao Ji, and from nearby palace maids had learned that this handsome young man was Prince Duan—the very same historical figure, the great fool-emperor, Song Huizong.

Li Lin had never liked Zhao Ji to begin with, and now seeing he was indeed as frivolous and licentious as history recorded, she liked him even less.

Li Lin disliked beating around the bush, especially with Zhao Ji—she spoke bluntly: "I am not a messenger. If you wish to see the Empress Dowager, please seek out Chief He."

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

Zhao Ji, stung and embarrassed, was left speechless.

But this did not make Zhao Ji dislike Li Lin—in fact, it made him even more intrigued by her.

Yet this was Ci Xiao Degong, not his own Duan Wang Fu—he dared not act rashly.

He cast one long look at Li Lin's retreating back, then signaled for the gatekeeper, the eunuch surnamed He, to enter and announce him.

But to his dismay, the eunuch He soon returned with this reply: "The Empress Dowager will not receive 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 is Zheng Yaban or Wang Yaban in the palace? I would be content to see either of them."

Zhao Ji already knew the Empress Dowager intended to bestow Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu upon him, and he himself 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 naturally hoped Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu could help mend the breach.

But even worse, the eunuch He returned with this answer: "Both Yabans are attending the Empress Dowager and have no time to meet Your Highness."

Zhao Ji heard this and knew it was merely an excuse.

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

"Regardless of which, it is bad news for me."

"It seems the impact of yesterday's events is far greater than I imagined."

Zhao Jie did not press further, but said sincerely, "In that case, I shall pay my respects to the Empress Dowager again tomorrow."

With these words, Zhao Jie departed with great poise.

But this was merely surface appearance.

Deep within, Zhao Jie was roaring: "Zhao Yu, today's events are all your doing!!!"

……

(End of Chapter)