Chapter 305

…

The imperial expedition is imminent; Zhao Yu has many matters to entrust.

After all, this journey will be long and arduous, with no certain return date, and the Zhao-Song dynasty has a host of trivial affairs.

Moreover, Crown Prince Zhao Shou, though always composed, is still under fourteen and not yet worthy of weight.

Fortunately, Empress Zheng Xiansu is both capable and steady; setting aside her character, Chancellor Cai Jing's ability and experience are unquestionable; Su Shi's integrity and loyalty are reliable; Tang Ke, Li Gang, Zhao Ding, Lyu Yihao, and other younger officials are all worthy of weight.

Overall, Zhao Yu's conditions for this imperial expedition are considerably better than last time.

Of course, during Zhao Yu's last imperial expedition, Chancellor Zhang Dun's iron-fisted presence allowed Zhao Yu to be away for months, decisively defeat the Liao, recover the Eleven Prefectures of Yan-Yun, and reclaim the tribute payments.

As for why Zhao Yu chose to lead the expedition personally rather than send others to reclaim Yan Di Wuzhou, Pingluan Camp Sanzhou, and Juyong Pass to complete the unification of the Zhao-Song realm, it is because Zhao Yu knows well: to forge steel, one must be strong himself; only by being powerful enough can he fear no foreign enemies afar or internal traitors near, and never be undone.

Zhao Yu, having read history thoroughly, knows that every powerful minister in history, before openly rebelling, exists in a state combining Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi.

Zhuge Liang needs no elaboration.

Seven captures of Meng Huo, six expeditions from Qishan, exhausting himself until death—a paragon of loyalty.

But Sima Yi, before his rebellion, was no less impressive.

A veteran of four reigns, he resisted Shu Han, pacified Liaodong, crushed rebellions, and was entrusted with guardianship twice; at first glance, he was clearly the pillar of Great Wei, the nation's backbone, equal to Zhuge Liang.

Yet who could have imagined that at seventy-one, this old man launched the Gaopingling Coup, turning an age meant for burial into one meant for seizing power?

Duke Zhou feared rumors in his day; Wang Mang was humble before his usurpation.

Had he died at the outset, who could have known the truth of his life?

Zhao Yu can, to some extent, view people from a god's perspective, but do not forget: people change with time, status, environment, and experience. A loyal minister in history is not absolutely immune to the erosion of power; a humble minister—how can one guarantee he won't reveal his ambition when Zhao Yu offers him greater temptation?

In reality, there are no multiple-choice questions; there are only open-ended problems whose answers shift with conditions.

Zhao Yu knows well: human hearts are like oceans, unfathomably deep; only by steering himself can he hold steady course through this turbulent political sea.

Moreover, Zhao Yu's late father, Emperor Shenzong Zhao Xu, left one decree: "He who recovers Yan-Yun shall be king."

If Zhao Yu lets someone else reclaim Yan-Yun, should he bestow the title of non-imperial king upon a living subject—or not?

Therefore, the complete recovery of Yan-Yun and the completion of unification should best be done by Zhao Yu himself.

This way, he can showcase his own glorious martial achievements while avoiding future suspicions and conflicts arising from ministers whose merit threatens the throne.

After entrusting other matters to Cai Jing, Su Shi, and other chancellors, Zhao Yu asked Xiao Pu Xian Nü and Xiao Sese: "Have the Liao envoys for the mission to Yanjing been selected?"

Xiao Pu Xian Nü replied: "I have chosen someone; barring accident, he shall depart northward with his party tomorrow."

Zhao Yu did not ask who she had chosen, but only warned her: "This man is crucial; if he is truly worthy of weight, I may recover the entire Yan-Yun region without a single battle and complete the unification."

Xiao Pu Xian Nü said: "I understand the gravity. If this man accomplishes what I have described, he is surely the most suitable."

As soon as Xiao Pu Xian Nü finished speaking, her maid arrived at the door and gave her a signal: success achieved.

Seeing this, Xiao Pu Xian Nü smiled at Zhao Yu: "I have arranged several palace attendants to bid the Emperor farewell; I hope His Majesty will rest in my palace tonight."

Beside her, Xiao Sese sensed that Xiao Pu Xian Nü's arrangement for the night was not so simple.

After all, before an imperial expedition, unless of utmost importance, Zhao Yu must always rest in Zheng Xiansu's quarters.

This is a universal unspoken rule; even Zhang Chun's five daughters would not dare challenge Zheng Xiansu at such a time.

Crucially, Xiao Pu Xian Nü will accompany Zhao Yu northward—there will be ample future opportunities to be with him.

Crucially, Xiao Pu Xian Nü is pregnant and unfit to serve him.

Yet Xiao Pu Xian Nü insists on arranging palace attendants to bid him farewell—Siao Sese would never believe there is no trick here.

Xiao Sese stood silently, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the hidden embroidery on her sleeve, her mind as clear as a mirror: Xiao Pu Xian Nü's move is suspicious, but now is not the time to ponder it. Yelu Ao Luwan has just, through her mediation, gained eligibility to become Emperor of Liao—he is at the critical juncture requiring full support from the Zhao-Song court; any misstep on her part, offending Zhao Yu or making him doubt the suitability of her and her son, could still lead to failure.

Xiao Sese glanced at Xiao Pu Xian Nü; the woman's face bore a perfectly composed, gentle smile, revealing no trace of deviation.

Zhao Yu, meanwhile, raised his eyebrows slightly—he too found the invitation sudden—but said nothing, only murmured, "Understood."

Xiao Sese's doubts instantly subsided: 'Let her play her games—so long as they don't jeopardize my son's ascension, let her do as she pleases.'

Who the Emperor spends the night with, what currents stir in the harem—these mean nothing compared to Xiao Sese's core interest. Her only thought now is to ensure Yelu Ao Luwan securely ascends the Liao throne; only then can she truly breathe easy.

…

Nightfall.

Zhao Yu arrived at Xiao Pu Xian Nü's palace.

The lanterns in Xiao Pu Xian Nü's palace burned brighter than usual, as if welcoming a moment of great significance.

Over a hundred palace attendants, plump and slender, stood with heads bowed; every detail exuded an unusual allure.

As Zhao Yu entered, his gaze swept the courtyard and quickly settled on the two beautiful women flanking Xiao Pu Xian Nü.

To Xiao Pu Xian Nü's left, the woman's hairpin of sheep-fat jade glimmered faintly, yet could not mask her plainness—no gold ornaments, no cloying fragrance, merely a wisp of cool breeze slipping from the eaves, lost among the crowd of attendants, utterly unremarkable.

When Zhao Yu arrived, she bowed with the others, her eyelashes lowered further, hiding any inappropriate glint of clarity deep within the shadow of her sleeve, as if she were merely a silent silhouette along the corridor, separated from the opulence and clamor around her by an invisible veil.

She stood like a forgotten magnolia, revealing only half her profile. Her brows were faint, like distant mountains veiled in mist; her eyes slightly upturned, yet her pupils still, like ink-stones submerged in water. Her nose was straight and refined, accentuating her lips—naturally pale pink, slightly parted in a timid curve. Her skin was as white as snow; stirred by the corridor wind, she resembled a newly bloomed pear blossom, so plain one dared not look too long.