Chapter 4: Rising to Prominence

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Seeing how powerful Liu Qingjing had become—so much so that Zhao Xu had personally pressured the Empress Dowager, who was now forced to avoid her sharp edge—Zhao Yu still dared to defy her. Everyone present could not help but stare in shock.

The Empress Dowager, who had already resigned herself to fate, opened her eyes and looked at Zhao Yu.

The Empress Dowager never imagined that, just as she was about to fall into an abyss, the one who pulled her back was not Zhao Ji, whom she had treated like her own son, but Zhao Yu—the so-called adopted son she had barely acknowledged.

There, Zhao Yu stood firmly before her, shielding her from Zhao Xu’s overwhelming pressure, a stark contrast to the surrounding eyes that avoided or stared in astonishment.

At this moment, Zhao Yu, long obscure, shone like a brilliant star, radiating dazzling light in the darkness.

The Empress Dowager gazed at Zhao Yu’s back and thought: “Have I misjudged him? Could the Prince of Xin truly be the filial son, the most responsible among the imperial clan, the pillar of our Great Song?”

Zhao Ji was also stunned—he never expected Zhao Yu, who always seemed so composed, to be so reckless: “The Empress Dowager has the support of the Old Faction and is your elder brother’s legal mother, yet she dares not directly oppose Liu Xianfei, who has an imperial prince backing her. You, a mere idle prince, dare to be the first to challenge her—how can you avoid retaliation from Liu Xianfei and the New Faction?”

Ma Xiao Jiao and Yuan Qing Cheng finally noticed Zhao Yu; they exchanged a glance.

“Is he the Zhao Yu that Zhang Chun said is fit to replace Zhao Ji as emperor?”

“He seems to have real guts—even daring to defy Liu Qingjing, that female demon.”

“If such a bold man became emperor, he wouldn’t be as cowardly as Zhao Ji, Zhao Huan, and Zhao Gou—the trio whose weakness caused the Jingkang Humiliation, would he?”

Liu Qingjing, standing nearby, turned livid with rage; even her meticulously applied makeup could not hide her contorted face. Her eyes narrowed, emitting two icy glares, as if warning Zhao Yu not to ruin her plans—or she would make him pay with his life.

Zhao Yu met Liu Qingjing’s gaze without flinching, radiating an unmistakable “come at me” attitude.

Zhao Xu had anticipated someone might oppose Liu Qingjing’s ascension to empress, but he never imagined it would be Zhao Yu—someone who had always shown zero interest in court affairs.

Zhao Xu had already decided to make Liu Qingjing empress. He unleashed his imperial aura, fixing Zhao Yu with a piercing stare: “Prince of Xin, why do you oppose?”

Facing Zhao Xu’s pressure, Zhao Yu did not retreat; he answered calmly and firmly:

“The Empress is the mother of the nation, bearing immense responsibility.

She must be virtuous, treating concubines and palace maids with kindness and compassion, showing no favoritism based on closeness, resolving palace disputes before they arise, turning the inner court into a place of peace and harmony.

She must be tolerant—even when faced with concubines’ offenses or maids’ mistakes—forgiving and understanding, free of jealousy or resentment, maintaining court harmony with grace and dignity.

She must be reverent and filial toward elders such as the Empress Dowager and Imperial Consorts, observing morning and evening courtesies, serving them faithfully, strictly adhering to filial rites, setting an example for all subjects in honoring parents and elders.

Only then can she serve as a model for all women, be revered by the people, embody maternal virtue, uphold the imperial dignity, educate the women of Great Song, and stabilize the foundation of our rule.

But Liu Xianfei, arrogant from favor, acts capriciously, indulges in reckless behavior, has already plunged the inner court into chaos; no one within the palace fears her reputation. How can she be made empress?”

When Zhao Yu finished speaking, everyone present was stirred to the core.

Some among them looked at Zhao Yu with admiration.

Many palace staff even felt, at last, a ray of light had pierced the darkness of the inner court.

Among them were Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu.

In fact, they had entered the palace alongside Liu Qingjing.

But Liu Qingjing was lucky—assigned as Zhao Xu’s personal attendant.

In her early years, Liu Qingjing was clever, beautiful, skilled in song and dance, talented in many arts, deeply favored by Zhao Xu; she also respectfully served the Empress Dowager and Imperial Consort Zhu, rising steadily from Lady of Pingchang to Beauty.

Later, after bearing Zhao Xu two daughters, her favor deepened further.

Gradually, sensing Zhao Xu’s dislike for Minister Meng, Liu Qingjing began to disregard the etiquette of a concubine, growing arrogant with favor, openly defying Minister Meng.

Zhao Xu chose to ignore all of it.

Eventually, Liu Qingjing used Zhao Xu’s hand to depose Minister Meng, standing on equal footing with the Empress Dowager.

From then on, Liu Qingjing grew ever more tyrannical; countless souls in the inner court suffered her and her subordinates’ cruelty and oppression.

Now, taking advantage of bearing Zhao Xu’s only son, she turned her blade toward the Empress Dowager.

Once the Empress Dowager fell, Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu, as her closest female attendants, would surely meet a grim fate—perhaps even following the path of Minister Meng’s household.

Thus, though their expressions remained calm, Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu secretly hoped Zhao Yu would crush Liu Qingjing’s arrogance and preserve the Empress Dowager’s power and status.

Of course, many others—like Zhao Ji—believed Zhao Yu was too impulsive, even foolish, daring to confront the most powerful Liu Xianfei.

But Ma Xiao Jiao and Yuan Qing Cheng, upon hearing Zhao Yu’s definition of an empress, greatly increased their regard for him: “At least he understands what makes a good woman versus a manipulative one—he’s not as blind as Zhao Xu, unable to tell a virtuous woman from a scheming Lvcha .”

Liu Qingjing could no longer hold her composure; she shrieked: “You slander me! Where have I been unvirtuous, intolerant, or unfilial? Where have I been arrogant, capricious, or reckless?”

Zhao Yu met Liu Qingjing’s twisted face and spoke bluntly:

“You conspire with court officials, suppress dissent, frame empresses, and disrupt the inner court—all witnessed by all. How dare you deny it?”

“Now you leverage your childbirth to demand the empress title, plot to overthrow the Empress Dowager, and seize sole control of the inner court—your intentions are as clear as Sima Zhao’s.”

“Which of these accusations do I falsely level against you?”

Before Liu Qingjing could reply, Zhao Yu turned to Zhao Xu and added: “Five generations of Han’s rise culminated in Jianyuan. Emperor Wu expelled barbarians externally and reformed laws internally, performed the Feng and Shan rites, corrected the calendar, changed court attire—deserving praise as a sage ruler. Yet in his old age, the Witchcraft Scandal erupted, destroying his glory and costing him his beloved son. Alas!”

Here, meeting Zhao Xu’s piercing gaze, Zhao Yu declared without hesitation: “Elder brother, if you do not rein yourself in now, you will follow Emperor Wu’s tragic end—and it will be too late to regret.”

Seeing Zhao Yu, to block Liu Qingjing’s ascension, had dared to revive the forbidden Witchcraft Scandal, everyone present was utterly stunned.

Yes.

Liu Qingjing was the mastermind behind the Witchcraft Scandal.

But do not forget—the Witchcraft Scandal was ordered by Zhao Xu himself.

In other words, Zhao Xu shares blame for it.

Now, while Zhao Xu still reigns, Zhao Yu dares to clear Minister Meng’s name and publicly humiliate him.

Is this not the audacity of a man who ate bear’s heart and leopard’s liver?

Ma Xiao Jiao and Yuan Qing Cheng, who already knew of Minister Meng’s historic achievements, deeply sympathized with and admired him. Now, seeing Zhao Yu publicly vindicate him, their regard for him skyrocketed—they even thought: “Him. Such a bold man deserves to be emperor.”

Liu Qingjing collapsed to her knees before Zhao Xu, weeping: “Your Majesty, please punish Prince of Xin for falsely accusing me!”

Zhao Xu’s face had darkened. He had never imagined Zhao Yu would dare publicly expose the Witchcraft Scandal—and compare him to Emperor Wu in his decline!

Zhao Xu stared at Zhao Yu and asked coldly: “Prince of Xin, do you believe I erred?”

Zhao Yu did not evade; he met Zhao Xu’s gaze and answered firmly: “As emperor, your taking many concubines and ensuring imperial lineage is natural. Yet even commoners know: favoring a concubine over the wife leads to family ruin. How much more so for the imperial house? If you insist on asking my opinion, I humbly say—you erred.”

When Zhao Yu spoke, everyone present froze, breath held in utter shock—they never imagined Zhao Yu would dare publicly accuse the emperor of error!

This brought silent satisfaction to those who dared not speak out, especially palace staff like Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu.

Of course, others like Zhao Ji believed Zhao Yu’s defiance of Liu Xianfei was already reckless—now to openly shame Zhao Xu was sheer stupidity.

But Ma Xiao Jiao and Yuan Qing Cheng’s admiration grew ever brighter. If the decision were theirs alone, they might already have chosen Zhao Yu to replace Zhao Ji as the next emperor of the Zhao Song dynasty.

Zhao Yu seemed to have already accepted death; he spoke again with righteous fervor: “Liu Xianfei’s arrogance and filial impiety are too numerous to record. If not restrained, her actions will tarnish Your Majesty’s glory—where then is imperial dignity? Where is peace in the inner court?”

Having said this much, Zhao Yu no longer held back; he spoke plainly:

“Your Majesty’s dislike for Empress Meng and favor for Liu Xianfei is your private matter—I dare not interfere.”

“But if Liu Xianfei becomes empress, she will endanger our Great Song’s Jiangshansheji —this is state affairs, concerning our ancestors’ legacy. I dare not remain silent.”

“Moreover, the Empress Dowager is not merely Your Majesty’s legal mother—she is also my legal mother. Though I am unworthy, as long as I draw breath, I will never allow anyone to insult my mother—even if she is Your Majesty’s favorite concubine.”

“I have spoken my mind. I beg Your Majesty to reflect carefully—do not be deceived by wicked men, lest court order collapse and the inner court fall into discord.”

Zhao Yu’s voice, steady and powerful, echoed through the silent palace…

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(End of Chapter)