Chapter 44: The Filial Son of Prince Shen

…

Zhao Yu handed the repeatedly adjusted glasses to Empress Dowager Xiang.

Empress Dowager Xiang received the miraculous object that would restore her vision with eager anticipation and slowly placed it upon her nose.

In an instant, the entire world seemed to awaken anew.

A flicker of shock passed through Empress Dowager Xiang's eyes, then was instantly filled with boundless joy.

She clearly saw her own reflection in the glass mirror—every wrinkle, every silver strand rendered in sharp detail; she saw the delicate patterns on the rouge box before her, the fine carvings as if whispering the artisan's craftsmanship; she gazed out the window, where the emerald bamboos beneath the distant palace walls revealed every vein on their leaves, and even the small bird perched on a branch—its lively eyes and colorful feathers—came fully into view.

"This… this is truly miraculous!"

Empress Dowager Xiang murmured to herself, her voice brimming with excitement and emotion.

Since childhood, Empress Dowager Xiang had studied classics intensively, and long ago her vision had deteriorated to the point where everything beyond a step away was blurred, she could not distinguish people from animals, and moved entirely by instinct.

For years, the world in Empress Dowager Xiang's eyes had been nothing but hazy outlines.

Now, with her vision restored, memories surged forth like tidal waves—she recalled strolling through the imperial garden in her youth, the blossoms then in full splendor now vividly alive in her mind; she recalled the voice, face, and laughter of Emperor Shenzong, now strikingly clear…

Seeing the trial glasses seemed functional, Zhao Yu asked beside her: "Mother, how is it?"

Empress Dowager Xiang nodded gently, tears glistening in her eyes yet her face radiant with smiles. This small pair of glasses not only let her see the world before her, but also reclaimed precious memories long obscured by blurred years.

"My son is truly filial."

Then, Empress Dowager Xiang turned to the glass mirror before her and marveled: "This glass mirror is splendid too—far clearer than bronze mirrors. I never realized I've grown so gray-haired and wrinkled—I've aged!"

As she spoke, Empress Dowager Xiang touched her own white hair, then her own wrinkles. In her youth, she too had been a beauty.

Zhao Yu could not let Empress Dowager Xiang sink into self-pity; he helped her up and said: "Your servant has prepared ten large mirrors and a hundred small ones for Mother. If these are insufficient, I have more at my residence—Mother may gaze at leisure later. I've also prepared something even more entertaining for Mother."

Saying this, Zhao Yu moved to guide Empress Dowager Xiang toward the Shengping Tower behind them.

But Empress Dowager Xiang nearly stumbled.

Empress Dowager Xiang gripped her own head: "Why do I feel dizzy?"

"This is normal the first time wearing glasses—it will pass once you grow accustomed," Zhao Yu said.

After letting Empress Dowager Xiang adjust for a while, Zhao Yu guided her to the Shengping Tower.

Ascending the second floor, Zhao Yu handed Empress Dowager Xiang the telescope and patiently instructed her on how to adjust focus and aim at distant objects.

When Empress Dowager Xiang finally aimed the telescope at the distant palace city, the unreachable towers and pavilions suddenly drew near before her eyes, rendered crystal clear—every tile, every carved beam and painted eave felt as close as if within reach.

"This… this is truly a divine artifact!" Empress Dowager Xiang exclaimed, her voice filled with stunned disbelief.

"For Empress Dowager Xiang, long confined within the inner palace with rare exposure to the outside world, this was undoubtedly a window opening onto a wondrous new realm," Zhao Yu thought.

"Mother, look this way—can you see the scenery beyond the palace walls?" Zhao Yu pointed beyond the palace to Empress Dowager Xiang.

Empress Dowager Xiang followed his gesture and looked.

The mirror's view suddenly shifted to the bustling streets beyond the palace walls—the throngs of people, the crowded roads, the boats on the Bianhe River—all unfurled before her like a painted scroll.

"Is this truly a Clairvoyant?!" Empress Dowager Xiang exclaimed repeatedly.

"It's not quite a Clairvoyant, but with this telescope, one can indeed see far. If deployed on the battlefield, it will allow us to anticipate enemy movements and seize the initiative, making victory for our Song army far easier. I shall present this telescope to His Majesty and urge him to award it to our frontline generals to aid our troops in battle," Zhao Yu said.

Seeing Zhao Yu's concern for the greater good and selfless devotion, Empress Dowager Xiang set down the telescope and asked Zhao Yu: "His Majesty insists on making Liu Qingjing this poisoness Empress—why are you still aiding him?"

Zhao Yu did not hesitate; he declared with righteous solemnity: "Our Great Song is not the empire of His Majesty alone—it is the legacy passed down by our Zhao ancestors. We, the imperial clan, share its fate. When Great Song prospers, we all enjoy glory and wealth; when Great Song falls, we all face slaughter. My actions serve only to ensure the eternal stability of Great Song's realm, not His Majesty alone. As for the error in naming the Empress, when the right opportunity arises, I shall speak frankly with His Majesty and strive to set things right."

Empress Dowager Xiang nodded slightly, her eyes revealing a trace of satisfaction and a hint of helplessness: "That you think thus brings me great comfort—it proves my years of teaching you were not in vain. If…"

Empress Dowager Xiang wanted to say: "If you had been born ten years earlier, I would never have persuaded the late Emperor to name His Majesty Crown Prince. If you were Emperor, how could Great Song fail to flourish?!"

But she could not say it—saying it would benefit Zhao Yu not at all, and might even endanger him.

Empress Dowager Xiang could only whisper in her heart: "What a pity!!!"

Zhao Yu had come today to visit Empress Dowager Xiang not to discuss politics, but to make her happy.

After briefly touching on the current political situation, Zhao Yu took Empress Dowager Xiang to use the telescope to observe the people and scenery around them.

The spring scenery beyond Dongjing Bianliang's suburbs, the prosperity of the Bianhe River, the city's streets, even the hardworking farmers in distant fields—all came into Empress Dowager Xiang's view.

The telescope seemed to possess magical power, shrinking distances and making Empress Dowager Xiang feel as if she were immersed in those scenes, sensing the life of different people.

Empress Dowager Xiang's aged face remained lit with a joyful smile.

Beside her, Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu watched the unbroken smile on Empress Dowager Xiang's face and thought: "How many years has it been since the Empress Dowager was this happy? Shen Wang truly knows how to please her—in this, Duan Wang cannot even compare!"

Then, Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu turned to Zhao Yu, their eyes filled with admiration and deep affection…

…

While Zhao Yu accompanied Empress Dowager Xiang in gazing afar, Zhang Chun, Li Lin, Ye Shi Yun, and Yuan Qing Cheng approached Ma Xiao Jiao. They gestured to her from a distance, signaling her to come over and chat.

To be honest, Ma Xiao Jiao was now a little afraid—no, more accurately, a little embarrassed to face Zhang Chun and the other three.

—She, a transmigrator, had been so easily swept away by Zhao Yu, a native—this was too humiliating for a transmigrator.

But she could not refuse.

If her man wished to become Emperor and rule well, he would need the help of these four women.

With no choice, Ma Xiao Jiao told Accompanying Tong Guan: "Chief Tong, I'll go speak with some old friends—please watch over things here."

Accompanying Tong Guan knew Ma Xiao Jiao was Zhao Yu's favored concubine; he would never refuse her face. He immediately beamed: "Madam, please go—everything here is under Accompanying Tong Guan's care."

Then, Ma Xiao Jiao took the food box she had prepared in advance from Tong Hua's hands and walked toward Zhang Chun and the other three women…

…

(End of Chapter)