Chapter 58: The Crown Prince Is Dead

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Zhao Yu has been very low-key recently.

Even when Ma Xiao Jiao, Wang Chuchu, and a servant girl named “Fuling” he had previously favored all became pregnant, Zhao Yu made no public announcement.

Of course, out of respect for Empress Dowager Xiang and Zheng Xiansu, Zhao Yu immediately went personally to Cide Palace to deliver the good news to Empress Dowager Xiang and Zheng Xiansu.

Empress Dowager Xiang never expected Zhao Yu to be so capable; she said: “Among all the princes, you most resemble the late emperor.”

Then Empress Dowager Xiang asked: “These three women have rendered great service—how do you plan to reward them?”

Zhao Yu replied without hesitation: “Men manage external affairs; women manage internal affairs. All matters of this kind in my household are decided by Commandant Zheng—I will not interfere.”

Seeing Zhao Yu so firmly uphold her authority, Zheng Xiansu felt a sense of relief, convinced she had not married wrongly.

Empress Dowager Xiang was also very satisfied with Zhao Yu’s attitude and conduct; she laughed and scolded: “You’re the master of laziness.”

Soon, Zheng Xiansu, through Pei Sui, granted rewards to Ma Xiao Jiao and the other two women; moreover, Pei Sui, representing Zheng Xiansu, declared that whichever of the three bore Zhao Yu a son would be adopted by Zheng Xiansu as her daughter.

Zhao Yu, meanwhile, promoted Ma Xiao Jiao and the other two exactly as Zheng Xiansu instructed—no extra rank, not a single copper coin more.

As a result, everyone in the Shen Mansion, especially the women, clearly understood that although their princess had not yet arrived, she was already the undisputed, real mistress of the Shen Mansion, her status unshakable.

As for why Zhao Yu’s fertility was so strong?

Zhao Yu could only say he was young, vigorous, and could hit a target a hundred paces away.

If one must find a reason, it was that since his transmigration, Zhao Yu, acutely aware of how fragile people were in this era, had persistently exercised his body and invited Zhang Xubai to teach him Daoist health preservation techniques.

Historically, Zhang Xubai rose to the rank of Attendant of Chonghe Palace, Grand Daoist Physician, and was granted the title Golden Gate Immortal, his status equivalent to a civil official of the third rank.

During Zhao Ji’s reign, elaborate regulations governed Daoist titles and ranks; the highest Daoist title was Attendant of a Palace, with Attendant of Chonghe Palace being the supreme.

Throughout Zhao Ji’s reign, only nine men held the position of Attendant, and only three were granted the title “Golden Gate Immortal,” permitting them to enter the imperial palace with jade tokens.

Zhang Xubai was, without doubt, the absolute pinnacle among Daoists of his time.

Moreover, Zhang Xubai not only foresaw Zhao Ji’s fate, the Jingkang Humiliation, and predicted many events, but also lived to ninety-six years old.

After interacting with Zhang Xubai, Zhao Yu found that Zhang Xubai truly had substance.

Not to mention anything else.

Just consider their first meeting: Zhang Xubai drank an entire gourd of wine before saying, “A stranger of this age, heaven’s mandate endures—Your Highness is of incomparable nobility.”

Later, when Zhang Xubai saw Ma Xiao Jiao, he stared for a long time before saying: “A noble person enjoys great fortune.”

These days, Zhao Yu spent his days at home either doing squats and push-ups, jumping to Liu Genghong’s “Bencao Gangmu” fitness routine, or learning Daoist health preservation from Zhang Xubai—all focused on strengthening his body.

During this time, all imperial physicians had examined Zhao Mao; they employed every possible method, yet Zhao Mao’s condition showed no improvement whatsoever.

Seeing this, Zhao Xu issued an edict to seek physicians from the common people, offering a reward of one hundred thousand strings of cash and immediate appointment as Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau to anyone who could cure Zhao Mao—unprecedentedly generous.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yu quietly went personally to “Black Tiger Wang Family” and invited their most skilled physician, Old Master Wang, to treat Zhao Mao.

As Zhao Yu had expected, Old Master Wang returned and shook his head at Zhao Yu.

Soon, nearly every “miracle doctor” within hundreds of li had examined Zhao Mao—all to no avail.

Crown Prince Zhao Mao died.

Zhao Xu was heartbroken; he issued an edict granting Zhao Mao the posthumous titles Grand Tutor and Minister of State, posthumously enfeoffing him as Prince of Yue, with the posthumous name Chongxian, and suspending court for three days.

Zhao Xu wept for Zhao Mao continuously for three days, nearly exhausting his tears.

Zhao Bi organized the other princes to visit Zhao Xu.

Zhao Yu, among them, neither overplayed his role nor acted conspicuously; his consistent stance was: “Your Highness is still young; the Crown Prince is gone, but you can have another. Grieve moderately, adapt to fate, and preserve your imperial health.”

Beyond this, Zhao Yu said nothing.

After visiting Zhao Xu, Zhao Yu actually wished to go to Cide Palace to “console” Empress Dowager Xiang.

But fearing Zhao Xu and Liu Qingjing might misinterpret, he did not go himself; instead, he sent Pei Sui to “console” Empress Dowager Xiang on his behalf.

Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu brought Pei Sui before Empress Dowager Xiang; Pei Sui reported: “Your servant comes on behalf of my lord to beg Your Majesty to grieve moderately and adapt to fate.”

Empress Dowager Xiang asked: “Why does your lord not come himself?”

Pei Sui, gritting her teeth, replied: “My lord says Your Majesty is far too wise to need explanation.”

Empress Dowager Xiang immediately knew this was Zhao Yu’s words—who else would dare speak to her like this?

As for why Zhao Yu did not come to see her, Empress Dowager Xiang could guess with her heel: Zhao Yu feared provoking Liu Qingjing, for they were her greatest political enemies; now that Liu Qingjing had suffered a catastrophic loss—the most vital political asset gone—given her unreasonable nature, she might vent her rage on the innocent. If she whispered poison into Zhao Xu’s ears while he was equally grief-stricken, another witchcraft case might erupt.

Was Zhao Yu afraid?

In Zhao Xu’s presence, Zhao Yu had dared to confront Liu Qingjing fiercely—how could he possibly fear her?

It was simply unnecessary to stir up trouble, especially as the victor.

Empress Dowager Xiang understood perfectly well how Zhao Yu had reasoned.

Empress Dowager Xiang judged Zhao Yu’s handling of the matter to be prudent.

So she told Pei Sui: “Return and tell your lord I understand. Instruct him to care well for those three women—I await my grandson.”

After sending Pei Sui away, Empress Dowager Xiang said to Zheng Xiansu, Wang Yisu, and Zhang Chun beside her: “Had His Majesty not favored Liu Qingjing exclusively, but instead, like Shen Wang, visited his concubines more widely, would he have had only one son, Prince of Yue? And now, would he be so heartbroken?”

Here, Empress Dowager Xiang instructed Zheng Xiansu and the other women: “Do not emulate Liu Qingjing. Instead, joyfully bring virtuous women into the household, so Shen Wang’s lineage may flourish. Only then will you gain greater favor from Shen Wang, and your own branch will prosper.”

Zheng Xiansu and the others replied: “Yes!”

At this moment, Yang Jian reported: “Prince Duan requests an audience.”

Seeing Zhao Ji arrive, Empress Dowager Xiang frowned.

During this period, Zhao Ji’s conduct had utterly disappointed Empress Dowager Xiang—especially his visits to brothels to consort with courtesans.

A prince, could he possibly lack women? Why must he seek stimulation in brothels? So immature, so dissolute—what could he ever accomplish?

Yet Empress Dowager Xiang considered that meeting Zhao Ji now could better shield Zhao Yu, who wished to remain low-key.

Moreover, in human affairs, adding flowers to brocade is never as valuable as bringing charcoal in snow.

So Empress Dowager Xiang said: “Let him in…”

…

(End of Chapter)