Chapter 58

…

Zhao Yu has been very low-key lately.

Even though Ma Xiao Jiao, Wang Chuchu, and a servant girl named Shen Fuling he had previously favored were all pregnant, Zhao Yu made no public announcement.

Of course, out of respect for Empress Dowager and Zheng Yaban, Zhao Yu personally went to Ci Xiao Degong at once to deliver the good news to Empress Dowager and Zheng Yaban.

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

Then Empress Dowager 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 Yaban felt a sense of relief and believed she had not married wrongly.

Empress Dowager was also very satisfied with Zhao Yu's attitude and actions; she laughed and scolded: "You're the master of laziness."

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

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

As a result, everyone in Wang Fu, especially the women, clearly understood that although their Wang Fei had not yet arrived, she was already the true, unshakable mistress of Wang Fu.

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

Zhao Yu could only say he was young, vigorous, and an expert marksman.

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

Historically, Zhang Xubai rose to the rank of Palace Attendant of Chonghe Hall, Grand Physician of Tai Xu, and was granted the title Golden Gate Immortal, his status equivalent to a Grade 3 Senior civil official.

During Zhao Ji's reign, elaborate regulations governed Daoist titles and ranks; the highest Daoist title was Palace Attendant of each hall, with Palace Attendant of Chonghe Hall being the highest.

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

One could say Zhang Xubai was unquestionably the pinnacle among Daoist priests of his time.

Moreover, Zhang Xubai had foreseen Zhao Ji's fate, the Jingkang Humiliation, and deduced many events, and ultimately lived to ninety-six.

After interacting with Zhang Xubai, Zhao Yu found 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, "An outsider of this age, destiny unceasing—Your Highness is of inexpressible nobility."

Later, when Zhang Xubai saw Ma Xiao Jiao, he stared for a long time before saying: "The noble lady has great fortune."

These days, Zhao Yu spent his days at home either doing squats and push-ups, or jumping to Liu Genghong's "Bencao Gangmu" fitness routine, or studying Daoist health cultivation with 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.

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

After hearing of this, Zhao Yu quietly went personally to "Hei Hu Wang Family" and invited their highest-ranked 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 the Left, posthumously enfeoffing him as Prince Yue, with the posthumous name Chong Xian, 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 was among them; he neither overacted nor underacted—he consistently maintained one view: "Your Imperial Highness is still young; the Crown Prince is gone, but you can have another. Grieve moderately, preserve your imperial health."

Beyond this, Zhao Yu said nothing.

After visiting Zhao Xu, Zhao Yu actually wished to go to Ci Xiao Degong to "console" Empress Dowager.

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

Zheng Yaban and Wang Yisu brought Pei Sui before Empress Dowager; Pei Sui reported: "Your servant comes on behalf of my lord to beg Your Majesty to grieve moderately and accept the change."

Empress Dowager 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 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 visit her, Empress Dowager 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 of her most vital political asset, 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 directly confront Liu Qingjing—how could he possibly fear her?

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

Empress Dowager understood perfectly well how Zhao Yu had reasoned.

Empress Dowager thought Zhao Yu's handling of the matter was very 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 said to Zheng Yaban, Wang Yisu, and Zhang Chun beside her: "If His Majesty had not favored Liu Qingjing exclusively, but instead, like Prince Shen, visited many concubines, would he have had only Prince Yue as his sole son? Would he now be so heartbroken?"

Here, Empress Dowager lectured Zheng Yaban and the other women: "You must not emulate Liu Qingjing; you must joyfully welcome virtuous women, so that Prince Shen's lineage may flourish; then not only will you gain greater favor from Prince Shen, but your own branch will prosper."

Zheng Yaban and the other women replied: "Yes!"

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

Seeing Zhao Ji arrive, Empress Dowager frowned.

During this period, Zhao Ji's conduct had utterly disappointed Empress Dowager, especially his visits to brothels.

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

Yet Empress Dowager considered that meeting Zhao Ji now would better shield Zhao Yu, who was seeking to remain low-key.

Moreover, adding flowers to brocade is never as valuable as offering charcoal in snow.

So Empress Dowager said: "Let him in…"

…

(End of chapter)