Chapter 59: The Emperor Has Fallen Ill

…

Before meeting Empress Dowager Xiang, Zhao Ji was nervous, fearing she would scold him into tears for being caught visiting a brothel.

To be honest, Zhao Ji truly did not want to come and invite this misfortune.

But Zhao Mao was dead, Zhao Bi's eyesight was impaired, and according to "inherit the legitimate, not the illegitimate; inherit the eldest, not the most capable," Zhao Ji was the first in line for succession until Emperor Zhao Xu had a new son.

More importantly, Zhao Xu's health had always been poor, and he had been further shaken by Zhao Mao's death, weeping uncontrollably for three days straight—what if he suddenly collapsed?

Zhao Ji was a man with great ambition; he did not wish to remain forever bound by his title as prince, unable to do anything, even punished severely for merely visiting a brothel.

In short, Zhao Ji, who possessed decent political sensitivity, felt this might be his chance to change his fate.

Moreover, Zhao Ji believed that although Zhao Yu had recently stood out and many ministers favored him, and although Zhao Si was Zhao Xu's full younger brother and thus had legitimate claim by ritual and reason, if he could win Empress Dowager Xiang's favor again, make her love him as she once had, then should Zhao Xu suddenly pass away, he would surely have a chance to inherit the throne.

That was why Zhao Ji had mustered the courage to come and seek an audience with Empress Dowager Xiang, hoping to repair their mother-son relationship.

To Zhao Ji's immense delight, Empress Dowager Xiang did not scream at him, but instead gave him earnest advice.

Empress Dowager Xiang said: "Courtesans are lowly; they are unfit to serve a prince. Moreover, brothel districts are filled with all manner of people—danger lurks. You must cherish yourself."

Zhao Ji felt ashamed and quickly promised: "Your servant has learned his lesson and will never repeat it." His motto: admit fault, correct it, then repeat it—tempered a thousand times!

Empress Dowager Xiang further admonished Zhao Ji to work diligently and produce an heir soon, to expand the imperial lineage.

Zhao Ji readily agreed.

Even more joyfully, Empress Dowager Xiang kept him for a meal, and before he left, ordered someone to give him one large glass mirror and five small glass mirrors to take to his Wang Fei, Wang Shi.

In short, Zhao Ji's visit went far better than he had imagined.

Zhao Ji even wondered: "Could it be that Zhao Yu has offended the Empress Dowager and lost her favor?"

Thinking of this possibility, Zhao Ji became extremely excited, believing he had another chance.

But Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu, who knew Empress Dowager Xiang intimately, saw clearly that Zhao Ji had lost her favor completely.

And Zhang Chun was certain: Zhao Ji was out of the race entirely.

Only when one harbors hope for a person does one feel compelled to rebuke them when their behavior deviates from expectation—because deep inside, one wishes them to become better, to reach the image one has envisioned. This rebuke hides care and concern, the urgency of frustration at their failure to rise.

But when one is utterly disappointed, all hope shatters like bubbles, and passion is doused with cold water. At such a time, words become superfluous; only coldness and distance remain, and one becomes politely courteous instead. This courtesy is no longer kindness—it is a polite distance, total resignation, banishing the person from one's emotional world forever.

It was not that Zhao Ji was less clever than Zheng Xiansu, Wang Yisu, or Zhang Chun; rather, those involved are blind, while observers see clearly—thus Zhao Ji failed to perceive his true situation.

After Zhao Ji left, Empress Dowager Xiang asked Zhang Chun: "How is Prince Duan?"

Zhao Yu had kept Zhang Chun beside Empress Dowager Xiang precisely so that, at this final moment, she would watch over the Empress Dowager, use her mystic status to stabilize her, ensuring she continued to support Zhao Yu and would not suddenly switch allegiance to Zhao Ji, causing his victory to slip away like a cooked duck flying off.

Although Zhao Yu had not explained this to Zhang Chun, Zhang Chun, who understood history better than Zhao Yu, knew exactly what she must do at this critical juncture to secure the vital victory for both herself and Zhao Yu.

For instance, at this moment, Zhang Chun wanted to tell Empress Dowager Xiang: "Prince Duan can do everything—except be an emperor!"—to crush Zhao Ji.

But as the words reached her lips, Zhang Chun suddenly noticed Zheng Xiansu subtly shaking his head at her.

Zhang Chun instantly realized: "Since Empress Dowager Xiang has already given up on Zhao Ji, I must not add unnecessary words—otherwise, I might backfire."

Realizing this, Zhang Chun swallowed the words already on her tongue and instead gave a mysterious, silent shake of her head.

Seeing Zhang Chun also say Zhao Ji was unfit, Empress Dowager Xiang sighed deeply, then waved her hand listlessly, signaling Zheng Xiansu, Wang Yisu, and Zhang Chun to withdraw.

Unexpectedly, Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu moved, but Zhang Chun did not.

Seeing this, Empress Dowager Xiang asked Zhang Chun: "Do you have something to say?"

Zhang Chun said solemnly: "Your servant observed the Purple Micro Star dimming—the calamity has not yet dissipated."

Empress Dowager Xiang's pupils contracted, and she blurted out: "Is there still a great disaster coming for Your Majesty?!"

Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu, who had not yet left far, also looked stunned.

Zhang Chun gave a slight nod, confirming Empress Dowager Xiang's suspicion.

Empress Dowager Xiang, Zheng Xiansu, and Wang Yisu all turned toward Emperor Zhao Xu's sleeping quarters: "What other calamity could be coming?"

Four days later, a palace maid accidentally knocked over a copper basin; Liu Qingjing's young daughter, Princess Yangguo, was frightened and suddenly fell gravely ill and died.

Princess Yangguo was Zhao Xu's favorite daughter; her death plunged Zhao Xu, who had never recovered from his grief, into fresh agony, and he wept aloud.

Zhao Xu suspended court for three days again.

Three days later, overwhelmed by grief and rage, Zhao Xu summoned the imperial physicians and intended to punish them for his fury.

The physicians knelt trembling before him, not daring to breathe.

Zhao Xu pointed at them and roared: "What use are you, incompetent doctors? First the Crown Prince, then the Princess—my two children have died by your hands! How dare you enjoy my salary? How do you deserve the title 'Imperial Physician'?!!!"

Chief Physician Qian Yi mustered the courage to defend himself:

"The Crown Prince suffered from a congenital heart ailment, originating in the womb, with erratic pulse. Symptoms included labored breathing, blue lips. Medicines proved useless; the chronic illness was incurable. We humbly admit our inability."

"The Princess suddenly contracted a fright-induced illness—limbs convulsing, unable to control herself, teeth clenched, faint froth at the mouth. By the time we arrived, it was too late; medicine could not save her. We deserve death."

When Zhao Xu was a child, he suffered from dysentery; many imperial physicians failed to cure him. Qian Yi was recommended by Princess Chang and cured Zhao Xu with Yellow Earth Decoction, later becoming an imperial physician.

Because of this relationship, Qian Yi dared to speak up, explaining that Zhao Mao had a congenital heart disease, utterly untreatable, and that Princess Yangguo also had a weak heart—her illness was triggered by fright, leaving no opportunity for their skills to help.

In short, Qian Yi meant: Zhao Mao and Princess Yangguo died of fatal illnesses—none of it was their fault.

Zhao Xu pointed at Qian Yi and roared: "Incompetent doctor, how dare you defend yourself? I—I—"

Immediately, Zhao Xu spat a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground!

"Quickly save Your Majesty!!!"

The imperial physicians rushed forward to rescue Zhao Xu; the palace instantly descended into chaos.

Soon, the news spread: the seventh emperor of the Zhao Song dynasty, Emperor Zhezong Zhao Xu, had fallen ill…

…

(End of Chapter)