Chapter 63: One Step Away from Becoming Emperor

…

Zhao Yu and Zhao Ji’s words outside the door, including their earlier conversation with Zhao Shi, quickly reached the ears of the imperial family.

Even the most politically naive could see that neither Zhao Ji nor Zhao Shi could resolve the problems facing the Zhao Song dynasty—they didn’t even know such problems existed.

Thus, only if Zhao Yu became emperor could the Zhao Song dynasty have hope.

Moreover, Zhao Ji’s reputation was ruined; Empress Dowager Xiang would never allow Zhao Shi to ascend the throne, and Zhao Bi and Zhao Si had no intention of competing with Zhao Yu.

As a result, after Zhao Yu and the others entered Cide Palace, nearly every member of the imperial family, regardless of rank, came forward to greet Zhao Yu, even showing him deep reverence.

It gave the impression that Zhao Yu was the people’s unanimous choice.

Zhao Yu no longer pretended to decline; instead, accompanied by Zhao Bi and Zhao Si, he greeted each member of the imperial family with perfect poise.

In truth, Zhao Yu had stopped pretending for a reason.

The first reason was that he had received reliable news: Zhao Xu’s condition had worsened.

It was no one’s fault but Zhao Xu’s—he had been too proud, insisting on personally presiding over the suburban rites.

As a result, exhausted and struck by the cold wind, he fell into a high fever and lost consciousness on the way back.

According to the imperial physicians’ diagnosis, Zhao Xu’s body was spent, his life now sustained only by medicine; they urged immediate preparations for his funeral.

Combined with history.

Zhao Yu was certain there would be no scenario like Emperor Jing’s “old dog” awakening to live seven more years.

Until now, Zhao Yu had remained extremely low-key. To avoid arousing Zhao Xu’s suspicion, he had not left his princely mansion for over a month, refusing all visitors.

In other words, after Fu Ling, Ma Xiao Jiao, and Wang Chuchu, Guo Wei had once again made Zhao Yu a father.

This shows how idle Zhao Yu had been—he had nothing better to do than breed children at home.

Of course, a flourishing lineage was also a powerful asset in competing for the throne.

After all, succession was a matter of vital importance to imperial stability; many emperors had lost their dynasties or triggered regime changes due to having no sons, so most imperial family members without ambition for the throne did not wish to see another situation like Emperor Renzong or Emperor Zhezong, who struggled to pass the throne.

Therefore, Zhao Yu, soon to be father of four children, possessed greater competitive advantage than his childless brothers.

The second reason was that Zhao Yu had always hoped Zhao Xu would clearly name him heir—but reality showed Zhao Xu had no such intention; Zhao Yu still had to compete with Zhao Ji and Zhao Shi.

Zhao Ji and Zhao Shi had no intention of abandoning the throne either.

Thus, Zhao Yu could no longer retreat—he must fight. If he retreated further, those seeking merit from supporting the new emperor might turn to others.

Accompanied by Zhao Bi and Zhao Si, Zhao Yu had just entered Shengping Tower when Princess Qingshou, the tenth daughter of Emperor Renzong, approached and said: “After the suburban rites, I petitioned His Majesty to appoint you as Prefect of Kaifeng. Though he has not yet agreed, he no longer reacts with the fury he showed when ministers previously urged him to name a crown prince. When his health improves, I shall go again—I will see you installed as Prefect of Kaifeng.”

Princess Qingshou was the cousin of Emperor Yingzong Zhao Shu, Zhao Yu and Zhao Xu’s grandfather, and held a higher generation than Empress Dowager Xiang, who treated her with utmost courtesy.

Moreover, Princess Qingshou was upright and always acted in the imperial family’s interest; during the ascensions of Emperor Shenzong and Emperor Zhezong, she had spoken in favor of both.

Thus, Princess Qingshou was one of the few in the imperial family bold enough to speak such words to Zhao Xu.

Zhao Yu bowed deeply and respectfully: “Your humble grandson is unworthy—how could I burden my aunt’s grandmother with such concern?”

Princess Qingshou’s face hardened: “The state is in dire straits: ministers bicker incessantly within, the people suffer, the land is impoverished; beyond the borders, powerful neighbors lurk, and frontier threats never cease. The realm hangs by a thread. Among all princes—and indeed the entire imperial clan—you are the wisest and bravest. You must step forward, restore the court’s dignity, manage state affairs, repel invaders, and secure the people’s welfare. With decisive force, dismantle entrenched corruption; with wisdom and strategy, revive our dynasty. Vow to restore the glory of Great Song, ensure its mountains and rivers endure, its people prosper, honor the legacy of our ancestors, and fulfill the people’s expectations.”

As Princess Qingshou spoke, Zhao Ji and Zhao Shi entered.

Hearing her words, Zhao Ji and Zhao Shi—especially the former—felt deeply bitter.

Zhao Ji wanted to ask Princess Qingshou: I am learned, skilled in poetry, calligraphy, and painting—why is Zhao Yu the most outstanding among us brothers?

But remembering Zhao Yu’s nine questions, Zhao Ji grew too ashamed to speak.

At that moment, Prince Zhao Zhongli, cousin of Emperor Shenzong and uncle to Zhao Yu and others, who now served as Zongzheng, also stepped forward and said: “I have also met His Majesty and jointly petitioned for your appointment as Prefect of Kaifeng; if he agrees, do not let us down.”

Zhao Ji and Zhao Shi understood: it was not only Princess Qingshou and Prince Zhao Zhongli who supported Zhao Yu—it was the imperial elite’s consensus to back Zhao Yu as Zhao Xu’s successor.

“How can we possibly compete?!!!”

“And how come no one told me about this?”

Soon, Zhao Ji and Zhao Shi’s suspicions were confirmed.

Before the banquet began, Empress Dowager Xiang beckoned Zhao Yu: “Prince Shen, come sit by me.”

Seeing this, Zhao Ji—who believed he had repaired his relationship with Empress Dowager Xiang and had once harbored hopes for the throne—finally realized he was out.

No.

Zhao Ji realized—he had been out all along.

Recalling Empress Dowager Xiang’s recent attitude toward him, and reflecting on his own actions, Zhao Yu closed his eyes: “The moment I entered Fanlou, I lost.”

Zhao Ji was filled with regret and resentment; he glared at Zhao Yu: “Heaven’s favor rests solely on you—I have received none of its grace!”

Now that Empress Dowager Xiang, the ultimate arbiter of succession, was publicly endorsing Zhao Yu, Zhao Yu must step forward and demonstrate his worthiness.

So Zhao Yu rose, walked calmly to Empress Dowager Xiang’s side, bowed deeply, then took his seat to her left.

Empress Dowager Xiang’s voice was quiet but resolute as she laid it bare:

“Our Great Song now faces a time of crisis: internal troubles and external threats converge. In court, ministers fight bitterly, edicts stall and falter; beyond the capital, the people suffer, bandits rise in waves. Beyond our borders, powerful enemies circle—Liao and Xia repeatedly invade our lands, fires of war never cease.

Our present sovereign is ill, his chronic ailment incurable, and he has no sons—the crown remains vacant.

Our imperial clan is rich in talent, but in this hour of national peril, the urgent task is to select the most outstanding prince as crown prince.

He must possess grand talent and vision, harbor compassion for all people, and hold strategies to pacify the realm. With wisdom, he must discern the root of court corruption, rectify chaos, purge traitors, and restore order; with courage, he must reorganize our military, repel enemies at our gates, and project Great Song’s might across the world. He must take upon himself the mission of reviving our dynasty: upholding the legacy of our ancestors, ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity, ensuring our Great Song endures for ten thousand generations, forever secure and tranquil…”

Empress Dowager Xiang dared to openly declare her support for Zhao Yu as crown prince because she, too, had received word that Zhao Xu was dying.

In truth, since Zhao Xu descended from the altar, everyone had seen he was finished—otherwise, no one would have placed bets.

Of course, this was also because Zhao Yu had outperformed all his “brothers.”

In short, the second-most powerful force for imperial succession, just below Zhao Xu, was now fully pushing Zhao Yu onto the throne.

Zhao Yu was one step away from becoming emperor…

(End of Chapter)