Chapter 63: One Step Away from Becoming Emperor

…

Zhao Yu and Zhao Ji's words outside the door, including their earlier conversation with Zhao Si, quickly reached the ears of the imperial clan.

Even the most politically naive could see that neither Zhao Ji nor Zhao Si could solve 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 Si 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 other two entered Cide Palace, nearly every member of the imperial clan, regardless of status, came forward to greet Zhao Yu, even showing him deep reverence.

It gave the impression that Zhao Yu was the people's chosen one.

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

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

The first reason was that he had received accurate 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, Zhao Xu fell into a high fever on the way back, unconscious.

According to the imperial physicians' diagnosis, Zhao Xu's body was utterly depleted, sustained only by medicine, and they urged immediate preparations for his funeral.

Combined with history.

Zhao Yu was certain that the incident where Emperor Jing, upon hearing the words "old dog," sat up startled and lived seven more years, would not occur.

Before this, Zhao Yu had remained extremely low-key; to avoid arousing Zhao Xu's suspicion, he had not left his Wang Fu for over a month, refusing all visitors.

In other words, after Shen Fuling, Ma Xiao Jiao, and Wang Chuchu, Guo Wei had once again gotten Zhao Yu's woman pregnant.

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 advantage in competing for the throne.

After all, the issue of succession was vital to the stability of the imperial rule; many emperors had lost their dynasties or triggered dynastic changes due to having no sons, so most members of the imperial clan without imperial ambitions did not wish to see another case like Emperor Renzong or Emperor Zhezong, who struggled to pass the throne down.

Given this, Zhao Yu, soon to be father of four children, certainly had an added edge over his brothers who had no heirs.

The second reason was that Zhao Yu had long harbored hope that Zhao Xu would clearly name him as his heir—but the reality was, Zhao Xu had no such intention, and Zhao Yu still had to compete with Zhao Ji and Zhao Si.

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

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

As Zhao Yu entered Shengping Tower accompanied by Zhao Bi and Zhao Si, Princess Qingshou, the tenth daughter of Emperor Renzong, walked over and said: "After the suburban rites, I have recommended you as Prefect of Kaifeng to Your Majesty. Though he has not yet agreed, he is no longer as furious as he was when ministers previously urged him to name a crown prince. Another day, when his health improves, I shall go again—I will see to it that you become Prefect of Kaifeng."

Princess Qingshou was the cousin of Emperor Yingzong Zhao Shu, Zhao Yu and Zhao Xu's grandfather, and her generation was even higher than Empress Dowager Xiang's—Empress Dowager Xiang herself treated her with great deference.

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

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

Zhao Yu immediately bowed deeply and replied: "I, your humble grandson, am unworthy—how could I burden my aunt-grandmother with such concern?"

Princess Qingshou's face hardened: "The state is now in dire straits: within, ministers bicker endlessly; the people suffer, impoverished; without, powerful neighbors lurk, border threats frequent, the realm hangs by a thread. Among all princely lords—and indeed within the entire imperial clan—you are the wisest and bravest. You must step forward, restore the court's dignity, manage the myriad affairs, repel invaders, and secure the people's welfare. With the force of Lei Ting, shatter entrenched corruption; with wisdom and strategy, restore the glory of our dynasty. Vow to revive Great Song's weight, ensure Shanhe endures, bring peace and prosperity to the masses, honor the legacy of Liezulie Sect, and live up to the people's expectations."

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

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

Zhao Ji wanted to ask Princess Qingshou: I am learned, proficient 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 fearful and dared not speak.

At that moment, Prince Zhao Zhongli, cousin of Emperor Shenzong and uncle to Zhao Yu and the others, now serving as Zongzheng of Pu, walked over and said: "I have also met His Majesty and jointly recommended you as Prefect of Kaifeng. If His Majesty agrees, do not let us down."

Zhao Ji and Zhao Si understood: it was not only Princess Qingshou and Prince Pu who supported Zhao Yu—it meant the imperial clan's high echelons had reached a 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 Si's suspicions were confirmed.

Before the banquet began, Empress Dowager Xiang beckoned Zhao Yu: "Prince Xin, come sit by me."

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

No.

Zhao Ji realized—he had been out all along.

Recalling Empress Dowager Xiang's attitude toward him recently, 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 bitterness; he glared at Zhao Yu with resentment: "Heaven's grace has favored you alone, while I have received none of it!"

Now that Empress Dowager Xiang, the one who could most determine the throne's fate, was openly backing 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 not loud, yet resolute as she laid it bare:

"Our Great Song now faces a time of turmoil: internal and external crises converge. Within the court, ministers fight incessantly, edicts stall and fail to reach the people; beyond the capital, the populace suffers, bandits rise in waves. On the borders, powerful enemies encircle us—Liao and Xia repeatedly invade our lands, and the beacon fires never cease."

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

"Though our imperial clan is rich in talent, in this hour of national crisis, the urgent task is to select the most outstanding prince as crown prince."

"He must possess grand vision and ambition, harbor concern for the people, and hold strategies to pacify the realm. With wisdom, he must discern the root of the court's ailments, correct chaos, purge traitors, and restore order; with courage, he must reorganize the military, repel enemies beyond our gates, and project Great Song's might across the seas. He must take upon himself the mission of reviving Great Song: upholding the legacy of Liezulie Sect, and ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity, ensuring our Jiangshan endures for ten thousand generations, forever secure…"

Empress Dowager Xiang dared to speak so plainly and openly support 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 could see 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-strongest force for installing an emperor, now second only to Zhao Xu, was fully pushing Zhao Yu onto the throne.

Zhao Yu was one step away from becoming Emperor…

(End of Chapter)