Chapter 64: Intimidation

…

Zhu Taifei never expected that, with her son still alive, the imperial clan would force Zhao Yu to be named crown prince.

Fine.

Zhao Xu's health is indeed a serious concern; to be safe, the matter of naming a crown prince must be put on the agenda.

But she still has another son; from the standpoint of succession, her younger son should be the one named crown prince.

Yet the imperial clan won't even mention this— isn't that too cruel?

Zhu Taifei is merely timid and honest, not foolish; she knows this must be the Empress Dowager's doing. The Empress Dowager does not wish for two imperial courts to coexist, nor for another prince with a living birth mother to be established, so she has stripped her younger son of his right to inherit his elder brother's throne.

Even a clay figure has three ounces of stubbornness.

Zhu Taifei decided that, after returning from Cide Palace, she would go see Zhao Xu and demand he issue an imperial decree naming Zhao Si crown prince—or appoint him as Prefect of Kaifeng.

After enduring the banquet until its end, Zhu Taifei was the first to rise and bid farewell to the Empress Dowager, eager to leave at once.

But the Empress Dowager said: "Wait a moment—I have something to say to you."

The Empress Dowager had dominated Zhu Taifei her entire life; even after Zhao Xu became emperor, this situation never changed.

Now that Zhao Xu had fallen ill again, with no protector, Zhu Taifei dared not defy the Empress Dowager and could only meekly reply: "Yes."

Soon after, the Empress Dowager had Zhao Yu escort the guests out, while she summoned Zhu Taifei to the inner chamber and dismissed all others.

After seating herself at the head of the room, the Empress Dowager removed her spectacles and pressed her Jingming acupoint.

It was clear the Empress Dowager was exhausted.

Yet she still put her spectacles back on and said: "Sit."

Only then did Zhu Taifei cautiously sit on the edge of the lower seat.

The Empress Dowager poured tea for Zhu Taifei herself, pouring as she spoke: "Do you know why I advised the late emperor to name His Majesty crown prince?"

Zhu Taifei chose her words carefully: "Perhaps the Empress Dowager deemed His Majesty wise and virtuous, and thus recommended him to the late emperor?"

The Empress Dowager shook her head: "Because you are weak-willed and will never defy me."

Zhu Taifei froze, then smiled bitterly. She believed the Empress Dowager was not lying—likely, it was precisely because she was easier to control that the Empress Dowager chose her son as crown prince.

The Empress Dowager then confessed: "More than ten years ago, I was young and had to consider who could never threaten my position as empress. If you were in my place, you'd likely have done the same."

Zhu Taifei, who had spent her entire life in the harem, understood the Empress Dowager well—had she been in her position, she would have done the same.

The Empress Dowager continued: "Now I am nearing sixty, my health is poor, and I have no more desire for power struggles. But one matter, as Empress Dowager of Great Song, I must plan for deeply: the eternal stability of our Great Song's realm."

Hearing this, Zhu Taifei harbored doubts but dared not show them, remaining silent and listening.

The Empress Dowager stirred her tea with the lid as she spoke: "You probably think I fear your youth and good health, dread your becoming empress mother through your son, and worry about two imperial courts coexisting—so I refuse to let Prince Jian inherit His Majesty's throne?"

Zhu Taifei immediately knelt to beg pardon: "Your humble sister dares not!"

"Rise. You're already a Taifei—why are you still so timid?" the Empress Dowager reprimanded.

Zhu Taifei felt wronged: "Isn't my timidity all your doing?"

But this thought, Zhu Taifei could only hold inside—she would never dare speak it aloud.

After Zhu Taifei sat back down, the Empress Dowager continued: "Prince Jian is a good child, but surely you, as his mother, know he is timid, weak-willed, and incapable of bearing responsibility—just like you?"

Zhu Taifei wanted to say: "My son is not nearly as despicable as you claim."

But before the Empress Dowager, Zhu Taifei could only think it—she would never dare voice any defiance.

The Empress Dowager looked at Zhu Taifei: "Disagree?"

Zhu Taifei hurriedly tried to kneel again to apologize.

"Sit still," the Empress Dowager halted her.

Zhu Taifei did not move.

"Let's not speak of Prince Jian—lest you overthink." The Empress Dowager changed tone and asked: "Do you know why Prince Duan went to a brothel at this critical moment, tarnishing his own reputation?"

Zhu Taifei thought: "He's always been frivolous—what's surprising about him doing something so reckless?"

Outwardly, Zhu Taifei replied formally: "Your humble sister does not know."

"Yang Jian investigated: Liang Shicheng, deputy chief steward of Prince Xin, colluded with Gao Qiu, Prince Duan's steward, and Li Bangyan, his companion, to sell soap—and both profited greatly. That day, it was Gao Qiu, Li Bangyan, and Cai You, eldest son of Cai Jing, who egged on Prince Duan to go to Fan Tower," the Empress Dowager said, her voice as still as a deep well.

Zhu Taifei was stunned: "Did Prince Xin frame Prince Duan?!"

"Prince Duan brought this upon himself—he is frivolous, dissolute, and lacks judgment," the Empress Dowager corrected Zhu Taifei.

"Yang Zhen, chief steward of Prince Duan's mansion, was steady and meticulous. Had he been alive, Prince Duan would never have acted so recklessly. Yet he drowned mysteriously while walking at night. The timing is too convenient." The Empress Dowager added.

Only then did Zhu Taifei realize: behind the struggle for the crown prince's position lay such machinations!

Then Zhu Taifei's heart tightened, and she hurriedly asked: "Has Prince Xin done anything to my son…?"

"Only now do you worry? Isn't it too late?" the Empress Dowager said coolly.

Zhu Taifei's heart lurched: "What has Prince Xin done to my son?!"

"If Prince Xin saw Prince Jian as a threat, he would have acted against him long ago—why wait for you to realize it?" the Empress Dowager replied bluntly.

Hearing that Zhao Yu had not acted against Zhao Si, Zhu Taifei felt a wave of relief.

But before her relief could fully settle, the Empress Dowager added: "Don't rejoice too soon. Prince Xin has not acted against Prince Jian only because Prince Jian poses no threat. But if one day Prince Jian becomes a threat to his claim to the throne, Prince Jian may meet the same fate as Yang Zhen."

Zhu Taifei was terrified! She never imagined that if Zhao Si continued competing for the crown prince's position, his life might be in danger.

Overcome with maternal panic, Zhu Taifei blurted: "How can you tolerate Prince Xin's reckless behavior?!"

The Empress Dowager did not rebuke Zhu Taifei's tone but answered frankly: "Our Great Song now faces internal turmoil and external threats—on the brink of survival. A benevolent ruler cannot save us. Prince Xin possesses extraordinary talent, is skilled in strategy and judgment, knows how to appoint capable men, and holds the ambition to save the world and pacify the people—he may yet turn the tide and prevent the collapse of our empire."

Zhu Taifei was slightly resentful: "My son is still young. When he grows up, he too may carry on his father's and brother's legacy."

The Empress Dowager did not refute her, but said slowly: "Liao troops now parade along the Hebei frontier. If the new emperor mishandles this, hundreds of thousands of Liao cavalry will launch a full-scale southern invasion—perhaps reigniting the Chanyuan incident. At that time, the chancellor will surely emulate Kou Zhun and force you and your son to lead the army north to resist. If you lose, you and your son will become traitors to Great Song, disgracing your ancestors and staining your name for eternity. If you win, you may emulate Emperor Zhenzong and perform the Fengshan sacrifice on Taishan. If you have such ambition, my sister, I shall grant it to you."

Zhu Taifei stared, dumbfounded: "What? I'm a palace woman who hasn't left the inner court in decades—I'm supposed to lead a half-grown boy and an army against those Liao barbarians?!!!"

…

(End of chapter)