Chapter 594: Confrontation

Latest website: "The Emperor is in Leting County?"

In the Council Hall, Liu Fu and Chang Wei exclaimed in surprise at the same time.

After Yan Wang summoned them, he revealed this news to them.

"Coming with the Emperor are also Prince Chun and the Princess of Chun," Zhao Xu added.

Hearing this, Liu Fu's eyes darted around, "But the Emperor truly has nowhere else to go. This time, being effectively placed under house arrest by the powerful clans, he must have been terrified; coming to Yanzhou to seek refuge is his only option."

Chang Wei felt somewhat stifled. He glanced at Zhao Xu, stiffened his neck, and said, "Your Highness, this subordinate has something highly disrespectful to say; I do not know if I should speak it."

"The three of us have shared life and death; there is nothing that needs to be hidden or held back," Zhao Xu looked toward Chang Wei.

He had always spoken his mind; if he was being evasive now, then what he was about to say might truly be highly disrespectful.

Hesitating for a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "Your Highness has walked a difficult path, relying on yourself to lead Yanzhou to where it is today. You must not, because of the Emperor's arrival, hand over the authority of the Prince's Mansion. We are your people, Your Highness, not the people of the Imperial Court."

"That is indeed highly disrespectful," Liu Fu looked at Chang Wei. If it were in the past, these words of Chang Wei's would have reached Jingshi.

The Imperial Court would certainly have issued an Imperial Edict to behead Chang Wei, and the Imperial Court would also have impeached Yan Wang for harboring thoughts of rebellion.

Thinking of this, he turned to Zhao Xu and chuckled, "However, what General Chang said is also what is in this subordinate's heart."

Zhao Xu laughed lightly, "This Prince understands what you mean. The things you worry about will not happen. But since the Emperor has come, this Prince cannot simply drive him away."

Some time ago, Zhao Heng was placed under house arrest by the powerful clans. Led by Dou Wei, the powerful clans repeatedly held the Son of Heaven hostage to command the vassals, issuing one Imperial Edict after another.

Although these Imperial Edicts had no effect on him, they were ultimately very unpleasant.

After all, by holding Zhao Heng in their hands, they grasped the moral authority of Great Song.

Therefore, since he has come to Yanzhou this time, he intends to simply keep Zhao Heng here and keep that moral authority on his own side.

"Driving him away is naturally out of the question. The Emperor staying in Yanzhou is very advantageous for Your Highness," Liu Fu said hurriedly, "It is just that Your Highness can subtly remind the Emperor that he can spend the rest of his life in peace in Yanzhou,

but he cannot interfere in the government affairs of Yanzhou."

"What Tutor Liu says is absolutely correct; this subordinate agrees," Chang Wei said, cupping his hands.

In fact, Zhao Xu bringing the two of them here this time also had the intention of sounding them out.

Now that he understood their intentions, he no longer had the slightest bit of doubt.

At present, Great Song has fallen into chaos, and the powerful clans have officially carved out their own territories.

It is possible that there will be other factions declaring themselves kings or sovereigns in the future.

Under such circumstances, how could he possibly hand over his own authority to Zhao Heng?

Him coming to Yanzhou and being taken in is already out of consideration for the thin thread of blood connection he shares with the Ninth Prince.

If Zhao Heng still wants authority, it is simply a daydream.

He should just honestly be a mascot in Yanzhou.

Thinking of this, he said, "Very good, let it be done this way. However, the formalities must still be observed. Tomorrow, you two will accompany this Prince to Leting County to welcome the Emperor back to Yancheng."

"Yes, Your Highness," both of them were delighted.

The next day.

Zhao Xu led officials and generals to Leting.

In the residence behind the Leting County Government Office, he saw Zhao Heng.

"Xu..."

Seeing Zhao Xu, Zhao Heng, who had been dazed in the courtyard, suddenly stood up, and tears immediately streamed down his face.

A dignified Emperor was actually crying in front of him.

"Father Emperor," Zhao Xu walked forward, appearing saddened, "Dou Wei is ambitious and treacherous. This son failed to protect you in time; I hope Father Emperor will forgive my crime."

"Xu."

Just at this moment, another exclamation sounded.

Zhao Xu looked over. A woman in palace attire seemed to have heard them and emerged from the bedroom, standing before the door looking at him. It was Imperial Concubine Mi.

Upon arriving at the city gates of Leting, Zhou Yi had told him that Zhao Heng had only arrived for one day, and Imperial Concubine Mi's party had also arrived in Leting.

Learning that Zhao Heng was also in Leting County, Imperial Concubine Mi and Mi Yan had gone to see Zhao Heng first.

Therefore, seeing Imperial Concubine Mi was within Zhao Xu's expectations.

"Mother Concubine!" Zhao Xu stood up and walked straight to Imperial Concubine Mi's side, saying, "Mother Concubine, you have suffered."

"There is no suffering. As long as you and I, mother and son, can be reunited today, everything is worth it," Mother Concubine pulled Zhao Xu into her embrace and began to sob.

Zhao Heng stood to one side with an awkward expression.

It was only halfway through the journey that he remembered Imperial Concubine Mi had gone missing.

But at that time, there was no turning back, so he could only abandon the idea of searching for Imperial Concubine Mi and head toward Yanzhou.

Later, when Imperial Concubine Mi arrived in Leting, he learned that Zhao Xu had made arrangements in Jingshi long ago to take Imperial Concubine Mi away.

Learning everything from Imperial Concubine Mi, his heart suddenly felt sour.

This Yan Wang did not care about him, this Father Emperor, in the slightest.

However, thinking of his own past actions toward Yan Wang, he no longer had the face to demand anything.

That Yan Wang was able to come here to welcome him to Yancheng was already fulfilling his duty.

Imperial Concubine Mi cried for a while, then carefully examined Zhao Xu and said, "Xu, you truly have deep blessings. Coming to Yanzhou this time, I never expected your brain ailment would heal itself. Seeing it with my own eyes now, even if I were to die, I would have no regrets."

"Mother Concubine, do not say such things. Since you have come to Yanzhou, this child will certainly treat you with filial piety in the future and will never let you be bullied by anyone again," Zhao Xu said solemnly.

No matter what, Imperial Concubine Mi was the person in this world who cared about him the most.

From any perspective, he should take care of her.

After all, he is now the Ninth Prince of Great Song, and the Ninth Prince is him.

Zhao Heng, standing to the side, felt another wave of envy upon hearing this.

Now, he regretted it deeply; if only he had treated Zhao Xu with care back then.

If he had fallen to Yanzhou today, he would not be so embarrassed.

Fortunately, however, his relationship with Imperial Concubine Mi in the palace was not bad.

He hurriedly walked in front of Imperial Concubine Mi and said, "Xu is right; from now on, we will live a steady life in Yanzhou, turning a deaf ear to the world outside, no longer asking about court affairs, and ignoring this chaotic world."

Imperial Concubine Mi nodded upon hearing this.

Zhao Xu's eyes flickered when he heard this; Zhao Heng was speaking to Imperial Concubine Mi, but in reality, he was speaking to him.

The implication was that he only wanted to be a carefree, wealthy man after coming to Yanzhou and would not ask about anything, naturally not interfering with the power of his Yan Prince Mansion.

Thinking of this, he said, "Father Emperor is right; with me guarding Yanzhou, it is as stable as a mountain, and Mother Concubine can rest assured and enjoy her remaining years here."

His words were essentially a reply to Zhao Heng that Yanzhou only needed him to be in charge, and there was no need for him to interfere in political affairs.

"Very good, very good." Zhao Heng echoed twice, essentially tacitly consenting to Zhao Xu's request.

Imperial Concubine Mi naturally did not know that the father and son had already exchanged blows in those few sentences.

She just nodded with gratification, although it was her first time coming to Yanzhou.

But compared to Jinling, she felt more like this place was home.

Just as they were speaking, a burst of laughter suddenly came from outside the residence.

They saw Prince Chun and a woman in magnificent clothing walk in.

Zhao Xu's eyes narrowed slightly.

This woman should be the Princess Chun that Xu Ke mentioned.