[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn":3,"chapter-thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-chapter-58":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Thirteen Years as King of the Great Song, I Learned I Was the Dragon",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2271753,4437,"Chapter 58: The Five Decays of the Heavenly Ones","thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-chapter-58",58,"\u003Cp>Half an hour later, Zhao Ti put away Su Yuan’s signed and sealed testimony and left with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sanfen Hall collapsed overnight, leaving only Su Yuan sprawled on the ground, wailing helplessly, and a squad of bewildered imperial guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of Zhao Ji’s associates, previously recommended by Gao Qiu for personal service, had heard that the prime minister’s son wanted to dabble in underworld antics, so they incited chaos, rallying remnants of disbanded gangs to form a makeshift troupe—only to be crushed in a single blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, winter arrived; Zhao Ti visited Gao Taotao at the palace every few days to inquire after her health. Her complexion worsened gradually, but she did not pass away at the start of winter, which eased Zhao Ti’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this time, he brought Tong Guan to his mansion, assigning Zheng Fu to manage internal affairs and Tong Guan to handle external matters, entrusting both with control over all matters within the princely residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two more months passed until year’s end; Yuan You Eighth Year was drawing to a close, and Yuan You Ninth Year was about to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On New Year’s Eve, Zhao Ti dined with Gao Taotao in the palace. Though firecrackers cracked incessantly outside, the Cining Palace felt unusually cold and empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xu came during the day to pay his respects, stayed only a moment, then left. Other imperial princes arrived one by one and departed one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Taotao sat behind the dining table, looking at Zhao Ti: “They all know I have little time left, and fear being tainted by ill fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti comforted her: “The Son of Heaven may be occupied with affairs; the younger princes have all married and cannot bring their entire households into the palace. Those still within are merely children.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Taotao sneered: “During the reigns of Emperor Yingzong and Emperor Shenzong, we all dined together in one hall, seated around several large tables, lively and warm. Now? Cold and silent. Did I commit a sin by presiding over court and managing state affairs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti shook his head, noticing her face had grown even paler: “Grand Empress, is there truly no cure for this injury? If the Imperial Medical Bureau cannot treat it, seek outside physicians. If doctors fail, summon a master of internal energy to try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Taotao looked at him: “I have told you—this injury was long suppressed. What you see are signs of my vital energy exhausted. When I die, it will be because my time has come, not because of the injury.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti frowned: “Seeing you like this fills me with sorrow and drives me to consider every possible remedy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Taotao said: “Even the Heavenly Ones undergo Five Decays—how much more so mortals? Others fear white hair; I rejoice in it. How many youths have died before ever turning white?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti fell silent for a moment: “Where did your old injury come from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Taotao drank a cup of wine, then set it down: “Long ago, when I returned to my family with Empress Cao, I encountered assassins and took a palm strike meant for her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Cao was Empress Ci Sheng Guang Xian, wife of Emperor Renzong, granddaughter of Cao Bin, a founding meritocrat of the Great Song, and Gao Taotao’s aunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti said: “Those assassins…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Taotao said: “Sent by Western Xia—five in total. They were all slain on the spot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti poured wine; Gao Taotao drank another cup. Outside, firecrackers erupted in waves. Gao Taotao listened quietly for a moment: “New Year’s Eve has passed. Eighth Brother, return to your mansion and rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti said: “Grand Empress…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Taotao smiled: “Tonight, I am happy. I have one grandson to spend the New Year with me. Eighth Brother, you are filial.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti said: “Grand Empress, this is what a grandson ought to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Taotao nodded: “Go now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti rose, bowed, and left the hall. As his footsteps faded, Gao Taotao stood, walked to the rear chamber, where a row of small bookshelves held countless volumes. She took one down—the cover read “Treasures of Tiangong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression grew hesitant; she murmured to herself: “Huan Yin Yi Yin, Yi Yin Tai Yin… sigh… let me try once more…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti exited the hall and walked toward the palace gates. Passing Funing Palace—Zhao Xu’s residence—he heard laughter and merriment within. He paused a moment, then, after several breaths, left without expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the first month, he visited the palace several times and noticed Gao Taotao’s condition improving day by day. When he asked, she only said she had taken more ginseng and lingzhi tonics, which had restored her vigor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By mid-February, Gao Taotao seemed even more robust; when presiding over court, she handled affairs with clarity and decisiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the last day of February, Zhao Ti had just completed a full Great Circulation cultivation, preparing to rest, when Tong Guan stumbled into his bedroom, pounding frantically on the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti saw his expression and before he could speak, Tong Guan wept: “Your Highness, news has just arrived from the palace—the Grand Empress Dowager has passed away…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?” Zhao Ti froze, grabbing Tong Guan’s collar: “Are you dreaming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tong Guan knelt on the ground: “Your Highness, the palace messenger has not yet left. The Son of Heaven’s edict still lies in the front hall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti’s face darkened: “Prepare a carriage… no—hurry, saddle a horse and take me to the palace!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tong Guan scrambled up and ran toward the stables. Zhao Ti changed into his official robes, stepped out the mansion gate, mounted his horse, and rode straight for the imperial city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not understand—his grandmother had seemed to be growing stronger. How could she suddenly die? Had her earlier rosy complexion and vitality been nothing but a final flicker before death?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was midnight, troops across Dongjing were rushing toward the imperial city; every intersection was sealed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tong Guan, dressed as a eunuch, shouted repeatedly: “Prince Yan enters the palace! Prince Yan enters the palace! Clear the way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Zuo Yem Gate, Zhao Ti dismounted and entered the palace grounds, heading straight for Cining Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Palace Guard, Kuanyi Tianwu, and Yulong Zhi had already surrounded Cining Hall, blocking all access. Seeing Zhao Ti, they bowed: “Prince Yan, please wait—we must search you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti took a breath, then entered Cining Hall. Wailing filled the air. He walked inside and saw Empress Xiang, tear-streaked, being supported out by her ladies-in-waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the inner chamber, all imperial princes still within the palace had gathered, standing on either side. Zhao Xu stood before the bed, hands clasped behind his back, his expression complex—grief, loneliness, and something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Son of Heaven!” Zhao Ti said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xu looked at him, a faint detachment in his eyes: “Prince Yan has come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti said: “Son of Heaven, the Grand Empress Dowager…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At Chou hour, she felt cold. I ordered ladies to add charcoal. Before the fire could rise, she passed.” Zhao Xu’s voice was hollow: “Prince Yan, look for yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti stepped to the bed. Gao Taotao’s face was pale and bluish—exactly as it had been before the New Year, when her injury flared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I asked the ladies if anything had been unusual these past days. They said she burned many things yesterday—books, letters. I ordered a search for her final edict, but none was found. Not even a single sheet of her handwriting remains.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti said nothing. His eyes fell on Gao Taotao’s hand—clenched in a finger seal, one of the forms of Huan Yin Finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prince Yan, what are you staring at?” Zhao Xu said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grief overwhelms me,” Zhao Ti murmured, closing his eyes slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Grand Empress Dowager favored you deeply. You shall oversee the mourning rites. Appoint the Five Ministers of the Tomb, lead the funeral procession, and guard the coffin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Son of Heaven,” Zhao Ti nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xu glanced at him, then walked toward the hall’s exit. His steps seemed both lighter and heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>",1349,"2026-06-19T22:30:31.989Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b2e48259ab15bb2694d71d97eb69f2f6f7bd1ff79bab9ae9043a73f751b4b23e","thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-chapter-59","thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-chapter-57",270,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-cover.jpg"]