Chapter 101: One Wave After Another (Please Recommend)

“Who is making such a commotion outside, disturbing His Majesty’s rest?” Xi Ying glided in gracefully from the inner hall. Although she had already recognized the visitor as Prince Zhao Yu by his voice, she feigned ignorance and asked the question deliberately.

Catching sight of Xi Ying, a flicker of greed flashed in Zhao Yu’s eyes and was gone—a woman as enchanting as a fox spirit, one he dreamed of possessing. When Zhao Huan ascended the throne, Zhao Yu thought his chances had vanished for good. Yet, unexpectedly, Zhao Huan cared little for what he had, often sneaking out of the palace with barely any guards, as though carelessly inviting disaster upon himself.

This was a golden opportunity.

“Your subject greets Consort Ying.” Zhao Yu bowed politely to her.

Xi Ying, ever perceptive, had naturally noticed the covetous glint in his gaze. She replied coolly, “So it is the Eighth Prince. May I ask, what brings you here today?” She persisted with her pretense of ignorance.

Zhao Yu, feigning confusion, replied, “I heard His Majesty was ill and grew anxious, so I have come to check on him.”

Xi Ying nodded. “The bond between the Eighth Prince and His Majesty is truly a model for our dynasty. At the first word of His Majesty’s illness, you hurried here with such concern. The effort is commendable.” She praised him, yet her words contained subtle restraint.

Zhao Yu found himself blocked by her soft words but could only continue with flattery. “Consort Ying is too kind. I am simply worried for His Majesty’s health and rushed over in concern.”

“If the Eighth Prince truly cares for His Majesty’s condition, then perhaps you should return for now. His Majesty has just taken medicine prescribed by the imperial physician and is now asleep. When he wakes, I will inform him that you came to visit.” Xi Ying was already sending him away.

“Consort Ying, His Majesty is gravely injured. As his brother, both by duty and by sentiment, I must see him for myself. I beg you, for the sake of our brotherly bond, to permit me a brief visit.” Zhao Yu pressed on.

Xi Ying cursed his shamelessness inwardly. Zhao Yu’s intentions were clear as day, but he cloaked his motives in such righteous language that refusing him would make it seem as though she was the one at fault.

“Since the Eighth Prince and His Majesty share such brotherly affection, naturally you would want the best for him. But His Majesty has only just fallen asleep—it would be inappropriate to disturb him now. Why not wait until he wakes, and I shall send word for you?” Xi Ying smoothly followed Zhao Yu’s reasoning.

Zhao Yu’s expression shifted repeatedly. If it had been Zhao Yan blocking his way, he might have simply barged through, but this was Xi Ying—a favored imperial consort, not as highly ranked as himself, but dearly beloved by Zhao Huan. If he forced his way in and Zhao Huan survived, his own prospects would be ruined.

“Someone, escort the Eighth Prince out,” Xi Ying commanded while Zhao Yu hesitated. She understood that if he overcame his indecision, it would be far more difficult to make him leave.

And so, Zhao Yu was ushered out, bewildered. Only after he’d left did he recall his mother’s instructions—he was to see Zhao Huan’s condition with his own eyes—yet he had been smoothly turned away.

Zhao Yu flung his sleeves in frustration. Though unwilling to accept defeat, he knew returning now would be pointless. Helpless, he went to consult his mother on their next move.

Zhao Yu’s mother was Lady Wang, the most favored consort of Zhao Ji. Seeing her son return, she hurried to meet him, asking anxiously, “Yu’er, how is it? Is Zhao Huan finished?”

Zhao Yu replied awkwardly, “Mother, I was unable to see Zhao Huan. I…”

“Why not? Zhao Huan isn’t dead?” Lady Wang asked, agitated.

“No, they simply didn’t let me in,” Zhao Yu said with a shrug. “Consort Ying sent me away.”

“You—how can you not even handle a woman? Consort Ying is of lower rank than you. Why fear her?” Lady Wang scolded, exasperated by her son’s incompetence.

“It’s not fear, Mother. I simply didn’t want to burn bridges yet. After all, Zhao Huan’s condition is still uncertain,” Zhao Yu replied.

Lady Wang acknowledged the wisdom in his words. “You’re right. But we must ascertain Zhao Huan’s true condition. If he’s truly dead and your father resumes control of the court, the next emperor will naturally be you.”

Zhao Yu felt a surge of excitement. “But Mother, the Hall of Great Celebration is sealed tight. We have no way of knowing what’s happening with Zhao Huan.”

Lady Wang nodded. “It seems I must go in person.”

“You—Mother, you’d go yourself? It’s too much to ask of you,” Zhao Yu said, feeling guilty.

“For the sake of your future, what does a little hardship matter? Wait here. I’ll go to the Hall of Great Celebration and see for myself.” With that, Lady Wang departed.

Inside the Hall of Great Celebration, Li Gang and the Empress Dowager had already devised a plan. In turbulent times, iron discipline was needed. To prevent any mishap, Li Gang advised the Empress Dowager to summon the Imperial Guards to secure the hall. She agreed, ordering Zhang Xian to station two thousand guards around the Hall of Great Celebration, ready for any emergency.

With troops at her disposal, the Empress Dowager felt more at ease.

Soon, Lady Wang’s phoenix carriage arrived.

As the eunuch with his shrill voice announced her arrival, displeasure flashed across the Empress Dowager’s face. The moment something happened to Zhao Huan, all those with ambitions began to emerge.

“Mother, let’s go out and see what Lady Wang wants,” Zhu Lian suggested.

The Empress Dowager nodded. “That old witch is up to no good. Be careful and don’t let her catch you off guard.”

Zhu Lian agreed, though she felt a nervous unease. Without Zhao Huan as her support, she felt as if she were in a storm, drifting without anchor.

“Zhu Lian pays her respects to Lady Wang,” she said with a bow.

Lady Wang, face cold as ice, immediately lashed out, “I hear His Majesty is injured. You consorts—how do you manage affairs if you can’t even care for the emperor?”

Though Zhu Lian was Empress, she dared not retort, forced to endure the rebuke, already losing the upper hand.

Lady Wang, the most favored among the consorts, was well-versed in court intrigues. Zhu Lian was no match for her.

Without pause, Lady Wang strode forward, intent on entering.

Zhu Lian tried to bar her way. “Lady Wang, please wait. His Majesty is resting. No visitors are allowed.”

Lady Wang stopped to glare at her. “His Majesty, the golden treasure of the realm, has suffered an injury. I must see him myself. I cannot trust you with this. If, in the end, His Majesty is disturbed and blames us, I alone will take responsibility.”

Zhu Lian wanted to object further, but Lady Wang ignored her and marched towards the inner hall.

Grinding her teeth in frustration, Zhu Lian could do nothing but follow, protesting as she went, “Lady Wang, His Majesty gave strict orders. If you force your way in, you are defying a direct decree!”

But Lady Wang would not be deterred. “Only when I see with my own eyes that His Majesty is well can I be at ease,” she declared, striding ahead.