Chapter 99: Seizing Power

“Don’t worry, Father. I’m experienced in this matter,” Wang Qiming said with confidence.

Wang Fu glanced at him with some irritation, but since Wang Qiming had handled things well this time, he refrained from reprimanding him further and hurried off to the palace to meet Zhao Ji.

Yet, when Wang Fu arrived at the Palace of Long Virtue, he realized he was already late.

There was someone inside Zhao Ji’s palace, and Wang Fu recognized him.

“Lord Qin, what brings you here?” Wang Fu asked, eyeing Qin Hui with suspicion.

After Qin Xi had explained the situation to Qin Hui, the latter immediately saw an opportunity for himself. Without delay, he went directly to the palace to seek an audience with Zhao Ji, and because Wang Fu had been held up, Qin Hui managed to arrive before him.

“Prime Minister Wang, I haven’t seen the retired emperor for some days, so I thought I’d pay my respects. I didn’t expect to meet you here,” Qin Hui replied. At this point, he was but a lowly official, and his attitude toward Wang Fu was unusually courteous.

Wang Fu silently cursed his hypocrisy. This wasn’t their first encounter; Wang Fu had once been Qin Hui’s examiner during the imperial exams, making Qin Hui something of his protégé. Back then, Wang Fu had been impressed by Qin Hui’s essays and suspected the young man was destined for greatness. Now, seeing him here again only confirmed that suspicion.

Qin Hui made no inquiry as to Wang Fu’s purpose in coming, which was a mark of his cleverness. Wang Fu, being of higher rank, could ask, but Qin Hui, a minor official, wisely refrained, guessing that Wang Fu’s objectives were likely similar to his own. Asking would only risk Wang Fu’s displeasure.

Zhao Ji looked at Wang Fu and said, “Wang Fu, what brings you here?”

Wang Fu glanced at Qin Hui beside him and answered softly, “It has been a long time since I last saw Your Majesty, and I found myself missing you. So I came to pay my respects.”

Since his abdication, Zhao Ji had spent his days tending flowers and plants, living leisurely. It was a lifestyle well suited for retirement, but Zhao Ji was not yet old, and the abrupt loss of power was difficult to accept, even for someone who claimed not to be enamored with it.

In the past, if he desired a piece of the Flower Stone Tribute, a single word would send officials scrambling to deliver it. Now, if he set his sights on a stone, he had to pay for it himself. Zhao Huan even suggested reducing the expenses of the Imperial Household, limiting even the costs of the Palace of Long Virtue.

The disparity between his former life and his current circumstances was staggering, and hard for him to accept.

Today, however, Qin Hui had brought him news of immense consequence, and Zhao Ji was tempted.

“Prime Minister, speak freely. Qin Hui is not an outsider,” Zhao Ji said to Wang Fu, thus drawing Qin Hui fully into his camp. Such is the advantage of those who rise with the dragon; Qin Hui had chosen his side and stood firmly with Zhao Ji now.

Wang Fu looked at Qin Hui in surprise, inwardly regretting his delay. The first merit had been snatched by Qin Hui, and Wang Fu suddenly felt uneasy. This man would surely become his greatest rival in the court; the thought called to mind the late Cai Jing.

In those few moments, Wang Fu had pondered much, but now was not the time for such calculations. He stepped forward and addressed Zhao Ji, “Your Majesty, the new emperor has been gravely injured, his fate uncertain. The nation cannot go a day without a sovereign. The crown prince has not yet been appointed, and I implore Your Majesty to once again take up the reins of government.”

Zhao Ji raised his eyes to Wang Fu and asked, “Prime Minister, how did you come by this information?”

Wang Fu quickly replied, “It’s absolutely true. When the new emperor was attacked, my son was nearby and saw everything clearly. An old man with a white beard suddenly went mad, detonating himself and gravely wounding the emperor. If Your Majesty doubts it, you may send for confirmation.”

Zhao Ji took a deep breath and said, “Qin Hui just told me about this as well. Huan’er—he’s emperor now, yet still so reckless. Is the imperial palace a place one can simply leave at will? If anything happens to him, what will become of the Song dynasty?”

Wang Fu and Qin Hui listened silently as Zhao Ji spoke, his words revealing his dissatisfaction with Zhao Huan.

“You two remain here with me. I have already sent someone to investigate Huan’er’s condition. He’s grown, yet still causes worry,” Zhao Ji said. He was clearly moved, contemplating the possibility of reclaiming his throne.

Soon, Zhao Ji’s personal eunuch returned, but he had no news to report.

“Your Majesty, all the eunuchs inside the Hall of Great Celebration are forbidden from leaving. I couldn’t learn anything,” the elderly eunuch said, helpless.

“You can’t leave—so why not enter? If you can’t manage even such a small task, what use have I for you?” Zhao Ji snapped angrily.

“Spare me, Your Majesty! The guards at the Hall of Great Celebration are excessively strict. Not only can no one leave, entry is forbidden as well,” the eunuch pleaded.

“Is that so?” Zhao Ji frowned, growing more convinced that the news of Zhao Huan’s grave injury was true.

“Well then, you lot cannot even carry out the simplest orders. Since Huan’er is injured, I shall go in person to see him,” Zhao Ji declared. He could only see for himself. If Zhao Huan truly was gravely wounded, Zhao Ji felt a faint anticipation in his heart. In the royal family, there is no father and son; to regain the throne, even such ties matter little.

At last, the imperial physician emerged from within.

Empress Dowager Wang, Zhu Lian, Xi Ying, and others hurried forward.

“How is my son?” Empress Dowager Wang was the most anxious of all, the concern of a mother laid bare.

“Your Majesty, the emperor’s injuries… I confess, I do not quite understand them,” the imperial physician stammered.

“Don’t understand? What do you mean?” Zhu Lian pressed, growing anxious.

“The emperor’s condition is quite unusual. I have never encountered anything like it. His external wounds are not severe, but for some reason, he has yet to awaken,” the physician replied, troubled.

“What nonsense! I order you to cure the emperor, or you will lose your head!” the empress dowager demanded, heedless of all else.