The prince is more stable

Chapter 775 Summoned by the Queen Mother
What Zhao Xiaoqian needs to do now is to buy himself as much time as possible.

According to the imperial physicians that Zhao Hao had bribed at the Imperial Medical Bureau, Zhao Xu's time to die should not exceed two months.

In recent days, Zhao Xu has been coughing up blood more and more frequently, and he is almost in a semi-conscious state. He can hardly eat or drink anything every day, and he is getting weaker and weaker. All signs indicate that Zhao Xu's time is indeed near.

Once Zhao Xu dies, the court will be in chaos, and Zhao Xiaoqian will no longer need to hide.

Back at the Prince's Mansion, Zhao Xiaoqian went to the backyard and found it unusually quiet tonight. His father was not fooling around with his concubines, and the mansion had a long-lost refreshing atmosphere.

The next morning, Zhao Xiaoqian had just woken up when a maid told him that someone from the palace had arrived.

This time, it wasn't Zhao Xu who summoned them, but rather the Empress Dowager who summoned the King of Chu and his son.

Zhao Hao rushed to Zhao Xiaoqian's side, his face grave, and said, "The Empress Dowager's summons is most likely about the matter of establishing an heir..."

"I have heard that His Majesty's health is critical, and he fell into a coma again last night. Several imperial physicians tried to save him until dawn, but he still has not woken up."

Zhao Xiaoqian's expression tightened: "Is the Emperor not going to make it this time?"

Zhao Hao was silent for a moment, then said, "I don't know if we can make it through, but what is certain is that His Majesty is getting closer and closer to his death."

Zhao Xiaoqian pursed his lips and said, "Since the Empress Dowager has summoned us, let's hurry into the palace."

The father and son, dressed in formal official robes, went out and boarded a carriage.

Upon entering Yanfu Palace, Zhao Xiaoqian glanced towards Funing Palace. Zhao Hao, standing beside him, said, "Don't look. The Emperor is in grave danger. Funing Palace has been sealed off by the officials. Except for the imperial physicians and palace servants, no outside officials are allowed to visit it."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded, and the father and son walked straight towards the Qingshou Hall.

Led by palace servants, Zhao Xiaoqian had just stepped into the Qingshou Hall when he felt a sense of oppression.

Several low tables were set up in the center of the hall, indicating that Empress Dowager Xiang intended to host a banquet. However, given the Emperor's current situation, no one was in the mood for such a feast.

Today, Empress Dowager Xiang did not summon him from behind a curtain, but instead ordered the palace maids to remove the beaded curtain so that he could show his true face.

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at the Empress Dowager quickly, then lowered his head, not daring to look her in the eye.

Empress Dowager Xiang was in her early forties, with a very beautiful appearance. She was pampered and well-maintained her skin, so she looked only in her thirties and had a mature charm.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't dare to look too much because of politeness, but Zhao Hao, his father, was clearly much less well-mannered. His little thieving eyes kept darting back and forth across the Empress Dowager's face and body, his gaze like a brush, making the Empress Dowager's whole body tingle with goosebumps.

Several times, the Empress Dowager cast disapproving warning glances at Zhao Hao, but Zhao Hao, like a stubborn mule, chuckled indifferently, pretending not to understand her meaning.

Empress Dowager Xiang could only look at Zhao Xiaoqian and show him a loving smile.

"Zi'an, it seems like it's been a long time since I've seen you. The last time I saw you was at the Imperial Clan Banquet on the Lantern Festival two years ago. Back then, you were already a majestic general, and you were especially dazzling at the banquet. All the imperial clan members were extremely envious of you."

Zhao Xiaoqian stood up and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. In recent years, I have been ordered to guard the border and have been busy with military affairs, so I have rarely returned to Bianjing."

Empress Dowager Xiang smiled with satisfaction and said, "Many years ago, Zian was a quiet child who hid in the crowd and didn't dare to make a sound. Who could have imagined that a few years later, the Song Dynasty would depend on Zian to save it? You quietly achieved such great things and became a great hero admired by everyone."

"Your Majesty is too kind. I have never been a great hero. Everything I have done has been done on the orders of His Majesty. The real hero is His Majesty. I am merely an executor."

Zhao Xiaoqian's humble words deepened Empress Dowager Xiang's goodwill towards him, and she looked at him with a smile, as if he were her own son.

No one touched the food at the palace banquet in front of them. In such a setting, the so-called wine and dishes were just for show. No one would come to the palace to eat this meal on an empty stomach.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, since we were all family, the conversation mostly revolved around matters concerning the Zhao clan.

After mentioning several young members of the imperial clan, the Empress Dowager casually praised them a few times, but then changed the subject and returned to Zhao Xiaoqian.

"I heard that Zian has a son this year?" the Empress Dowager asked curiously.

Zhao Xiaoqian finally smiled and said, "Yes, one of my concubines has given birth to a son."

Empress Dowager Xiang showed envy, but her expression suddenly turned sorrowful as she sighed, "If little Prince Mao'er were still alive, he would probably be taking his first steps and babbling by now..."

With tears welling up in her eyes, the Empress Dowager lowered her head and wiped them away, saying, "He was clearly destined to be the Crown Prince, but his fortune was too poor. If Mao'er were still alive, how could we have all these troubles today?"

After a soft sigh, Empress Dowager Xiang looked up at the father and son and said, "You two should know that the Emperor has no heir, and now his health is..."

"If His Majesty has something he cannot say, as members of the imperial clan, I hope you two will support our Zhao imperial family. In particular, Zi'an, you are highly respected in the court and among the people. I hope you will remember your long-standing brotherhood with His Majesty and not let the court fall into chaos due to His Majesty's passing."

Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, I will certainly do my utmost to repay your kindness and favor."

Empress Dowager Xiang sighed, “Now that the Emperor is still alive, the court officials are already discussing the matter. Some say that the eldest son should be chosen, while others say that the most virtuous should be chosen. The Emperor has only five brothers. Among them, Prince Shen is blind and cannot be chosen. Of the other four, Prince Duan and Prince Jian are the most suitable. Zian, who do you think can be the new emperor?”

Zhao Xiaoqian raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that they had finally gotten down to business.

But haha, that old fox Zhang Dun spent half the day yesterday trying to get information out of me, and I didn't get a single truthful word. Do you think you're more cunning than Zhang Dun?

“There is a distinction between ruler and subject. I dare not speak rashly about the new ruler. I beg Your Majesty not to make things difficult for me,” Zhao Xiaoqian said righteously and sternly.

Empress Dowager Xiang smiled wryly and said, "Today is a family banquet, Zian, why be so formal? If you have any thoughts, please speak frankly. I will listen carefully to what you have to say."

"I think... Prince Duan is suitable, and Prince Jian is also good. They each have their own merits. I will not object to whoever ascends the throne. I will continue to be a loyal subject of the Song Dynasty, and my descendants will serve the Song Dynasty for generations to come." The Empress Dowager was speechless and glanced at Zhao Hao unintentionally.

Is your son all talk and no action?

Look at the nonsense he's spouting. He seems to have said a lot, but not a single word of it is meaningful. He's completely trying to fool me like I'm an idiot.

Zhao Hao still wore a simple, honest smile, seemingly oblivious to the Empress Dowager's gaze. His eyes even held a hint of pride and approval as he looked at his son, clearly implying, "My son handled it well. If it were me, I would have said the same thing."

Empress Dowager Xiang finally couldn't hold back any longer and looked at Zhao Hao, saying, "King of Chu, do you still stand by what you said last time?"

Zhao Hao was taken aback, completely bewildered: "What did I say?"

"You!" Empress Dowager Xiang was furious: "You promised..."

Zhao Hao feigned innocence: "I am old and my memory is not very good. May the Empress Dowager remind me?"

Zhao Xiaoqian had no choice but to step in and smooth things over for his father: "Your Majesty, please don't be offended. My father is a complete scoundrel. He never remembers his promises to women. Perhaps Your Majesty could give me a hint?"

The Empress Dowager took a deep breath. "Very well! At this critical moment, I will not hold a grudge against you and your son."

"When I last met the King of Chu, he said that he would stand with me through thick and thin, and jointly support Prince Duan..."

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced quickly at Zhao Hao and said calmly, "Has the Empress Dowager decided to support Prince Duan's ascension to the throne?"

The Empress Dowager nodded firmly: "Yes, Prince Duan is the head of all the princes and can be the new emperor without violating the ancestral rules."

Zhao Xiaoqian remained noncommittal, saying, "As a minister in court, I am a son at home. As a son, I should follow the way of filial piety. I will obey my father in everything."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hao's face lit up with pride, and his large chest puffed out unconsciously, giving him a smug look as if he were an old man who had taught his son well.

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "The King of Chu is naturally cynical, but I never expected him to raise such an outstanding child. I am truly envious."

Zhao Hao chuckled and said, "I am actually quite capable. I will make more contact with the Empress Dowager in the future, and she will surely discover my merits..."

"Ahem!" Zhao Xiaoqian coughed awkwardly to remind him.

Good heavens, this is the Empress Dowager! If you keep talking, you're harassing her. If you're going to seduce a widow, at least consider who she is. The Empress Dowager may be a widow, but is she someone you can seduce?

The Empress Dowager's face stiffened for a moment before she forced a smile and said, "The King of Chu is still as witty as ever. Hehe, we're family, it's alright."

Zhao Hao chuckled awkwardly and said, "I remember now. I did promise the Empress Dowager that we would support Prince Duan together. Qian'er, what do you say?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "I have no objection, I will listen to my father."

The Empress Dowager's eyes finally lit up with joy, and she said, "So, the King of Chu and Zi'an have both agreed?"

Zhao Hao laughed and said, "I agree, I agree. Since the Empress Dowager has made a request, how could I dare to refuse? My loyalty to the Empress Dowager is unparalleled..."

"Ahem! Father, you must be thirsty after talking for so long. Have some wine to moisten your lips." Zhao Xiaoqian picked up the wine cup in front of him and handed it to him with a smile on his face, but his eyes gave his father a warning glance.

Zhao Hao shut up, annoyed, and took a sip of wine in silence.

When Zhao Hao and his son personally agreed to support Prince Duan, the Empress Dowager was overjoyed and even raised her cup to toast the father and son.

Having fought her way up to her current prestigious position through numerous battles in the palace, she has now lived a life of luxury and ease, leaving no one in the palace daring to challenge her. Consequently, the Empress Dowager's sharpness and vigilance have diminished considerably.

She was overjoyed, but she never expected that things would go so smoothly, as if it were all part of a script.

She thought that her prestige as the Empress Dowager had successfully subdued the father and son, but she never expected that she had been outmaneuvered by them.

"Since you two have agreed, I will invite another guest. Let's discuss some things face-to-face so that we can all work together and put our efforts into the same direction. What do you think?" Empress Dowager Xiang said happily.

The father and son were taken aback and quickly exchanged glances.

Empress Dowager Xiang clapped her hands, and a person emerged from behind the screen at the back of the Qingshou Hall—none other than Prince Duan, Zhao Ji.

Zhao Ji, with an elegant and refined demeanor, walked into the hall, first bowed to the Empress Dowager, and then turned to look at the father and son.

"Ji'er, quickly thank the King of Chu and Zi'an. They have agreed to support you," the Empress Dowager said happily.

Emperor Huizong raised an eyebrow, staring intently at Zhao Xiaoqian, and said, "Is that so?"

The Empress Dowager, still unaware of the deception, said, "Of course, I would never lie to you."

Zhao Ji sighed and said with a bitter smile, "The Empress Dowager would never lie to me, but she was lied to by them... You live deep within the palace and probably don't know that these two wish they could devour me alive. How could they possibly support me? Do they want their whole family to die even faster?"

Bang!

The Empress Dowager dropped her wine cup to the ground, staring in shock and disbelief at the three people in the hall.

(End of this chapter)