Song Xiu

Chapter 23 This overwhelming care!
Empress Wang's angry reaction terrified all the palace maids and eunuchs, who immediately knelt on the ground and bowed their heads to the ground.

This was the first time they had seen Empress Wang so angry since they had been serving her for some time.

Even Zhao Dexiu did not expect that his story would elicit such a strong reaction from Empress Wang.

The woman's unique and strong empathy slightly shocked Zhao Dexiu.

Zhao Dexiu quickly got up and handed Xiao Defang to Zhao Dezhao, who was standing next to him with a blank expression. Then he picked up the brazier that Empress Wang had thrown on the ground.

After the brazier was placed back into Empress Wang's trembling hands, Zhao Dexiu spoke up to comfort her, saying, "What I said was all about the Northern Qi. Mother, please don't be angry."

If Mother were to become angry and harm herself because of what I said today, how could I find peace of mind?

When Zhao Dexiu comforted Empress Wang, she had a look of guilt on her face.

After feeling Zhao Dexiu's filial piety, Empress Wang's anger subsided considerably: "My anger stemmed from the beastly deeds of the Northern Qi."

You were simply recounting the historical facts you learned from Lord Wei without reservation to your elders; what does it have to do with you?

Seeing that Empress Wang's expression had softened, Zhao Dexiu, in order to further soothe Empress Wang's emotions, specially selected many interesting historical events to tell her.

Most of the historical events that Zhao Dexiu could remember were famous historical anecdotes, and he also remembered some interesting comments from his previous life.

Famous memes paired with highly-rated comments can bring smiles to people in later generations who have rich entertainment lives, let alone Empress Wang, who rarely has an entertainment life.

Amidst a series of hearty laughs, Empress Wang seemed to gradually forget the unpleasantness that had just occurred.

But Zhao Dexiu knew that given Empress Wang's intense reaction just now, she couldn't possibly have forgotten what happened today.

A hidden worry had quietly settled in Empress Wang's heart.

With this underlying concern, it is only a matter of time before Empress Wang becomes his political ally through his continued subtle influence.

There's no need to rush. Empress Wang isn't naive; being too eager would only make things worse.

He paid his respects to the emperor every day, braving the cold wind and rain, not only to cultivate a persona of benevolence and filial piety.

Even with Empress Dowager Du's support, Zhao Guangyi is still the true mistress of the inner palace!
After calming Empress Wang down, Zhao Dexiu, seeing that it was almost time to go back to her studies, took Zhao Dezhao and bid farewell to Empress Wang.

After leaving Yanfu Palace, Zhao Dexiu, who craved power, looked towards Chongyuan Hall.

It seems that the envoys to appease the regional military governors will depart within the next two days at the latest, and the rebellion of the two Lis will break out in a few months.

Zhao Dexiu was somewhat looking forward to the rebellion of the two Lis coming sooner.

If there were no wars in the world, how would he have the opportunity to seize military power?

Zhao Dexiu was right; today's court assembly in Chongyuan Hall was about how to bestow titles and rewards upon the regional military governors.

Unlike his silence in the previous days, Zhao Kuangyin firmly refuted many suspicions against Li Jun and Li Chongjin at today's court meeting.

Ignoring Zhao Guangyi's advice, Zhao Kuangyin insisted on using his "benevolence and righteousness" to influence the two Lis.

Soon, a series of imperial edicts bestowing titles and rewards were issued under Zhao Kuangyin's decision and delivered to the envoys who had been waiting outside the palace.

Upon receiving the imperial edict from the palace, the envoys rushed out of the palace to deliver the new dynasty's stance to the various regional governors as quickly as possible.

After the matter of bestowing rewards came to an end, many ministers in the court felt that they could finally relax for a while.

While there are solutions to the visible storms, it doesn't mean that the undercurrents hidden in the depths will remain silent.

Entrusted with an important mission by Shi Xizai, Yao Shu secretly visited several important eunuchs in Yanfu Palace.

Upon seeing the gold and silver prepared by Yao Shu, all of them beamed with joy.

However, to Yao Shu's disappointment, no matter how enthusiastic these eunuchs were when accepting money, it did not prevent them from refusing it later.

Yao Shu did not rashly reveal who he was currently working for.

That is why a eunuch who had been in and out of the palace for many years would not easily agree to Yao Shu's request.

The matter of the eldest prince at Yeondeok Palace was too sensitive, and the shrewd eunuch knew immediately that this was not a simple matter.

Just as Yao Shu felt he was about to disappoint Zhao Guangyi, a eunuch approached him privately, offering to take the risk for him. Looking at Zhang Dejun's greedy face before him, Yao Shu struggled to suppress the disgust in his eyes.

Since the Ganlu Incident in the Tang Dynasty, no scholar in the land has not felt disgusted by eunuchs.

No matter how well Yao Shu tried to control himself, the disgust in his eyes couldn't be hidden from Zhang Dejun, but Zhang Dejun didn't care.

Yao Shu's reaction to him should be normal; not everyone can be as forgiving as the eldest prince.

Zhang Dejun, who always remembered Zhao Dexiu's kindness, deliberately made an exorbitant demand to avoid arousing Yao Shu's suspicion:

"No matter what you want to do, Yeondeok Palace is a crucial place, and I'm risking my life to do it for you."

You must give me twice as much, no, three times as much, wealth as before before I will be willing to help you.

And you also need to prepare a grand mansion for someone outside the palace, the more luxurious the better.

Zhang Dejun's words perfectly illustrate his character of being willing to die for money.

This performance dispelled Yao Shu's doubts.

If Zhang Dejun asks for less, Yao Shu will worry that he might have ulterior motives.

"Don't worry, what you asked for will be prepared in the next few days."

I hope you won't go back on your word, because you can't afford the consequences.

Having entered the palace through a certain connection, Yao Shu could not stay long. After saying these words, he left in a hurry. Before leaving, Yao Shu remembered the name Zhang Dejun—this man loved money more than life itself, which meant he could be used!

Watching Yao Shu's departing figure, Zhang Dejun suppressed the greed on his face, his eyes gleaming.

Everyone else knows this is dangerous, how could he not know?

If it weren't for the fact that this matter concerned the eldest prince, he certainly wouldn't have gotten involved.

Thinking that Yao Shu would take action in the next few days, Zhang Dejun arrived at Yande Palace in time, taking advantage of Zhao Kuangyin's reward to Zhao Dexiu.

When Zhang Dejun saw Zhao Dexiu again, before he could even bow, Zhao Dexiu recognized him:
"I remember you, your name is Zhang Dejun."

How have you been lately?
I never expected that after not seeing you for so long, you would be transferred to Yanfu Palace.

After entering the palace, Zhao Kuangyin was busy with state affairs and had little time to see Zhao Dexiu.

Despite not seeing him, Zhao Kuangyin would still give Zhao Dexiu some rewards every few days.

The things Zhao Kuangyin bestowed as rewards were mostly not gold or silver jewelry—the last time he gave a reward was a boxing manual.
Because they had crossed paths before, and because Zhao Dexiu wasn't constantly on edge when facing a lowly eunuch, he used a common greeting from later generations when addressing Zhang Dejun.

What would have been a perfectly ordinary greeting in later generations, however, touched Zhang Dejun deeply.

Therefore, first impressions between people are really important.

Recalling the look of disgust on Yao Shu's face when he looked at him, and comparing it with Zhao Dexiu's current attitude towards him, the huge contrast made Zhang Dejun cherish Zhao Dexiu's respect for him even more.

"This servant is very well, thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

After sincerely thanking Zhao Dexiu, Zhang Dejun leaned closer to Zhao Dexiu and whispered to him:
“There is a man named Yao Shu who wants to meet with Wei Renpu when His Highness pays his respects to the two palaces every day.”

Upon hearing Zhang Dejun's words, Zhao Dexiu looked at him in surprise.

"Your Highness, I have not lied to you. Please be careful in this matter."

Zhang Dejun sensed that Zhao Dexiu was suspicious, so he quickly explained.

How could he know such a confidential matter?
Zhao Dexiu, who had doubts in his heart, pondered for a moment, but did not intend to express his suspicions directly.

Perhaps a different way of asking the question would be better.

Zhao Dexiu frowned and said solemnly, "This matter is strange. Tell me the reason first, or you may be in deep danger without even realizing it."

Zhang Dejun initially thought Zhao Dexiu was suspicious of him, but it turned out to be concern rather than suspicion.

This overwhelming care made Zhang Dejun feel that he would accept any danger if it came his way!
(End of this chapter)