I'll steal Gao Qiu's life and lead the Song Dynasty to prosperity.

A few days later, on the second day of rest in June, Zhao Mingcheng went to the Prince Duan's residence on time once again.

After this visit, the back garden of Prince Duan's mansion was bustling with activity again.

It has only been ten days since the last trial football match, but the field has already changed dramatically.

The two goalposts were remade; the wood was stronger, the netting was finer, and the post was painted vermilion.

On the field, more than twenty strong men, dressed in short-sleeved shirts of indigo and ochre, were fighting each other, kicking up dust.

Emperor Huizong and Emperor Mingcheng stood in the shade on the sidelines watching them play football.

Emperor Huizong was dressed in a moon-white robe with arrow sleeves, over which he wore a silver-embroidered cloud-patterned vest. He held a folding fan with bamboo ribs in his hand, but his eyes were fixed on the field, and he would occasionally give a few pointers.

"Pass! Pass to the left wing! Yes, that's how you kick it!"

"Oh dear, that left-back is leaving his man open! Quick, cover for him!"

"Shot! Oh dear... that's terrible technique!"

Zhao Ji watched with great focus, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He had truly fallen in love with football; it was far more exciting than any other sport like Cuju.

Zhao Mingcheng stood by, holding a cup of cold tea, his eyes following the ball on the field.

The game was in full swing.

A forward from the red team dribbled past two players and was about to create a one-on-one opportunity when a tall defender from the blue team rushed over.

He made a clean and swift sliding tackle to steal the ball, then got up and launched a long ball into the attacking third.

"Good!" Zhao Ji clapped his hands in approval, then turned to Zhao Mingcheng and smiled.

"Mingcheng, look, the way of football is truly fascinating the more you savor it. A few days ago, I pondered the '4-3-3' formation you mentioned and had them try it out. Sure enough, their attack was overwhelming, but their defense was a bit weak and still needs some adjustments."

Emperor Huizong of Song (Zhao Ji) was incredibly quick to learn new things; if he lived in a later era, he could probably easily obtain a professional football coaching certificate.

Zhao Mingcheng regained his composure and smiled.

"Your Highness is exceptionally intelligent and quick to grasp concepts. This formation is all about balancing offense and defense. The '4-3-3' formation is all about attack, and can be paired with a full-back who can quickly track back to defend, or a deep-lying midfielder who can provide defensive support."

"That makes sense!" Zhao Ji's eyes lit up.

"We'll talk about it in detail later. For today, you watch this match first. After that, we'll go to Chengyanzhai. I recently acquired an antique inkstone with a unique shape, so I'd like you to take a look at it."

"Your Highness's kindness is too much for me, I am ashamed." Zhao Mingcheng bowed, his tone still respectful, but the word "ashamed" was spoken with a slightly heavier emphasis than usual.

Zhao Ji was excited and didn't notice anything amiss at first, but after watching the game for a while, he realized something was wrong.

Zhao Ji turned his head to look at Zhao Mingcheng and saw that although he was smiling, there was a faint look of weariness between his brows and dark circles under his eyes, which clearly indicated that he had not slept well.

"Mingcheng," Zhao Ji said solemnly, closing his fan.

"Are you feeling unwell today? You look rather tired."

Zhao Mingcheng lowered his eyes and remained silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice.

"Your Highness is too kind to worry about me. I am fine, but... I have some trivial matters at home recently, which have been bothering me and have made me think a lot at night."

"Household chores?" Zhao Ji raised an eyebrow. "But what about your father...?"

"My father..." Zhao Mingcheng paused, his voice even lower.

"My father was suspended from his post a few days ago pending investigation, and his residence was also searched. Although no concrete evidence was found, the news has spread, and everyone in the family is understandably anxious. As his son, I have failed to share my father's burdens and have instead troubled Your Highness with your concern. I am truly ashamed."

Zhao Mingcheng spoke slowly and calmly, but the suppressed worry still leaked out between his words.

The smile on Zhao Ji's face vanished instantly.

Although he was young, he had grown up in the palace and was not entirely ignorant of the political intrigues.

I had vaguely heard in the past few days that the Tongwen Guan case involved a wide range of people, but I never expected it to affect Zhao Mingcheng's family.

"Suspension? Search?" Zhao Ji frowned. "Your father was a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat, always diligent and conscientious. Why this?"

Zhao Mingcheng shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"I don't know much either. I've only heard that... I've been implicated. The situation in the court is tense right now, and my father has closed his doors to visitors. I can only study peacefully at the Imperial Academy and wait for the truth to come out."

He looked up at Zhao Ji, his eyes filled with sincere apology.

"However, this will make me restless and I fear I will no longer be able to wholeheartedly accompany Your Highness in organizing the classics and exchanging ideas on art as before."

"Your Highness's kindness is deeply appreciated, but I do not wish to disturb Your Highness's peace and quiet with my family matters, and I am even more afraid that... I might interfere with Your Highness's important business."

That's a clever way of putting it.

Zhao Mingcheng did not mention pleading for leniency or seeking justice; he only said that he was "disturbed and afraid that he could not do his best," thus adopting the lowest possible stance.

It also implies another layer of meaning: My father is in trouble, and if I continue to visit the Prince's residence, it will cause trouble for His Highness.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji's face darkened, and his tone was displeased.

"What nonsense! Your father is your father, and you are you! You are the friend I invited to organize the classics and exchange artistic skills. Those people in the court, really..."

He wanted to curse, but felt it would be impolite, so he forced himself to hold back and just snorted.

"This is baseless accusation, dragging innocent people into it!"

Emperor Huizong was genuinely annoyed.

He was extremely satisfied with Zhao Mingcheng, his entertainment partner.

He is knowledgeable in seal carving, calligraphy and painting, can play football, speaks wittily, knows how to conduct himself appropriately, and most importantly, possesses a humble yet dignified demeanor.

Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) now looked forward to his days off even more eagerly than he looked forward to a banquet in the palace.

Now that he's heard that the Zhao family is in trouble, Zhao Mingcheng may distance himself from him because of it.

The displeasure in Zhao Ji's heart, mixed with his dissatisfaction that the "turmoil in the court" had affected his own people, surged up all at once.

"Mingcheng, you can rest assured."

Zhao Ji looked at Zhao Mingcheng, his tone resolute.

"I am aware of this matter. Your father's affairs will be judged by the law, but you are you. You should come to the palace when you are supposed to, and accompany me to organize the classics, play football, and discuss arts as usual. If anyone goesssips about this—" He sneered.

"I'd like to see who dares!"

These words were spoken in a willful manner, carrying Zhao Ji's usual arrogance.

Zhao Mingcheng felt reassured, but his face showed even more fear.

"Your Highness's kindness is deeply appreciated. However..."

"No, not at all," Zhao Ji waved his hand, leaving no room for argument.

"Now that you're here, keep me company while I watch the game and admire the stones. Don't worry about anything else." He paused, then added.

"I will find an opportunity to speak with the Empress Dowager and the Emperor later. There should be limits to the investigations in the court. How can they be used to indiscriminately implicate people and discourage the scholars?"

This last sentence reveals Zhao Ji's attitude—he will not stand idly by.

This is exactly the attitude Zhao Mingcheng wants.

He said no more and bowed deeply.

"This student... thanks Your Highness for your consideration."

……

A day later, Zhao Ji went to Ciyuan Hall to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Xiang as usual.

Empress Dowager Xiang was being served by palace maids as she arranged flowers. Several celadon vases were placed on the table, filled with freshly picked lotus flowers, jade hairpins, and gardenias, filling the room with a delicate fragrance.

When Zhao Ji arrived, the Empress Dowager smiled and waved.

"Shiyilang is here! Come and see, do you like this vase of flowers?"

Emperor Huizong stepped forward, looked at the flowers, praised them a few times, and then chatted with them about flower arrangement for a while.

He seemed preoccupied today and spoke less than usual. The Empress Dowager, ever perceptive, put down her pruning shears, took a damp cloth to wipe her hands, and asked gently.

"What's wrong? You look like you have something on your mind."

Emperor Huizong of Song (Zhao Ji) never held back his words in front of the Empress Dowager, and upon hearing this, he sighed.

"It's nothing, it's just that... things seem a bit unsettled in the court lately."

"Oh?" The Empress Dowager sat down on the couch and gestured for him to sit as well. "You usually don't concern yourself with these things, so why are you suddenly feeling sentimental?"

"I don't care, but I can see that the turmoil is affecting those around me." Zhao Ji sat down below the Empress Dowager, his voice heavy with unease.

"Does Your Majesty still remember Zhao Mingcheng, the Imperial Academy student who often came to my residence to help me organize my calligraphy and paintings, play football, and discuss art?"

The Empress Dowager nodded: "I remember, that child is well-educated and of good character."

"His father was suspended from his post a few days ago, and his residence was searched," Zhao Ji said.

"They say he was implicated in something. Zhao Mingcheng has been coming to the manor these past two days, and he seems to be in poor spirits and speaks less. He even said something about 'being afraid that he can no longer wholeheartedly accompany me.' I felt terrible hearing that."

Zhao Ji looked at the Empress Dowager, his eyes filled with genuine confusion and dissatisfaction.

"Your Majesty, please judge this matter. It is certainly a proper matter for the court to investigate and punish misconduct. But to involve someone like me, a diligent student who accompanies the imperial family in compiling classics, in such a way, disrupting even my own home, is surely discouraging. If this continues, who will dare to focus on their studies, and who will dare to associate with the imperial family?"

Zhao Ji's words were straightforward, even somewhat childish, but that's precisely what made them seem so genuine.

Empress Dowager Xiang listened quietly, turning the prayer beads one by one in her hand, her expression calm, but her eyes seemed to be deep in thought.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Zhao Ji added another sentence.

"I know Zhao Mingcheng. He has great insight into epigraphy, calligraphy and painting, and he also has unique insights into Cuju (ancient Chinese football). A few days ago, he even helped my grandson create a football game that combines education and entertainment, and is in line with military strategy."

"Wouldn't it be a pity if such a talented person were to be sidelined or become disheartened because of his father's affairs?"

Zhao Ji spoke earnestly, and the Empress Dowager looked at him, suddenly smiled, and reached out to pat the back of his hand.

"Shiyilang has grown up and knows how to cherish talent."

Zhao Ji's face flushed slightly.

"Your subject simply feels indignant."

"I understand what you mean," the Empress Dowager said slowly.

"Major affairs of state are to be weighed by the emperor and the prime minister. However, the way to govern is to balance strictness and leniency. Investigations must be rigorous but not too harsh; purges must be thorough but not too widespread."

Empress Dowager Xiang paused, looking at Zhao Ji.

"Since you think Zhao Mingcheng is a talented man, you should comfort him and let him focus on his studies. His father's matter will be judged by the law. If he is truly innocent, the truth will eventually come out."

Zhao Ji's eyes lit up.

"The Empress Dowager is right!"

The Empress Dowager smiled and said no more. Zhao Ji knew that this was enough.

That afternoon, Zhao Xu came to Ciyuan Hall to pay his respects.

The Empress Dowager invited him to stay for tea, and during their casual conversation, she mentioned it seemingly unintentionally.

"When Eleventh Brother came today, he mentioned the Imperial Academy student who was accompanying him in his household. It seems there have been some changes in his family, and the child is quite uneasy."

"Upon hearing this, I am reminded of an old incident. During the reign of Emperor Renzong, there was a major case that implicated many people. Later, Prime Minister Fan Zhongyan submitted a memorial, saying, 'How can the weeping of one family compare to the weeping of an entire road?' He advised Emperor Renzong not to implicate too many people and chill the hearts of the scholars and officials throughout the land. Emperor Renzong readily accepted the advice, and the case was quickly resolved, earning praise from both the court and the public."

The Empress Dowager spoke in a calm tone, but it was impossible to discern her specific meaning.

Zhao Xu paused for a moment, holding the teacup.

He looked up at the Empress Dowager, but she had already lowered her head to drink her tea, as if it were just a casual remark.

"Your Majesty's reminder is wise," Emperor Zhezong said slowly. "I have also been pondering this case recently. The investigation of the traitors should be thorough. However..."

Zhao Xu did not continue.

But Empress Dowager Xiang knew that he had taken her words to heart.

After leaving Ciyuan Hall, Zhao Xu returned to Funing Hall and sat alone for a long time.

On the table were also piles of newly submitted confessions from the Tongwen Guan, as well as memorials from the Censorate impeaching Zeng Bu and some implicated officials.

Zhao Tingzhi's name was among them.

He recalled Zhao Mingcheng's clear and firm eyes when they were exchanging questions in the Chuigong Hall, and his calm and confident demeanor when he calculated the economic benefits of "opening up the borders and benefiting the country".

I also recalled the Empress Dowager's words, "Do not implicate too many people, lest you chill the hearts of the scholars and officials."

After a long silence, he picked up his pen and wrote two words on a memorial requesting a further investigation into Zhao Tingzhi's "suspicious activities".

"Delay the discussion."

Then, Zhao Xu pushed the memorial aside and stopped looking at it.

Zhao Mingcheng did everything he was supposed to do.