Chapter Thirty-Four Ends Here

A storm caused by Zhao Yu's abduction ended with his safe return, drawing the curtain on the incident, but was it truly over? The outcome surprised everyone; many speculated about how the Prince of Yi escaped when the bandit’s martial arts were so formidable.

Gossip can be terrifying—three people repeating a rumor can turn fiction into fact. Many baseless tales, spoken often enough, become accepted as truth.

After reporting the incident to his father, the Emperor, in the imperial study, Zhao Yu went to see his mother, the Empress.

The imperial study was lively today. Present were the Crown Prince Zhao Huan, Prince Yun Zhao Kai, Liang Shicheng, Li Yan, and Gao Qiu.

The gathering, naturally, was prompted by Zhao Yu’s abduction; during court earlier, a censor accused the Kaifeng Prefecture of negligence, dragging the Crown Prince and Gao Qiu into the matter.

Such blatant, unfounded accusations nearly infuriated Emperor Huizong beyond measure. He immediately dismissed the censor and ordered the Supreme Court to investigate thoroughly.

Yet, regarding the Crown Prince and Gao Qiu’s dubious dealings with Zhao Yu, the Emperor remained wary. Rivalries among ministers and princes could be beneficial, as long as they were kept within bounds and tacitly allowed by Huizong. But involving people from the martial world was a line the Emperor would not permit.

“I have just received word that someone attempted to kill the prisoner being escorted from Jiangnan. Crown Prince, Gao Qiu, do you know anything about this?”

Zhao Huan and Gao Qiu flinched instinctively. It would be impossible for them not to harbor guilty consciences, but they knew admitting anything would be far worse.

“Father, I have been overseeing the rescue of my eighth brother at Kaifeng Prefecture. I am unaware of any other matters.”

Gao Qiu chimed in, “Your Majesty, someone is deliberately framing me. Please investigate thoroughly.”

“Your Majesty,” Li Yan interjected, “I believe this matter deserves careful scrutiny. There are rumors that the Prince of Yi has extensive dealings with martial artists. According to the palace guards present, the bandit who abducted the Prince possessed extraordinary skills. The guards, despite their abilities, could not resist at all. I simply cannot understand how the Prince of Yi managed to escape unharmed.”

“So, Master Liang, do you mean the Prince of Yi should not have returned safely?”

“Li Yan, you are too presumptuous. I am presenting the case to His Majesty. How dare you interrupt—do you even respect the Emperor?”

“The Emperor is in my heart, unlike some who merely pay lip service. And now you curse the Prince—what are your intentions, Master Liang?”

“Silence, all of you!”

Emperor Huizong, seeing his two chief aides arguing furiously, slammed the table in anger.

Startled, Liang Shicheng and Li Yan knelt and begged for forgiveness.

Huizong did not let them rise. Turning to Zhao Kai, he asked, “What is your opinion?”

Zhao Kai bowed, “I believe, regardless of what happened, the eighth prince has returned safely. Both the Crown Prince and Master Gao handled the matter appropriately. As for the impeachment letter, I believe it was an attempt by someone with ulterior motives to sow discord among my brothers, and between princes and ministers. I ask Father to investigate thoroughly.”

Emperor Huizong nodded, pondering for a moment. “Let this matter end here. No one is to mention it again, or I will show no mercy. You may all leave. Huan, stay behind.”

Zhao Kai, also known as Zhao Huan—having changed his name later—was a master of calligraphy, music, and painting. He once joined the imperial examination under an alias and became the top scholar, earning the title of prodigy. Huizong especially admired his peaceful nature, which made him trustworthy enough to entrust him with the vital Imperial City Security. Many had said that, had Zhao Huan not been named Crown Prince so early, the title would have belonged to Prince Yun Zhao Kai.

“Is the eighth prince really involved with martial artists?”

“Father, as far as I know, although my brother can be mischievous, he would not be so foolish. Rest assured—I will guide him.”

Huizong nodded, said nothing further, and waved for Zhao Kai to leave. Zhao Kai failed to notice the deep furrow in his father’s brow.

Within the inner palace, Empress Zheng, her eyes red, pulled Zhao Yu before her and examined him carefully. “You rascal, always making your mother worry. I hear that Miss Liu is quite formidable. When you marry her, I shall ensure she keeps you in line.”

She paused, lowering her voice. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve been up to outside. Word has already reached your father. You must restrain yourself—he despises those martial artists.”

Zhao Yu knew his mother was warning him indirectly; it seemed his father was already dissatisfied with him.

His father, the Emperor, was indeed an odd character—handling state affairs poorly, keeping Daoist priests, sneaking out of the palace for pleasure, yet imposing strict demands on others. Wasn’t it embarrassing?

“Mother, rest assured. I will be more careful from now on. Besides, I have hired several skilled bodyguards; nothing like this will happen again. By the way, I heard my future father-in-law has a poor reputation, and his daughter is said to be sickly. Isn’t it unwise for me to marry into such a family?”

These were findings from Yang Xu’s investigation. Zhao Yu also knew of a peculiar unwritten rule through the ages: once someone became related to the imperial family, all crimes except rebellion could be pardoned. So, Liu Wenguang’s marriage proposal was likely a ploy to secure protection for himself.

“Nonsense! Would your mother harm you? I warn you—no matter what, this marriage must go ahead.”

Empress Zheng feigned annoyance; how could she not investigate her son’s prospective bride? The palace doctors reported that Miss Liu merely had a mild cold, not an actual illness. Her son’s excuse was simply reluctance to marry.

Marriage was a rite of passage for a man’s maturity. Only after this ceremony could Empress Zheng properly petition for a position for her son.

Such is the heart of all parents; but how could Empress Zheng know her son's true intentions?

The Imperial Astronomer had chosen auspicious dates: only the tenth and thirtieth days of the tenth month were suitable. The tenth was the Emperor’s birthday, so the Empress decided on the thirtieth for the wedding.

Zhao Yu didn’t argue further. With his status, whom he married was not his decision, but whether he loved the woman remained his own choice.

After chatting with his mother, Zhao Yu took his leave. As he reached the palace gates, he saw Lin Chong talking with a man in his thirties.

Duan Feihe was still recovering from his injuries, so Lin Chong had temporarily become Zhao Yu’s chief bodyguard.

Seeing Zhao Yu approach, Lin Chong bowed, and the other man quickly followed suit.

“Lu Qian greets Your Highness, Prince of Yi!”

Upon hearing the introduction, Zhao Yu sized him up, thinking, So you are Lu Qian? What a waste of such a fine appearance...