Chapter Fifty: Who Is the Sparrow Waiting in the Wings

While the entire city of Bianliang was gripped by a frenzy for the ball game, outside the usually tranquil palace, a sudden and deadly clash erupted without warning. Dozens were embroiled in the fight, all their faces masked. Most astonishing of all, several among them wore the garb of inner palace eunuchs.

One eunuch, in particular, carried a bundle on his back, and he was clearly the focal point of both the attackers’ aggression and his companions’ desperate protection. From the outset, the battle was fierce and relentless: one side pressed their assault with abandon, the other defended with equal ferocity. Yet, not a single cry was uttered—not even from those who, grievously wounded, fell to the ground. They were intent on making no noise, but given the sensitive location, their efforts were futile; in moments, whistles blared and squads of imperial soldiers surged toward the scene.

Sensing the tide had turned, both groups scattered in all directions. Those too injured to escape simply ended their own lives without hesitation, evidently determined not to be taken alive. At that same moment, alarms sounded from the Daoist palace where Emperor Huizong practiced his devotions—someone had infiltrated the sanctuary and stolen his most cherished stone.

The commander of the palace guards, upon hearing this, felt his head swell with dread. Such a grave matter he dared not conceal. At once he dispatched messengers to the emperor, who was attending the game, ordered the city gates sealed, and sent word to the Kaifeng Prefecture, summoning their officers to assist in the hunt.

Meanwhile, the first half of the match had just ended. After a hard-fought contest, the palace guards’ team led the imperial army’s team by a single point. Everyone knew there was still another half to play, and a single point was hardly a guarantee of victory—thus, the second half was awaited with bated breath. The palace guards would fight to hold their lead; the imperial army was determined not to lose face.

The match had left Emperor Huizong and his ministers utterly enthralled. Though the ancient game of cuju had always brought joy, never before had it been witnessed by tens of thousands in such electrifying fashion. This experience gave the emperor a new perspective on his eighth son. From the first moments of the match, he had kept Zhao Yu close, peppering him with questions about every nuance of the game.

Zhao Huan, Zhao Kai, and the others at the emperor’s side feigned indifference, but their frequent sidelong glances made their thoughts all too plain—envy, pure and unvarnished.

Just then, the commander of the palace guards arrived with his report. Huizong, in high spirits till that moment, flew into a rage upon hearing the news. He abandoned the match at once and ordered his carriage brought round.

Ordinarily, the theft of a stone would not have unsettled him so, but he had discovered a cryptic inscription within it. He knew that, should it fall into the hands of traitors, the consequences could be dire. Moreover, he had discerned that the stone was man-made, but had refrained from opening it so as not to damage the treasure inside. Now, before he could unravel its secrets, it had once again been stolen.

Though the emperor had departed, the match continued. Zhao Yu did not follow; he merely accompanied his father to the edge of the field, then stopped.

Watching the emperor’s entourage recede, Zhao Yu asked without turning, “Has Brother Shi Qian returned?”

A voice behind him, belonging to Yan Qing—one of the two who never left Zhao Yu’s side, the other being Lin Chong—replied, “Your Highness, rest assured. Brother Shi Qian returned while His Majesty was still watching the match.”

Zhao Yu said nothing more, but his eyes shone even brighter.

In the imperial study, Emperor Huizong sat behind his desk, his expression ashen. Zhao Huan, Zhao Kai, Cai You, Liang Shicheng, Li Yan, Gao Qiu, and Zhu Mian stood in attendance.

The facts were plain: someone had infiltrated the palace disguised as an inner eunuch, slipped into the Daoist palace, and stolen the stone. It seemed another gang had also been eyeing the treasure, leading to the bloody clash outside the palace. Now, though the city gates were sealed and a thorough search underway, everyone knew the thieves were meticulous and had lain low until the opportune moment. The chances of recovering the stone were slim indeed.

A heavy silence hung in the air. The emperor said nothing, but his silence was not a license for others to play dumb.

His gaze barely swept over the crown prince before Liang Shicheng spoke in a chilling tone, “These thieves are brazen indeed, but wasn’t their timing a little too perfect?”

Those present were as cunning as foxes—if not for the lack of tails, one could hardly tell the difference. They immediately understood what the old man was implying. However, since the matter concerned a prince, and the empress’s favorite one at that, it was wiser to hold their tongues.

To be honest, under the constant whisperings of Liang Shicheng and Cai You, Emperor Huizong had lately harbored some dissatisfaction with Zhao Yu’s actions. Yet today’s match had given him a new impression; perhaps his eighth son was not as feckless as they claimed—perhaps, indeed, he was quite capable.

“Speak plainly,” Huizong demanded.

Though history had shifted somewhat because of Zhao Yu’s arrival, Huizong’s character remained unchanged—indecisive and mercurial as ever. Liang Shicheng’s reminder stirred suspicion in his heart: why had the thieves chosen today, of all days, to act? Was it premeditated, or…?

The very thought startled Huizong. Though his eighth son was mischievous, he could never be in league with thieves.

This was precisely the effect Liang Shicheng sought. Some things need not be said outright; it was enough to let the emperor’s imagination take flight.

Clearing his throat, he said, “Your Majesty, this old servant has a thought. Last time the stone was stolen, Prince Yi recovered it in half a day—proof that he has his ways. Why not entrust the task to him again?”

Li Yan blinked his small eyes, as if wanting to speak, but wisely held his tongue. After all, Prince Yi’s performance last time had been too impressive; even if he wanted to help deflect the burden, there was no room to object.

Just then, Zhu Mian, who had been silent until now, spoke up: “Your Majesty, I fear this is no simple matter. On my journey from the south, many thieves sought that stone. Thanks to Your Majesty’s great fortune, I managed to bring it to the capital. If these thieves are indeed so well prepared, it is likely the stone will be taken south.”

Cai You frowned. “What of the south? Is it not still under Song rule?”

Cai You’s guiding principle was to oppose whatever his father supported. Now, everyone at court knew the emperor secretly favored Prince Yi, so Cai You took every opportunity to side with Liang Shicheng in undermining him.

After snapping at Zhu Mian, Cai You turned to the emperor and said, “Your Majesty, I’ve heard a rumor—concerning Prince Yi and the Manichaeans in the south. They say he’s grown close to their followers, perhaps has even joined their ranks. Everyone knows the Manichaeans slander and rebel against the court in secret. This must be investigated thoroughly, to clear Prince Yi’s name.”

“Enough!” Emperor Huizong’s anger mounted as he listened. He had dismissed his son’s antics as harmless before, but if he truly had ties to the Manichaeans, that was a crime beyond forgiveness.

“This traitorous son—what else is he hiding from me? Guards—!”

“Father, wait!” Before the emperor could finish, Zhao Kai stepped forward…