The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 114 A Visitor From Jinling
Tang Shen frowned. "Do you know something, Senior Brother?"
Given the current trust between them, Wang Zhen wouldn't hide anything from Tang Shen, and Tang Shen would ask directly whenever he faced a problem. Unlike before, when he used to tread carefully and test the waters, now he simply spoke his mind. After some thought, he said, "His Majesty has three sons—the Second Prince, the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince. Last year, when the envoy from Liao visited the capital, the Second Prince Zhao Shang was tasked with hosting him. I had the fortune of meeting him several times."
Wang Zhen raised a brow. "Oh? So, you know the Second Prince?"
"Not exactly. We’ve only met a few times," Tang Shen replied. After a brief pause, he added, "During the reception, the Second Prince personally handled everything. Despite the arrogance and hostility of the Liao envoy, he remained calm and, together with Minister Meng, managed to resolve the crises."
The princes of the Song Dynasty traditionally did not participate in court affairs, so officials rarely had the opportunity to interact with them directly. In his four years as an official, Tang Shen had only met one prince—Zhao Shang. He didn’t have a particularly good impression of him, but he acknowledged that the prince was pragmatic, neither arrogant nor impatient. Still, he lacked brilliance—neither excelling nor failing.
In truth, all three of Zhao Fu's sons were fairly mediocre. If they possessed any outstanding abilities, even if Zhao Fu deliberately overlooked them, they wouldn’t remain so unknown in court.
Tang Shen asked again, "Senior Brother, do you know something?"
Wang Zhen smiled faintly. "I know nothing for certain. The matter of naming an heir has always been taboo among emperors. Do you think His Majesty would discuss such a thing with me?"
Tang Shen agreed. No matter how much favor Wang Zifeng enjoyed, it wouldn’t go that far. "Then what’s Senior Brother's take on this matter?"
Wang Zhen replied with his usual composure, "What’s your opinion, little Junior Brother?"
Wang Zhen always had a way of turning the question back on Tang Shen, seeking his perspective instead. Tang Shen rubbed the bird feed between his fingers, mimicking Wang Zhen's earlier gesture as he poured all of it into the feeder. Dusting off his hands, he said nonchalantly, "If you have something to say, just say it plainly, Senior Brother. As far as I’m concerned, we’ve always been loyalists to His Majesty. This empire still belongs to His Majesty, and whoever the crown prince may be is none of our concern."
Wang Zhen arched a brow in amusement. "I didn’t expect you to have such a broad outlook. Is that truly your heartfelt view?"
"Of course," Tang Shen affirmed.
Wang Zhen suddenly chuckled, a deep meaning hidden behind his smile. "So, you’re a loyalist at heart, little Junior Brother…"
Tang Shen felt a sudden unease. He wasn’t sure what Wang Zhen meant by that—did he doubt his loyalty? While Tang Shen had entered the capital to uncover the truth behind the palace coup thirty-one years ago and restore the reputation of the scholars who perished, he genuinely considered himself a loyalist and had earned Zhao Fu's trust.
Looking into Wang Zhen’s clear eyes, Tang Shen tried to speak. "Senior Brother…"
Wang Zhen interrupted with a smile. "I recently acquired a painting by Mi Fu. Would you like to see it?"
"Huh?"
Without waiting for a reply, Wang Zhen took Tang Shen’s hand and led him into the study. Tang Shen followed, momentarily caught off guard. By the time he collected himself, he instinctively glanced at their clasped hands. Wang Zhen’s hand was slightly cool, a refreshing contrast to the sweltering summer heat. When they entered the room, Wang Zhen naturally let go, leaving Tang Shen a little embarrassed. He looked up at Wang Zhen.
"You don’t like Mi Fu’s paintings?" Wang Zhen asked.
Tang Shen, still feeling the lingering coolness in his fingers, quickly said, "No, where’s the painting? Let me see."
Wang Zhen chuckled softly, and they began admiring the artwork together.
After dinner, Wang Zhen walked Tang Shen to the gate. In the dark of night, Wang Zifeng held a bright lantern, escorting Tang Shen out. As they parted, Tang Shen asked, "Was Senior Brother's words today prompted by something you noticed?"
The lantern’s light illuminated Wang Zhen’s chin, and Tang Shen noticed the fragrance pouch tied to his waist—a gift from four years ago. In the quiet night, with only the sound of the wind, Wang Zhen’s calm voice drifted over. "Little Junior Brother, I’m no god."
"Ah?"
"Everything is just speculation. As long as you remain true to yourself, nothing will be too difficult."
Tang Shen left the residence in confusion.
Once home, he pondered Wang Zhen’s words carefully. He concluded: Perhaps Wang Zifeng really doesn’t have concrete information. He might only suspect that Zhao Fu is preparing to take action regarding the succession.
Reflecting on Wang Zhen’s advice to remain true to himself, Tang Shen sighed wryly to himself, “Remain true to myself? My loyalty is to Zhao Fu alone. I even said this myself to Wang Zifeng this afternoon!”
After thinking for a long time in his study, Tang Shen believed he understood Wang Zhen’s intentions and also formed his own opinion based on his interactions with Zhao Fu in recent days.
Pushing the matter aside, he raised his right hand and stared at it. His fingers twitched slightly, and something felt amiss. He clenched his hand into a fist. A moment later, he summoned Yao San and asked about the recent business at Xixia Tower.
Yao San was bewildered at being called in the middle of the night to discuss business, but he dutifully answered. As he was about to leave, Tang Shen said, "Brother Yao, I recently learned how to read palms. Stretch out your hand, and I’ll take a look."
Surprised, Yao San asked, "Since when did you learn this, little boss?" Without much thought, he extended his right hand.
Tang Shen took his hand, examined it carefully, and made up some nonsense about "forthcoming marriage, long life, and wealth." Then, without warning, he gently tugged Yao San’s hand before letting go. Yao San noticed nothing strange about it and left after bowing.
Once Yao San was gone, Tang Shen looked at his palm and frowned. "Why does it feel… a little disgusting?"
Yao San would never know that he had been innocently dragged into a bizarre test, only to be met with an inexplicable "disgusting" evaluation from Tang Shen. This was truly such wrongful treatment.
When Wang Zhen had grabbed Tang Shen’s hand earlier, it was an unintentional gesture. Yet Tang Shen couldn’t forget it. An odd thought crept into his mind, but he quickly shook his head to dispel such nonsense.
By August, the late Empress Dowager’s death anniversary approached.
Though she had recently passed away, Zhao Fu’s grief lingered. This time, he wanted to commemorate her with a grand ceremony instead of a simple observance. Normally, such an event would be handled by the Minister of Rites, Meng Lang. However, in early August, Zhao Fu summoned his three sons to the palace.
It was rare for all three princes to be summoned together, and even more unusual that they were called to Chuigong Hall.
Perplexed, they entered the hall, where Zhao Fu addressed them. "In half a month, it will be your grandmother’s death anniversary. She cherished you greatly during her life. You may recall that during last year’s family feast, she personally prepared a bowl of soup…" Zhao Fu’s voice grew hoarse as he spoke. Closing his eyes to gather himself, he continued after a pause, "This year, I entrust this important task to you. Can you manage it well?"
The three princes were taken aback but dared not refuse. "We will not disappoint you, Imperial Father."
Zhao Fu waved his hand dismissively. "You may go."
Now, it seemed as though the three princes each had their own plans as they left the Chuigong Hall together. After they had gone, Zhao Fu stared at the teacup on the table for a long time before softly saying, "Since I was a child, during family banquets, the Empress Dowager would always wash her hands and personally prepare soup. When I was young, her rank as a consort was low, so she had to prepare many soups. Later on, she only needed to cook for a few people. I liked to eat her cooking, and so did Zhao Qiong. The late emperor appreciated the Empress Dowager’s virtuousness, and in this matter, she always handled things thoroughly and kindly."
As these words fell, no one dared to respond. Even the two chamberlains responsible for noting imperial activities lowered their heads, not daring to breathe loudly.
Zhao Fu’s gaze became distant as he continued, "The late empress was of noble birth, dignified and magnanimous—qualities beyond the reach of ordinary people. If the Empress Dowager hadn’t had a reputation for virtue, I’m afraid the late emperor wouldn’t have paid her much attention." After a long silence, Zhao Fu murmured, "So it turns out that both Zhao Qiong and I resemble the Empress Dowager, while Zhao Xuan resembles the Empress. He truly takes after her…"
In the next moment, Zhao Fu suddenly swept the teacup off the table, and it shattered with a violent crash.
Ji Fu, startled, flinched and hurried forward. "Your Majesty, are your hands hurt? This servant will call the imperial physician right away. Someone, come! Who poured this tea? How could it be so hot that His Majesty couldn’t hold it steadily?" He then glanced at a young eunuch, Xie Bao, whom he had taken as his godson.
Xie Bao caught Ji Fu’s gaze, and though his heart raced, he quickly understood his godfather’s intent. He immediately knelt and cried out, "It was this servant who poured the tea. This servant is at fault. Please, Your Majesty, punish me!"
Zhao Fu hadn’t actually been burned. He lifted his head and glanced indifferently at the kneeling Xie Bao before casually saying, "Give him five strokes."
Xie Bao grimaced inwardly but was dragged out by the guards and given a harsh five strokes.
That night, Ji Fu visited the imperial hospital to get some high-quality wound ointment for his godson. Xie Bao lay on the bed, unable to move. When he tried to get up and bow, Ji Fu held him down, smiling, "Do you resent your godfather? This was all for your own good. Ordinary people aren’t allowed to witness His Majesty’s loss of composure. Today, by covering for His Majesty and taking five strokes, you’ve secured yourself future benefits."
Though Xie Bao’s backside burned painfully, and he was full of grievances, he forced a smile. "I understand, godfather did it for my own good."
Ji Fu placed the medicine by the bedside and reminded him, "Don’t try to guess His Majesty’s thoughts. His Majesty is a rare enlightened ruler. Your little schemes may evade my eyes, but they can’t escape His Majesty’s. By the way, did you hear anything today in Chuigong Hall?"
Xie Bao’s eyes darted around before he replied, "No, your gofson didn’t hear a thing."
Ji Fu chuckled.
The news of the emperor’s grand preparations for the Empress Dowager’s memorial soon spread throughout the court. Within a day, word also got out that Zhao Fu had assigned the task to the three princes, causing widespread shock.
Some keen officials speculated, "Could this be an indication that His Majesty intends for the three princes to begin participating in state affairs?"
By now, Tang Shen had left Qinzheng Hall. When he heard the news, he couldn’t help but recall the conversations he had once had with Wang Zhen.
Tang Shen chuckled, "You said you’re not a god? If this isn’t godly divination, what is?"
As the Empress Dowager’s memorial drew near, the three princes became busy with preparations.
In mid-August, Tang Shen returned to the Tanhua Residence, where Yao San reported that a guest had been waiting for him all afternoon.
"A guest?" Tang Shen was surprised and asked Yao San to bring the person in.
The visitor was a middle-aged man dressed in a short tunic. Upon seeing Tang Shen, he appeared momentarily stunned, seemingly not expecting that the now well-known Tang Jingze would be so handsome. He had known Tang Shen was young, but being young was one thing—being so good-looking was another. After a brief hesitation, the man cupped his hands in salute and said, "This humble servant, Cui Xiao, a cavalry officer from Jinling Prefecture, greets Tang daren."
Tang Shen replied, "A cavalry officer from Jinling Prefecture? So it’s Cui daren. What brings you all the way from Jinling to Shengjing? Is there something urgent?"
Though Tang Shen had been to Jinling Prefecture many times, he had never met this officer.
Cui Xiao hesitated, appearing conflicted. After a while, he gritted his teeth and said, "Six years ago, I had the honor of meeting Governor Liang of Gusu several times and helped him with some matters. Back then, I heard that Tang daren was one of Governor Liang’s students."
Tang Shen widened his eyes in shock.
With a bitter smile, Cui Xiao continued, "To be honest, I’m in some trouble—something personal that I can no longer conceal. I have no choice but to seek your help. I beg you, Tang daren, in honor of an old acquaintance, to save my life. I will serve you faithfully in the future, even if it means becoming your horse or ox."