Chapter Fifty-Two: Before Departure

Zhao Yu had never intended to leave so soon. According to his plan, he would get married first, then find an opportunity to provoke his imperial father, forcing the Emperor to drive him out of the capital himself. But as the saying goes, plans can never keep up with changes. Fortunately, he had made some preparations beforehand, so he wouldn’t be caught off guard when the moment came.

In the harem, Empress Zheng’s eyes were swollen from crying. She had gone to seek out her imperial husband, only to find that he refused to see her at all. With no way to meet him, she didn't even have the chance to plead her son's case or to act the slightest bit coquettish. For this, she loathed Zhao Huan and Zhao Kai and the others, because anyone with eyes could tell that the edict, so sudden and inexplicable, was nothing but a veiled form of entrapment.

Empress Zheng was a remarkably astute woman. She knew that if she fell out with her imperial husband, not only would it solve nothing, but she herself might also be dragged down. Thus, she had to secure her position as Empress first, and only then look for the right moment to take her revenge.

Zhao Yu’s mood was equally heavy. According to his plan, once he left the capital, he had no intention of returning. In other words, after this parting, who could say when he would see his mother again? This, however, was a secret he kept buried deep in his heart—one he could share with no one.

“Mother, please don’t be sad. Jiangnan is not far, and if all goes well, I will be back before long. It is you, Mother, who must take care of your health. Don’t let my situation cause friction between you and Father.”

Her son, still so young, yet so thoughtful and sensitive—Empress Zheng was both touched and filled with grief. She thought to herself: as dignified as her position was, she couldn’t even protect her own son. Did she truly mean so little in his heart? Then, all at once, she was struck by a realization—had she long since harbored resentment toward her imperial husband?

Forcing a smile, she said, “Is everything for your journey prepared? Take Xiu Xiu with you; without someone close by to look after you, how can I feel at ease?”

The edict had come so hastily that they had to leave the capital the next day, leaving Empress Zheng no time to even help her son pack.

“Don’t worry, Mother. I’m so used to having Xiu Xiu attend to me that I’m uneasy when she’s not around! Here, take this for your own expenses—it’s what I won at the ball game.”

As he spoke, Zhao Yu took several silver notes from his robe, their values ranging from three to five thousand taels, and handed them to her.

Never mind that the Empress lacked for nothing; whether it was rewarding her attendants or fending off troublesome relatives, everything required money. And regardless of who you were, so long as you had silver in your pocket, you could always speak and act with confidence.

Empress Zheng was startled to see her son produce so many banknotes. Even though he claimed they came from the ball game, she was still skeptical.

Looking anxious, she said, “Son, be honest with your mother—you haven’t done anything immoral outside, have you?”

“Oh, Mother, you know what kind of person your son is—how could you not? By the way, Mother, what’s become of the marriage between Jinluo and Cai You’s son? Are you still fond of that boy?”

Zhao Yu was eager to change the subject, not wanting to dwell on the money any longer.

Empress Zheng had always believed she understood her son, but for him to suddenly produce so much money at his age and claim it came from winning ball games—what mother wouldn’t be suspicious?

But when her son mentioned her daughter’s marriage, she replied, “It was all arranged by your father, and the match seems quite suitable. Why do you ask about him all of a sudden?”

“Mother, you may not know, but one of the chief culprits behind my being sent to Jiangnan is Cai You.”

“How can that be?” The words slipped out before she realized it, and at once Empress Zheng came to a realization: the Cai father and son were at odds, and her son had likely become collateral damage in their family feud. The problem was, this old scoundrel wanted her daughter as his daughter-in-law, yet was setting traps for her son—how despicable could one get?

“Mother, forgive my frankness, but the Cai family is full of treacherous knaves and will come to no good end. I do not support letting my sister marry into that family. Jinluo is not yet wed; it’s only a betrothal on paper. In the coming days, have people keep an eye on them. If anything happens to that Cai boy, be ready to break off the engagement at once.”

Zhao Yu spoke in a low voice. That scoundrel Cai You had tried to trip him up—if he didn’t strike back, wouldn’t he be letting that old villain off too easily?

Empress Zheng was startled at first, then she caught the resolve in her son’s eyes and, after a moment’s thought, said, “If my son has such wisdom, I can rest easy.”

“Mother, I must take my leave now. Forgive my unfilial ways—it pains me that I cannot come each day to pay my respects. Please, take care of your health.”

As he spoke, Zhao Yu knelt once more and respectfully kowtowed three times.

Seeing her sensible son, Empress Zheng’s eyes filled with tears again.

By custom, a prince leaving the capital should take his leave of the Emperor, but Zhao Yu skipped this entirely. The Emperor was not his real father, and the very edict that sent him away had made it clear he meant nothing to him. There was no point in performing empty rituals.

Yet though he didn’t bid farewell to his imperial father, upon leaving the palace Zhao Yu went straight to Prince Yun’s residence.

The guards outside had not even had time to announce him before Zhao Yu knelt at the gate and began to wail loudly.

His actions took everyone by surprise. Those who knew the inside story couldn’t help but wonder—what did this have to do with Prince Yun? But others saw it differently: why, of all people, did Prince Yi seek out Prince Yun before leaving? Was there some shady business between them?

When Zhao Kai received the news, he was struck dumb with shock. For the first time, he truly understood the meaning of “he who schemes against others will be schemed against in turn.” But what was Zhao Yu’s intention, really?

Zhao Yu’s meaning was simple: if those who harmed him would not let him have peace, then none of them would have it either.

Before Zhao Kai could go out and bring him in, Zhao Yu had already risen and left. Some things need not be spelled out—just start the rumor and let everyone’s imagination do the rest.

While everyone was still speculating about where Prince Yi would go after leaving Prince Yun’s residence, another explosive piece of news swept through Bianliang.

“Prince Yi beat up the Prime Minister Wang Fu in the street—beat him so badly that even Wang Fu’s own mother couldn’t recognize him afterward…”

The sitting Prime Minister had been assaulted! Unthinkable! But then again, no one dared provoke the assailant either.

The news passed from person to person and quickly reached Emperor Huizong.

In truth, Emperor Huizong’s decision to send his son away was an act of avoidance. Whether the boy accomplished anything was secondary—he just didn’t want trouble. And yet, before even leaving the capital, the boy had already caused such an uproar.

Emperor Huizong could understand Zhao Yu’s resentment, but this matter had nothing to do with Wang Fu—why beat the man up?

After some thought, he decided to let it go. The whole business with Zhao Yu had already upset the Empress; if he interfered further, he’d only seem even more callous.

With that, Emperor Huizong pulled the covers over his head and went to sleep, forbidding anyone from disturbing him.

Dusk gradually fell. The city of Bianliang was as bustling and lively as ever. People, by nature, are forgetful creatures—matters of court and royal intrigue had nothing to do with ordinary folk, who went about their lives as usual…