Chapter Eighty-Seven: Even When the Tree Longs for Stillness, the Wind Refuses to Rest

Without further delay, the next morning, having left the palace and returned to his own Song Prince’s residence, Zhao Yu immediately summoned everyone in his household. The Song Prince’s residence would one day be Xiao Yiyi’s home as well, and neither Empress Dowager Xiao nor Emperor Tianzuo were stingy; from maids and servants to cooks and guards, the staff was fully equipped, numbering more than three hundred. Countless treasures of gold and silver had been bestowed upon him, so although Zhao Yu’s pockets were emptier than his face was clean, he was hardly lacking in wealth.

Zhao Yu did not disclose his intentions. He personally led a team to flatten the rear garden, then called in palace architects to design a blueprint for a palace based on the available space, while ordering his guards and servants to collect ice and snow from outside.

With materials already at hand, construction began almost immediately that day on the ice and snow palace within Zhao Yu’s residence.

Upon hearing the news, Xiao Yiyi was overjoyed and surprised. She had never expected Zhao Yu to act so swiftly. At her playful age, after informing her aunt, she hurriedly brought a group to join the construction team.

The capital was a tiny place where nothing could be kept secret, especially an undertaking as grand as gathering ice and snow. While most people cleared snow away, the newly minted Prince of Song was hauling it home, making it the first major news of the New Year.

Soon enough, officials and citizens swarmed to Zhao Yu’s residence, some hoping to discover the cause, others wanting to see inside, but all were turned away at the gates.

How ridiculous! The Song Prince’s residence was not a place anyone could simply enter.

With so many hands, and since building with ice and snow required no tedious foundation work, the palace’s outline took shape within two days.

Just like in the Central Plains, artisans in Liao were mostly Han Chinese, whose diligence and ingenuity were beyond question. Zhao Yu gave the order, and from then on, he barely needed to worry about the rest.

As the ice and snow palace rose, various snow sculptures were also carved throughout the residence.

Zhao Yu and Xiao Yiyi had agreed: once the project was complete, the Empress Dowager and Emperor would be the first invited to tour it.

As Zhao Yu had predicted, Xiao Yiyi, still a young girl at heart, could not bear to be left out of such fun. In time, she became even more enthusiastic than Zhao Yu, busily working each day, nearly forgetting him altogether.

As the center of attention, Zhao Yu was much on people’s minds—one such person being the Imperial Son-in-law, Xiao Xian. Though it was Xiao Yiyi who killed his cousin, Xiao Xian was not foolish; he knew that if not for Zhao Yu, Xiao Yiyi would never have acted herself.

On the surface, it appeared Xiao Keye died for offending the princess, but reports from Youzhou revealed to Xiao Xian that Zhao Yu’s actions were aimed squarely at the Khitan nobility.

Xiao Xian was a cunning man, aware of the Empress Dowager’s favor toward Xiao Yiyi, so punishment for Zhao Yu was unlikely. Yet such a grave enmity could not go unanswered. If he swallowed this insult, he would lose all standing among Khitan nobles.

While Zhao Yu was engrossed in snow sculpture, Xiao Xian began plotting his revenge.

Liao boasted many Han officials; the highest-ranking were Yu Zhongwen, Zuo Qigong, and Zhang Lin, all holding the post of Associate of Government Affairs, equivalent to a prime minister in the Central Plains. However, as Han Chinese, their position was more advisory than authoritative—a senior consultant, consulted only when needed.

Xiao Xian was on good terms with all three. Taking advantage of the New Year’s visits, he invited them to his residence.

In Han Chinese parlance, these three shameless elders were quintessential collaborators, and far from being ashamed, they could not stand to see another Han outperform them.

Zhao Yu’s sudden rise had undoubtedly touched a raw nerve for them.

After several rounds of wine, Xiao Xian felt the moment was ripe and dismissed the servants.

“You gentlemen must have heard: my cousin died tragically in Youzhou. Not only that, our family property has been seized. I…” Xiao Xian, talented in performance, squeezed out tears as he spoke.

“Your Highness, pray do not grieve. If you need anything from us, speak plainly,” one replied. The sight of a grown man shedding tears elicited a shudder from the three shameless elders.

Yu Zhongwen’s eyes flickered. “There’s no need to worry, Your Highness. That young man has offended all the Khitan nobles. While he enjoys the Empress Dowager’s favor now, when resentment builds high enough, not even the Emperor can protect him.”

“Brother Zhongwen, I disagree. Some matters mustn’t be delayed indefinitely. We cannot wait forever,” Zuo Qigong retorted. The implication was clear—the Empress Dowager was robust and hearty and might live for decades yet; who knew who would outlast whom?

Yu Zhongwen disliked being contradicted and frowned. “Then what does Brother Zuo propose?”

“Simple. Drive him out of the capital, let the provincial nobles deal with him. Once it’s a fait accompli, neither the Empress Dowager nor the Emperor can do anything.”

“Brother Zuo has a point, but have you noticed? That wastrel is busy with snow sculptures, and it seems he has no intention of leaving the capital. News from the palace suggests the Empress Dowager doesn’t plan to send him away either.”

Xiao Xian’s wife was a princess, so acquiring palace news was not difficult.

Upon hearing that the Empress Dowager was unwilling to let Zhao Yu leave, Yu Zhongwen and Zuo Qigong fell silent. They knew the Emperor obeyed the Empress Dowager in all things; if she truly decided, the matter was settled.

“Lord Zhang, do you have any clever ideas?” Xiao Xian turned to Zhang Lin, who had been silent throughout, knowing that despite his quiet demeanor, Zhang Lin was full of cunning.

“I’m considering whether, since Aguda and Wu Qimai and other Jurchen leaders were killed in an explosion, perhaps we should send a high-ranking envoy to offer condolences, as a gesture of goodwill between our nations.”

At Zhang Lin’s words, the others were stunned. It was clear to all: if Aguda and his men hadn’t died so suddenly, the Jurchen army would likely have marched in, and some had even prepared to surrender.

Though circumstances had changed, everyone knew the Jurchens would eventually invade. Yet if this opportunity allowed rapprochement, it would be a blessing.

Yu Zhongwen was first to react. “You mean to send that young man as envoy to the Jurchens? Impossible!”

The two nations were still enemies; the Jurchens might even believe their leader was assassinated by Liao. Sending someone to mourn Aguda would surely be suicide.

Anyone else might be sent, but Zhao Yu was the Empress Dowager’s beloved niece’s future husband. Even if the Empress Dowager agreed, Xiao Yiyi would never consent! Zhang Lin’s idea seemed utterly fanciful.

Under their puzzled gazes, Zhang Lin gave a sinister smile. “Of course, it cannot be our suggestion. But what if the Jurchens specifically request that young man?”

“An interesting idea, Lord Zhang, but Liao has no shortage of talent. Why would the Jurchens name a mere boy as their chosen envoy?”

“Lord Zuo, you may not know—by chance, I heard the Jurchens suspect Aguda’s death was the work of Song Dynasty agents.”

At this, no more needed to be said—for anyone could frame another.

Xiao Xian’s eyes finally lit up…