Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 16 The Favoritism of Empress Dowager Du

Early the next morning.

Kaifeng, the imperial city, Kunning Palace.

In the Eight Trigrams, Kun represents the earth and motherhood, corresponding to the emperor's Qian, embodying the concept of Yin and Yang harmony.

Therefore, since Liu Zhiyuan established his capital in Kaifeng, Kunning Palace has served as the Empress's residence.

Today, the owner of this palace is none other than Lady Wang, Zhao Kuangyin's second wife and Zhao Dezhao's stepmother.

Just as dawn broke, Zhao Dezhao came to Kunning Palace to perform the daily morning greetings and inquire after his elders.

"Zhao'er, you must know that from this day forward, you are no longer a son of a military family, but the rightful eldest son of the emperor. Every word and action must be in accordance with royal decorum and must not overstep the bounds."

Holding the infant Prince Baxian in her arms, Empress Wang's gaze fell upon Zhao Dezhao before her, and she gave him words of concern:

"Your grandmother is always strict. When she greets you each day, remember to bow your head and lower your eyes, and speak respectfully. Do not be as casual as you usually are, or you will inevitably be scolded."

"Your father has always been very respectful to your grandmother. If you are willing..." At this point, Empress Wang paused, not continuing her previous statement, but instead said earnestly:

"In short, you should be more clever in front of your grandmother, say more nice things and do things well. This will be of great benefit to you."

"Also, you will have a lot of studies to do from now on, so you must not slack off or neglect your teacher..."

"I will always remember Mother's teachings." Zhao Dezhao felt a warmth in his heart as he listened to Empress Wang's elder-like nagging.

Unlike many scheming empresses in history.

Even though her status was completely different from yesterday, Empress Wang still treated Zhao Dezhao as her own son. Even though she had a son named Zhao Defang, she did not have any resentment towards Zhao Dezhao because of the possible competition for the throne. On the contrary, she cared for him even more than before.

How could Zhao Dezhao not be deeply moved by this?

Since his arrival in this world, the warmth that Lady Wang has shown him has far exceeded that of his grandmother or even his father, Zhao Kuangyin.

"Alright, it's time for you to go to Zishan Hall to study. Your mother also needs to go to Qingshou Palace to pay her respects to your grandmother. You may leave now."

Empress Wang handed Zhao Defang, whom she was holding, to the wet nurse and stood up with a light cough.

Zhao Dezhao quickly stepped forward to help him up.

Empress Wang's health has always been poor, and she has become even weaker recently after catching a cold.

"Mother, slow down."

"Alright, go do what you're supposed to do."

……

Inside the Qingshou Palace.

Immediately after the morning court session, Zhao Kuangyin, accompanied by Zhao Guangyi, went to Qingshou Palace to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Du, who had moved in the previous day.

With the new dynasty newly established and many political decisions awaiting Zhao Kuangyin and others, the fact that he could take time out of his busy schedule to visit his mother shows how important Empress Dowager Du was to him.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty, wishing you good health and a long and blessed life."

On the phoenix throne inlaid with pearls and gold, Madam Du smiled as she watched her two sons kowtow and pay their respects.

"Rise."

As Empress Dowager Du finished speaking, Zhao Kuangyin rose and sat down next to her.

Zhao Guangyi stood by.

After Zhao Kuangyin sat down, Empress Dowager Du, who had been beaming with joy, looked at Zhao Kuangyin's imperial robes and sighed sadly.

"Now that our Zhao clan has reached the pinnacle of honor, why is Mother still so unhappy?" Zhao Kuangyin asked with concern.

Empress Dowager Du sighed softly, held Zhao Kuangyin's hand, and said with emotion:

"I have heard that it is difficult to be a ruler. The emperor sits above all the people. If he governs the country well, the emperor will be respected. But once he loses control of the world, he will not be able to live as a commoner. This is my worry."

As she spoke, Empress Dowager Du reached out and beckoned Zhao Guangyi, who was standing to the side.

After Zhao Guangyi came to her side, Empress Dowager Du took his hand and placed it in Zhao Kuangyin's hand, saying earnestly:

"Tingyi played an indispensable role in the success of this great undertaking, assisting in planning and strategizing, and running around tirelessly.

"Starting a business is easy, but maintaining it is difficult; the lessons of the past are still fresh in our minds."

"If you want to stabilize the Zhao family's rule, you will still need to rely on Tingyi. My son should understand the principle that brothers working together can break even metal."

As she said this, Empress Dowager Du looked at her two sons with anticipation.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin showed a look of understanding: "Mother, rest assured, the new dynasty has just been established and its foundation is not yet stable. I understand the principle of relying on relatives to consolidate the foundation."

Upon hearing Zhao Kuangyin's words, Zhao Guangyi was overjoyed and quickly replied, "Your son will certainly do his utmost to assist Your Majesty and secure the Song Dynasty."

After receiving promises from her two sons, Empress Dowager Du nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Zhao Guangyi and said:

"We will need to accompany Secretary Zhao more often in the future and must not neglect him."

"I will remember my mother's teachings."

Zhao Guangyi understood that his mother wanted him to learn more from Zhao Pu, but his mother had no idea about the rift between the two of them, so she could only reluctantly agree.

Zhao Kuangyin, who was standing to the side, also chimed in with a smile: "Speaking of which, I also intend to entrust Zhao'er to Zeping for instruction as well."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Du suddenly remembered that she had an eldest grandson. She frowned and asked:

"Where is Zhao'er?"

Upon hearing Empress Dowager Du mention Zhao Dezhao, Zhao Kuangyin's face naturally revealed a slight smile:

"The Empress caught a cold yesterday, and Zhao'er was worried about his mother's health, so he went to Kunning Palace to visit her."

"Zhao'er is a filial child."

In fact, as a son, Zhao Kuangyin could see that Empress Dowager Du did not particularly like her two grandsons, Dezhao and Defang. So whenever he had the chance, Zhao Kuangyin would praise them in front of Empress Dowager Du.

Unfortunately, prejudice in people's hearts is a mountain, as is favoritism.

"Taking care of one's mother is a fundamental human duty, and Zhao'er was simply doing his duty."

A single, undisguised remark came softly from Empress Dowager Du's lips. Then, as if remembering something, she frowned again and asked:

"I've heard that Zhao'er seemed to have played a role in this mutiny?"

Zhao Kuangyin thought that Empress Dowager Du was remembering Zhao Dezhao's good deeds, so he quickly said, "You have made a merit in being the first to present your work, and this is all thanks to Tingyi."

As he spoke, he glanced at Zhao Guangyi with satisfaction.

Although this first appearance is nothing special, at least Zhao'er has made an appearance in front of the army and gained some prestige, which is indeed a good thing.

Zhao Guangyi, however, felt as bitter as if he had swallowed a bitter pill, unable to express his grievances.

He thought his brother was saying that because he felt guilty that Zhao Dezhao had taken the credit that was originally his.

However, in order to maintain a good image in Zhao Kuangyin's eyes, Zhao Guangyi had to put on a gentle smile and respond:

"It has nothing to do with my brother; it is Zhao'er who has lived up to expectations."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin felt even more gratified.

However, Empress Dowager Du, who was standing to the side, still frowned and said, "I also heard that on the day of the coup, someone seemed to have draped a crown prince's robe over Zhao'er."

Before the two could speak, Empress Dowager Du continued:

"This matter is far too frivolous; how can such a matter of national importance be decided so easily! Has the Crown Prince's robe been retrieved?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Guangyi was overjoyed and unconsciously tightened his grip on Empress Dowager Du's hand, but his attention was entirely on Zhao Kuangyin.

He wanted to know how his elder brother would react to his mother's words.

At the same time, Empress Wang, who had just arrived at the entrance of Qingshou Palace with the help of palace maids, frowned and stopped in her tracks.