Chapter 26: His Own Son Didn’t Even Become Emperor?

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Zhao Kuangyin had actually wanted to ask Li Cheng this question the last time. The reason he hadn’t was partly because he wasn’t certain if Li Cheng had truly traveled from a thousand years in the future. Another reason was that Rixin was present at the time. He felt this matter was too important and it was better not to ask in front of Rixin. When Zhao Kuangyin finally spoke, he was basically certain that his own son would inherit the throne in the future. Deep down, he longed to pass the throne to Rixin. This desire only grew stronger as Rixin grew older. As for why in earlier years he never entrusted Rixin with heavy responsibilities or granted him a princely title, it was partly due to Rixin’s young age and partly because he wanted his son to gain more experience and progress steadily, step by step. Only in this way could Rixin secure the throne firmly and earn the people's respect when he became emperor.

Now, having received a clear answer from Li Cheng—that the Song Dynasty lasted three hundred and nineteen years, combining the Northern and Southern Song, far surpassing the Five Dynasties period—Zhao Kuangyin felt reassured. He had ended the chaos since the late Tang era, bringing peace, so naturally he wanted to hand the realm to his son rather than his third younger brother. At this moment, his question to Li Cheng was merely to seek a definite answer and confirm his suspicions. As for how well Rixin would govern once emperor... he was confident. Rixin was quite capable; having maintained stability after succeeding him as emperor and ensuring the continuation of the Great Song was testament to his talent.

"Good, good! Finally, Elder Zhao has asked about these things! I've been waiting for this moment!" Li Cheng inwardly wanted to shout after hearing Zhao Kuangyin’s words. He just didn’t know how Zhao Kuangyin would react next, and whether he could handle the truth.

"Your Majesty, um... this question is difficult for me to answer," Li Cheng said cautiously.

"Why? Could it be that... after Rixin became emperor, he turned into a tyrant, ruling terribly and provoking the wrath of heaven and people?" Zhao Kuangyin’s voice unconsciously rose, his brows knitting together. Had he truly misjudged Rixin? Otherwise, why would Li Cheng avoid the question?

It was Rixin who had brought Li Cheng close to him; Li Cheng’s current status was thanks to Rixin. So it made sense that he might want to speak discreetly about Rixin.

Li Cheng shook his head, "Your Majesty, it’s not like that."

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"Not like that?" Zhao Kuangyin, who had been simmering with anger, paused, his fury vanishing. He looked at Li Cheng with confusion and surprise. If it wasn’t that Rixin ruled poorly, why was Li Cheng reluctant to answer?

Li Cheng explained, "Because Second Prince did not become emperor. So when Your Majesty asks me how Second Prince performed after becoming emperor, I have no way to answer."

What?!

Zhao Kuangyin was stunned. Rixin hadn’t ascended the throne? How was that possible? Though no formal crown prince had been named between his third younger brother and Rixin, deep down he had his answer. How could a brother surpass a son? Historically, succession from elder brother to younger brother was rare; most often, a son succeeded his father.

So why hadn’t Rixin become emperor? This question lingered for a moment before sinking heavily in his heart. A dreadful thought arose: "Could it be... Rixin has gone before me?"

His voice trembled slightly when he asked. Sometimes he felt Rixin was immature, lacking his own capability, but after all, he was his son. His eldest son, Dexiu, had died young long ago. Rixin was the child he had regarded as heir deep in his heart. If Rixin had preceded him, it would be like losing a son in his old age, a painful repetition of tragedy.

Zhao Kuangyin had been troubled for a long time over his daughter Runniang’s illness. How could he be calm upon hearing news that his son might have died?

When he asked that question, he had already basically accepted the possibility that Rixin had died before him. Because otherwise, there was no reason why Rixin wouldn’t be emperor. Li Cheng had said before that Northern Han was destroyed and the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun were reclaimed, unifying the land without the previous chaos. This founding emperor naturally wanted to pass the throne to Rixin. Rixin was no child; if he couldn’t safeguard the realm, how could he fail to become emperor?

Even if a child could not hold the realm, he would have first become emperor and then lost the kingdom. It was impossible to not become emperor at all.

His fate was truly bitter. Apart from his wife Lian’er and several daughters including Runniang, he had only two sons. The eldest, Dexiu, died young, and his only remaining son, Rixin, had gone before him without becoming emperor. This was heartbreaking. To lose a wife in middle age and a son in old age—few pains in life could surpass this. Zhao Kuangyin’s eyes reddened.

"Did Rixin... die of illness, or was he murdered? If illness, what disease? If murdered, who was behind it?" Zhao Kuangyin’s voice was calm now but carried a chilling killing intent. His son’s death was definitely not natural. Rixin’s health had always been good, unlike Dexiu, who was weak since childhood. Aside from illness, the likeliest cause was murder or an accident.

Compared to ordinary people, his son would have far fewer accidents. Only someone with malicious intent could have secretly harmed Rixin. Whoever dared harm his son would be utterly unforgivable!

Zhao Kuangyin’s imagination ran wild, but unfortunately, none of his guesses were correct. The truth was even more cruel than he imagined.

Li Cheng then spoke, "Your Majesty, Second Prince has not gone before you."

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"Hmm?!" Zhao Kuangyin, whose mind was already clouded with murderous intent, was taken aback and surprised to hear Li Cheng’s words. Rixin had not preceded him? Then why had he not become emperor?

After a moment’s silence, he looked at Li Cheng with a complicated expression. "Then who inherited the throne and became emperor?"