Chapter 39: Brotherly Affection and Respect

"Your Highness, Prince of Jin, His Majesty requests your presence."

Outside the Hall of Longevity, Wang Ji'en looked toward Zhao Guangyi, the Prince of Jin, and spoke. Zhao Guangyi gave a slight nod and began walking toward the hall. There was no outward display of emotion between the two men as they crossed paths, but everything was already understood without a word being spoken.

Zhao Guangyi was not in the least surprised that his imperial brother had summoned him the moment he received the news. As the Prince of Jin, he had always commanded such stature.

"Your younger brother pays his respects to the Emperor." Zhao Guangyi bowed respectfully to Zhao Kuangyin.

"Come, sit over here. How many times must I tell you? We are brothers of the same mother. When outsiders are present, we must observe the formalities of ruler and subject, but in private, there is no need for such distance." Zhao Kuangyin spoke with a touch of reproach, gesturing toward a cushion a short distance away.

Hearing the faint reprimand in his brother's voice, Zhao Guangyi felt deeply gratified.

"That will not do. You are not only my brother but also the sovereign of our Great Song. Whether in private or in public, I must maintain my respect." Despite his words, he sat down on the silk-covered stool at Zhao Kuangyin's gesture.

"Did Rixin visit you?" Zhao Kuangyin opened the conversation.

"He did. He came right after the morning court session."

"How were the arrangements made?"

"I have instructed him on everything that was needed. Rixin is a bright child; he understands things the moment they are explained. He is a drum that requires no heavy beating. Your Majesty can rest assured that Rixin will handle this matter beautifully, without a single error." Zhao Guangyi heaped praise upon Zhao Dezhao, appearing as a genuinely delighted uncle witnessing his nephew’s growth. He knew his brother's character too well; praising Zhao Dezhao in front of him was far better than speaking ill of him.

"Hearing you say this puts my mind at ease. Do not dwell on this matter too much; our Zhao family is thin on numbers, with only the three of us brothers left. Fortunately, the next generation is growing up, and it is time for them to be tested. We of the older generation will eventually fade; how long can we hold everything up on our own? We must forge the younger ones as well."

"Have no fear, brother; I understand your painstaking efforts. I am not the type of person who is obsessed with power, thinking only of himself. Rixin has indeed grown, and there are many things he must do. We cannot let the boy have too easy a life." He sighed with a sense of the fleeting nature of time. "Ah, how time flies. In the blink of an eye, that tiny child has grown so large."

"And how is your wife? Has she improved?"

Zhao Kuangyin’s question caused Zhao Guangyi's eyes to redden instantly. "Brother, this... Rong’er’s illness has grown increasingly severe. I came to the palace today precisely to request that the imperial physicians take another good look at her."

"How could this be? Why didn't you say so sooner?" Zhao Kuangyin was startled.

"I thought that perhaps more medicine would help, and knowing you are occupied with the affairs of the Great Song, I did not wish to disturb you with these trifles..."

"You are foolish! We are family. Rong’er is your wife, my sister-in-law. How could you take her illness so lightly? There is no room for such considerations here!" As he spoke, he rose, clutching his jade axe, and called out to Wang Ji'en: "Summon the imperial physicians at once! Let every physician on duty today go to the Prince of Jin’s mansion!" With that, he strode out of the Hall of Longevity, intent on visiting the Princess of Jin immediately.

"Brother, you must not! You are already burdened enough; how could I trouble you further with Rong’er’s affairs?"

"No matter how busy I am, nothing is more important than this!" Zhao Kuangyin said, stepping forward with purpose. Zhao Guangyi followed behind, a flicker of satisfaction momentarily crossing his face.

...

"Sister-in-law, do not rise. Just lie still. Your health is what matters; pay no mind to empty formalities. We are family, and we do not stand on such ceremony, especially when you are unwell." At the Prince of Jin’s mansion, Zhao Kuangyin reached out to stop the Princess of Jin, Lady Fu, as she struggled to rise to pay her respects.

Lady Fu’s eyes reddened, and tears began to flow. Her father-in-law had passed away early, and there was a significant age gap between her husband and his elder brother. From the Emperor, she truly understood the meaning of "an elder brother acts as a father."

...

"Set your mind at ease. The physicians have all said there is no major cause for alarm. Do not let your thoughts wander. Take your medicine on time, get plenty of rest, and you will gradually recover in a few days." After the examination was complete, Zhao Kuangyin, who had stayed for over half an hour, prepared to leave and gave his final instructions to Lady Fu. She nodded firmly, tears in her eyes, indicating that she would heed his words.

...

"You must spend more time with your wife in the coming days. I have ordered Physician Chen to remain here to monitor her condition closely. We must ensure nothing happens to her. Our family is already small, and as we have gone through life, our closest kin have left us one by one. We cannot let her pass away so young." After moving away from Lady Fu’s quarters, Zhao Kuangyin spoke to Zhao Guangyi, his tone sincere and his emotions genuine.

"As you say, brother; I have taken it all to heart."

...

After seeing Zhao Kuangyin off, Zhao Guangyi returned to his residence and closed the doors. A joy he could no longer contain bloomed on his face. It was not because the five physicians had given an optimistic prognosis—quite the opposite; their findings were largely the same. The chances of curing Rong’er were slim; the situation was beyond help, and it was quite possible she would not live to see the new year.

Yet, Zhao Guangyi was happy. Through this incident, he had put his brother to a rigorous test and obtained exactly what he wanted. His brother remained the same, treating him with the same unguarded goodness as always. His decision to have Zhao Dezhao fetch Li Yu was not a targeted move against him, but merely the belief that the boy had reached an age where he should be given tasks—nothing more. There was no intent to name Zhao Dezhao as the crown prince. His own position remained unshaken.

It was as he thought: given his status, position, and capability, he was more than a match for Zhao Dezhao. In the past decades, dynasties had changed constantly, and the succession of "brother to brother" had occurred frequently. With his brother on the throne, nothing would change. The imperial throne was his; that was indisputable.

...

Inside the Hall of Longevity, Zhao Kuangyin returned and began rubbing his jade axe, his expression dark and inscrutable. A multitude of thoughts intertwined and collided in his mind. After a long time, he picked up the now-cold tea, drank it in one gulp, and rose, clutching the jade axe. He had finally reached a decision.