Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 14 Losing on the East

In front of Tianqing Temple.

Just as Fu was about to board the carriage, as if sensing something, she glanced towards the end of the street in front of Tianqing Temple, where her gaze met that of Zhao Dezhao.

Their eyes met, and both of them were startled at the same time, before a smile appeared on their faces simultaneously.

"Why did Zhao'er suddenly decide to come to Tianqing Temple?" Madam Fu said with a gentle smile, glancing at Li Chuyun intentionally or unintentionally.

"My mother sent Zhao'er to pray for my father's well-being, so I have come."

Zhao Dezhao smiled obediently, tilted his head and asked, "Then what about Aunt? How did she end up at Tianqing Temple?"

"That's a coincidence. Your aunt is also here to offer incense for your father and uncle to pray for their safety."

After saying that, Madam Fu glanced at the sun, which was already high in the sky, and knew that it was getting late. Anxious to return the things as soon as possible, she said, "In that case, Zhao'er, please make yourself at home. Your aunt will take her leave now."

"Zhaoer sends my aunt off to you."

After watching Fu Shi get into the carriage and disappear at the end of the street, Zhao Dezhao's smile also disappeared, and he fell silent, lost in thought.

Li Chuyun, standing to the side, glanced at the gate of Tianqing Temple, then at the departing carriage of the Fu family, and sighed:

"Should we still go in?"

"We're not going in. The Imperial Seal and the Edict of Abdication have already been taken away. What's the point of going in?"

Zhao Dezhao's face fell, and he turned and left in a huff, walking aimlessly with a furrowed brow in deep thought.

Fu's sudden appearance here, and his quick acquisition of the Imperial Seal and the Edict of Abdication, was something he hadn't expected at all.

This made him feel a little wary.

My own existence has already changed history, and things that did not originally exist in history will also undergo unpredictable changes, like a butterfly effect.

Having prior knowledge of historical processes is an advantage, but it can also lead to complacency!

If you rely too much on the information gap of prophetic history, you will eventually fall into a big pit!

Thinking about it this way, Zhao Dezhao felt much better. Although he arrived a step too late, the fact that this incident had made him more vigilant was a good thing that money couldn't buy.

"Where do we go next? To welcome His Majesty?" Li Chuyun quickly followed.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dezhao suddenly stopped, blinked, as if remembering something, and then turned around and walked towards Tianqing Temple.

"Didn't we agree to go to Tianqing Temple? Uncle Li, are you perhaps just getting forgetful with age?"

"Hey, you little rascal, how come you had to say such things..."

The two chatted and laughed for a while before turning back and heading straight into Tianqing Temple.

The once bustling royal temples, now teeming with worshippers, appear somewhat desolate following the sudden collapse of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Even though hundreds of eternal lamps still illuminate the magnificent halls, they cannot conceal the forlorn withered branches and fallen leaves.

Arriving at the guest room in the backyard, Zhao Dezhao gently knocked on the door: "Empress Dowager, Zhao Dezhao requests an audience."

Upon hearing this, the room fell silent for a moment before Empress Dowager Xiao Fu's gentle and graceful voice rang out:

"Enter."

"Greetings, Empress Dowager Fu."

Zhao Dezhao pushed open the door and entered, bowing respectfully. Li Chuyun followed behind him, closing the door behind him before also bowing.

"You're too late. The things are no longer with me. I can have Xun'er draft another copy of the abdication edict."

As if she had already guessed the two's purpose, Empress Dowager Xiao Fu smiled slightly and looked at Li Chuyun.

Although Zhao Dezhao's status was more prestigious than Li Chuyun's, she still naturally regarded Li Chuyun as the person in charge.

Li Chuyun did not respond, but stood behind Zhao Dezhao like a bronze statue.

"A fake Imperial Seal is no big deal if it's gone; a copy of the abdication edict is enough."

Zhao Dezhao naturally sat down opposite Empress Dowager Xiao Fu, and said shyly, "I came here only to see the Empress Dowager."

Seeing this, Empress Dowager Xiao Fu narrowed her eyes slightly, showing no anger at Zhao Dezhao's disrespectful words, but merely sneered and said:

"What, could it be that your father is worried about me, a widow and orphan, and has sent you here to prevent future troubles?"

"What are you saying, Empress Dowager? My father is not such a narrow-minded person."

Zhao Dezhao, ever the familiar type, brewed two cups of tea and placed one in front of Empress Dowager Xiao Fu: "My presence here has nothing to do with my father; I simply wish to hear if the Empress Dowager has any advice for me."

Empress Dowager Fu didn't look at the tea, but paused slightly, as if she had discovered something interesting. Then she said meaningfully, "Oh? What would Young Master Zhao like me to teach him?"

Zhao Dezhao smiled and said, "I'd like to hear everything the Empress Dowager has to say."

"Does this also contain your father's falsehoods?" Empress Dowager Xiao Fu retorted.

"Of course," Zhao Dezhao nodded.

"Interesting, really interesting."

For the first time since the sudden upheaval, Empress Dowager Fu smiled. She gracefully picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and suddenly said:

"I gave her the things not because she is my sister, but because of my father."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Dezhao's eyes narrowed sharply. After a moment of silence, he poured another cup of tea for Empress Dowager Xiao Fu and placed it in front of her.

Empress Dowager Fu didn't glance at the old tea again, but gracefully picked up the newly poured cup of tea, took another small sip, and said:

"Wang Shenqi was fortunate enough to receive guidance on military strategy from my father."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dezhao sighed. Just as he was about to pour another cup of tea for Empress Dowager Xiao Fu, she raised her hand and pressed it down.

"The tea is enough, young master Zhao, please go back." Little Fu Taihou issued the order to leave expressionlessly.

Zhao Dezhao remained silent for a moment, put down the teacup in his hand, stood up and bowed to Empress Dowager Xiao Fu again: "I am fortunate to have received your teachings, Your Majesty, and I will never forget them."

"Young Master Zhao, just remember to drink these two cups of tea." Empress Dowager Fu's tone carried a hint of detachment.

"I dare not accept this, Dezhao takes his leave."

"No need to see me out."

Seeing Zhao Dezhao get up to leave, Li Chuyun, completely bewildered, quickly pushed open the door.

As Zhao Dezhao stepped over the stairs, he suddenly stopped. He turned around, looked at the young Empress Dowager Fu, who was dressed in white and had a cold expression, and sighed softly.

"Thanks to the Empress Dowager's teachings, Dezhao would also like to offer the Empress Dowager a word of advice."

"Do not dwell on old friends and homeland, but instead use the newly kindled fire to brew new tea, and enjoy poetry and wine while you are young."

Having said that, Zhao Dezhao turned and left, his figure disappearing into the temple, leaving Empress Dowager Xiao Fu staring blankly out the window, muttering to herself:

"Do not dwell on old friends and homeland, but rather use the newly kindled fire to brew new tea, and enjoy poetry and wine while you are young..."

"What a fine line: Enjoy poetry and wine while you're young."

"But letting go... is easier said than done?"

As she read this, she suddenly gave a bitter smile, a deep resentment welling up in her eyes:

"You, Zhao Kuangyin, humiliated us, an orphan and a widow, and seized the throne of the Great Zhou. Now, your new dynasty has barely been established and there are already two dragons vying for the throne. Retribution, truly retribution!"

"One is a child prodigy comparable to Gan Luo and Xiang Tuo."

"One is his ambitious and shrewd younger brother."

"Hahahaha... Zhao Kuangyin! Even if I waste my best years, I will watch helplessly as your new dynasty perishes!"

……