Song Xiu

Chapter 24 Do you know, I am no longer myself

"Your Highness, please hear what I have to say."

Moved, Zhang Dejun recounted everything he knew, including the fact that he had accepted money and valuables.

After learning that Zhang Dejun had accepted a lot of money and valuables, Zhao Dexiu's suspicions about him gradually dissipated.

Without this layer of understanding, how could Zhao Dexiu easily believe that Yao Shu would ask Zhang Dejun for help for no reason?

While Zhang Dejun was recounting the events, Zhao Dexiu also recalled who Yao Shu was.

Historically, Zhao Guangyi recruited many people to serve him, and Yao Shu was one of them.

So it turns out he was his uncle's confidant!

Once this point was understood, some of the doubts in Zhang Dejun's account became reasonably explained.

For example, how did Yao Shu, an official outside the palace, so easily enter the palace and befriend the eunuchs? It is likely that Empress Dowager Du had the help behind the scenes.

As for why Yao Shu wanted to see Wei Renpu?
After pondering for a moment, Zhao Dexiu guessed the general idea.

Zhao Guangyi wanted to secretly win over Wei Renpu.

Perhaps Zhao Guangyi doesn't take the threat he poses too seriously at the moment, but he is a famous political strategist in history, and his political acumen is certainly remarkable.

Wei Renpu had been in charge of the Privy Council for many years. Although he was no longer the Privy Councilor, he still had many of his former protégés and officials in the court.

If Zhao Guangyi could win over Wei Renpu, it would greatly benefit his ambitions.

Aside from this, Zhao Guangyi could not ignore his advantage as both the eldest son and the legitimate heir.

If one could secretly win over Wei Renpu, it would be like having a sharp blade constantly hanging over one's heart.
Of course, there was a deeper reason why Zhao Guangyi was so decisive in sending people to win over Wei Renpu—Zhao Guangyi underestimated Zhao Dexiu.

Zhao Guangyi believed that Zhao Dexiu's talent was simply not enough to attract a great talent like Wei Renpu.

It must be said that Zhao Guangyi's move was brilliant in every respect, but he overlooked a very crucial point.

Uncle, do you know that I am no longer myself?
After figuring out Zhao Guangyi's intentions, Zhao Dexiu decided to go with the flow and ask Zhao Guangyi to do him a big favor.

Seeing that Zhao Dexiu remained silent after hearing his words, Zhang Dejun assumed that Zhao Dexiu disapproved of him accepting money.

Just as Zhang Dejun was about to apologize, he unexpectedly found a pair of warm hands on his hands a moment later.

"Without you today, I fear I would be plotted against by villains."

I will never forget your kindness.

Zhao Dexiu didn't care at all whether Zhang Dejun was greedy. He believed that if the water was too clear, there would be no fish. As long as Zhang Dejun could be used by him, he didn't care what Zhang Dejun was greedy for.

Feeling the weight in his hands and hearing the words of gratitude in his ears, Zhang Dejun had only one thought in his mind—his gamble this time had paid off!
"Your Highness has been kind to this servant, and this servant will always remember it. If I were to fail to repay such kindness, how would I be any different from a beast?"

Zhang Dejun, secretly pleased, uttered those words.

It seemed as if his actions were entirely out of gratitude.

An ordinary teenager might have actually believed Zhang Dejun's words, but Zhao Dexiu was not.

Zhao Dexiu knew that Zhang Dejun might have been thinking of repaying a debt of gratitude when he came to inform on her, but that alone was not enough to make Zhang Dejun do so.

Besides wanting to repay the debt of gratitude, Zhang Dejun also wanted to use this incident to demonstrate his usefulness to him.

From Zhang Dejun's perspective, Zhao Dexiu was the crown prince of the Song Dynasty. There were more than one heir to the throne of the Song Dynasty, but among the heirs, only Zhao Dexiu showed him enough respect and affection.

Eunuchs are still human beings.

When a person has the opportunity to get what they want without having their self-esteem trampled, they will bet everything on it.

Whether in the Han and Tang dynasties or in the present day, there has never been a shortage of power-hungry eunuchs; this deep-seated tradition cannot be severed by even the sharpest blade. Having guessed Zhang Dejun's underlying thoughts, Zhao Dexiu knew how to manipulate him.

"Why bother calling yourself a slave anymore!"

I helped you, and you helped me; we have already shared hardships. From now on, before me, you shall address yourself as my subject!

臣？
Only high-ranking court officials were qualified to use that title.

Who would have thought that a eunuch like myself would one day receive such an honor?
As Zhang Dejun was moved, Zhao Dexiu continued, adding:
"Since we have shared hardship, if I become rich and powerful in the future, we should share in the benefits!"

Zhao Dexiu was the eldest son of the emperor, and it was almost obvious what his identity was that would make him even richer.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dejun was immediately filled with the illustrious images of many ancient sages—Zhang Rang, Gao Lishi, and Yu Chaoen.
Even though Zhang Dejun had been trying his best to hide his inner desires, he was still almost unable to control his excitement.

Fortunately, Zhang Dejun was no ordinary eunuch. After suppressing his inner excitement, he tried his best to remain calm and said:

"If Your Highness has any instructions, I will do my utmost."

Zhang Dejun was trying to control his excitement, but his trembling hands betrayed his true feelings.

Upon hearing Zhang Dejun smoothly refer to himself as "your subject," Zhao Dexiu felt that Zhang Dejun was now initially usable.

Zhao Dexiu beckoned Zhang Dejun closer and whispered instructions to him.

Upon hearing Zhao Dexiu's first words, Zhang Dejun's face showed surprise.

Zhao Dexiu's response was completely different from what he had imagined.

After giving his instructions, Zhao Dexiu personally escorted Zhang Dejun to the palace gate.

The two men remained calm, leaving outsiders with no idea what had just happened between them.

As Zhao Dexiu watched Zhang Dejun's retreating figure, a question in her heart grew stronger.

In front of him, Zhang Dejun would always mention the life-saving grace, using this to get closer to him, which shows that Zhang Dejun has high emotional intelligence.

Upon learning of Yao Shu's intentions, Zhang Dejun, undeterred by the risks, seized the opportunity to profit from both sides, demonstrating his intelligence and courage.

These qualities that enable one to succeed are rarely found in ordinary people.

With these qualities that lead to success, how come he had never heard of Zhang Dejun in the early Song Dynasty?
With some doubt, Zhao Dexiu turned back to the palace and saw Wei Renpu, who had been pacing back and forth in the palace corridor.

Wei Renpu appears to be taking a walk, but that is not actually the case.

Every time Zhao Kuangyin sent an envoy, Wei Renpu would casually appear nearby, because he was worried that Zhao Dexiu would look down on eunuchs like ordinary people.

It is a fact that eunuchs had a lowly status, but many historical events have shown that it was best not to offend the eunuchs around the emperor easily.

When he saw Zhao Dexiu's gaze fall upon him, Wei Renpu left with his hands behind his back and a serious expression.

The apprenticeship ceremony hasn't taken place yet, so don't let him know how much you care about him.

Wei Renpu's self-deceiving actions left Zhao Dexiu somewhat dumbfounded.

He remembers everyone who is kind to him.

Facing Wei Renpu's retreating figure, Zhao Dexiu bowed deeply to express her gratitude.
"Your disciple hopes that you will pass the test in a few days."

The act of expressing gratitude contains more than just a warm and touching sentiment.

The word "moved" is not enough to make Zhao Dexiu easily entrust her with his trust now.

No one knows that I am no longer myself.

(End of this chapter)