Chapter 2: The Legacy of History

  "Zhao Jin, stop pretending to be dead, get up for this princess!" A clear and crisp voice like a canary's song came into Zhao Chengze's ears. Had the girl in the painting come to life? Zhao Chengze looked up to see two girls standing beside him, with delicate eyebrows and jade-like faces, looking around eleven or twelve years old. The one closer to him was wearing a pale green glass skirt, while the other girl, who was standing slightly further away, had a somewhat cold demeanor and was wearing a purple glass skirt, but her eyes contained urgency.

  Zhao Chengze stared blankly at the two of them, with a memory in his mind that told him the two people in front of him were the daughters of Emperor Gaozong of Southern Song (currently King Kang), Zhao Foyou and her sister Zhao Shenyu.

  Another memory emerged. These two women had a miserable future, they were taken away by the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty during the Jingkang Incident and later placed in a yuan (a brothel in disguise). There is no further record of them afterwards, but they never returned to their hometown.

  Could this be the Northern Song Dynasty? This shocking news left Zhao Chengze momentarily stunned, and he suddenly grabbed the little girl's arm, hastily asking: "What year is it now?" Zhao Foyou, who was approaching, was startled, and the two sisters exchanged a glance, their eyes conveying the meaning that this person had gone crazy.

  Seeing the two girls not speaking for a long time, Zhao Chengze felt very depressed. It seemed that he couldn't get much useful information from the mouths of these two little girls. He turned over and got up, only to find himself wearing golden brocade clothes, his body feeling much shorter than before. "Forget it, this isn't the time to think about these things. Let's leave here first." Zhao Chengze thought to himself.

  Zhao Chengze suddenly saw his own military backpack placed beside the tree, ignoring the astonished glances of the two women beside him, he walked over with a loud clatter, shouldered the nearly waist-high backpack, and left the forest garden with difficulty.

  "Sister, it's all your fault for letting the emperor climb trees to catch birds for you. If he gets hurt, we'll be in big trouble with Father again. I reckon we'll both be grounded again." Just as Zhao Chengze left, the purple-clad girl Zhao Shenyou complained to her sister Zhao Foyou.

  Zhao Foyou said indifferently to his sister Zhao Shenyu: "Sister, it's okay, look at him jumping around."

  "Sister, no matter what, it's us who asked him for help, we..."

  "Alright, alright, my silly sister, you're just too kind-hearted, you'll get taken advantage of later. Hmph, who let his father always cause trouble for Father King? I'm just teaching him a lesson, who let him be so arrogant?" Zhao Shenyou saw that he couldn't persuade his sister, so he fell silent and regained his usual calm demeanor.

  As he walked along the corridor, Zhao Chengze had calmed down and suddenly felt a foreign object on his chest and neck. He flipped up his clothes and saw that the wooden sign was quietly lying there, stuck to his skin, but when he reached out to touch it, he didn't feel anything.

  The small brocade box containing the engagement ring and necklace was still hanging around her neck, and since people could travel through time, Zhao Chengze didn't feel surprised about this little thing anymore.

  Don't think about the wooden plaque, Zhao Xunze already knew the identity of this body through memory. He is the eldest grandson of Emperor Song Huizong, the son of Emperor Song Qinzong, and the future Northern Song Dynasty's national prince Zhao Xun. Speaking of Zhao Xun, he is a very tragic figure.

  Although he was the crown prince, he was forcibly sent to the Jin army camp during the Jingkang incident. He grew up and was forced to become a puppet emperor of the Jin dynasty occupying Song territory. Later, he died in depression, never returning to his hometown.

  After replacing this body, he also obtained the memories of this body. Zhao Yi actually lived a very unhappy life. Since having his younger brother Zhao Zhe, his days have been very unpleasant. The noble concubine who had been living here was jealous of Zhao Yi's mother's favoritism. As soon as her husband and Crown Princess Zhu Xuan left, she immediately vented her anger on Zhao Yi.

  The young mind and body had been traumatized since childhood, although Zhao Yi tried to be optimistic, but it was all pretended, the wound in his heart would never heal.

  So he had a dream of leaving Bianjing, as long as he could get out, he would be willing to do business or travel, but this was absolutely impossible, the royal family would never allow such a thing to happen, and this was also a sorrow of being born into the royal family. Zhao Chengze sighed, "Since I unintentionally occupied this body, then I am Zhao Kan, going to change everything in the future." Zhao Chengze secretly made up his mind.

  But fate has it that, as far as I can recall, it's now the late Northern Song Dynasty, and the Jingkang Incident is imminent. Zhao Gou (Zhao Chengze) wouldn't want to be a footnote in history. But thinking of my elderly parents and beloved girlfriend in another world, perhaps never to meet again, my heart feels heavy, and I secretly make up my mind to find a way back.

  Zhao Kan has already discovered that history has deviated, according to historical records, Zhao Kan was only four years old at this time. The butterfly effect caused the historical event to be advanced, fortunately, he still remembered where he lived, and Zhao Chengze did not hesitate, set off immediately. On the solemn and majestic palace corridor, they only met a few maidservants who hurriedly passed by along the way.

  But looking at Zhao Yan's eyes, you can feel that something is very strange. Returning to the bedroom, pushing open the red wooden door, he vaguely dismissed the maid and sent her away, but Zhao Yan didn't notice that the maid was unusually attentive to him today.

  Zhao Chengze weakly climbed down from the workbench where he was studying, and inadvertently saw four books on the table: Han Feizi, Zizhi Tongjian, Qixue Lu, and a fourth one.

  He pulled out the fourth one, and was suddenly speechless. It turned out to be a miscellaneous technique book. The prince actually liked this kind of thing. It seemed that he had indeed put in some effort into playing around. At the same time, it also made sense. Zhao Yi in history didn't not want to study hard, but rather found more confidence and value in realizing himself through some playful activities, and escaping would at least make his heart feel better.

  What is most important for Zhao Dan now is to leave Bianjing, which also fulfills the last wish of this historical figure. It is impossible to guard Bianjing, and Zhao Dan's father, the emperor, is not a wise ruler. The Jingkang incident is imminent, and survival is necessary. However, it is impossible to escape as a prince, so a perfect plan must be devised.

  Perhaps it was a side effect of crossing over, but too many memories made Zhao Yun extremely tired, and he fell asleep on the table.

  It wasn't long before a voice sounded in Zhao Yi's ear, "Your Highness, it's time for your morning lesson." Zhao Yi rubbed his sleepy eyes and saw a man in his 40s standing beside him. The man was dressed as an official of the Northern Song Dynasty court, and through his memories, he knew that his name was De Heng, the one who had woken up Zhao Cheng Ze. Zhao Yi found himself lying on the bed, "It must have been De Heng who carried me over here, and yet I didn't react at all when he did it. Although my body has changed, my consciousness and senses from my past life haven't, so it seems that De Heng is quite skilled."

  Zhao Xian woke up and De Heng said in a low voice: "Your Highness, your breakfast is ready. Please follow the old slave to wash and dress."

  De Heng has been in the palace for thirty years and has watched Zhao Yan grow up since childhood, absolutely trustworthy.

  Zhao Kan smiled and said: "De Gonggong has worked hard, I'll go over now." De Heng was slightly stunned, this is the first time Zhao Kan listened to him so obediently.

  He had been in the palace for thirty years, and his eyes were extremely venomous. He had long seen that Song Huizong was extremely fond of his son Zhao Heng (Zhao Xian's father) and that it was only a matter of time before he passed on the throne to Zhao Heng. The current crown prince, Zhao Xian, was naturally the heir apparent, but unfortunately, he was oppressed and tormented by his aunt, who had been entrusted with his care, and eventually went astray.

  His father Zhao Heng had lost confidence in him, and favored his younger son instead. Even if Zhao Dan could become the crown prince in the future, it would be extremely difficult for him to seize the throne. Moreover, many high-ranking officials in the court also defected to others, and no one supported him. Han Shizhong once visited Zhao Dan, but was demoted by someone with ulterior motives, and from then on, Zhao Dan's mansion was indeed called a humble abode.

  Luckily, Zhao Yi had a cheerful and kind personality, and wasn't gloomy, but the lack of self-confidence since childhood made his personality somewhat weak. However, today Zhao Yi's temperament seemed to have added something, making him somewhat unpredictable.

  Half an hour later, Zhao Yi put on his brocade clothes and bid farewell to De Heng. He walked towards the middle palace. Since the time of Emperor Taizu of Song, there was a tradition that imperial sons had to live alone from the age of six, attend school by themselves, and were not allowed to be accompanied by anyone. This was also a way to cultivate independence from an early age. Having come, then stay, Zhao Yi sighed and slowly disappeared into the darkness before dawn.

  The location of the upper school is in the Zhonggong Taichang Hall, where the master teaches, divided into three levels: enlightenment, presentation, and communication. Enlightenment is for children and young people aged 6 to 12, presentation is for young princes and princesses aged 13 to 18, and communication courses can be freely chosen, covering all aspects, lasting for three years. Of course, after the age of 18, the princes must move out of the palace.

  When Zhao Yi arrived at the Tai Cang Temple, he saw from a distance six powerful and robust imperial guards standing motionless with their spears held horizontally on either side of the gate, covered in icy frost as if they were six ice sculptures. Suddenly, six figures emerged from afar, marching in unison, with identical strides, and grasping their spears at the same angle, forming a face-to-face lineup opposite the "ice sculptures". In an instant, all twelve figures simultaneously took to their posts, the frost shaking off and scattering onto the snowy ground, as if they had completed the changing of the guard in a single moment. This was a group of soldiers worthy of respect.

  Seeing off the six people who left, Zhao Xiao lightly pushed open the large door of Tai Cang Hall. The fragrance of bronze tripods came with the wind. Although it was bitterly cold outside, the temperature in front of Tai Cang Hall was still warm. The attendant took over the fur coat, and Zhao Xiao turned to thank him. That attendant didn't react for a long time.

  Entering the Tai Cang Hall, because I came very early, at this time there was only a girl with a powder puff and jade instrument sitting in front of the lamp, intently looking at the book. She had a natural quietness that made people feel very comfortable. The girl seemed to have not noticed my arrival, carefully flipping through the pages of the book. In the end, she let out a sigh, put down the page, rubbed her eyes, and looked around blankly, seeing Zhao Kan standing not far away, jumping up like being startled, saying in a soft voice: "The emperor brother has also arrived." The voice was gentle and pleasant, but small to the point of almost being unable to hear.

  She saw her with her head down and her face red, Zhao Yin immediately vetoed the idea of going up to chat with her. Zhao Yin could only say "The princess is really diligent, I just arrived too." Just as Zhao Yin was speaking, more people came in, including Zhao Fuyu's two sisters. Sister Zhao Fuyu let out a light hum when she saw Zhao Yin, while younger sister Zhao Shenyu smiled apologetically at me. I didn't think much of it, after all, it's not worth arguing with a little girl. All the princes and princesses over 18 years old walked towards the back hall, more people came in and sat down on their own mats, Zhao Yin also returned to his seat, opened his book, mostly historical books and general histories. Thinking about it is also laughable, the Northern Song dynasty is almost gone, yet they are still here learning poetry and literature, truly a great irony.

  Before long, an old man with white whiskers came slowly. The old man was already in his advanced years, with white temples and a kind of proud temperament on his body. He was Wang Fengyu, the University Scholar of Longtu Pavilion. All the lecturers were university scholars, with high status, and since the status of scholars in the Song Dynasty was originally high, no one dared to disrespect teachers because of their royal identity.

  After all the princes and princesses finished their greetings, they began to read freely. The old man held a ruler and walked slowly along the aisle between the bookshelves. Zhao Chengze still couldn't fit in with this era, feeling so strange. Now he was just trying to survive, but more of a sense of powerlessness, suffocating under the pressure. Suddenly, a severe pain shot through his shoulder, and the ruler had already hit Zhao Jin's body. "Does Your Highness think you are already learned and talented enough to be lazy and neglect your studies?" Although he called him "Your Highness", there was no respect in his tone at all. Zhao Jin didn't want to look for trouble now, so he stood up and bowed with his fists: "The student knows his mistake, hoping the teacher will forgive."

  "It's indeed a useless talent, not worthy of great use." The muddy Bodhisattva still had three parts of earthly nature, let alone being inexplicably transported here, and was already quite unhappy. He said lightly: "Sir is overpraising, this is all thanks to Sir's good teaching."

  The old man was taken aback, usually Zhao Yi was always humble and courteous, but today he suddenly dared to retort, "Hmph, you are idle and useless, eating and drinking all day, with no ambition, only knowing how to play and have fun, not respecting your elders, what kind of virtue is this?" "My teacher taught me that virtue is about having a grand ambition to recover the rivers and mountains, unlike some people who rely on their age and deceive others excessively." Zhao Yi retorted.

  "You dare to be so presumptuous, young one with a yellow mouth." "Sir, speak cautiously, beware of the calamity of killing lives by careless words." A loud and clear voice interrupted our conversation.