Generals of the Great Song Dynasty.

Summary

Wang Ning An's proposal for Bi Xia's coronation received unanimous approval. As the court officials managed the emperor's funeral arrangements, Wang Ning An advised Zhao Shu to take a break, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming ceremony. Zhao Shu, grieving for his father, wished to observe a longer mourning period, but Wang Ning An encouraged him to balance mourning with state responsibilities. Wang Ning An learned from Dr. Qian Yi that the late Emperor Zhao Zhen's health had been compromised, possibly due to excessive use of dream-sweet incense. This raised suspicions of foul play regarding the emperor's death. As investigations commenced, news broke that Zhao Zong Lin had fallen ill, raising further concerns about his potential involvement in the emperor's demise. Cao Tai Hou informed Zhao Shu that Zhao Zong Lin had bribed palace eunuchs to increase the dosage of the incense, leading to the emperor's death. Faced with the dilemma of punishing his brother, Zhao Shu struggled with the implications of his actions. Cao Tai Hou proposed a subtle plan to poison Zhao Zong Lin, allowing them to eliminate him without drawing suspicion, while advising Zhao Shu on the need to mature quickly as a ruler.

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