Chapter 149: The Mother of Zhao Gou

…

Zhao Yu, who already has fourteen sons, would not lack an heir even if he never fathered another son.

After all, Zhao Yu's adoptive father, Emperor Shenzong Zhao Xu, had only fourteen sons in total, yet all subsequent emperors of the Northern Song dynasty descended from his lineage.

Moreover, there are currently over a dozen women pregnant with Zhao Yu's children.

Crucially, Zhao Yu's current physical age is only eighteen years, and even counting by lunar age, he has not yet reached twenty.

A man's peak fertility generally occurs between twenty-five and thirty-five years of age.

That is to say, Zhao Yu's peak fertility has not yet arrived.

So who knows how many sons Zhao Yu will ultimately have?

However, this does not mean Zhao Yu has no concerns.

In fact, unlike Zhao Xu, who had no sons and thus no heir, Zhao Yu has so many sons that the sheer number of choices makes selecting an heir difficult.

And as time passes, with more sons born, this problem will only grow worse.

If Zhao Yu's fertility surpasses that of Liu Sheng, the possibility of a hundred princes vying for the throne may arise.

If Zhao Yu's fertility exceeds that of Moulay Ismail, an unprecedented thousand-prince succession war might even occur.

Of course, these are merely jokes.

But then again, Emperor Kangxi had only thirty-five sons, and of those not dying young, only twenty-four remained, several still infants, yet they still produced the Nine-Princes Struggle.

Drawing from history, Zhao Yu cannot afford to neglect early planning.

To be honest, Zhao Yu is not afraid of having too many sons; if absolutely necessary, he could simply discover a new continent and exile his ambitious sons who cannot inherit the throne to be enfeoffed there.

And if that day ever comes, Zhao Yu's sons will merely compete over whose fief is New York and whose is Washington—though of course, those names won't exist then.

Yet even so, the problem of Zhao Yu's imperial succession remains unsolved.

Unless Zheng Xiansu can bear Zhao Yu a legitimate eldest son whose abilities rank among the very best of his sons.

Zheng Xiansu is well aware of this, and she too wishes to bear Zhao Yu a legitimate eldest son who is both cultured and martial, virtuous and talented.

Thus, Zheng Xiansu has been under great pressure lately, especially since her first child was a daughter.

After hearing of this from Wang Yisu, Zhao Yu thought to himself, 'I must ease my Empress's worries…'

…

Among Zheng Xiansu's maidservants, there was one particularly outstanding.

Since entering the palace last year, she had burst into view like a brilliant splash of color—her figure graceful, her posture slender yet upright, her bearing perfectly balanced; her oval face had soft contours, her skin as white as snow, glowing with fine luster; her eyes resembled autumn waters holding stars, sparkling with charm; her brows were like distant inked mountains, neither thick nor thin; beneath her high, straight nose lay a cherry mouth, naturally crimson. Her beauty was striking and unique; every gesture exuded allure, compelling everyone to glance again and again.

This maid was Qiao Shi, who entered the palace during Zhao Yu's grand selection of three hundred beauties last year.

Upon her entry, she was immediately noticed by Zheng Xiansu, the first to choose, and promptly appointed as Imperial Attendant, kept close to serve.

Because of her beauty, liveliness, keen perception, and ability to please Zheng Xiansu, Zheng Xiansu assigned her to make beds, fold quilts, and serve tea—effectively training her as a bedchamber maid.

Qiao Shi had a close friend, Wei Shi, who was historically the mother of Songgao Sect's Zhao Gou.

Wei Shi was from Kaifeng, of humble origins; during Zhao Xu's reign, her family sold her into the palace as a lowly servant. If calculated by time, she entered the palace only one year after Zheng Xiansu, making her a seasoned maid.

Later, when Zhao Xu died and Zhao Yu inherited the throne, all palace women untouched by Zhao Xu were taken into Zhao Yu's harem.

—In truth, due to his health, temperament, and Liu Qingjing, Zhao Xu had barely touched any women; upon ascending the throne, Zhao Yu bundled all of Zhao Xu's former concubines and placed them together with Liu Qingjing in the "Retirement Courtyard."

Wei Shi was naturally also taken into Zhao Yu's harem.

When Zheng Xiansu took charge of the harem and needed a maid for menial tasks in her quarters,

Pei Sui immediately gathered all the maids at Kunninggong for Zheng Xiansu to select from.

As a result, Wei Shi's tall stature quickly caught Zheng Xiansu's attention.

Zheng Xiansu looked closely: Wei Shi stood like a verdant bamboo shooting up in spring, towering over all other maids; her posture was straight, her legs long, her gait steady and efficient—clearly a prime candidate for hard labor.

Rarely, Wei Shi's height did not compromise her refined features, preserving Zheng Xiansu's dignity.

Thus, Zheng Xiansu kept Wei Shi along with the other maids she had chosen.

By chance, Qiao Shi and Wei Shi were assigned to work together.

As the two women spent more time together, helping each other constantly, they gradually became close sisters.

Originally, Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu had sworn sisterhood before their rise, supporting each other; later, both were taken by Zhao Yu—one became his Empress, the other became Noble Consort after bearing him a son, both ascending to phoenix status.

The story of Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu spread widely through the harem, becoming the ultimate example of a maid's rise to power, prompting many maids to emulate them, forming sisterhoods—even groups of over a dozen maids swearing oaths that if one became wealthy, she must never forget the others.

Qiao Shi and Wei Shi followed suit, swearing sisterhood and vowing that if one became prosperous, she would never forget the other.

At this moment, no one else was in Zheng Xiansu's sleeping chamber—only Qiao Shi and Wei Shi were present; Qiao Shi was dusting with a feather duster, while Wei Shi adjusted the tables and chairs.

Qiao Shi, idly dusting, could not help complaining: "The Empress is pregnant, so it should be the women of the Empress's palace who attend His Majesty in bed. Yet the Empress is too kind, never competing with the ambitious ones—allowing Noble Consort Zhang and Consort Cai to gain favor, and even granting advantages to others in the palace, while leaving you and me with no chance to serve His Majesty."

"The Empress acts thus for good reason; do not speak ill of her, lest others hear and ruin your future," Wei Shi advised.

"They've all accompanied the Empress to the Grand Temple of Compassion; only you and I remain here. What harm is there in speaking our true thoughts?" Qiao Shi said bitterly. "You're too timid—if you'd been bolder, after all these years in the palace, you'd have risen already. Why are you still just an Imperial Attendant?"

Wei Shi sighed: "Ah! The palace waters run deep—far deeper than you imagine. One misstep, and you're doomed. A few years ago, I saw with my own eyes how the women in Empress Meng's quarters were dragged away—Gao Jinfeng, so powerful, managed every major and minor matter in the harem, yet ended up beaten to pulp, tongue cut, limbs severed, wishing for death. We must take heed."

"That was because Empress Meng was disfavored by the late Emperor. Our Empress is His Majesty's beloved treasure—how could such a thing happen? Besides, who in the palace doesn't know His Majesty is benevolent, far surpassing the late Emperor? How could another Yuanfu tragedy occur?" Qiao Shi said.

Wei Shi had no reply, for Qiao Shi spoke truth; she could only weakly say: "Being cautious is always better."

Qiao Shi did not argue, only said: "When will you and I ever get to serve His Majesty? If we gain His Majesty's favor, who could harm us?"

"With your looks, you'll surely win His Majesty's favor soon. I fear I never will—it's my parents' fault for making me so tall, only inviting dislike," Wei Shi said dejectedly.

"Who in the harem doesn't know His Majesty favors Noble Consort Guo? He first let her bear a son, and now she's pregnant again—her favor is supreme. Your appearance and figure are no less than Noble Consort Guo's; you may yet win His Majesty's affection," Qiao Shi comforted Wei Shi.

Wei Shi smiled bitterly: "Noble Consort Guo's father is General Guo; mine is a commoner—how can I compare?"

In truth, even now, many still believe Zhao Yu does not truly prefer tall women; they assume he favors Guo Ting merely to win over powerful ministers and courtiers.

Of course, it's no wonder they hold this misconception.

Zhao Yu does indeed favor women sent by the chancellors and those with powerful backgrounds.

Like Cai Xuan.

She acted very ostentatiously in the harem; apart from Zheng Xiansu and the Fifth Consort, she scarcely regarded any other concubines, including Wang Yisu and Guo Ting, constantly asserting her special status.

Yet even so, Zhao Yu doted on Cai Xuan, frequently visiting her and also bedding the women she recommended.

This gave Cai Xuan considerable influence within the harem.

Some even whispered that Cai Xuan was the second Liu Qingjing and would eventually seize Zheng Xiansu's position as Empress.

Thus, Wei Shi's lack of confidence was understandable to Qiao Shi, who continued to comfort her: "Never mind—if I ever succeed in being summoned for the night, I'll surely find an opportunity to recommend you to Your Majesty, so you too may be summoned."

Wei Shi was twenty-one, already quite old among palace maids; she truly feared that if she missed another chance to be summoned, by the time she turned twenty-five, she would be forced to leave the palace.

Like Wang Wen and others who refused to leave the harem, Wei Shi had long grown accustomed to life within it and did not wish to return to her impoverished home.

"Sigh! All I can do now is hope you'll lift me up."

At that moment, someone shouted: "The Consort has returned!"

Qiao Shi and Wei Shi heard this and hurried out to join the others in greeting her.

To Qiao Shi and Wei Shi's surprise, not only had Zheng Xiansu returned from burning incense and praying at the temple, but Zhao Yu had come as well.

Qiao Shi and Wei Shi exchanged a covert glance: "What's going on?!"

……

Let us rewind to this morning.

Today was the first day of the month, and since her delivery was imminent, Zheng Xiansu decided to personally visit Daxiangguo Temple to burn incense and pray for a son.

Zheng Xiansu brought only Wang Yisu, who was also pregnant with her second child, intending to keep the outing low-key.

Yet word of it still reached Zhao Yu.

To Zheng Xiansu's surprise, Zhao Yu set aside numerous official duties to accompany her and Wang Yisu to Daxiangguo Temple.

Zhao Yu had also heard Ye Shi Yun's rumor: "Cai Xuan is the second Liu Qingjing and will eventually seize Zheng Xiansu's position as Empress."

It was certainly baseless nonsense.

Zhao Yu's first—and indeed only—criterion for choosing an Empress was virtue.

Cai Xuan was domineering, impulsive, and ostentatious—entirely unsuited to Zhao Yu's requirements for an Empress.

To put it bluntly, Zhao Yu would rather choose Zhang Chun as Empress than her.

Moreover, ahead of Zhang Chun stood a long list of more suitable candidates: Liu Mingda, Zhang Nan, Han Yu, and others.

Yet on the other hand, the fact that such rumors had spread indicated that Zheng Xiansu was indeed under considerable pressure; otherwise, no one would dare fabricate such lies to challenge her authority.

Zheng Xiansu was nearly flawless in every other respect; her only problem was that she had no son.

Zhao Yu keenly sensed that if Zheng Xiansu failed to bear a son this time, and if he did not actively support and protect her, bold schemers might emulate Liu Qingjing and challenge the Empress's position—turning his harem into chaos, just as Zhao Xu's had been.

Therefore, Zhao Yu would firmly back Zheng Xiansu to the end, giving no ambitious soul an opening.

Seeing Zhao Yu appear again at this critical moment, just as she always had, Zheng Xiansu's heart immediately steadied.

She even felt the incense-burning and prayers were now meaningless.

For praying to the Buddha was less effective than Zhao Yu's unwavering support.

After all, there were many Empresses who had lost power despite bearing sons.

But as long as Zhao Yu continued to stand by her, even if she bore no son, she would surely remain Empress in peace and security.

Thus, the rest of the incense-burning journey was relaxed and joyous for Zheng Xiansu.

Zheng Xiansu linked arms with Zhao Yu, admiring side by side the calligraphic masterpieces left by famous figures at Daxiangguo Temple.

Then Zheng Xiansu burned incense and prayed for a son.

Afterward, Zhao Yu did not urge Zheng Xiansu to leave; instead, he patiently accompanied her as she browsed the book stalls at Daxiangguo Temple, buying her many books she loved.

Later, Zheng Xiansu felt they had monopolized the stalls too long, preventing vendors from earning income and blocking other pilgrims and tourists from entering—risking accusations of disturbing the peace—and urged Zhao Yu to return to the palace early.

Otherwise, they might have spent the entire day at Daxiangguo Temple.

To be honest, Zheng Xiansu longed to spend the whole day with Zhao Yu at Daxiangguo Temple—very much so—but she knew she could not indulge in personal joy while neglecting her duties and dignity as head of the harem.

Thus, though her heart ached to linger with Zhao Yu, she wisely chose to withdraw at the right moment, prioritizing the greater good.

Zhao Yu admired Zheng Xiansu's character—always putting the greater good first—and naturally granted her this chance to earn renown.

Moreover, Zhao Yu believed that once this event spread through the harem, it would clearly demonstrate his favor toward Zheng Xiansu, letting everyone know her position as Empress was unshakable—even if she bore no son.

Back in the harem, Zheng Xiansu assumed Zhao Yu would now return to his own affairs, since he still had memorials to review that day.

But Zhao Yu ordered Liu Mingda to have the memorials moved to Kunninggong and told Zheng Xiansu: "For the foreseeable future, I will rest here with you and accompany you through the birth of this child."

Zheng Xiansu immediately understood: Zhao Yu was preparing in advance for the possibility she bore another daughter, solidifying her position and giving her the strongest possible backing so she could give birth in peace.

A warm current surged through Zheng Xiansu's heart; her eyes grew slightly moist, but she held back her tears, nodding gently, her voice tinged with barely perceptible tremors: "Thank you, Your Majesty…"

……

(End of Chapter)