[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them":3,"chapter-i-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them-i-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them-chapter-15":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Transmigrated to the Northern Song with Them",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2318905,4535,"Chapter 15: Not Forsaking the Beauty (Wishing My Brothers a Happy New Year!!!)","i-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them-chapter-15",15,"\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Zheng Xiansu’s flush faded, the group led by Empress Dowager Xiang arrived at the front hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiansu instantly lowered her head, her heart pounding wildly like a startled deer—thump, thump, thump!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yisu subtly used her body to shield Zheng Xiansu, buying her time to recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After catching her breath, Zheng Xiansu stole a glance at Zhao Yu, who looked as if nothing had happened, and inwardly grumbled: “This wretch—he’s recklessly bold!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Zheng Xiansu, who had always strictly adhered to propriety, felt an unprecedented, strange emotion stir within her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could one describe this feeling?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply put, the thrill had left Zheng Xiansu slightly intoxicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Empress Dowager Xiang entered, Zhao Yu immediately noticed Ma Xiao Jiao and Yuan Qing Cheng walking at the rear. Just as before, each held a fan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu’s gaze did not linger long on Ma Xiao Jiao or Yuan Qing Cheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Empress Dowager Xiang entered, Zhao Yu stepped forward to greet her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the original host, who had been terrified of Empress Dowager Xiang and dared not speak a word in her presence, Zhao Yu felt not the slightest fear of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving before Empress Dowager Xiang, Zhao Yu did not perform the proper bow—he simply signaled the palace maid supporting her to step aside, then personally guided her to her throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Xiang said without expression: “So, having eased my worries, you now presume upon your favor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had it been the original host, he would have been so terrified he’d have dropped to his knees, stammering apologies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhao Yu, hearing this clear test, replied frankly: “In the past, I accomplished nothing worthy of mention, and had no right to draw near Your Majesty. Now, I share your fortunes and misfortunes—like a vine clinging to a lofty branch, I’ve found my support. How could I not seize this chance to draw closer to you, my mother? And I cannot say why, but beside you, I feel profound warmth—this filial devotion has made me lose my composure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Xiang laughed and scolded: “You’re quick to take advantage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu grinned and said: “I only wish to be truly close to you, Mother. By your side, I feel as if bathed in spring breeze—my heart overflows with joy, and I’ve lost my restraint. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Xiang laughed even more brightly: “Sharp-tongued little thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the once timid “Zhao Yu” now bantering freely with Empress Dowager Xiang, Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu’s affection deepened, and their confidence—and anticipation—of becoming Zhao Yu’s Princess and Concubine grew stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Zhao Yu helped Empress Dowager Xiang settle into her throne, Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu took their places—one to her left, one to her right—while Ma Xiao Jiao and Yuan Qing Cheng began fanning her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Zhao Yu bow to Empress Dowager Xiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sit,” said Empress Dowager Xiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu obeyed, choosing the chair closest to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Empress Dowager Xiang’s expression turned stern: “You banished Director Qian to the western suburbs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu instantly knew Empress Dowager Xiang had spent days investigating him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He well knew she despised those who discarded useful tools after use, and especially abhorred ingratitude—especially since Zhao Xu had purged so many of Gao Taotao’s old retainers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on this understanding, Zhao Yu did not mention Director Qian’s corruption, arrogance, or incompetence. Instead, he sighed helplessly: “Director Qian is loyal but lacks ability, and has no experience in court struggles. I’ve already angered Imperial Consort Liu. With her vengeful nature, she will surely retaliate. If I kept Director Qian in charge of household affairs, she’d surely find a weakness. To prevent any risk, I had no choice but to dismiss him and all potential threats—denying the enemy any opening.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Xiang’s expression softened. Then she probed further: “If you know Imperial Consort Liu’s temper, why provoke her that day?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu spoke with solemn conviction: “My birth mother passed away years ago. My late father died even earlier. Had it not been for Your Majesty’s care, how could I have grown into a man? Crows feed their parents; lambs kneel to nurse. Even animals know filial duty—how much more so should man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words filled Empress Dowager Xiang with deep comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her eyes, Zhao Yu spoke nothing but truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lin Xianfei died, the original host was seven; Zhao Si was only five. Both, along with Zhao Ji—who was slightly older—were raised under Empress Dowager Xiang’s watch until they reached twelve and left the inner palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, it was not an exaggeration to say Zhao Ji, the original host, and Zhao Si were raised by Empress Dowager Xiang herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhao Ji had always been eloquent, perceptive, skilled at flattery, and excelled in every way, while the original host and Zhao Si were mediocre— one burdened by sorrow, the other silent. Naturally, Empress Dowager Xiang favored Zhao Ji.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, even so, she had treated the original host and Zhao Si fairly enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Empress Dowager Xiang well knew that though imperial princes had degrees of closeness, all affected the dignity of the imperial house and court stability, so she strove to treat them equally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Zhao Yu’s gratitude for her upbringing was something she accepted without guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Shenzong died young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The son and daughter she bore him in her youth also died early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She became a lonely, helpless widow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was her greatest vulnerability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, though Zhao Xu defeated his brothers to become Crown Prince and then Emperor—with Empress Dowager Xiang’s crucial support—he clearly favored his birth mother, Imperial Consort Zhu, and treated her with mere politeness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This not only left her in an awkward position, but forced her to guard against the possibility that, through scheming, Imperial Consort Zhu might seize her title as Empress Dowager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made her deeply regret having named Zhao Xu, who had a birth mother, as Crown Prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precisely because of this, she turned to Zhao Ji—whose mother was dead—and raised him as her own son, to ensure she would not be abandoned in old age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhao Ji’s conduct in Funing Palace had truly wounded her heart—especially when contrasted with Zhao Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Zhao Yu, so grateful and loyal,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>gave Empress Dowager Xiang a rare sense of solace amid the treacherous currents of court intrigue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Strong grass reveals itself in fierce winds; loyal ministers show in times of chaos!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Zhao Yu, Empress Dowager Xiang’s eyes held new hope. She said to him: “You’ve grown so wise. I am deeply comforted. In this turbulent court, you and I, mother and son, must stand together and weather the storm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu immediately pledged: “I will follow Your Majesty’s lead and never allow anyone to insult my mother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Xiang smiled and nodded: “Good, good, good. All ten years of raising you were not in vain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After her heart swelled with joy, she warned Zhao Yu: “The situation is complex. Imperial Consort Liu and the New Faction still watch closely. Do not act rashly—plan carefully before moving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu replied: “I understand. I will speak and act with caution, denying the enemy any opening.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Xiang nodded approvingly, then asked: “What is your purpose in coming here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Empress Dowager Xiang ask Zhao Yu’s reason for visiting, Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu’s hearts leapt to their throats!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu felt Zhao Yu had not lied—he truly wished to marry them as his Princess and Concubine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what if he had lied? Or worse—what if he only manipulated their feelings, seeking only their bodies?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such things had happened before. It could happen to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crucially, Zhao Yu had just kissed and touched Zheng Xiansu—directly advancing to third base. If he refused to marry her, Zheng Xiansu’s only path left would be death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they were merely lowly palace maids, with no powerful family ties, no noble lineage—barely qualified to be Princesses. Could Empress Dowager Xiang truly approve Zhao Yu marrying them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu—especially the former—stared at Zhao Yu with intense tension, fingers unconsciously clutching their sleeves, yet forcing calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Zhao Yu did not disappoint them. He bowed swiftly to Empress Dowager Xiang: “I have come to ask Your Majesty for their hands in marriage…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1390,"2026-06-20T15:06:47.302Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","989792037d565e94a01d84afae95fc7a00f1bb48b4fbb2573cdbae9cb1e34dd9","i-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them-chapter-16","i-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them-chapter-14",348,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them-cover.jpg"]