Chapter 153: Fortunate Wei Shi

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Before Qiao Shi went to serve the emperor, she had already made a deal with Wei Shi: whenever she got the chance, she would recommend Wei Shi to Zhao Yu.

On the surface, Wei Shi said: "You've only just caught the emperor's eye—you're not even established yet. How can you lift me up? Don't be reckless and anger His Majesty, ruining your own future."

But deep inside, Wei Shi very much hoped Qiao Shi would recommend her to Zhao Yu.

At twenty-one, Wei Shi had reached the most desirable age for a woman—and was also nearing the age when palace women were typically dismissed.

—According to palace rules, palace servants who reached twenty-five and had not been taken by the Emperor, nor protected by any powerful figure in the harem, were to be expelled from the palace to fend for themselves.

Wei Shi came from a humble background; in her youth, she served as a maid in the household of Su Song alongside her older sister.

There's a saying: unless a man is hanging on a wall, he won't stop thinking about women.

At the time, Su Song was over seventy, yet still far from virtuous.

Thus, Wei Shi was chosen to serve Su Song.

But on her first night of service, something went wrong—likely due to extreme nervousness—before Su Song even touched her, she urinated uncontrollably all night long, just like Zhang Chun had done in the beginning.

Su Song had none of Zhao Yu's tolerance; he wouldn't keep a woman who had been "soiled." Of course, being a former Chancellor, he spoke more tactfully. He told Wei Shi's sister: "This one is destined for great wealth and honor—this place is not fit for her. Take her to Jingcheng."

Su Song meant: your sister has a fate of great fortune—this is no place for her. You should take her to Jingcheng.

Though his words sounded kind, in truth, Su Song had simply dismissed Wei Shi.

Wei Shi's older sister married the military officer Li Congyue.

Li Congyue had old ties with Su Song's household, which allowed him to send Wei Shi's sister to work for Su Song—and then "send" Wei Shi as a maid to him.

But Wei Shi's one accident ruined their entire livelihood.

Fortunately, Su Song remembered old favors and transferred Li Congyue to a post in Jingcheng.

Following Su Song's guidance, Li Congyue brought his family to Dongjing Bianliang.

Thus, Wei Shi and her sister's family left Danyang and moved into a Daoist temple in Bianliang.

Opportunity came quickly: the palace was recruiting low-ranking palace maids, and through Li Congyue's recommendation, Wei Shi was allowed to apply.

Because she was beautiful and tall—perfect for heavy labor—Wei Shi was selected to enter the palace.

Wei Shi's parents had long since died; she had two older brothers, one younger brother, and one older sister.

Her brothers were doing terribly—they were still back home "tilling the soil" and couldn't possibly help her. Her brother-in-law was a poor minor official, barely able to support himself—otherwise, how could she have been living in a Daoist temple? And how could they have sent her into the palace?

So, with nowhere else to go, Wei Shi truly did not want to leave the palace. She only wished to quietly survive her whole life within its walls—and if she could rise in status, all the better.

For a woman in the palace, there was no faster path to advancement than being taken by the Emperor.

How could Wei Shi possibly not want to serve the Emperor?

But the reality was, Zheng Xiansu had already arranged many others to serve him—and had not even considered Wei Shi.

Relying on Zheng Xiansu, Wei Shi had little chance.

There was no choice: Wei Shi could only rely on Qiao Shi.

Qiao Shi was beautiful, but her father was also a poor minor official, and she was a concubine-born daughter—otherwise, she wouldn't have been "sold" into the palace.

With Qiao Shi barely managing her own survival, dragging Wei Shi along might sink them both.

Thus, Wei Shi hesitated, unsure whether to wait until Qiao Shi became pregnant—then her recommendation would carry far greater weight.

But Wei Shi also feared that Qiao Shi, like many palace women, might be visited once or twice by Zhao Yu and then forgotten—no one knew when she'd be summoned again.

If that were the case, then "power unused is power lost"—better to let Qiao Shi try now.

In short, Wei Shi was torn, anxious, and indecisive.

But Qiao Shi was optimistic, confidently saying: "The Emperor is exceedingly kind—he treats all who serve him with great care, and even if there are minor flaws, he rarely punishes. He has shown me special favor; if I speak up and recommend you, he will surely agree. Even if he refuses, he won't blame me. Prepare everything carefully, and wait quietly outside the palace. If this succeeds, I'll have Qingyao call you."

Thus, ever since Qiao Shi and Yan Zhengyi entered to serve, Wei Shi had been pacing outside the imperial bedchamber.

Though she still didn't know if she'd succeed tonight, she had bathed, changed into fresh clothes, applied her finest makeup, and donned her best garments—prepared in every way possible.

She waited until the hour of You, when just as she thought she had no chance today, Qingyao ran out and said to Wei Shi: "My lady calls you to serve the Emperor."

Wei Shi was overjoyed; she immediately lifted her skirt and followed Qingyao to find Qiao Shi.

At the doorway, Wei Shi saw at once: Qiao Shi, completely naked, anxiously waiting for her.

As she drew closer, Wei Shi heard a sound—familiar yet strangely alien—coming from within… As a virgin, she found it too embarrassing to describe.

After they met, Qiao Shi scolded Wei Shi: "Why did you come so late?"

Wei Shi felt wronged—she had rushed here the moment she heard the call; she'd nearly lost her shoes.

But she couldn't say that—not at this critical moment. She could only ask carefully: "Has something changed?"

Qiao Shi sighed in frustration: "Yan Zhengyi has suddenly woken up."

As she spoke, Qiao Shi subtly pointed inside.

Wei Shi understood and peered inside.

What she saw left her stunned: "Is that… Yan Zhengyi?!"

How to describe it?

Yan Zhengyi, once dignified, proper, and icy-cold, had now completely let go—wild, unrestrained, and shameless.

Qiao Shi muttered bitterly: "She's learned all my tricks—damn it!"

In truth, Qiao Shi's tricks were stolen from others during her own nights of service—and some were taught to her by Zhao Yu himself.

Wei Shi didn't care about that—she only worried about her own future. She hurriedly asked: "Do I still have a chance to serve tonight?"

Qiao Shi couldn't be sure whether Zhao Yu, now thoroughly engrossed with Yan Zhengyi, still had any interest in Wei Shi. She could only speak plainly: "The Emperor has already agreed to have you serve—but Yan Zhengyi has interfered…"

Wei Shi's heart sank; she cried out: "What do we do?!"

Qiao Shi thought for a moment and said: "Take off your clothes!"

"?"

Wei Shi was confused.

Qiao Shi helped Wei Shi take off her clothes as she said: "Since the Emperor has granted his favor, you must obey the imperial decree—do you intend to defy the imperial command?"

Wei Shi immediately understood that Qiao Shi's meaning was to send her over first; whether Zhao Yu wanted her or not would be decided later.

In other words, if she tried, she had at least a fifty percent chance of success; if she didn't try, she would certainly fail.

Look now—Yan Zhengyi, the usual icy beauty, had turned into a silver-waisted woman, unwilling to let go of the chance to gain favor.

"Opportunity knocks but once! If I still fail to be summoned tonight, once the Empress gives birth to an Imperial Prince and the Emperor moves out of Kunninggong, I fear I'll never again have a chance to be summoned."

Thinking of this, Wei Shi no longer cared about her shyness or nervousness; she quickly stripped herself bare and followed Qiao Shi to be summoned…

…

Hour of Hai.

Zhao Yu, completely emptied, went to sleep with Zheng Xiansu.

The moment Zhao Yu left, Qiao Shi immediately inverted herself and urged Wei Shi: "Do as I do!"

Wei Shi didn't understand why, but she immediately copied Qiao Shi's posture and inverted herself.

After finishing, Wei Shi asked Qiao Shi: "Why like this?"

"This is a conception method created by Imperial Consort Zhang," Qiao Shi said. "It is said that following this method increases the chance of conception; many have already conceived imperial offspring through it."

"Imperial Consort Yan could try it too," Qiao Shi added to Yan Zhengyi.

In truth, Yan Zhengyi held strong resentment toward Qiao Shi and Wei Shi. If Qiao Shi hadn't brought Wei Shi over, she would have had at least one more chance.

In Yan Zhengyi's view, Qiao Shi had helped Wei Shi steal her opportunity to conceive; if she failed to conceive this time, she blamed Qiao Shi and Wei Shi entirely.

Yan Zhengyi asked herself if she was truly petty—but this was no ordinary matter. Conceiving an imperial heir was a life-defining event; how could she not care? After all, this temptation was stronger than any gold, silver, or jewels—it could stir greed and drive one to spare no cost. Who wouldn't wish, one day, to rise from humble origins and become a phoenix through her son?

Yan Zhengyi silently weighed her thoughts, yet showed no expression on her face; she merely nodded slightly and forced out a faint smile: "If it was created by Imperial Consort Zhang, it must work—I'll try it too."

With that, Yan Zhengyi immediately copied Qiao Shi and Wei Shi's posture and inverted herself.

Night was ink-black, moonlight flowed like water; within the palace, three women, in a comical yet utterly devout posture, poured their longing and hope for conception.

Taking this moment, Qiao Shi said to Wei Shi: "I've noticed the Emperor shows you exceptional favor. There were rumors he favored tall, slender women—today's observation proves them true."

Wei Shi had also realized Zhao Yu greatly liked her.

In fact, stripping herself bare and climbing onto the bed had used up all the courage she'd ever possessed.

In that moment, had Zhao Yu so much as frowned at her, Wei Shi would have been terrified into rolling off the bed immediately.

She might even have been broken forever, never daring to dream of being summoned again.

Yet, when she climbed onto the bed, Zhao Yu directly signaled her to come closer.

And before Yan Zhengyi had even finished, Zhao Yu began to court her.

Later, Zhao Yu summoned her twice in succession, leaving Qiao Shi and Yan Zhengyi watching helplessly from the side.

Zhao Yu's favor instantly gave her confidence, something she had never possessed before.

Crucially, Zhao Yu whispered to her, telling her to come again tomorrow night.

How could she not see now? Zhao Yu liked her—at least, he liked her body.

At that moment, Wei Shi was beyond ecstatic! She felt she had finally endured hardship and tasted sweetness at last!!!

Wei Shi longed to share this good news with Qiao Shi, but glancing at Yan Zhengyi beside her, she swallowed the words and instead said: "Perhaps the Emperor felt you and Imperial Consort Yan were weary, so he showed me extra favor."

Wei Shi carefully chose her words—she wished to share this rare joy with Qiao Shi, yet did not wish to appear overly boastful before Yan Zhengyi. Her eyes sparkled with unmistakable excitement, yet she struggled to maintain a calm exterior.

Qiao Shi didn't think much of it; this warm-hearted and kind woman was simply overjoyed that her good sister had also been summoned and could change her fate.

Yan Zhengyi, meanwhile, sat beside them, her heart churning with complex emotions: "Qiao Shi I can accept—her beauty is indeed slightly superior to mine. But Wei Shi, this bulky woman—what virtue, what merit does she have, to earn the Emperor's favor?!"

Yan Zhengyi was filled with bewilderment.

Early the next morning, the newly arrived consorts Yan Zhengyi and Wei Shi, after being questioned and registered by the palace ladies, arrived early to offer tea to Zheng Xiansu.

Although Wei Shi's appearance had been unexpected, it did not in the slightest affect Zheng Xiansu's response.

Zheng Xiansu not only agreed to petition for honors for Yan Zhengyi and Wei Shi as per custom, but also promised that whoever bore an Imperial Prince would have the child adopted as her own daughter.

—Previously, Zheng Xiansu had made this promise to every woman who had been summoned to Kunninggong.

In the palace, rivalry among imperial consorts was common. Adopting other consorts as daughters allowed one to bring them into one's own faction, increasing one's power and influence, thereby better securing one's position as Empress. For example, when other consorts threatened Zheng Xiansu's status, her adopted daughters would most likely stand by her side to help her navigate such situations.

This was not Zheng Xiansu's invention; in fact, during the Zhao Song dynasty's palace, the tradition of imperial consorts adopting daughters had long existed, and adopted daughters were often presented to the Emperor to cultivate one's influence.

Zheng Xiansu, influenced by this tradition, adopted consorts to continue the practice, thereby better surviving and advancing within the palace.

From the perspective of the consorts adopted by Zheng Xiansu:

Being adopted by Zheng Xiansu meant joining the most powerful faction in the harem; if they faced hardship or injustice, Zheng Xiansu would defend and champion them.

In short, with the title of Zheng Xiansu's adopted daughter, no one would dare to bully them or their children.

In other words, Zheng Xiansu's adoption of them was an act of protection and care.

Leaving aside other matters, within the harem, many powerful consorts had no children; these women sometimes used their power to seize the sons of lower-ranking consorts and claim them as their own.

The most famous example was Imperial Consort Li Chenfei, mother of Emperor Renzong.

Li Chenfei had originally been a maid to Liu E, later favored by Emperor Zhenzong and gave birth to Emperor Renzong. But after his birth, Liu E took the child and raised him together with Consort Yang Shu; Li Chenfei never met her son before her death. Emperor Renzong believed Liu E was his birth mother until her death, when he finally learned the truth.

Later, the folk tale "The Fox Cub Swaps the Prince" told this very story.

Once adopted by Zheng Xiansu, such events would certainly never occur again.

In short, Zheng Xiansu's widespread adoption of daughters was beneficial to both Zheng Xiansu and her adopted daughters…

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(End of Chapter)