Chapter 20: My Lord, Stop Playing

…

Zhao Yu pointed to the rivers and mountains, composed impassioned prose, and wielded his influence with vigor—his brilliance deeply shocked Empress Dowager Xiang, and also stunned Zheng Xiansu, Wang Yisu, and Yang Jian, who stood by to serve.

They never imagined Zhao Yu possessed such extraordinary talent and commanding presence; when analyzing the state of the realm, his reasoning was clear and incisive, his governance strategies original yet practical, and his grasp of international affairs so intimate that every word shone with profound insight into the times and grand visions for the future.

Zhao Yu also succinctly exposed the corruption and decay within the court, the relentless warfare along the borders, and the suffering and lamentations of the people—his words sharp yet gentle, revealing both the edge of a sword and the compassion of a benevolent heart.

At this moment, Zhao Yu was utterly captivating; Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu watched him with pounding hearts. They had originally thought they had married only a noble prince—never did they imagine Zhao Yu was not only noble, but also brilliantly gifted, harboring the cosmos within him, with such profound understanding of the world’s affairs.

Zheng Xiansu’s cheeks flushed faintly, her eyes brimming with admiration; she thought to herself: “I never expected Heaven to favor me so—granting me not only the position of Princess Consort, but also the privilege of spending my life beside such a man.”

Wang Yisu gently bit her lower lip, her gaze revealing a hint of surprise and shyness. She had always admired those with learning and strategy; Zhao Yu’s words had utterly conquered her, stirring ripples within her heart.

Yang Jian observed it all, silently plotting: “Prince Shen’s future is boundless. The Empress Dowager is old and frail—I must cultivate a close bond with Prince Shen to plan for the future…”

The meal lasted until nearly dusk.

Though Empress Dowager Xiang listened with lingering delight, Zhao Yu was an adult prince and could not remain overnight in the inner palace.

Thus, she ordered Yang Jian to escort Zhao Yu out of the palace and instructed him to return soon for another chat.

Just before leaving, Zhao Yu, while others weren’t looking, grabbed Wang Yisu’s buttocks.

Wang Yisu instantly clamped her hand over his mischievous one, glancing furtively around like a thief.

Seeing no one had noticed Zhao Yu’s boldness, she looked at him with pleading eyes—as if saying: “My Lord, stop playing—there are so many people here! If anyone sees, I’ll be ruined!”

Notably, though Wang Yisu’s heart raced with fear, she did not remove his hand—she let him squeeze her buttocks.

Only when Yang Jian glanced over did Zhao Yu withdraw his hand; Wang Yisu then felt as if freed from a death sentence, immediately lowering her head to hide her scorching face.

This was not lewdness—Zhao Yu, given his current status, had no shortage of women. He merely wished to prevent Wang Yisu from feeling like a mere gift, harboring resentment, and becoming a vulnerability for Zhao Ji to exploit.

Thus, Zhao Yu used this gesture to tell Wang Yisu: “I took you as my concubine not merely out of respect for your sister’s status, but because I desire you—don’t overthink it, and don’t let Zhao Ji’s sweet words sway you into serving him.”

In essence, Zhao Yu sought to sever all ties between Zhao Ji and Empress Dowager Xiang, stealing Zhao Ji’s greatest asset in his bid for the throne.

…

When Yang Jian escorted Zhao Yu to the gate of Cide Palace, Zhao Yu immediately spotted Zhang Chun—pretending to sweep the courtyard, but actually waiting for him.

Zhao Yu had already seen the method Zhang Chun provided for making soap.

Without needing to guess, he knew the soap-making method must have come from Ma Xiao Jiao.

Zhao Yu also knew Zhang Chun gave him the method so he could profit from soap and gather the political funds needed to become emperor.

To be honest, this act by Zhang Chun and her four sisters truly helped Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu well knew that if he spent generously, whether on palace concubines, maids, eunuchs, or close ministers and guards of Empress Dowager Xiang and Zhao Xu, he could win their loyalty—and his reputation would soar.

But where would the money come from?

And Zhao Yu was not unaware that selling soap or glass could quickly secure his first fortune.

—In his past novels, Zhao Yu had often written such schemes.

Yet novels could use literary ellipsis—dozens of characters could conjure soap into existence—but reality could not.

Fortunately, Ma Xiao Jiao had begun as a craftswoman, experimenting with chemistry and restoring old objects; she had made soap and glass before.

Notably, her greatest skill was paper modeling.

Later, when that path failed, she turned to invention, creating hundreds of devices—all useless—until she gained millions of followers through her beauty, figure, and amusing inventions.

With the soap-making method, Zhao Yu should be able to find someone to produce soap.

If, however, even that failed, Zhao Yu would find a way to bring Ma Xiao Jiao to his side and have her make soap for him.

In short, Zhao Yu would soon have a source of income.

Even better, Zhang Chun and the others had voluntarily offered it to him—he needn’t even coax them.

Seeing Zhao Yu finally arrive, Zhang Chun—who had waited for him all day—immediately gave him a signal, indicating she had something to say.

Zhang Chun’s subtle gesture, which she thought hidden, was noticed not only by Zhao Yu but also by Yang Jian, ever alert and observant.

Yang Jian lowered his voice and asked: “Your Highness, are you acquainted with this palace attendant?”

Hearing this, Zhao Yu looked at Zhang Chun and thought: “With your shallow cunning, you dare dream of becoming Empress Dowager?”

Zhao Yu turned to Yang Jian and said: “I wish to speak with her for a moment—could you grant me this favor?”

Yang Jian, desperate to draw closer to the promising Zhao Yu and board his fast-moving carriage, would never let this chance slip.

He immediately declared: “Your Highness commands, and how could your servant refuse? Let this attendant escort Your Highness out of the palace in my stead.”

Saying this, Yang Jian removed his official token and handed it to Zhao Yu to pass to Zhang Chun, then respectfully turned and departed.

Was Yang Jian not afraid Zhao Yu and Zhang Chun might do something scandalous and implicate him?

Of course not.

Zhao Yu had just saved Empress Dowager Xiang and demonstrated his exceptional talent—he was nearly her favorite son.

In Yang Jian’s view, within the confines of Cide Palace, even if Zhao Yu tore a hole in the heavens, Empress Dowager Xiang would mend it for him.

Indeed, Yang Jian welcomed the prospect of being punished because of Zhao Yu—then Zhao Yu would owe him a great debt, securing his own future.

After Yang Jian left, Zhao Yu approached Zhang Chun.

Zhang Chun had a thousand words ready to say to Zhao Yu.

But when Zhao Yu stood before her, her voice vanished—especially when she remembered her goal was to sleep with him; she grew so nervous she could not utter a single word.

After waiting a moment and seeing she still said nothing, and with night falling fast and time running short, Zhao Yu broke the silence: “Why did you wait here for me? And earlier, when you used an oracle to tell me I would soon become emperor—were you trying to frame me?”

…

(End of Chapter)