Chapter 21: Dare to Deceive Me? I

…

Zhao Yu had already laid down a stepping stone for Zhang Chun; logically, Zhang Chun should have taken the hint and spoken her mind, allowing both of them to move toward each other.

But the moment she thought of her goal—to become the palace maid who taught Zhao Yu about male-female matters—Zhang Chun grew so nervous and guilty that she couldn't utter a word.

Zhao Yu had truly never expected that the Empress Dowager Zhang, who normally ranted online about history and dismissed "the ten-thousand-household marquises of old," would be so shy in person.

If this were the original host, he would have simply swept his sleeve and walked away.

But Zhao Yu was different—he genuinely wanted to know what game the five of them were playing.

Based on this, Zhao Yu smiled and said: "No rush. First, escort me out of the palace. When you've decided how to say it, you can speak then."

Zhao Yu's thoughtful understanding eased Zhang Chun's tension.

Out of the corner of her eye, Zhang Chun stole a glance at Zhao Yu's handsome face and couldn't help thinking: "You're surprisingly gentle—unlike the ancient men I imagined."

Zhao Yu kept his word.

He quietly walked with Zhang Chun toward the palace gates, never forcing her to speak, fully demonstrating his patience.

Liang Shicheng, meanwhile, wisely kept his distance, not disturbing Zhao Yu and Zhang Chun.

This gave Zhang Chun the feeling that she was merely strolling with Zhao Yu, the two of them admiring the palace's beauty in tender harmony.

The absurd thought surfaced, and Zhang Chun quickly silenced her own wild imaginings:

"For someone like him, whose ambition is the throne, family ties are but illusions—love, an unreachable fantasy."

"Throughout history, dynasties have repeatedly seen fathers turn against sons, brothers fight brothers—all for that supreme throne. In the imperial family, the lure of power far outweighs the bond of blood; everyone in this bloodless war abandons kinship, chasing only the dragon throne, symbol of absolute authority."

"As for love, it is a luxury in the imperial court. Three thousand concubines are merely tools to continue the imperial bloodline and consolidate rule. Countless women's youth and dreams are buried within these walls. Those selected for the harem believe entering the palace is the start of glory, unaware that what awaits them is endless loneliness and sorrow. Within these red walls, they scheme and crush each other just to survive, chasing the faintest shred of imperial favor. Even if they are fortunate enough to be summoned, they may lose favor over the smallest misstep and spend the rest of their lives in the cold palace."

"I, Zhang Chun, absolutely cannot jump into this fire pit!!!"

"To treat the world as a chessboard and all people as pawns—that is my goal. He is merely one of my pawns… at most… a slightly more special one…"

No matter how long the road, it must end.

Though Zhao Yu walked slowly, giving Zhang Chun ample time, they reached the Xihua Gate in silence.

Palace maids could not leave the palace grounds without special permission.

So if Zhang Chun didn't speak now, she would never get another chance.

At this moment, Zhao Yu stopped and looked at Zhang Chun, without any pressure: "If you haven't decided what to say, you can tell me next time."

How could Zhang Chun wait for a next time whose arrival was uncertain?

Moreover, Zhao Yu's tolerance and gentleness had relaxed her considerably.

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Chun stammered: "Your Highness… do you know… the art of… divination?"

Seeing Zhang Chun prepare to bamboozle him with mysticism, Zhao Yu played along: "I've heard of it, but I don't understand its mysteries."

Zhang Chun secretly rejoiced: "Ancients are just ancient—limited in knowledge. A little trick of mine can turn all the unreasonable into reason."

With this psychological advantage, Zhang Chun's tension eased greatly, and she delivered the script she had prepared: "Since childhood, I've studied under a master, learning the Book of Changes, and I specialize in divination. I dare not conceal it from Your Highness—the Emperor's sons… have only three months left to live."

At this point, Zhang Chun's heart rose to her throat.

Zhang Chun knew full well how treasonous her words were—if Zhao Xu or Liu Qingjing heard them, they would likely have her executed with extreme punishment.

To be honest, she had hesitated whether to tell Zhao Yu these things.

But first, because she had been too eager, she had already "revealed heavenly secrets" in careless speech; she must give Zhao Yu a plausible explanation, or she would lose his trust—and possibly bring disaster upon herself.

Second, Zhang Chun felt she must intimidate Zhao Yu, making him see her as a "heavenly being" or "goddess," for only then would he take her seriously—or even obey her blindly—enabling her to control him and achieve her political ambitions.

For this reason, she had spoken with shocking boldness, striking first to seize control of this conversation.

Zhao Yu thought: "Only because you've met me—otherwise, your maneuvering would be suicide."

Zhao Yu put on a serious face: "Don't speak rashly. The Imperial Prince is noble and virtuous—how could he have a short life?"

As soon as Zhao Yu spoke, Zhang Chun relaxed—she thought: "Play along! Keep playing! If you didn't believe I could make you emperor, would you suddenly decide to court Empress Xiansu and Consort Yisu for the throne? And if you didn't believe me, you'd already call guards to arrest me and cut ties—why are you testing me like this?"

Believing she had everything under control, Zhang Chun grew bolder, openly playing the mystic: "Fate determines life—how can it be ignored? This child not only has a short life, he will also kill his elder sister and his father. I dare not conceal it from Your Highness—I have already divined that soon after his death, his elder sister will perish, and then… the Emperor."

Zhao Yu feigned horror, staring into Zhang Chun's beautiful almond eyes, and said gravely: "Do you know you've committed a crime punishable by extermination of your entire clan?"

Zhang Chun smiled mysteriously: "If I am executed, who will assist Your Highness in ascending the throne?"

Zhao Yu played along: "What do you mean by that?"

Zhang Chun fully entered her mystic role: "I've already told Your Highness—you will soon become Emperor."

Zhao Yu continued to cooperate: "You mean I will inherit my elder brother's throne?"

Zhang Chun spoke with absolute certainty: "Precisely. Your Highness is the one destined by Heaven."

Zhao Yu thought: "Destined by Heaven? Pfft—you five chose me, didn't you?!"

Zhao Yu feigned silence for a moment, then asked: "Why should I believe you?"

Zhang Chun pinched her fingers in calculation: "In Jia Xu, Taiyuan shook and the Yellow River flowed north. In Gui Si, Venus appeared in daylight. In Geng Zi, the Xia came to apologize. If even one of these events is wrong, I will offer my head."

Zhao Yu sincerely admired Zhang Chun: "Even these trivial details she remembers so clearly—truly worthy of being a living encyclopedia of history."

This made Zhao Yu even more determined to secure Zhang Chun and her four companions.

For this reason, Zhao Yu gave Zhang Chun another stepping stone: "I have one more question… why are you helping me?"

…

(End of Chapter)