[{"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-21":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},2318911,4535,"Chapter 21: Dare to Deceive Me? I","i-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them-chapter-21",21,"\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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 to move toward each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the moment she thought of her goal—to become the palace maid who taught Zhao Yu about matters of man and woman—Zhang Chun grew so nervous and guilty she couldn’t utter a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu had never imagined that Empress Pure, who normally ranted online about history and dismissed “ten thousand marquises of old” as dung, was so shy in person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this were the original host, he would have simply swept his sleeve and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhao Yu was different—he genuinely wanted to know what game the five of them were playing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this in mind, 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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu’s thoughtful understanding eased Zhang Chun’s tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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—not at all like the ancient men I imagined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu meant what he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked quietly with Zhang Chun toward the palace gates, never forcing her to speak, demonstrating clear patience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Shicheng, meanwhile, wisely kept his distance, not disturbing Zhao Yu and Zhang Chun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Zhang Chun, it felt as though she were merely strolling with Zhao Yu, the two of them admiring the palace’s beauty in tender harmony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The absurd thought surfaced, and Zhang Chun quickly silenced her own daydreaming:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For a man like him, whose ambition is the throne, kinship is but a mirage; love, an unreachable fantasy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Throughout history, dynasties have repeatedly seen fathers turn against sons, brothers clash with brothers—all for the 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 that symbolizes absolute authority.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for love, it is a luxury in the imperial court. Three thousand beauties in the harem 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 palace believed entering the imperial household was the start of glory, unaware that what awaited them was endless loneliness and sorrow. Within these red walls, they scheme and crush each other, fighting for survival and the faintest shred of favor. Even if lucky enough to be summoned by the emperor, they may instantly lose favor over the smallest misstep, spending the rest of their lives in the cold palace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I, Zhang Chun, absolutely cannot jump into this fire pit!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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 special one…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how long the road, it must end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Zhao Yu walked slowly, giving Zhang Chun ample time, they reached the West Huamen Gate in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Palace maids were not permitted to leave the palace gates without special authorization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So if Zhang Chun didn’t speak now, she would never get another chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Zhao Yu stopped and looked at Zhang Chun, speaking without pressure: “If you haven’t decided what to say, you may tell me next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could Zhang Chun wait for a next time whose arrival was uncertain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Zhao Yu’s tolerance and gentleness had relaxed her considerably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a deep breath, Zhang Chun stammered: “Your Highness… do you know… the art of… divination?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zhang Chun intended to deceive him with mysticism, Zhao Yu played along: “I’ve heard of it, but I don’t understand its mysteries.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun secretly rejoiced: “Ancients are just ancient—limited in knowledge. A little trick from me can turn all irrationality into reason.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this psychological advantage, Zhang Chun’s tension eased greatly. She delivered the script she had prepared: “Since childhood, I’ve studied under a master and mastered the Book of Changes. I specialize in divination. I dare not conceal it from Your Highness: the emperor’s sons… have only three months left to live.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Zhang Chun’s heart rose to her throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew full well how treasonous her words were—if Zhao Xu or Liu Qingjing heard them, she’d likely face execution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, she had hesitated whether to tell Zhao Yu these things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But first, she had already carelessly “revealed heavenly secrets” in her haste; she must give Zhao Yu a plausible explanation, or she’d lose his trust—and possibly burn herself alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, she felt she must awe 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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, she spoke with shocking boldness, striking first to seize control of this conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu thought: “Only because you’ve met me—otherwise, your stunt would be suicide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu put on a serious face: “Don’t speak rashly. The prince is noble and virtuous—how could he have a short life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Zhao Yu’s words, Zhang Chun relaxed. She thought: “Play along! Keep playing! If you didn’t believe I could make you emperor, why would you suddenly decide to marry Empress Zheng Xiansu and Consort Wang Yisu to vie 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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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 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 follow, then… the emperor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu feigned horror, staring into Zhang Chun’s almond-shaped eyes, and said gravely: “Do you know you’ve committed a crime punishable by extermination of your entire family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun smiled mysteriously: “If I am executed, who will assist Your Highness in ascending the throne?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu played along: “What do you mean by that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun fully entered the role of the mystic: “I’ve already told Your Highness—you will soon become emperor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu continued to cooperate: “You mean I will inherit my elder brother’s throne?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun spoke with absolute certainty: “Indeed. Your Highness is the one destined by heaven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu thought: “Destined by heaven? Pfft—you five chose me, didn’t you?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu feigned silence for a moment, then asked: “Why should I believe you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chun pinched her fingers in calculation: “In Jiaxu, Taiyuan trembled; the Yellow River flowed north. In Guisi, Venus appeared in daylight. In Gengzi, the Xia sent envoys to apologize. If even one of these events fails to occur, I will bring my head to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu sincerely admired Zhang Chun: “Even such trivial details remembered so clearly—truly, a living encyclopedia of history.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made Zhao Yu even more determined to secure Zhang Chun and her four companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Zhao Yu offered Zhang Chun another stepping stone: “I have one more question… why are you helping me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1215,"2026-06-20T15:06:47.302Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e2a5cef56f476386cf169828f9489d09eae78915779e8ab35bfbc509f750cec9","i-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them-chapter-22","i-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them-chapter-20",348,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-transmigrated-to-the-northern-song-with-them-cover.jpg"]