Chapter 215: Even if you scream until your throat breaks, no one will come to save you

…

Through Xiao Sese's account, Yelu Nanxian learned that in Zhao Yu's harem, not only was Zheng Xiansu the unshakable Empress, but there were also five imperial consorts—Zhang Chun, Li Lin, Ye Shi Yun, Ma Xiao Jiao, and Yuan Qing Cheng—whose status was so exalted that even Zheng Xiansu had to give them face.

——Only at this moment did Yelu Nanxian realize that Zhang Chun and Li Lin, whose appearances were not particularly outstanding, held such high rank and status, even surpassing Wang Yisu and Guo Ting, two imperial consorts; she had just burned the wrong incense.

Moreover, imperial consorts such as Wang Yisu, Guo Ting, and Zhang Nan also had deep backgrounds.

But these women were not currently Yelu Nanxian's greatest enemies.

Yelu Nanxian's greatest enemy now was Xiao Puxian, a woman of her own clan.

Yelu Nanxian knew Xiao Puxian, and knew that Xiao Puxian had nearly married Yelu Chun, and that the two had even met each other during their time in Liao.

To be honest, Xiao Puxian's lineage was also respectable, but if she had not married Yelu Chun, her status and rank in Liao could never have matched that of these Khitan princesses, let alone compared to Yelu Yanxi's literary consort, Xiao Sese.

Xiao Puxian had not arrived at Zhao Yu's side earlier than Xiao Sese or the three Khitan princesses.

Logically, Xiao Puxian should never have become the leader of the Liao women.

Yet first, Xiao Puxian possessed exceptional personal ability: she understood politics and governance, handled state affairs with decisiveness and efficiency, and even Zhao Yu praised her ability to review memorials without end;

second, upon entering Zhao Yu's harem, Xiao Puxian rallied Liao women, Western Xia women, Qingtang Tubo women, and women from the Western Regions, urging them to "follow the husband as the chicken follows the rooster, the dog the master," forget their homeland, even despise it, actively learn Han culture, and become true Han women devoted to their husbands and raising children;

third, Xiao Puxian led the charge in supporting Zheng Xiansu's palace examination system, personally participated in this year's palace examination, and secured tenth place—an outstanding result. She declared she would take the examination again and again until she became the female Zhuangyuan.

Fourth, Xiao Puxian spoke multiple languages; if she did not know one, she learned it, enabling her to communicate with most women in the harem. When Zhao Yu visited women who spoke no Han, he often sent her as interpreter.

Fifth, and most importantly, Xiao Puxian was exceptionally skilled at pleasing Zhao Yu: she learned nearly all the little tricks Zhang Chun had invented to win Zhao Yu's favor, and all the other consorts' techniques for seducing men, applying them one by one to Zhao Yu, causing him to frequently visit her and enabling her to conceive the imperial heir within three months.

Thus, in barely half a year, Zhao Yu took Xiao Puxian everywhere he went, and Zheng Xiansu entrusted Xiao Puxian with managing all Liao women in the harem.

Xiao Puxian truly had methods: she subdued all Liao women—including the three Khitan princesses—with a mix of softness and force, and even Xiao Sese treated Xiao Puxian with courtesy and deep respect.

Learning this, Yelu Nanxian realized she was in trouble. With Xiao Puxian present, her ambition to become leader of the Hu women was likely doomed.

In fact—

Yelu Nanxian had not told Xiao Sese the truth. Though she was Empress of Western Xia, and the Empress Dowager of Western Xia, Little Empress Liang, had already been poisoned by Li Qianshun, making her status theoretically the highest, in reality, because she had married into Western Xia too recently, and because Li Qianshun had not supported her as Zhao Yu supported Zheng Xiansu, but instead had long ignored her, she had never become leader of the Western Xia women.

——Previously, the Western Xia women had chosen Yelu Nanxian as their representative for two reasons: first, her status was unmatched, making her the only suitable candidate; second, having just arrived in this alien, hostile land, they had not yet understood its rules and hidden currents, and urgently needed a leader to guide them through the dangers—Yelu Nanxian naturally became the indisputable choice.

Yet this did not mean Yelu Nanxian could truly become leader of the Western Xia women, especially as they gradually adapted to this new environment and began seeking their own patrons and paths.

Yelu Nanxian's original plan was to first leverage Xiao Sese and the three Khitan princesses to gain support from the Liao women, and once she had accumulated sufficient political capital, use her identity as Empress of Western Xia to fully subdue the Western Xia women and become their leader.

After that, Yelu Nanxian would unite all Hu women in Zhao Yu's harem.

Later, through brief contact, Yelu Nanxian had already eliminated Yelu Beixian, Yelu Woluduo, and Yelu Noujin—three women who clearly could never become leaders of the Liao women. She assumed Xiao Sese was the leader of the Liao women, or at least could become one.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Puxian had appeared like a rogue interrupter, completely disrupting Yelu Nanxian's plans.

Crucially, Xiao Puxian followed a pro-Song path, aiming to fully assimilate Hu women into Han society—she could never become Yelu Nanxian's ally.

To be honest, this miscalculation left Yelu Nanxian frowning deeply.

Xiao Sese, like Yelu Nanxian, held deep affection for Liao.

Historically, Xiao Sese, facing the Jurchen armies advancing, the state in peril, and Yelu Yanxi indulging in hunting while neglecting state affairs and the people's suffering, and loyal ministers being dismissed, composed songs to admonish Yelu Yanxi, hoping he would block the advancement of corrupt officials, appoint virtuous ministers to aid the state, and inspire warriors to sacrifice for Liao, thereby rescuing the nation from crisis. Later, after being neglected, she placed her hopes on her son Yelu Ao, pouring her heart and soul into cultivating him into a benevolent, wise, and heroic talent capable of great responsibility, hoping her son would one day revive Liao.

Historically, Yelu Nanxian, married far away to Western Xia, still clung to Liao. Upon learning that the Jin had launched an offensive against Liao, she actively urged Li Qianshun to send troops to aid Liao, resulting in Western Xia launching multiple rescue missions that provided Liao with crucial support. She also successfully raised her son Li Ren'ai to be a Western Xia crown prince who deeply loved Liao. When news of Liao's fall reached her, she was heartbroken; and when Li Ren'ai died of grief and rage over Liao's destruction, she chose to starve herself to death, expressing her loyalty to Liao and mourning its demise.

From Liao's perspective, both Xiao Sese and Yelu Nanxian were exemplary daughters nurtured by their homeland.

Based on this bond of mutual sympathy, Xiao Sese spoke openly and fully to Yelu Nanxian.

Xiao Sese also advised Yelu Nanxian: "If you wish to succeed here, you must have one person's support."

Yelu Nanxian asked: "The Song Zhu?"

Xiao Sese nodded: "If you could gather three thousand favors upon yourself, even as a Khitan, you could ascend to the inner palace, sit firmly upon the phoenix throne, command the Song chancellor with a single word, and shake the Song court with a single smile. You could demand Jin Bo and the treasury would open; you could order troops and the imperial tally would arrive instantly. Then, with a whisper in the bedchamber, a secret word in the curtain, you could secure blessings for our great Liao and resolve its crises. When Liao's fortune revives, you will be the foremost contributor."

Yelu Nanxian knew Xiao Sese was joking.

Yes.

If Yelu Nanxian truly could make Zhao Yu favor her alone, as Li Zhi favored Wu Zetian or Emperor Zhenzong favored Liu E, she could indeed command wind and rain in the Song dynasty.

But the problem was, Zhao Yu clearly was not such a devoted emperor—otherwise, he would not have practiced equal distribution of favors and fathered dozens of children.

Moreover, Yelu Nanxian had some self-awareness: in appearance, talent, and ability, she was not among the top tier; even compared to Xiao Sese, her appearance was slightly inferior; in truth, her looks were roughly equal to those of the three Khitan princesses—Yelu Beixian, Yelu Woluduo, and Yelu Noujin—and she was not even the most beautiful among them.

Even Xiao Sese and the others were merely ordinary playthings to Zhao Yu; for Yelu Nanxian to win Zhao Yu's exclusive favor was nearly impossible.

Yet although the likelihood of Yelu Nanxian securing Zhao Yu's exclusive favor was slim, from Xiao Sese's words, she gained one crucial insight: to achieve anything in the Song dynasty, Zhao Yu's attitude was paramount.

In other words, if Yelu Nanxian could gain Zhao Yu's full support and make him obey her every word, nothing would be impossible for her in the Song dynasty—and helping Liao would be as easy as Zhang Fei eating bean sprouts.

After seeing Xiao Sese off, Yelu Nanxian thought: 'With my status as a virgin empress, gaining Zhao Yu's favor should not be difficult—but how can I make him obey me utterly?'

After much thought, Yelu Nanxian decided she must first bear Zhao Yu a son. As a Khitan royal daughter and Empress of Western Xia, Yelu Nanxian knew well: for an emperor's consort, nothing mattered more than bearing the emperor a son. Had she borne Li Qianshun a son, he would never have treated her this way, and she would long ago have become leader of the Western Xia women.

…

After finishing discussions with Zhang Dun, Cai Bian, and Su Shi on the unified grain tax and land tax reform, Zhao Yu noticed the sky was already pitch black.

The female officials and palace attendants waiting in the western warm pavilion, knowing Zhao Yu had concluded his meeting with the chancellors, all came forward to serve.

Meanwhile, the eunuchs and personal guards attending Zhao Yu also prepared to escort him back to the palace.

Zhao Yu wasted no words: "Return to the palace."

Then Zhao Yu headed toward the inner harem.

On the way, the night duty consort-officer Guo Wei asked Zhao Yu: "Your Majesty, where shall you rest tonight?"

Zhao Yu thought: 'Should I sample Yelu Nanxian's flavor? Or return to the newly acquired Khotan princess Aina for another taste of foreign charm? Or visit Guo Ting and summon Wei Shi again to try the Twin Towers?'—when suddenly he remembered he had not visited the Five Consorts in some time, and turned his steps toward them, saying to Guo Wei: "Tell all five consorts to go to Imperial Consort Zhang's quarters."

Guo Wei immediately understood: Zhao Yu intended to thoroughly overwhelm Zhang Chun, Li Lin, Ye Shi Yun, Ma Xiao Jiao, and Yuan Qing Cheng tonight.

Guo Wei promptly assigned five palace attendants to ride rickshaws and notify the five women to prepare.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yu, accompanied by others, slowly walked toward Zhang Chun's residence.

Just before reaching Zhang Chun's quarters, Zhao Yu suddenly heard, from a distance, drunken recitation of poetry, mixed with the clatter of dice and porcelain plates.

"Spring comes, the Long Gate grass turns green. A few plum blossoms break, not yet evenly open. Green clouds grind jade into dust, preserving morning dreams, shattering one bowl of spring. Flower shadows press heavy gates, thin curtains spread pale moonlight—what a lovely dusk. Two years, three times I've missed the spring god—yet now I return, determined to cherish this spring…"

Zhao Yu halted on the spot.

He couldn't help but stop, for this poem depicted Chen Ajiao's lament after being neglected during the reign of Han Wu Di—it was clearly aimed at him.

Zhao Yu asked those around him: "Who dares be so bold?"

Wang Chuchu replied: "It must be Li Zhaoyi composing poetry."

When Zhao Yu heard it was Li Qingzhao, he immediately found it reasonable.

After recalling carefully, Zhao Yu realized he hadn't visited Li Qingzhao for over a year—no wonder she wrote poetry to curse him.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Yu told Guo Wei: "Go inform the five concubines to disperse; tell them I'll visit them tomorrow, but today I have matters."

Whose card to flip depended entirely on Zhao Yu's mood; it was normal for him to stand up the five of Zhang Chun, and even normal for him to stand up Zheng Xiansu. Of course, Zhao Yu rarely stood up Zheng Xiansu; as for Zhang Chun and the other five, since they had been visited most often, they were also stood up most often—they likely were used to it by now.

So Guo Wei said nothing and sent five palace attendants to inform Zhang Chun and the other five not to wait for Zhao Yu.

Then Zhao Yu turned and walked toward Li Qingzhao's quarters.

Soon, Zhao Yu arrived at Li Qingzhao's quarters.

Li Qingzhao's maids, seeing Zhao Yu arrive, all looked delighted and moved to notify Li Qingzhao to come out and receive him, but Zhao Yu stopped them.

Zhao Yu walked alone into Li Qingzhao's chamber.

There, Li Qingzhao lay slumped on a soft couch, hair disheveled, clutching a wine jar, gambling tools scattered before her; on the desk, a sheet of paper was smeared with ink, half-written verses blurred by wine stains.

Though Zhao Yu didn't mind whether women wore makeup—even preferred them without—it was still expected that women be neat and tidy; Li Qingzhao's disheveled hair and flushed face were, frankly, off-putting.

This made Zhao Yu regret sending Zhang Chun and the other five away.

At that moment, a die suddenly flew out and landed with a pata sound at Zhao Yu's boot.

Li Qingzhao squinted up, smiling drunkenly: "This gentleman is handsome—looks just like my lord. Would you care to gamble with me?"

Saying this, Li Qingzhao rose unsteadily and shuffled toward Zhao Yu.

When she reached Zhao Yu, her legs gave way and she collapsed straight into his arms.

Zhao Yu quickly caught Li Qingzhao.

But she refused his help, shoving him away at once and shouting: "Bold rogue! I am a royal consort; my lord is Emperor of Great Song! How dare you disrespect me? I'll have my lord execute your entire family!"

Zhao Yu, smelling the mingled scent of wine and ink on her, was both angry and amused: "I'm disrespecting you—what can you do about it?!"

As he spoke, Zhao Yu pulled Li Qingzhao into his arms.

Li Qingzhao panicked, screaming: "Someone! Protect the Emperor! Seize this rogue!"

But no matter how loudly she screamed, no one came.

Zhao Yu wanted to know if she was truly this virtuous—he seized her waist with both hands, lifted her off the ground, and said with a wicked grin: "You can scream until your throat breaks—no one will come to save you. Accept your fate."

As he spoke, Zhao Yu carried the struggling, still shouting Li Qingzhao into the inner chamber…

…

(End of Chapter)