Chapter 22: Zhao Yu: I Gave You the Chance, But You Blew It

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Zhao Yu knew Zhang Chun’s ultimate goal was to become Empress Dowager.

To become Empress Dowager, one must first become Empress.

To become Empress, one must first become the woman of Zhao Yu, the man most likely to ascend the throne.

This was inevitable.

Thus, Zhao Yu had deliberately created an opportunity for Zhang Chun to slip into his arms.

At this moment, if Zhang Chun merely continued playing the mystic and uttered something like, “Because fate has destined us to be together,” Zhao Yu would readily respond, “I feel the same,” and they would successfully connect, achieving mutual gain.

If Zhang Chun had the courage to say, “Because fate has destined me to be your Empress,” Zhao Yu, though unable to grant her wish, would still hold her in higher regard.

Instead, after struggling for a long time, Zhang Chun blurted out: “This servant has her reasons; I beg Your Highness not to ask.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Zhang Chun wanted to slap herself: “What nonsense have I just said?! Such a perfect opportunity—I could’ve said, ‘Our union is ordained by heaven,’ and saved myself countless detours!”

Immediately, Zhang Chun hoped Zhao Yu would press her for the reason, giving her another chance.

But Zhao Yu, who only wanted Zhang Chun and the other four women to walk into his trap without stooping to become a “sycophant,” bluntly changed the subject: “Since you won’t tell me, I won’t ask. By the way, did you invent the soap-making method you gave me?”

Zhang Chun wanted to spit blood: “You won’t ask just because I said not to? Don’t you have any curiosity? Any pride? Ask one more time—just once! If you ask again, I’ll open my heart to you!”

But opportunity lost is lost forever; Zhao Yu said he wouldn’t ask, and he meant it.

Helpless, Zhang Chun muttered: “This was developed by my junior sister. She excels in mechanical arts and is naturally gifted with skilled hands, capable of crafting many wondrous objects.”

Zhang Chun had considered claiming the invention as her own.

But the expertise required was too specialized—if Zhao Yu asked even a few technical questions, her shallow knowledge would expose her, costing her Zhao Yu’s trust and possibly angering Ma Xiao Jiao—far too great a risk.

So she had made Ma Xiao Jiao her junior sister, elevating herself by elevating Ma Xiao Jiao.

Zhao Yu thought: “Lying without even preparing a script. Fine, fine—I’ll see how I deal with you later.”

But aloud he said: “When I return to my mansion, I’ll have skilled artisans craft the soap. If it succeeds, all is well; if it fails, I’ll need your junior sister’s help.”

“This servant and my junior sister stand ready at all times,” Zhang Chun replied eagerly.

“You rushed to meet me not only to warn me that His Majesty’s days are numbered and that I should prepare—but is there anything else?” Zhao Yu asked.

“Yes. Though Your Highness is the True Dragon, that does not mean you face no threat to your ascension. According to my divinations, Prince Duan is a False Dragon; if he disrupts the Heavenly Mandate, he may transform into a Malevolent Dragon and seize Your Highness’s throne—then the Zhao clan and all under heaven are doomed.” Zhang Chun used the guise of divine prophecy to warn Zhao Yu about Zhao Ji.

Zhao Yu thought: “Not bad. Though full of nonsense, at least she’s pointed me toward my enemy—she’s done her part.”

“So Prince Duan will be my greatest rival in becoming Emperor?” Zhao Yu asked, Mingzhiguwen .

“Precisely. Your Highness must be vigilant,” Zhang Chun warned.

“If what you’ve just said comes true, I’ll believe you,” Zhao Yu said bluntly.

“It will come true,” Zhang Chun said confidently.

“If it does, I will not withhold rewards,” Zhao Yu promised.

Zhao Yu’s upper-class mentality irked Zhang Chun. She had hoped he would treat her as an equal—like Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, as a strategist.

But reality made that impossible.

Not even Zhao Yu, let alone herself, dared call herself anything but “this servant” before Zhao Yu.

This sealed their unequal relationship.

“In this patriarchal feudal age, equality between men and women? I was dreaming.”

“I’ll bide my time for a few years—until I climb step by step to the highest throne of Empress Dowager. Then let’s see who dares ride over me!”

After mentally cheering herself on, Zhang Chun bowed gracefully: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

In stark contrast to Zhang Chun’s irritation, Zhao Yu was ecstatic.

In his past life, even if he had spent ninety-nine luxury gifts on Zhang Chun, she would never have bowed before him, let alone rushed to approach and flatter him like this.

Zhao Yu, who never intended to reveal he was a reincarnator, now had even less reason to let Zhang Chun and the other four women know he was one too.

Zhang Chun voluntarily handed Zhao Yu another list: “This servant has prepared five loyal ministers and five capable ministers to assist Your Highness, so you may clear obstacles and ascend the throne.”

Zhao Yu unfolded it and saw that Zong Ze headed the five loyal ministers, and Cai Jing headed the five capable ministers.

Further down, Zhang Shuye and Tong Guan were also on the list.

Clearly, Zhang Chun’s list held immense value—if Zhao Yu appointed these ten men, he wouldn’t just seize the throne, but could govern the Zhao Song dynasty with twice the efficiency.

Yet Zhao Yu still nitpicked: “My great Song has only ten usable men?”

Zhang Chun thought: “I’ve told you this much—how am I supposed to keep playing this game? Hmph! If I weren’t afraid you’d lose to Zhao Ji, I wouldn’t have given you even these ten.”

But aloud she said: “This servant has only divined these ten loyal ministers so far; I beg Your Highness’s pardon.”

Though Zhang Chun had withheld much, Zhao Yu still returned the favor by removing his personal jade pendant and Yang Jian’s token and handing them to her: “If you need anything, seek help from Zheng Yaban or Wang Yisu—they will see to your needs as if they were mine.”

—Zhao Yu had Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu watch over Zhang Chun and the other four women mainly because he feared their ingrained love of freedom and equality might cause trouble; if even one of them were beaten to death, it wouldn’t just be Zhao Yu’s loss—it would be the world’s loss.

Seeing Zhao Yu thoughtfully connected her to Zheng Xiansu, Wang Yisu, and even Yang Jian, and had secured her a patron in Cide Palace, Zhang Chun thought: “You’ve got some conscience after all—not all my efforts for you were wasted.”

After bowing again in thanks, Zhao Yu asked: “Do you have anything else to report?”

Zhang Chun realized Zhao Yu was ready to leave.

That wouldn’t do.

I haven’t secured the position of palace instructor yet.

But how can a maiden of pure virtue possibly say such a shameful thing aloud?

So Zhang Chun hesitated, words caught in her throat.

Zhao Yu had patience to wait, but the palace gates were closing.

Seeing Zhang Chun couldn’t speak, Zhao Yu said: “Then speak next time—or if it’s urgent, consult Zheng Yaban or Wang Yisu—they can handle it.”

Zhang Chun’s eyes lit up: “Ha! With those words, I can go straight to Empress Xiansu and Imperial Consort Yisu and demand the instructor position—this is perfectly solved!”

After seeing Zhao Yu off, Zhang Chun returned to Cide Palace in high spirits to boast her triumph to Li Lin and the other three women…

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(End of Chapter)