Chapter 295

…

Yanfu Palace, Chengping Hall.

This was a remote palace that had remained unused since its construction.

Later, Wanyan Aguda presented Zhao Yu with over a hundred hot potatoes—those Liao beauties—and Zhao Yu didn't know whether to accept or refuse them, so he housed them all in Chengping Hall.

Zhao Yu originally planned that, after some time, once he broke ties with the Jin and turned to aid the Liao, he would return these Liao beauties to the Liao, gaining some favor—and ideally, some tangible benefits.

But before Zhao Yu could even send word to Yelu Yanxi's court hinting that he had not touched these Liao beauties, urging them to strive harder so he might return them later and they could remain good friends, Yelu Yanxi had already executed or driven into rebellion those Liao subjects who sought to reclaim these beauties.

As a result, these once-significant Liao beauties instantly became insignificant.

Worse, judging by Yelu Yanxi's intentions, he no longer wanted these Liao beauties at all—not even his two stepmothers, his low-ranking concubines, his aunts-in-law, his sisters-in-law, or his younger brothers' wives.

This left these Liao beauties stranded in Zhao Yu's hands.

Of course, it wasn't as if none of these Liao beauties were wanted at all.

But those Liao men who desired one or a few of them dared not defy Yelu Yanxi, and their voices were too faint to reach Zhao Yu's ears.

Moreover, those Liao nobles too cowardly to even challenge Yelu Yanxi had, under these circumstances, become irrelevant themselves.

In short, these Liao beauties, who had once hoped to return home and reunite with their families, now had no hope at all; some had even lost their homes entirely, and if Zhao Yu did not take them in, they had no idea where to go.

Originally, these Liao beauties trapped within the Song imperial palace could never have known about these events in the Liao.

But don't forget, among these Liao beauties were Xiao Sese's own elder and younger sisters, and Xiao Puxianyu had intricate ties with some of these Liao beauties; furthermore, Zhao Yu's harem contained over a thousand concubines of Liao origin, all of whom maintained intricate ties with these Liao beauties.

Most crucially, Zhao Yu had never forbidden them from visiting or rekindling old connections.

Among Zhao Yu's concubines was also Xiao Puxianyu, a Liao-born concubine who assisted Zhao Yu in state affairs and was thus well-informed.

Moreover, Xiao Puxianyu and others deeply despised Yelu Yanxi and would never help him conceal his foolish deeds.

As a result, these Liao beauties gained a clear understanding of their situation.

Seeing this, some Liao beauties with strong self-preservation instincts began to consider staying in this place—free of war, still rich and luxurious—truly becoming Zhao Yu's concubines.

Thus, these "motivated" Liao beauties began to persuade, even manipulate, the other Liao beauties—especially those without homes—to stay, and subtly or openly hinted that high-status Liao-born concubines like Xiao Puxianyu, Xiao Sese, Yelu Nanxian, Yelu Ya, and the three Khitan princesses should intercede on their behalf, ideally securing them opportunities to serve Zhao Yu at night.

Under this atmosphere, the Liao beauties' inner states became delicate and complex: they were filled with despairing sorrow yet nurtured new hope, harboring uncertainty and anxiety about the future while also mingling longing and yearning for a new life; among themselves, there was both mutual warmth and hidden currents of calculation and rivalry.

Soon, these once-noble but now-fated Liao beauties began testing one another, forming alliances, and even secretly competing in various ways, striving to find their footing in this silent war—whispering conspiracies, exchanging glances, every subtle gesture concealing unseen intentions.

Their daily lives were no longer mere waiting and sighing, but filled with calculation and planning; those Liao beauties filled with hope began meticulously adorning themselves, aiming to present their most beautiful forms to welcome a possible turning of fate—some gently touching their refined makeup before bronze mirrors, whispering endless fantasies of the future; others leaning by windows, gazing at the distant, unreachable sky, their eyes shimmering with both determination and confusion.

Seeing each other's preparations, they exchanged smiles—a silent understanding and solidarity, as if finding a sliver of warmth and reliance in this foreign land.

The two dowager consorts left behind by Yelu Jun had been thirteen and fourteen when they entered the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace; soon after, Yelu Jun was framed by the treacherous chancellor Yelu Yixin and others, stripped of his title, imprisoned in Shangjing, and murdered in the eleventh month of that same year.

Later, Yelu Hongji awoke to the truth, rehabilitated Yelu Jun's reputation, posthumously honored him as the Zhao Huai Crown Prince, and thus these two women were also rehabilitated.

When Yelu Yanxi became Emperor, they became dowager consorts; their finest years had all been consumed by political struggles.

Now, as they neared old age, they suddenly had the possibility of a new man—and even the chance of bearing their own sons—filling them with deep longing.

—They already knew how potent Zhao Yu's fertility was, and after analysis, they were certain they had a real chance of being chosen by him, even multiple times.

They looked at each other; though no longer young, they still retained their allure, no less than ordinary young beauties.

Moreover, while others didn't know, they themselves were certain: one was nine-tenths virgin, the other entirely virgin—this would surely deliver Zhao Yu a great surprise.

Crucially, they were Yelu Yanxi's stepmothers—this would strike Zhao Yu with powerful impact.

This is the difference between a girl, a young wife, and a mature woman: the latter knows her advantages and how to leverage them to seize even the slimmest chance.

Similar in circumstance and mindset were Yelu Heluwa's widow and his two late-life favored concubines, and the young widow of the Liao Grand Uncle Huluwu—these young wives had heard of Zhao Yu's prowess and couldn't help but wish to experience a true man, and especially to bear their own children, particularly sons.

They were mature women, long past the shyness of girls, deeply versed in palace survival, knowing how to secure maximum advantage in this treacherous situation; they began subtly approaching Zhao Yu's favored concubines, especially Xiao Puxianyu, attempting to use her influence to win Zhao Yu's favor.

In short, they welcomed the storm that might change their fates with near-desperate longing; they even began taking initiative, no longer passively awaiting fate's mercy, but weaving intricate, delicate nets with their wisdom and charm, aiming to capture the heart of the man who could grant them rebirth and hope.

They also, as elders, subtly guided the younger Liao beauties, using gentle words and experienced counsel to persuade them to accept reality and seize the present opportunity.

Under this atmosphere, the Liao beauties in Chengping Hall gradually formed two factions: one group steadfastly seeking a return home, unwilling to abandon thoughts of their homeland; the other resolved to stay, using wisdom and beauty to fight for their own future.