Chapter 35: Target: Bear Zhao Yu

…

Zhang Chun never originally intended to manipulate Ma Xiao Jiao.

In fact, the path Zhang Chun pointed out to Ma Xiao Jiao was the very path Ma Xiao Jiao wanted to walk herself.

Unfortunately, Zheng Xiansu used development as an excuse, allowing Ma Xiao Jiao to seize the opportunity that belonged to Zhang Chun.

Although Zheng Xiansu's reasoning was plausible and seemed well-intentioned, after careful reflection, Zhang Chun suspected that her own intense desire to become a teaching palace maid had alerted Zheng Xiansu, who, skilled in palace intrigues, deliberately suppressed her.

The cat was already out of the bag, and the opponent was Zheng Xiansu—a wife with meticulous thought and formidable tactics. Zhang Chun believed that if she did not wish to be perpetually targeted and find every step forward agonizing, she could no longer act rashly.

Therefore, before she could dispel Zheng Xiansu's vigilance or fully conquer Zhao Yu, Zhang Chun would not dare to make another move.

But then again, to pass up such a prime opportunity to gain the upper hand left Zhang Chun deeply unwilling.

Crucially, just now, while Zhao Yu spoke to Empress Dowager, Zhang Chun secretly overheard through Ma Xiao Jiao's modified earth telephone that Zhao Yu had begun visiting palace maids—and had already visited many.

Moreover, this time, Ma Xiao Jiao and three other teaching palace maids were assigned to instruct Zhao Yu in matters of intimacy.

With so many women having relations with Zhao Yu, it was hard to say that none of them might suddenly become pregnant—or even bear him a son.

Zheng Xiansu was highly capable, having secured her position as Empress; other women indeed found it difficult to displace her.

Yet historically, the only son Zheng Xiansu bore to Zhao Ji, Zhao Chan, died the very next day, leaving Zheng Xiansu childless for life.

If history repeated itself, Zhao Yu would have no legitimate son.

If things truly unfolded this way, according to the inheritance system established since the Western Zhou—"prefer legitimate over illegitimate, prefer eldest over most capable"—Zhao Yu's first son, even if illegitimate, would very likely become the future Crown Prince, inherit Zhao Yu's throne after his death, and the woman who bore him would almost certainly rise to Empress through her son's status, then later Empress Dowager, or at the very least, first become Noble Consort, eventually Empress Dowager.

What a magnificent opportunity!!!

Zhang Chun truly wanted it.

Unfortunately, fate played tricks.

Ironically, the opportunity Zhang Chun could only long for but never attain, Ma Xiao Jiao could grasp effortlessly.

Zhang Chun had known Ma Xiao Jiao for years; she knew well that Ma Xiao Jiao was a simple woman, devoid of ambition, seeking only a peaceful life, and utterly unwilling to compete for power.

So Zhang Chun thought of the relationship between Empress Dowager Cixi and Empress Dowager Ci'an.

"If Xiao Jiao bears Zhao Yu's first illegitimate son, I can accept being Cixi."

After hearing Zhang Chun's words, Ma Xiao Jiao bit her lower lip and remained silent for a long time.

Zhang Chun swore by heaven that she indeed had selfish motives, but everything she told Ma Xiao Jiao was true, without a single exaggeration.

In Zhang Chun's view, though she intended to use Ma Xiao Jiao, she truly meant well by her.

Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao lost and indecisive, Zhang Chun spoke earnestly: "Let me be frank—I will marry Zhao Yu eventually. This isn't just your fate; it's mine too. Li Lin, Shi Yun, and Qing Cheng won't escape it either. The only difference is who goes first."

Zhang Chun's claim that she too would marry Zhao Yu, Ma Xiao Jiao believed, because Zhang Chun had once eagerly vied for the position of teaching palace maid.

Ma Xiao Jiao thought: "If Sister Chun understands history and politics so well, and still chooses this path, then this path must be a good one…"

…

Zhao Yu had already exchanged marriage contracts with Zheng Xiansu, Wang Yisu, and Guo Ting; they were his betrothed wives—officially engaged but not yet married—what Zhao Yu called in his past life "fiancées."

This was protected by the laws of this era and could not be easily broken.

Thus, once the remaining formalities were completed and they officially entered the household, Zheng Xiansu, Wang Yisu, and Guo Ting would become Zhao Yu's true wives, mistresses of Wang Fu.

According to the customs of this era, Zhao Yu should no longer meet Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu at this point.

But Zhao Yu paid no heed to such customs; Empress Dowager indulged him, so every time Zhao Yu visited Ci Xiao Degong, Empress Dowager still had Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu serve him.

Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu felt this arrangement was somewhat improper.

Crucially, Zhao Yu was unrestrained—he seized every chance to take liberties with Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu.

This made Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu genuinely wary of being alone with Zhao Yu—they were not afraid he would deny his actions after, but feared the damage to their reputations.

As for why Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu had such confidence in Zhao Yu and feared only appearances, it was because Zhao Yu had given them ample reason to believe.

How to describe it?

Zhao Yu treated them not as outsiders, but directly as his wives.

Take this instance.

Zhao Yu told Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu: "I brought several crates of jasmine-scented soap not yet on the market. Distribute them freely—don't be stingy."

Zhao Yu then produced a brocade pouch and handed it to Zheng Xiansu.

As soon as she took it, Zheng Xiansu felt its weight—it seemed small, yet weighed nearly ten catties.

Zheng Xiansu was astonished: "What is this? Why so heavy?"

Zhao Yu said: "I prepared some gold beans for you two. Use them to reward, bribe, or cultivate connections as needed."

Though Zhao Yu did not explicitly state what he intended to buy, given his recent generosity, his open-handedness, his willingness to bestow favors upon palace consorts, maids, eunuchs, and close attendants without hesitation, and his constant visits to Ci Xiao Degong or Zhao Xu's quarters, clever women like Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu could not fail to understand what Zhao Yu sought to purchase.

As for why Zhao Yu did not say it outright, first, such matters could not be spoken of plainly. More crucially, Zhao Yu knew Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu—especially the former—were sharp, perceptive, and adept at reading intentions. Thus, he need not spell it out; they would surely act precisely as he wished and satisfy him.

Moreover, if Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu lacked even this much insight, Zhao Yu would have no reason to marry them—they could never make a proper Empress or Noble Consort.

And Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu did not ask why Zhao Yu spent so much to buy a good reputation; being clever, they knew precisely what to ask and what to leave unsaid.

After a warm exchange with Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu, Zhao Yu took his leave of Empress Dowager, who had just woken from her nap, and prepared to cross the Imperial Garden to find Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu, who were gathering the four teaching palace maids.

But as soon as he entered the Imperial Garden, Zhao Yu faced Zhang Chun directly.

With his eyes closed, Zhao Yu could guess that Zhang Chun was waiting for him.

Zhang Chun stepped forward and bowed gracefully: "Your servant, Lady Zhang, pays homage to Your Highness."

Including the recent Xixia envoys' apology, all three events Zhang Chun "predicted" had come true.

Zhao Yu had once said: "If these three events you foretold come to pass, I will believe your words."

Now Zhang Chun had won. Zhao Yu decided to play along, lowering his voice: "You won. I keep my word—I shall henceforth regard the Prince of Duan as my greatest enemy."

He paused, then added: "I also said that if your predictions came true, I would reward you generously. Do you wish me to appoint you as my advisor, or shall I make you a Consort when I ascend the throne?"

…

(End of Chapter)