Chapter 35: Target: Bear Zhao Yu

…

Zhang Chun never intended to manipulate Ma Xiao Jiao.

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

Yet Zheng Xiansu used her development as an excuse, granting Ma Xiao Jiao the opportunity that belonged to Zhang Chun.

Though Zheng Xiansu’s reasoning seemed reasonable and well-intentioned, after careful reflection, Zhang Chun suspected that her own eagerness to become a teaching palace maid had alerted Zheng Xiansu, who, skilled in palace intrigues, subtly suppressed her.

The cat was already out of the bag, and the opponent was Zheng Xiansu—a woman of meticulous thought and formidable tactics. Zhang Chun knew that if she wished to avoid being constantly targeted and struggling at every step in the future, she could no longer act rashly.

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

But then again, to let go of such a prime opportunity to gain the upper hand was truly unbearable for Zhang Chun.

Crucially, just now, while Zhao Yu spoke with Empress Dowager Xiang, Zhang Chun 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 inevitable that one of them might suddenly become pregnant—and even bear him a son.

Zheng Xiansu was indeed powerful, having secured her position as Empress; other women found it nearly impossible to displace her.

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

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

If this came to pass, 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 Empress Dowager, or at the very least, first become Imperial Consort, later Empress Dowager.

What a perfect opportunity!!!

Zhang Chun truly wanted it.

Yet fate played cruel tricks.

Ironically, the opportunity Zhang Chun could only dream of, 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, content with 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 acted in Ma Xiao Jiao’s best interest.

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, Ye Shi Yun, and Yuan 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—after all, Zhang Chun had once fought fiercely to become a 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—legally bound 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 his household, Zheng Xiansu, Wang Yisu, and Guo Ting would become Zhao Yu’s true wives, mistresses of the Shen Prince’s mansion.

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

But Zhao Yu paid no heed to such rules, and Empress Dowager Xiang indulged him, so every time Zhao Yu visited Cide Palace, Empress Dowager Xiang still had Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu serve him.

Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu felt this was inappropriate.

Worse, 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—not because they feared he’d deny his actions, but because they feared the scandal.

As for why Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu had such confidence in Zhao Yu and feared only appearances, not betrayal—it was because Zhao Yu had given them ample reason to trust him.

How to describe it?

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

Take this instance.

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

Zhao Yu then handed Zheng Xiansu a brocade pouch.

The moment 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’ve prepared some gold beans for you two. Use them to reward, bribe, or build alliances as needed.”

Though Zhao Yu did not specify what he sought to buy, given his recent generosity—his open-handedness toward palace consorts, maids, eunuchs, and close attendants, his willingness to spend lavishly without hesitation—and his frequent visits to Cide Palace or Zhao Xu’s quarters, clever women like Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu had no trouble deducing his intent.

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

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

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

After a warm exchange with Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu, Zhao Yu took his leave from Empress Dowager Xiang, 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 he entered the Imperial Garden, Zhao Yu met Zhang Chun face to face.

With a single thought, Zhao Yu guessed Zhang Chun was waiting for him.

Zhang Chun stepped forward and bowed gracefully: “Your servant Zhang Shi bows before Your Highness.”

Including the recent Xixia envoys coming to apologize, all three events Zhang Chun “predicted” had come true.

Zhao Yu had once said: “If these events you foretold come to pass, I shall believe your words.”

Now Zhang Chun had won. Zhao Yu decided to play along, lowering his voice: “You’ve 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 proved true, I would reward you generously. Do you wish me to appoint you as my advisor, or to make you a Consort when I ascend the throne?”

…

(End of Chapter)