Chapter 36: My First Kiss Is Gone

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"Mandarins don't get rewards—people are respectfully hired! Don't you understand history? Do you even have culture? Do you know what 'courteously seeking virtuous men' means?"

Zhang Chun silently scolded Zhao Yu for disrespecting her.

But then again, Zhang Chun understood: given her current appearance and status as an underdeveloped little palace maid, Zhao Yu was already being courteous in even paying attention to her and believing her words—let alone offering her two choices, both of which could launch her to great heights: advisor and imperial concubine.

As for equality?

In this rigidly hierarchical feudal society, equality never existed—especially deep within this treacherous, power-struggling palace, where it was a luxury beyond reach.

Thus, Zhang Chun, fully aware of all this, though harboring minor grievances, quickly adjusted her mindset, silently warning herself not to dwell on it—this opportunity was once-in-a-lifetime, and she must seize it.

Yet at the same time, Zhang Chun—who had just been urging Ma Xiao Jiao to accept her fate—now felt deeply resentful herself:

"We five were reincarnated into a male-dominated Song Dynasty—that was already unlucky enough. And now we've become lowly palace maids? Utterly terrible!"

"If only I'd been reincarnated as Liu Qingjing, with Zhao Xu's favor for her, I could've accomplished something."

"Even being reincarnated as Empress Zhu, wife of Emperor Qincheng, would've been fine—she's old, yes, but if I played it right, I could make Zhao Si emperor and become Empress Dowager myself, ruling from behind the curtain."

"The Empress Dowager Xiang… forget her—she's got barely a year left. Even if she reaches the peak of power in this era, the time's too short."

"Alternatively, let me reincarnate as a man—I could achieve greatness, maybe even have three palaces, six courtyards, seventy-two concubines, three thousand beauties in the harem…"

Zhang Chun stole a glance at Zhao Yu.

Honestly, Zhang Chun was deeply jealous of Zhao Yu—just because of his noble birth, all of them reincarnated ones had to scramble to offer themselves.

The only consolation was that Zhao Yu was good-looking, decent, and crucially, had a chance to replace Zhao Ji as emperor.

"Sigh… endure a few years. Emperor Yingzong died at 35, Emperor Shenzong at 37, Emperor Zhezong at 24—during this period, Northern Song emperors all had short lives."

"Zhao Yu historically lived to 44, and without the Jingkang Humiliation, he'd have lived longer—but that's because he never became emperor."

"If he becomes emperor, with internal strife, external threats, countless concubines wearing him down, plus cultivation and pill-taking, he might die in his twenties."

"Once he dies, my good days will begin—wahahaha…"

After self-reassuring herself, Zhang Chun lifted her head, gazing at Zhao Yu with firm resolve, her voice trembling slightly, shy yet full of anticipation: "I… I am deeply honored by Your Highness's kindness. I choose the latter—to serve at Your Highness's side."

Having previously suffered from shyness and nervousness, Zhang Chun had painfully reflected and practiced secretly for a long time—this time, she finally spoke the words she'd long wanted to say: offering herself as his bed companion.

As soon as the words left her lips, her heart began pounding wildly—thump-thump-thump…

"From now on, this man will be my first man across both lifetimes, won't he?"

"For the sake of my dream to rule the empire, is such a great sacrifice worth it?"

"No—I must not doubt myself. The cosmos brought me here for a reason: to accomplish something. How could I retreat?"

"History endlessly repeats itself; I've read countless historical records, analyzed countless events, and now understand their inevitable patterns. The path I walk is undoubtedly the optimal shortcut—there can be no mistake!!!"

Hearing Zhang Chun's choice, Zhao Yu regarded her with a meaningful gaze, a faint, elusive smile lingering on his lips.

Zhang Chun was not unintelligent—especially regarding history and politics.

But before Zhao Yu, Zhang Chun was like playing her cards face-up.

Worse, precisely because she understood history so well, her thinking was rigidly bound by historical patterns—and Zhao Yu, who also knew history well, could easily discern her thought process.

For instance, right now, Zhao Yu clearly understood: Zhang Chun chose imperial concubine over advisor precisely because of her lifelong dream of becoming Empress Dowager:

"I remember her saying: If I ever had the chance to reincarnate into ancient times, I'd emulate those powerful Empress Dowagers—using heaven and earth as a chessboard, all living beings as pawns—reforming domestic politics, expanding territory abroad, and securing eternal fame…"

"She wants to become Empress Dowager: Step one, become my woman; step two, help me become emperor—these two steps are interchangeable; step three, bear me a son; step four, challenge Empress Xiansu for the empress title or emulate Wu Zetian and manipulate court affairs through me; step five, find a way to make her son crown prince; step six, kill me…"

"Hmm… let me think—how many steps can I tolerate from her?"

Meanwhile, Zhao Yu said aloud: "It seems you have great faith in me."

Zhang Chun lowered her voice: "Your Highness is the Purple Star incarnate, destined by heaven."

Zhao Yu also lowered his voice: "If the great undertaking succeeds, I will not break my word to you."

Zhang Chun longed to hear Zhao Yu directly promise her the position of empress—but she knew she couldn't be greedy now; otherwise, she'd earn his dislike, lose everything, and possibly face death.

Seizing the moment while Zhao Yu was in good spirits, Zhang Chun made a request: "I have foreseen that the Empress Dowager will play a crucial role in this matter. I humbly request to be assigned to the Empress Dowager's side to act on Your Highness's behalf."

"For the time being, the Empress Dowager Xiang is indeed important. Placing Zhang Chun beside her to influence her is a good move."

"But historically, Empress Dowager Xiang also ruled from behind the curtain for a period—meaning, in the future, she may become the most powerful person in the Zhao Song dynasty."

"Could Zhang Chun be planning to use that time to manipulate affairs through Empress Dowager Xiang?"

Yet Zhao Yu reconsidered: "Before my ascension, Empress Xiansu and Noble Consort Yisu will watch over her; after my ascension, what does she have to fear? Besides, letting Empress Dowager Xiang teach this reckless little girl a lesson isn't a bad idea."

With this thought, Zhao Yu agreed immediately: "I'll speak to Zheng Yaban and arrange for you to serve at the Empress Dowager's side."

Seeing Zhao Yu agree, Zhang Chun felt a wave of relief: "Finally, I have a chance to do something real."

To be honest, since arriving, she and the other four had been trapped in Cide Palace, unable to do anything—leaving Zhang Chun deeply frustrated.

Not just Zhang Chun—Li Lin, Ye Shi Yun, Ma Xiao Jiao, and Yuan Qing Cheng felt the same, especially under their poor diet and sleep conditions.

Thus, all five women desperately wanted to change their situation.

Yet, as Zhang Chun had previously judged, in this rigidly hierarchical, rule-bound Cide Palace, even with all their talents, they could do nothing.

Now, finally, Zhang Chun had managed to get near the most powerful woman of this era—and could truly unleash her abilities.

Zhang Chun beamed as she bowed: "Thank you, Your Highness."

Suddenly!

As Zhang Chun was bowing, she noticed a pair of large feet appearing before her.

She quickly looked up.

There, Zhao Yu—who had been some distance away moments ago—now stood directly before her.

Zhang Chun panicked, wanting to demand: "What are you doing?"

But before she could speak, Zhao Yu lifted her chin and kissed her, bewildered and unprepared.

Zhang Chun's mind went utterly blank!!!

Her final thought: "Oh no… my first kiss is gone…"

……

(Chapter ends)