Chapter 42: Rising Above

…

Morning.

Sunlight streamed through the window into Ma Xiao Jiao’s bedroom.

The room was in disarray.

The bed was askew, the couch overturned, and even Ma Xiao Jiao’s dressing table was a mess.

Ma Xiao Jiao’s undergarments lay half on the couch, half on the floor, the straps torn by force.

This showed just how desperate Zhao Yu had been.

Ma Xiao Jiao’s chemise had been tossed by Zhao Yu onto the candle lantern; luckily, Xi Duo had been quick-witted, tiptoeing over to snuff out the candle before it caused a fire.

On the bed, Ma Xiao Jiao’s slender body was wrapped in the quilt, curled like a kitten against Zhao Yu’s arm, nestled in his embrace as she slept.

Her face was streaked with tears—clearly, she had cried heavily last night.

Even in sleep, she clung to Zhao Yu, her long legs tightly wrapped around his thighs, as if afraid he might slip away.

Sunlight fell on Zhao Yu’s face; he slowly woke.

But seeing the tear tracks on Ma Xiao Jiao’s delicate face, Zhao Yu felt pity and did not move—he let her sleep longer, letting her rest after the suffering and Weiqu of last night.

To be honest, Zhao Yu hadn’t wanted to be so wild.

It was just that this woman, whom he had once only fantasized about, now half-resisted yet half-accepted him, making him lose control.

Worse, Ma Xiao Jiao was utterly inexperienced—both in bodily response and technique—she didn’t know how to refuse, dared not cry out in pain, and let Zhao Yu do as he pleased.

The outcome was inevitable…

Zhao Yu couldn’t resist and kissed her cheek.

Ma Xiao Jiao furrowed her beautiful brows and opened her eyes.

She glanced at Zhao Yu, her gaze tinged with resentment, and pouted.

She thought: “You little brat sure know your way around—how many women have you slept with to have such experience? I got the short end of the stick…”

But then Ma Xiao Jiao tightened her arms around Zhao Yu’s waist, saying nothing—she only thought in her heart: “I’ve spent two lifetimes’ worth of golden pigs on you—so you’d better treat me well, or even as a ghost I won’t let you go.”

At the same time, Ma Xiao Jiao thought of Zhang Chun, Li Lin, Ye Shi Yun, Yuan Qing Cheng: “When I meet those four, what should I say? Should I tell the truth—that Zhao Yu, this native, barely lifted a finger, yet I, the reincarnated outsider, threw myself at him?”

“Awake?” Zhao Yu asked.

Ma Xiao Jiao didn’t answer Zhao Yu—she just held his waist tighter, silent.

Zhao Yu knew Ma Xiao Jiao was processing last night’s events and their new relationship—he quietly held her shoulders, not disturbing her as she came to terms with it herself.

Only when he needed to use the chamber pot did he try to pry her hands from his waist.

But Ma Xiao Jiao clung tighter, softly asking: “Where is His Majesty going?”

Zhao Yu reached under the bed, pulled out the chamber pot, and turned to ask Ma Xiao Jiao: “Want to watch?”

Ma Xiao Jiao immediately let go of Zhao Yu and covered her eyes with both hands.

Zhao Yu made no effort to hide—he urinated freely right before her eyes.

Ma Xiao Jiao blushed crimson, even her body turning red.

Zhao Yu hadn’t expected her body to change color—he marveled.

At the same time, he was curious what expression she wore now.

So he reached out to pull her hands away.

But Ma Xiao Jiao refused to let him see—she hid deeper into his arms.

“What have I not seen? Be good, let me look.”

“No…”

“Then let me kiss you.”

“N-no… mmmmm…”

Zhao Yu held Ma Xiao Jiao and kissed her again.

But this became the prelude to another round…

Seeing the battle reignited and she was no longer needed, Xi Duo tidied herself up and stepped outside.

As expected, a group of maids had gathered outside the door.

Seeing Xi Duo emerge, they immediately surrounded her.

One asked: “Xi Duo… sister, did His Majesty really spend the night at your mistress’s?”

Xi Duo opened the door a crack and boasted: “Listen—you’ve heard it four times already! Poor my lady, a virgin, yet granted such favor by His Majesty—and I’m too young to help her properly.”

Without waiting for further questions, Xi Duo continued boasting: “Do you know? Last night, His Majesty personally escorted my lady back, washed her himself, even lathered the soap for her—such honor! He told my lady she now oversees the workshops in the back courtyard and all the artisans inside—you know those places, right? That’s where soap is made, the very source of my lord’s greatest wealth…”

Xi Duo finally had her moment of triumph—she spoke nonstop, making the maids envious and jealous.

So absorbed and excited was she that by the time Zhao Yu had finished, she was still talking.

Exhausted, Ma Xiao Jiao could only get up herself to wash and dress Zhao Yu.

When Zhao Yu stepped out, he saw Xi Duo still enthusiastically telling the maids how favored Ma Xiao Jiao was.

Zhao Yu walked over.

Seeing Zhao Yu, the maids all bowed together: “Your Majesty!”

Xi Duo turned and saw Zhao Yu fully dressed—she realized she’d overstepped and hurriedly bowed: “Your Majesty, you’re up early, your humble servant… your humble servant…”

Zhao Yu had no interest in scolding a servant—he didn’t want to end up like Emperor Jiajing, nearly strangled in his sleep by palace maids—so he said: “Enough. Be more careful next time.”

Then he added: “Go to the kitchen and get my lady a bowl of lotus seed soup. Ask Chief Huang for supplies—your quarters are too plain.”

Xi Duo beamed and replied brightly: “Thank Your Majesty!”

Zhao Yu said: “Enough thanks—go back and attend to your mistress.”

Xi Duo replied: “Yes!”

After a pause, she gathered courage and asked: “Will His Majesty come to my mistress’s tonight?”

She looked at Zhao Yu with hopeful eyes.

Zhao Yu glanced at the surrounding maids—he understood Xi Duo was trying to elevate Ma Xiao Jiao’s status.

After all, though Ma Xiao Jiao now was smaller than the Da Le Jiao he remembered, his experience with her had been pleasant.

Moreover, he needed to strengthen his bond with Ma Xiao Jiao so she would serve him wholeheartedly.

So Zhao Yu replied without hesitation: “Yes.”

Hearing this, Xi Duo beamed at the maids like a victorious general.

The maids all stared longingly at Zhao Yu.

Knowing he must not favor one concubine or maid too much, Zhao Yu turned to the others: “There are candies and pastries on my bedside table—go share them. Remember: no one takes more than their share. Divide equally by headcount.”

The maids all beamed and thanked him…

…

In truth—

Zhao Yu didn’t want his life to be all women and domestic trivialities.

But Song Dynasty princes were bound hand and foot—barred from politics, from military service, even from commerce, lest they be accused of competing with commoners for profit.

Yet Zhao Yu wasn’t worried.

Because all imperial clansmen engaged in commerce—it wasn’t just his personal act.

Besides, he’d already given his first earnings to Zhao Xu—paid his protection fee—who could challenge him?

But then again, this was all he could do under the current constraints of his princely status—anything more would be overreaching.

So for now, Zhao Yu could only maintain this status quo and wait for time to break the deadlock.

During this time, Ma Xiao Jiao volunteered that she knew how to make glass and wished to help Zhao Yu build a glassworks.

Zhao Yu naturally gave full support and sent Huang Jingchen to the Weapons Supervision Office to recruit a large group of skilled artisans to help Ma Xiao Jiao build the glassworks.

By early October, the Song Dynasty faced a major political event—Zhao Mao, less than three months old, was named Crown Prince by Zhao Xu, and his mother Liu Qingjing was thus elevated to Empress.

Zhao Yu finally had his chance to make a move…

…

(End of Chapter)