Chapter 42: Bursting with Pride

…

Dawn.

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 underpants lay half on the couch, half on the floor, the straps torn off by force.

This showed just how desperate Zhao Yu had been.

Ma Xiao Jiao's undergarment had been tossed by Zhao Yu onto the candle lantern; fortunately, Xi Duo had been quick-witted, tiptoeing over to blow out the candle before it caused a fire.

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

Tears streaked Ma Xiao Jiao's face—clearly, she had cried a great deal the night before.

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

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

But seeing the tear tracks on Ma Xiao Jiao's lovely face, Zhao Yu found her pitiful and did not move—he let Ma Xiao Jiao, who had suffered so much and endured so much grievance the night before, sleep a little longer.

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

It was simply that this woman, whom Zhao Yu had once only fantasized about, now half-resisted yet half-accepted him, making him truly unable to control himself.

Crucially, Ma Xiao Jiao was a complete novice in every way—physically and in technique—she was clueless, didn't know how to refuse, dared not cry out in pain, and dared not make a sound, letting Zhao Yu do as he pleased.

The outcome was obvious…

Zhao Yu couldn't resist and kissed Ma Xiao Jiao's lovely face.

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

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

She thought: "You little brat sure know how to do this—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 inside: "I've spent two lifetimes' worth of golden pigs on you—you'd better treat me well, or I'll haunt you even as a ghost."

At the same time, Ma Xiao Jiao thought of Zhang Chun, Li Lin, Ye Shi Yun, Yuan Qing Cheng: "How do I explain this to them? Should I tell the truth—that this native didn't even try hard, yet I, the transplant, threw myself at him?"

"Awake?" Zhao Yu asked.

Ma Xiao Jiao didn't answer Zhao Yu—she just kept her arms wrapped around his waist, silent.

Zhao Yu knew Ma Xiao Jiao was processing what had happened last night and their new relationship—he quietly held her shoulders, not disturbing her as she guided herself through it.

Only when Zhao Yu needed to use the toilet did he try to pry her hands off his waist.

But to his surprise, Ma Xiao Jiao clung tighter and softly asked: "Where is His Majesty going?"

Zhao Yu reached under the bed and pulled out the chamber pot, then 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 and fully in front of Ma Xiao Jiao.

Ma Xiao Jiao turned beet red, even her body flushed crimson.

Zhao Yu hadn't expected Ma Xiao Jiao's body could change color—he clicked his tongue in wonder.

At the same time, Zhao Yu was curious what expression Ma Xiao Jiao had right now.

So he reached out to pull her hands away.

But Ma Xiao Jiao refused to let him see—she hid deeper into Zhao Yu's 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 for a while.

But this became the prelude to another round…

Seeing the battle reignite and not needing her for now, Xi Duo tidied herself up neatly and stepped outside.

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

Seeing Xi Duo emerge, the maids immediately surrounded her.

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

Xi Duo pulled the door open a crack and boasted: "Listen—you hear that? That's the fourth time already. Poor my mistress, a virgin, and already favored so greatly by His Majesty—I'm too young to help her."

Without waiting for further questions, Xi Duo launched into her own boasting: "Do you know? Last night, His Majesty personally escorted my mistress back, washed her himself, even lathered the soap for her—such unparalleled favor. His Majesty also told my mistress she now oversees the entire row of workshops and the artisans inside—you all know where that is, right? That's where soap is made, the very source of Wang Fu's greatest wealth…"

Xi Duo had finally had her moment of triumph, so she spoke nonstop, her words flowing like a river, leaving the maids envious and jealous.

So absorbed and excited was she that by the time Zhao Yu had finished on the other side, Xi Duo was still talking away.

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

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

Zhao Yu walked over.

Seeing Zhao Yu arrive, the maids all bowed together: "Your Majesty!"

Xi Duo turned and saw Zhao Yu already dressed—she realized she'd made a mistake and hurriedly bowed: "Your Majesty, you're up early, your humble servant… your humble servant…"

Zhao Yu had no intention of scolding a servant—he didn't want to end up like Emperor Jiajing Zhu Houcong, 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 your mistress a bowl of lotus seed soup, and ask Chief Huang for supplies—your quarters are too shabby."

Xi Duo beamed and replied brightly: "Thank Your Majesty for the gift!"

Zhao Yu said: "Enough thanks—go back and look after your mistress."

Xi Duo replied: "Yes!"

After hesitating, Xido summoned his courage and asked, "Will Your Highness come to my room tonight?"

After saying that, Kita looked at Zhao Yu with an expectant face.

Zhao Yu glanced at the maids around him and knew Xido wanted to elevate Ma Xiao Jiao's status.

How to put it? Though Ma Xiao Jiao was smaller than the Da Lei Jiao Zhao Yu remembered, his feelings toward her were still pleasant.

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

So Zhao Yu replied without hesitation, "I will."

Upon hearing this, Xido beamed at the other maids as if he had won a great victory.

The maids, in turn, all gazed longingly at Zhao Yu.

Seeing this, Zhao Yu—who knew he could not favor one concubine or maid too much—said to the others, "There are candies and pastries on my bedside table; go and divide them among yourselves. Remember, no one takes more than their share—equal portions for all."

The maids, upon hearing this, all beamed with joy and bowed in thanks…

……

In truth—

Zhao Yu did not want his life to be entirely filled with women and household trivialities.

Yet, during the Northern Song period, imperial princes were bound hand and foot—barred from politics, from military service, and even from commerce, lest they be accused of competing with the people for profit.

But Zhao Yu was not worried about this.

Because all imperial clansmen engaged in commerce; this was not merely Zhao Yu's personal act.

Moreover, Zhao Yu had already given his first earnings to Zhao Xu, paying the protection fee—who could dare challenge him?

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

Thus, 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 establish a glass factory.

Zhao Yu naturally gave full support and dispatched Huang Jingchen to the Armory Supervision to recruit a large group of skilled artisans to help Ma Xiao Jiao build the glass factory.

By early October, the Zhao Song dynasty witnessed 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 granted the title of Empress.

Zhao Yu finally received an opportunity to demonstrate himself…

……

(Chapter End)