Chapter 46: Stood Up

…

Through Li Lin and Yuan Qingcheng's account, Ma Xiao Jiao learned that Zhang Chun had been reduced to her original state by Empress Dowager Xiang, reverted to a mere palace attendant, and continued sweeping the Tiyhe Palace with the three of them.

In other words, as of now, apart from Ma Xiao Jiao, the others had made virtually no progress.

Upon hearing this, Ma Xiao Jiao immediately stood up:

"I may be useless, slept with a native, and became his concubine—but isn't that still better than you four, who've been here over two months and haven't even left the starter village?"

With this psychological advantage established, Ma Xiao Jiao immediately turned to comfort the four women: "Don't lose heart—at least Zhao Yu has already challenged Zhao Ji for the throne, which proves we're not completely useless."

Zhang Chun immediately embraced Ma Xiao Jiao and thanked her:

"Xiao Jiao, you're the only one who understands—without my schemes to ignite Zhao Yu's ambition and push him to challenge Zhao Ji, there'd be no such a favorable situation today. Unlike some people who've done nothing but criticize others, cling to their tiny mistakes, and completely ignore the enormous contributions others have made."

To Li Lin and Yuan Qingcheng, although Zhang Chun had too many petty schemes and recently caused another mess, she had indeed secured Zhao Yu—turning him from someone uninterested in challenging Zhao Ji into the first to launch a direct assault on the throne.

From this perspective, if Zhao Yu truly replaced Zhao Ji and became emperor, Zhang Chun deserved the greatest credit.

Thus, Li Lin and Yuan Qingcheng, who had done absolutely nothing, had no rebuttal and could only listen obediently.

Having finally regained the upper hand, Zhang Chun no longer remained silent as before; instead, she proactively asked Ma Xiao Jiao: "Xiao Jiao, you've spent so much time with Zhao Yu—what do you think of him? Is he fit to be emperor?"

Ma Xiao Jiao replied without hesitation: "Wise, strategic, magnanimous, skilled at recognizing talent, beloved by all, gentle, considerate, understanding, open-minded and unfeudal—in short, he's excellent in every way. I think he's perfect for emperor."

"He's just too promiscuous," Ma Xiao Jiao silently added in her mind.

"So, does this mean we chose correctly in picking Zhao Yu to replace Zhao Ji?" Li Lin asked.

"Definitely far superior to Zhao Ji," Ma Xiao Jiao swore.

Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao's confidence in Zhao Yu, Yuan Qingcheng said: "That's good—it at least confirms we haven't taken the wrong path."

Ye Shi Yun said: "All I care about now is when we can leave this hellhole and live a life of ease, with servants serving us food and clothes."

Here, Ye Shi Yun asked Ma Xiao Jiao: "Xiao Jiao, can you help us think of a way to get us to Zhao Yu's side? By the way, aren't you choosing maids? How about the four of us become your maids?"

Ma Xiao Jiao said: "I have no problem with that—but the issue is, you're not maids from Shen Wang Fu; you're maids from Cide Palace. That's hard to arrange, isn't it?"

Li Lin still had a broad perspective; she said:

"Don't put Xiao Jiao in a difficult position—we've survived over two months already; a little more waiting won't hurt. Let's just follow Empress Zheng Xiansu and Consort Wang Yisu together."

"Besides, staying here might help us influence Empress Dowager Xiang through Empress Zheng Xiansu and Consort Wang Yisu—or assist Empress Dowager Xiang in controlling the situation when the emperor changes."

"If Zhao Xu intends to name Zhao Ji or Zhao Si instead of Zhao Yu, I'll sacrifice myself to destroy him—no chance for Zhao Xu."

"Or if Empress Dowager Xiang changes her mind and still wants Zhao Ji as emperor, I'll find an opportunity to kill Zhao Ji."

"In short, staying here gives us the best chance to help Zhao Yu defeat Zhao Ji and become emperor."

After the reckless incident, when Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu needed to consult the four women, they no longer approached Zhang Chun, but instead turned to Li Lin—the one with elder-sister demeanor and decisive competence.

This made Li Lin the de facto new leader among them.

In fact, since childhood, Li Lin had always been loyal and generous, willing to suffer losses herself rather than let her friends suffer—and thus, whether in school or in the military, she was always the core of her group, as if born to be a big sister.

In their group photo from their previous life, Li Lin always stood in the center, even though the other four women were wealthier than her.

Zhang Chun, the homebound woman, always had to stand on the far right.

It galled Li Lin to submit under Zhang Chun's authority.

Yet, born into a military family, Li Lin had always aspired to be a female general, pouring all her skill points into military matters—history and politics were not her strengths; trapped in this era where she knew nothing, she could only be dominated by Zhang Chun.

Now, Li Lin had gradually adapted to this new environment, and Empress Zheng Xiansu had begun promoting her while suppressing the ambitious Zhang Chun—so naturally, Li Lin reclaimed her rightful position.

Li Lin actually harbored intentions to assassinate both Zhao Xu and Zhao Ji—even willing to die alongside them—how could anyone dare disobey this ruthless woman?

So when Li Lin spoke, the matter was settled.

Afterward, both sides exchanged information.

Mostly, Ma Xiao Jiao spoke about Zhao Yu, while the four women listened and analyzed.

When Zhang Chun heard Ma Xiao Jiao say that Zhao Yu had already gathered Huang Jingchen, Liang Shicheng, Li Yan, Tong Guan, and Wang Bin, and that Xiang Zonghui and Xiang Zongliang had recently been visiting Zhao Yu repeatedly, trying to recommend Grand Academician Cai Jing, she smiled faintly—because several of these people were among the Five Loyal Ministers and Five Capable Ministers she had recommended to Zhao Yu.

Zhang Chun thought: "Zhao Yu is far superior to that old witch Empress Dowager Xiang. Though a bit lustful, he listens to me—so the breakthrough must still come through Zhao Yu."

After exchanging information and promising Ye Shi Yun she'd send Xiduo again with delicacies, Ma Xiao Jiao left.

Unexpectedly, just as Ma Xiao Jiao was about to return to the front courtyard, Zhang Chun caught up with her: "Xiao Jiao, wait for me."

Hearing Zhang Chun's voice, Ma Xiao Jiao turned and asked: "Sister Chun, do you have something else?"

"Did you sleep with Zhao Yu?" Zhang Chun asked bluntly.

"N-no such thing, Sister Chun, don't say that!" Ma Xiao Jiao denied vehemently.

"You can fool them, but not me. Your hair is styled in a Pan Fu Long bun—that's only worn by married women. Your head is full of pearls and jade, your body draped in silk brocade—what maid dresses like this? You yourself said Zhao Yu gave you full control over his factories and artisans. If you hadn't slept with him, how could that cunning man show you such favor and trust? And…"

Ma Xiao Jiao quickly covered Zhang Chun's mouth, pleading: "My dear Sister Chun, please, stop talking!"

Zhang Chun mumbled: "I understand, let go of me."

After releasing Zhang Chun, Ma Xiao Jiao blushed and avoided her gaze for a moment, then whispered: "Sister Chun, you won't laugh at me, will you?"

"Why would I laugh at you? This is a wise move. Didn't I already tell you? In this era, for women to accomplish anything, we must have powerful men supporting and protecting us—otherwise, we're doomed to fail." Zhang Chun said.

Ma Xiao Jiao stared into Zhang Chun's eyes for a moment, seeing no insincerity, then sighed in relief, and said, as if to Zhang Chun and as if to herself:

"You're right, Sister Chun—before I was with Zhao Yu and after I was with him, it's like night and day."

"Before I was with Zhao Yu, I struggled just to survive—even servants dared to bully me."

"Since being with Zhao Yu, everyone treats me with courtesy, even reverence—I can do whatever I want."

"I'm not afraid you'll laugh at me—I'm not regretting this choice."

"Honestly, Zhao Yu treats me very well, and I truly enjoy this life. If we can't return to our original world, I'd be happy to spend the rest of my life with Zhao Yu."

"I support you," Zhang Chun smiled, then her tone shifted: "But holding onto this life won't be easy. In the harem—especially Zhao Yu's harem once he becomes emperor—isolation means you can't live well, let alone retain favor. Haven't you seen how imperial consorts, once powerful, scramble to bring their relatives—even sisters—into the palace to secure their status and power?"

Here, Zhang Chun revealed her true intent: "Let's use the same tactic…"

…

(End of Chapter)