Chapter 57: A Bitter Parting

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Zhang Chun dispelled all of Li Lin and Yuan Qingcheng’s doubts, making them certain that Zhang Chun would not betray their original plan—to replace Zhao Ji with Zhao Yu as emperor.

But Li Lin and Yuan Qingcheng did not lower their guard against Zhang Chun because of this.

They had known each other for a long time; who didn’t know Zhang Chun’s nickname, “Empress Dowager Chun”?

Added to that, Zhang Chun had been making too many subtle moves and no longer taught them history.

Zhang Chun’s ambition was now obvious.

Moreover, seeing how Zhang Chun had eagerly offered herself to Zhao Yu as a concubine, showing not the slightest moral boundary.

Yuan Qingcheng felt a deep sense of crisis.

That was why Yuan Qingcheng had sought out Li Lin, declaring she did not want her life manipulated by Zhang Chun, nor to become Zhang Chun’s pawn, and certainly not to be sacrificed for Zhang Chun’s so-called political ambitions.

Li Lin had also realized Zhang Chun was untrustworthy and no longer reliable, so she formed an alliance with Yuan Qingcheng to break free from Zhang Chun’s control.

Yet after leaving Zhang Chun, Li Lin and Yuan Qingcheng found their path excruciatingly difficult in this feudal society, especially within the even more rigid imperial palace, where they hit walls everywhere.

Later, it was Yuan Qingcheng who suggested they seek refuge with Zheng Xiansu, who might become empress, and only then did their lives improve.

Now, Zhang Chun declared she would become an imperial consort, that she could influence Zhao Yu, and that she had a bright future—she hoped Li Lin and Yuan Qingcheng would drop their guard and help her.

Zhang Chun had laid her heart bare; Li Lin felt she should respond in kind, so she stated her position: “When we first crossed over, we already agreed—we’d unite to reform the Song Dynasty, to make it as strong as Han or Tang. That has always been our shared goal. As long as you strive toward that goal, we will support you.”

Yuan Qingcheng added beside her: “On one condition—you must not scheme against us, and certainly not harm us.”

“When have I ever harmed you? How could I ever harm you? How could you possibly think such strange things?” Zhang Chun cried out in protest.

“Is that so? Then how did Xiao Jiao fall into your trap?” Yuan Qingcheng exposed her.

“What are you talking about? I don’t understand a word.” Zhang Chun denied it outright.

“Dare you do it and deny it? Don’t tell us Xiao Jiao’s pregnancy has nothing to do with you,” Yuan Qingcheng challenged.

“Xiao Jiao is really pregnant?!” Zhang Chun looked startled.

“Isn’t it your plan to make Xiao Jiao bear Zhao Yu a son, turning her and her child into tools for your power struggles?” Yuan Qingcheng cut straight to the point.

Seeing Yuan Qingcheng had guessed her intentions, Zhang Chun stopped pretending:

“Yes, I did advise Xiao Jiao to face reality: women in this era cannot accomplish anything without the support and protection of powerful men.”

“I also told Xiao Jiao not to emulate the two of you—you’ve been here nearly three months and still naively believe you can achieve greatness and change this world on your own, in a society where men dominate women.”

“I also urged Xiao Jiao to bear Zhao Yu’s eldest illegitimate son, securing the one political asset most easily within our reach.”

“By the way, I told Xiao Jiao: if you’d listened to me, all five of us could have offered ourselves to Zhao Yu as concubines—we’d have seized the initiative, fully leveraged our advantages as transmigrants, and under the backing of supreme power, Linjie would handle military affairs, Qingcheng you’d manage agriculture, Shi Yun would oversee the economy, Xiao Jiao would drive technology, and I’d handle politics—we’d march forward together toward our goal.”

“I admit all that—but when you say I schemed against Xiao Jiao, I deny it.”

“First, this path was my own choice; it was Empress Zheng who interfered, leaving Xiao Jiao the advantage.”

“Also, unlike you two, who’ve accomplished nothing since crossing over, Xiao Jiao has already begun realizing her value.”

“The situation is clear now: if Xiao Jiao bears Zhao Yu a son, once he ascends the throne, she’ll very likely become an imperial consort like me.”

“But you—if you refuse to listen to me—you’ll spend your lives trapped in the harem as palace maids, unfulfilled, dying in despair…”

Zhang Chun and Yuan Qingcheng parted in acrimony.

Li Lin chased after her, reproaching: “Didn’t we agree to just endure for now?”

“I wanted to endure—but she made Xiao Jiao, so young, become pregnant, and now she’ll risk her life giving birth, yet shows not a shred of regret!”

“And now she still acts as if our only future lies in obeying her—that without her, we’re nothing—clearly implying we can’t survive without her!”

“In the end, isn’t she still treating us as pawns, trying to control our lives?”

Yuan Qingcheng laid out her grievances, making it clear she wasn’t being unreasonable.

Li Lin listened, silent.

Indeed.

Zhang Chun, relying on her mastery of history and politics, always held psychological superiority, acting as if only she was right, and everyone else was nothing without her.

It was as if Zhang Chun were the protagonist, and the other four of them were merely supporting female characters orbiting her.

This made Li Lin, who had always been the dominant elder sister, deeply uncomfortable.

After a while, Yuan Qingcheng calmed down and said:

“Linjie, I think we’ve been intimidated by Zhang Chun.”

“Ancient people weren’t as ignorant as we imagined—they weren’t all fools; many were sharp-minded, like Empress Zheng, whose actions were flawless. How many times has Zhang Chun outmaneuvered her? Has she ever gained even a single advantage?”

“We all know Zhao Yu despises favoring concubines over the empress. Would he, like Zhao Xu, allow his imperial consorts to fight against his empress?”

“So as long as Zhao Yu remains clear-headed, Empress Zheng alone can keep Zhang Chun in check.”

“Zhao Yu… we haven’t met him yet, but under his reputation, there’s no empty fame. The Empress Dowager, Empress Zheng, Zhang Chun, and Xiao Jiao—all praise him lavishly, calling him a wise ruler. Would such a man allow women to interfere in state affairs?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Let’s analyze rationally: if Zhao Yu truly becomes emperor, the one holding supreme power will be Zhao Yu, not Zhang Chun. Even if Zhang Chun gains power, it will only be through Zhao Yu.”

Here, Yuan Qingcheng smiled: “If that’s the case, why let Zhang Chun be the middleman? Why not approach Zhao Yu directly? That way, we avoid her constantly manipulating and controlling us.”

Li Lin thought for a moment and said: “You’re right—but if we approach Zhao Yu directly, won’t we inevitably become his concubines? Otherwise, how could we legitimately stay by his side?”

Yuan Qingcheng said calmly: “If that’s the outcome, it will be my own choice—not one made for me by Zhang Chun.”

She paused, then added: “Also, Linjie, have you considered this? The imperial palace is a cage we cannot escape on our own. Zhang Chun can’t get us out. Empress Zheng can’t get us out. Even they themselves are trapped here for life. Only one person can free us—Zhao Yu.”

At this, Yuan Qingcheng grew resolute: “Linjie, I’ve decided—I’ll approach Zhao Yu directly.”

Yuan Qingcheng looked at Li Lin: “Will you join me?”

Li Lin wavered.

What she wanted was to command armies and fight on the battlefield.

How could she ever realize her dream of steel horses and iron spears if she spent her life locked in the palace?

…

(End of chapter)