Chapter 57: Parting on Bad Terms

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Zhang Chun dispelled all doubts Li Lin and Yuan Qingcheng had about her, 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 had the nickname "Empress Dowager Chun"?

Added to that, Zhang Chun had been making too many small moves and no longer taught them historical knowledge.

Zhang Chun's ambition was now obvious.

They saw how Zhang Chun, eager to rise in power, had even volunteered herself as Zhao Yu's bed companion—completely without principles.

Yuan Qingcheng felt a deep sense of crisis.

That was why Yuan Qingcheng sought out Li Lin, declaring she did not want her life controlled by Zhang Chun, reduced to Zhang Chun's pawn, nor did she want to be betrayed by Zhang Chun for the sake of her so-called political ambitions.

Li Lin had also realized Zhang Chun was problematic 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 progress in this feudal society—especially within the even more feudal palace—extremely difficult, meeting obstacles 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 a royal concubine, that she could influence Zhao Yu, that she would have a bright future, and she hoped Li Lin and Yuan Qingcheng would drop their guard and help her.

Zhang Chun had opened her heart; Li Lin felt she should also state her position, so she laid out her view: "When we first crossed over, we already agreed—we would unite and change the Song Dynasty, making it as strong as the Han and Tang dynasties. That has always been our shared goal. As long as you strive toward this goal, we will certainly help you."

Yuan Qingcheng added beside her: "On the condition that you don't scheme against us, and certainly don't harm us."

"When have I ever harmed you? How could I ever harm you? How could you have such strange ideas?" Zhang Chun cried out in protest.

"Is that so? Then how did Xiao Jiao fall into your scheme?" Yuan Qingcheng exposed Zhang Chun.

"What are you talking about? I don't understand at all," Zhang Chun denied outright.

"Dare to do it but not dare to take responsibility? 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 surprised.

"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 follow the two of you—you've been here nearly three months and still naively believe you can achieve something and change this era by yourselves, in a world where men dominate."

"I also advised Xiao Jiao to try her best to bear Zhao Yu's eldest illegitimate son, securing the one political asset most easily within our reach."

"By the way, I also told Xiao Jiao: if you had listened to me, all five of us would have volunteered ourselves as Zhao Yu's bed companions—we could have seized this advantage first, fully leveraging our cross-over advantages, and with the backing of supreme power, Lin Jie would handle military affairs, Qingcheng would handle agriculture, Shi Yun would handle economics, Xiao Jiao would handle technology, and I would handle politics—we would march forward together toward our goal."

"I admit all this, but when you say I schemed against Xiao Jiao, I deny it."

"First, this path was chosen by me—it was Empress Xiansu who interfered, letting Xiao Jiao benefit instead."

"Also, unlike you two, who have accomplished nothing after so long here, Xiao Jiao has already begun realizing her value."

"The current situation is clear: if Xiao Jiao bears Zhao Yu a son, once Zhao Yu ascends the throne, she will most likely become a royal concubine like me."

"But you—if you don't listen to me—you'll be trapped in the harem your whole lives, serving as palace maids, unfulfilled, dying in despair…"

Zhang Chun and Yuan Qingcheng parted on bad terms.

Li Lin chased after her, reproaching: "Didn't we agree to just endure for now?"

"I wanted to endure, but she made Xiao Jiao pregnant at such a young age, and now Xiao Jiao will risk her life giving birth—and she shows not a shred of regret!"

"And now she still acts as if our only future lies in obeying her, and if we don't, 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 explained 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 a psychological advantage, acting superior—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 revolving around her.

This made Li Lin, who was used to being the leader, deeply uncomfortable.

After a while, Yuan Qingcheng calmed down and said:

"Lin Jie, I think we've been fooled by Zhang Chun."

"How foolish and ignorant could the ancients really be? Not all of them were fools—many were shrewd, like Empress Xiansu, whose actions were flawless. Has Zhang Chun ever gained an advantage over her, even once?"

"We all know Zhao Yu despises favoring concubines over the wife—would he allow his royal concubines to fight his empress, like Zhao Xu did?"

"So as long as Zhao Yu doesn't lose his mind, Empress Xiansu alone can keep Zhang Chun in check."

"Zhao Yu… we haven't met him yet, but under his reputation, there's no empty fame—Empress Dowager, Empress Xiansu, Zhang Chun, and Xiao Jiao all praise him endlessly, calling him a wise ruler—would such a man allow women to interfere in politics?"

"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 deal with 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 the problem is—if we approach Zhao Yu directly, we might end up becoming his concubines—how else could we legitimately stay by his side?"

Yuan Qingcheng said calmly: "If that's the outcome, it's my own choice—not one made for me by Zhang Chun."

She paused, then added: "Also, Lin Jie, have you considered this? The palace is a cage we cannot escape on our own. Zhang Chun can't take us out. Empress Xiansu can't take us out. Even they themselves are trapped here for life. Only one person can free us—Zhao Yu."

At this, Yuan Qingcheng grew resolute: "Lin Jie, I've decided—I will 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 fulfill her dream of steel horses and iron spears if she spent her life locked in the palace?

…

(End of chapter)