Chapter 71: Provisional Empress

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Zhao Yu ascended the throne as Emperor, and Zheng Xiansu, who had been betrothed to Zhao Yu, would no longer merely be Wang Fei—she might become Empress, truly soaring from a sparrow to a phoenix.

Like Wei Zifu, who had once been merely a singer in Princess Pingyang's household, she was unexpectedly noticed by Han Wu Di Liu Che, entered the imperial harem, and gradually rose to the position of Empress, becoming the motherly model of the realm; even her brother Wei Qing and nephew Huo Qubing benefited from her status, realizing their own political ambitions.

Now, Zheng Xiansu's fate seemed rewritten at this very moment, her future and that of her family bathed in radiant auroras, brimming with infinite possibilities.

For a time, Zheng Xiansu became the very symbol of the luckiest woman.

Yet jealousy was always a shadow lurking in a woman's heart.

Many palace maids, envious and resentful of Zheng Xiansu's fortune, coveted her luck and spoke ill of her behind her back, even cursing her.

Their point was that twenty-seven months was simply too long.

Over such a long period, countless variables could arise—what if Zhao Yu changed his heart, or some other accident occurred? How could one be sure he wouldn't name someone else Empress?

Crucially, by now everyone understood: Zhao Yu had originally taken Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu as his Wang Fei primarily to bind himself tightly to Empress Dowager Xiang.

Now Zhao Yu had not only bound himself firmly to Empress Dowager Xiang—he had even used her to seize the throne.

Empress Dowager Xiang had not yet taken the regency, yet Zhao Yu had fully seized imperial power; no one could now stop him.

At this point, Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu, two women of humble origins, had become useless—if Zhao Yu abandoned them, even Empress Dowager Xiang could do nothing.

Most crucially, after ascending the throne, Zhao Yu not only absorbed all the palace maids whom Zhao Xu had never touched, but the Ministry of Rites also carefully selected one hundred young, beautiful palace maids to fill the harem.

Zhao Yu suddenly gained so many beauties, among whom surely were many younger, prettier, and more obedient than Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu—it would be perfectly natural if he fell in love with someone else.

Not only did other palace maids harbor such suspicions; even Zhang Chun and the other three women considered this possibility.

Li Lin asked Zhang Chun: "Will we really have to wait over two years before Zheng Xiansu becomes Empress and Wang Yisu becomes Noble Consort?"

"When a new emperor ascends the Song throne, he generally observes the mourning rites. Only under extremely special circumstances would he deviate from or partially ignore them," Zhang Chun said.

"What circumstances?" Li Lin asked.

"First, if the empire faces an extremely severe military threat or internal rebellion, the new emperor must swiftly handle military and political affairs, devoting more energy to repelling foreign enemies and suppressing rebellions—in such cases, the mourning rites may be adapted."

"Second, if the new emperor has a strong personal will and sufficient power and prestige, he might adjust or loosely observe the mourning rites. But the Song Dynasty places great emphasis on ruling through filial piety, so such cases are rare."

"Third, emperors who ascend through coups, forced abdications, or other abnormal means may not observe the mourning rites. Zhao Yu clearly is not one," Zhang Chun said.

"So Zhao Yu will definitely observe the mourning rites?" Li Lin summarized.

【She thought: There are cases where days are counted as months—but I won't say that.】

"Observing mourning rites is a vital expression of filial piety. A new emperor adhering to them demonstrates his filial devotion and respect for traditional rites, consolidating the legitimacy and orthodoxy of his rule, proving the rightful nature of his succession and reducing public skepticism. Zhao Yu already lacks Zhao Xu's imperial edict of succession—if he further ignores the mourning rites, the doubts against him will be immense," Zhang Chun said.

The women understood: Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu would likely have to wait over two years before marrying Zhao Yu—assuming Zhao Yu kept his promise and did not entertain thoughts of replacing the Empress.

But the risks here were not merely Zhao Yu's shifting affections—they also included the schemes of ambitious men.

Forget distant examples: just consider Meng Xiang, who once lived with Zhao Xu—wasn't she ousted by Liu Qingjing through the witchcraft case and stripped of her Empress title?

There was no help for it: the position of Empress was the most honored a woman could attain—without exception. Which woman wouldn't covet it? Which woman with a chance wouldn't fight for it?

Moreover, Zhao Yu was a newly enthroned emperor whose foundation was still unstable—who could guarantee he wouldn't abandon Zheng Xiansu, this woman of humble origin, to secure his rule by allying with one or several powerful factions through marriage?

So whether Zheng Xiansu could truly ascend to the Empress throne was far from certain.

Of course, the four women—especially Li Lin and Yuan Qing Cheng—were not truly concerned with whether Zheng Xiansu would become Zhao Yu's Empress; what they truly cared about was how they themselves could reach Zhao Yu's side.

Empress Dowager Xiang, having fully relinquished power, was now of little use; if they remained in Cide Palace, they would merely waste time and youth.

They had originally agreed with Zhao Yu that they would marry him alongside Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu.

But now this situation had arisen.

Zhang Chun, who had already secured her promise of a Consort's title, had no need to worry—she could go to Zhao Yu's side at any moment, and even bring her "maidservant" Ye Shi Yun with her.

Precisely because of this, Zhang Chun appeared relaxed, even subtly supporting Zhao Yu's adherence to the mourning rites.

—If Zhao Yu strictly observed the mourning rites, Zheng Xiansu, Wang Yisu, and Guo Ting would not reach Zhao Yu's side in the short term; thus, she would be the highest-ranking woman in his harem—not Empress, yet better than Empress—and most likely to replace Zheng Xiansu as Zhao Yu's Empress.

Notably, Zhang Chun knew well that after more than a year, Empress Dowager Xiang would die, and Zhao Yu would still have to observe mourning rites.

That meant: if Zhao Yu strictly observed the mourning rites, Zheng Xiansu and the others would not wait twenty-seven months—but forty months, a full three and a half years!!!

With such a long time, Zhang Chun believed she could surely win Zhao Yu over and have him change the Empress designation to her.

So Zhang Chun had decided: tomorrow, she would go to Zhao Yu's side and seize the initiative.

Li Lin and Yuan Qing Cheng could also reach Zhao Yu's side through Zhang Chun.

But Li Lin and Yuan Qing Cheng had already decided to bypass Zhang Chun entirely and contact Zhao Yu directly—thus, they would no longer owe her favors, avoiding the need to repay her with even greater debt later.

Yet without Zhang Chun, how could they, still mere lowly palace maids, reach Zhao Yu's side?

Li Lin and Yuan Qing Cheng discussed it and planned to seek another opportunity to meet Zhao Yu directly, declaring their feelings plainly, cutting out all detours.

Just as Zhang Chun and Ye Shi Yun were packing to move, and Li Lin and Yuan Qing Cheng were plotting how to meet Zhao Yu, Zhao Yu suddenly arrived at Cide Palace.

Upon hearing this news, Zhang Chun and Ye Shi Yun stopped packing; Li Lin and Yuan Qing Cheng abandoned their plans—they hurried with many other palace maids to pay homage to Zhao Yu.

There he was: Zhao Yu, dressed in a simple, elegant dragon robe, arrived at Cide Palace.

Surprisingly, Zhao Yu had not become surrounded by attendants since becoming Emperor—his entourage still consisted only of Li Shicheng and Tong Guan; Li Yan, Wang Bin, Cai Jing, Zong Ze, Zhang Shuye, and his bodyguards remained stationed far away.

Moreover, what warmed the hearts of those in Cide Palace was that Zhao Yu had not changed his habits—he still, as before, upon arriving at Cide Palace, chatted with them like family.

Most touching of all, Zhao Yu could still remember nearly every one of their names.

In short, Zhao Yu's visit to Cide Palace remained exactly as it always had—like returning home.

Zhao Yu's unwavering loyalty moved everyone in Cide Palace to believe Empress Dowager Xiang had chosen the right man to become Emperor.

Soon, Zhang Chun arrived at the entrance of Cide Palace, accompanied by Ye Shi Yun, and saw Zhao Yu chatting casually with eunuchs, young attendants, and palace maids.

Zhang Chun did not hesitate—she stepped past the others, approached Zhao Yu, and bowed gracefully: "Your humble servant, Lady Zhang, pays homage to Your Majesty…"

…

(End of Chapter)