Chapter 73: Era Name (Bonus Chapter for Alliance Leader

…

Unlike others who dared not look up, the four women who had not yet left far away stopped together to watch the spectacle of Zhao Yu and Zheng Xiansu embracing.

Watching Zheng Xiansu, usually composed and dignified, now clung to Zhao Yu and wept without restraint, Ye Shi Yun remarked: “Zheng Yaban has fallen.”

“It’s normal. After this, Zheng Yaban’s position as empress is now firmly secured; past rumors have collapsed on their own. Frankly, in this power-stricken harem, to receive such favor and protection from the emperor, Zheng Yaban ought to offer such a response.”

“Zhao Yu is truly a man—his word is law, his actions decisive. To soothe Zheng Yaban’s heart and stand by her side, though still a newly enthroned emperor with an unstable foundation, he dared to display affection for her openly in the palace before all, clearly declaring his resolve to make her empress. This sense of responsibility and determination is rare indeed.”

Zhang Chun said nothing—she was jealous of Zheng Xiansu!

Yes.

Zhao Yu treated her well too, but not as well as he treated Zheng Xiansu.

More importantly, Zhang Chun realized Zhao Yu was a total scoundrel—neither proactive nor outright rejecting, not entirely irresponsible, yet treating every woman the same, not just her.

How could she defeat Zheng Xiansu and Zhao Yu’s other women to win the exclusive favor of Wu Zetian, Wu Huifei, or Liu Qingjing?

Without such exclusive favor, how could she ever realize her political ambitions?

‘You scoundrel—why can’t you learn from your brother Zhao Xu?!’

Though Zhang Chun knew well that jealousy was dangerous and must be curbed—if left unchecked, the label of ‘jealous’ would destroy her—emotions, after all, were not so easily tamed by reason.

Zhang Chun gazed at Zhao Yu and Zheng Xiansu with complex eyes—resentment, heartache, helplessness—finally condensing into one thought: ‘How long can such feelings last? Within these deep palace walls, power and love are often illusions—touch them, and they vanish.’

After a long while, Zhao Yu wiped Zheng Xiansu’s tears, then embraced her as they walked toward Cide Palace.

Though still somewhat shy before so many witnesses, Zheng Xiansu endured her embarrassment for the sake of her long-term future and let Zhao Yu hold her.

As they walked inward, Zhao Yu teased Wang Yisu beside him: ‘Did you miss me?’

With Zheng Xiansu’s empress position secured, Wang Yisu’s imperial consort position was secure too.

Thus, with her heart now at ease, Wang Yisu confessed openly: ‘I missed you.’

Zhao Yu smiled and pressed: ‘Oh? How did you miss me?’

Wang Yisu leaned close to Zhao Yu’s ear and whispered shyly: ‘Every night, I dream of Your Majesty.’

Zhao Yu burst into laughter.

Everyone saw now: Zhao Yu was not always a man who followed rules.

So what?

Zhao Yu was emperor—uncheckable, unbound. As long as he wasn’t foolish, a little eccentricity—who cared?

Soon, Zhao Yu arrived at Empress Dowager Xiang’s chambers, escorted by Zheng Xiansu, Wang Yisu, Yang Jian, and others.

As before, he did not bow, but walked straight to Empress Dowager Xiang’s side, grabbed a handful of roasted chestnuts, then sat as he always had at her lower seat, having Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu peel them for him.

Empress Dowager Xiang glared at Zhao Yu: ‘Now that you’re emperor, still acting like a child.’

‘I’m in my own home, surrounded by my own people. What’s wrong with hugging my own woman?’ Zhao Yu replied as if it were obvious.

‘Have they even married you yet? You’re ruining their reputations!’ Empress Dowager Xiang snapped.

‘Speaking of that, I need your help, Mother,’ Zhao Yu said.

‘Help you with what?’ Empress Dowager Xiang asked.

‘Mother, think of a way for me to substitute days for months. I’ll keep it quiet, no grand ceremony. Otherwise, if I wait two more years, my harem’s unruly women might cause some chaos. Besides, they’re no longer young—delaying them further would break my heart.’ Zhao Yu spoke bluntly.

Seeing Zhao Yu had not changed his heart and was willing to defy mourning rites for them, Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu were even more moved!

They wished to say they were willing to wait two more years—even longer—begging Zhao Yu not to bear the stigma of filial impiety for their sake.

But before Zhao Yu and Empress Dowager Xiang, they had no voice.

And deep down, they too longed to marry him sooner, to become empress and imperial consort, rather than continue enduring hardship in Cide Palace.

So Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu sat quietly beside him, peeling chestnuts gently and feeding them to Zhao Yu.

Seeing Zhao Yu remembered his roots and valued his principal wife, Empress Dowager Xiang felt comforted.

More importantly, if Zheng Xiansu did not marry soon and bear Zhao Yu a legitimate heir, it would become a problem when Zhao Yu eventually passed the throne.

So Empress Dowager Xiang said: ‘You always find ways to trouble me. Hmm… I’ll have Han Zhongyan draft a dignified explanation for you.’

Zhao Yu grinned: ‘Thank you, Mother.’

‘You came to see me for more than just this, didn’t you?’ Empress Dowager Xiang asked directly.

Zhao Yu did not beat around the bush: ‘Ministers are deliberating the era name. I’ve come to ask for your advice.’

Choosing an era name was no small matter.

For an era name not only affirmed the ruler’s legitimacy, united hearts, and strengthened rule, but also often expressed the ruler’s political aspirations and governance philosophy.

That is, Zhao Yu’s choice of era name would largely determine the path he intended to take next.

Now that Zhao Yu had inherited the Zhao Song dynasty, he naturally inherited the factional strife that had plagued Zhao Xu until his death.

Notably, the New and Old Parties had not ceased their struggle with Zhao Yu’s ascension; instead, each hoped Zhao Yu would support them to destroy the other, and now they accused each other more fiercely than ever.

Under this political backdrop, Zhao Yu’s stance was crucial—his position could decide the downfall of either party.

Yet Zhao Yu made no hasty choice—he kicked the ball back to Empress Dowager Xiang.

Empress Dowager Xiang remained impassive: ‘You are emperor. Why ask me?’

Zhao Yu spoke with rare seriousness: ‘If I decide, they will have no chance. But this matter is too great—I’d rather entrust it to you, so I may use this time to stabilize the realm, secure the people, and fortify the foundation of the state.’

Empress Dowager Xiang understood: Zhao Yu did not wish to act alone—he was too newly enthroned, his power too unstable, unprepared to move boldly, lest consequences be catastrophic. He also wished to give her a chance to realize her own political vision, repaying her support in his ascension.

After a silence, Empress Dowager Xiang said: ‘Han Zhongyan proposed “Jianzhong Jingguo”—establishing upright principles and pacifying the state—similar to Emperor Taizong’s change to “Taiping Xingguo” upon succession. You and Taizong both inherited your elder brother’s will—why not try it?’

Empress Dowager Xiang clearly hoped “Jianzhong” (neutrality, non-partisanship) would reconcile the New and Old Parties, while “Jingguo” (pacifying the state) would quell internal strife and restore order.

Though history had proven this muddy middle path unworkable, history also proved that balancing both factions helped the emperor consolidate imperial power and lay a stable foundation.

So Zhao Yu said: ‘I dislike the words “Jingguo.” Let it be “Jianzhong” alone…’

…

(End of Chapter)