Chapter 73: Era Name (Bonus Chapter for Alliance Master

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Unlike others who dared not look up, the four women who had not yet left far stopped in their tracks to watch the spectacle as Zhao Yu and Zheng Xiansu embraced.

Watching Zheng Xiansu, usually dignified and composed, weep openly while clinging to Zhao Yu, 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 imperial harem, to receive such favor and protection from the Emperor, Zheng Yaban ought to offer such a response." Yuan Qing Cheng said.

"Zhao Yu is truly a man—his word is law, his actions decisive. To soothe Zheng Yaban's heart and stand by her side, as a newly enthroned Emperor whose foundation is still unsteady, he dared to display affection for her openly in the palace before all, clearly declaring his resolve to make Zheng Yaban Empress. This sense of responsibility and decisiveness is exceedingly rare." Li Lin said.

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.

The key is, Zhang Chun realized Zhao Yu was a total scoundrel—neither proactive nor outright rejecting, not entirely irresponsible, yet treating every woman this way, not just her alone.

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

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

'You total scoundrel—why can't you learn from your brother Zhao Xu?!'

Although Zhang Chun knew very well that jealousy was dangerous and must be overcome—if left unchecked, a reputation for 'envy' would destroy her completely—how could emotion be so easily tamed by reason?

Zhang Chun gazed at Zhao Yu and Zheng Xiansu with complex eyes, her heart filled with resentment, sorrow, and helplessness, finally condensing into one thought: 'How long can such affection last? Within these high palace walls, power and love are often like reflections on water or flowers in a mirror—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.

In front of so many people, Zheng Xiansu still felt somewhat shy, but for the sake of her long-term future, she suppressed her embarrassment and let Zhao Yu hold her.

As they walked inward, Zhao Yu teased Wang Yisu beside him: 'Missed me?'

Once Zheng Xiansu's position as Empress was secure, Wang Yisu's position as Imperial Concubine was secure too.

Thus, with her heart now fully at ease, Wang Yisu confessed openly: 'I did.'

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

Wang Yisu leaned close to Zhao Yu's ear and whispered shyly: 'Your servant dreams of Your Majesty every night.'

Zhao Yu burst into loud laughter.

Everyone could see that Zhao Yu was not always a man who followed rules.

So what?

Zhao Yu was already Emperor—Emperor without any check on his power. As long as he wasn't foolish, a little eccentric behavior—who could possibly care?

Not long after, Zhao Yu arrived at Empress Dowager Xiang's chambers, accompanied by Zheng Xiansu, Wang Yisu, Yang Jian, and others.

As before, Zhao Yu did not bow—he 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 the chestnuts for him.

Empress Dowager Xiang glared at Zhao Yu: 'You're Emperor now, and 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 said as if it were obvious.

'Have they even married you yet? How dare you ruin their reputations so?' 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 respectable excuse for me to substitute days for months. I'll keep it low-key, no grand ceremonies. Otherwise, if I wait two more years, my harem women—who never give me peace—might cause some chaos. Besides, they're not young anymore; delaying them another two years breaks my heart.' Zhao Yu laid out his thoughts plainly.

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 express that they were willing to wait two more years—or even longer—for him, begging him 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 wished to marry him sooner, to become Empress and Imperial Concubine, rather than continue enduring hardship in Cide Palace.

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

Seeing Zhao Yu remembered his roots and valued the role of his principal wife, Empress Dowager Xiang felt deeply satisfied.

Crucially, if Zheng Xiansu did not marry soon and bear Zhao Yu a legitimate son, 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 you a dignified excuse.'

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 didn't beat around the bush—he answered plainly: 'The ministers are deliberating the era name. I've come to ask Mother for her advice.'

Choosing an era name was no small matter.

For an era name not only affirmed the ruler's legitimacy, unified hearts, and strengthened rule, but rulers often used it to express their political aspirations and governance philosophy.

That is, Zhao Yu's choice of era name would largely determine the path he intended to follow.

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 Party and Old Party had not ceased their struggle because Zhao Yu had taken the throne; instead, both 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 critical—his position could determine the downfall of either the New or Old Party.

Yet Zhao Yu did not rashly choose—he kicked the ball to Empress Dowager Xiang.

Empress Dowager Xiang said calmly: 'You are Emperor. Why ask me?'

Zhao Yu, unusually serious, replied: 'If I decide, they will have no chance. But this matter is too great—I'd rather entrust it to Mother, so I may use this time to stabilize the realm, secure the people, and consolidate the foundation of the state.'

Empress Dowager Xiang understood: Zhao Yu did not wish to act alone—he was merely too new on the throne, his power too unstable, unprepared to move boldly, for the consequences would be catastrophic. He also wished to give her a chance to realize her own political vision, to repay her support in making him Emperor.

After a moment of silence, Empress Dowager Xiang said: 'Han Zhongyan proposed "Jianzhong Jingguo"—establishing the Middle Way, stabilizing 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" (impartial, not favoring either party) would reconcile the New and Old Party strife, while "Jingguo" (pacifying the state) would quell internal turmoil and restore social order.

Although history had proven that Empress Dowager Xiang's path of compromise was unworkable, history had also proven that balancing the power of both parties could help the Emperor consolidate imperial authority and lay a solid foundation for rule.

So Zhao Yu said: 'I dislike the words "Jingguo." Let it be just "Jianzhong"…'

…

(End of Chapter)