Chapter 8

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In the rigidly Confucian Song dynasty, marriage required parental consent and a matchmaker’s introduction—how could a proper man and woman privately pledge their lives to each other?

Zhao Yu’s blunt declaration that he wished to make Zheng Xiansu his princess consort was outright heretical, bordering on the lewd advances of a rake toward a virtuous maiden.

Zheng Xiansu had been raised under strict Confucian teachings and molded for years by the conservative Empress Dowager Xiang; naturally, she could not accept Zhao Yu’s reckless confession.

Yet, on the other hand, in this feudal age, being so plainly admired by a noble prince of unique charm was, for Zheng Xiansu, an unprecedented psychological shock, a thrill. Though she knew the rites, Zhao Yu’s words were like a stone cast into her heart’s lake, sending ripples across her soul.

To be honest, Zheng Xiansu was truly curious: was Zhao Yu merely teasing her, or was he sincerely intent on making her his princess consort?

If it was the former, then there was nothing to discuss—she must flee this place of scandal at once.

But if it was the latter…

Every time Zhao Ji visited Cide Palace to pay respects, Empress Dowager Xiang would order Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu to attend him.

Thus, not long ago, Empress Dowager Xiang had half-jokingly, half-probingly suggested granting Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu to Zhao Ji.

Zhao Ji was brilliant, dignified, elegant, and good-natured—he seemed a fine match.

But the problem was, Zhao Ji had already married the daughter of the Prefect of Dezhou, Wang Zao, over two months ago.

Even if Zhao Ji had not married Wang Zao’s daughter, he could never make Zheng Xiansu his princess consort.

—Zheng Xiansu’s father, Zheng Shen, was merely a low-ranking official, not from a great aristocratic clan, at best a humble family—this doomed Zheng Xiansu to be nothing more than a concubine if she married Zhao Ji.

In this age, the difference between wife and concubine was vast; the gap between princess consort and concubine was even greater.

If she could truly become a phoenix perched on the branch, ask any woman raised in the power struggles of the inner palace—how could Zheng Xiansu not be tempted?

Wang Yisu reacted first, stepping decisively in front of Zheng Xiansu to warn Zhao Yu: “Your Highness, do not tarnish my sister’s reputation.”

At Wang Yisu’s words, a flush spread across Zheng Xiansu’s face.

—Though her heart was fluttering with confusion and shame, deep within, a faint, nameless anticipation stirred.

As things stood, Zhao Yu lagged far behind Zhao Ji.

Worse still, no one was there to speak well of Zhao Yu before Empress Dowager Xiang, the one who held ultimate authority over imperial succession.

If he could win Zheng Xiansu’s favor, and have her and her inseparable companion Wang Yisu whisper in Empress Dowager Xiang’s ear…

This problem could be perfectly resolved.

Moreover, if Zhao Yu married Zheng Xiansu, he would be irrevocably bound to Empress Dowager Xiang, who had no children of her own.

In that case, Zhao Yu might not certainly defeat Zhao Ji and ascend the throne after Zhao Xu’s death—but at the very least, he would drastically narrow the gap between himself and Zhao Ji, even bringing them to equal footing.

So, even if Zheng Xiansu were less than beautiful, talented, virtuous, or even flawed, Zhao Yu would still marry her as his princess consort.

Most importantly, Zhao Yu knew full well that he was inferior to Zhao Ji in every way—he feared that without offering her the position of princess consort, he could never steal her away from Zhao Ji.

Zhao Yu spoke solemnly: “Marriage is no trivial matter. I swear before heaven: if the Lady Zheng consents, I shall swiftly petition the Empress Dowager to seek your hand, and make you mistress of my Shen Palace.”

As Empress Dowager Xiang’s absolute confidante, Zheng Xiansu knew that the Empress Dowager had recently begun selecting princess consorts for the imperial princes, and had already chosen consorts for Zhao Bi and Zhao Ji—the next would be Zhao Yu.

That meant this was a heavenly opportunity for Zheng Xiansu to become Princess Consort of Shen.

Added to this, Zhao Yu had just risked himself to save Empress Dowager Xiang.

If Zhao Yu truly wished to marry Zheng Xiansu and, as he claimed, would actively work to make it happen, Zheng Xiansu truly had a chance to become Princess Consort of Shen.

Zheng Xiansu bit her lower lip, then spoke softly: “Thank Your Highness for your favor, but we, as servants, leave all matters to the Empress Dowager’s decision—we dare not privately accept Your Highness’s kindness. I beg Your Highness’s understanding.”

Words carry meaning; the drum’s tone reveals the rhythm.

Hearing this, Zhao Yu knew full well that Zheng Xiansu had just pointed him the way forward.

Zhao Yu said: “Lady Zheng, rest assured. Once this matter is settled, I shall spare no effort to make the Empress Dowager understand my sincerity, and grant us this blessed union.”

Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu had entered the palace together, grown up side by side beside Empress Dowager Xiang, jointly managed Cide Palace, and Wang Yisu had always followed Zheng Xiansu’s lead—they were closer than blood sisters.

Moreover, they had long made a pact: if one became wealthy and honored, she must never forget the other.

Zheng Xiansu had even told Wang Yisu that they would one day marry the same man, never part, always care for each other, and remain sisters for life.

So, seeing Zheng Xiansu had a chance to become princess consort

Moreover, if Zheng Xiansu truly became Zhao Yu’s princess consort, according to their original agreement, Wang Yisu might become his secondary wife.

—— A secondary wife is sometimes called a side spouse; she may be a relative of the principal wife, such as her sister or cousin, entering the husband’s household through proper marriage rites. Her status is typically higher than that of a concubine, sometimes even equal to the principal wife, and she wields considerable influence within the household, earning respect.

Clearly, being a secondary wife is far preferable to being a concubine.

More importantly, after confronting Liu Qingjing, condemning Zhao Xu for favoring concubines over his wife, and rescuing Empress Xiang, Wang Yisu held Zhao Yu in high regard; if she could become his secondary wife, she would certainly not choose to become a concubine to Zhao Ji.

Thus, Wang Yisu kindly advised Zhao Yu: “Though Your Highness’s intentions are sincere, the imperial court is a place of shifting intrigues, with factions entangled in complex webs. Moreover, the Empress Dowager has always upheld ritual propriety—she may well refuse. If you truly wish to marry my elder sister, you must plan carefully.”

Zheng Xiansu blushed and said: “Stop joking—our marriage is decided by the Empress Dowager; we cannot arrange it privately. Come, return to the palace with me at once!”

Saying this, Zheng Xiansu feigned composure and addressed Zhao Yu: “We were ordered to deliver food to Your Highness; the task is complete. We take our leave.”

With that, Zheng Xiansu pulled Wang Yisu away.

Zhao Yu watched the graceful retreating figures of Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu and said: “I have made my feelings clear—I will not keep the Supervising Eunuch waiting. In no more than three or five days, and perhaps as soon as one or two, I shall go to Cide Palace to propose.”

Hearing this, Zheng Xiansu’s lips curled slightly as she continued pulling Wang Yisu toward the palace exit.

Meanwhile, Wang Yisu covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, yet couldn’t help wondering: “Will Prince Shen be the true destiny of my sister and me?”

……

(End of Chapter)