Chapter 83

…

Because he had to finalize the purge list with Zhang Dun, Zhao Yu returned when the night was already deep.

As Zhao Yu arrived at the back palace gate, he saw Pei Sui waiting to greet him.

It was the dead of winter, and Pei Sui wore little, her delicate face frozen crimson, her body radiating waves of cold.

Clearly, Pei Sui had been waiting there for some time.

Zhao Yu took off his large cloak and draped it over Pei Sui.

Pei Sui hurriedly refused: "Your Maidservant is not cold, Your Majesty, please put it on yourself—do not harm Your Imperial Body!"

But Zhao Yu forcefully wrapped the cloak around her: "I command you to wear it. If you refuse, you defy the imperial decree."

Hearing this, Pei Sui's heart warmed; a soft tenderness flashed in her eyes. She dared not resist again, whispering softly: "Thank Your Majesty's grace."

With that, Pei Sui bowed slightly and obediently let Zhao Yu fasten the cloak.

The cloak still carried Zhao Yu's body heat; as soon as she wore it, the cold vanished, as if her heart had warmed along with it.

In truth, Zhao Yu was not only kind to Pei Sui. In his own palace, from the imperial consorts down to the lowliest serving maids, Zhao Yu treated them all gently and generously, never harshly. Even if they erred before him, as long as it was not a matter of principle, he pretended not to see it. He rarely displayed authority before his servants, so all the women in the back palace spoke of Zhao Yu as benevolent and loving, revering him with gratitude. Many maids even fell in love with him, viewing being chosen by Zhao Yu as their greatest fortune.

In truth, Zhao Yu was not only kind to his women, but also to his eunuchs, guards, and all those close to him.

Here is a small example:

Every night, Zhao Yu arranged for hot oil cakes to be delivered to those on night duty—whether maids, eunuchs, or guards—each cake stuffed with smoked meat and seasonal vegetables, accompanied by a large bowl of steaming meat broth.

This was something Emperor Xu had never done.

Think: if you were the one on night duty, starving and freezing, and you ate these, what would you think?

Moreover, when Zhao Yu had free time, he would chat with his subordinates, asking them how large the oil cakes were, how many slices of smoked meat they contained, which seasonal vegetables were inside, and whether the broth was enough. This ensured no one dared slack off—his subordinates always received real, tangible benefits.

Such small favors, Zhao Yu performed casually, and they had become routine.

This was not Zhao Yu's original idea. He learned it from Empress Dowager Cixi.

Cixi ruled the Qing Dynasty for decades as a woman precisely through this method. Although Guangxu was emperor, he could never seize power from Cixi. During the Hundred Days' Reform, Guangxu issued dozens of edicts daily—no one obeyed. Cixi, sitting in the Summer Palace, spoke one sentence, and every official in court stood by her side; the entire nation moved. Even after the Qing fell, her former subordinate Zhang Xun still tried to restore the dynasty with his queue army. Those who had served her died still revering her, still remembering her kindness.

In his past life, someone once summarized: power only exists when people carry it out. Otherwise, even an emperor who does not understand human nature is doomed to be sidelined or imprisoned.

In short, by emulating the methods of historical figures like Cixi who held supreme power to win hearts, no one around Zhao Yu failed to respect him, and many even felt gratitude toward him. Even though they had been conditioned by feudal systems, they blamed only the female officials, eunuchs, and generals who directly managed them—not Zhao Yu. After all, the Emperor was good; he was merely deceived by others.

To be honest, this did create some difficulties for the management of female officials, eunuchs, and generals.

Fortunately, unless under special circumstances, Zhao Yu never interfered in daily management. Even when special circumstances arose, he never directly overturned the decisions of his managers, stripping them of face and authority. Instead, he gave them secret orders to execute, fully preserving their dignity and prestige—unless he decided to dismiss them entirely.

Thus, the female officials, eunuchs, and generals also revered Zhao Yu with gratitude.

Pei Sui was one of them.

Without Zhao Yu's strong support, Pei Sui could never have managed his harem so orderly.

Of course, unlike others, Pei Sui was not only a female official but also Zhao Yu's concubine.

Originally, Empress Dowager had sent four training maids to instruct Zhao Yu in matters of intimacy. Besides Pei Sui, the other three training maids all became pregnant in turn—only Pei Sui's belly showed no sign.

Zhao Yu had made the other three training maids pregnant; the problem could not lie with Zhao Yu.

Was he denying Pei Sui the opportunity?

Not at all.

Not only did Zhao Yu spend many nights with Pei Sui after Ma Xiao Jiao, Wang Chuchu, and Guo Ting became pregnant, even before those three became pregnant, due to Zheng Xiansu's influence, Zhao Yu spent more nights in Pei Sui's quarters than anywhere else.

In short, up to now, Pei Sui had shared his bed more times than any other woman.

Yet despite this, Pei Sui still could not conceive.

This had long sparked much gossip. Envious maids whispered that Pei Sui was wasting Zhao Yu's imperial seed, claiming that if those chances were given to women who could bear children, Zhao Yu might already have ten or more children. Some even spread rumors that Pei Sui was a sinner of the Wang Fu and even of the Zhao Song Dynasty.

This placed immense pressure on Pei Sui, driving her to desperately want to conceive—to prove she was not barren, and to secure for herself the greatest possible guarantee.

And this pressure grew larger as Zhang Chun and the other four women arrived, and as Zheng Xiansu, Wang Yisu, and Guo Ting drew nearer to their wedding dates.

—Pei Sui knew well: with more competitors, especially with her adoptive mother Zheng Xiansu's arrival, she would never again have so many opportunities—she might not even have any at all.

So Pei Sui wanted to seize this final chance to conceive.

To this end, she exhausted every means to win opportunity.

But because she had to maintain an image of composure and strategic vision, she could not be too forward in seeking affection, lest she lose her greatest value.

Thus, Pei Sui could only pour all her energy into managing Zhao Yu's harem, hoping he would reward her with more visits because of her service.

Of course, Pei Sui also used the power at her disposal.

For example, this time.

Pei Sui used her exclusive right to leave the back palace gates, waiting at the entrance to ensure she was the first woman Zhao Yu saw upon returning to the harem.

Pei Sui quickly reported to Zhao Yu her arrangements for the four women, seeking his approval, and detailed what the four women—including Ma Xiao Jiao—had done that entire day.

Finally, Pei Sui volunteered: "I have already instructed them, especially those selected by them, that regarding their affairs, not a single word must be leaked—anyone who speaks out will face the harshest punishment…"

Correct.

Zhao Yu was suppressing news of the five women, trying to prevent their information from leaking.

First, this reduced their influence, preventing them from using their influence to cause trouble.

This had to be guarded against, because their mindset differed from women of this era, and their boldness far surpassed anything women of this time could match. Without exaggeration, they truly dared to think big—and dared to act on it, even now, biding their time to make grand moves.

Second, this also helped avoid unnecessary complications.

After all, Zhao Yu had not yet fully won them over; their relationship was not yet settled.

Crucially, for women from his past life, even if you turned raw rice into porridge, they could still break up with you—change locations, get a hymen restored, or lie outright, and they'd still claim to be virgins who had never dated a man.

So he still needed to control their contact with men who were unnecessary—or especially risky.

Zhao Yu listened, nodded, and approved Pei Sui's actions.

Only then did Pei Sui reveal her true intent: "Your Majesty, where will you rest tonight? I shall arrange it."

Since Zheng Xiansu had not yet married in, Zhao Yu's harem still lacked its formal inner court institutions, hierarchical duties, ritual norms, and financial and material management.

Moreover, Wang Chuchu, who was supposed to help Pei Sui, and Guo Wei are both pregnant.

Now, Pei Sui, under the title of Interior Minister, oversees everything, including the affairs of the Inner Bedchamber.

Yet this also reveals how extraordinary Pei Sui truly is—she is only seventeen or eighteen, yet she has managed this entire mess alone, holding it together without a single mishap to date.

Seeing this, Zheng Xiansu sent Pei Sui here without mistake.

Not for any other reason, but simply because Pei Sui has maintained his harem single-handedly, causing no disruption at this critical moment when stability outweighs all else, Zhao Yu must reward her.

Besides, Zhao Yu does not see himself as a breeding animal; when he engages in such acts, it is not entirely for the sake of producing offspring, but more for his own pleasure.

Therefore, even if Pei Sui truly cannot conceive, it does not prevent Zhao Yu from enjoying pleasure with her.

So Zhao Yu whispered to Pei Sui beside his ear: "Tonight, I shall try your Dance of the Cicada Worshiping the Moon once more."

Pei Sui's eyes lit up; she sweetly and softly replied: "Yes."

Zhao Yu well knew that although Pei Sui appeared sweet, adorable, and harmless before him, she was formidable before others—almost no palace servant dared fear her.

Yet this was only natural; if Pei Sui lacked such ability, she could never have stabilized Zhao Yu's harem.

Zhao Yu made no pretense about Pei Sui's dual nature.

On the contrary, the thought of such a formidable Pei Sui beneath him, yielding entirely to his whims, striving desperately to please him, filled Zhao Yu with a quiet pride and a flicker of excitement.

As Zhao Yu and Pei Sui entered Funing Gate, they saw two stunningly beautiful young maids standing there in the cold wind.

One of the young maids stood quietly, like a delicate ink wash painting. Her figure was light, as if swaying gently like a orchid in the breeze, radiating an innate grace. Her tiny face, skin whiter than snow, seemed to glow. Beneath her arched brows were almond-shaped eyes, deep as if holding endless stories—her gaze carried the innocence of her age, yet also a touch of premature composure.

The other, at first glance, seemed like a fresh bud blooming in spring, her entire being brimming with liveliness. Her slender form stood upright like a tender willow in spring; her round face, flushed with pink, resembled a ripe peach beneath the warm sun. Her large, round eyes sparkled like pools of clear spring water, brimming with innocent curiosity; a single flick of her gaze seemed to whisper countless clever, mischievous thoughts.

Zhao Yu smiled: "Oh? When did two such breathtakingly beautiful young maids arrive in the palace?"

Pei Sui beside him introduced: "The quiet one is Li Shi, whose childhood name is Shishi; today she was chosen by Zhang Chun as her personal attendant. The lively one is Zhao Yuannu; originally sharing the imperial surname, she changed her surname to Shao to avoid it, and was taken in by Ye Shi Yun as her attendant. Both were trained as courtesans at Fanlou. Previously, when they lured Prince Duan here, the late emperor shut down Fanlou, and they, along with all the courtesans of Fanlou, were transferred to the Teaching Bureau. The Ministry of Revenue officials, seeing they were well-educated, exceptionally beautiful, and untainted, felt it a waste to keep them in the Teaching Bureau, so they recommended them for the palace selection. Unexpectedly, all twelve of them were chosen—these two are the most striking in appearance."

Earlier that day, Zhang Chun had taken Li Shishi, and Ye Shi Yun, resentful, pouted and pressured Pei Sui to find her an even better attendant.

Pei Sui, unwilling to offend Ye Shi Yun, gave her Zhao Yuannu, whom she had kept for herself.

In appearance, Li Shishi and Zhao Yuannu were evenly matched; but in temperament, Zhao Yuannu was sharper and more discerning. In Pei Sui's view, Zhao Yuannu would fare better in the harem, so she had intended to adopt her as a daughter and train her as a trusted aide, just as Zheng Xiansu had once adopted her.

But Pei Sui knew Zhao Yu favored the Five Ladies, so to avoid offending them—even to cultivate goodwill—she reluctantly gave Zhao Yuannu to Ye Shi Yun.

Seeing Pei Sui still had hidden reserves, Li Lin and Yuan Qing Cheng also demanded similarly beautiful attendants.

But this time, Pei Sui truly had none left, and could only tell them the truth.

Fortunately, Li Lin and Yuan Qing Cheng were reasonable; after Pei Sui selected two obedient, sweet, and well-behaved girls for them, they ceased pressing her.

Zhao Yu recalled: the Minister of Rites, He Zhizhong, had submitted a memorial asking whether young girls from the Teaching Bureau might be allowed to participate in the palace maid selection.

At the time, Zhao Yu had paid it no mind, merely scribbling "Approved" across it.

Yet this had led to Li Shishi and Zhao Yuannu—two of the era's most famed courtesans—entering his harem, each taken as attendants by Zhang Chun and Ye Shi Yun respectively.

"This…"

Zhao Yu truly did not know what to say.

If he had to say something, Zhao Yu could only thank heaven for being so generous to him.

Zhao Yu asked Li Shishi and Zhao Yuannu: "Why are you two waiting here for me?"

Li Shishi spoke first: "My lady has urgent matters to present to Your Majesty. May I ask if Your Majesty has time?"

Zhao Yuannu followed: "My lady has thought of another strategy, one worth attempting, and requests permission to discuss it with you."

Seeing how eager Zhang Chun and Ye Shi Yun were, Zhao Yu grew less hurried; he decided to let them stew for a few more days, encouraging their rivalry to draw out even more ideas.

Besides, he had already promised Pei Sui—could he now go back on his word?

So Zhao Yu told Li Shishi and Zhao Yuannu: "I have no time tonight. Return and tell your ladies that if they have matters, they may come to see me tomorrow."

Hearing this, Li Shishi and Zhao Yuannu could only return to report to Zhang Chun and Ye Shi Yun.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yu took Pei Sui back to Funing Palace to rest…

…

(End of Chapter)