Chapter 87: Zhao Yu: Who Can Control Me?

…

"Criminal wife Chongzhen pays homage to Your Majesty."

Meng Xiang's first impression on Zhao Yu was one of solemnity, composure, and grandeur—her etiquette was impeccable, neither subservient nor arrogant; even facing him, this new emperor who held her fate in his hands, she maintained a rare calmness and detachment, as if she were not a criminal wife but still the Empress of the Zhao Song dynasty.

Zhao Yu felt this was how an Empress ought to be.

But Liu Qingjing—even if made Empress—never looked like one.

Alright.

Zhao Yu admitted he preferred women like Meng Xiang—subtle, profound. Liu Qingjing, though beautiful, always gave Zhao Yu the sense of being unsuitable for the imperial court.

It was like comparing a wife of deep heritage, noble and elegant, to a stunning but shallow, fawning, decorative concubine—the latter might be fun occasionally, but ultimately one should return to the former.

Also, to be honest, Meng Xiang's Daoist robe offered Zhao Yu a different kind of allure—hmm… something like uniform temptation.

Zhao Yu quickly pulled himself back—"Definitely, the fire ignited by Ye Shi Yun hasn't fully burned out yet; that's why I'm having impure thoughts about everyone. Yes, yes, absolutely—that's it. I don't have a sister-in-law complex!"

Moreover, Zhao Yu's strong fondness for Meng Xiang stemmed from seeing her as a tenacious challenger of fate—she had been deposed twice and restored twice, enduring life's extremes beyond ordinary endurance. Yet she faced adversity with patience and resilience, preserving her dignity during her seclusion in Yao Hua Palace, never blaming heaven or others. This ability to maintain inner peace amid despair ultimately allowed her, as a deposed Empress, to escape capture by the Jin during the Jingkang Humiliation, preserving a crucial political symbol for the Southern Song's survival.

After the Jingkang Humiliation, Meng Xiang, as the sole surviving senior member of the imperial clan, supported Zhao Gou's ascension, providing vital legitimacy to the Southern Song regime.

Furthermore, Meng Xiang presided over court twice as regent, using gentleness to overcome force—calming rebellious troops while secretly coordinating loyalist forces to save Zhao Gou's life and preserve the Zhao Song dynasty, demonstrating exceptional political acumen.

More remarkably, though branded by the old faction, once in power she prioritized the greater good, remaining neutral in the new-old factional struggles, neither siding with powerful ministers nor retaliating against political enemies.

Lastly, she showed remarkable magnanimity by caring for the daughter of Zhao Xu, who had abandoned her, and Liu Qingjing, who had harmed her—revealing a political vision transcending personal grudges.

Moreover, Meng Xiang was humble and frugal, never abusing power to benefit her family; even in exile, she insisted on paying for her wine and refused healing potions, setting an example that upheld the dignity of the Zhao Song imperial house—truly a model of maternal virtue.

Of course, Meng Xiang's role as a stabilizing pillar in history, helping rebuild the Zhao Song dynasty, was partly accidental—her political significance was largely shaped by circumstance. Yet even so, her clear-headed decisions at critical moments were indispensable to the stability of the early Southern Song.

In short, Zhao Yu deeply admired this woman.

Yet while admiring Meng Xiang, Zhao Yu also pitied her—she had done nothing wrong, yet was deposed and reinstated twice due to factional strife, her entire life swept along by politics like a leaf in a storm, struggling fiercely yet never controlling her own fate. The depth of wisdom and boundless weariness in her eyes were scars carved by time and suffering.

Zhao Yu bid Meng Xiang rise and said cleanly and decisively: "Sister-in-law, you overstate it. When I was a prince, I already declared that the witchcraft case was a court conspiracy, baseless and false. I regretted then my powerlessness to clear your name. Now that I am Emperor, I shall rectify this injustice and restore your status as Empress."

Upon hearing this, Meng Xiang's eyes flickered with emotion, but she forcibly suppressed it. She rose slowly, her bearing dignified, and whispered: "Thank Your Majesty for speaking justly. Chongzhen is deeply grateful. But I have long since grown indifferent to honor and disgrace; my heart is still as water. The title of Empress means nothing to me now—merely a passing cloud."

"If you truly were indifferent to all worldly matters and wholly devoted to the Dao, you wouldn't have accepted reinstatement twice. Hmm… as for the historical second time, if you hadn't stepped forward, the Zhao Song dynasty would've been in dire trouble—fine, I'll let that pass. But the first time—the parallel timeline version—how could Zhao Ji have pulled you out of Yao Hua Palace if you didn't want to return?"

Because Zhao Yu genuinely liked Meng Xiang, he offered her an out: "Sister-in-law, your noble character moves me. But surely you don't wish for yourself and your attendants to forever bear this false accusation?"

Meng Xiang fell silent. She hadn't yet reached such a lofty state.

Seeing this, Zhao Yu declared loudly: "Meng Shi, hear my decree: for your unjustly suffered wrong, your deposition from the Empress's seat, I am deeply moved. Your virtue, grace, and exemplary conduct as a mother to the realm are evident to all—you bear no fault. I now resolve to restore your justice, reinstating you as Empress, with the title 'Empress Yuanyou.'"

Upon hearing this imperial edict, Meng Xiang's expression remained calm as a still well, yet deep within her eyes, a faint ripple stirred—like the first trickle beneath spring-thawing ice, carrying both release from past suffering and a quiet hope for the future.

Unlike Meng Xiang, who could remain "calm," her attendants behind her—especially the many disabled palace servants—were deeply moved.

Three years!

Back then, they had been unjustly dragged into the brutal witchcraft case: some had their tongues cut out, others limbs broken—all because of a court conspiracy, left to languish in agony in Yao Hua Palace, burdened by false guilt, their hearts filled with resentment and grief.

Now, Zhao Yu's single decree had finally cleared their names, ending their suffering. Their eyes shimmered with tears—tears of joy and release; their lips trembled, as if a thousand words surged within them, yet none could be spoken.

Meng Xiang bowed slowly, with even greater reverence: "Thank Your Majesty for your great grace."

Zhao Yu personally escorted Meng Xiang back to the palace and assigned her residence in Princess Qingshou Palace.

Princess Qingshou Palace was the retirement residence of the Grand Empress Dowager or Empress Dowager; previously, Gao Taotao had lived there.

In fact, when deciding Meng Xiang's residence, Zhao Yu had struggled—her status was awkward to assign.

Eventually, Zhao Yu sent Li Shicheng to consult Empress Xiang, who ultimately decided Meng Xiang should reside in Princess Qingshou Palace.

In the imperial household, nothing is trivial.

Empress Xiang assigning Meng Xiang to Gao Taotao's former quarters would inevitably invite speculation.

But Zhao Yu reasoned: if even Empress Xiang couldn't stop him now, how much less could Meng Xiang?

So Zhao Yu followed Empress Xiang's decision and ordered Princess Qingshou Palace to be cleaned and prepared.

After settling Meng Xiang in Princess Qingshou Palace, Zhao Yu instructed Li Shicheng to assign her additional attendants—but Meng Xiang refused.

Meng Xiang said: "These elderly servants of mine are sufficient. No need for extravagance."

Zhao Yu didn't press. He made small talk, bringing up fragments of his "original self's" childhood interactions with Meng Xiang, then discussed Daoist principles with her using his half-understood knowledge.

Meng Xiang saw through him—he didn't want to neglect her but didn't know what to say to his widowed sister-in-law. So she kindly said: "Night is falling. Your Majesty must attend morning court tomorrow. Daoists eat only before noon—I won't detain you for dinner."

Zhao Yu felt awkward staying with his widowed sister-in-law.

Worse, he was genuinely distracted.

So he seized the opening and quickly left Princess Qingshou Palace.

On the way back, Meng Xiang's figure lingered in Zhao Yu's mind.

Zhao Yu felt this was not a good thing. He had no shortage of women—he didn't need to stumble over this.

Back in the inner palace, Zhao Yu considered summoning Ye Shi Yun to his bed, asking her to wear the qipao she'd worn that day—or even a Daoist robe—but he didn't want to surrender so easily to her seduction.

So he randomly chose two palace maids, both beautiful and well-built, and fully satisfied himself.

In the sage phase, Ye Shi Yun, Meng Xiang—both be gone.

'I have so many women. Who can control me?'

When Li Shishi and Zhao Yuannu arrived, they happened to hear Zhao Yu chatting with the two lucky maids.

Li Shishi and Zhao Yuannu hurried back to report this to Zhang Chun and Ye Shi Yun.

Learning that not only had the two female officials stolen her created benefits in the morning, but now two maids had shared them too—clearly, Zhao Yu had been drained today, leaving her nothing—Ye Shi Yun regretted bitterly: "It's all my fault. If I'd realized Zhao Yu was just holding on, I could've pushed harder and taken him."

Then Ye Shi Yun blamed Li Lin: "It's also your fault, Lin-jie. If you'd given me a hint earlier, told me Zhao Yu was already bewitched by me, could he have escaped?"

Zhang Chun also lamented: "Now that Zhao Yu slipped away, it'll be much harder to take him next time."

Ye Shi Yun agreed wholeheartedly: "Exactly. Next time this tactic won't work. And I think Lin-jie is right—Zhao Yu is now deliberately competing with us two, giving favors to ordinary maids and officials rather than letting us succeed."

Then Ye Shi Yun clenched her teeth: "My temper's boiling! If you push me too far, I'll reverse-penetrate him! Let him go complain wherever he wants—I'll take all the consequences!"

Zhang Chun analyzed calmly: "One-shot deals don't work. This must be done willingly—he must consent. Otherwise, we lose more than we gain."

"What plan? Have Xiao Jiao invent socks for us, or yoga pants? We can't go seducing Zhao Yu with uniforms, either—we'd have to dress as flight attendants, nurses, or teachers, but he'd have to understand them first." Ye Shi Yun said.

Inspired by Ye Shi Yun, Zhang Chun came up with an idea: "What if we dress as nuns? Wu Zetian used a nun's outfit to win over Li Zhi."

"Do we have to shave our heads? If not, I agree," Ye Shi Yun said.

"Real nuns must shave their heads, but we're just pretending—we don't need to make such a sacrifice," Zhang Chun said.

"Then it's settled," Ye Shi Yun agreed.

"Let's get started right away. Tomorrow I'll go find Pei Sui and get her to arrange a nun's outfit for us," Zhang Chun said.

"Why just one outfit?" Ye Shi Yun asked.

"Didn't we agree you'd go first?" Zhang Chun said.

"That… if we're only getting the nun's outfit tomorrow, I might not be able to do it," Ye Shi Yun said.

"Why not?" Zhang Chun asked.

"My period's coming—either tomorrow or the day after," Ye Shi Yun said helplessly.

After thinking, Ye Shi Yun volunteered: "How about I let you go first?"

Zhang Chun rolled her eyes: "Can you guess why I wanted you to go first?"

…

Leaving aside the fact that Zhang Chun and Ye Shi Yun could finally rest for a few days, when the New Party officials learned that Zhao Yu had personally gone to fetch Meng Xiang back to the palace and had him reside in Gao Taotao's former residence, Qingshou Palace, they immediately grew wary.

Cai Bian, Ceng Bu, and Cai Jing rushed to Zhang Dun's home to discuss a strategy.

Upon meeting, Cai Bian asked Zhang Dun: "Could the Emperor be about to side with the Yuanyou faction?"

"Don't panic," Zhang Dun said calmly. "I've received word that Han Zhongyan and Xu Jiang visited the Empress Dowager yesterday morning; by afternoon, the Empress Dowager summoned the Emperor for a meal, and today the Emperor reinstated Meng Hou and brought her back to the palace. This surely involved the Old Party's maneuvering and the Empress Dowager's pressure—the Emperor is likely just acting out of necessity, a temporary measure."

Here, Zhang Dun said with confidence: "The Emperor is not a fickle man; he understands the state of our Great Song too well to ever side with the Yuanyou faction."

Cai Jing echoed Zhang Dun: "I've spoken at length with the Emperor—I'd stake my head on it: his resolve for reform rivals that of Emperor Shenzong and Emperor Zhezong."

Seeing Zhang Dun and Cai Jing so certain, Cai Bian and Ceng Bu finally relaxed.

Cai Bian said: "Since the Emperor is so steadfast, tomorrow's proceedings won't change. We must seize this chance to crush the Yuanyou faction and prevent them from ever attempting another Yuanyou Restoration."

…

At the same time, many Old Party officials were celebrating Meng Xiang's restoration as Empress Yuanyou.

To many Old Party members, Meng Xiang's return to the position of Empress—and her residence in Gao Taotao's former home—was a major political victory. It was likely a crucial signal that the Empress Dowager intended to become the new Gao Taotao, lead them in another Yuanyou Restoration, eliminate the New Party, and abolish the New Laws.

Yet, discerning figures within the Old Party, like Han Zhongyan and Su Shi, did not see it that way.

In their view, since the Empress Dowager chose not to preside behind the curtain but let Zhao Yu preside over court affairs, she had no intention of becoming the new Gao Taotao. The future direction of the Zhao Song dynasty would likely follow Zhao Yu's will.

Although Zhao Yu had not yet clearly declared his political stance, he was certainly one of the few who understood the Zhao Song dynasty's problems most clearly—he knew that without reform, without change, the Zhao Song dynasty had no future and could not survive.

Therefore, another Yuanyou Restoration was impossible.

Crucially, Han Zhongyan and Su Shi had both spoken with the Empress Dowager; they knew she favored a middle path—mediating tensions between the New and Old Parties, uniting them to find a way forward for the Zhao Song dynasty.

In other words, reform was inevitable. The question was no longer whether to reform, but how to reform.

As for the meaning behind Meng Xiang's restoration as Empress, it was still unclear.

And then there was tomorrow's court session—would the purge of Sima Guang and other Old Party figures actually happen?

'On one hand, rehabilitating Empress Meng; on the other, purging Sima Guang and others—what exactly does the Emperor intend to do?'

…

(End of Chapter)