Chapter 9: Take One, Get One Free

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Just leaving Funing Palace, Wang Yisu couldn’t wait to say: “Sister, if Prince Shen keeps his word and truly comes to marry you as his princess consort, then you’ve finally made it.”

Over these years, Zheng Xiansu has loved reading and worked diligently, rising step by step to become a lady supervisor in Cide Palace—not to mention her dignified bearing and vast learning, now better than ever.

Indeed, everyone in Cide Palace has witnessed Zheng Xiansu’s efforts.

If such a Zheng Xiansu could truly become a princess consort, then all her years of hardship would not have been in vain.

Zheng Xiansu feigned calmness and said: “Prince Shen may merely have been taken by a passing fancy—how can one fully trust him?”

Wang Yisu replied: “I find Prince Shen no rash man; he has sworn an oath—how could he so lightly break it?”

Zheng Xiansu agreed with Wang Yisu’s words, yet still felt some unease: “I fear he lacks true sincerity.”

Wang Yisu said: “I see it differently—I’m certain Prince Shen will come to Empress Dowager to propose.”

Zheng Xiansu thought: “Prince Shen’s reasoning is clear, his logic tight, his actions deliberate. Perhaps his request for me to draft the ‘Land Reform Memorial’ was no impulsive whim, but long-planned. Even his intervention to save Empress Dowager—was it not also calculated?”

Thinking of this possibility, Zheng Xiansu did not feel discomfort—on the contrary, she began to genuinely look forward to Zhao Yu.

Put simply, Zheng Xiansu feared not that Zhao Yu had designs, but that he would want to marry her today and someone else tomorrow, playing her for a fool.

Moreover, Zheng Xiansu had no desire to marry a reckless fool, even if he were a prince consort.

After all, though imperial clans rarely involve themselves in politics, if one is truly foolish and acts recklessly, disaster will come sooner or later.

Serving the sovereign is like serving a tiger—this is no idle saying.

Fortunately, just from Zhao Yu’s ability to write the ‘Land Reform Memorial,’ one could tell he was no such man.

In short, after carefully considering Zhao Yu’s deeds and conduct, Zheng Xiansu truly began to look forward to the possibility of becoming princess consort.

Yet Zheng Xiansu did not let this grand opportunity cloud her judgment; she proactively told Wang Yisu: “Sister, rest assured—if I truly become princess consort, I will spare no effort to secure your position as secondary consort.”

Zheng Xiansu’s words made Wang Yisu’s cheeks flush, yet she did not evade the matter, only nodding gently: “I’ll follow your lead.”

Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu returned to Cide Palace to report to Empress Dowager Xiang, who asked: “Why were you gone so long?”

Zheng Xiansu answered: “Prince Shen asked me to help draft the ‘Land Reform Memorial’—it delayed us somewhat.”

Upon hearing Zhao Yu also wished for reform, Empress Dowager Xiang’s brow furrowed: “Does Prince Shen also intend to carry on his father and brother’s legacy?”

Zheng Xiansu replied skillfully: “Though Prince Shen does favor reform, he opposes the hasty, profit-driven methods of Chancellor Wang and others; instead, he endorses the more moderate, incremental approach advocated by Chancellor Sima and his peers.”

Hearing this, Empress Dowager Xiang’s brow slowly relaxed: “So Prince Shen has no rush to achieve results?”

Zheng Xiansu immediately broke down, step by step, the parts of the ‘Land Reform Memorial’ concerning cautious pilot testing before broad implementation, and the principle of balancing interests and ideals, explaining them to Empress Dowager Xiang.

After listening, Empress Dowager Xiang smiled: “This is the proper attitude for reform.”

Empress Dowager Xiang said to those around her: “Reform is inevitable for enriching the state and strengthening the army. If our Great Song wishes to shake off poverty and weakness, reform is necessary. Yet Wang Anshi and his kind lacked proper methods, rushed too fast, and forced through flawed policies, plunging the people into misery—that’s why we stopped them from dragging our Great Song into the abyss. Had they followed Prince Shen’s patient, balanced approach, considering both livelihood and ancestral law, who would resist the new laws?”

What Empress Dowager Xiang said was in fact a paradox—reform means changing ancestral law; how could one possibly preserve both?

Zheng Xiansu knew Empress Dowager Xiang’s words were flawed, but she was clever enough to skillfully deflect and speak well of Zhao Yu.

Meanwhile, Wang Yisu added just the right words at the right moment, concealing Zhao Yu’s flaws (especially those Empress Dowager Xiang disliked) and amplifying his virtues (those she favored).

This greatly improved Empress Dowager Xiang’s impression of Zhao Yu.

Not only Empress Dowager Xiang, but also Ma Xiao Jiao and Yuan Qing Cheng, who fanned her opinions, grew fonder of Zhao Yu.

Night fell.

Ma Xiao Jiao and Yuan Qing Cheng returned to their quarters with nearly broken arms, only to find Zhang Chun, Li Lin, and Ye Shi Yun in even worse condition.

Zhang Chun’s hands were cut by weeds, her waist too sore to straighten.

Li Lin and Ye Shi Yun’s hands were blistered and trembling uncontrollably, unable even to hold chopsticks.

Ye Shi Yun lay on her bed and said: “Now I understand why women fight so fiercely for beauty and favor—not for wealth or power, but just to avoid these filthy, exhausting chores. I tell you, hauling water is no work for a human being.”

“Be grateful—you’d be in hell if assigned to the laundry room,” Zhang Chun said.

“These tasks aren’t that heavy—it’s just that my body is too weak. I need to start prisoner fitness and yoga to regain strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination. Anyone want to join me?” Li Lin asked.

Zhang Chun and the other three women all shook their heads, turning down Li Lin’s offer—they had seen Li Lin practice prisoner fitness and yoga, and knew the hardship was beyond them.

Zhang Chun turned to Ma Xiao Jiao and Yuan Qing Cheng: “What did you learn today?”

Ma Xiao Jiao and Yuan Qing Cheng recounted everything they had seen and heard to Zhang Chun and the others, emphasizing Zhao Yu, and added: “We think Zhao Yu could replace Zhao Ji.”

“This Zhao Yu sounds promising—especially his ‘Land Reform Memorial.’ If firmly implemented, it could effectively solve the problem of land consolidation in Northern Song,” Ye Shi Yun said.

“What do you think of this Zhao Yu?” Ye Shi Yun looked at Zhang Chun.

“Historical records on him are scarce. He lived until the Jingkang Humiliation, when he was captured and starved to death in Qingyuan. Also, when he and Zhao Si left Bianliang, the people pleaded with them not to leave; elders wept, saying, ‘We would rather die with the Prince.’ From this, his reputation and Zhao Si’s must have been good,” Zhang Chun said.

“As long as it’s not Zhao Ji, I don’t care who becomes emperor,” Li Lin said.

“Your opinion doesn’t matter—what matters is whether Empress Dowager Xiang will choose Zhao Yu as emperor?” Zhang Chun thought.

Zhang Chun knew well that people of this era prized literary grace and elegance—qualities useless for an emperor—while Zhao Ji had loved calligraphy, painting, horseback riding, archery, and cuju since childhood, and had a deep passion for rare flowers, exotic stones, birds, and beasts, especially excelling in calligraphy and painting.

And Empress Dowager Xiang, who favored the old party, likely admired such things too.

This was evident from history: Empress Dowager Xiang ultimately chose the frivolous Zhao Ji as emperor.

But according to Ma Xiao Jiao and Yuan Qing Cheng, Empress Dowager Xiang now held a favorable impression of Zhao Yu.

“Perhaps… Zhao Yu is the only one with a chance to replace Zhao Ji as emperor.”

Thinking this, Zhang Chun said: “I must find an opportunity to meet Zhao Yu—to see if he’s worth our help.”

Li Lin and the other three women understood little of history or politics, while Zhang Chun was expert in both; thus, for now, they could only follow Zhang Chun.

Accordingly, Li Lin and the others agreed to help Zhang Chun create an opportunity to meet Zhao Yu.

Next, the five women exchanged who they had met today, what resources they might control, and discussed how to establish themselves in Cide Palace.

Finally, Zhang Chun said to Ma Xiao Jiao: “Jiaojiao, write me a detailed method for making soap—be as thorough as possible. If Zhao Yu truly suits replacing Zhao Ji, I’ll use it as a key to unlock his heart and make him value us…”

…

(End of Chapter)