Chapter 9: Wife for Free

…

Just leaving Funing Palace, Wang Yisu could hardly wait: "Sister, if Prince Shen keeps his word and truly comes to marry you as Wang Fei, then you've finally made it."

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

Indeed, everyone in Cide Palace has seen Zheng Xiansu's efforts.

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

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

Wang Yisu said: "I find Prince Shen no reckless man, and he has sworn an oath—how could he lightly break it?"

Zheng Xiansu agreed with Wang Yisu's words, yet still worried: "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 idea, but long-planned. Even his stepping forward to save Empress Dowager—was it not also calculated?"

Thinking of this possibility, Zheng Xiansu did not feel uneasy; instead, she began to truly 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.

Besides, Zheng Xiansu had no wish to marry a reckless fool, even if he were Wang Fei.

You should know that although members of the imperial clan rarely get involved in politics, if they truly lack sense and keep acting recklessly, they will sooner or later meet with catastrophe.

Serving the Emperor is like serving a tiger—it's not just words.

Fortunately, just from Zhao Yu's ability to write the 'Land Reform Memorial,' one could tell he was not that kind of man.

In short, after carefully tasting Zhao Yu's deeds and conduct, Zheng Xiansu truly began to look forward to the possibility of becoming Wang Fei.

Yet Zheng Xiansu did not let this grand pie cloud her judgment; she proactively told Wang Yisu: "Sister, rest assured—if I truly become Wang Fei, I will spare no effort to secure the position of Side Fei for you."

Zheng Xiansu's words made Wang Yisu's face flush, yet she did not evade the matter, only nodding lightly: "I'll follow your lead."

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

Zheng Xiansu replied: "Prince Shen asked me to help draft the 'Land Reform Memorial'—it delayed us."

Hearing Zhao Yu also wished to reform, Empress Dowager's brow furrowed: "Does Prince Shen also wish to continue his father and brother's legacy?"

Zheng Xiansu answered skillfully: "Though Prince Shen also favors reform, he opposes the rushed, short-sighted methods of Chancellor Wang Anshi and others, and instead endorses the more moderate, incremental approach advocated by Chancellor Sima and his peers."

Hearing this, Empress Dowager's brow slowly relaxed: "Prince Shen has no desire for quick results?"

Zheng Xiansu immediately broke down, thread by thread, 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.

After listening, Empress Dowager smiled: "This is the proper attitude for reform."

Empress Dowager 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—but Wang Anshi and his kind lack the right method, rush too fast, force through flawed policies, and bring the people to misery. That's why we stopped them from dragging our Great Song into the abyss. Had they followed Prince Shen's gradual, balanced approach—considering both livelihood and ancestral law—who would resist the new laws?"

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

Zheng Xiansu knew Empress Dowager's words were flawed, but she was clever, always sidestepping the heavy to speak well of Zhao Yu.

Wang Yisu, meanwhile, skillfully added just the right words, concealing Zhao Yu's negative traits (especially those Empress Dowager disliked) and amplifying his positive ones (those she favored).

This made Empress Dowager's impression of Zhao Yu grow ever better.

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

Nightfall.

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

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

Li Lin and Ye Shi Yun's hands were covered in blisters and trembled uncontrollably, unable even to hold chopsticks.

Ye Shi Yun lay on her bed saying: "Now I understand why women fight so fiercely for favor—not for wealth or power, but just to avoid these dirty, exhausting chores. I tell you, hauling water isn't fit for humans."

"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?" Li Lin asked.

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

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

Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao and Yuan Qing Cheng recounted everything they had seen and heard to Zhang Chun and the other two, focusing on Zhao Yu, and said: "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, was captured north to Qingyuan, and starved to death. Also, when he and Zhao Si left Dongjing Bianliang, the people begged them to stay; 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 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 deep interest in rare flowers, exotic stones, birds, and beasts, especially excelling in calligraphy and painting.

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

This was clear from history: Empress Dowager ultimately chose the frivolous, dissolute Zhao Ji as Emperor.

But according to Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao and Yuan Qing Cheng, Empress Dowager 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 a chance 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; Zhang Chun, however, mastered both. Thus, for now, they could only follow her.

Based on this, Li Lin and the other three 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 Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao: "Xiao Jiao, 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)