Chapter 96: The Ones Who Come to Take You Are Here

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The day after Zhao Yu's wedding, Zhang Chun, Li Lin, Ye Shi Yun, Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao, and Yuan Qing Cheng waited with Zhao Yu's other concubines and maids in the Kunning Palace for Empress Zheng Xiansu to take over the inner palace.

Because the five women's status was extraordinary.

Well, even now no one could clearly say exactly how extraordinary it was—they had no official rank, no proper title; calling them concubines made no sense, yet calling them anything else was equally absurd, for each was intimately close to Zhao Yu, some having spent nights with him, others already pregnant. Moreover, they could see Zhao Yu whenever they wished, had their own independent courtyards, a large retinue of maids, performed no labor, and could go anywhere and do anything within the inner palace. They simply looked extraordinary.

Furthermore, because the five women's status was extraordinary, each had been granted a seat—the very front row.

Even Wang Chuchu, pregnant and of deep background, and Guo Wei could only sit in the second row.

Not to mention Shen Fuling and Ma Shi (the maid who had stolen Zhang Chun's chance to spend the night with Zhao Yu after bathing him)—they could only sit on the sides of the second row.

As for those maids and female officials who had merely been granted a night with Zhao Yu or a visit but bore no child, they had no right to sit at all, even though many seats in the second row remained empty. They could only stand slightly forward, so Zheng Xiansu could see their faces later.

At all times, the five women appeared out of place. Even though Pei Sui had assigned them the best seats, they still drifted to a corner of the Kunning Palace and whispered among themselves.

Ye Shi Yun lowered her voice to a tone only the five could hear: "I heard Zhao Yu accomplished the feat of three consummations in one night—his body is quite impressive."

Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao agreed: "The Emperor is tireless. Every time he comes to me, I can't sleep well—he seems to have endless energy."

Li Lin spoke openly: "I haven't tried others, but I think he's still capable. Still, he's never beaten me—he needs more practice."

Zhang Chun put on a bold front: "Too many tricks. Annoying."

Ye Shi Yun glanced at Zhang Chun.

Zhang Chun immediately looked away, guiltily.

Only Yuan Qing Cheng remained silent on the topic, sharply distinct from the other four.

After a while, Ye Shi Yun added casually: "What do you think Empress Zheng will say when she arrives?"

Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao said: "Whatever she says doesn't concern us. We should just carry on as usual—be polite, don't defy her, so the Emperor won't be put in a difficult position."

Yuan Qing Cheng agreed, adding: "Yes, we must focus on our own goals. As for Empress Zheng, including Consort Wang and Consort Guo, we should show respect and ensure peace."

Zhang Chun thought: 'You're too naive. She won't let us remain entirely beyond her control.'

Li Lin thought: 'We probably won't have the same freedom as before.'

The five women and the other concubines and maids waited until nearly noon, but Zheng Xiansu, Wang Yisu, and Guo Ting had not yet returned from the Cide Palace.

Winter sunlight filtered through the lattice windows of the Kunning Palace, dappling the gilded hall with a languid, tranquil air. The hearths burned fiercely, yet could not fully dispel the winter chill. Zhang Chun's gaze drifted unconsciously to the courtyard outside, where a few snowflakes drifted slowly down, adding a touch of coldness and aloofness to this lavish inner palace. She thought: 'I wonder if I can outmaneuver this woman who leaves no gap?'

Li Lin looked at Zhang Chun and asked: 'What are you thinking? Afraid Empress Zheng will give you a hard time?'

Zhang Chun smiled: 'What do I have to fear? It's you I'm worried about—tone down that big-sister boss attitude. You're not the top dog here. Don't accidentally invite misfortune.'

As Zhang Chun and Li Lin whispered, a crisp, orderly tread sounded outside the hall, followed by a maid's loud cry: 'The Empress returns!'

The previously murmuring Kunning Palace fell instantly silent. Everyone held their breath, rose, and bowed their heads in respectful welcome.

The five women hurried back to their seats and bowed low to welcome Zheng Xiansu.

Zheng Xiansu entered the hall with steady steps, clad in a phoenix robe, crowned with a phoenix headdress, her jade and pearls swaying with solemn dignity.

To her left stood Wang Yisu in imperial consort attire; to her right, Guo Ting in identical attire. Both lagged half a step behind her, flanked by female officials, maids, and eunuchs as they entered the Kunning Palace.

Upon entering, Zheng Xiansu smiled first at the five women, extending goodwill immediately.

Whether ambitious Zhang Chun or the domineering Li Lin, all quickly returned her smile; Ye Shi Yun, Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao, and Yuan Qing Cheng released their own goodwill at once.

After seating herself on her throne, Zheng Xiansu said kindly: 'Those who are pregnant—be seated.'

Zhang Chun thought: 'One sentence, and she's already established hierarchy—showing she values Zhao Yu's heirs and cares for the vulnerable. If Zhao Yu hears this, he'll like her even more. Brilliant.'

At Zheng Xiansu's words, Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao, Wang Chuchu, Guo Wei, Shen Fuling, and Ma Shi all bowed in thanks and sat down, formally separating themselves from the other concubines and maids.

Look around: besides Zheng Xiansu, whether Consort Wang Yisu and Consort Guo Ting, or even Zhang Chun, Li Lin, Ye Shi Yun, and Yuan Qing Cheng—who had nearly ruled the inner palace before—all stood quietly in place.

Everyone present, without exception, now longed more than ever to bear Zhao Yu a child and achieve their reversal.

Next, Zheng Xiansu efficiently announced nine decrees:

First: All palace women must strictly restrain their maternal relatives to prevent interference in state affairs.

Second: Promote frugality and reduce unnecessary expenditures.

Third: From today, every woman in the inner palace, regardless of status, must study the 'Women's Teachings'—everyone must memorize it. Those who cannot recite it must perform the heaviest labor while reciting until they can.

Fourth: Establish the 'Red Wall Academy'—all palace women must study needlework and literature.

Fifth: Implement the 'Palace Examination'—women seeking promotion must pass tests in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework, and policy essays at each level.

Sixth: Promote cultural learning—regularly organize palace women into poetry societies to compose poems, paint, and discuss literature together.

Seventh: Establish the 'Palace Advisory Court'—allow anonymous denunciations of misconduct. When someone errs, the accusation letter shall be read aloud before all palace staff, with the accuser's name concealed. Additionally, a special 'Repentance Bell' shall be hung at the offender's door; when the wind rings it, it is public humiliation.

Eighth: Recommend palace women who perform excellently or contribute to palace management to Zhao Yu for the privilege of spending the night with him, and grant their families appropriate rewards or promotions in court.

Ninth: Establish ranks of Four Consorts, Nine Concubines, Jieyu, and others; refine the female official system into Six Ministries and Twenty-Four Bureaus, with clear duties to ensure orderly administration.

After Zheng Xiansu finished listing these nine decrees, Zhang Chun's scalp prickled:

'No development of maternal kin power.'

'Teaching palace women virtue—actually embedding their behavior into a quantifiable moral evaluation system through norms like "frugality" and "humility."'

'Replacing violent punishment with cultural tools, making concubines pursue "moral superiority" to self-restrain.'

'Using cultural influence to elevate personal cultivation and virtue, fostering a positive cultural atmosphere in the inner palace and reducing jealousy and rivalry.'

'Forcing self-restraint through collective public pressure, avoiding direct grudges while cultivating a terrifying balance of mutual surveillance.'

'Combined with clear rewards and punishments, a blend of benevolence and authority, and a strict hierarchy.'

'Damn it—her whole PUA system will turn this inner palace into the most feudal place on earth?!'

Finally, Zheng Xiansu concluded: 'We have all entered the Inner Court. What we seek is only to accompany the Emperor and receive his favor. The imperial succession is the state's greatest matter—we bear the heavy responsibility of continuing the royal bloodline. We must unite in effort, treat each other kindly and supportively in daily life, avoid groundless grudges and quarrels. Only then do we honor our original purpose for entering the palace and preserve its peace and harmony.'

After speaking, Zheng Xiansu retired to a side hall and began calling names, receiving each woman of Zhao Yu's inner palace one by one.

Soon, the content of the conversations leaked out.

Zheng Xiansu had swiftly stripped Pei Sui of all power, promoted the maids who came with Wang Yisu from the Cide Palace and the few maids Guo Ting brought from the Guo family to heads of the Six Ministries and Twenty-Four Bureaus, clearly assigning their duties.

Pei Sui offered no resistance, willingly surrendering all authority, retaining only the post of Neizai.

Following this, with the assistance of Wang Yisu, Guo Ting, Pei Sui, and others, Zheng Xiansu had already prepared a plan and established ranks for Zhao Yu's many women.

As expected, the top rank was granted to the women who bore Zhao Yu children. Zheng Xiansu not only gave them the highest status but also bestowed upon them lavish rewards.

Take Shen Fuling and Ma Shi, who were originally mere palace maids: Zheng Xiansu declared he would petition for them to be made Cairen; if they bore Zhao Yu a daughter, he would petition for them to be promoted to Meiren; if they bore him a son, he would not only petition for them to be made Jieyu but also adopt them as his own daughters.

As for Wang Chuchu and Guo Wei, Zheng Xiansu directly promised to petition for them to be made Meiren; if they bore a daughter, they would be promoted one level; if they bore a son, they would be promoted another level.

As for the palace maids who had been summoned by Zhao Yu, each received a different rank—Guofuren, Junjun, Hongxiapéi, among others—officially becoming Zhao Yu's lower-rank concubines and receiving corresponding privileges.

After finalizing the status, rank, and treatment of all others, Zheng Xiansu sent Pei Sui to summon the five women.

As the five women entered the side hall, Zheng Xiansu smiled and said: "Since entering the palace, the Emperor has favored you all greatly and relied on you heavily—unlike ordinary concubines. Hence, I have kept you here first to address official matters; after that, we shall dine together and speak of family matters."

Having spoken, Zheng Xiansu ordered the five women to be seated and invited them to speak.

Zheng Xiansu was skilled in speech and in action, leaving the five women deeply convinced; after some polite refusal, they each took their seats in order below him.

When the five women were seated, Zheng Xiansu turned to Zhang Chun and said: "The Emperor has promised you the rank of Imperial Consort. His word is worth a thousand gold—he will not betray you. But when he first ascended the throne, affairs were numerous and he could not yet attend to palace matters. Now he has entrusted me with this task, and I believe it is time to settle your status."

Although Zhang Chun had always been wary of Zheng Xiansu, constantly clashing with him and secretly viewing him as her greatest rival, she could not help but feel moved—even touched—when Zheng Xiansu granted her the Imperial Consort rank before she had even consummated her union with Zhao Yu.

Zhang Chun quickly said: "Thank you, Empress!"

Zheng Xiansu personally helped her rise and said: "This is earned by your own merit—why thank me?"

Zhang Chun wished to offer more polite words, but before she could speak, Zheng Xiansu turned to Li Lin, Ye Shi Yun, Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao, and Yuan Qing Cheng and said: "I specifically asked the Emperor how to reward you all. He was lazy and said: 'Treat them all the same.'"

Zheng Xiansu explained on Zhao Yu's behalf: "In my view, the Emperor does not wish his fellow disciples to fall out. So I have petitioned to grant you all the rank of Imperial Consort—how does that sound?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chun's smile instantly froze.

'All promoted to Imperial Consort?!'

'What's the difference between this and denying me the title?'

'After all my scheming, am I still just the same as these four?'

'How can I lead them now?'

Zhang Chun looked at Zheng Xiansu and thought: 'You did this on purpose, didn't you?'

Crucially, Zhang Chun could not oppose him—or even show dissatisfaction—otherwise she would offend Li Lin and the other three, driving them entirely into Zheng Xiansu's arms.

'This is an open strategy!'

Unlike Zhang Chun's displeasure, Li Lin and the other three women—including Yuan Qing Cheng—were overjoyed to learn they too would be granted the rank of Imperial Consort.

There was no choice: this was the inner palace—status was everything. With the rank of Imperial Consort, their endeavors would gain far greater convenience and a higher chance of success.

Thus, Li Lin and the other three women all expressed deep gratitude to Zheng Xiansu, bowing together: "Thank you, Empress!"

Zheng Xiansu helped each of the four women rise and said: "I have said this beforehand: I will not let you break palace rules. Thus, you may call yourselves Imperial Consorts and enjoy Imperial Consort stipends and privileges—but you hold no official rank. You may be addressed as Imperial Consort Zhang, Imperial Consort Li, Imperial Consort Ye, Imperial Consort Ma, Imperial Consort Yuan. To attain an official rank, you must strive as others do."

Here, Zheng Xiansu turned to Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao, whose belly had begun to swell slightly, and added: "Ma Imperial Consort may be granted the rank of Meiren; if she bears the Emperor a princess, she may be promoted one level; if she bears a prince, she may be promoted another. Imperial Consort Zhang and Imperial Consort Li may be granted Cairen. Imperial Consort Ye and Imperial Consort Yuan shall each be granted Guofuren. If you achieve merit, I shall petition for rewards accordingly."

The five women understood: they were called Imperial Consorts, and outwardly seemed no different from others—but upon closer inspection, they were still low-rank concubines, unlike Wang Yisu and Guo Ting, who already held the ranks of Defei and Xianfei.

Did this matter?

That depends on how you think.

If you have no desire to engage with the palace's hierarchy, it affects you not at all.

For instance, to Yuan Qing Cheng, who wished no contact whatsoever with Zhao Yu, she was truly an Imperial Consort—nothing changed.

But if you insist on entering the palace's hierarchy, you must abide by Zheng Xiansu's promotion system: either bear Zhao Yu more children and climb step by step to the rank of Imperial Consort, or participate in Zheng Xiansu's "imperial examinations" or other assessments, competing with the many women in the palace to rise slowly.

In short, Zhang Chun was not one rank behind Zheng Xiansu—she was countless ranks behind. Crucially, whether she could rise at all depended entirely on Zheng Xiansu's decision.

Zhang Chun stared at Zheng Xiansu's face of perfect impartiality and gritted her teeth inwardly: 'To guard against me, you've gone to such lengths. Fine, fine—we'll see who wins. Don't forget—you still have Zhao Yu above you…'

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(End of Chapter)