I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 258: Chengen dews the lotus in the night

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The morning sunlight shone through the window onto Shao's face, waking him up slowly.

In fact, Shaw Brothers barely slept that night.

First, Zhao Yu, who was extremely energetic, stayed up half the night.

Mrs. Shao never expected that Zhao Yu could play such a thing in so many ways, exhausting her, who was about to reach the age of virility, to the point that she was almost falling apart.

The key point is that she wasn't even a key player last night.

It is obvious that Zhao Yu liked Fang Baihua the most.

Secondly, Zhao Yu also had a strong desire to conquer Chen Miaozhen, who seemed indifferent to everything.

As for her, she was Fang Baihua's and Chen Miaozhen's substitute during their breaks.

Even as a substitute, Shaw Brothers experienced an unprecedented, even unimaginable, peak enjoyment.

At that time, under pressure from Zhao Yu's imperial aura, and driven by her desire to save her son's life, she experienced a carnal stimulation she had never felt before. This compelled Shao Shi to do everything in her power to cooperate with Zhao Yu, and she even couldn't help but compete with Fang Baihua and Chen Miaozhen to please him.

But when Zhao Yu finally had his fill of fun and fell asleep with Fang Baihua and Chen Miaozhen in his arms, she also entered a state of enlightenment. Only then did she remember that she was a married woman. Moreover, to be fair, although Fang La liked to daydream, liked to cause trouble, and was ambitious, he was still very good to her. Otherwise, he wouldn't have made her empress as soon as he became emperor.

It can be said that Shao and Fang La had a deep affection for each other. If Fang La had not led the uprising, they might have grown old together, perhaps even sharing the same bed in life and the same grave in death.

Unexpectedly, life is unpredictable, and fate plays cruel tricks. Fang La's ambition dragged them into this magnificent yet ruthless torrent of rebellion. Fang La's impulsive actions were like a double-edged sword, illuminating his own long-held dream while shattering his family's peaceful life; their former ordinary happiness seemed to vanish overnight.

As Shao closed his eyes, memories of his past with Fang La surfaced in his mind. Those ordinary yet warm days gradually dissipated like morning mist, leaving only a lingering sorrow in his heart.

It's quite ironic, really. As Fang La's wife, Shao was given the title of empress. She should have been at the pinnacle of power, enjoying unparalleled glory. But she didn't get to live the life of an empress. She didn't even get to live as a pseudo-empress for long before she was burdened with unspeakable burdens and helplessness. She had no choice but to submit to another man in order to ensure her son's safety.

Ms. Shao was originally a gentle and virtuous woman who longed for nothing more than the companionship and understanding of an ordinary couple. However, due to Fang La's passion and unwillingness to be mediocre, she embarked on this absurd path full of unknowns.

This heavy price left Shaw Brothers with an indescribable sense of sorrow and helplessness in the quiet of the night.

Ms. Shao kept having wild thoughts until she was completely exhausted and could no longer hold on, at which point she drifted into a drowsy state.

There was no way around it; this was the first time Shao had shared a bed with another man, so how could she sleep peacefully in Zhao Yu's arms like Fang Baihua and Chen Miaozhen?
In her dream, Shao returned to the home she and Fang La used to live in, but she didn't dare to look Fang La in the eye. She could only lower her head and look at her toes, like a child who had made a mistake.

In the dream, Fang La was still as forthright and talkative as ever, surrounded by a large group of heroes. They drank and ate meat, boasting and bragging. Everyone said, "Sister-in-law, this meat is really delicious. Brother is so lucky to have married you."

The dream shifts to a scene of endless war, with deafening shouts of battle. Fang La and his brothers rush into the smoke and gradually disappear into the distance. Gone are their cheerful smiles; instead, their faces are filled with murderous intent, and the knives and spears they hold are all covered in blood.

Shao wanted to call out Fang La's name to stop his killing spree, but he found himself unable to make a sound and could only watch helplessly as Fang La walked step by step toward his unknown fate.

In his dream, Shaw could only keep running behind Fang La, trying to catch up with Fang La's pace and stop him from making further mistakes, but he was always just one step away.

Finally, Shao stopped. Fang La was already standing on the high city wall, his gaze deep and complex. Their eyes met in the air, as if transcending the barriers of time and space, returning to that carefree era.

But in an instant, Fang La's eyes turned cold and unfamiliar, as if he had never known her before.

Tears blurred Shaw's vision, waking her from her dream.

At this moment, sweat and tears had soaked the sheets beneath Shao, but she was completely unaware.

Ms. Shao stared blankly at the ceiling. Everything in the dream felt so real that she couldn't tell if it was a dream or reality.

Shaw closed his eyes, trying to fall asleep again, but found that he could no longer enter that dream full of memories.

The morning sun was so bright, but Shaw's heart was filled with gloom.

Just then, a large hand gently patted the outside of Shaw's buttocks, as if to comfort her.

Startled, Mr. Shao quickly turned his head to look.

The first thing Shaw Brothers saw was the tall Fang Baihua.

At this moment, Fang Baihua was lying in Zhao Yu's arms, her two arms, which were much longer than those of an average person, were wrapped around Zhao Yu's waist.

It was obvious that the person comforting her wasn't Fang Baihua, who was still fast asleep.

Meanwhile, on Zhao Yu's other side, Chen Miaozhen was nestled in his arms, fast asleep.

There were only four people in the bed, so it goes without saying who was comforting her.

Shao secretly looked at Zhao Yu's eyes and saw that Zhao Yu's eyes were indeed open.

Shao instinctively tried to avoid Zhao Yu's gaze.

But in that instant, Shao saw that Zhao Yu looked at her and said, "Come here, I have something to tell you."

Shao instinctively crawled over and pressed her ear to Zhao Yu's mouth.

Then she heard Zhao Yu say in her ear, "You did nothing wrong. Fang La brought this upon himself. You don't need to feel any guilt."

Upon hearing this, Shao's heart trembled slightly. Zhao Yu's words were like a warm current, quietly flowing into her cold heart. She had thought that she would sink into this entanglement of morality and desire, until she was swallowed up by endless guilt and shame. However, Zhao Yu was so considerate, seeing through her inner struggle and suffering, telling her that it was not her fault, that she did not need to blame herself, and that she did not need to bear that heavy moral shackle.

Mr. Shao looked up, his eyes flashing with complex emotions—gratitude, relief, and a complex mix of feelings that were hard to describe.

Zhao Yu smiled gently, a smile that carried a hint of amusement and sincerity, as if it could see through all the illusions of the world and reach the softest part of people's hearts.

Ms. Shao couldn't help but recall her experience from last night, and her pretty face flushed red.

At this moment, Zhao Yu had already removed Fang Baihua's hand from his waist and pulled his other hand out from under Chen Miaozhen's neck.

Zhao Yu lowered his voice and said, "Help me get up." Hearing this, Shao obediently got out of bed with Zhao Yu, and then, together with Wang Chuchu and other palace maids, helped Zhao Yu get up, wash up, and see him off.

Before leaving, Zhao Yu said to Shao, "If you entrust your responsibilities to others, you will find contentment in your life."

Upon hearing Zhao Yu tell her to learn to shift the blame and place all responsibility on Fang La, Shao nodded slightly, as if responding to Zhao Yu, or perhaps saying to herself:
"The root of all this lies in the official's ambition and impulsiveness. He single-handedly created this tragedy and pushed me toward His Majesty."

"I did what I had to do just to save my own life and my son's."

"I am not wrong, it is you, sir, who is wrong. If it weren't for you, how would I have ended up in this dilemma?"

"Yes! All of this is nothing more than fate's punishment for your ambition!"

"And I am just an innocent person trying to protect my family in the storm."

"..."

After this self-brainwashing, Shaw Brothers indeed felt much better.

At this moment, Wang Chuchu had a palace maid bring over a bowl of lotus seed soup and said to Shao Shi, "Have a bowl of lotus seed soup for good luck."

At first, Shaw was a little taken aback.

But soon, Mr. Shao understood what Wang Chuchu meant by those words.

Considering Zhao Yu's intense assault on her last night, Shao really couldn't rule out the possibility that she might have a third child.

As she took the bowl of warm, smooth lotus seed soup, Mrs. Shao's hand trembled slightly, and a complex expression flashed in her eyes.

This bowl of soup not only carries Wang Chuchu's goodwill and blessings, but also seems to foreshadow a turning point in her future destiny.

Gently scooping up a spoonful, Mrs. Shao parted her lips slightly and savored the delicate and smooth soup. The sweet taste with a hint of bitterness perfectly reflected her current state of mind: anticipation for a new life, yet an inability to let go of the past and feelings of guilt. Each sip seemed to be a reflection of her own turbulent life.

After finishing her meal, standing by the window in the early morning light, Lady Shao gazed at the gradually awakening palace in the distance, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew that from the moment she decided to share a bed with Zhao Yu, her fate was inextricably linked to this magnificent palace, and there was no turning back. As for Fang La, the man who had once given her warmth and support, he was now only a source of pain and regret in her midnight dreams.

No matter what happened in the past, life must go on, and what she has to do is find a way to survive for herself and her son in this chaotic world.

Two more hours passed before Fang Baihua and Chen Miaozhen, who were exhausted from the previous night, finally got up.

The three women met again, and they were all filled with shame!
There's no need to say more about Shao and Fang Baihua. As sisters-in-law, they went through this together. Last night, the two even had a little competition. Now that the passion has passed, how could they not feel embarrassed and ashamed?

As for Chen Miaozhen, she always appeared serene and otherworldly, as if she were untouched by worldly affairs, elegant and noble. In the end, she was still broken down by Zhao Yu and behaved no differently from an ordinary woman.

The three women remained silent, yet the turmoil in their hearts was difficult to quell.

Fortunately, not long after, Wang Chuchu had two more bowls of lotus seed soup brought over, so that Fang Baihua and Chen Miaozhen could also have some good luck.

While Fang Baihua and Chen Miaozhen were eating lotus seed soup, Wang Chuchu said to them, "Later, the Imperial Historian will question you about your experiences serving the Empress last night. Just answer truthfully. Afterward, you will go to kowtow to the Empress and ask for rewards. The Empress will bestow titles and rewards for serving the Empress. If any of you become pregnant with the Emperor's child, the Empress will also give you a promotion. If you give birth to the Emperor's child, especially a prince, you will be promoted three ranks..."

The deed is done, what else can the three women say but to obey?
After eating lotus seed soup and tidying up, the three women followed Wang Chuchu to Kunning Palace after being questioned by the palace eunuch.

Inside the Kunning Palace, Zheng Xiansu sat upright on the phoenix throne, her demeanor elegant and graceful, exuding both majesty and gentleness. Her gaze was piercing, as if she could see into people's hearts.

Upon seeing Zheng Xiansu, Shao realized what it meant to be a model of virtue for the nation, and that compared to Zheng Xiansu, her position as Empress was a joke.

Shao Shi, Fang Baihua, and Chen Miaozhen, dressed in gorgeous palace attire, followed Wang Chuchu with light but slightly uneasy steps, arriving in front of Zheng Xiansu.

Zheng Xiansu graciously offered the three women seats, chatted with them about everyday matters, and inquired with great interest about the situation in Jiangnan, even the details of their involvement in the Fang La uprising.

For some reason, Jung Hyun-suk, who seemed kind and approachable, put more pressure on them than Jo Yu.

This made the three women unconsciously more cautious and respectful when answering Zheng Xiansu's questions. Every word seemed to be carefully considered on the tip of their tongues, for fear of saying something wrong.

Zheng Xiansu listened patiently with a tenderness akin to that of a loving mother, occasionally nodding and smiling. His smiles concealed unfathomable shrewdness and wisdom, making the three women feel increasingly insignificant and powerless.

After their conversation, Zheng Xiansu said to the three women, "According to the rules of the harem, once a woman is favored by the emperor, she is granted a rank; each subsequent favor grants her a promotion."

At this point, Zheng Xiansu looked at Fang Baihua and Chen Miaozhen and said, "You two were originally virgins, so you can be promoted two ranks and become county ladies."

Fang Baihua and Chen Miaozhen quickly expressed their gratitude: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

After Fang Baihua and Chen Miaozhen got up, Zheng Xiansu said to Shao, "You can become the county magistrate."

Although she was a grade below Fang Baihua and Chen Miaozhen, the Shaw family didn't say anything, since it was her second marriage.

Madam Shao immediately expressed her gratitude: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

Zheng Xiansu then comforted Shao, saying, "You don't need to worry. The Emperor came to my place this morning. I heard him say that he is very interested in the three of you and will most likely favor you. Your promotions will come one day."

Zheng Xiansu was right.

Having just received their rewards and treatment from Zheng Xiansu, and having each chosen their maids, they returned to their newly assigned quarters when new female attendants came to their quarters and said, "His Majesty has chosen the three of you to serve him tonight. Make preparations quickly."

So, the same process was repeated.

However, unlike his haste yesterday, this time when Zhao Yu saw the three women again, before Chen Miaozhen could say to him again, "Your Majesty, I, Chen, have something to report," Zhao Yu took the initiative to ask her, "If I remember correctly, you seem to have something to report?"

This was Zhao Yu's habit: to secure the gains first and avoid unnecessary complications before engaging in idle chatter.

Seeing that Zhao Yu was indeed not at a disadvantage, Chen Miaozhen felt a little resentful, but despite her resentment, she suppressed her emotions and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I do have something to report..."

……

(End of this chapter)