I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 35 Goal: Give Birth to Zhao Ya's First Son

...

It turned out that Zhang Chun didn't intend to PUA Ma Xiaojiao.

In fact, the path that Zhang Chun pointed out to Ma Xiaojiao was the sunny road that she wanted to take.

However, Zheng Xiansu used the issue of development to give Ma Xiaojiao the opportunity that belonged to Zhang Chun.

Although the reasons Zheng Xiansu gave were sufficient and seemed to have good intentions, Zhang Chun thought about it carefully afterwards and felt that it might be because she wanted to be a palace maid too much, which aroused Zheng Xiansu's vigilance. Zheng Xiansu, who was well versed in harem struggles, suppressed her.

The enemy has been alerted, and the opponent is Zheng Xiansu, who is a meticulous and capable wife. Zhang Chun believes that if she does not want to be targeted by Zheng Xiansu in the future and have difficulty in taking every step, she must not act rashly.

Therefore, Zhang Chun was not prepared and dared not act rashly again before dispelling Zheng Xiansu's vigilance or completely conquering Zhao Ya.

But then again, Zhang Chun was unwilling to give up such a good opportunity to gain the upper hand.

The key point is that when Zhao Ya was talking to Empress Dowager Xiang just now, Zhang Chun eavesdropped on them using the improved version of the earthen telephone made by Ma Xiaojiao. Zhao Ya had started to visit his maids, and had already visited quite a few of them.

In addition, this time Ma Xiaojiao and three other palace maids will teach Zhao Ya about matters between men and women.

With so many women having relationships with Zhao Ya, it is hard to say that one of them would suddenly become pregnant with Zhao Ya's child, or even give birth to a son for him.

Zheng Xiansu was very resourceful and helped her to become the queen. It was indeed difficult for other women to shake her position.

However, in history, the only son Zhao Ji gave birth to by Zheng Xiansu, Zhao Yu, died the next day, which made Zheng Xiansu childless for life.

If history repeats itself, Zhao Ya will have no legitimate son.

If things really developed in this way, according to the inheritance system since the Western Zhou Dynasty, which is "passing on the throne to the legitimate son and not to a concubine's son, and passing on the eldest son and not to the most virtuous one", Zhao Ya's first son, even if it is a concubine's son, has a great chance of becoming the future crown prince, and inheriting Zhao Ya's throne after his death. The woman who gave birth to this son for Zhao Ya is likely to become the queen because of her son's status, and then become the queen mother. At the very least, she can first become a noble concubine and then a queen dowager in the future.

What a great opportunity!!!
Zhang Chun really wanted it.

However, fate plays tricks on people.

Ironically, the opportunity that was out of reach for Zhang Chun was easily accessible to Ma Xiaojiao.

Zhang Chun has known Ma Xiaojiao for several years. She knows very well that Ma Xiaojiao is a simple woman. She has no ambition and just wants to live a comfortable life. She will never compete with him for power.

So Zhang Chun thought of the way Cixi and Ci'an got along.

"If Jiaojiao can give birth to Zhao Ya's eldest son, I can accept being Empress Dowager Cixi."

After listening to what Zhang Chun said, Ma Xiaojiao bit her lower lip and remained silent for a long time.

Zhang Chun swore to heaven that she did have selfish motives, but what she told Ma Xiaojiao was all the truth, without any exaggeration.

Anyway, in Zhang Chun's opinion, although she intended to use Ma Xiaojiao, it was really for Ma Xiaojiao's own good.

Seeing Ma Xiaojiao at a loss and hesitant, Zhang Chun spoke to her heartfeltly, "I'll tell you the truth, I will marry Zhao Ya sooner or later. This is not only your fate, but also my fate. Sister Lin, Shiyun, and Qingcheng can't escape either. The only difference is who comes first and who comes later."

Ma Xiaojiao believed what Zhang Chun said, at least Zhang Chun would marry Zhao Ya, because Zhang Chun had been vying to be the palace maid in the beginning.

Ma Xiaojiao thought to herself, "Sis Chun knows so much about history and politics, and she wants to take this path, so this must be a good path..."

……

Zhao Ya had already exchanged marriage certificates with Zheng Xiansu, Wang Yisu, and Guo Ting. They were his betrothed wives—his wives who were engaged but not married. In his previous life, they were his "fiancées." This was protected by the laws of the time, and he couldn't easily retract his promise.

Therefore, they only need to wait for the remaining procedures to be completed and the marriage to be officially completed, and Zheng Xiansu, Wang Yisu and Guo Ting will become Zhao Ya's real wives and the mistresses of Prince Shen's Mansion.

According to the customs of that era, Zhao Ya should not meet with Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu at this time.

But Zhao Ya didn't care about these at all, and Empress Dowager Xiang also spoiled Zhao Ya, so every time Zhao Ya came to Cide Palace, Empress Dowager Xiang still asked Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu to serve him.

Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu actually felt that this was inappropriate.

The key point is that Zhao Ya was dishonest and took advantage of Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu unscrupulously whenever he had the chance.

This made Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu really afraid to be alone with Zhao Ya - they were not afraid that Zhao Ya would put on his pants and deny it, but they were mainly afraid of the bad influence.

As for why Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu were so confident in Zhao Ya and were not worried about Zhao Ya breaking off the engagement, but were only worried about it not looking good, it was because Zhao Ya gave them enough confidence.

How to describe it?
That is, Zhao Ya didn't treat them as outsiders at all, but directly treated them as his wives.

Just like this time.

Zhao Ya said to Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu, "I brought you a few boxes of jasmine-scented soap that haven't been released yet. Give them away as you see fit. Don't be stingy."

Zhao Ya took out another brocade bag and handed it to Zheng Xiansu.

As soon as he picked it up, Zheng Xiansu felt a sinking sensation. This seemingly small brocade bag actually weighed almost ten kilograms.

Zheng Xiansu was very surprised: "What is this thing, and why is it so heavy?"

Zhao Ya said, "I have prepared some golden beans for you two. You can reward them when they are needed, treat them when they are needed, and make friends with them when they are needed."

Although Zhao Ya didn't say what he was going to buy for such a lavish purchase, considering that Zhao Ya was very generous and open-minded during this period, he was generous and generous. Whether it was the concubines in the harem, the eunuchs, or the internal servants and ministers, they all benefited from Zhao Ya and he was never stingy. In addition, whenever Zhao Ya had time, he would either go to Cide Palace or to Zhao Xu. As smart as Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu were, how could they not know what Zhao Ya wanted to buy?
As for why Zhao Ya didn't say it explicitly, it was primarily because such matters couldn't be stated explicitly. Of course, more importantly, Zhao Ya knew Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu, especially the former, were incredibly perceptive and adept at understanding people's intentions. Therefore, Zhao Ya didn't need to be too explicit; they were sure to achieve the desired results and satisfy him.

To take a step back, if Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu didn't even have this ability, there would be no need for Zhao Ya to marry them, and they would never be able to be good queens and imperial concubines.

Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu did not ask Zhao Ya why he spent so much money to buy a good reputation. As smart as they were, they naturally knew what to ask and what not to ask.

After interacting lovingly with Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu for a while, Zhao Ya went to say goodbye to Queen Dowager Xiang who had just finished her nap, and then prepared to cross the imperial garden to find Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu who were gathering four palace maids for training.

But as soon as he entered the Imperial Garden, Zhao Ya saw Zhang Chun head-on.

Even with his heels, Zhao Ya could guess that Zhang Chun was waiting for him.

Zhang Chun came before Zhao Ya and bowed: "Your servant Zhang greets the king."

Including the recent apology by the Xixia people, all three things Zhang Chun "deduced" came true.

At the beginning, Zhao Ya had said: "As long as the things you said before come true, I will believe what you said."

Now that Zhang Chun had won, Zhao Ya took advantage of the situation. He lowered his voice and said, "You have won. I am a man of my word. From now on, I will treat Prince Duan as my greatest enemy."

After a pause, Zhao Ya continued, "I also said that if what you said comes true, I will not hesitate to reward you. I wonder if you want me to reward you as an aide, or to make you an imperial consort when I ascend the throne?"

……

(End of this chapter)