I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 361 The Untold Story of Zhao Yu and the Zhu Sisters
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Just as Zhang Chun was busy recruiting soldiers from the newly arrived palace maids, Li Lin leaned close to Zhang Chun and whispered, "Hey, why do you think the Emperor would bestow a golden mace upon Zhao Gou? I remember it was something from the Eighth Prince in the 'Generals of the Yang Family,' right? Or is it true that such a thing really happened in history, and the Emperor is imitating the ancients?"

Zhang Chun casually replied, "There's no such thing in history, at least not a clear record. However, according to Wang Shizhen's *Yanshantang Bieji*, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty appointed Liu Jing as a gatekeeper and bestowed upon him the four characters 'Eliminate the treacherous and wicked' written in gold on an iron tablet, ordering him to strike down corrupt officials. This is similar to the golden mace of the Eighth Prince in literary works such as *Bao Qingtian* and *The Generals of the Yang Family*, but they are not entirely the same. In addition, it is said that Emperor Taizong of Tang bestowed a king-beating whip upon Yuchi Gong, and Wen Zhong of the Shang Dynasty was also bestowed a king-beating whip by the Shang king. However, these are mostly found in legends and literary works. Perhaps the Emperor had heard that Emperor Taizong of Tang bestowed a king-beating whip upon Yuchi Gong and that Wen Zhong was bestowed a king-beating whip by the Shang king, and thus imitated it, which is not surprising."

Hearing Zhang Chun say this, Li Lin's doubts lessened a bit, but she still felt something was off.

Just as Li Lin was about to share her feelings with Zhang Chun, she saw the Zhu sisters, Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan, walking towards them.

Seeing this, Li Lin suppressed her doubts.

Before long, the two sisters, Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan, came before Zhang Chun, bowed gracefully, and said in unison, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty."

Zhang Chun nodded secretly, 'They know the rules; no wonder in history, one of them became Empress, and the other became Consort De.'

Zhang Chun warmly helped Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan up, and said kindly, "You two are too kind. I recommended you because you are indeed outstanding. Otherwise, the Emperor would not have chosen you."

Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan were not those clueless young people who didn't know the rules of the palace.

It is worth noting that Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan's aunt, Consort Zhu, lived through the eras of two powerful female emperors in the harem, Gao Taotao and Empress Dowager Xiang, and personally experienced the power struggle between Prime Minister Meng and Liu Qingjing, surviving until the era of Zheng Xiansu.

More importantly, Consort Zhu lived a life of ease and comfort until she wanted to make her youngest son emperor. She was immediately banished to the cold palace and died within two years. This served as a great warning to Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan.

Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan knew that every step in the deep palace had to be taken with utmost care, for the slightest mistake could lead to utter ruin. Of course, those who could maintain the emperor's favor were an exception.

And the most important thing in this is choosing sides.

The imperial harem was never a quiet place where one could only smell the fragrance of cosmetics; rather, it was an arena for power struggles, adorned with brocade.

This is especially true for newly recruited palace maids who have just entered the palace.

Choosing sides was the crucial question for them regarding whether they could stay and live with dignity. It could be said to be the only way for them to rise from insignificant dust to a place where they could stand, especially for those palace women without any background in the harem.

Even those palace servants with connections in the harem had to choose sides, except they were spared the process of choosing sides themselves.

For those palace maids without a background in the harem, they had no connections, no imperial favor, and even their most basic survival depended on others—whether their assigned living quarters were a secluded, drafty side room or a warm pavilion near the main hall; whether their daily rations were leftovers after being skimped on by the female officials or a sufficient amount of rice, grain, and silk; whether they could get the opportunity to serve the emperor in a short time or waste their youth in the harem all depended on whether they had a "backer" to support them.

If one does not attach oneself to a powerful figure in the harem and climb to a certain position, even when paying respects, one must stand in the very back corner. Gossip in the palace will first target palace servants who are "helpless and alone." Even when learning court etiquette, the instructors may be perfunctory because the palace servants have no background.

Choosing sides is about securing the most basic guarantee of survival—it's like a warm fire in the dead of winter, protecting you from unwarranted bullying and cold treatment, allowing palace women to maintain their foothold in the harem and prevent them from withering away before they can even bloom.

Once they had secured their footing, choosing sides became the bridge for palace servants to access opportunities.

In the imperial harem, the chances to change one's fate are mostly in the hands of a few.

A single act of favor from the emperor, being assigned to serve a favored concubine, or even simply gaining the qualification to participate in a palace banquet—these seemingly minor possibilities are all connected to the threads of power behind them.

Often, for palace women to rise in status, looks or a few talents alone are far from enough.

Without the recommendation of a powerful patron, even the most beautiful woman, with impeccable manners, might not have the opportunity to appear before the emperor.

Choosing sides was about gaining access to the network of opportunities within the imperial harem, so that one would no longer be just a background figure within the palace walls, but have a chance to get closer to the possibility of rewriting one's destiny, and not be trapped at the bottom for life, never even seeing the emperor.

More importantly, choosing sides can help palace servants avoid the most deadly "whirlpool" in the harem.

In the imperial harem, the power struggles never ceased. Sometimes it was for the emperor's favor, and sometimes it was for the management of the six palaces. Even the palace servants were drawn into the conflict.

Those palace servants who do not take sides may seem neutral, but they are actually the most dangerous – they receive no protection from either faction and are seen by both sides as potential threats that could be won over by the other, or as pawns that can be sacrificed at will.

For example, if a concubine wanted to embarrass the empress, and needed to find a pretext of "not knowing the rules," then a helpless palace maid would often be pushed out to take the blame.
For example, when the Empress was purging the people around the Consort, even if a palace servant had only exchanged a few words with the maids in the Consort's palace, she might be treated as an accomplice, and no one would defend her.

However, if they align themselves with the right faction, palace servants can find a safe zone in the midst of conflict: when rumors swirl around them, their superiors will step in to suppress them; when they inadvertently step on a minor taboo in the palace, the servants of their faction will help them smooth things over and cover it up.

Therefore, choosing sides is a crucial step in preserving one's life in the treacherous imperial harem and avoiding becoming cannon fodder in the power struggles within it.

Ultimately, choosing sides was never a matter of opportunism for palace servants, but rather a survival instinct within the closed power structure. It was not simply about "climbing the social ladder," but a way for palace servants to secure their living space, opportunities, and safety—from their initial basic needs upon entering the palace, to whether they could meet the emperor, rise in rank, and achieve long-term stability, every step required the support of choosing sides.

For newly recruited palace maids, not choosing a side is like struggling in deep water without any driftwood; they will eventually be swallowed up by the storms of the harem. Only by choosing the right side can they earn a chance to survive in this vermilion-walled cage and even have the opportunity to escape a different fate.

Although the Zhu family no longer has strong connections in the imperial harem.

However, Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan were very clear about these rules.

Crucially, the harem faction represented by Zhang Chun is undoubtedly one of the most powerful in the harem. Moreover, because this faction has pillars like Ye Shiyun, Ma Xiaojiao, and Yuan Qingcheng, it is almost impossible for them to lose power unless Zhao Yu dies suddenly and the Song Dynasty gets a new emperor.

Under these circumstances, Zhang Chun extended an olive branch to Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan, and had already secured opportunities for them to serve in his bedchamber. Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan had no reason not to come and rely on Zhang Chun.

Both Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan were capable and eloquent, especially the former. She went along with Zhang Chun's words, saying whatever Zhang Chun wanted to hear. Coupled with her historical status as an empress, she easily made Zhang Chun very happy.

Well, Zhang Chun, who is now quite shrewd, is not so easily fooled and cannot be persuaded by a few words.

In truth, Zhang Chun knew very well that even disregarding her age in her previous life, she was already in her early thirties in this one. Although Zhang Chun still looked like she was in her early twenties, not much different from her appearance when she first transmigrated, in her eyes, she had already entered middle age. Considering that the average lifespan of people in this era was relatively short, only around forty years old, she was practically an old woman.

A woman can't stay eighteen forever, but there will always be women who are eighteen.

Zhang Chun, who was familiar with history and understood men's common flaws, knew that no matter how favored she was now, Zhao Yu would fall for a younger woman once she grew old and lost her beauty.

Rather than being heartbroken at that time, Zhang Chun preferred to take control of everything, which meant cultivating some outstanding young women who could capture Zhao Yu's heart and help her secure his favor.

Regardless of their previous identities as Empress and Consort De, or their appearance, figure, temperament, talent, and character, Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan both met Zhao Yu's aesthetic standards and Zhang Chun's recruitment criteria.

The two sides went to each other and quickly became very close "sisters".

As a good older sister and the eldest sister, Zhang Chun certainly couldn't let Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan come to her for nothing.

On the spot, Zhang Chun prepared an extremely beautiful green wedding dress and a full set of jewelry for Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan, including sexy lingerie. She also lent Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan her experienced palace servants to help them with their affairs. At the same time, Zhang Chun personally taught Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan about Zhao Yu's preferences, striving to help them gain Zhao Yu's favor and become her capable assistants.

Before Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan set off, Zhang Chun summoned the female officials who were supposed to serve the emperor and asked them to take care of Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan. She even gave these female officials gifts on behalf of Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan.

In short, with Zhang Chun's help, Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan went to serve the emperor smoothly.

……

The inner palace, a place where Zhao Yu rests.

Zhao Yu said to Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan, who were kneeling in front of him, "Raise your head."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan almost simultaneously and slowly raised their heads.

After Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan fully lifted their beautiful faces, Zhao Yu smiled even more brightly.

When Zhu Lian raised her head, a simple silver hairpin was loosely tied at her temple, and a few strands of hair fell beside her cheek. Her eyebrows and eyes were delicate and refined, with soft, gentle arches and slightly upturned corners that lacked any hint of coquetry, like the newly thawed stream in early spring. The light blue under her eyes had not yet faded, suggesting she hadn't slept well the night before, but when her lips were pursed, her jawline still showed a hint of girlish stubbornness. At sixteen or seventeen years old, she already possessed a certain composure.

Zhu Xuan looked up, appearing even more vibrant than her sister. Fine bangs framed her forehead, making her almond-shaped eyes appear round and bright, though they were now filled with timidity, her eyelashes trembling violently when she blinked. Her nose was delicate, and her lips were a natural light pink; startled, they parted slightly, revealing half a small, white tooth. Both were sixteen, but her face still held a touch of baby fat, which, along with her panic, added to her childlike innocence.

Looking at Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan's exquisite faces, Zhao Yu couldn't help but recall their tragic fates in history.

Historically, these two pretty faces, still bearing the innocence of young girls at this moment, would be etched beyond recognition by the flames of war and humiliation of the Jingkang Incident in a few years.

Women who are given to large families, disregarding their reputation, still have a means of livelihood. But when they are given to men below the rank of Mouke, nine out of ten become prostitutes, losing both their reputation and their lives.

Zhu Lian, with his chin clenched and feigning composure, was historically bound by a rope, dressed in sheepskin, and forced to perform the sheep-leading ceremony. He was pushed into a filthy place amidst the mockery of the Jin army, and finally, to preserve his honor, he resolutely hanged himself in his twenties.

Zhu Xuan, whose eyelashes trembled like a frightened little bird, would board the prison van heading north with her sister, enduring long nights of hunger, cold, and humiliation. There was no heroic death, only endless imprisonment that gradually wore away the baby fat on her face and the brightness in her eyes, turning them into numb ashes.

They should have been Zhao Huan's empress and Consort De, living peaceful lives in the palace of Bianjing, but instead they had to bear the heaviest humiliation for the downfall of a dynasty.

Looking at these two pitiful figures from history, Zhao Yu was overwhelmed with protectiveness. He personally helped Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan up and said to them, "Now that you two sisters have entered the palace, I will not let you down."

As they were talking, Zhao Yu had Zhu Lian sit to his left and Zhu Xuan sit to his right.

Zhao Yu then unceremoniously put his arm around their slender waists.

In an instant, both Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan froze.

But soon, Zhu Lian took a deep breath, suppressing the sudden panic in her heart. She turned her head slightly, and her gaze inadvertently met Zhao Yu's. A trace of panic and shyness flashed in her clear eyes, and she softly called out, "Your Majesty~!"

Zhu Xuan's eyelashes trembled even more violently, and a faint blush rose on her face, like dewdrops on a summer morning, shimmering with shyness and unease in the candlelight.

Zhao Yu patiently told Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan a joke:
“There was a man from Huizhou who, lacking knowledge of the value of goods, pawned a single-skinned drum. He shouted, ‘A leather gong, five coins!’ Another pawned a sheng (a type of reed pipe instrument). He said, ‘A bamboo wine pot, three cents!’ Another pawned a flute. He said, ‘A silk fire tube, one coin!’ Then someone brought a handkerchief to pawn. He shouted, ‘A tiger-striped Han-style handkerchief, two cents!’ The young man asked, ‘What use is this?’ He replied, ‘If he doesn’t redeem it, he can keep it to wipe his mouth.’”

The "closing cloth" was a white silk cloth used in this era for cleaning after sexual intercourse or to verify a woman's chastity.

Before Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan entered the palace, someone in their family had specifically taught them about this kind of thing and introduced them to the concept of "shi pa" (a type of handkerchief).

Therefore, when they heard Emperor Zhao Yu tell them such a joke, Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan couldn't help but laugh, and their tension immediately disappeared.

Actually, the joke itself was secondary; the key point was that Zhao Yu was willing to condescend to tell the sisters a joke.

How could the clever Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan not see that Zhao Yu liked them?
For Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan, there couldn't be a better thing.

In fact, if word got out, it could even serve as a protective charm for Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan, helping them rise to prominence.

Zhu Lian and Zhu Xuan naturally relaxed completely, and then Zhao Yu took the opportunity to push them down...

……

(End of this chapter)