I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 8 Private decision for life
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In the Song Dynasty, where ethics and morals were strictly enforced, marriages had to be arranged by parents and matchmakers. How could a decent man and woman get married secretly?

Zhao Ya's direct expression of his desire to marry Zheng Xiansu as his queen was absolutely unorthodox, and even had a bit of the tone of a lecher molesting a decent girl.

Zheng Xiansu had been influenced by Confucian ethics since childhood and had been trained by the feudal conservative Empress Dowager Xiang for many years. It was naturally impossible for him to accept Zhao Ya's rash confession at once.

But then again, in this feudal era, being so openly admired by a noble and uniquely charming prince was, for Zheng Xiansu, an unprecedented psychological shock and a thrill. Although she knew the rules of etiquette, Zhao Ya's words were like a stone dropped into her heart, causing ripples in her heartstrings.

To be honest, Zheng Xiansu was really curious, was Zhao Ya flirting with her, or did he really want to marry her as a princess?
If it is the former, then there is no need to say anything, just escape from this place of trouble as soon as possible.

And if it's the latter...

Every time Zhao Ji came to Cide Palace to pay his respects, Empress Dowager Xiang would order Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu to serve him.

Therefore, not long ago, Empress Dowager Xiang half-jokingly and half-tentatively said that she wanted to give Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu to Zhao Ji.

Zhao Ji was talented, noble, suave, and had a good personality. He seemed to be a good choice for him.

But the problem was that Zhao Ji had married the daughter of Wang Zao, the governor of Dezhou, as his princess more than two months ago.

To put it another way, even if Zhao Ji did not marry Wang Zao's daughter as his queen, he would never have married Zheng Xiansu as his queen.

——Zheng Xiansu's father, Zheng Shen, was just a provincial official, a poor minor official, and he was not from a prominent family. At most, he was from a humble family. This meant that if Zheng Xiansu married Zhao Ji, she could only be a concubine.

In this era, there was a huge difference between a wife and a concubine, and the gap between a princess and a concubine was even greater.

If she could really become a phoenix, how could Zheng Xiansu, who grew up in the power world of the harem, not be tempted?
Wang Yisu reacted first. She stood in front of Zheng Xiansu without hesitation and warned Zhao Ya: "Your Majesty, please don't ruin my sister's reputation."

As soon as Wang Yisu said this, a blush appeared on Zheng Xiansu's face.

——Although she felt panic and shy in her heart, deep down there was a faint indescribable expectation.

Judging from the current situation, Zhao Ya is far behind Zhao Ji.

What's more troublesome is that no one helped Zhao Ya to speak well of Empress Dowager Xiang, who was the person who had the most power to decide who would become the emperor.

If she could deal with Zheng Xiansu, she could let Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu, who was so close to her that they were like one bodyguard, help Zhao Ya whisper in Empress Dowager Xiang's ear.

This problem can be solved perfectly.

Moreover, if Zhao Ya married Zheng Xiansu, he would be firmly tied to the childless Empress Dowager Xiang.

In this way, not to mention that Zhao Ya would definitely defeat Zhao Ji and become emperor after Zhao Xu's death, at least he could greatly narrow the gap between him and Zhao Ji, and even put him and Zhao Ji on the same starting line.

So, not to mention that Zheng Xiansu is young, beautiful, talented, virtuous, and will definitely be a good queen in the future, even if she is not so good or even has problems, Zhao Ya is willing to marry her as his princess.

Of course, the most important thing is that Zhao Ya knew very well that he was inferior to Zhao Ji in all aspects, and was afraid that if he did not give Zheng Xiansu the position of Princess, he would not be able to snatch her away from Zhao Ji.

Zhao Ya said seriously: "Marriage is a serious matter, how can it be treated as a joke? I swear to heaven that as long as Yaban is interested, I will ask the Queen Mother for marriage as soon as possible and let Yaban be the mistress of my Prince Shen's Mansion." As the Queen Mother Xiang's absolute confidant, Zheng Xiansu knew that the Queen Mother Xiang was selecting concubines for the kings recently, and had even selected princesses for Zhao Qi and Zhao Ji. Zhao Ya's turn would be next.

In other words, now is a godsend opportunity for Zheng Xiansu to marry Zhao Ya and become Princess Shen.

In addition, this time Zhao Ya stepped forward to save Empress Dowager Xiang.

If Zhao Ya really wanted to marry Zheng Xiansu and would do his best to make it happen as he said, Zheng Xiansu would really have a chance to become Princess Shen.

Zheng Xiansu bit his lower lip and said slowly, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. However, as servants, all matters are decided by the Queen Mother. I dare not take advantage of Your Majesty's kindness privately. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Listen to the sound of speaking, and listen to the sound of gongs and drums.

After hearing what Zheng Xiansu said, how could Zhao Ya not know that Zheng Xiansu had already pointed out the way for him?
Zhao Ya said, "Don't worry, Yaban. When this matter is over, I will do my best to let the Queen Mother know that I am sincere to Yaban and that I will allow Yaban and I to have a happy marriage."

Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu entered the palace together, grew up together with Empress Dowager Xiang, and helped Empress Dowager Xiang manage Cide Palace together. Wang Yisu followed Zheng Xiansu's lead in everything, and the two were closer than sisters.

Moreover, the two had already agreed that when one of them became rich, he would not forget the other.

Zheng Xiansu even told Wang Yisu that they must marry the same man in the future, never separate, always take care of each other, and be good sisters for the rest of their lives.

Therefore, seeing that Zheng Xiansu had the opportunity to become the princess, Wang Yisu was really happy for Zheng Xiansu.

Furthermore, if Zheng Xiansu could really become Zhao Ya's princess, according to the original agreement, Wang Yisu might be able to become Zhao Ya's concubine.

Concubines, sometimes called side wives, were relatives of the principal wife, such as her sisters or cousins, and were brought into the man's household through formal marriage. Their status was typically higher than that of a concubine, sometimes even equal to that of the principal wife. They held significant influence and were respected within the household.

Obviously, being a concubine is much better than being a maid.

The key point is that after confronting Liu Qingjing, condemning Zhao Xu for favoring his concubine over his wife, and saving Empress Dowager Xiang, Wang Yisu had a very good impression of Zhao Ya. If she could become Zhao Ya's concubine, she would definitely not choose to be Zhao Ji's concubine.

Therefore, Wang Yisu kindly reminded Zhao Ya: "Although Your Majesty is sincere, the palace is full of twists and turns, with various forces intertwined. Moreover, the Queen Mother has always been a stickler for etiquette, so I'm afraid it will be difficult for her to agree. If Your Majesty is sincere in marrying my sister, you must plan carefully."

Zheng Xiansu said shyly, "Don't be ridiculous! Our marriage is decided by the Queen Mother. How can we make it privately? Come back to the palace with me!"

At this point, Zheng Xiansu feigned composure and said to Zhao Ya: "We two were ordered to deliver food to the king. Now that our mission is completed, we will take our leave."

After saying this, Zheng Xiansu pulled Wang Yisu away.

Zhao Ya looked at the graceful backs of Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu and said, "Since I have made my intentions known, I will not keep the guards waiting for too long. In one or two days at the least, three or five days at the most, I will go to Cide Palace to ask for marriage."

Zheng Xiansu raised the corners of his mouth slightly when he heard this, and continued to pull Wang Yisu out of the hall.

Wang Yisu covered her mouth with her hands and chuckled, but couldn't help but wonder, "Could Prince Shen be the true love for my sister and me?"

……

(End of this chapter)