“Earlier this year, after the beginning of spring, the Emperor of Beicang launched a waterborne campaign against Shu. As soon as their army arrived, the Emperor of Later Sui, Chen Shouji, surrendered. The entire Shu region has now fallen under the control of the Pei clan of Yanzhou…”
The young eunuch, seeing the puzzled expressions of the Cheng family women, quickly added this explanation.
In the current age, more than twenty years ago, the Pei clan of Yan and Zhao rose to power. After years of warfare, they seized vast lands north of the Yellow River, founding the state of Beicang with its capital in Yanzhou, a newly established dynasty still in the midst of rebuilding.
Meanwhile, south of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers lay the Song clan of Later Yue, and in Shu the Chen clan of Later Sui. Both had remained in relative peace for over a century, accumulating great wealth, their lands prosperous and their people secure, long untouched by war.
To the Pei clan, these two states were like rich cuts of meat placed right before their mouths, so tempting that they dreamed of them even in their sleep. From the very beginning of their rule, they had cast covetous eyes southward, eager to expand their territory and bring both realms under their dominion, forcing the rulers of Song and Chen to bow in submission.
Such ambition was backed by strength. Years of relentless warfare had produced a host of formidable generals within their ranks, making their armies nearly unstoppable.
In contrast, both Later Yue and Later Sui had grown lax in military strength, their supply of capable generals dwindling. They knew well that in open war they would stand no chance against Beicang. Should the northern army march south, it could sweep across the land in a single stroke. Thus, both states lived in constant unease.
Later Yue, in particular, had been deeply concerned since the reign of the late Emperor Song Ting. He had dispatched the most experienced military family in the court, Duke Zhongjing Fu Yuan and his son Fu Changlin, to guard the northern frontiers at Xiangyang and Yingtian, hoping to delay the fall of the nation.
Yet what was destined could not be avoided. Twelve years ago, the Pei army attempted a southern advance and clashed with Later Yue forces. After more than a year of brutal fighting, Fu Changlin lost Yingtian, the strategic stronghold on the northeastern frontier. Once Yingtian fell, the lands to the south, including Chuzhou, were left defenseless, and the survival of Later Yue hung by a thread.
But unexpectedly, after capturing Yingtian, Beicang became embroiled in conflict with the Wala forces in Longxi. With their attention diverted, the Pei clan had no time to continue southward. This turn of events allowed Later Yue’s fortunes to persist, enabling the late Emperor to pass peacefully and the new Emperor to inherit the throne, enjoying years of stability.
However, at the beginning of last year, the Pei clan defeated Wala and took control of Longxi. After a year of recovery, their national strength surged. At court, both civil and military officials urged another campaign to bring the lands south of the Yangtze into their empire.
This time, however, they did not first attack Later Yue. Instead, they targeted Later Sui. Issuing a proclamation accusing the Chen clan of oppressive taxation, wrongful execution of loyal officials, and incompetent rule, they launched a campaign. Bypassing Later Yue entirely, they marched deep into Shu. By the time the Beicang army descended upon the capital, Jinguancheng, it was said that Emperor Chen Shouji and his Empress Consort Su were still drinking and making merry.
It seemed the accusations against him were not entirely unfounded.
Terrified, the officials of Later Sui did not even manage to assemble the imperial guards before surrendering. The twenty-eight counties under their rule, with a population of 2.3 million, along with vast reserves of wealth—six hundred million taels of silver, four hundred million taels of gold, hundreds of thousands of dan of grain, and countless pearls and gemstones—all fell into Beicang’s hands.
The ships transporting gold and grain were so heavily laden that they sank halfway into the water, taking seven days and nights just to leave Shu.
One could only imagine how the ancestors of the Chen clan must lament in the underworld, wishing they could strike down such an unworthy descendant.
The Emperor of Later Sui, along with his consorts and royal relatives, was relocated to Yanzhou. It was said that upon arrival, Empress Consort Su was summoned into the palace and did not emerge until the following day.
Rumors quickly spread, with people speculating about a night of romance between her and the Emperor of Beicang, Pei Hui. These tales grew so popular that they were turned into storybooks, selling so well that paper in Yanzhou became scarce.
…
The Emperor stood frozen, murmuring to himself, “Later Sui has fallen just like that?” Chen Shouji had become a ruler without a nation.
In truth, rumors of Later Sui’s downfall had already circulated within Later Yue. Now they were merely confirmed.
Next… would it be his turn?
A chill swept through him, his breath catching in his chest, his limbs weakening. Only after a long moment did he steady himself and maintain the composure expected of a ruler.
The young eunuch, shoulders slumped, reminded him softly, “Minister Fan and the others are waiting in the study for Your Majesty to discuss matters.”
Song Yu glanced at the Cheng family women, his voice strained. “Zhuru, please receive Grandmother and the others on my behalf. I will return shortly.”
The Cheng women saw him out of Jiaofang Hall. Hearing of Later Sui’s fall and the fate of its noble families, they felt a shared sense of dread, their faces pale, standing in stunned silence before slowly regaining their voices.
Cheng Yunxiang quietly took Cheng Zhixiang’s hand. “Sister, do you have something on your mind?”
“So you noticed,” Cheng Zhixiang said, coming back to herself. She tapped Yunxiang lightly on the forehead and dismissed the palace maids with a wave. “Recently, His Majesty, seeing that I have been in the palace for many years without bearing a child, wishes to borrow a womb to obtain one…”
Song Yu had long wanted to make Consort Chen his Empress, but her modest background and lack of children met with firm opposition from Empress Dowager Shen and the court. Left with no other option, he resorted to this plan.
He intended to select a palace maid, keep her pregnancy secret, and publicly claim that Consort Chen herself was expecting. Once the child was born, it would be given to Cheng Zhixiang and presented as her own, all without anyone knowing.
However, after searching, no suitable candidate had been found within the palace. The women moved about frequently, making it difficult to conceal a pregnancy. Thus, under the pretense of illness, she had summoned her family to discuss a solution, hoping to find a reliable woman from outside and bring her into the palace under the guise of companionship.
The Cheng women were shocked. Chen Baomiao exclaimed, “You are still so young, how could this be…” At twenty-two, she was in the prime of her life. Why resort to such measures?
Cheng Zhixiang replied, “We have consulted the finest physicians, and all say my condition makes it extremely difficult to conceive. Mother, do not hold hope.”
Cheng Yunxiang fell silent. Borrowing a womb… how absurd.
“Sister,” she said after a moment, lowering her voice, “this idea does not sound like something you or my brother-in-law would come up with. Was it Eunuch Wei who suggested it?”
Her imperial brother-in-law hardly seemed the type to devise such a scheme.
Cheng Zhixiang sighed. “Since you have seen through it, I will not hide it. It was indeed Eunuch Wei.”
Cheng Yunxiang thought to herself, just as expected.
She weighed the matter carefully. Even if her sister succeeded and raised the child to adulthood, helping him ascend the throne, what then? Either Cheng Zhixiang would become Empress Dowager and achieve fulfillment, or the child, upon learning the truth, might resent her for separating him from his birth mother and seek revenge once he held power.
There were no secrets that could remain hidden forever. The risks far outweighed the benefits.
She shuddered and was about to persuade her sister otherwise, but before she could speak, Old Madam Cheng said quietly, “Zhuru, this is not a bad plan, though it must be carried out with utmost secrecy.”
Cheng Yunxiang’s words caught in her throat.
“I summoned you today for this very matter,” Cheng Zhixiang said, absentmindedly touching the pearls on her wrist. “Though I desire a child, to obtain one in this way…” She sighed.
As a woman raised in a noble family, she felt ashamed at the thought of taking another’s child and feared the consequences should the truth come to light.
Old Madam Cheng glanced at Chen Baomiao. “Those two concubines at home had a similar idea. Before we came, they suggested selecting one of your younger half-sisters to bear a child for you to raise…” She frowned. “I feared it would displease you, so I did not bring them along. I did not realize you and His Majesty had already considered this.”
“Grandmother, Mother,” Cheng Zhixiang interrupted gently, “you misunderstand. I would never use my own sisters for such a plan, nor would His Majesty agree. I intend to find a suitable woman from a respectable family, compensate her well, and bring her into the palace voluntarily…”
She paused, then added, “As for my sisters, I hope they will all find good marriages.”
Song Yu’s affection lay entirely with her. Any sister entering the palace would likely live without favor, a fate she could not bear for them.
Chen Baomiao sighed, still upset. “You think for their sake, but they may not appreciate it…”
Cheng Zhixiang smiled. “I am their elder sister. I will not hold it against them.”
Old Madam Cheng nodded. “Very well, I will see to this matter.”
“Be sure no one is forced,” Cheng Zhixiang added.
“Do not worry, I understand.”
Cheng Yunxiang listened, her brows knitting tighter, an urge rising within her to stop this plan, yet for some reason she found herself unable to articulate her objections. In the end, she said nothing.
After discussing this, Chen Baomiao turned to Cheng Yunxiang. “At last month’s Skirt Banquet, the Consort of Prince Xu expressed interest in adopting Yunxiang as her daughter. The family has not yet agreed…”
They were hesitant and wanted Cheng Zhixiang’s opinion.
Cheng Zhixiang was surprised. “She wishes to adopt Yunxiang?”
Old Madam Cheng nodded. “Though she did not say it outright, her eyes were fixed on Yunxiang the entire time.”
Cheng Yunxiang spoke softly, “Sister, I do not wish to accept this.”
Cheng Zhixiang’s gaze flickered. “Yesterday evening, she came to see the Empress Dowager…” She immediately summoned Kong Yu. “Go quietly and find out what was discussed.”
Soon, Kong Yu returned and whispered a few words.
“She mentioned the matter of adoption, and the Empress Dowager said it was a good thing and would speak to Your Highness when she had time.”
The Cheng women looked at her in confusion.
Instead of explaining, Cheng Zhixiang took Cheng Yunxiang’s hand and said urgently, “Yunxiang, there is something I wish to ask of you.”
“What is it, Sister?”
After a brief hesitation, Cheng Zhixiang said, “Though His Majesty allows this plan, there is no guarantee it will succeed. Would you… be willing to enter religious life and pray for me, to ensure I may bear a child?”
The Cheng women were stunned.
After processing her words, shock and sorrow filled their faces.