Wan Zhen’er thought: It seems that being tough is better. Even if you don’t bully others, people will still step all over you. Rather than being bullied by others, it’s better to bully others first. Didn’t the notorious hero Cao Cao say: I’d rather let down the whole world than let the whole world let me down.
What a profound saying indeed.
The year the Crown Prince was promoted to Emperor, he was eighteen years old.
Wan Zhen’er was thirty-five years old.
The Zhengtong Emperor had passed away, and the Crown Prince sat on the golden dragon throne, receiving kowtows from everyone: “Long live! Long live! Long live forever!”
But Wan Zhen’er couldn’t be happy.
Wan Zhen’er had accompanied the Emperor for many years, been a well-behaved bed companion, and been wholeheartedly good to him. Wan Zhen’er thought she had finally waited for her moment of triumph and success.
But who knew, it wasn’t like that at all.
Before the Zhengtong Emperor died, he ordered a nationwide activity to select a matching wife for the Crown Prince. Among thousands of noble young ladies, three women emerged – one surnamed Wu, one surnamed Wang, and one surnamed Bai.
The Wu woman was talented and virtuous, the Wang woman was beautiful and charming, and the Bai woman was petite and extraordinarily attractive.
The Zhengtong Emperor preferred the Wu woman.
After the Crown Prince became Emperor, the former Emperor’s empress Qian was promoted to Empress Dowager, and his mother, Consort Zhou, was upgraded to Empress Dowager. The two women began arranging the Emperor’s lifelong marriage.
They surprisingly agreed for the first time, choosing the Wu woman as empress, with Wang and Bai becoming concubines.
Wan Zhen’er got nothing.
This made Wan Zhen’er desperate.
Wan Zhen’er had been by the Emperor’s side for many years, giving her youth, love, and loyalty. What she received in return was nothing.
The benefits that should have been hers were taken by these young girls who reaped without sowing.
On what grounds?
Wan Zhen’er cried, heartbroken.
Wan Zhen’er didn’t want to live anymore. She couldn’t find a reason to go on living.
