First, comparing age: Wan Zhen’er is thirty-five years old, politely speaking, she’s at the peak of the “half-old lady” category; Empress Wu is the exact opposite, like the ten o’clock morning sun, just sixteen years old, in the prime of youth, beautiful and radiant.
Comparing background: Wan Zhen’er is from a criminal’s family. Although the Emperor kept his childhood promise and brought her family to the capital to live well when he became capable, this couldn’t change Wan Zhen’er’s lowly origins; Empress Wu chose her birth wisely, born into a wealthy family, with a father famous as a Confucian scholar and a mother who was a talented poet and musician.
Finally, comparing position: Wan Zhen’er is a concubine, not even qualifying as a third wife, merely of first-rank status; Empress Wu is the master of the inner palace, and except for the Empress Dowager, everyone must show her the utmost respect and courtesy.
Really, what could Wan Zhen’er use to compare herself to Empress Wu?
On the surface, Wan Zhen’er is the disadvantaged party, with only the Emperor as her supporter.
But having the Emperor is enough.
No more is needed.
Wan Zhen’er is prescient, certain that victory will always be hers. Bringing down the Wu surname is Wan Zhen’er’s goal and long-planned strategy. To avoid boosting others’ morale and dampening her own spirit, Wan Zhen’er’s first move is to be arrogant and aggressive.
Since meeting Empress Wu in the rear garden, Wan Zhen’er has encountered her several more times.
She deliberately glares at Empress Wu, mocking and taunting her.
First to lose composure is Empress Wu’s lackey. This lackey, emoldened by her mistress’s status, jumps out to criticize Wan Zhen’er: “How dare you be so disrespectful to the Empress!”
Wu Empress’s attendants immediately pinned down Wan Zhen’er to the ground with many hands.
While Wan Zhen’er was screaming and struggling, she cleverly signaled her personal maid Spring Swallow. Spring Swallow, well-trained by Wan Zhen’er, was quick-witted and secretly ran away when no one was paying attention.
Spring Swallow ran to spread the news and find a savior for Wan Zhen’er.
Before the savior arrived, Wan Zhen’er had to endure a bit of pain on her buttocks.
They say, the character for “endure” has a knife above it – either stabbing oneself or stabbing others.
Wan Zhen’er decided to exchange the pain in her buttocks for a genuine smile. She wanted to use this pain to make her future life extraordinary. What was sacrificing her buttocks for her ideals?
The damned eunuch, though physically disabled and lacking certain physiological functions, was still incredibly strong. Possibly seeking personal revenge or trying to please his master, he beat Wan Zhen’er severely. The Wu faction’s lackeys, whether palace maids or eunuchs, all wore excited expressions, gloating and nearly cheering: “Well beaten! Perfectly beaten!”
Wu Empress was imposing.
Of course, each strike of the rod landing on Wan Zhen’er’s buttocks was the most pleasant music to Wu Empress, like the sound of heavenly bells.
Pity, Wan Zhen’er provided no accompaniment, no pig-like screams.
Wan Zhen’er just bit her teeth tightly, not even groaning. Her current endurance was for future retaliation. She was conserving her energy, ensuring her eventual pig-like howl would be the lead performance, not a mere accompaniment.
After all, June’s debt would be repaid soon.
Wan Zhen’er didn’t believe Wu Empress would not cry when facing her coffin.
Wan Zhen’er “thudded” to her knees, crying loudly: “Your Majesty, please help this concubine! This concubine has been wronged!”
Her little attendant also knelt down: “Your Majesty, please seek justice for the lady.”
The Emperor was heartbroken, helping Wan Zhen’er up and wiping away her tears.
Wan Zhen’er sobbed, showing the Emperor her injuries while grievously complaining: “This concubine respected the Empress so much, was so good to her, yet she called me lowly, shameless, and said I’m not worthy of being with the Emperor! I merely spoke a few words of explanation, and she beat me like this.”
Wan Zhen’er grew more excited and sad, wailing again: “She is the Empress, and I’m just a small concubine. If the Empress is displeased with me, I’ll surely die by her hand. Rather than being killed by her, I might as well die myself and suffer less.
She dramatically moved as if to rush towards a well.
The Emperor was frightened, desperately grabbing Wan Zhen’er tightly.
He held her closely in his arms.
“My beloved concubine, I, I will seek justice for you, don’t worry!” the Emperor said.
Wan Zhen’er looked up, wiping her tears, asking: “How will Your Majesty seek justice for me?”
Seeing his beloved’s pale, haggard face, her eyes swollen and tearful, the Emperor was both pained and angry. His face turned yellow, his fists clenched, his eyes burning with rage: “I will depose, depose that wretched woman! How dare she bully my beloved concubine!”
Only Wan Zhen’er, with a heart as pure as her words, would never mock the Emperor.
The Emperor said: “She, she dares to be disrespectful to my beloved concubine?”
Wan Zhen’er was still shedding tears: “How would she not dare? She is the Empress!”
The Emperor glared with fury: “What Empress? I will depose her!”
Wan Zhen’er did not give the Emperor a chance to regret, quickly seizing the opportunity: “Really? The Emperor will depose the Empress?”
The Emperor gritted his teeth: “Of course, I will depose this wretched woman!”
Wan Zhen’er was excited, her eyes glowing: “Emperor, is it true?”
The Emperor nodded forcefully: “True!”
I will make my beloved concubine the Empress!”
Wan Zhen’er was overjoyed and quickly knelt down: “Thank you, Emperor!”
Although the Emperor verbally promised to remove the Empress Wu’s crown and place it on Wan Zhen’er, Wan Zhen’er knew that the Emperor was sincere, a call from the bottom of his heart. Even in his dreams, the Emperor hoped Wan Zhen’er could wear that glorious and supreme Empress crown, letting her taste the power of being the top woman in the harem, commanding all two-legged creatures except the Empress Dowager.
But deposing an Empress was a major matter, not solely up to the Emperor.
Who the Emperor’s main wife would be was not decided by the Emperor alone.
Those with a say included the two Empress Dowagers and the civil and military officials.
They couldn’t tell the Empress Dowagers and officials that the Empress was being deposed because she had beaten Wan Zhen’er. That reason was not sufficient. Moreover, as the top woman in the harem, whoever she wanted to punish, right or wrong, was justifiable. Otherwise, what’s the point of being the top?
The purpose of being on top is to look down on others and pass time.
The Emperor frowned, losing his appetite. What reason could be used to depose the Empress?
Wan Zhen’er’s eyes rolled, and a plan came to mind. Wan Zhen’er smiled confidently and said to the Emperor: “How did the Wu woman become Empress? Was it approved by the previous Emperor? Or was it manipulated by those responsible for selecting the Empress? Or was she bought by her family?”
Upon hearing this, the Emperor was delighted, slapping the table in excitement. Disregarding the presence of eunuchs and palace maids, he reached out and embraced Wan Zhen’er, giving her a loud kiss on the forehead. The Emperor praised her: “My beloved, you are so clever.”
That night, Wan Zhen’er and the Emperor spent the entire evening meticulously plotting.
The eunuch responsible for selecting the Empress at that time was named Niu Yu, the head of the palace eunuchs and a loyal attendant to the Emperor’s late father, Emperor Zhengtong.
After my death, do not continue this practice, and remember never to do so again!”
