Moma Liangshan

Chapter 80 Intrigue and Schemes, Madam Wei's Child-Rearing Methods

Emperor Huizong had many concubines, but after Empress Wang's death, only four truly became prominent: Empress Zheng, Consort Wang, Consort Qiao, and Consort Wei.

Empress Zheng was Emperor Huizong's second empress. She had one son and three daughters. Prince Gun, Zhao Cheng, died young. Among the three daughters, Princess Jiade, Zhao Yupan, and Princess Ande, Zhao Jinluo, were already married, and Princess Chengde, Zhao Hu'er, was also engaged.

Consort Wang had four sons and one daughter. Prince Jing, Zhao Ji, died young. Prince Yun, Zhao Kai, and Prince Su, Zhao Shu, were already married. Prince Xu, Zhao Di, was twelve years old. Princess Roufu, Zhao Duofu, whose childhood name was Huanhuan, was about to be betrothed to Wang Hao.

Consort Qiao gave birth to five sons, two of whom died young. Prince Jing, Zhao Qi, was already married; Prince Ji, Zhao Xu, was fifteen years old; and Prince Yi, Zhao Pu, was twelve years old.

Consort Wei gave birth to a son, Prince Kang, Zhao Gou, who was fourteen years old.

Empress Zheng and Consort Wang were both maids of Empress Xiang, wife of Emperor Shenzong. They were later betrothed to Emperor Huizong, who was then Prince Rui. After Huizong ascended the throne, he successively made them Consorts. After Empress Wang's death, Zheng was made Empress. Zheng was beautiful and intelligent, not only able to appreciate Huizong's calligraphy, painting, and poetry, but also naturally simple and frugal. After being made Empress, Zheng's family never interfered in politics, yet she had no children. After Empress Wang's death, Zheng raised Zhao Huan by her side until he came of age and moved to the Eastern Palace. Although Zhao Huan was the Crown Prince, he was weak and sickly and of mediocre talent, and was not favored by Huizong. As for Consort Wang's many children, Princess Roufu, Zhao Duofu, was deeply loved by Huizong and was given the childhood name "Huanhuan".

Consort Qiao and Consort Wei were originally palace maids serving Empress Zheng. They became sworn sisters, vowing never to forget each other when one achieved wealth and status. Consort Qiao, with her gentle beauty, first caught the eye of Emperor Huizong and was made a Consort. Later, she recommended Consort Wei to Huizong, who then gained favor and gave birth to Zhao Gou. Consort Wei's beauty alone was hardly enough to make her a Consort; however, among the many princes, Prince Kang, Zhao Gou, was the most intelligent and handsome, and the most favored by Huizong. Huizong, unwilling for Zhao Gou to suffer because of his mother's humble origins, thus bestowed upon Consort Wei the title of Consort.

Empress Zheng was virtuous and kind. Whether it was Consort Qiao being favored by Emperor Huizong or Consort Qiao later recommending Consort Wei to him, she acted with kindness and compassion. However, after the two women gave birth to princes, they gradually forgot Empress Zheng's kindness and began to harbor ulterior motives. With conflict came factions. Empress Zheng and Consort Wang were natural allies, while Consort Qiao and Consort Wei already had a sisterly bond. Inside Consort Qiao's palace, Consort Wei said, "I heard that His Majesty is going to hold a banquet in the Imperial Garden tomorrow to recruit a husband for Huanhuan!" Consort Qiao couldn't hide her jealousy, but her face was full of disdain. She said, "What right does a mere girl have to make such a fuss? When Prince Jing and Prince Ji got engaged, they didn't have such a grand banquet!" Consort Wei said, "Wang Hao has been enjoying great success in Tokyo lately. Perhaps His Majesty has other intentions?" Upon hearing Wang Hao, Consort Qiao's face was full of displeasure. She said, "Is that the Wang Hao who made His Majesty feed the Empress twice on the dragon boat in front of the civil and military officials?" Consort Wei said, "It should be him."