One must take a long-term view of things, not just focus on short-term benefits.
This saying perfectly described the latter half of Queen Chu's life.
She relinquished her authority and retreated behind the scenes, causing the Chu Family—whose younger generation already lacked great talent—to decline even further. At first, many assumed the Emperor was doting on Consort Hao to an excessive degree and intended to suppress the Empress. They expected that in a few years, he would either depose her or let her die quietly of some "illness." Later, they realized this wasn't the case at all.
The Emperor clearly still held great respect for the Empress.
So, what was the Empress's game? Why would she just hand over her power? In a few years, once Consort Hao was firmly established, she would sooner or later find a way to get rid of the Empress and take her place. The Chu Family didn't even try to talk her out of it, despite the Empress being the only one they could truly rely on...
