Xu Zifan glanced at the Empress Dowager and slowly instructed, "Shishu, and the rest of you, help the Empress Dowager inside to rest and take good care of her. Moyun, send someone to the Imperial Hospital to call them all over, and also send someone to invite the Emperor."
All the palace servants obeyed his orders, and the hall was emptied in an instant, leaving only Xu Zifan. Because everyone was somewhat panicked, no one noticed this. Xu Zifan picked up the Empress Dowager's teacup, poured the tea into a cup in his spatial dimension, carefully wiped the rim of the cup with his sleeve, poured a fresh cup of tea, and put it back in its original place.
The Empress Dowager's health is indeed poor, but she wouldn't faint so easily from anger. He had slipped some medicine onto the rim of the teacup when he poured it for her, which caused her heart to race, her head to spin, and her to faint in her anger. The medicine wasn't very potent; it should wake her up just as he finished talking with the Emperor.
This mother and son are too cold-hearted at heart; it would probably take much more pain to truly understand them.
He had just finished cleaning up the medicine when Mo Yun entered alone. She stepped forward and stood beside Xu Zifan, asking in a very low voice, "Does Your Highness have any orders?"
Xu Zifan looked at her intently. His impression of their first meeting had become blurred, completely replaced by her current unassuming demeanor. He slightly curled the corners of his mouth and said in a low voice, "Stir up a struggle between the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Furong. It would be best to get the Emperor involved as well, so that they would be overwhelmed."
"yes."
Xu Zifan had Shao Hua monitor the surroundings, not worried about someone suddenly barging in, and asked curiously, "Do you have a plan? Is it difficult to do all this?"
Mo Yun looked up at him and replied earnestly, "Your Highness, there is a solution to everything. If I cannot solve it, it is because I am incompetent. If I can solve it, then I just need to figure out a solution. It will not be difficult. These things are nothing compared to what Your Highness has done. Your Highness, rest assured, I have already devised three ways to incite them to fight. They just need to be perfected. Now that I have received Your Highness's instructions, I have a clear direction and will definitely be able to complete the mission."
Xu Zifan nodded. "An San, what you're doing is fraught with danger. Have you ever thought about leaving the secret police and living a free life?"
Mo Yun was somewhat surprised by his unusual talkativeness today. Wasn't it perfectly normal for a master to order his guards to do things? They were all orphans he had rescued from beggar's dens or bullies, and he had raised them to this day, just for these kinds of tasks. Was he testing her loyalty?
But when she met Xu Zifan's gaze, she saw no probing or danger whatsoever. Xu Zifan's eyes held only pure curiosity, as if he simply wanted to know what the guard was thinking.
Mo Yun pursed his lips and replied truthfully, "Your Highness, I have indeed considered leaving the secret guards, but not to live a free life."
"Oh? I'd like to hear more about it."
Mo Yun glanced around warily and quickly said, "For the past six years, we have followed Your Highness to stabilize this country and witnessed Your Highness's unreserved support for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. Perhaps it is because we are bystanders that we see things more clearly, but we feel that they harbor ill intentions towards Your Highness. Their words and actions in the past six months have even shown signs of trying to eliminate Your Highness. We have thought that even if it angers Your Highness, we should risk our lives to remonstrate with you. If Your Highness refuses to listen, we will leave the secret guard and go to another place to establish a more hidden force, so that we can help Your Highness when needed in the future."
Xu Zifan was taken aback upon hearing this. He carefully reviewed his memories. In the original owner's life, An San would offer advice six months later. At that time, the original owner had just received the Empress Dowager's promise to retire to the countryside, so he naturally thought An San was overthinking things. He wasn't angry; the original owner simply told An San not to mention the matter again. When An San asked to leave, the original owner didn't try to stop her, but gave her a considerable amount of money and let her go.
Later, the original owner of this body had an accident on the battlefield. Upon returning to the capital, she died of anger before she could do anything. After death, her soul saw Yu Lan enter the palace to assassinate someone, and then left this world not long after, unaware of what happened afterward. Now it seems that An San left to establish her own power, but the events on the battlefield happened too suddenly, and the deaths of the original owner and her father were also too sudden. She was not in the capital and could not save them in time.
But given An San's personality and abilities, he suddenly felt that the Empress Dowager and her son in that previous life must have met a tragic end. After all, An San didn't need to make them suffer excruciating pain; he just needed to find an opportunity to kill them.
Xu Zifan chuckled, his eyes showing appreciation. "You'd better not leave the Dark Guard. It's best if you stay here and help me. I never realized you had so much potential. You're like a treasure trove, always surprising me."
Shao Hua reminded him that someone was coming, and he nodded slightly, saying, "Be careful, I'll wait for you to come back to me safely."
Mo Yun nodded and quickly walked to the Empress Dowager's bedroom, pretending to have just finished some business and was going to check on the Empress Dowager.
The Emperor and the imperial physicians arrived simultaneously. The physicians followed the Emperor in. Xu Zifan rose and cupped his hands in greeting. "Your Majesty has arrived. The Empress Dowager fainted just now due to illness. I am unable to handle this matter myself, so I immediately requested Your Majesty's presence. I hope I have not disturbed Your Majesty's rest." After speaking, he waved away the physicians' bows and said in a deep voice, "Quickly examine the Empress Dowager. In just one month, she has fainted and fallen ill several times. Are you all just sitting around doing nothing? If you cannot cure the Empress Dowager, you can all retire as imperial physicians!"
The imperial physicians went to the Empress Dowager's bedchamber with trepidation to examine her, but the Emperor didn't visit her. He sat down in the main seat with a very grim expression, feeling that Xu Zifan had been subtly criticizing him. Almost everything about the Empress Dowager's fainting and illness was related to him; wasn't Xu Zifan's remark an insult, implying he was a lazy bum? Was the last sentence also an insinuation that he was unfilial to the Empress Dowager and should even be deposed as Emperor?
Yes, Xu Zifan made him emperor for the Empress Dowager's sake, and now, for her sake too, he can easily bring him down. Shouldn't he be secretly glad that the Empress Dowager only has one son? If he had brothers...
He will definitely not be able to ascend the throne.
The emperor, suppressing his anger, probed, "The Regent is here with the Empress Dowager so early in the morning. Is there something you want to discuss?"
He got married yesterday, but didn't stay at the Empress's place last night. This morning, the Empress Dowager kept Xu Zifan behind. What else could it be for? She must be trying to force him to submit. When will this disgusting life end?!
Xu Zifan sat down to one side, and as he expected, said with a stern face, "Your Majesty is no longer young and should not be willful anymore. Otherwise, how can you govern the country? How can you provide the Empress Dowager, your wife and children with a peaceful palace? Your Majesty should know that the Emperor and Empress are one. If the Empress loses face, Your Majesty's face will also be affected."
The Emperor clenched his fist in his sleeve. "Regent, I will naturally give the Empress the respect she deserves. There's no need for you to worry about that."
The imperial physician emerged from the bedchamber and cautiously reported, "Your Majesty, Regent, the Empress Dowager has fainted due to extreme anger and shock. We have already prescribed medicine for her, but her health still requires careful recuperation and a calm mind."
Xu Zifan twirled the ring on his finger and asked, "When will the Empress Dowager wake up?"
"Your Majesty, we dare not confirm this; we must observe further..."
Xu Zifan snorted coldly, "Then what are you still standing here for? Aren't you going in to watch over the Empress Dowager? None of you are allowed to leave until the Empress Dowager wakes up!"
"yes."
Xu Zifan's imposing aura was too overwhelming. The imperial physician instinctively agreed and bowed, retreating to his side. The emperor's expression immediately changed. He was still there, yet the physician had completely ignored him, obeying Xu Zifan's orders. Realizing that everyone in the court and palace was the same, he, the emperor, was utterly pathetic and weak—a mere figurehead!
And then there's the Empress Dowager. She was just talking to Xu Zifan; how could she possibly faint from anger? Xu Zifan would never have angered the Empress Dowager. If it was because he wouldn't stay overnight, why didn't she faint all night, but suddenly did? The Emperor, upon considering all this, concluded that the Empress Dowager was faking illness to use Xu Zifan to suppress him. Such shameless and despicable tactics are truly disgusting!
Xu Zifan admired his interesting expression for a moment, then spoke in a calmer tone, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has worked so hard for you all these years, and she recently fell into the water, so her health is not as good as before. You should take good care of her."
The emperor loathed these kinds of words, as if everything he had was given to him by them, and he was a good-for-nothing. However, before he could reply, Xu Zifan continued, "That Miss Furong... the Empress Dowager isn't incapable of tolerating her. When the Empress Dowager discussed the matter of choosing an empress with her ministers, she said that she wouldn't choose a girl from a powerful family as empress. She only wanted you to choose someone who suited your taste, even if she was a commoner from a humble background. Just find her a high-ranking official to be her adoptive father. This way, her status will be elevated, and no one can say anything if she becomes a concubine or empress."
The Emperor was taken aback. He scrutinized Xu Zifan, unsure of his intentions. Was it not a matter of forcing him to submit, but rather the Empress Dowager relenting and accepting Furong? Impossible! Otherwise, why would the Empress Dowager feign fainting? Could it be… that Xu Zifan was considering his six-year teacher-student relationship? Or perhaps… Xu Zifan, being a man of deep affection, didn't want to separate the lovers and wanted to grant him and Furong their wish?
The emperor's heart raced slightly as he asked, "Does the Regent mean that Furong can be listed as a concubine on the imperial register? As long as she recognizes a high-ranking official as her adoptive father?"
Xu Zifan nodded. "Your Majesty, this is merely a fig leaf. But as time goes on, the gossip will naturally die down, and fewer and fewer people will know the truth. Then, Miss Furong will truly become the daughter of a high-ranking official. However..."
"But what?"
"However, the matter of Miss Furong has caused quite a stir in the city these days. If Your Majesty were to force any minister to acknowledge Miss Furong, it would be quite inappropriate. After much thought, I believe there is only one suitable person: Minister Fu Lin. The Fu family is the Empress Dowager's maternal family, and they will certainly be willing to help Your Majesty remove this fig leaf. However, Your Majesty should not disappoint the Fu family and should treat the Empress well."
The Emperor was somewhat bewildered. The Empress Dowager wanted to kill Furong, and now she wanted Furong to become a daughter of the Fu family? After all this trouble, the Empress Dowager probably hated Furong to death. How could she possibly agree to that? Could it be that the Empress Dowager had really lost her mind because of this? A sudden sense of satisfaction arose in the Emperor's heart. He believed that Xu Zifan was seriously looking for a solution and had found the best way to cover it up, making everyone happy without favoring the Empress Dowager.
Xu Zifan's words made perfect sense; this was the best arrangement. Moreover, if Furong truly became a daughter of the Fu family, the Empress Dowager and the Fu family would be extremely resentful, and that would truly vent all their anger. He laughed, "Regent's method is excellent; it's settled then!"
The Emperor said to Xiao Shunzi, "Go, take Furong to the Fu family. Send more people with her and protect her well. Tell Lord Fu that there's no time like the present, let him recognize Furong as his daughter today."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Mo Yun helped the Empress Dowager, who had just woken up, out of the room. The moment they appeared, they heard the last few words and saw Xiao Shunzi dash out. The Empress Dowager was utterly shocked, pointing a finger at the Emperor and shouting angrily, "You! What did you say? I disagree! Stop him immediately! I disagree!"
The Emperor looked at Xu Zifan, who stood up and said disapprovingly, "Why did the Empress Dowager come out? You are not in good health and should rest properly. You don't need to worry about such trivial matters. The Emperor should assume personal rule after his wedding. These trivial matters are not worth expending energy on. Since the Emperor has already decided, then it is settled. In the future, you will have two nieces by your side. With a loving mother and filial children, it won't be long before you have grandchildren around you."
The Empress Dowager angrily said, "What is that Furong? Does she even deserve to be included in my Fu family genealogy and the imperial register? No, I absolutely will not agree to it!"
The emperor said displeasedly, "Mother, my words are law. Do you want me to lose my authority by changing my orders so frequently?"
The Empress Dowager had just woken up, was emotionally unstable, and was further agitated, causing her to faint again due to a lack of breath.
That was the end of it. This time, she was truly so angry that she fainted! The palace servants immediately supported her, and the imperial physician stepped forward to take her pulse, saying with a grave expression, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has fainted repeatedly; her health is already weakened. She will likely need to rest in bed for some time..."
Xu Zifan stepped forward, frowned, and said, "The Empress Dowager has not been able to rest since she fell into the water. Now that everything has settled down, you must serve the Empress Dowager so that she can recuperate peacefully. Anyone who dares to cause the Empress Dowager any more trouble will not be spared by this prince!"
The imperial physicians and palace servants knelt down in a flurry, immediately responding. Xu Zifan waved his hand, "Help the Empress Dowager inside and serve her carefully."
After the Empress Dowager left, Xu Zifan sighed to the Emperor with a complicated expression, "You and your mother are both too stubborn. Neither of you is willing to admit defeat. In fact, there is no winning or losing between mother and son. It was indeed inappropriate for the Empress Dowager to try to get rid of Furong and accidentally hurt the Emperor. But the Emperor is, after all, a junior. It wouldn't hurt to give the Empress Dowager a way out and soften her stance. The Empress Dowager is the most soft-hearted and kind-hearted. If the Emperor softens his attitude, the Empress Dowager will definitely not have said those contemptuous words about Furong just now."
The Emperor chuckled inwardly. Only Xu Zifan would think the Empress Dowager was kind and soft-hearted. But that was fine; let Xu Zifan believe that. He had just realized he could also exploit Xu Zifan's personality. The Empress Dowager was putting on too much of a show in front of Xu Zifan, and there were many things she couldn't say openly. He could use that to his advantage. Wasn't the Empress Dowager kind? Wasn't she soft-hearted? How could she possibly make things difficult for these juniors? He realized that if he found the right method, Xu Zifan could also help him make the Empress Dowager unhappy!
He tentatively suggested, "I am deeply saddened by the Empress Dowager's illness. The Empress is the Empress Dowager's niece, and they have always had a close relationship. Why not have the Empress come and attend to the Empress Dowager while she is recuperating?"
Xu Zifan nodded and said matter-of-factly, "That's very good. With the Empress to keep you entertained, the Empress Dowager will surely feel more at ease as well."
The emperor was thrilled. This was his way out. He wanted to bring Xu Zifan to his side, take advantage of Xu Zifan's lack of understanding of the Empress Dowager, and use the Empress Dowager's hypocrisy to deal with her. From now on, Xu Zifan would be his sharpest sword!