Xu Zifan had not visited the Empress Dowager at Anci Palace for several days. He was busy reviewing memorials and handling state affairs. The Empress Dowager was also busy with her power struggle with the Emperor and had no time for anything else. For a while, she did not notice anything amiss and was completely unaware that Xu Zifan's attitude towards her had changed drastically.
That day, after Xu Zifan finished court, several ministers surrounded him to discuss several important political matters. The emperor had already left and was currently recuperating, so Xu Zifan was making all the decisions. The ministers had gradually become accustomed to consulting Xu Zifan on matters, because it was useless to speak to the emperor.
Mo Yun stood not far away, observing quietly without disturbing the scene. How long has it been? Less than three months, and the Prince has already seized control of the court, showing signs of sidelining the Emperor. Yet, he has orchestrated a grand scheme, using the interests of various parties to draw everyone in, giving every step he takes a seemingly legitimate reason, as if he were entirely acting in the best interests of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, without a single selfish motive.
The saying goes, "Those involved are often blinded," and the most brilliant aspect of the prince's move was that it made everyone involved, unable to see his true intentions. Mo Yun looked at Xu Zifan with almost worshipful eyes, but quickly returned to normal, not letting anyone notice.
Xu Zifan saw Mo Yun, briefly explained the key points to the ministers, and then told them to go back and draft their thoughts into memorials for him to see. He then walked towards Mo Yun. The ministers immediately understood; the Empress Dowager must have sought out the Regent again. The two had an ambiguous relationship, but the Regent hadn't taken that step all these years, seemingly only wanting to take good care of his childhood sweetheart. Therefore, no one gossiped; they only knew that with the Regent in power, the Empress Dowager and her son's positions were exceptionally secure.
Mo Yun bowed to Xu Zifan and respectfully announced that the Empress Dowager requested his presence. A young palace maid followed behind her. As Xu Zifan walked towards the carriage, he asked, "How has the Empress Dowager been feeling these past few days? Have the imperial physicians been doing their best?"
Mo Yun said softly, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager was unconscious for three hours yesterday. The imperial physician said it was very harmful to her health and she needs careful recuperation to have any chance of returning to her former health. I noticed that the imperial physician was frowning and seemed somewhat troubled. Your Highness, I was thinking that although the medicines in the palace are good, there may be some rare and precious medicines or skilled doctors outside the palace. I humbly request that Your Highness do your best to find them. The Empress Dowager has been very kind to me, and I hope that she can recover soon."
Xu Zifan's face darkened. "The emperor is outrageous! And the imperial physicians are useless!"
No one dared to respond to that. Xu Zifan walked to the carriage and asked again, "Is the Empress Dowager still troubled?"
Mo Yun lowered his head and said, "After the Empress Dowager woke up this time, she seemed to be a little better than before, but she is still somewhat worried. Your Highness also knows that the Empress Dowager has many things on her mind, so it is inevitable that she cannot be happy."
Xu Zifan snorted coldly, "What's the big deal? Just resolve all the unpleasant matters. I want to see who dares to displease the Empress Dowager."
After he finished speaking, he was about to get into the carriage. The little palace maid behind Mo Yun also relaxed and walked to the back with her head down. At this moment, Mo Yun stepped forward and got very close to Xu Zifan. In just a moment, the two exchanged notes in tacit understanding. Then Xu Zifan got into the carriage, and Mo Yun, like the other palace servants, walked obediently beside the carriage.
Xu Zifan opened Mo Yun's note inside the carriage. It was still very brief, mainly informing him that she and Xiao Shunzi had seized control of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's power. Next, they only needed to continue creating conflict between the mother and son to eliminate their trusted subordinates one by one. Mo Yun also wrote down several aliases, telling Xu Zifan that besides Xiao Shunzi, there were several other capable people in the palace who could be used.
The original owner's influence in the palace was initially to help the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, but they stopped using it in the last three or four years and didn't know much about it. Xu Zifan naturally wouldn't know much either, and it was somewhat coincidental that he was able to pick out Xiao Shunzi. He didn't expect that Mo Yun had already helped him sort out this power structure. In addition to these people, Mo Yun also recruited two people to work for him through favors and good relationships: one in the imperial kitchen and the other serving Furong personally.
Xu Zifan didn't know exactly how she had recruited these two trusted confidants, but this made him think of her even more. Because of Mo Yun, his mission had become much smoother. Choosing Mo Yun to send to the palace was definitely the right choice; she was truly a lucky charm!
Xu Zifan put the note into his spatial storage, pondered for a moment, then took out paper and pen and quickly wrote down the Empress Dowager's likes, dislikes, and habits, as well as any special events she had encountered since childhood. He then crumpled the paper into a ball. When he got out of the carriage, he had Shaohua monitor everyone. Finding a moment when no one was paying attention, he flicked the crumpled paper into Mo Yun's sleeve. Mo Yun's expression changed, and she immediately put it away, pretending nothing had happened as she followed Xu Zifan into Anci Palace.
The Empress Dowager used to take great care of herself, and although she was over thirty, she looked like she was in her twenties. However, her repeated illnesses have finally taken their toll on her health. Even with heavy makeup on, she still couldn't hide her tired and haggard appearance, looking like someone who was almost forty and older than Xu Zifan.
She knew she wasn't pretty anymore, so she didn't plan to reminisce with Xu Zifan about the past. Instead, she used her poor health as an excuse to show weakness to him. She sighed, "I've encountered so many unpleasant things this year. I'm starting to wonder if I'm just having a run of bad luck and should probably offer some incense."
Xu Zifan said calmly, "A few unpleasant things in a year are nothing, they'll be fine once they're resolved."
The Empress Dowager shook her head and sighed, "I've finally figured it out. When children grow up, you have to let go. After all, I'm an elder, how can I really argue with them? Sometimes they have to learn from their own mistakes. Besides, I'm getting old, and I don't have the energy to worry about things as I used to. If I cause them a few more troubles, my body won't be able to take it."
Xu Zifan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and laughed, "You're only over thirty and you're already saying you're old? You must be bored in the palace with nothing to do."
The Empress Dowager, seeing that he was not responding to her words, did not mention it again.
To put it bluntly, regarding the emperor and power, "Isn't it boring being in this palace? The emperor is my only family, and he's always busy, not as caring as he was when I was a child. If I had a grandson, I might have something to do. Alas, after I fainted this time, the imperial physician said my health wasn't good, and that recuperation might not be effective. I don't know how many years I have left to live, or whether I'll even see my great-grandson born."
When the topic of life and death came up, Xu Zifan couldn't help but show concern. He disapprovingly put down his teacup, "It's just fainting, how can it be so serious? The imperial physicians are useless. I'll find a divine doctor outside the palace for you. He'll definitely be able to cure your body. Then you can have six generations under one roof if you want."
The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded. "With you here, I've always felt at ease. However, if we want a grandson, the Emperor must first get married. The Empress's son is different. Zhongqian, I've thought it over. It's true that the Emperor and Furong are in love, but I was focused on removing Furong's stain, which has created a rift between us. If they get married, I'll definitely feel very awkward in the future, and their children won't be close to me. Zhongqian, you know I've always been thinking of Yang'er. The thought of their family being happy and harmonious while excluding me makes me incredibly resentful..."
The Empress Dowager looked dejected, waiting for Xu Zifan to consider her feelings and pressure the Emperor. Unexpectedly, Xu Zifan said, "You've done enough for the Emperor. Since you're so depressed, why not think more about yourself in the future? He'll grow up and have his own life to live. Aren't you content seeing him happy? Why don't you find something interesting to do? Get a puppy, go on incognito tours, host banquets and watch plays, or I can find you two well-behaved and adorable children to raise?"
The Empress Dowager's expression froze. This person was really stubborn; she insisted on hearing it clearly before she could understand!
She smiled and waved her hand, saying, "What's the point of raising other people's children? You know I don't have that kind of patience, and besides, I don't like those playful things. These past two times I've been sick, I've thought a lot about things. Before, when you suggested Qiuwen be the empress, I didn't think she was suitable. Now that I think about it, no one cares about me when I'm sick in the palace. If I had a caring niece by my side, it would definitely be much better. Zhongqian, how about... we just decide and make Qiuwen the empress? She's a good person, and her reputation in the capital is second to none. Once she enters the palace, she won't compete with Furong for Yang'er's position. She can manage palace affairs and will be filial to me. I'll have a much easier time in the future."
Xu Zifan hesitated and said, "But didn't you say before that you wanted the Emperor to choose for himself? He likes Furong, but you're making him marry a girl from the Fu family. He'll definitely rebel..."
Seeing that he was still influenced by his previous words and was truly going to support the Emperor's love, the Empress Dowager hurriedly interrupted him, wiping away her tears. "Zhongqian, I have no choice. You know my health is failing, and you know Furong's background. Before, I thought that no matter who she was, I could teach her manners, how to manage the harem, and how to get along with her family and relatives. But now, where do I have the energy to teach anyone? Besides, Furong must hate me to death; why would she want to learn from me? I can't let the royal family become a laughing stock. It's better to let Qiuwen enter the palace. In the future, Qiuwen can take good care of me, and the Emperor and Furong can be together. After all, he is the Emperor, and he will have many concubines in the future. One more Qiuwen won't make a difference. I had selfish motives. Knowing that the Emperor liked Furong, I still let Qiuwen enter the palace. I have wronged her and should make amends. The Empress's position... should go to Qiuwen!"
The situation regarding making Fu Qiuwen empress has completely reversed. Initially, the Empress Dowager repeatedly refused, but now she's pleading to grant the position to Fu Qiuwen. The matter of choosing an empress is no longer Xu Zifan's concern; it's entirely the Empress Dowager's decision after careful consideration. Only then did Xu Zifan relent and stop making excuses. However, his expression wasn't pleasant when he agreed, and he even rose to take his leave.
"Your Majesty knows that I dislike forcing couples apart. I have already promised the Emperor to make his own decision regarding the Empress. Now, to force him to marry, especially to a woman from the Fu family whom I mentioned before, will inevitably make the Emperor think that I am too arrogant and disregard his feelings. I... well, it's better not to say anything. Since it is Your Majesty's wish, I will certainly handle this matter well."
The Empress Dowager wanted to say something more tender, but Xu Zifan excused himself and left without giving her a chance to speak. She didn't mind; after all, the more Xu Zifan didn't want to separate the lovers, the more it showed he cared about their past, which was a good thing for her.
She dismissed the palace servants and, after Mo Yun left, summoned the young palace maid who had accompanied Mo Yun to invite Xu Zifan.