In her room, Mo Yun made many weapons using what she had. She also smeared poison, sleeping potion, and laxative on several of her usual beaded flowers. After about an hour, feeling that her "rest" was about over, she took a piece of clothing and went out.
"Mo Yun, where are you going?" Granny Wen happened to be passing by and asked somewhat coldly.
Mo Yun laughed and said, "I was too nervous in the garden just now, and my clothes got snagged on a flower branch. I'll go to the Shanggong Bureau to see if it can be repaired. If not, I'll just change into a different one."
"Just have a maid handle this. Your mistress told you to rest."
"Look at what you're saying, Granny. The Empress Dowager is kind-hearted, but I can't be too pampered. It's just so happens that I don't need to serve her right now, so I won't trouble you sisters with this." After saying this, Mo Yun nodded to Granny Wen, picked up her clothes, and walked out of Cining Palace.
As Granny Wen watched the young palace maids on the road quietly greeting Mo Yun, she scoffed inwardly. This Mo Yun was too good at winning people over. What did she mean by not troubling her sisters? This kind of thing was supposed to be done by the young maids. Mo Yun had only been here for a little over a month, yet most of the palace maids and eunuchs in Cining Palace were already chatting and laughing with her—either too kind or too scheming. Were there any truly kind people left in this palace? Granny Wen didn't quite believe it, so she called a trusted maid and told her to keep a close eye on Mo Yun.
On her way to the Imperial Wardrobe, Mo Yun gave a wink to a palace maid sweeping the road. A moment later, when no one was looking, she slipped into a secluded corner behind the artificial hill. A moment later, the palace maid also slipped in. Mo Yun handed the note from the silver hairpin to the palace maid to hide, and whispered, "Make sure to deliver it today. Tell Xiao Shunzi to go to the third tree on the east wall of the Cold Palace at the second watch."
The maid nodded, carefully hid the note, and quickly left. Mo Yun waited a while, making sure no one was outside, before continuing to the Imperial Wardrobe to retrieve her new clothes. Mo Yun was still "resting" in her room when she keenly noticed a maid passing by their window five times. Observing through the outermost window crack, she discovered it was Wen Mama's confidante, watching her. Thinking back to what had happened, she understood that Wen Mama wanted to find fault with her. This was a power struggle among servants; if it continued, it would make things difficult for her. Moreover, whatever happened, Wen Mama would suspect her, which would be extremely disadvantageous for her.
Mo Yun thought quietly for a while, going through the names of those inside and outside Anci Palace who were loyal to the Empress Dowager in her mind, and then relaxed.
Xu Zifan was somewhat surprised to receive the note from someone in the palace. Mo Yun's actions had saved him a lot of time and several steps of planning. This was someone who could cooperate with him step by step without needing to be told. For the first time, he truly recognized An San's abilities. Such subtle and unassuming calculations actually allowed her to control the overall situation, making the most reasonable analysis and the most appropriate response. Perhaps An San was ranked third among the secret guards only because her martial arts skills were not as high as the two ahead of her, and she was not as decisive and quick when going out on missions, which made her less conspicuous. Now that she had entered the palace, it gave An San a lot of room to demonstrate her abilities.
Xu Zifan burned the note, then had someone spread the news that the emperor had been patronizing prostitutes and keeping Furong as his concubine to the residences of several ministers. The news was told in great detail, including the emperor's deep affection for Furong and his promise to make her a Noble Consort if she bore him an heir. As for the source of the news, it was, of course, the servants who served Furong.
He didn't spread this news in a sensational, widespread way; rather, he had a few ministers' informants believe they had uncovered the information and report it to their master, thus making it highly credible. Previously, when the emperor visited the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, several young men had seen him; some thought they were mistaken and didn't mention it, while others went home and were reprimanded by their fathers and brothers, who thought it impossible. But this time, the news was absolutely true. A high-ranking official like the prime minister could easily verify with a little investigation that the emperor did indeed leave the palace every two or three days.
Who is Furong? A little inquiry reveals that she is a woman even more captivating than the most beautiful courtesan at Zuixiang Pavilion. It is said that she possesses both exceptional talent and beauty, and no man who has visited Zuixiang Pavilion has ever been unmoved by her. Furong's talents are no less than those of noble ladies, and she sells her art, not her body. The only thing she lacks is her family background, so it's no wonder that the emperor was captivated by her.
The prime minister, while finding the emperor's behavior absurd, also felt deep worry and disappointment. Seeing the regent's power growing ever stronger, yet the emperor showing no ambition, what could be done? If things continued this way, a change of dynasty was inevitable. A new emperor, a new court; he truly did not wish for such a thing to happen.
Late that night, everyone in Anci Palace had gone to sleep. By the second watch, even the palace servants on night duty were tired and listless. The maid who had been keeping watch had naturally gone back to sleep. Mo Yun quietly climbed out of the window, scaled the wall from a corner of Anci Palace, and headed straight for the Cold Palace.
Xiao Shunzi was the eunuch serving the emperor. Xu Zifan had told Mo Yun about the power dynamics within the palace, making Mo Yun the only other person besides him who knew the list. Mo Yun met Xiao Shunzi and, without a word, told him about the Empress Dowager's spy planted beside the emperor, instructing him to find a way to lure the emperor out of the spy. He also suggested devising a plan to have the spy contact Granny Wen again, and to give her a personal item belonging to one of the emperor's trusted guards.
The matter was difficult, but nothing in the palace was easy, so Xiao Shunzi agreed without hesitation. The two exchanged information about the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, agreed on their contact methods, and then quietly returned to their respective places.
Although Xu Zifan only let a few ministers know about Furong, the effect was significant. With only a handful of people in the court, the emperor's outrageous behavior became a semi-public secret. Therefore, the ministers looked at the emperor differently the next day at court. Seeing the dark circles under his eyes, clearly indicating poor rest, they found him even more absurd. Could he really be so distracted over a prostitute?
If that hibiscus truly enters the palace as a concubine, could it be that they will have a great future?
Why should the emperor bow to that woman at the banquet? If Furong becomes a Noble Consort again, how will the other concubines and even the Empress behave? Will they address Furong as their sister? If Furong's offspring are favored and valued, will they still support the son of a prostitute as the crown prince? The ministers always like to think three steps ahead, and thinking about the future, they were all very unhappy, pondering how to advise the emperor or how to put an end to this idea.
The emperor, worried that Xu Zifan would bring up the matter of establishing an empress again, subtly showed a hint of urgency. After asking a few questions, he adjourned the court. Several ministers, observing this, felt even more strongly that the emperor was neglecting his duties, treating the court so carelessly, that his heart must have been completely captivated by that hibiscus—it was utterly absurd!
Just as the Prime Minister was about to leave, he was stopped by the chief eunuch, who invited him to the Imperial Study to see the Emperor. Xu Zifan, seeing this, stopped and said, "Has His Majesty summoned me? The matter of establishing an Empress has not yet been decided. The Empress Dowager and I are both waiting for His Majesty's decision. I wonder if His Majesty is available to discuss this matter at this time?"
The head steward bowed awkwardly, "Your Highness, the Emperor must have other matters to discuss with the Prime Minister. Perhaps I should consult the Emperor first and then send someone to reply to Your Highness?"
Xu Zifan nodded, twirling the jade thumb ring on his thumb, and casually said, "Going to Anci Palace will suffice. I'm going to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. She's been concerned about the outcome of the empress's selection. If the emperor has made a decision, it would be good for the Empress Dowager's niece to enter the palace and keep her company as soon as possible."
Xu Zifan left after speaking. The Prime Minister didn't react much, but he felt that the Empress Dowager must really hope that Fu Lin's daughter would become Empress as soon as possible, as she wanted the Fu family to advance further.
When the Prime Minister arrived at the Imperial Study, the Emperor subtly probed whether the Prime Minister would be willing to let his second eldest daughter become Empress. The Prime Minister was only briefly tempted before he hesitated. The Regent had already chosen the Empress; if he made his own daughter Empress, he would be going against the Regent, and the Emperor and Regent would inevitably turn against each other and seize power. In that case, he would be tied to the Emperor's cause. But he had just learned that the Emperor was absurd, neglecting state affairs and disregarding etiquette. How could he trust the Emperor to take this risk?
Moreover, the concubine Furong, whom the emperor kept, surpasses his daughter in both talent and beauty. She also learned the art of pleasing men at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, and will surely become a favored concubine upon entering the palace. His daughter, on the other hand, has stolen the Empress Dowager's position from the Fu family's daughter, which will inevitably displease the Empress Dowager. How can she possibly have a good life in the palace? The emperor has never even met his daughter; he only values his power. The question is, what use is an Empress who struggles in the palace if his family has her? It's impossible for him to rise to the top again. Given the Regent's past record, the emperor is unlikely to grant him such great power. Since he cannot advance further, why should he compete for the Empress's position?
His only hope was that his daughter would give birth to a legitimate son and become the next Empress Dowager, thus ensuring three generations of peace for his family. Given the current situation, it wasn't worth gambling on this slim possibility. Therefore, the Prime Minister feigned remorse, stating that his second daughter was already engaged, and while he thought his own daughter was good, he dared not compare her to the highly respected daughter of the Fu family; the Fu family daughter was far more suitable for the Empress's position.
The Emperor hadn't expected the Prime Minister to refuse. Xu Zifan had previously refused to let his daughter become Empress, and now the Prime Minister was doing the same – it was a slap in the face to him! The Emperor and Empress were the most honorable people in the land. Their constant obstruction of their daughter's marriage to him meant they looked down on him, even rejecting the Empress's position? How dare they do such a thing?!
The emperor, suppressing his anger, dismissed him. After all, the emperor was only fifteen years old, unlike the cunning prime minister. His efforts to conceal his rage were still seen through by the prime minister. The prime minister shook his head inwardly, feeling that the emperor was far too naive to challenge the regent. Thinking back to the regent's words, it seemed he had anticipated the emperor's visit regarding the empress's appointment, and had even used the Empress Dowager's desire for her niece to enter the palace as a warning. Just how far did the regent's influence extend to so accurately grasp the emperor's movements? The thought was chilling. As the prime minister left the palace, a cold sweat broke out. He was extremely grateful he hadn't agreed to the emperor's request and easily sided with the regent.
Xu Zifan was drinking tea personally brewed by the Empress Dowager. In the whole world, he was probably the only one who could have the Empress Dowager personally brew tea for him, even though he only regarded the Empress Dowager as a little palace maid who brewed tea.
The Empress Dowager was looking for him when she saw him take a few sips of tea and asked with a smile, "Yang'er said you've chosen an empress for him? Is she my brother's daughter? Why didn't you tell me? Qiuwen is very pampered by her family. It's a bit difficult for her to be the empress and manage this huge harem."
Xu Zifan smiled nonchalantly, "What's the big deal? You, Empress Dowager, were also pampered when you were young, and you still managed the harem very well, didn't you? Everyone says that my niece, Aunt Xiao, is definitely a good choice. Besides, this candidate was chosen by me and the ministers after careful consideration. Among the eligible women in the capital, your niece has the best reputation. If she can't be the empress, then no one else is suitable."