Xu Zifan's carriage was second only to the emperor's imperial carriage, and even more luxurious and grand than the empress dowager's phoenix carriage. It was commissioned by the empress dowager herself. The original owner always thought that this was because the empress dowager and the emperor valued him, but in reality, it was just a way to please him, lull him into a false sense of security, and flatter him to death, making outsiders think he was arrogant.
There are many similar subtle schemes, such as clothing, headdress, and the scale of his residence. Logically, Xu Zifan should "set things right" and clear his name, but he doesn't intend to do so. The mission doesn't require him to be regent for life; it only requires him to seek revenge and take care of two women. He has a million ways to elope with his daughter and Yu Lan after the incident, so he naturally has nothing to fear about arrogance. On the contrary, he enjoys this luxurious life and even feels that he can be even more arrogant.
Xu Zifan leaned back in the carriage, thinking that next time he traveled to the modern world, he would have a good time and try to find more entertainment facilities to put in his spatial dimension, so he wouldn't be bored no matter which dynasty he lived in. It was also his fault for being so inexperienced when he first got his spatial dimension; besides the various life skills Shao Hua had collected, he hadn't put anything else in it, and he hadn't been to the modern world since. Next time, he would have to cherish the opportunity and get more good stuff.
"Your Highness, we have arrived at Anci Palace."
The head eunuch's slightly obsequious voice interrupted Xu Zifan's thoughts. He alighted from the carriage, straightened his clothes, and stopped at the door. Looking up at the plaque of Anci Palace, a half-smile played on his lips.
The head eunuch caught a glimpse of his expression and felt a chill run down his spine. He sensed that something had changed and felt uneasy. He suppressed his unease and smiled as he led Xu Zifan into the hall, "Your Highness, this way please."
Two rows of palace maids stood on either side of the hall, the doors wide open. Fu Yuhua always did this to show that the two were innocent. When he entered, Fu Yuhua was sitting at a low table making tea. Seeing him, she smiled before speaking, "Zhongqian, why are you so late today? Is something at court bothering you and keeping you late?"
"Zhongqian" is Xu Zifan's courtesy name. Fu Yuhua always calls him "Regent" in public, but in private she always calls him by his courtesy name to show closeness, and her tone is much gentler, seemingly implying affection. But if you look closely, there's really nothing to it; it's just an old friend addressing each other more intimately. She's slippery and never leaves anyone with any leverage.
Inside the room, the incense burner was filled with the original owner's favorite incense, and Fu Yuhua was brewing the original owner's favorite tea. The water used to brew the tea was spring water that Fu Yuhua had specially sent someone to fetch from the mountain early in the morning.
Xu Zifan sat down opposite Fu Yuhua, picked up his tea and took a sip. Instead of replying to Fu Yuhua, he started talking about tea, saying, "Your Majesty's tea-brewing skills have improved again. I can only taste such good tea here with Your Majesty. None of the people in my household know anything about tea."
Fu Yuhua's smile froze. How could she, the Empress Dowager, be compared to those lowly people? Wasn't Xu Zifan treating her like a tea-making maid? She felt somewhat humiliated, but seeing Xu Zifan's slightly closed eyes as he earnestly sipped his tea, she thought she was overthinking it. This man loved her so much, how could he deliberately say such things to humiliate her?
She smiled gently and said, "If Zhongqian likes it, I'll have someone send tea and spring water to your residence later. My maid Xiangyun is skilled in this art and knows best how I brew tea. Why don't you have her come to your residence and brew you a pot of tea to relieve your fatigue in your spare time?"
Xiangyun was one of Fu Yuhua's four palace maids and a trusted confidante. This was clearly an attempt to plant a spy next to Xu Zifan. Xu Zifan smiled. Fu Yuhua was like that; she was always thinking about how to better control the original owner and use him to benefit herself and her son. That's how she could always seize an opportunity and find a reason to plant a spy with just a few words.
However, whether the nail will work after it's inserted is not up to her. Xu Zifan will not treat Xiangyun like a distinguished guest as the original owner did. He will only get rid of one of her confidants, which is a good thing.
"Very good." He didn't even glance at Xiangyun, just nodded casually, and then made no other comment.
Fu Yuhua thought Xu Zifan would at least express his gratitude or show a touched expression, but she didn't expect his reaction to be so indifferent. She immediately felt a little uncomfortable. Xu Zifan really did not take her seriously because he was in power. He forgot that her son was the real emperor and he was just a "subject".
Fu Yuhua paused for a moment, then poured Xu Zifan another cup of tea before calming herself down and smiling, "Zhongqian, what have you thought about what I mentioned to you yesterday? If you ask me, Shiyue and Yang'er are a match made in heaven, they're perfect together in every way, they..."
Xu Zifan raised his hand to interrupt her, put down his teacup, and said with a look of strong opposition, "I think this is inappropriate. I have watched both children grow up. His Majesty ascended the throne at a young age and has devoted himself to the country and its people. He has no interest in personal relationships and is still naive. Moreover, as the ruler of a country, he will surely have a harem of three thousand women in the future. As for Shiyue, she has been spoiled by me and will definitely want her husband to pamper her after marriage. She is really not suitable for His Majesty. I thought about it carefully yesterday and I am determined to find Shiyue a husband who understands and cares for her, who will love and respect her for a lifetime. Most importantly, he must not take a concubine to cause Shiyue any distress. Only in this way can I be at ease."
Fu Yuhua was completely taken aback by his refusal, staring at him in disbelief. Hadn't he seemed quite interested when they discussed it yesterday? How could he suddenly appear so disgusted after only one day? Besides, what kind of noblewoman was his daughter? She was deeply loved and respected, and forbidden from taking concubines. If it weren't to lower his guard, she wouldn't have even considered Xu Shiyue as Empress. With such doting affection, was Xu Zifan truly interested in another woman's child?!
Fu Yuhua's hands, which were resting on her lap, slowly tightened, her nails digging into her palms before she released them, revealing...
With a surprised and forlorn expression, she said, "I thought... I thought that if the two of them could be together, we..." She paused deliberately, turned her head away, and lowered her voice, as if she had abruptly changed the subject, "we, as parents, could rest assured. With our instructions, they would surely be able to live in harmony and be a loving couple."
If the original owner were here, she would definitely feel heartache upon hearing these words, and her heart would race, thinking that her beloved still cherished the feelings of the past and wanted their children to make up for this regret.
Xu Zifan remained unmoved, sipping his tea nonchalantly, and said, "The children's personalities are not compatible, and forcing them together won't be pleasant. Besides, over the years, I've seen the Empress Dowager experience more trouble than joy in the palace. Shiyue is my only bloodline, and I must carefully consider her future. I can't bear to let her enter this deep palace. Aren't parents all hoping for the best for their children? Shiyue is the most precious treasure of my life, and I must ensure she lives a happy life."
"Yes, Zhongqian is indeed very thoughtful." Fu Yuhua took a deep breath to compose herself, but her heart was burning with anger. What did Xu Zifan mean by this? Did he think she was pitiful and unhappy in the palace, so he didn't want his daughter to follow in her footsteps? She was now the most honored woman in the world; did she need Xu Zifan's pity? And what was Xu Shiyue, the most important treasure of her life? Then what was she? Were all the expressions of concern Xu Zifan had shown in the past just a lie?!
Fu Yuhua racked her brains for a reason to persuade Xu Zifan, but Xu Zifan didn't give her the chance. Instead, he said, "Yesterday, the Empress Dowager mentioned the matter of the Emperor's selection of an Empress. I carefully considered the options upon returning home. Now that the Emperor's power is secure, the Empress's status doesn't need to be too noble. If she's too noble, she might become spoiled, like my daughter, who is pampered and finds it difficult to understand the Emperor. In my opinion, the Empress's background is secondary; the most important thing is her character and personality. She must be a woman who, like the Emperor, doesn't prioritize romantic love. This way, she won't be blinded by love. She must also be magnanimous, dignified, virtuous, and have a good understanding of the situation. This way, she can tolerate other concubines and imperial offspring and won't be schemed against by others. I believe that such an Empress can help the Emperor manage the harem well. Such a daughter-in-law will also reduce your worries and make things easier for you. What does the Empress Dowager think?"
Fu Yuhua's heart tightened, but she forced a smile and said, "I didn't expect that one sentence from me would make Zhongqian think so much. You must not have rested well yesterday, right? You know, I don't have anyone to confide in. I can only tell you what I'm thinking. I feel really bad for making you worry so much."
Fu Yuhua spoke in a friendly tone, trying to make Xu Zifan feel that he was special in her heart, but Xu Zifan just waved his hand and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. The establishment of an empress is a major event in the court. Only when the emperor and empress are in harmony can the country prosper. As the regent, I should handle this matter carefully and choose the most suitable empress for the emperor."
The implication was that his thoughts had nothing to do with her; he only cared about the Emperor and Empress because of the court, thus completely dispelling Fu Yuhua's petty schemes. With so many people in the room, it would seem frivolous for her to say anything intimate.
Fu Yuhua gritted her teeth and smiled, "With Zhongqian in charge of the court, I'm relieved." Fearing Xu Zifan might actually find her son a powerless empress, she quickly added, "However, the empress is the mother of the nation. If her status is too low, she might not be able to control other concubines when they enter the palace. There are still some virtuous and capable young ladies from the families of many powerful officials in the capital. With careful selection, we should be able to find a girl who meets the criteria Zhongqian mentioned. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"
Xu Zifan nodded. "Your Majesty need not worry too much. I will discuss this matter with several ministers and we will surely be able to select a candidate that satisfies Your Majesty."
Fu Yuhua responded, feeling utterly frustrated. What should have been a sure thing had been ruined by Xu Zifan, who not only disrupted her plans but also turned the matter of choosing an empress into a state affair, leaving her no say. Now, she had to rely on Xu Zifan and couldn't show the slightest dissatisfaction—it was truly agonizing! Since becoming Empress Dowager, when had she ever felt so stifled? What had gotten into Xu Zifan?!
Xu Zifan drank another cup of tea, then stood up. "It's getting late. I promised to have dinner with my family, so I'll take my leave now." Seeing Xiangyun seem to remember something, he added, "By the way, the Empress Dowager just said that she doesn't even have anyone to confide in? These servants are truly useless. I have a woman in my household who is good at wits' end and comforting people. I'll send her to the Empress Dowager; she can fill Xiangyun's vacancy. Then the Empress Dowager will have someone to talk to. What does the Empress Dowager think?"
In the time it takes to drink a few cups of tea, Fu Yuhua planted a spy for Xu Zifan, and Xu Zifan planted another one for her. This new spy, who had taken Xiangyun's place, was one of her four main palace maids, and was by her side all day long. She couldn't get rid of her even if she wanted to. Fu Yuhua now truly felt as if a huge stone was pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe!
Seeing that Xu Zifan was still waiting for her answer, Fu Yuhua had no choice but to stand up and say with a smile, "If there really is such a wonderful person, how could I possibly take away Zhongqian's beloved?"
Xu Zifan shook his head, "What love do I have? He's just someone to amuse me. Your Majesty's health is important. At our age, we can't keep things bottled up inside, or we'll get sick. Please, Your Majesty, don't refuse."
Fu Yuhua forced a smile and replied, "Then thank you very much, Zhongqian."
"If the Empress Dowager is pleased, then I shall take my leave." As the regent, Xu Zifan only bowed slightly to the emperor. Fu Yuhua often told him not to bow, so after he finished speaking, he turned and left.
Xiangyun glanced at Fu Yuhua, then lowered her head and hurriedly followed Xu Zifan.
Fu Yuhua stood rooted to the spot, her lips pressed tightly together as she stared at the doorway, the smile vanished from her face. The old woman beside her waved to the maids, who filed out and closed the door. The moment the door closed, Fu Yuhua abruptly slammed the entire tea set down on the table, her face darkening as she overturned the table!