Xu Zifan transmigrated from a backward orc world into the body of a prince. His first reaction was that he could finally enjoy life. He wasn't in a hurry to read the memorials. After receiving the memories, he ordered a banquet to be arranged and ordered many of his favorite dishes. He never thought he was a picky eater before, but after living a whole life in the orc world, he suddenly found that many things were really delicious. Before doing anything, you have to satisfy your hunger first.
During the meal, he invited his daughters Xu Shiyue and Yu Lan to join him. When he arrived at the side hall, they were already there. As soon as they saw him, they both stood up and bowed. Xu Shiyue then smiled and asked, "Father, is there something you need today?"
Xu Zifan waved his hand and walked to his seat. "It's nothing, I just suddenly remembered that the three of us haven't eaten together yet. Please sit down. I've been busy with official duties and neglected you all, so I don't know what you like to eat. If these dishes don't suit your tastes, just tell De'an and ask him to arrange something else."
De'an was Xu Zifan's personal attendant, having followed him since childhood. Naturally, he was more relaxed and unreserved in front of him. Upon hearing Xu Zifan's words, he stepped forward and smiled, "Princess, Miss Lan, would you like some more dishes?"
Xu Shiyue pointed to several dishes and said with a smile, "Father, these are all my favorites, no need to add more."
Yu Lan bowed her head respectfully and said, "Your Highness, there's no need to add any more."
"Alright, sit down and have your meal." Xu Zifan waved for the servants to leave, then smiled at the two of them. "We're family, so let's eat more comfortably. Don't bother asking anyone to serve you anything. You can eat whatever you want and even chat."
Xu Shiyue pondered the meaning of "family" and glanced at Yu Lan. Yu Lan was uneasy, but she didn't show it on her face. She sat obediently to one side, but she only picked at the food in front of her.
Xu Zifan hadn't tasted delicacies in decades, and after trying seven or eight dishes, he finally spoke, "Shiyue, someone mentioned your marriage to me today."
Xu Shiyue suddenly looked up, startled, and said, "Father, I... I'm only fourteen years old. Am I going to get married so early?" Could it be that today's meal is to discuss her marriage?
Xu Zifan took a sip of wine and shook his head. "No, it's just that someone mentioned it and I realized you're not young anymore. There hasn't been a mistress in the mansion for so many years, and no one has taught you many things. I thought it was time to find someone to properly teach you. Of course, you should also start choosing a husband. After two or three years, it will be just right for you to get married."
Xu Shiyue breathed a sigh of relief, lowered her head, somewhat embarrassed to discuss her marriage with her father, but still asked with doubt, "Didn't Father hire four female tutors to teach me? What else do I need to learn?"
"Of course, it's about matters of the inner quarters. Talent and needlework aren't the most important things. The most important thing is how to survive in the inner quarters and how to manage the household." Xu Zifan thought of a suitable candidate and said, "I'll talk to your aunt and ask you to stay with her for a while so she can teach you. I'll also find a suitable nanny from the palace to guide you, and that should be about right."
Xu Shiyue looked up in surprise. She only saw her aunt once or twice a year, and in her memory, her aunt and father's relationship had been strained for several years. Why was she suddenly being sent to her aunt's house? She frowned with some worry, "Father, is nothing really wrong at home?"
Yu Lan's eyes also revealed worry. She hadn't seen Xu Zifan and her sister interact since she entered the manor two years ago. Now, suddenly sending Xu Shiyue there seemed to be a sense of entrusting her with refuge.
Xu Zifan chuckled and said, "What are you thinking? How could anything happen at home? Shiyue, go to your aunt's and focus on your studies. Don't get involved in her family's affairs. She's your only close female elder. Who else can you turn to? She's my own sister. Even if we've grown a little distant these past few years, it doesn't affect our sibling relationship. We can use your situation to reconnect. You're not a child anymore, why are you being so difficult? Your aunt is straightforward and has always liked you. Just relax and get along with her. Don't be reserved in front of her."
Xu Shiyue nodded somewhat blankly, "Father has made plans for me, I will definitely study hard and live up to Father's expectations."
"Yes, attending more banquets with your aunt and getting to know more people will be good for you. However, if you don't like living here, you can go back to the manor whenever you want."
"Yes, Father."
Xu Zifan then looked at Yu Lan and said, "You've been staying home a lot these past two years. If this continues, you might lose your energy. Go out more often and have some fun."
"Yes, Your Highness." Yu Lan's heart stirred, feeling somewhat flattered. However, knowing her own status, she didn't say much, simply eating her meal quietly so that the father and daughter could chat more.
The original owner was usually very busy, but he still loved his only daughter very much, only they spent very little time together. This time, taking advantage of the meal, Xu Zifan chatted with Xu Shiyue for a long time. They seemed to be talking about ordinary things, but in fact, he had gained a deeper understanding of her through her words and was certain that sending her to her aunt's place was the right decision.
The original owner's younger sister was named Xu Ziyun. The two siblings had always had a good relationship, but their conflict began six years ago when the original owner helped the young emperor ascend the throne. The original owner had kept his feelings for Fu Yuhua very well hidden, and Xu Ziyun thought that so many years had passed and it was all in the past. She never expected that the original owner would risk his life to help Fu Yuhua's son sit on the throne. During that time, the original owner experienced many crises, and Xu Ziyun naturally disapproved of his actions.
Moreover, Xu Ziyun and Fu Yuhua were close friends; women generally understand each other better. Xu Ziyun had long since realized that Fu Yuhua had no feelings for the original owner. However, her persuasion only angered the original owner. After several unsuccessful attempts to reason with her, Xu Ziyun also lost her temper and almost completely cut off contact with the original owner. In the original owner's memory, Xu Ziyun's husband would be going to take up an official post in another region in six months, and their entire family would move.
And so, contact was lost. That's why the original owner didn't mention his sister when making his wish; after all, they hadn't been in contact for so long, and it seemed their sibling bond had been severed.
However, after analyzing Xu Ziyun's personality, Xu Zifan felt that if she knew the original owner's fate and the inside story, she would definitely do something. This younger sister was a reliable person with a very accurate intuition. She had gradually distanced herself from this close friend when Fu Yuhua became Empress Dowager, treating her only with the courtesy due to a subject. Xu Zifan felt that it was possible to repair the sibling relationship, and it would be most suitable for this younger sister to teach her daughter and take her to banquets.
After dinner, Xu Shiyue took her leave. In her view, Yu Lan was her father's person, and the phrase "family" meant that. Now that the meal was over, she, as a junior, naturally shouldn't disturb them; it was better to let them have some alone time to talk.
Seeing Xu Shiyue leave, Yu Lan tactfully rose as well. "Your Highness, I'll also return to my room. Please rest early; your health is the most important thing."
"No rush, come for a walk with me."
Xu Zifan got up and walked out the door, and Yu Lan quickly followed, keeping a step behind him. Xu Zifan didn't let anyone else follow, and the two of them walked to the pond. The moon was reflected on the water, and occasionally one or two fish swam by; the scenery was beautiful.
Xu Zifan stood with his hands behind his back, turned to look at Yu Lan and said, "Yu Lan, your outfit makes you look a bit old-fashioned and doesn't quite suit you. From now on, dress like you did when we first met, and dress in a way that best suits you."
Yu Lan looked at him helplessly, "Your Highness... what... what do you mean by this?" She touched her hair, "You said that this look is the most like her..."
Xu Zifan interrupted her, "Yu Lan, you've suffered these past two years. You are you, you don't need to pretend to be anyone else, and I shouldn't have made you pretend to be someone else."
Yu Lan said urgently, "Your Highness, although I don't know who you are thinking of, I did this willingly and I don't feel wronged. Your Highness saved me, and I have nothing to repay you with. I am really happy that you can see her shadow in me and soothe your longing."
Who would willingly become someone else's substitute? Although Yu Lan's tone was very sincere, Xu Zifan still saw the bitterness in her eyes. She wasn't willing to be a substitute; she just wanted to repay her benefactor in every way she could. In reality, she had a very strong personality; otherwise, she wouldn't have disguised herself as a dancer to assassinate the emperor after the original owner's death. She valued gratitude too much, and naturally, she was willing to do anything to repay it.
Xu Zifan was silent for a moment, then said softly, "That person is no longer worth my longing. Yulan, I have no feelings for her anymore. From now on, just be yourself. Don't remember any favors anymore. You've wronged yourself by pretending to be someone else these past two years; you've repaid all those favors." He turned around, looked at the somewhat uneasy Yulan, and smiled, "I'll find you a nanny later. Tell me what you want to learn. This is your home; be comfortable and don't be so reserved."
Yu Lan didn't care about any preferential treatment she could receive; she was only worried about Xu Zifan. "Your Highness, is your unusual behavior today because of that person? She... hurt your heart?"
Xu Zifan narrowed his eyes. "I guess so. It's been so long, things have changed, and I should let go of this obsession."
Yu Lan carefully observed Xu Zifan's expression and tried to comfort him, "Your Highness is highly respected and has a daughter as caring as the Princess. You are very fortunate. Letting go of some people and some things might make you feel more at ease."
Xu Zifan nodded and smiled, "You're right. Once you let go, you let go. It's not as difficult as you imagined; in fact, it's much easier."
Yu Lan breathed a sigh of relief and revealed a gentle smile. She looked much more lively and younger. She curtsied to Xu Zifan and said, "It's good that Your Highness has come to your understanding. I only hope that Your Highness is happy, healthy, and carefree."
Xu Zifan chuckled, "Of course, I have no worries now. Let's go, it's almost night, let's go back and rest early."
Xu Zifan escorted Yu Lan back to her courtyard, then went to his room, lay down on the high bed with soft pillows, and slept soundly. From frugality to extravagance, being the regent was truly enjoyable; there shouldn't be any worries at all.
The next day, he went to court. All the civil and military officials present spoke according to his mood, and even the young emperor on the dragon throne would glance at him from time to time. This feeling of holding great power was somewhat similar to that of his previous life, yet also somewhat different. In short, it was very satisfying. Especially after he refuted the young emperor, it was even more satisfying to see the young emperor's forbearance and frustration.
After the court session ended, Xu Zifan strolled out leisurely. The officials bowed to him and took their leave. A senior eunuch who had been waiting for a long time hurriedly stepped forward and whispered, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager requests your presence at Anci Palace for a meeting."
Xu Zifan raised an eyebrow. A meeting? It must be about the marriage between the young emperor and Xu Shiyue. He nodded. "Prepare the carriage and go to Anci Palace."