The Female Lead Decides to Act Wickedly

Chapter 1274 - 475: Palace Schemes or Rebellion? (Part 12)_3

Alas!

Although the Emperor is somewhat "naive," he is inherently kind-hearted and young, thus inevitably lacking thoroughness in his actions.

As an elder, one shouldn’t always be angry and reproachful but should patiently guide and advise!

Feng Shou took a deep breath, trying to console himself in this way.

A few months ago, Feng Shou’s old wife passed away, and he left the Capital City to attend to her funeral affairs.

He had broken ties with his family, but the wife chosen by them had shared his hardships for over thirty years.

He had great respect for his wife. In earlier years, he was first expelled from the clan, turned into an outlaw, and then joined the late Emperor in rebellion.

His wife lived in fear while having to face the government’s pursuit and the interceptions of various warlords, truly enduring much suffering.

The only time she was pregnant, she had a miscarriage while fleeing from the rebel soldiers.

Later, when the new dynasty was established, many "colleagues" around Feng Shou abandoned their first wives and married young beauties.

Compared to those men who were fickle and faithless, Feng Shou seemed to have more reason to dismiss his wife and remarry—heirs!

Even Feng Shou’s wife advised him that if it truly was impossible, he should take a concubine, for cutting off one’s bloodline was not good.

Feng Shou, however, did not agree. Instead, he questioned his wife, "Bloodline? I have already disregarded my ancestors, so why care about bloodline?"

Having a son was for passing on the family line.

Feng Shou was already a solitary figure, having changed his surname and no longer recognized his ancestors.

He believed that he truly had no necessity for continuing the family line or perpetuating descendants.

It’s not that he didn’t like children, but he felt that since his wife had lost her ability to bear children because of him, it was fated for him to be childless.

That dirty, decayed family was already reduced to ashes in the fires of war, and Feng Shou had avenged himself, freeing his heart of obsession.

For the rest of his life, instead of anxiously seeking a son and scheming for succession, he preferred to spend his days leisurely with his old wife and a few apprentices.

Unfortunately, his reclusive life was disrupted by the late Emperor.

The late Emperor appointed him as the tutor to the Prince, and on his deathbed, further pulled him back into the murky depths of the Imperial court.

Feng Shou and the late Emperor shared a strong bond, mutually achieving and supporting each other—one avenged himself with the late Emperor’s armies, and the other relied on Feng Shou’s strategies to seize Jiangshan.

For the late Emperor, Feng Shou was grateful.

So, even though he was unwilling to enter the Imperial court, he still devotedly taught the two Princes.

Among the two Princes, he favored Zhao Gui more.

Firstly, Zhao Gui was the legitimate son, making him the rightful and traditional heir.

Secondly, Feng Shou sympathized with and felt indebted to Lady He, not wanting to overly wrong such a woman.

Thirdly, it was for the stability of Jiangshan.

For a Dynasty to remain stable and enduring, it had to follow the rites and rules recognized by the majority.

If a ruler acted arbitrarily and ignored orthodoxy, chaos would ensue in the Imperial court.

This foundation of the Dayuan Dynasty was not solely built by the late Emperor; Feng Shou’s efforts were also deeply involved.

Feng Shou did not want Dayuan to end like Daqin, perishing after only two generations.

He did his utmost to educate Zhao Gui and consistently advised the late Emperor.

Later, when the late Emperor passed away and Zhao Gui ascended the throne, although Feng Shou was annoyed at Lady He’s ruthlessness, he still earnestly assisted Zhao Gui.

Only a few months ago, with the passing of his old wife, he had to escort the coffin for burial at a cemetery near the Imperial Mausoleum, thus leaving for over half a year.

He thought that it would only be a few months and, with the help of Empress Dowager He by Zhao Gui’s side, there should be no trouble.

But... Feng Shou closed his eyes, feeling helpless and anxious thinking about the news he heard along the way.

Especially as he had just returned to the Capital City last night, hearing rumors spreading widely—

"Empress Dowager He intends to appoint Nineteenth Lady Wang as a Female Assistant!"

Feng Shou was not Emperor Yongcheng; he was not so "naive."

Although he had not yet met with Empress Dowager He face-to-face to ascertain her attitude,

This single rumor from the streets was enough to startle Feng Shou—could it be that Lady He had changed? Was she unwilling to return power to the little Emperor?

Did she intend to continue controlling the government and keep the little Emperor forever under her shadow, only a puppet in name?!

Feng Shou could hardly believe it, as Lady He had always been a good mother devoted to her son.

It was because he trusted Lady He so much that Feng Shou felt comfortable leaving for several months.

The result—

Feng Shou hurriedly ordered a gathering of information, spending an entire night distilling and summarizing these fragmented messages.

Then, Feng Shou was left speechless and choked with emotion.

The Emperor was too confused!

How could he be so reckless?

Even with Empress Dowager He’s preference, he shouldn’t test limits so recklessly.

Elevate Lady Hu and suppress the He Family?

To refuse the noble lady chosen by the Empress Dowager for a girl born of a lowly maid?

And even angering his biological mother to the point of fainting?!

Feng Shou laughed in exasperation upon reading the message sent by spies within the palace.

Did Zhao Gui truly believe that being the only son of the Empress Dowager gave him invulnerability?

Who was the Empress Dowager?

She never backed down even before the late Emperor, her husband!