The Female Lead Decides to Act Wickedly

Chapter 1275 - 476: Palace Intrigue or Rebellion? (Part 13)

"Sir, how have you been on this journey?"

Zhao Gui wasn’t aware that his advisor Feng Shou was filled with helpless frustration at this moment, "hating iron for not becoming steel."

Having not seen Master Feng for several months, Zhao Gui missed him dearly.

Most importantly, with Master Feng’s return, he felt reassured!

Although his mother was not very close to him, Master Feng was the one who cared for him the most.

Moreover, Master Feng was formidable, skilled in strategy. With him around, would there be any worry about the grand wedding and governance matters?!

At the moment he saw Feng Shou, all of Zhao Gui’s fears and irritations slipped away.

He delightedly buzzed around Feng Shou like a child.

Feng Shou:... increasingly at a loss for words.

His emotions told him that the little Emperor was only fourteen this year, still a half-grown child, innocent and lively, which was normal.

Yet reason interjected: Please, you have acknowledged him as Emperor! How could you judge an emperor by ordinary standards?

Looking at Zhao Gui’s radiant smile, Feng Shou suddenly realized that perhaps he and Empress Dowager He had protected the little Emperor too well in the past, resulting in such a nature.

So... Was Empress Dowager He ignoring the Emperor’s marriage and appointing a Female Assistant not truly to amass power, but to forge the little Emperor?!

Such speculation suddenly sprang up in Feng Shou’s heart.

As a strategist and advisor, Feng Shou never minded using the darkest thoughts to fathom human intentions.

However, Feng Shou was justifying Empress Dowager He in this moment, not because he was becoming "naive" like the little Emperor.

But because Empress Dowager He had shown absolutely no sign of power-lust in the past.

And her devotion to Zhao Gui was heartfelt and selfless.

Having lost his mother early, Feng Shou was moved and envious upon witnessing Empress Dowager He’s sincere maternal love towards Zhao Gui.

So this is the truest motherly love.

Sometimes Feng Shou felt envious of Zhao Gui. Although the child didn’t receive paternal love, he had a mother who wholeheartedly planned for him!

Initially aiding Lady He secretly indeed involved sympathy and indebtedness, but also a sliver of personal motive: he wished to protect such a kind mother.

Empress Dowager He loved Zhao Gui so deeply; she couldn’t possibly let him be a puppet emperor forever.

However, these were merely Feng Shou’s conjectures.

He hadn’t seen Empress Dowager He personally and couldn’t glean her true thoughts from her words, actions, or expressions.

Besides, Feng Shou also intended to "forge" Zhao Gui.

A fourteen-year-old Emperor truly cannot be so "naive" or capricious.

Otherwise, even if he takes charge, the Imperial court would be thrown into chaos.

By then, it would be a real mess.

"Your Majesty, the matter of this old minister is not urgent. Let me ask you, do you know about the Empress Dowager appointing a Female Assistant?"

Within a few fleeting moments, Feng Shou’s mind raced with many thoughts, and finally, he made a decision.

Feigning urgency, he directly asked.

"Yes, isn’t it just conferring a title upon a woman as a nominal position? It’s no big deal!"

Zhao Gui replied indifferently.

Seeing this, Feng Shou increasingly felt that Zhao Gui needed guidance.

Even if he trusts his mother, even if he feels secure, he must possess at least a modicum of political sensitivity.

Zhao Gui is the Emperor, and an Emperor should be suspicious.

Feng Shou did not intend Zhao Gui to become isolated, nor was it about familial affection.

But within the Imperial Palace, at the Imperial court, one truly shouldn’t act sentimentally.

Emotions are the most unreliable things.

For power, fathers and sons, brothers, and spouses can turn against each other.

Empress Dowager He certainly wouldn’t do anything to the Emperor, yet Zhao Gui must be appropriately guarded.

After a brief pause, Feng Shou refrained from further guidance or implication, instead directly telling Zhao Gui: "The Female Assistant herself isn’t important; what’s important is the Empress Dowager’s intention!"

Zhao Gui froze.

Intention?

What other intention could Empress Dowager He have?

Isn’t she merely blaming him for getting close to Lady Hu and not listening to her?

So, she deliberately stirred up these matters to vex him, intentionally making things difficult!

Zhao Gui blinked his eyes which were very similar to Empress Dowager He’s, with an expression of simple bewilderment.

Without deep thought, nor any realization of the seriousness of the issue!

Feng Shou sighed inwardly again. This child—

He no longer wanted to use the word "naive."

Using it too often makes him suspect it’s an outright derogatory term!

"The Empress Dowager does not want to return authority! She intends to continue presiding over the court!" Feng Shou looked at Zhao Gui and said coldly.

"What?" Zhao Gui widened his eyes, full of disbelief.