Looking through the hazy light of the water, one could indeed see Fu Yu standing upright beside the desk, tall and imposing with a dignified appearance.
This person used to protect Wei Youtong, forcing her to publicly clear the Wei family's name. Now, it is said that he has divorced Wei Youtong.
Unsure of Fu Yu's attitude, Xu Shu stepped forward, grasped Xu Chaozong's arm, and hurried to the side room. With tears in her eyes, she whispered, "Your Highness, news just came from over there that my grandfather... he was provoked in the street, and his anger and blood overwhelmed him, causing him to die suddenly."
"A sudden illness..." Xu Chaozong was shocked upon hearing this. "Is this true?"
"Would I risk my grandfather's life to appease Your Highness?" Xu Shu's tears fell even faster. "My grandfather was originally healthy and strong, how could he suddenly fall ill? It's all because of the rumors that circulated recently! He was diligent and conscientious throughout his life, meticulous and loyal in his duties to the court, unlike others who were greedy and insatiable. The only thing he valued was his reputation. Now, his reputation has been ruined by others, and he is being provoked and ridiculed in the bustling city. How could he bear it?"
As she wept bitterly, Xu Chaozong was deeply shaken.
With the court in decline and his own abilities limited, his ability to rival the Prince of Ying was largely due to the support of Grand Tutor Xu. A few days ago, despite the rampant rumors, he thought Grand Tutor Xu, having weathered many storms in his life, wouldn't be bothered by such matters. Who knew it would actually be true…
The departure of Grand Tutor Xu was like losing half of his arm, adding insult to injury!
Xu Chaozong felt a pang of pain in his heart, and heard Xu Shu grit her teeth and continue, "...All of these things are the work of the Wei family. Wei Youtong originally agreed not to pursue the matter further, but now he has gone back on his word, not only stirring up trouble but also bribing the censor to curse people in the street, disgracing the Grand Tutor's dignity. Now that things have come to this, the Wei family is malicious, will Your Highness sit idly by and do nothing?"
“You Tong…”
“I’ve heard that the Wei family has been in frequent contact with the Prince of Ying these past two days! It’s clear that they’re conspiring to kill my grandfather. If Your Highness doesn’t care, I will go and settle accounts with them!”
Before she could finish speaking, a deep voice suddenly rang out from the side room.
"The Princess Consort said that You Tong plotted against the Grand Tutor?"
Fu Yu strolled over at some point, dressed in a dark-colored floral robe. He had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and a stature as tall as Mount Hua. His gaze was sharp and intimidating as he stared intently at Xu Shu. He said coldly, "I have heard about what has happened in the capital recently. The Wei family merely revealed the truth. How did it become a conspiracy in the Princess's mouth?"
After years of conquest and commanding his iron cavalry, his cold and angry demeanor was far more imposing than that of Xu Chaozong, a member of the imperial family.
Xu Shu felt a chill run down her spine, but forced herself to say, "Since the general intends to assist His Highness, why speak up for that... Wei Youtong?"
She originally wanted to say "abandoned woman," but intimidated by Fu Yu's cold and sharp gaze, she ultimately didn't dare to say it.
Fu Yu's expression darkened further. "Spreading rumors, stirring up trouble, and bullying teenage girls—it was the Xu family who did it. They're capable of such despicable acts, yet they don't have the guts to admit it? You Tong and I are divorcing amicably, not abandoning each other. If she runs into trouble, I'll take care of her!"
After saying that, he gave Xu Chaozong a meaningful look, and then walked back to his original spot.
Xu Chaozong carefully considered the almost threatening meaning behind his arrogant attitude and was so startled that he broke out in a cold sweat.
Chapter 94 Conspiracy
Before taking Fu Yu as his right-hand man, Xu Chaozong already knew that this man was arrogant and ruthless. Although he was an invincible sword, he was by no means someone to be driven at will. Last time Fu Yu came to the capital, although he fulfilled Xu Chaozong's request, in the Liuyuan Garden, Fu Yu disregarded the proper order between ruler and subject and threatened Xu Shu with cold words, and then coerced Xu Shu to clear You Tong's name.
— He was very protective of You Tong, Xu Chaozong could tell.
Fu Yu was clearly very bothered by the Xu family's spreading of rumors and harming You Tong that day.
In this world, military power is the strongest asset. Even Emperor Xiping, who rules the entire country, treats Fu Yu with considerable respect. Xu Chaozong is just a prince, and without Grand Tutor Xu as his support, his current situation is even more difficult and dire. If he wants to turn the tide, the only one he can rely on is Fu Yu.
If Xu Shu remains obstinate and continues to cause trouble, even if Fu Yu kills her in front of him, what can he do?
If they were to fall out with Fu Yu, their chances of seizing the throne would be dashed. Moreover, given Fu Yu's skills and abilities, he would likely be unmatched within the capital. And once outside the capital, the hundreds of thousands of iron cavalry guarding Yongning would be far beyond the capabilities of the Imperial Guards and the capital's garrison. For a mere military officer to openly disrespect and threaten the Princess Consort with such brazen confidence—what kind of situation would allow such a thing to occur?
Xu Chaozong was drenched in cold sweat.
He even felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of worry and fear, which gave him goosebumps all over his body.
But at this moment, those worries were secondary; the most urgent matter was to seize the throne. Otherwise, once the Prince of Ying gained power, not only would Xu Shu and the Xu family be in danger, but he and his birth mother, Consort Ling, along with all their concubines and confidants, would likely face a miserable end. And his worries and fears would be of no use whatsoever.
Xu Chaozong's palms were sweating. He quickly made up his mind, his gaze suddenly becoming authoritative, and said to Xu Shu, "Go back."
"Your Highness!" Xu Shu persisted.
"Go back!" Xu Chaozong didn't allow her to say more, nor did he have time to explain in detail. He simply leaned close to her ear and said in a deep voice, "If you say another half a word, I will have the guards take you back to your residence. You can decide for yourself." He was usually gentle, dignified, and polite, so it was rare for him to speak so harshly and with such a cold expression.
Sending the guards to escort the princess back to her residence is no different from treating a prisoner.
Xu Shu opened her eyes wide in shock, meeting Xu Chaozong's gaze, and knew he was not lying.
She hesitated for a moment before gritting her teeth and saying, "Yes. I obey."
Xu Chaozong then ordered the guards to escort the princess back to her residence, specifically instructing her that she was unwell and should not go out for the time being, and that no one should disturb her. He also instructed her to report to him first if anything happened.
Having given his instructions, he hurriedly returned to his study, ignoring the astonished Xu Shu.
...
Before today, Xu Chaozong's hopes of seizing the throne largely rested on Grand Tutor Xu. After all, those who frequently visited Emperor Xiping, besides the concubines in the harem, were only a few highly trusted ministers, and Grand Tutor Xu was the most prominent among them. Xu Chaozong had already made arrangements with the eunuchs serving Emperor Xiping. If Grand Tutor Xu could indeed secure the emperor's entrustment of his affairs after his death, Xu Chaozong's ambition would be half fulfilled.
Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, Grand Tutor Xu would pass away?
Xu Chaozong felt both grief and resentment.
But emotions are useless, and previous efforts cannot be wasted.
As he slowly entered, he completely composed himself and sat opposite Fu Yu as before, discussing countermeasures.
Having ascertained the details, Fu Yu lightly tapped the table with his fingers, his expression grave. "Things have come to this point; Your Highness's regret and remorse are useless now. With the Grand Tutor gone, hoping for His Majesty's entrustment before his death is extremely unlikely. Moreover, the Xu family's reputation has been ruined by this incident. The Grand Tutor was revered by His Majesty and his reputation was inextricably linked to the royal family's honor. Now, with the whole city condemning him, His Majesty has lost face and may well take his anger out on him. In my humble opinion—"
He paused, raised his eyebrows to look at Xu Chaozong, his eyes dark and filled with hidden killing intent.
Xu Chaozong's brow twitched slightly. "General Fu, please speak freely. There's no need to hold back."
"The matter concerning the Xu family must have been orchestrated by Prince Ying. Not only did they cut off Your Highness's arm, but someone in the palace must have informed the Emperor about it. Forgive my bluntness, but the Xu family harbored ill intentions and sowed the seeds of disaster, which has now truly implicated Your Highness. Consort Zhao is highly favored by the Emperor, and Prince Ying also has his own preferences. Your Highness, in this situation, how much of a chance does Prince Rui's residence have?"
“If it was four parts before, now…” Xu Chaozong shook his head, his expression gloomy, “it’s probably less than two parts.”
"Does Your Highness intend to back down?"
"No!" Xu Chaozong shook his head decisively. "At most, it'll end in a fight to the death!"
"That's good." Fu Yu bowed slightly, his cold and stern eyes becoming even more severe, and his voice lowered even further. "If we use ordinary methods, the Prince Rui's mansion only has a two-point chance of winning. If we go all out, we can have a nine-point chance."
"What does the general mean?"
"If we cannot outsmart them, we will resort to force."
Seeing that Xu Chaozong did not show any surprise, Fu Yu sat up straight. "It seems that Your Highness has this plan?"
The study was quiet for a moment. Xu Chaozong slowly stood up, his expression solemn and serious. He clasped his hands together and bowed slightly to Fu Yu.
"Please help me, General Fu!"
In the struggle for imperial power, only the victor is remembered. When the Prince of Ying sent assassins to kill him at the beginning of the year, Xu Chaozong knew that the so-called brotherhood between them had vanished. However, seizing power through a palace coup by force was far too risky, and his guards were not elite, nor did he have any capable generals to oversee the situation and ensure his safety. The chances of breaking into the palace and seizing power were too low.
As for Fu Yu, he is arrogant and difficult to control, inheriting the domineering attitude of the military governor, and may not be completely subservient to him.
Therefore, he still pinned his hopes on Grand Tutor Xu, hoping to avoid war and win the emperor's favor through his usual methods of vying for the throne, thus gaining Emperor Xiping's entrustment of important matters. The secret letter summoning Fu Yu back to the capital for reinforcements was merely a precaution, so that in case of any troublesome situation, he would have a sharp sword by his side.
But now, the situation has deteriorated to an extreme degree.
As Fu Yu said, Grand Tutor Xu could no longer offer him any assistance in the palace, and since Prince Ying had stirred up trouble and tarnished the Xu family's reputation, he would surely use Consort Zhao and her henchmen to sow discord and slander against him before Emperor Xiping. The chances of him receiving the emperor's will to pass the throne to him were extremely slim.
Not wanting to fail at the last minute, he had no choice but to take a risky move.
This seasoned, ruthless, and resourceful general, who was most adept at winning with fewer troops, was Xu Chaozong. He stood bowing, with a somewhat humble and pleading demeanor.
Fu Yu frowned as he looked at him. After a long while, he slowly stood up. "Since Your Highness has entrusted this matter to me, I will do my utmost." He returned the greeting with a cupped hand and sat back down in his chair. Then he turned his head and inquired about the palace guards and the capable men under Xu Chaozong.
At this point, Xu Chaozong's success or failure in vying for the throne rests half on Fu Yu's shoulders.
The saying goes, "Trust those you employ." All previous concerns had to be concealed at this moment. The two of them needed to make their plans for entering the palace clear and transparent. From late afternoon to evening, they spent two full hours behind closed doors discussing countermeasures and refining each step of the arrangement.
The agreement was not reached until dusk fell and the room gradually darkened.
Xu Chaozong wanted him to stay for a meal, but Fu Yu said he was still tied up with trivial matters and couldn't linger. As he got up, he suddenly remembered something, paused slightly, and asked, "If the great matter succeeds and Your Highness gets what you want, how do you plan to arrange things in the harem?"
The question came as abruptly as Xu Chaozong was slightly taken aback.
Unlike Fu Yu, who was constantly immersed in military strategy and tactics, often holding meetings by candlelight all night to discuss matters and plan meticulously, Xu Chaozong, born into a life of luxury, had enjoyed a life of ease since childhood. He found studying tiring as a child, often thinking of ways to shirk his duties and refusing to endure any hardship. As he grew older and more sensible, his experience was far less than Fu Yu's, and with the assistance of powerful ministers and supportive subordinates, he rarely had to exert himself. The two of them, having spent so much time and effort planning behind closed doors, were now, though excited by their secret plot, feeling mentally exhausted and with a throbbing headache.
Hearing Fu Yu's sudden change of tone, he didn't react for a moment.
Fu Yu then reminded her, "Everyone knows about the Xu family's behavior, and Your Highness knows better than I do about Princess Rui's past actions. With such immoral conduct, let alone being the Empress, even if she were to be made a concubine, she would surely be ridiculed."
"What does the general mean?"
“I am willing to lend Your Highness a hand, but I am unwilling to risk my life for that kind of wicked woman.”
The words "poisonous woman" were like sharp thorns piercing Xu Chaozong's ears.
Even after two years of marriage, and with some lingering resentment, there was still affection between them, especially since that woman was his princess. Fu Yu's way of addressing her was a blatant insult to his wife, showing utter disregard for the hierarchy of the royal household.
Xu Chaozong was displeased, but before he could speak, he saw Fu Yu's robes rustle slightly.
“It is not that I disrespect Your Highness, but the Xu family’s actions are truly vicious. They even drove You Tong to drown himself. Has Your Highness not heard of this?” Fu Yu lowered his eyes and flicked his sleeve, hiding the contempt and sarcasm in his eyes. He said in a deep voice, “We await Your Highness’s reply. If the matter is handled properly, we will then follow your orders.”
After saying this, he bowed to Xu Chaozong, took his leave, and departed.
...
The weather was cold in the twelfth lunar month, and the wind was even more biting at night.
You Tong knew that things were tense in the capital lately, and since returning home, he hadn't left the mansion except for the time he met with Prince Ying. After dinner tonight, he returned to his courtyard as usual. Seeing that it was still early and he had nothing to do for the time being, he took out the letter that Xu Changqing had given him, reporting on the recent situation of the hot pot restaurant. After reading it twice, he went to his small study to reply to him. Afterwards, he wrote a separate letter to Du Shuangxi, asking whether Fu Lanyin's marriage was going smoothly.
The desk was brightly lit, and a cold wind howled outside the window. She hadn't finished writing her letter when she suddenly heard a noise outside.
It sounded like very familiar footsteps.
The sound was extremely faint, muffled by the wind, and if it hadn't gotten closer, she would have almost thought it was an illusion.
You Tong listened intently for a moment, a surge of joy welling up inside her. Surprised, she put down her pen and walked outside. Before she even reached the door, she heard two familiar voices outside. Before she could speak, she saw Wei Sidao lift the curtain and enter, followed by Fu Yu—he seemed to have come under the cover of night, dressed entirely in black, with a large hood covering his head, obscuring his eyebrows and eyes, revealing only his tightly pursed thin lips and handsome nose.
After entering the house, Wei Sidao walked straight inside, but Fu Yu paused slightly and opened his hood.
Two pairs of eyes looked at her, deep and clear, yet impatient.
You Tong met his gaze, feeling both surprised and puzzled.
Given Wei Sidao's personality, why would she bring Fu Yu to her residence in the middle of the night?
Chapter 95 Seduction
Wei Sidao was a rigid and serious man, and he would never bring a man to see his daughter in the middle of the night for no reason.
—Especially since that person was You Tong's ex-husband.
In fact, he had been in a very good mood these past few days.
Two years ago at this time, the whole city was in turmoil. He still clearly remembers the gossip among the people and the sidelong glances from his colleagues. He especially hates the Xu family for secretly stirring up trouble and spreading rumors. However, he was powerless to bring down that old villain, Grand Tutor Xu, and could only endure it. Now that the truth has come out, the Xu family's hypocritical and vicious face has been torn off, and the situation has suddenly reversed. With the help of the Prince of Ying, the gossip in the streets is even more heated than before.