“I’m idle in the palace, and you’re the first friend I’ve made. If you have any questions, you can come to the palace and chat with me,” Chu Zhaoyou added, trying to avoid directly pointing out the stepmother’s issues.

Xie Chaoyue’s eyes suddenly filled with tears. “The young Emperor is so pitiful, he doesn’t even have any friends. When she was young, she had many playmates from the noble families in the capital.”

Chu Zhaoyou: “…”

Well, the original owner didn’t really have any friends. The attendants that the Empress Dowager found for the original owner were from the families of the court officials who were not very successful, and they only taught the original owner bad things.

Chu Zhaoyou often had some doubts. The Empress Dowager spared no effort to spoil the Emperor. What were the benefits? Wouldn’t it be better to cultivate a qualified Emperor to counterbalance the Regent?

Or did the Empress Dowager have confidence in herself to overthrow the Regent alone? Was she afraid that if the Regent fell, she wouldn’t be able to control the Emperor?

Was her vision so far-reaching?

Where did her confidence come from?

Nine years ago, the Empress Dowager’s power was flourishing, and the late Emperor only gave Xiao Heng some empty titles. Xiao Heng rose to power and forced the Empress Dowager to step back.

Unless…

Unless the Empress Dowager knew in advance about the Regent’s poisoning, which would make her clever for a lifetime.

Then she just needed to lie low for another seven years, wait for the Regent to naturally become foolish, and seize the fruits of the prosperous era.

For the first time, Chu Zhaoyou connected Xiao Heng’s poisoning and the palace affairs. He realized that this could give rise to a hundred and eight palace intrigues. The Regent was working hard for others, and the Empress Dowager must be delighted, right?

If the Empress Dowager knew that I saved Xiao Hei…

I must keep it a secret, Chu Zhaoyou repeatedly told himself. He couldn’t let a single word slip until the Empress Dowager was completely overthrown. Who could predict the consequences if her treacherous nature went mad?

…

Xie Chaoyun was having tea in the council chamber. His sister had begged him for several days, insisting on going to the palace to thank the young Emperor. He had no choice but to bring her here, and he would have to personally escort her back later.

How did he not know that the young Emperor was so eloquent? Not only did he address Xie Chaoyue’s concerns in the decree, but he also showed great concern upon his return.

Tsk, the young Emperor was too cunning. His sister had already been won over. The Regent, for the time being, couldn’t understand it. Xie Chaoyun couldn’t help but be on guard.

The council chamber was the place where the Regent conducted his official business in the palace, equivalent to the Emperor’s study. It was completely under the Regent’s jurisdiction, heavily guarded, and only a few trusted individuals could enter, including Xie Chaoyun and Qian Shicheng.

As soon as Xie Chaoyun explained his purpose, Xiao Heng set aside the memorials and left.

It seemed like he was heading to the Emperor.

Xie Chaoyun took a sip of tea, scrutinizing the teacup. It was indeed the Regent’s office, far better than his own in the military camp.

He wasn’t being overly confident; he just believed that when he asked Xie Chaoyue about her conversation with the young Emperor, she would tell him the truth.

Was it necessary to eavesdrop like someone else?

At worst, there was still Cui Geng.

It was nice to sit and drink tea.

But that person understood Chu Zhaoyou better than Xie Chaoyun did. Cui Geng must have been sent away. It wouldn’t be difficult for Xie Chaoyue to conceal some things from Chu Zhaoyou.

Xie Chaoyun calmed himself and tried to savor the fine Da Hong Pao tea. He forced himself to drink several sips, and before he could finish, he saw Xiao Heng returning.

This time, he would definitely drink it slowly!

Xie Chaoyun drained the remaining half cup in one gulp.

He observed Xiao Heng’s expression and estimated that his sister and the young Emperor hadn’t said anything too outrageous. Xiao Heng’s face was dark when he left, and now it was… difficult to read?

Eavesdropping was not the act of a gentleman, and Xiao Heng had only intended to leave after hearing Chu Zhaoyou refuse Xie Chaoyue’s marriage proposal.

He never expected to hear such a conversation.

To thank his brother and the Regent Prince…

Since taking office, Xiao Heng had heard the most common criticism that he was ambitious and sought to usurp the throne, that the Regent’s power overshadowed the imperial authority, and that the Xie family, known for generations of loyalty, was now colluding with the Regent. Few people delved into what the Regent had brought to Great Chu in these seven years.

Had he killed loyal ministers and generals? Had he oppressed the people?

Xiao Heng closed his eyes. The belief he had persistently held, nearly overturned by hatred, had been spoken by that person.

It felt somewhat bizarre and absurd.

Xie Chaoyun looked at him inquiringly, but Xiao Heng didn’t intend to share what he had overheard. After all, Xie Chaoyue would tell him anyway.

The young puppet was once again praising Xie Chaoyun at every opportunity. Why should he pass on the message?

He took away a stack of memorials from the desk, and Xiao Heng’s fair fingers picked up a brush, dipped it heavily in ink, and sneered, “Don’t tell me you don’t know what Chaoyue is thinking.”

Xie Chaoyun retorted, “What does it have to do with General Xie if you’re playing tricks?”

As long as the young Emperor was astute enough, he wouldn’t have agreed, and if he refused Xie Chaoyue himself, his sister wouldn’t have any regrets.

If the Regent hadn’t played tricks, the Emperor wouldn’t have been able to secretly meet with Lu Huai, wouldn’t have been able to borrow Lu Huai’s people, and wouldn’t have been able to meddle in Xie Chaoyue’s marriage. Xie Chaoyue wouldn’t have felt grateful to Chu Zhaoyou.

This wasn’t playing tricks; it was causing a flood.

Xiao Heng paused, and the tip of the brush left a blot of ink on the memorial.

Xie Chaoyun was right. Clearly, he could have resolved the matter himself, but he wanted to see the young Emperor’s methods.

After Xie Chaoyun retorted against the Regent, his expression suddenly turned serious, and he said with difficulty, “Don’t you think the Emperor has become more astute?”

During those three days out of the palace.

The ink blot on the memorial grew deeper, like a dark cloud tearing through the facade of peace.