After Emperor Zhou heard about Ji Yunmengâs actions, he thought Ji Yunmeng did it for him. As for Ji Yunmeng liking Lu Chen, he simply didnât believe it. How could someone as exceptional as Ji Yunmeng be interested in a wastrel?
Emperor Zhou once indeed considered enlisting Zhen Nan Prince Manor to overturn the Empress Dowager and eliminate the Pei Familyâs influence, but suddenly, Prince Zhen Nan fell ill.
Moreover, now Zhen Nan Prince Manor has only Lu Chen as an heir. As long as Lu Chen is eliminated and Prince Zhen Nan dies, Zhen Nan Prince Manor will crumble. Therefore, Emperor Zhou abandoned his original plan.
At this moment, the candle flames gently flickered in Long Life Hall, casting shadows on the drapes that trembled slightly. The dark figure stood by a pillar, half hidden in darkness, revealing only the corner of a dark robe. The voice that came from the shadow was cold, clear, and emotionless, "Does Your Majesty think Princess Yunâan did this for Your Majesty?"
Emperor Zhouâs fingers lightly tapped the armrest of the Dragon Throne, which was polished smooth and shiny, gleaming dimly under the candlelight, "Do you think otherwise?"
In Emperor Zhouâs view, Ji Yunmeng surely understood her situation, thus wanting to enlist Zhen Nan Prince Manor to resist the Empress Dowager Faction in court. After all, he, as her father, recently granted her a title. Ji Yunmeng reciprocating the favor was normal. Itâs unlikely his daughter would send the Sword to Zhen Nan Prince Manor solely for Zhen Nan Prince Manorâs sake, right?
The womanâs voice floated again from the shadows, "Hasnât Your Majesty considered that she might have other intentions?"
Emperor Zhou said, "She does have some ambition, but itâs inconsequential."
Emperor Zhou wasnât a fool. Ji Yunmeng was talented, and she had her own influence. Of course, Emperor Zhou knew she was ambitious, but he didnât believe her ambition was big enough to aim for that position. In his view, Ji Yunmeng only desired more power.
Emperor Zhou never thought having ambition and seeking power was wrong. Thus, he believed Ji Yunmengâs actions were for her own benefit. If she could help him regain control and return to the court, she would take precedence, with power beneath only him. As for making her Crown Princess, Emperor Zhou had never considered it.
After hearing Emperor Zhouâs words, the dark figure moved half a step forward, revealing a side profile hidden in shadows, the contours highlighted by the candleâs fine edge of light, "In that case, what does you plan to do next?"
Upon hearing the question, Emperor Zhou fell into contemplation. Outside the hall, the wind crossed the eaves, causing the windows to gently rattle. In his view, there was no longer a need to enlist Zhen Nan Prince Manor. If the Empress Dowager perceived it as his orchestrated effort, she would detect his ambition and believe he was restless, wanting to reclaim power.
This wouldnât be good for his plans.
On the other hand, doing nothing might make the Empress Dowager remain vigilant over him. She never stopped probing him.
This time, Ji Yunmeng sending the Sword to Lu Chen would definitely make the Empress Dowager think he wanted to build a good relationship with Zhen Nan Prince Manor. But now that Zhen Nan Prince Manor had declined and wasnât a concern, eliminating Lu Chen as the sole heir would dissolve Zhen Nan Prince Manor, greatly decreasing the Empress Dowagerâs vigilance, believing the Emperor foolishly put hope on a fallen prince manor. From this perspective, Zhen Nan Prince Manor can attract the Empress Dowagerâs attention and reduce her alertness.
Returning to his senses, Emperor Zhou raised his hand and waved, "Send someone to lift Yunmengâs confinement order."
Upon hearing this, the dark figure seemed to understand Emperor Zhouâs intention. Emperor Zhou was deliberately guiding the Empress Dowagerâs attention toward Zhen Nan Prince Manor, making her mistakenly think he genuinely wanted to rely on Zhen Nan Prince Manor to rise again. In this way, he could make moves elsewhere.
At this moment, Emperor Zhou suddenly turned his head, staring at the dark figure, his gaze resting on a face obscured in the shadows, "Does Tianxuan Palace really wish to lend me a helping hand?"
Upon hearing this, the dark figure slightly nodded, a movement hardly noticeable, "Naturally, but just remember your promise once you regain power."
Emperor Zhou calmly said, "Once I return to that position, I will not forget my promise. However, Iâm curious why you chose me over that woman?"
The woman mentioned by Emperor Zhou undoubtedly referred to the Empress Dowager. Currently, the Empress Dowager held power. If Tianxuan Palace wanted to cooperate with Dazhou, directly choosing the Empress Dowager would be simpler.
The dark figure remained silent for a moment. At this time, the candle flame in the hall suddenly popped and crackled, "You donât need to know this. You just need to fulfill the promise."
Emperor Zhou didnât ask further questions. He didnât think Tianxuan Palace was foolish. Tianxuan Palace aimed to be Dazhouâs National Religion, likely seeking the Qi Fortune of Dazhouâs dynasty. Although he was a Puppet Emperor, the dynastyâs Qi Fortune was still linked to him. Tianxuan Palace wanting Qi Fortune meant they could only cooperate with him, the Puppet Emperor.
Thinking about this, Emperor Zhouâs face flashed with disdain, the smile merely at the corners of his mouth, while his eyes remained cold. They all seemed to treat him like a pushover.
...
After Ji Yunmeng returned to the Princess Mansion, she was subjected to the confinement order and didnât leave the Princess Mansion for the following days, nor did she send anyone to Zhen Nan Prince Manor.
Originally, she planned to send someone to greet the Deceit Suppression Bureau, but due to the Empress Dowagerâs order, the entire Princess Mansion was tightly monitored by guards sent by the Empress Dowager. Those guards stood outside the mansion gates, their posture straight, hands on their sword hilts, eyes unwaveringly watching those entering and exiting, preventing any chance to send someone to the Deceit Suppression Bureau.
However, Ji Yunmeng believed those in the Deceit Suppression Bureau would know what to do once they saw her send the Sword to Lu Chen.
To become stronger, she stayed in the Deceit Suppression Bureau for a long time, and recently, she also assisted them in investigating the case of the village massacre by demons. The people in the Deceit Suppression Bureau respected her greatly and would understand she sided with Cao Shiyun after she sent the Sword to Lu Chen, avoiding causing trouble for Lu Chen.
Of course, if any big figures pressured the Deceit Suppression Bureau to trouble Lu Chen, then her title as Princess might no longer be useful.
Yunâan Princess Mansion was quiet. Lanterns under the corridor were gently swayed by the wind, their light flickering on the ground. Ji Yunmeng sat in the pavilion in the small courtyard, a cup of cold tea beside her, looking at a few peony bushes outside the pavilion, wilted petals stuck listlessly to the soil, pondering her next steps.
She was confined, and the lift of this confinement order was uncertain. She had a hunch that until Lu Chen was removed, the Empress Dowager wouldnât lift her confinement order to prevent her from disrupting their plans against Zhen Nan Prince Manor. Only when Lu Chen was dead might her confinement order be removed.
Just when Ji Yunmeng was contemplating how to support Zhen Nan Prince Manor, an eunuch entered the Princess Mansion with a Holy Decree. The eunuch walked quickly, his robe corners fluttering, sweeping up fallen leaves under the corridor.
Xiao Qi hurriedly ran ahead of the eunuch to Ji Yunmeng, sweating on his forehead, calling out from outside the pavilion, "Princess, Your Majesty has a decree!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Yunmeng frowned slightly, doubting whether her fatherâs Holy Decree at this time was any good news. She even suspected he might revoke her title since she, a Royal Family Princess, openly stood against the Royal Family.
Ji Yunmeng promptly stood up from the stone stool. The Imperial Eunuch already reached the pavilion entrance, smiling, his face scrunched together, eyes narrowed into slits, saying to Ji Yunmeng, "Princess, Your Majesty says you did not err in cherishing the Heir of Prince Zhen Nan, so the confinement order is lifted."
Saying this, the Imperial Eunuch directly handed the Holy Decree to Ji Yunmeng without even reading it.
Ji Yunmeng was momentarily stunned by the words of the Imperial Eunuch.
What did her father mean?
Was this encouragement to help Zhen Nan Prince Manor?
```