It's all ruined, who cares about the chastity arch

Hearing this, Su Wanyu's expression paused slightly, and the deposed Concubine Hui and the vacant position in the harem flashed through her mind.

Indeed, this was a good opportunity to place her own people, but the issue of personnel selection made her fall into deep thought.

She turned to ask Siqi: "Do you have a candidate in mind?"

Siqi's eyes moved around a few times, and finally she shook her head: "I really don't have a suitable candidate at the moment. However, I heard that His Majesty prefers mature and steady concubines."

Siqi's voice was gentle: "I guess that Your Majesty lost his father when he was young, and life in the palace must be lonely and unbearable."

Su Wanyu understood what he meant and whispered, "You mean, to find a woman who is both beautiful and gentle?"

Siqi nodded slightly to show her agreement.

But Su Wanyu's heart was filled with ripples. Such a strategy seemed to exploit other people's emotions too much. What's more, the true relationship between her and the emperor was still unclear.

What if he really was her own brother? How could she bear to use an innocent woman and touch the unknown boundaries of family affection?

"Siqi, go find a smart and clever girl, arrange for her to enter the palace, and let her get close to the emperor as a maid." Su Wanyu pondered for a moment and gave the order.

Upon hearing this, Siqi looked up to confirm: "Miss, are you just a palace maid?"

Su Wanyu nodded firmly: "Do as I say."

"Yes, Miss." Siqi bowed respectfully and agreed.

Su Wanyu's fingers stroked the pair of tiger-head shoes again, thinking to herself that it might not be difficult to uncover the mystery of her life. After all, these shoes were a pair. If the other one was really in the emperor's hands, then everything would come to light.

That night, undercurrents surged in the Zheng Mansion. Su Wanyu could not sleep all night. From time to time, she took out the pair of tiger-head shoes, looked at them again and again, with a lot of thoughts in her mind.

On the other hand, Guo had a completely different mood. She drank the medicine sent by Su Wanyu every day. Her body became weaker and weaker, her hair became thinner, and her face became haggard, but she never complained.

In her heart, there was only deep hatred for the Zheng family and Su Wanyu.

Upon learning of Concubine Hui's experience, she could no longer suppress her inner ecstasy. She murmured to herself, as if announcing to the heavens some kind of pleasure of revenge.

The next morning, Marquis Zheng went to the morning court, intending to plead for Concubine Hui. However, the Emperor took the initiative to point out that the Zheng family had a bad tradition, which led to the disaster today.

Lord Zheng was suddenly speechless and dared not refute at all.

The Regent stood aside, his arms folded, expressionless, except for the barely perceptible sneer at the corner of his mouth that was particularly glaring.

The emperor obviously had no intention of getting entangled with the Zheng family anymore, so he left in anger, leaving the civil and military officials in the court talking about it.

Some were whispering, discussing the unwise move of Lord Zheng and the future fate of the Zheng family.

"Lord Zheng has really run into a trap this time. The Emperor almost wanted to personally deal with Concubine Hui last night. The Zheng family was lucky to escape unscathed, but he actually took the initiative to plead for mercy."

"That's right. Lord Zheng is far inferior to the old Lord. He can't manage his concubines, wives, and even his younger sister."

"I think if the second young master of the Zheng family fails in the imperial examination this time, it will be even more difficult for them to continue to inherit the title of Xuan."

"There's no need to be so pessimistic. Second Young Master Zheng is extremely talented. Even if he has no hope of winning the first prize, he can easily win the second or third prize."

"What if I fail the exam?"

"Failed the exam? Then the Zheng family will be in real trouble."

These discussions reached the ears of Lord Zheng, and coupled with the old lady's unhappiness, he became less and less interested in interfering in Huipin's affairs.

To him, a concubine position was far less important than his future daughter entering the palace and becoming queen.

He snorted coldly, waved his sleeves, strode out of the court, and decided to make another plan.

After returning to the mansion, Lord Zheng quietly went around to the back door to avoid being seen and entered the quiet courtyard of Xiao Guo.

Seeing this, Xiao Guo quickly served hot tea and asked with concern: "Master, what's wrong with you?"

The voice was gentle and full of concern.

Lord Zheng let out a long sigh, pouring out all the frustration in his heart.

Little Guo's eyes turned slightly, and she acted according to the situation. She moved closer to him and comforted him in a soft voice: "Master, it is understandable that the old lady loves her daughter, but she is old and does not understand the government. The most important thing now is to stabilize the status of the Zheng family and not to anger the emperor again."

Lord Zheng deeply agreed with this.

Little Guo continued, "The Huipin incident is a done deal. We should avoid getting into trouble and try to distance ourselves from it."

Her eyes moved, and she smiled slyly: "Why not select a few women who look like Huipin from the people and present them to the emperor? Maybe it will ease his anger."

Lord Zheng hesitated a little: "But, the emperor doesn't seem to be obsessed with women."

Little Guo gently kneaded his shoulders: "Whether he likes it or not is one thing, whether we do it or not is another. As long as the emperor feels your sincerity, he will naturally not vent his anger on you."

Her words were sharp but pointed, and each one hit the nail on the head, causing Lord Zheng to feel a warm current in his heart.

He held little Guo's hand and kissed the back of her soft hand gently: "You are really thoughtful."

Little Guo smiled and said, "I am just a woman, I am just expressing my humble opinion. The key is to wait for your decision, sir."

Lord Zheng hugged her and nodded gently: "I understand."

Looking at the beauty in his arms, a hint of tenderness flashed in his deep eyes, and the lingering haze in his heart seemed to be blown away a little.

He stroked little Guo's hair and asked with concern, "What do you want to eat recently? Whether it's mountain delicacies, seafood or street snacks, I will find it for you."

Little Guo shook her head, her long black hair gently brushing across his shoulders. She hooked her arms around his neck, with a strange light flashing in her eyes: "Food is not important, I just miss my sister in my heart and want to go see her."

When mentioning Guo, Lord Zheng's face darkened, his brows knitted slightly, and he said in an unhappy tone: "Why go to see her? Given her current situation, what can you do if you go?"

Little Guo lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a shadow on her cheeks. Her voice was gentle but firm: "She is my biological sister after all. I am really worried about her being imprisoned in that cold Fanghua Pavilion."

Hearing this, Lord Zheng felt mixed emotions. He sighed, held her hand tightly, and a hint of pity flashed in his eyes: "You are always so kind-hearted. Go ahead, but be careful not to let her have the chance to hurt you."

Hearing this, Xiao Guo smiled with relief: "Don't worry, Master, I will protect myself."

As she spoke, she snuggled into his arms.

At noon, the sun was shining brightly. Little Guo whispered to the servants and quietly informed Su Wanyu that they were about to go to Fanghua Pavilion.

Su Wanyu heard this and calculated lightly with her slender fingers. A shrewd look flashed across her brows. She turned her head to look at Yun Yi beside her and asked inquiringly, "How long has Madam been imprisoned there?"