Princess Promotion

Fu Hongxuan's heart sank. If the Yun family just wanted to save the lives of Concubine Li and her son, although it would cost a considerable price, it was not impossible.

The Yun family could easily take advantage of Yao Chuguang's attack on the palace and the chaos in the harem to send the three of them, mother and son, out of the palace, and then find three corpses of similar appearance to send in to disguise it as a fire.

Although this method is a bit crude, it can conceal the truth for a while, but it will definitely not dispel Yao Chuguang's suspicion.

But as long as the mother and her two children hide in the countryside and cut off contact with the Yun family.

None of the Lian Yun family knew where they were, and even if Yao Chuguang wanted to find them in the vast sea of people, there was no clue. The only downside was that the three of them, mother and son, would become paupers from then on, but their lives would definitely be saved.

Why didn't the Yun family do this? Instead, they added unnecessary trouble by keeping Concubine Li and Zhou Mingrui in the palace and went to great lengths to send Zhou Chengxi away?

Yao Chuguang sneered sarcastically and said, "Why didn't they save Zhou Mingrui? It's because he's an idiot. Even if he was saved, it would be useless. He couldn't become emperor or restore the country."

"It would be better for them to stay in the palace and protect Zhou Chengxi. After all, everyone subconsciously thinks that since the Yun family is capable of rescuing Zhou Chengxi, they must be able to rescue Concubine Li and Zhou Mingrui."

By then, Concubine Li and Zhou Mingrui will be in the palace, and the identity of Zhou Chengxi in the palace can be confirmed, and the real Zhou Chengxi outside the palace can appear in front of everyone openly.

Zhou Chengxi is only twelve years old this year. After a few years when he grows up, no one will think that he is the real ninth prince of Emperor Zhou.

Why did the Yun family go to such great lengths, even at the cost of Concubine Li and Zhou Mingrui, to clear Zhou Chengxi of suspicion and allow him to appear before the public openly?

Fu Hongxuan could already guess the Yun family's calculations and ruthlessness in this matter without Yao Chuguang explaining anything further!

Zhou Chengxi wanted to restore the Zhou Dynasty, so naturally he couldn't be allowed to hide like a shameful shadow.

The Yun family alone could not help Zhou Chengxi restore the country. They needed Zhou Chengxi to travel around and win over the old ministers to support him in restoring the country.

Therefore, no matter what the cost, the Yun family must make Yao Chuguang dispel his suspicions and give Zhou Chengxi a chance to breathe.

Fu Hongxuan frowned, raised his hands to cover Zhou Mingrui's ears, looked at Yao Chuguang reproachfully and said, "Why do you have to say this in front of the child?"

Yao Chuguang said without even looking up: "I am telling the truth. He was abandoned. He was born as a spare tire. The Yun family has ambitions to seize the throne."

"The Yun family wanted Zhou Mingrui because they were afraid that if something happened to Zhou Chengxi, they would have a child to take over. But they didn't expect that he wouldn't even be qualified to be a backup."

The reason why the Yun family did not rescue Zhou Mingrui was very obvious. Their resources were not enough to protect Zhou Chengxi, so how could they bring Zhou Mingrui, a burden, with them?

Fu Hongxuan was about to say something when Yao Chuguang interrupted him, "You think telling him directly is too cruel, so do you want to lie to him and tell him that the world is full of truth, goodness and beauty?"

"If he was a child from a commoner family, it wouldn't be a big deal, but he was unlucky enough to be born into a royal family. You are truly harming him by not being wary of and trusting his mother's family. This is a dead end."

At this moment, a eunuch hurried in, knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, Zhou Chengxi is seriously injured and has passed away!"

Yao Chuguang paused his pen, which had been correcting memorials. Suddenly, the hall became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

"Snap" the crisp sound of the red pen being thrown on the stone slab broke the silence. Yao Chuguang threw the pen away from his hand, his face as calm as water, and said nothing.

Fu Hongxuan knew that Yao Chuguang was really angry.

It seems that the Yun family's luck has run out.

When Yao Chuguang came to her senses, Fu Hongxuan had already put Zhou Mingrui down and left.

Only Yao Chuguang and Zhou Mingrui were left in the huge palace. Zhou Mingrui was still standing there blankly, with a dull look on his face that showed neither sadness nor joy.

Yao Chuguang stood up and walked in front of Zhou Mingrui, looking down at him and asking, "Are you hungry?"

The moment Fu Hongxuan stepped into the mansion, the air was filled with tension and uneasiness.

Grandmother, Fu Yuanyuan, and even mother Yun, who has always lived in seclusion and rarely participated in the affairs of the mansion, were all gathered in the main hall at this moment.

Fu Yuanyuan asked anxiously, "Brother, what happened? Why did His Majesty suddenly send troops to surround the Yun family?"

It seems that Yao Chuguang was indeed quick and surrounded the Yun Mansion in the first time.

With such a big commotion, Fu Yuanyuan must know about it.

Fu Hongxuan glanced at Yun and said, "Your Majesty has discovered that Zhou Chengxi is a fake."

Fu Yuanyuan said bluntly, "How did Your Majesty find out?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Fu Yuanyuan realized that she had let the cat out of the bag.

If Fu Yuanyuan didn't know, she would ask why Zhou Chengxi was a fake instead of directly asking Yao Chuguang how he found out.

Fu Hongxuan looked at Fu Yuanyuan coldly and asked, "Even you are involved?"

Fu Yuanyuan lowered her head and didn't dare to look Fu Hongxuan in the eye. She murmured, "After all, he is Sister Li's child. We just want to save him. He is still so young..."

Yun's eyes were filled with tears. She raised her trembling hands to wipe away the tears. With an inextricable sorrow in her eyes, she said, "Xuan'er, don't blame Yuanyuan for this. It's all my fault. I couldn't bear to see Xi'er at such a young age..."

Fu Yuanyuan bit her lip tightly, trying hard not to cry, and said, "Brother... I'm sorry, I got you into trouble."

Old Madam Liu also sighed heavily, but she couldn't bear to blame Yun.

Yun has been married into the Fu family for many years, working diligently and suffering so many grievances. If there is one person in the world that Old Lady Liu feels the most guilty about, it is Yun.

Because of her own stubbornness, Yun's life was ruined and she remained a widow for most of her life.

Although the Yun family had caused trouble this time, they were blood relatives after all. Who could have the heart not to save their nephew?

Fu Hongxuan looked at the women hugging each other and crying in the room, feeling helpless and said, "Where is Chengxi? Leave him to me, I can save his life."

Ever since Yao Chuguang asked him to find Zhou Chengxi, Fu Hongxuan realized that this matter was closely related to the Yun family.

Yao Chuguang let him handle it, which showed that she was unwilling to bother with a child, so Fu Hongxuan was confident that he could save Zhou Chengxi's life.

Fu Yuanyuan asked cautiously, "Brother, where are you taking Chengxi?"

Fu Hongxuan: "Of course I will bring Chengxi to see His Majesty. Although Chengxi will be imprisoned in the palace from now on, I will use my military merits to buy Chengxi's freedom in a few years when His Majesty conquers the western border and completely wipes out the rebels."

In other words, Zhou Chengxi can be released when there is no chance of a comeback.

This is also the most foolproof method now.

Yun subconsciously objected, "No, that would be like a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth. What if Yao Chuguang kills Xi'er directly?"

Although Fu Yuanyuan felt that her mother's reaction was a bit extreme, what she said was not without reason.

Fu Hongxuan: "His Majesty has promised me that as long as Chengxi is brought back within three days, he will not kill me."

Fu Yuanyuan unexpectedly found a way out of this desperate situation and asked in surprise, "Really?"

"No, we can't hand Xier over." Yun said.

Fu Yuanyuan and Old Madam Liu looked at Yun in shock.

Madam Liu subconsciously sensed that Yun was perhaps confused by her concern, so she began to persuade her, "Xuan'er said that His Majesty had already promised not to kill Chengxi, and he wouldn't go back on his word..."

Yun interrupted Madam Liu with a cold face and said, "Shut up, you old woman."

Not only Mrs. Liu, but also Fu Yuanyuan was shocked and opened her mouth wide, unable to believe that such vulgar words would come out of the mouth of her always virtuous mother.

Now that the cards have been laid bare, Yun Shi no longer pretends: "Fu Hongxuan, let me tell you, there is no way I will hand over Zhou Chengxi."

Yun cast off her years of disguise, changing her previous weak demeanor and issuing a firm order: "Not only will I not hand over Zhou Chengxi, I also want you, Fu Hongxuan, to take Yuanyuan and flee to the western border."

Madam Liu was furious and said, "Yun, are you crazy? Desertion is a serious crime punishable by the extermination of all nine generations of your family. There is no chance of survival."

Yun looked at Madam Liu viciously and said, "Old woman, why do you think I, a noble lady from a high-class family, would marry your son, the laughingstock of the entire imperial capital? It's all for the military power of the Fu family."

"The Yun family has always aspired to become a royal family. I was supposed to enter the palace as a concubine, but my father considered that having only civil officials as assistants wouldn't be a guarantee. He needed the support of an outsider with military power to ensure everything was safe."

Yun began to laugh crazily and said, "If it weren't for the family cause, do you think I would be interested in your son who hangs out with a lowly maid every day?"

"Originally, everything was going according to plan. Li'er successfully entered the palace and gave birth to a prince. It seemed that everything was about to be completed..."

When Mrs. Liu heard this, she was so angry that her hands began to tremble and she staggered and couldn't stand steadily. It was only because Fu Yuanyuan supported her that she didn't fall.

Yun looked at Fu Hongxuan with madness in her eyes and said, "Let me tell you, Fu Hongxuan, I have tolerated your family for so many years just for this moment. The Fu family wants to stay out of trouble, but there is no such thing as a good thing in the world."

"The Fu family and the Yun family have long been closely connected. Once the investigation begins, the Fu family will definitely be inseparable. You now have only one choice, and that is to defect to the Western Territory."

Yun took a deep breath and said, "While Yao Chuguang is still unprepared, lead your troops and fight your way out. Escape to the western border where the Yun family will pick you up. Once you're settled there, I'll send Chengxi over to join you."

"Then you will assist Chengxi and look for opportunities to restore the country."

Fu Hongxuan sneered, "Are you so sure that Yao Chuguang can't find Zhou Chengxi? If I finally escape death and lead my troops to the western border, and Zhou Chengxi is captured, I will become a joke."

Yun said confidently, "Yao Chuguang won't be able to find Zhou Chengxi. Li'er has already started dealing with everyone who has come into contact with or knows Zhou Chengxi. Now, apart from Yuanyuan and I, no one knows what Zhou Chengxi looks like."

As a prince, Zhou Chengxi was not old enough to leave the palace and set up his own residence, so he was kept in the deep palace. Few people outside the palace had ever seen Zhou Chengxi.

A chill ran through Fu Hongxuan's heart: "In order to protect Zhou Chengxi, you even spared Zhou Mingrui."

When Yun heard the name, a trace of pity flashed through her heart, but she had to make sacrifices for the sake of the family cause.

If she herself can sacrifice for her family, why can't Zhou Mingrui?

Yun said cruelly, "Rui'er is a fool. According to the plan, Xi'er will serve as an official in the court and work with you. If Rui'er recognizes her brother, Xi'er will be in danger..."

Fu Hongxuan shook his head in disappointment and turned to walk out of the Fu Mansion.

Fu Yuanyuan wanted to follow, but Yun Shi grabbed her and said, "Now that things have come to this, there is no way back for the Fu and Yun families. Yao Chuguang will not let the Yun family go, nor will she let go of the Fu family who helped them."

Fu Yuanyuan looked at the strange woman in front of her in disbelief and said, "Mother, you are pushing my brother into a dead end."

Yun: "That's right, I'm tying the Fu and Yun families together. If you have the guts, kill me now and then confess to Yao Chuguang. The best outcome for Fu Hongxuan is life imprisonment."

In an instant, Fu Yuanyuan seemed to have lost all her strength, her heart seemed to be restrained and she couldn't breathe. What should she do?

On one side is her brother whom she has respected and admired since childhood, and on the other side is her mother who gave birth to her and raised her. What should she do?

Fu Hongxuan wandered aimlessly on the street. He didn't know where he should go or where he could go.

Fu Hongxuan suddenly laughed out loud towards the sky. No one knew what he had been through to laugh so desperately.

At this time, a voice came: "The one with the silly smile in front, this is the palace gate. If you want to go crazy, go somewhere else."

Fu Hongxuan stopped abruptly, realizing that he had unknowingly walked to the palace gate.

Fu Hongxuan took out his badge and gave it to the guard. The guard took the badge and looked at it, then immediately saluted Fu Hongxuan respectfully and said that he was rude.

Fu Hongxuan walked into the palace with a stern face.

Fu Hongxuan vaguely heard the guards whispering, "I've seen arrogant people before, but I've never seen someone enter the palace laughing like this."

Fu Hongxuan silently quickened his pace.

Fu Hongxuan walked into the imperial study again. Yao Chuguang changed his pen and still sat in his original position to correct memorials.

If there is any difference, it is that there is a small desk next to Yao Chuguang's desk, which looks like a smaller version of Yao Chuguang's large desk.

Zhou Mingrui sat in front of the small table, clumsily scooping at a bowl of egg custard with a spoon.

The big and the small seem to be smaller than the previous two, except that one is writing and the other is eating egg custard.

Yao Chuguang saw that Fu Hongxuan didn't say anything after he came in, so she stared at Zhou Mingrui and asked, "Are you hungry?"

So Zhou Mingrui added a stool next to the small table, and Fu Hongxuan squatted next to the small table, eating egg custard with a big bowl.

So the imperial study became a place where Yao Chuguang sat at the big desk reviewing memorials, while Fu Hongxuan and Zhou Mingrui huddled at the small table eating egg custard.

Yao Chu asked without even looking up, "You look so dejected, were you bullied?"

Fu Hongxuan lowered his head and said, "No."

Yao Chuguang: "Have you found Zhou Chengxi?"

Fu Hongxuan: “…No.”

Yao Chuguang: "So you have clues about Zhou Chengxi?"

Fu Hongxuan: “...No.”

Now Yao Chuguang looked up at Fu Hongxuan, her eyes seemed to say, "Why did you come to the palace if there is nothing?"

Fu Hongxuan put down the bowl, thought for a moment, and decided to save some face. "I'm good at leading troops in battle, but not at...looking for people."

Yao Chuguang thought about it and it made sense. If a general who led troops to war could also easily deduce and solve cases, it would be too outrageous.