The Female Regent’s Daily Guide to Spoiling Her Wife - Chapter 16

In the front courtyard of the Xu residence, Xu Xin was sweating profusely as he accompanied the regent, Lu Zhao, for tea.

For some unknown reason today, Lu Zhao had unexpectedly shown up at the Xu residence. Without saying a word, she merely sat quietly sipping tea, occasionally casting Xu Xin a sinister glance.

Lu Zhao was known for her aloof demeanor. She never formed cliques or engaged in favoritism at court, and her closest acquaintance was the idle Prince Gao Wenyuan. Ordinarily, she had no interactions with Xu Xin, let alone visited his home for a casual visit.

Beads of cold sweat dotted Xu Xin’s forehead as his mind raced, desperately trying to recall if he had ever offended her. Could it be about the incident involving Yun Shen at the Zhencui Pavilion last time?

Tentatively, Xu Xin ventured, “Um… Your Highness, I hope you can overlook my son’s offense last time.”

Lu Zhao paid him no mind. Seated in the place of honor, she kept her eyes lowered, sipping her tea with an indifferent expression. Every gesture she made exuded an unassailable authority, creating an intense sense of pressure.

Thud! Lu Zhao slammed her cup onto the table and glared coldly at Xu Xin, her tone impatient. “Take me on a tour of your garden.”

Xu Xin hunched his back, the wrinkles on his face bunching up. “Of course, of course.”

Xu Xin led the way while Lu Zhao followed, frowning as she surveyed her surroundings. This was the place where that person had grown up. Where had she laughed here? Where had she hidden to cry? At the thought, Lu Zhao’s expression softened slightly.

As they walked, faint sobbing could be heard from the rear courtyard. Lu Zhao’s heart tightened, and she quickened her pace, eager to investigate.

Xu Xin immediately stepped in front of her, forcing a smile. “Your Highness, please stop. That is the inner residence’s rear courtyard. I’m afraid it’s not quite appropriate.”

Lu Zhao stared at him calmly and said in an even tone, “Oh? Minister Xu, are you afraid I might offend the ladies of your household? What if I insist on going?” Her voice was flat and uninflected, but her eyes held a hidden fury as she regarded him coldly.

Xi Gui, standing behind Lu Zhao, rested a hand on the hilt of her sword, staring at him icily as if ready to draw her weapon at any moment.

Xu Xin shuddered in fear, bowing his head and stammering, “That’s not what I meant, Your Highness. I…”

Before he could finish, Lu Zhao strode confidently toward the rear courtyard. She had come today specifically to see how Xiaxia was faring in this household. Despite her anger toward the girl, she missed her terribly.

Before Lu Zhao even reached the rear courtyard, she heard a shrill female voice shrieking, “Nanny Luo, if she won’t get up, beat her until she does! Faking illness! How dare she defy us!”

Frowning, Lu Zhao hurried forward, her face dark as she appeared at the courtyard entrance. Taking in the scene before her, her pitch-black eyes clouded with rage. A chill spread through her limbs, her heart constricted violently, and she felt as if needles were piercing it.

Pressing her lips together, she stepped slowly toward the figure lying on the ground with closed eyes. The once smooth, fair back was now covered in bruises. Those eyes that could laugh and deceive were tightly shut, and the face that had always been full of vitality was now streaked with tears—a vulnerability and wretchedness she had never seen before.

Lu Zhao’s beautiful lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze as cold as ice. Without a second thought, she lifted her foot and kicked Nanny Luo hard. With a muffled groan, the nanny flew backward, slammed into the courtyard wall, and crashed heavily to the ground, unconscious on the spot.

“Ah!” Xu Ruoxiang screamed in terror. She never expected to encounter the cold, ruthless regent in her own family’s rear courtyard.

Lu Zhao slowly crouched down, her face as cold as ice, while her trembling fingertips betrayed the turmoil within her. It had only been a few days since they last met—how had she ended up in such a state?

Footsteps approached from behind. Lu Zhao removed her outer robe and gently draped it over Yunxia’s body. She closed her eyes tightly, struggling to suppress the urge to embrace her right then and there in front of everyone.

When Xi Gui caught sight of the woman on the ground, his heart jolted in shock—wasn’t this Miss Niannian? The very girl his master cherished as dearly as his own eyes! Xu Xin is finished—that was the only thought echoing in his mind.

“Your Highness, my deepest apologies for this unsightly spectacle,” Xu Xin stammered, appearing behind Lu Zhao. He shot a meaningful glance at Xu Ruoxiang, and the matron beside her immediately released Yunqiu.

Tears streaming down her face, Yunqiu rushed to Yunxia’s side, gently cradling her in her arms.

In her dazed state, Yunxia felt as though she heard her sister’s voice and caught the familiar scent of sandalwood. Unconsciously, she nuzzled against the robe and murmured softly, “Sister…”

Yunqiu, her voice choked with tears, cupped Yunxia’s face and whispered in response, “Xiaxia, your sister is here.”

Lu Zhao’s eyes darkened. Hearing her kitten-like murmur felt like a hand squeezing her heart. Heaven knew how much she wanted to sweep this person into her arms and carry her home right then…

Steeling herself, Lu Zhao rose to her feet and averted her gaze. “Minister Xu, you certainly know how to manage your household!” she said coldly. “First, your legitimate daughter publicly humiliated the mistress of the Prince Regent’s residence at the Zhencui Pavilion, and now she displays such cruelty and malice within your own walls. I must say, I’ve truly broadened my horizons today.”

Xu Xin’s hands trembled as he wiped the sweat from his brow, stumbling over his words. “Your Highness, there must be some misunderstanding. My daughter has always been gentle and virtuous. It must be these wretched maids refusing to obey discipline.”

Lu Zhao twisted the jade ring on her finger, her expression dark and icy. “Wretched maids?”

Lu Zhao’s features were naturally delicate and refined, and her usual silence often carried an air of aloof detachment. Now, with her face frozen in cold fury, the pressure she exuded was even more intense.

Xu Xin shuddered under the weight of Lu Zhao’s imposing presence. He sensed he had misspoken but couldn’t pinpoint where he had gone wrong. Swallowing his fear, he pressed on, “Your Highness, you may not be aware, but these two have always been lazy servants in our household. My daughter was merely teaching them a lesson.”

“Father! How can you be so heartless? Aren’t we your daughters too?” Yunqiu cried, her face drenched in tears as she stared at her hypocritical father. How could he protect Xu Ruoxiang at their expense like this?

Xu Xin shot her a fierce glare before turning back to Lu Zhao with an ingratiating smile. “Your Highness, you see, these two are to accompany my daughter as part of her dowry when she marries Prince Qing. They must be properly disciplined now so they don’t disrupt the rules once they enter the prince’s residence.”

Lu Zhao’s expression remained unreadable as she asked, word by word, “Who did you say is marrying Prince Qing?”

Confused, Xu Xin replied, “Your Highness, you may not know, but my daughter is already betrothed to Prince Qing. These two illegitimate daughters are to accompany her as part of the marriage arrangement.”

Before Xu Xin could continue, Lu Zhao cut him off impatiently. “Xi Gui, the eldest daughter of Minister Xu has repeatedly offended me. Take her to the Dali Temple and let her reflect on her actions!”

“Yes, Your Highness!” Xi Gui stepped forward expressionlessly, seized Xu Ruoxiang, and began escorting her out.

“Father! Father! Save me!” Xu Ruoxiang pleaded with tear-streaked cheeks, struggling desperately to break free, yet Xi Guis grip was like an iron clamp, impossible to escape.

Lu Zhao remarked coolly from the side, “Vice Minister Xu, the position of Minister of Revenue is currently vacant. You’ve been serving as Vice Minister for ten years now, haven’t you? Think carefully before you speak.”

Xu Zhang opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing. What did it matter if his daughter was confined for two days compared to his official career?

Lu Zhao, with his back turned to Yunxia, resisted the urge to glance at her several times and instructed Xi Gui, “Go summon the court physician to examine the Third Young Lady.”

Watching Lu Zhao’s retreating figure and then the unconscious Yunxia, Xu Zhang couldn’t fathom why the Regent had made such an arrangement.