The Female Regent’s Daily Guide to Spoiling Her Wife - Chapter 8

Lu Zhao released Yunxia and went straight to the Bright Moon Pavilion. Pushing the door open, she saw Gao Wenyuan lying lazily on the couch with his eyes half-closed, surrounded by beauties some massaging his shoulders, others kneading his legs. The scent in the private room was overwhelming.

Lu Zhao waved her hand. “What is it? You called me here?”

Wenyuan kicked his legs lightly, signaling the surrounding beauties to leave. He said lazily, “Lu Xiaozhao, I wonder if you’ve fallen for the beauty trap?”

Lu Zhao stood by the window with her hands behind her back, her expression unreadable. “What is it? What do you want to say?”

Wenyuan dropped his lazy demeanor and spoke seriously, “Lu Xiaozhao, we grew up together. Whatever you plan to do, I will support you wholeheartedly. But this path is not easy. No matter how beautiful Nian Nian is, you must not let yourself fall too deeply before you’ve figured out whose side she’s on.”

Lu Zhao gazed into the distance calmly. She had always been composed and self-controlled, and this time, she was confident she could handle everything. She replied, “Mm, don’t worry.”

Wenyuan narrowed his eyes, his expression pained. “I trust you. I’ve long despised everyone in the royal family. No matter how recklessly they act, they should never have harmed Ziyan for the sake of their own power.”

Song Ziyan, the son of General Song Qin, had been the study companion of Prince Rui and was cherished by the prince like the apple of his eye. In the 19th year of Shun’an, Song Ziyan passed the imperial examinations, and the General’s residence was decorated with lanterns and streamers in celebration. Yet, the very next day, he was accused by a fellow candidate of cheating, having allegedly known the exam questions in advance. The chief and deputy examiners of that year were all dismissed and investigated, with none offering any defense. Song Ziyan, unable to clear his name, hanged himself at home to prove his innocence. The brightest star in Yindu, filled with regret, departed just like that.

Whenever Wenyuan recalled Ziyan’s aggrieved and desolate expression before his death, along with his plea, “Brother, believe me, I didn’t.” his heart twisted in pain. His Ziyan! So well-behaved, so radiant it was his father, the emperor, who, in his efforts to suppress the General’s residence, had driven that bright young man to his death! When a crime is fabricated, excuses are never lacking! His father was wrong in every way, but he should never have harmed Ziyan!

Lu Zhao stared into the distance, lost in thought. After a long while, she spoke, “Wenyuan, the Emperor is solely focused on seeking immortality and pays no attention to state affairs. The Crown Prince is frail, and Prince Qing is tyrannical and debauched. No matter who ascends the throne in the future, you, I, and the Princess’s residence may not be able to remain unscathed. Rather than being at others’ mercy, it’s better to strive for power ourselves. Only by holding power in our own hands can we be truly secure.”

Lu Zhao paused before continuing, “Have you found the auspicious sign I asked you to look for?”

Wenyuan nodded. “There’s already news. It’s a white deer. When the time comes, I’ll spread the word. Whether it’s Prince Qing’s people or the Crown Prince’s who find the deer, they will surely deliver it to Yindu before the Mid-Autumn family banquet.”

“Good. Once it arrives in Yindu, remember to assign our people to take care of the auspicious sign and ensure the Mid-Autumn family banquet proceeds as planned.”

The two talked for a while longer, but Yunxia still hadn’t arrived. Lu Zhao watched the bustling market outside and, after a moment of silence, said, “Wenyuan, I won’t be joining you for a meal today. I’m leaving now.”

Wenyuan chuckled lightly. “Just as I warned you not to fall too deeply, you’re off to find her. Lu Xiaozhao, are you for real?”

Lu Zhao’s retreating figure paused. “Mm, that path, that position they’re so cold. Perhaps. I also want someone by my side. Wenyuan, don’t worry. I know my limits.”

Wen Yuan shook his head as he watched the anxious figure retreat. Who could truly explain the complexities of love? It was only after losing Ziyan that he had come to understand what she meant to him.

The carriage driver brought Yunxia to Zhencui Pavilion, the largest jewelry store in Yindu, and respectfully said, “Miss, feel free to buy whatever you like.”

Yunxia quickly calculated in her mind she would naturally favor the most expensive items. When she returned to the Xu residence later and planned to take her sister away, there would be many expenses, so she could pawn these for more silver!

She selected some gold jewelry that would fetch a good price when pawned. After a moment’s thought, she also picked a black-and-gold embroidered pouch with symbols of fortune, prosperity, and longevity for Lu Zhao. Even after she left, she hoped Lu Zhao would be safe and happy.

Just as she was browsing, a familiar voice sounded at the entrance. “Ajin, let’s go see what’s in style. If you like anything, I’ll buy it for you.”

It was Xu Ruoxiang! Yunxia stiffened, immediately grabbed a wide-brimmed hat from the counter, and put it on, slightly hunching her back like a kitten ready to scratch at any moment!

She pointed to the items she had chosen, signaling the shopkeeper to wrap them up. As the shopkeeper was packing, Song Jin and Xu Ruoxiang approached Yunxia. Song Jin casually picked up a gold-inlaid jade hairpin that Yunxia had selected and said to the shopkeeper, “Shopkeeper, I’ll take this hairpin.”

The shopkeeper glanced at Song Jin, then at Yunxia, and said awkwardly, “Miss Song, this young lady has already bought it. Would you like to look at something else?”

Song Jin pretended to notice Yunxia for the first time and deliberately drawled, “Oh? Isn’t this the entertainer from Hongxiu Workshop? Can she even afford things from Zhencui Pavilion?”

Yunxia slapped several banknotes onto the counter, snatched the hairpin back with her slender fingers, and said in a deliberately shrill voice, “Shopkeeper, ring it up!”

Seeing Song Jin at a disadvantage, Xu Ruoxiang snatched the bag of items from Yunxia’s hand, tossed it in front of the shopkeeper, and said coldly, “Shopkeeper, if you sell to her, you’re disrespecting us! It’s not like we can’t afford these things. Think carefully are you really going to offend the Song and Xu families over a mere plaything?”

Yunxia let out a cold laugh. Xu Ruoxiang was all talk! The gold jewelry she had just picked would cost two or three years of Xu Xin’s official salary. If Xu Ruoxiang paid for it all, Xu Xin would surely scold her to death.

Thinking this, Yunxia deliberately grabbed a corner of the bag and said, “Shopkeeper, they don’t have that much money. If you don’t believe me, ask them to pay now.”

The shopkeeper stammered to Song Jin and Xu Ruoxiang, “Young ladies, perhaps.”

Song Jin, raised as the cherished eldest daughter, had never been so insulted. She tugged at Xu Ruoxiang’s sleeve and said, “Ruoxiang, I really like the things she picked. You promised to buy me something today pay up!”

Xu Ruoxiang’s face turned pale. Buying one piece was manageable, but purchasing everything would cost her dearly. She pulled Song Jin aside and forced an awkward smile. “Ajin, why bother getting angry with a plaything? Sooner or later, she’ll be cast aside.”

Yunxia paid no attention, holding her items and watching Xu Ruoxiang coldly. She had always been like this fawning over the powerful and trampling on the weak. In the past, Yunxia had been powerless to resist, but now she was Niannian, standing by the regent’s side. What did she have to fear?

Yunxia curled her lips, deliberately softening her voice as she said, “Indeed! But what can be done? Not only do men adore someone like me, even the regent himself favors me! With your dullness, how could you ever capture anyone’s heart? You can’t even afford a few pieces of jewelry how utterly pitiful!”

Xu Ruoxiang’s face flushed crimson, and she raised her chin defiantly, shouting, “Who says I can’t afford them? I just”

Yunxia giggled sweetly, “Just what? Just poor and sour, that’s all.”

By then, quite a few onlookers were secretly enjoying the spectacle, leaving both women momentarily unable to save face.

Yunxia had no desire to engage further and picked up her things to leave, but Xu Ruoxiang grabbed her arm, digging her nails in tightly. “Who do you think you’re looking down on? You’re not going anywhere!”

Yunxia winced in pain and shoved her back forcefully.

Xu Ruoxiang’s waist slammed into a nearby cabinet. Glancing up, she spotted Xu Yunshen passing by on the street with his entourage. Seizing the opportunity, she immediately cried out, “Brother! Someone’s assaulting people in broad daylight come quickly and arrest her!”