Chapter 721 The Emperor’s Big Chess Game

Zhang Heyao put down his chopsticks, his eyes were gentle, but with a clear mind that seemed to see through everything.

He looked at Xiaoman, his voice steady and calm: "Xiaoman, do you think Dad has been alone all these years because he was worried that you would be abused, or because he couldn't forget your mother?"

Xiaoman bit her lip and said nothing.

His silence was the answer.

Zhang Heyao shook his head slightly, a smile playing on his lips. "You're wrong. I'm not keeping anything for your mother, nor am I deliberately trying to be alone. It's just that fate hasn't arrived yet, and I'm busy with government affairs, so I haven't been able to think about it for the time being."

He paused, his tone more calm, "If I meet someone suitable and of similar temperament in the future, I will naturally consider it. This prime minister's residence does need a mistress to take care of the internal affairs. You don't have to worry about it."

Xiaoman couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Dad, I'm glad you think so!" His tone was much lighter. "I'm just worried you might get stuck in a rut. Mom's doing well now. You should also have your own life to live."

As long as he doesn't keep thinking about his mother and confine himself to a small circle, it's fine.

After all, my mother already has a new and happy life.

"Yes, she's doing well," Zhang Heyao agreed, his tone calm. He picked up his chopsticks again and continued to eat the slightly cold dumplings in the bowl with an elegant posture. "So, you really don't need to worry about this for me."

Xiaoman felt relieved and chatted a few more words, then bowed and took her leave for fear of disturbing her father's official business.

The study door was gently closed, and silence returned, with only the occasional crackling sound of the charcoal fire.

Zhang Heyao sat alone behind a large desk, slowly eating the bowl of dumplings that represented the past.

He didn't lie.

He really had never thought of remaining single for the sake of Lu Qiniang, nor did he intend to live out his life alone.

If he meets the right person, he will naturally consider it - he means it sincerely.

He just didn't tell Xiaoman that after experiencing someone like Lu Qiniang, he no longer looked down on other women in the world.

He would always subconsciously compare them to her: to her agility, to her tenacity, to her stubbornness that would not turn back even if faced with a wall, to her vitality that could still blossom in the face of adversity, and even to her cooking skills that were crude but could warm the heart...

Then you will feel that no one can match you.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to start a new life, it’s just that he will never meet someone who can move his heart again.

Everyone has become a compromise.

But he was unwilling to compromise.

The dumplings in the bowl were finally eaten and the soup was also drunk.

My stomach is warm, but the empty and cold feeling in my heart cannot be warmed up no matter what.

Zhang He stared at the empty bowl, slightly lost in thought.

The door curtain was lifted again, and Xiaoman came back.

Zhang Heyao looked up at him and said in a gentle voice, "Anything else?"

Xiaoman talked about the queen worriedly.

"I have reminded my mother, but she didn't take it to heart."

"I understand." Zhang Heyao's expression remained calm.

Xiaoman originally thought she would get advice, but the result was just this.

He didn't dare say anything more, so he thought that he would mention it vaguely after Xiao Yan came back.

My father is very smart and has a very accurate grasp of my thoughts.

Although they were not very close over the years, Xiaoman firmly believed that no matter what happened, both his adoptive father and biological father would stand by him.

"Go back and rest early. Dad has some important things to take care of tonight."

Xiaoman left with a heavy heart.

After a long time, Zhang Heyao picked up the pen and continued to write the letter he had just repeatedly considered - the letter to depose the empress.

The ducks know first when the river water warms in spring.

The first person to notice the Queen's change and ambition was the Emperor.

The emperor didn't intend to use such drastic measures at first.

After all, he has always been in love and wholeheartedly supports the Queen's promotion of women's sports.

He even felt that the Queen wanted more power because of his laziness in recent years, which led to her becoming overly inflated.

He is responsible.

He repeatedly advised the Queen to let go, and then let the Crown Prince take on more responsibilities.

But the queen didn't listen.

The emperor was puzzled and left the capital in the cold winter, saying that he was going out hunting, but in fact his real "prey" was the queen.

The emperor set the bait and waited for the queen to take the bait.

The reason why Zhang Heyao knew about this was because——

It was he and Xiao Yan who strongly advised the emperor to do this.

The emperor was unable to make up his mind, but Xiao Yan took action.

Xiao Yan said, "If it was my humble heart that misunderstood the Empress, then I am willing to take the blame; but if the Empress was truly mistaken, I can help her stop in time and prevent a disaster."

The emperor was finally moved by him.

——Xiaoman could sense it, and when she thought of it, Xiao Yan and Zhang Heyao had thought of it even earlier.

So at this moment Zhang Heyao was very clear that this was the calm before the storm.

Soon, something earth-shattering will happen.

And the person who plays this chess game has always been the emperor, not the queen.

Zhang Heyao is preparing for a rainy day.

He basically concluded that this book of abolishing the empress could be used.

Zhang Heyao worked all night long until the early morning. He simply washed his face, changed into his official uniform and went to court.

When the emperor is away, the queen acts as regent.

Although many ministers wrote to the emperor, hoping that the prince would serve as regent, the emperor did not listen.

Lu Qiniang did not sleep well that night. She felt like something was hanging in her heart, and woke up at dawn.

She didn't have to go to court every day - this was her own request.

She couldn't stand the ministers spending so much time talking nonsense.

Going to court is really a waste of time. It can drive her so impatient that she almost dies. No matter how much she talks, she still can't make anything clear.

She planned to go out for a walk.

Over the years, she has always had the habit of going to the market to buy things by herself.

Firstly, she can understand the prices and people's livelihood. Secondly, by chatting with these ordinary people, she can understand their sufferings and not be separated from the people.

——The environment really can change people.

But Lu Qiniang knew very well that if she wanted to speak for women all over the world, she must understand the needs of women at the bottom of society.

They are the largest in number and the most silent.

As a result, before I even left the house, someone came back to report in a panic—

The Marquis's Mansion was sealed.

Lu Qiniang was shocked when she heard this.

Although I have seen big storms before, I have rarely seen such a situation.

Who wouldn’t panic if they found themselves blocked, with no one able to enter or exit, and no one having any information?

"Who gave you the title?" Lu Qiniang asked in a deep voice.

Since things have already happened, there is no point in panicking, so she quickly forced herself to work hard.

"My lady, it's the Imperial Guards."

Lu Qiniang thought she had misheard.

Imperial Guards?

Now the imperial guards in the capital are all commanded by Xiao Yan!

How could the flood flood the Dragon King Temple?

"Since we are the Imperial Guards, we are considered one of our own. Didn't you even ask why we were confined to our homes?"

"Madam," the person who reported back also looked panicked, "We can't get any information. We can't get any information at all."