The mysterious woman's back view looks so much like Fu Yu.
She must have seen it wrong.
In Xie Zhaohua's memory, Fu Yu was thin and frail, always keeping her head down and avoiding eye contact, and she always spoke timidly.
How could Fu Yu, in this state, so casually lift Xiao Yuchen's chin and kiss him without any restraint in front of everyone?
Xie Zhaohua clenched the handkerchief in his hand, his eyes darkening.
Fu Yu felt the resentful gazes directed at her from afar.
Just as she was about to look over, Xiao Yuchen immediately blocked her view.
"Don't look at other people."
"You can only have eyes for me."
His words revealed a strong sense of possessiveness.
Fu Yu pursed her lips, her fingertips twirling and playing with Xiao Yuchen's earlobe.
Xiao Yuchen's eyes darkened, and he turned around to carry the person into the tent.
Xie Zhaohua lowered her eyes, her nails almost digging into her flesh.
Previously, Xie Zhaohua could still believe that Xiao Yuchen was just putting on an act to deceive her.
But now, seeing him dote on that woman to the bone, her mind was about to explode.
He couldn't say a word, and even the image of Pei Jingheng, whom he had been longing for day and night for the past few days, was forgotten.
Empress Dowager Yu withdrew her gaze and subtly curled the corners of her lips.
Women who enter the palace, no matter how noble and aloof they claim to be, are no longer truly independent.
Once you fall into this arena, you can't escape the mundane.
The struggle for favor is a never-ending theme.
She smiled, took Xie Zhaohua's hand, and walked to the front of the tent.
Eunuch Liu stopped the two, saying, "Your Majesty, you may enter, but Consort Zhao may not."
"Consort Zhao is His Majesty's woman. She wishes to see His Majesty. Is there a problem?"
Eunuch Liu looked troubled. "Your Majesty, please don't make things difficult for me."
He glanced at Xie Zhaohua and whispered, "His Majesty promised you a few days ago that he would abolish the harem and dismiss all the concubines, leaving you alone."
"Utterly absurd!"
Empress Dowager Yu was so angry that her face turned pale. She said sternly, "I want to meet this vixen and see what kind of bewitching potion she has given His Majesty."
Empress Dowager Yu entered the camp alone.
Inside the tent, Fu Yu was helping Xiao Yuchen put on his riding and archery gear. It was obvious that she had no experience; she either put the armor plates in the wrong direction or tied the belt too tightly.
Xiao Yuchen wasn't annoyed. He just waited quietly for her to discover her mistake on her own. She gave him a disgruntled look and then dressed again.
What should take ten minutes to complete seems to be taking at least half an hour.
He smiled indulgently, his burning gaze never leaving Fu Yu.
Is this still the 'son' that Empress Dowager Yu remembers as a ruthless killer who was bloodthirsty and didn't even blink when killing his own father?
Empress Dowager Yu coughed lightly twice.
Xiao Yuchen shifted his gaze from Fu Yu, reverting to his usual cold and sharp demeanor.
"Empress Dowager."
"Your Majesty, I heard some rumors today that you are reforming the court for the sake of a vixen and even want to dismiss the concubines for her. Your Majesty is wise and mighty, so these rumors must be false!"
"good."
Xiao Yuchen lazily lifted his eyelids and his gaze fell on Fu Yu.
Just as Empress Dowager Yu was about to smile, Xiao Yuchen said, "She is not a witch, she is my future empress."
Empress Dowager Yu's smile froze.
"What did you say?"
"I plan... no, when the time is right, I will make her empress."
"no!"
Empress Dowager Yu looked serious.
"Your Majesty, you may be infatuated with one woman and have only one woman in your heart, but you are not only a man, you are also the emperor of the Li Dynasty. How can you make a woman with no title or status your empress based on your personal preferences!"
"Empress Dowager!"
Xiao Yuchen's powerful aura made the surrounding air several degrees colder.
He suppressed his anger, "You're meddling way too much."
"I am the Empress Dowager, and it is my duty to assist His Majesty in managing the affairs of the inner palace."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuchen looked at Empress Dowager Yu with his phoenix eyes, exuding a terrifying aura.
"Your Majesty, people should learn to be content. I am no longer that helpless fifteen-year-old child."
"I have already repaid the debt of gratitude to the Yu family. Don't be too greedy. I don't want your people."
"In my heart, there has only ever been her."
"you!"
Before the Empress Dowager could speak, the teacup beside her suddenly slammed to the ground.
Tea was spilled all over the floor.
"The Empress Dowager is unwell; let's send her back to the palace."
Xiao Yuchen's voice was devoid of emotion, as if he were not the one who had just revealed his murderous intent to Empress Dowager Yu.
Outside the tent, Xie Zhaohua heard the conversation inside clearly.
She was trembling all over and could barely stand.
Could it be that everything in my past life was a lie?
Xiao Yuchen's kindness towards her was merely a show for the Yu family.
Xie Zhaohua staggered several steps and almost fell, but fortunately the person behind her caught her.
Pei Jingheng, dressed in military uniform, looked at Xie Zhaohua with a worried expression.
When Xie Zhaohua saw her childhood sweetheart, she couldn't stop her tears of grievance.
She hugged Pei Jingheng, sobbing uncontrollably.
Pei Jingheng frowned and asked sharply, "Did Xiao Yuchen bully you?"
"It's all my fault. I failed to protect you."
"It's because I'm incompetent that you were sent to the palace."
"No, it's not your fault." Xie Zhaohua wiped away her tears.
Who told her she was the daughter of the Xie family? Who told her she was naturally beautiful and couldn't hide it? Who told her she was destined to be the heroine of this fictional world?
She could only swallow these bitter experiences.
However, before she died in her previous life, the ruler of the storybook world told her that she had a chance to choose again.
This time, she will definitely not repeat the same mistake of entrusting her affairs to the wrong person.
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