Chapter 247: Alerting the Snake
After the four people left one after another, Xiao Yuluan did not show partiality and continued to receive court officials and relatives who came to pay her respects as the Princess Regent.
Soon, the eunuch informed King Wu that he wanted to see him.
King Wu strode into the study, bowed and greeted, and then exchanged a few polite words of congratulations to the regent. After a few casual words, King Wu smiled casually and said:
"When I came here just now, I saw Sixth Brother's carriage. I guess it just left your place. Grandma is busy with work now, so I don't want to bother you too often. I just hope you will treat me equally and not forget me."
He did not forget that Xiao Yuluan had helped Xiao Ji regain his position as prince as soon as he returned to the capital, nor did he forget that she and Xiao Ji's mother were from the same Yang family.
King Wu wanted to know Xiao Yuluan's attitude, whether she was just doing this once or had decided to stand on Xiao Ji's side.
Xiao Yuluan heard this, her smile unchanged. She gently put down her teacup and looked calmly at King Wu: "You are all descendants of the Xiao family. I left the capital when you were just born, and I have never met the others, so naturally I will not be biased."
After saying this, she changed the subject, "Speaking of which, I still remember what your father looked like when he was young. Back then, your grandfather and I would often discuss politics, and your father would quietly stand behind him, listening to his advice... That scene seems like yesterday."
She sighed softly, feeling a sense of vicissitudes of life. "I never imagined that time would pass so quickly, and in the blink of an eye, both your father and I would have grown gray. I never imagined that after so many twists and turns, the power of the country would one day return to my hands..."
When she said the last sentence, an intriguing smile appeared on Xiao Yuluan's lips, which made King Wu's heart beat fast.
What does this mean? She holds the power over the country, so why is she being so rude?
King Wu's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained a smile. "My great-aunt was a woman who was as capable as any man in her time, and was deeply trusted by the Empress. Now that you are the regent, Father can rest in peace."
However, the doubts and vigilance in his heart had reached a peak.
My great-aunt's words sounded like a lament about the impermanence of life, but her tone, her demeanor, and especially the last part, "You'll return to my hands and take charge," were spoken so naturally, even with a subtle hint of... naturalness? This was definitely not the tone of a temporarily appointed regent!
What was she implying? That this power was hers from the beginning? That her current reign wasn't a temporary one, but a kind of homecoming?
King Wu felt he could no longer sit still. He forced a smile and stood up. "By the way, my nephew suddenly remembered that I have something urgent to attend to. I dare not disturb my aunt's rest any longer. I will take my leave first."
Xiao Yuluan seemed to wake up from her memories. She looked up at him with that gentle smile on her face. "Since it's important, go quickly."
"Yes, yes, nephew, take your leave." King Wu almost couldn't wait to bow and left the study in a hurry.
After he left, Xiao Yuluan's lips immediately showed a deeper smile.
It was not until he walked out of the princess's mansion and sat in his own carriage, with the heavy curtains isolating him from the outside world, that King Wu suddenly leaned against the wall of the carriage, exhaled a long breath, and his face instantly became so gloomy that water could drip out of it.
My great aunt hasn't given up the idea of seizing the throne!
The sense of crisis was like a cold poisonous snake, instantly wrapping around King Wu's heart.
Who would have thought that he not only had to guard against his younger brother, but also his ancestors!
Moreover, this ancestor now has the legitimate power of regent. He cannot sit idly by and watch his great-aunt completely control the government! He must not let another woman from the Yang family ascend the throne, otherwise where will his Xiao family's face be? And she will definitely be more inclined towards Xiao Ji.
The carriage sped towards Prince Wu's palace. The clatter of its wheels was like the beating of Prince Wu's heart. As soon as he arrived at the palace, he shouted, "Call the staff!"
After King Wu left, Xiao Yuluan didn't delay and immediately ordered, "Prepare the carriage. I will enter the palace immediately to meet His Majesty."
She changed into a more plain and low-key casual outfit, looking a little tired. She rode in a carriage all the way into the palace without any obstruction, and went straight to the Purple Palace.
At this moment, the Zichen Palace was still filled with a strong smell of medicine and an oppressive atmosphere. Xiao Yuancheng was lying on the bed with his eyes closed, feeling exhausted. When he heard Xiao Yuluan's request to see him, a subtle and complex expression flashed in his cloudy eyes.
He always felt an inexplicable fear towards this aunt, who was only ten years older than him, had a glorious past, but had been away from Beijing for many years. However, as she was the regent, it was reasonable for her to come to visit the patient, so he summoned her in.
Xiao Yuluan entered, her steps seeming a bit heavier than usual. She walked to the dragon bed and didn't perform the formal formalities first. Instead, like an aunt concerned about her nephew, she carefully observed Xiao Yuancheng's complexion, her brows furrowed slightly, a look of genuine worry on her face. "How are you feeling, Your Majesty?"
Xiao Yuancheng forced a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Auntie... It's just an old ailment, and with the new injury I've sustained, it's going to take a while for me to recover." His eyes were still filled with subtle scrutiny, "Thank you for taking care of the affairs of the court, Auntie."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuluan sighed softly and sat down on the embroidered cushion brought by the palace maids. Her movements seemed to inadvertently reveal a hint of fatigue. She raised her hand and rubbed her forehead, her tone filled with self-mockery and helplessness:
"It's really hard work. Just knowing it makes me tired." She looked at Xiao Yuancheng with a very frank look in her eyes. "To be honest, I have been living a carefree life for many years, but in fact, my body has been worn out. I am no longer as strong as I was in my youth. Now that I have suddenly been given this heavy responsibility, I am afraid I will not be able to sleep well at night."
She gave a faint, bitter smile. "Your Majesty, you think I'm still strong. I'm just holding on to save the Xiao family's dignity. The burden of being the regent is too heavy. I don't know how much longer I can carry it for you. I hope Your Majesty will get better soon, so I can rest for a while."
These words not only pointed out that his health was not very good, but also emphasized that he was "holding on" for Xiao Yuancheng and the Xiao family's empire, and he also hoped that Xiao Yuancheng would recover soon. These words were very appropriate, which made the emperor feel a little less vigilant.
Xiao Yuancheng listened to her words and observed her expression carefully. He saw that there was indeed a trace of fatigue that was difficult to conceal between her brows, and her tone did not sound fake. He couldn't help but relax his vigilance a little.
Yes, no matter how powerful my aunt is, she is over fifty years old after all, ten years older than me, and she may not have much time left.
Thinking of this, his tense nerves relaxed a little, and he felt a sense of sympathy. His tone softened a lot: "Aunt, you should also take good care of your health. Now that I am in such a state, I need you to take care of the court..."
"Your Majesty, rest assured. I will do my utmost to stabilize the situation," Xiao Yuluan immediately stated, her tone sincere. "Although Your Majesty is in poor health, you are still the core of the imperial court. I will take the initiative to enter the palace and handle government affairs in Minghua Palace, my former boudoir. This will also make it easier for you to submit any undecided matters to Your Majesty. What do you think?"
Xiao Yuluan's proposal was particularly deferential. Although she was acting as regent, she had taken the initiative to conduct government affairs within the imperial palace, right next to the emperor's chambers, projecting an attitude that the emperor would have the final say on all matters and would never take over. This greatly satisfied Xiao Yuancheng, who, even in his illness, did not want his power to fall into someone else's hands.
Xiao Yuancheng's cloudy eyes lit up for a moment: "That's... very good. But I'll have to trouble my aunt to run around..." He was indeed exhausted at the moment and found it difficult to handle the heavy government affairs. Xiao Yuluan's humble attitude made him feel more at ease.
"Then I won't disturb Your Majesty's rest. Minghua Palace still needs to be cleaned up and arranged." Seeing that her goal was achieved, Xiao Yuluan stood up and said goodbye, her attitude still respectful.
Xiao Yuancheng closed his eyes tiredly and waved his hand.
Xiao Yuluan left the Zichen Palace, and the fatigue on her face disappeared in an instant. The corners of her lips unconsciously rose, and her old eyes were full of wisdom.
She took this step first, and it depends on whether King Wu will accept it.
She is about to alert the enemy!
As Xiao Yuluan expected, about an hour after she left Zichen Palace, King Wu hurried over to ask to see Xiao Yuancheng.
"Father, I have thought about it and I personally think it is not appropriate to hand over the power of regent to my great-aunt..."
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