The Empress's No.1 Lackey

From the standpoint, although Princess Wen Zhu's maternal family was in Yu Country, there was no reason for her to deliberately sabotage the Western Regions Mission—and with such crude means.

When things couldn't be deduced logically, they could only be attributed to luck.

And then, as Princess Wen Zhu expanded on this topic, she began to frequently praise Mr. Lin. The more Xu Zhenguan listened, the more uneasy she felt, and she cautiously furrowed her brow:

"Aunt, what are you trying to say?"

Princess Wen Zhu showed an aunt's smile: "I mean nothing else, I just feel that such a talent shouldn't be buried."

Xu Zhenguan nodded and replied,

"I will find this person. The court is in need of talent, and if he's truly as my aunt described, he should indeed be put to good use."

Princess Wen Zhu's smile grew ambiguous,

"Aunt's meaning is, since you've used Zhao Douan, then Lin Ke..."

Xu Zhenguan's countenance turned frosty, almost instantly growing cold, and she said faintly,

"Aunt, there's no need to say more."

With her intelligence, how could she not hear the implied meaning?

A wise enough mind saw through her aunt's subtle matchmaking intentions and gifting of a new gigolo, making her feel displeased.

Moreover, a sense of inexplicable aversion grew toward the so-called "Mr. Lin."

"The talent of Mr. Zhao is not something any random cat or dog can compare to." Noticing her attitude was too cold, the Empress made a slight amend.

Princess Wen Zhu's smile froze, and she chuckled awkwardly, yet sighed inwardly, pondering what kind of bewitching potion that Zhao traitor had administered to her niece?

The poison was too deep, beyond cure.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Xu Zhenguan pursed her lips and took the initiative to change the subject:

"Since Aunt is here, why not stay overnight in the palace? I have already instructed someone to tidy up Aunt's old residence in the palace, with the same arrangement as before."

Saying this, the aura of her imperial demeanor softened significantly, and she even took the initiative to hold her aunt's hands, which were much rougher than her own, showing a smile:

"Tonight, let's cast aside everything else and speak as aunt and niece."

Princess Wen Zhu was slightly taken aback, meeting Xu Zhenguan's crystal-clear gaze with a touch of earnestness, a warm flow surged within her heart.

Indeed, the niece before her had only been the Female Emperor for less than three years.

And in this vast deep palace, looking around, besides herself, where else was there half a member of the Xu family?

Thinking this way, Xu Zhenguan in the Capital was probably as lonely as she was in the golden tent of the Western Regions.

The flames leapt in the brazier at their feet.

Outside the side hall, dark clouds obscured the sunlight, and a few snowflakes faintly fell.

Thin ice crystals landed on the deep red of the palace walls, like a sigh.

The aunt and niece gently spoke, reminiscing about their childhoods and recounting the rare warm moments of the royal family buried in the past.

Though separated by a generation, perhaps the experiences of the two women were too similar.

Both were neglected by their fathers, both had a love for reading, and both had once demonstrated their female wit and wisdom in critical situations, achieving extraordinary accomplishments.

Although the emotional connection from the past was not substantial, at this moment, as they talked, a unique royal familial warmth spread.

"Zhenguan, there are some words I shouldn't say,"

Princess Wen Zhu, seeing the moment was right, cautiously started to speak:

"I've heard about the unpleasantness between you and those uncles. I know your hardship, maintaining this situation is not easy, but royal bloodline fighting against each other, in the end, is a dishonor to our ancestors..."

Xu Zhenguan seemed to smile slightly, and the familial sentiment in her eyes slowly faded:

"Aunt, are you here to persuade me?"

"I just don't want things to get too ugly," Princess Wen Zhu said with a bitter smile,

"If you agree, I think, with the New Year approaching, I could come forward and discuss with those uncles. After all, we are family, and if reconciliation is possible, why not..."

Xu Zhenguan smiled and shook her head. She slowly withdrew her hand and, with a complex look, said,

"Aunt, I used to admire you a lot."

Princess Wen Zhu was taken aback.

Xu Zhenguan sat slightly to the side, her gaze toward the deep courtyard outside the door, whispering:

"What you achieved after marrying into the Western Regions, holding your ground as a woman surrounded by wolves, earning such a reputation today, used to greatly impress me."

She paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled with unclear significance, and said,

"So, after the Xuanmen Coup when I was pushed by the situation and unwittingly ascended to the throne, I sought to inquire about how you managed in the Western Regions, hoping to learn, but upon looking into it, I realized we are not the same; in fact, we are very different."

Princess Wen Zhu opened her mouth: "You..."

Xu Zhenguan raised her hand to interrupt her, softly speaking:

"Though outsiders often compare us, I know we are not the same. Aunt, do you know how I regard you?

A sycophant. Yes, a sycophant. You've always been a sycophant of power.

Before marriage, you obeyed your father, so when grandfather ignored you, you still followed his will to marry into the Western Regions, unlike me. When father wanted me to marry, I would not have obeyed."

"After you went to the Western Regions, you became the sycophant of your husband in the political marriage at that time. Although he was severely injured, he was still present, as long as he was there, he remained a banner under which forces could gather.

You cleverly used this banner to forcibly extend his influence for a few more years, during which time you became, successively, the border army and the Buddhist Dharma King's sycophant."

"Aunt, from beginning to end, you've always placed yourself in a position useful, valuable to those more powerful, in control of power.

Therefore, you seem to walk among various forces, but ultimately, you are pleasing people, and the same goes this time. You returned to Great Yu, placing yourself in the role of a relative, seeking to please me."