Not to mention, he isn’t even of royal blood!
That makes him even less fit to ascend the throne!
He is utterly unfit to take this path!
Mrs. Pei anxiously asked Fu Zhen, "Does the Empress truly still intend to make her the Crown Prince? Is she really going to let His Highness decide on his own whether to return to the palace and inherit the throne, leaving it entirely to his own wishes?"
"She won’t," Pei Yu, who had been pondering for a long time, decisively shook his head before Fu Zhen could respond, "The Empress would never act so impulsively; she handles matters most prudently. If she says so, it must be a delaying tactic."
Fu Zhen couldn’t help but admire, "Indeed, although the Empress hasn’t explicitly stated it, it really seems like a delaying tactic at the moment.
"Moreover, under these hasty circumstances, it is indeed appropriate to let King Yan ascend to calm people’s hearts.
"King Yan doesn’t have his own influence. He’s lived in the palace from childhood and hasn’t interacted with the courtiers, allowing the Empress full control over the direction of affairs.
"Even if she finds herself lacking power, doesn’t she have our Pei family?"
When Fu Zhen cast a profound look at the couple, Mrs. Pei suddenly understood, "So that’s why the Empress specially summoned you to listen in at the palace last night! The Empress wants our Pei family to watch from behind, ensuring that this transition in the palace goes without fail!"
"Exactly!" Fu Zhen nodded, "His Highness has weathered over twenty years of trials outside; he never intended to return to the palace, much less to accept the throne. If forced or emotionally coerced into the role now, it would backfire.
"Moreover, how the Emperor will react once informed—no one knows now. Even if His Highness agrees to take over the realm, the Emperor still needs to acknowledge him, hence the need for utmost patience at this moment.
Pei Yu, after hearing this, quite agreed, and asked, "Did the Empress tell you how she plans to proceed next?"
"No, but if she needs me, I’m sure she would inform me in advance."
Pei Yu took a deep breath and clenched his fists, "The day we exposed the deposed Crown Prince’s conspiracy, even if replacing him with a frail Prince was necessary, no one anticipated the twists that followed!
"King Yan absolutely cannot ascend. Even lacking a direct heir, bringing someone of distant kin from the Yang Family to raise in the capital is preferable to letting him ascend, lest his capabilities and origins pose a hidden threat!
The sudden emergence of an eldest Prince merely renders everything more legitimate."
He called to Mrs. Pei, "In light of this, we must hasten to find a residence to settle His Highness down. Only once he has a base can he better understand the current state of the palace and court and make a choice."
Mrs. Pei replied, "This is easily done. Our own family has several houses in the capital, both large and small, eliminating the need for intermediaries. We can let His Highness choose one himself. If he insists on paying, we’ll just follow the market rates."
"Very well." Pei Yu agreed, and directed Fu Zhen, "You two have effective guards. Send someone to invite His Highness then!"
Fu Zhen was about to speak when the steward entered, "Reporting to sir and madam, Mr. Yang, who visited last evening, is outside seeking an audience."
"Quickly, invite him in!"
Pei Yu didn’t expect Cao Cao to arrive as mentioned, and promptly sent people away while stepping out himself, "Prepare the tea! Prepare good tea!..."
Fu Zhen had just sent word to inform Yang Yi that Lian Yang had escaped from Camp Town, and unexpectedly he arrived, exchanging glances with Mrs. Pei, both following up in unison.
The staff at the Pei Mansion were always perceptive; Yang Yi and He Zhao, along with Chen Song, were already invited into the front courtyard. With his long legs, Pei Yu reached there ahead of Fu Zhen and the others, then invited them into his study.
By the time Fu Zhen and the others caught up, all the attendants had retreated, while Chen Song was inside saluting Pei Yu with his back to the door.
As Fu Zhen saw how close they appeared, she guessed at Chen Song’s identity, quickening to scrutinize him upon entering, her eyes lightening up at once, "I’ve long heard of Guard Chen’s renown. It’s a pleasure to finally meet. Our General has a guard named Jiang who has been reminiscing about Guard Chen for quite a while."
Having nurtured herself diligently for half a year, Fu Zhen, if not quite round and glossy, had already become plump and robust, her spirit quite transformed.