xymnovel Chapter 149 The Golden Chest Alliance
Chapter 149 The Golden Chest Alliance
Chapter 149 The Golden Chest Alliance (Part 4)
Inside Kaifeng city, in a long alley near the palace, stands a magnificent mansion.
The corridors and pavilions are well-ordered, and the terraces and pavilions are scattered in a staggered pattern. Every brick and tile exudes nobility, and every plant and tree is in accordance with regulations. Even Zhao Dezhao's mansion cannot match this grandeur.
There was no other reason than that the master of this mansion was Fu Yanqing.
This mansion was originally bestowed by Emperor Shizong of Zhou. After Emperor Gong, Guo Zongxun, ascended the throne, Empress Dowager Xiao Fu ordered its extensive renovation. Even when Zhao Kuangyin ascended the throne, despite the depleted national treasury and financial difficulties, the construction of the Prince of Wei's mansion never stopped.
This clearly demonstrates the immense honor he enjoyed!
At this moment, inside the Prince of Wei's residence, Fu Yanqing sat in the main seat, dressed in a purple python robe. Although his temples were frosted with gray, his brows still retained the fierce and imposing air of someone who once wielded a sword and commanded the battlefield.
He toyed with a jade pendant in his hand, his gaze fixed intently on Fu Zhaoshou, who stood bowing below the steps: "I hadn't known before coming to the capital that you could be so outrageous! Forcibly abducting a woman and publicly humiliating the Prime Minister? I'd really like to hear what else in the world you wouldn't dare to do!"
After saying that, Fu Yanqing slammed the jade pendant onto the table with a loud clang, his face contorted with rage.
Fu Zhaoshou's legs went weak, and he immediately knelt down and kowtowed, trembling all over, not daring to even breathe.
Seeing this, Fu Yanqing couldn't help but sigh heavily, his eyes filled with disappointment: "With your arrogance and domineering attitude, you will cause a great disaster sooner or later, and implicate my Fu family."
"The reason why my Fu family has been able to stand for five generations is precisely because we have always adhered to our duties and responsibilities, thus ensuring our survival. If you dare to cause trouble again, don't blame me for disowning you as my son!"
Fu Zhaoshou kowtowed repeatedly in agreement. Just as Fu Yanqing was about to reprimand him again, a maidservant outside the hall announced softly, "Your Majesty, the Princess has arrived."
Fu Yanqing frowned slightly, waved for Fu Zhaoshou to stand up and leave, and said in a deep voice, "Let her in."
A moment later, Madam Fu strode into the hall.
Before she could even bow, she rushed to Fu Yanqing's side, her pretty face streaked with tears, and cried out, "Father, please save Tingyi!"
""
"Save the Marquis of Taiyuan?" Fu Yanqing raised an eyebrow, instinctively sensing that this matter was not unusual.
"What do you mean by that? The Marquis of Taiyuan is His Majesty's own brother. Who would dare to harm him?"
Fu's eyes reddened, and tears welled up again. She choked back sobs as she recounted how Zhao Kuangyin had issued an edict to dismiss Zhao Guangyi from his post as Prefect of Kaifeng and order him to leave the capital within seven days.
Finally, she gripped Fu Yanqing's sleeve tightly, pleading, "Father, Tingyi has been wronged. He was not involved in the witchcraft. His Majesty was careless and issued this severe decree—"
"I am truly desperate and only beg my father to consider our past relationship and enter the palace to see the Empress Dowager. I hope that you will plead for Tingyi's innocence and persuade His Majesty to rescind his decree!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell into a deathly silence.
A look of surprise flashed across Fu Yanqing's face. He abruptly shook off her hand and exclaimed, "Zhao Guangyi actually dares to secretly plot for the throne?"
Fu Yanqing was a veteran of five dynasties and served twelve emperors; the Fu family's tricks were utterly ineffective against him.
After a moment's thought, he guessed that this matter was most likely the work of Zhao Guangyi.
Madam Fu was also taken aback, and tears streamed down her face. She quickly explained, "It's not what Father thinks! Tingyi never plotted to become the heir; he was framed!"
"I implore you, Father—"
That's enough!
Fu Yanqing abruptly raised his hand, interrupting Fu Shi, his tone resolute, "Whether it's a frame-up or the truth, this matter has already alarmed His Majesty, and His Majesty has already issued an imperial decree. How can it be easily changed?"
"I absolutely cannot help you with this matter, and I certainly cannot go to see the Empress Dowager in private!"
"Do you know how shrewd His Majesty is? If he knew that I had secretly met with the Empress Dowager to plead for Tingyi, he would surely suspect that my Fu family was colluding with Tingyi and coveting the throne!"
"At that time, not only will Tingyi's life be in danger, but my entire Fu family will face annihilation!"
He fought his way through a lifetime of battles and experienced the ups and downs of chaotic times, and he knew best the coldness and ruthlessness of the emperor's mind.
Zhao Kuangyin rose from a lowly officer in the Imperial Guard to the throne, demonstrating the ruthlessness of his methods. Now that he has made up his mind to expel Zhao Guangyi, anyone who pleads for him will only bring trouble upon themselves.
Fu Yanqing was cautious throughout his life, and he would never risk the lives of the entire Fu family for the sake of Zhao Guangyi.
Upon hearing her father's words, Madam Fu was struck dumb, her face drained of color, and she stared blankly at Fu Yanqing.
She never expected that her father would not only disbelieve her story, but also be so heartless as to refuse to help her in her time of need.
"Father!" she called out again, unwilling to give up.
"There's no need to mention this again!" Fu Yanqing turned away, his back to her.
Watching her father's retreating figure, Fu's heart sank. After a moment of distraction, she slowly wiped away her tears, and her expression became strangely calm.
She didn't plead any further, nor did she say another word. She simply bowed slightly to Fu Yanqing, her tone as cold as if she were speaking to a stranger: "I understand, Father. I've disturbed you. I'll take my leave."
After saying that, he turned and left without the slightest hesitation.
She knew her father well; he was a man who always sought to avoid harm and prioritized stability. She knew that pleading alone would not change his mind.
There is only one way to save Zhao Guangyi;
This forced him to take action!
"Father, you forced your daughter to do this—"
A ruthless and resolute glint flashed in Fu's eyes.
Now that things have come to this, she can no longer care about anything else. In order to become the empress and ascend to the throne of sainthood in the future, she has no choice but to fight to the death!
"Let's move to the Imperial Palace."
Before long, the carriage arrived at the palace gate. With her status as a princess, Lady Fu was able to enter the palace smoothly and headed straight for the Qingshou Hall, where Empress Dowager Du was staying.
At this time, Empress Dowager Du was already seriously ill and bedridden for many years. Her spirits were gradually declining, and she rarely summoned outsiders. Only a few maids accompanied her.
When Lady Fu entered the palace, Empress Dowager Du was leaning against a soft couch, resting with her eyes closed. Her face was as pale as paper, and her breath was weak.
Lady Fu stepped forward quietly, dismissed the maids around her, personally brought over the medicine, took a warm towel, and gently wiped the back of the Empress Dowager's hand. Her movements were gentle and respectful, without any of the anxiety and urgency she usually showed.
Empress Dowager Du slowly opened her eyes, and upon seeing it was Lady Fu, a faint smile appeared on her face: "It's Rong'er? It's kind of you to still remember this old woman—"
As she spoke, a touch of tenderness appeared in her eyes.
Since she fell seriously ill, Lady Fu visited her far more often than Empress Wang and Emperor Zhao Kuangyin.
Furthermore, due to her fondness for Zhao Guangyi, she naturally developed a greater affinity for Lady Fu as well.
"Your Majesty is too kind. This is what a daughter-in-law should do."
Fu smiled gently as she massaged Empress Dowager Du's arm and said softly, "My mother has been bedridden for many years, and Tingyi is very worried about her. He has repeatedly asked me to stay by her side and do my best to be filial to her."
"As both a daughter-in-law and a wife, this is what I should do, no matter how you look at it."
Her technique was skillful and her strength just right. Empress Dowager Du felt completely comfortable. Hearing Fu's words, she felt a warmth in her heart. She gently patted Fu's hand, her eyes full of affection: "Tingyi is truly blessed to have a wife like you."
"Mother Empress Dowager—"
Seeing this, Madam Fu knew that the time had come. She suddenly stopped what she was doing, her eyes reddened, and tears silently streamed down her face: "I will do my best to be filial to my mother. Even if I die, I will have no regrets."
"But Mother Empress—this is probably the last time your daughter-in-law will enter the palace to serve you."
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