Chapter 559: Analyzing the Situation

Liu Zheng and the Prince of Yong looked at each other.

Xie Chan, standing to the side, was also instantly stunned.

A stepdaughter?

This move by Zheng Fu truly caught these people off guard.

Logically speaking, since ancient times, it has been common for the mistress of the inner palace to adopt the children of palace maids who lack status as stepchildren or stepdaughters. This situation becomes especially rampant in the inner palace just before an emperor is about to pass away. Because once a concubine has a child, most of them do not need to be buried with the deceased. But more often, it is a matter of both sides providing each other with support, a mutual benefit.

Simply put.

For a princess like Xie Chan who has returned from the Western Regions, if she could be adopted as a stepdaughter by the current Empress, in the traditional sense, it would absolutely be a joyous occasion of the highest order; no one would refuse it.

However...

The current situation is somewhat different.

Liu Zheng gave a wry smile, tapped his teacup with his hand, and said, "It seems our Empress has an expert guiding her from behind! This move truly caught me off guard."

The Prince of Yong also smiled wryly repeatedly.

Liu Dahao asked curiously from the side, "Zheng, what does this mean? Could it be that Chan'er becoming the Empress's stepdaughter is not a good thing?"

Xie Chan, listening from the side, furrowed her delicate brows slightly, but remained noncommittal. It seemed she had entered her role quickly; when she decided to return to the Longyan Dynasty under the identity of Longyang Princess, she had already prepared herself mentally to participate in this complex web of deceit.

Therefore, although she was unwilling in her heart, she did not express it particularly; she even looked at Liu Zheng inquiringly. She likely felt that if this matter were beneficial to Liu Zheng, she would not mind meeting this Empress.

Liu Zheng gave a wry smile: "Father, how could things be that simple?"

Several people listened attentively with confusion.

Liu Zheng said indifferently: "This matter is significant; it is no longer as simple as one plus one equals two."

He rubbed his temples and continued: "First, setting aside how Xie Ling died, the fact that Zheng Fu can humble herself to ask for Chan'er to be her stepdaughter only shows that she is now isolated and helpless in the inner palace, struggling at every step..."

"That also means that apart from the title of the Empress's stepdaughter, we will not receive help in any other aspect! Yet now that Chan'er has our Liangzhou backing her, and even more so the title of Longyang Princess, the status of the Empress's stepdaughter is essentially dispensable!"

Several people nodded as they listened.

He continued: "Second, Dong Guifei has already become the new favorite of the inner palace... and with the Scholar-Official Group like Zhu Zhen operating behind the scenes... this Empress wants to force us into opposition against Dong Guifei! This will add many variables to our trip to the Capital!"

"Although we have never been on the same page as the Scholar-Official Group... we have never had any friction with Dong Guifei..."

"And this time, the Crown Prince and we seem to be at odds, so we shouldn't make too many enemies..."

"Third!"

Everyone's spirits lifted.

A sharp glint flashed in Liu Zheng's eyes: "Not to mention who came up with this ploy. But if this matter really succeeds, on one hand, Chan'er would be suspected of being 'killed with kindness'! Right now, our maneuvering for Chan'er is just right; a little less would be insufficient, and a little more would be 'killing with kindness'!"

"On the other hand..."

He sighed: "Everyone, if we are provoked into a conflict with Dong Guifei like this, who will be the final beneficiary?"

Liu Dahao exclaimed: "The Crown Prince!"

The scene suddenly went quiet.

Shock!

Astonishment!

From the moment they received this news, no one thought that this matter would involve so much and be so complex.

"Then, then we..."

Liu Dahao was tongue-tied.

"We absolutely cannot agree!"

"Yes, wouldn't this be falling into the Crown Prince's trap?"

Xie Chan also said angrily: "I don't covet that Empress's stepdaughter title either! Bah!"

Liu Zheng waved his hand, and after everyone quieted down, he smiled faintly: "Refusing is definitely necessary..."

"But..."

"We will wait until we enter the Capital to talk about it..."

He smiled slightly, a deep intensity flashing in the depths of his eyes: "Since some people want to make the situation in the Capital more confusing and complex, why can't we go with the flow and pull off a reversal of the situation?"

Everyone's eyes lit up with joy, and they asked Liu Zheng one after another what he intended to do.

"Drag it out!"

Liu Zheng laughed: "Make this matter ambiguous, and then see what Dong Guifei does!"

The Prince of Yong slapped his thigh: "If Dong Guifei sees that we don't refuse, she will definitely take action! What a brilliant move by Governor Liu to lure the snake out of its hole—killing two birds with one stone!"

Liu Zheng took a deep breath: "The power of the Scholar-Official Group cannot be underestimated. But their decision to start supporting Dong Guifei already reeks of desperation and grasping at straws... As the saying goes, pick the softest persimmon to squeeze; since we have arrived at the Capital, let's have some fun with them!"

The group felt their spirits soar, sharpening their blades.

During the meal, Liu Zheng saw Xie Chan's expression was somewhat drifting and preoccupied. He waved his hand, letting the others leave.

In this horse carriage, only Liu Zheng and Xie Chan remained.

"Ah!"

A moment later, Xie Chan felt something was very wrong. Seeing Liu Zheng's meaningful gaze, her pretty face instantly flushed red: "Is, is it time to eat?"

Liu Zheng chuckled: "Didn't we just eat? Is Her Highness the Princess hungry already?"

"You..."

How could Xie Chan withstand such teasing from Liu Zheng? Her pretty face flew red.

Liu Zheng only felt that being with this beauty, who was like a celestial being, always made him feel happy and refreshed. He suddenly stood up and squatted beside Xie Chan. This action clearly startled Xie Chan, but her nervous and uneasy little hand was soon held by Liu Zheng.

"You, you, you, what are you doing... you bad person!"

Xie Chan was so shy that she struggled a few times, but it was futile. She could only lower her head and let Liu Zheng "mistreat" her like this.

Liu Zheng smiled freely: "Your Highness, you seemed restless during the meal today. Are you worried about being used by Liu Zheng as a tool for power struggles?"

Xie Chan looked up faintly, a look of confusion flashing in her autumn-water eyes, and she gave a self-deprecating smile: "Does Xie Chan have any other choice?"

Liu Zheng felt a pang in his heart and shouted, "Of course there is!"

"If Chan'er has no ambition to ascend the dragon and transform into a phoenix, why don't we go and resign right now? Whether we keep Liangzhou or not doesn't matter; the world is vast, where can we not go!"

Liu Zheng spoke with resonant force, without the slightest hesitation.

This was not him putting on an act; it was truly that the closer he got to Jinghua, the more the scheming and infighting made him feel exhausted. Sometimes he thought, why should he covet the struggle for hegemony over the world? Wouldn't it be better to go back and be a carefree, wealthy man? If he could have a Beauty like Xie Chan by his side, that would naturally be a blessing in life.

Xie Chan felt that Liu Zheng did not seem to be faking it, and she was naturally very moved. She hesitated for a moment, then reached out her jade hand, trembling as she stroked Liu Zheng's face, and giggled, "You fool, you are not allowed to talk nonsense! If you resign, what will happen to Liangzhou? What will happen to the people of Liangzhou? What about the Grand Canal? What about the Academy? What about Heart Learning?"

"What about those policies of yours, those administrative decrees that have yet to show results?"

"What about those grand strategies of yours?"

Xie Chan smiled enchantingly and said softly, "If that were to happen, wouldn't Chan'er become a sinner in the eyes of the world?"

"This..."

Liu Zheng was suddenly speechless.

Xie Chan smiled lightly: "My Young Master Liu, in this life, Chan'er is entirely yours, General Xie. Do whatever you want to do... even if you asked Chan'er to be the emperor, Chan'er would dare..."

"Mmph..."

The next moment, how could Liu Zheng hold back any longer?

Just like that, while crouching.

He sealed Xie Chan's lips...