The things that the master asked him to do have been done. Zuo You walked into the room and bowed. In Guo Shao's eyes, Zuo You still has many advantages. For example, he will take the initiative to report the progress of the things he asked him to do, and Guo Shao doesn't need to worry about it himself.
Guo Shao gently placed the brush on the inkstone, then closed the book that had been filled with pages. His movements and expressions were not elegant, but very upright and calm, and his eyes had regained their former sharpness and gentleness. The impulse to overturn the teacup had disappeared, without even a trace of it.
He looked at Zuo You: There is something else I must ask you, Mr. Zuo. We may have to be separated for a while this time.
Zuo You bowed and said: “My lord, I will follow your orders.”
Guo Shaodao: You can leave soon and go back to Beijing first.
Zuo You asked: What should I do after returning to Beijing
Guo Shao said in a deep voice: If the Queen Mother summons Mr. Zuo and asks about what’s happening here, just tell us the truth.
Zuo You suddenly realized and said: I now understand what I should do.
Guo Shao nodded. For such a serious matter, it was hard to find a suitable candidate other than Zuo You who was trustworthy and wise. Zuo You was also one of the planners of this incident and knew the inside story. It would be best if he could go to Tokyo to inform the Queen Mother. At the same time, it would also allow Guo Shao to know the situation in Tokyo in time. If Guo Shao himself could not leave the army, he would have wanted to go back first.
In addition to seeing Jinzhan, he was also worried about Fu Ermei and Li Yuaner, who were expected to give birth soon, and the Kingdom of Southern Tang was thousands of miles away from Tokyo.
Guo Shao collected his thoughts and said softly: You can tell the Queen Mother specifically that I am determined not to change the name of the country.
In this way, Fu Jinzhan would still be the Empress Dowager of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and would not become the Empress Dowager of the previous dynasty overnight.
In the Imperial City of Tokyo. Fu Jinzhan looked at the second sister's bulging belly and said: You see, a lot of the time, the second sister still has to rely on her family to take care of you. The second sister curled her lips: My husband went out to fight for the country, so he should focus on the important things. I can't help him, so I can't let him worry about it all the time.
After all, she is a girl from the Fu family, so she knows the big picture. Fu Jinzhan praised casually.
At this time, Concubine Du and the palace ladies nearby also echoed and praised him. Concubine Du was Du Chenggui's sister. Their father was also a general of the Great Zhou Dynasty. After his death in battle, the late emperor made his daughter a concubine and made his son a general in the inner palace to show his kindness. When the late emperor passed away, all the concubines who had not given birth were moved to the cold palace. Fu Jinzhan made Concubine Du the adoptive mother of Chai Zongxun, and exempted her from the cold palace on this basis. And that palace lady was also a palace lady whose duty was to serve Chai Zongxun.
So Fu Jinzhan said: Zongxun will pay his respects to the elders later, I have to talk to my sister today, so I won't go over. Concubine Du, please ask Zongxun for me whether he has gone to study and write.
Du knelt down and agreed.
Unexpectedly, the palace woman next to her interrupted and said: Empress Dowager, actually Concubine Du doesn't want to interfere in the Emperor's affairs.
Mrs. Du's expression suddenly changed. Fu Jinzhan was also very uncomfortable, but she did not show it. She just looked at the palace lady with a smile. The palace lady was stunned and said hurriedly: "I shouldn't talk too much."
Mrs. Du glared at the palace lady, her eyes seemed to want to kill her. Mrs. Du opened her mouth slightly, wanting to say something but stopped herself, and finally just said: I obey the Queen Mother's order and will take my leave first.
Fu Jinzhan noticed that Mrs. Du seemed to be walking unsteadily when she went out.
After the two men left, Fu Ermei whispered: "Sister, what happened just now? I noticed that their expressions were very strange."
Fu Jinzhan said: It's okay, second sister, just focus on giving birth to the baby and don't worry about those annoying things.
Fu Ermei said innocently: I think there are so many cunning people in this palace.
Fu Jinzhan did not comment. With her current status and strength in the palace, she did not need to care about other people's faces anymore. As long as others looked at her face, she would be fine. But Fu Jinzhan had been very cautious for many years and knew too much. Even if she didn't want to see, people could see it at a glance.
After the Yellow River produced stones, the news that Guo Shao was going to become emperor spread quickly in the palace; the people in the palace might not discuss military and national affairs, but who would be the master here was a matter of concern to everyone. If Guo Shao became emperor, would Chai Zongxun still have a status? Although Du was Chai Zongxun's adoptive mother, she was probably not willing to get involved with a deposed little emperor, because Chai Zongxun was not her own son, and they seldom met and had no feelings for each other.
The palace lady who was always by Du's side may have had good intentions, wanting to do Du a favor and distance herself from Chai Zongxun, but she was really stupid. In this way, she was guilty of being involved in the rumors that the Queen Mother was helping Guo Shao seize the throne and had committed adultery with her brother-in-law. Fu Jinzhan served three husbands and married her with the throne; the servants answered the door, and the snakes and wolves forgot their gratitude. How could Fu Jinzhan be happy
No wonder Mrs. Du's expression suddenly changed like that just now. Mrs. Du is obviously much smarter than that palace woman.
Fu Jinzhan was indeed very unhappy at this time, but not because of Mrs. Du, but because of the rumors. Because it was obvious that the rumors were not just spread by Mrs. Du and others.
Fu Jinzhan is not someone who doesn't care about reputation and face. She even cares about this more than most people. After all, it's not just her who is at stake, it's also about the reputation of the Fu family. Besides, as a woman, who would want to be known as a whore? Who really doesn't care about being scolded behind her back
Even though she tried to hold back, her expression was extremely unnatural, and there was no trace of smile in her eyes. She knew that what happened between her and Guo Shao was true, at least her sister in front of her knew about it. She was very cautious during those times, but still couldn't stop people from speculating.
The eldest sister Fu Ermei looked at her in surprise. The second sister might not have figured out what was going on for a while, but she was also a very careful person and could see her sister's mood.
Fu Jinzhan held her breath, put on a very forced smile, and chatted casually with Fu Ermei.
But she was absent-minded when she spoke, still distracted. Fu Jinzhan thought: I am usually not mean to others, but few people really want to be good to me. She looked at Fu Ermei's clumsy body, and a subtle sneer appeared at the corner of her mouth: But those people can't get what they want. Even if I am not the queen mother, the Fu family will still not fall.
As for her relationship with Guo Shao, outsiders don't know, but it has gone through the test of life and death, and it is not just as simple as competing for favor. Perhaps all men facing Guo Shao's situation would choose to let Fu Jinzhan become the victim in the end, but Guo Shao will not.
She suppressed the anger of being humiliated and gradually calmed down: everything was still under control, how could she lose her composure because of the traitor's curse
At this time, Fu Jinzhan said: "You should take good care of yourself and walk around from time to time. I still need to go over there."
Yes. Fu Ermei nodded obediently.
Fu Jinzhan arrived at the main hall of the Wansui Palace. Chai Zongxun had not come yet, and Concubine Du was sitting on a chair beside them. When they saw Jinzhan coming, they hurriedly stood up from their chairs and knelt respectfully to greet her: "Greetings to the Queen Mother."
No need to be polite. Fu Jinzhan took a seat on the soft couch, brushed her sleeves gently and sat up straight. The women around her all looked at her in awe.
Fu Jinzhan smiled, looked at Concubine Du and said with a smile: Not long ago, someone from the Ministry of Internal Affairs praised your brother in front of me, saying that General Du is very knowledgeable about rules, loyal to his duties, and an upright and honest person. I haven't told you yet.
Upon hearing this, Concubine Du bowed and said: "I thank the Queen Mother for her kind words. I am where I am today thanks to the Queen Mother's kindness and grace." She actually cried as she spoke. "If it weren't for the Queen Mother's pity on me, I would still be living in the cold palace for the rest of my life. The Queen Mother's kindness, I will never forget it in my three lifetimes, and I will never have the slightest evil intention."
Fu Jinzhan advised kindly: Why are you crying? Don't be afraid.
Mrs. Du choked up and said: The Empress Dowager is such a kind person, I am not afraid at all, I am grateful to her so much.
Fu Jinzhan nodded and said calmly and indifferently: That's it.
Mrs. Du wiped away her tears silently, and the two stopped talking about the previous topic. After a while, Chai Zongxun was brought over by his wet nurse and palace maids, and Fu Jinzhan talked to Chai Zongxun.
Not long after, Fu Jinzhan got up and left the main hall, and went to the bedroom to change clothes. Du Shi ignored her status as a concubine, dismissed the palace maids, and served the empress dowager herself.
At this time, Fu Jinzhan whispered: "Who is on my side? I know it in my heart. Your ears are not always blocked. You can't blame you for what you heard."
Mrs. Du immediately said: "I heard those discussions from Wang Cairen in Zide Hall. I should have reported it to the Queen Mother in the main hall just now, but there were many people there and I was afraid that someone would blame me for informing on them and I would get into trouble. So I am reporting it to the Queen Mother now."
Oh, I know this person. Fu Jinzhan nodded calmly. She was given the title of a talented person by the late emperor. She should have been sent to the cold palace. Alas, I always have good intentions, but there are always people who don't appreciate it.
Yes, yes, Du said hurriedly.
Fu Jinzhan changed out of her yellow robe and into a light red skirt. It was February, and this light-hearted outfit made her feel more relaxed. She walked out from behind the screen and saw the eunuch Cao Tai standing at the door of the palace, so she called out.
Cao Tai hurried in with a whisk in his hand. His hair was already gray, but he was still as nimble as a young man in front of the empress dowager. Cao Tai bowed and asked, "What do you want, empress?"
Fu Jinzhan said: Concubine Wang who is in Zide Palace feels too bored staying there. She should go to Wanfu Palace, so let her go now.
Cao Tai looked straight ahead, but Fu Jinzhan still saw through him, and his eyes swept over Du. Cao Tai hurriedly said: "I will go and pass on the decree, so that Concubine Wang will understand from the bottom of her heart that she should thank the Queen Mother for her kindness. If it weren't for the Queen Mother's kindness, she wouldn't be able to go to Wanfu Palace."