The legitimate daughter returns to the capital and embarks on a splendid life, tearing apart the fak

Mr. Songzhu stroked his beard and said thoughtfully, "Your Highness, in my opinion, you should observe Chu Duanshan's attitude towards you. If the General's Mansion is truly sincere, it will naturally take action. If not, Your Highness should make plans as soon as possible."

Xiao Yifan nodded, then, remembering something, frowned and asked, "Sir, what do you think of the Yun family's adopted daughter? Yun Heting and Yun Xiu both seem somewhat hostile towards her. Do you think it's feasible to use her to win over Prince Yu?"

Mr. Songzhu frowned, tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table, pondered for a moment, and then slowly spoke: "Your Highness, who is Prince Yu? He went to the battlefield at thirteen, led troops at sixteen, and was enfeoffed as a prince at twenty. How could such a person waver in his principles for a woman?"

He shook his head, his tone resolute, "I don't think this move will work. Instead of involving Prince Yu, you should involve the Eldest Princess."

Xiao Yifan snorted coldly, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes: "My aunt is very ambitious; she's the kind of person who wants to be Empress Wu Zetian. Bringing her along is like inviting a wolf into the house. She helps me today, but tomorrow she'll want to take my place."

Mr. Songzhu shook his head, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Your Highness, it's not certain who's using whom. Once you're in that position, what you give and what you don't give will be entirely up to you."

He paused, then lowered his voice and said, "Your Highness, you can't possibly push the Eldest Princess to the Third Prince's side, can you?"

Xiao Yifan frowned in confusion: "She looks down on the Empress, so she shouldn't side with the Third Prince, right?"

Mr. Songzhu shook his head, his gaze deep and unfathomable: "Your Highness, nothing is impossible when it comes to interests. The Eldest Princess wants you to marry Ya Min, so that once you ascend to that position, Ya Min will be Empress. Her plan is probably to eliminate the father and keep the son. But if you insist on marrying Yun Xiu, what do you think she will do? She will turn around and support the Third Prince, using all her power to push him to the throne, and then you will lose your chance of victory."

Xiao Yifan's fingers suddenly paused on the table, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He remained silent for a moment before speaking: "I will not marry Ya Min. Ya Min does not love me; her heart belongs only to Prince Yu."

Mr. Songzhu nodded and said unhurriedly, "So Your Highness, you can negotiate with the Eldest Princess. You married Yunxiu only because she is destined to be a phoenix, an asset to your ascension to the throne. You secretly promised the Eldest Princess that once you sit on that throne, you would have Yamin replace Yunxiu. Then, who becomes Empress will be up to you, won't it?"

Xiao Yifan shook his head, his brows furrowed: "Ke Yamin won't be happy. Even if I were willing to marry her, she wouldn't want to."

Mr. Songzhu smiled, a smile tinged with confidence: "Therefore, Your Highness, you can also reach a private agreement with the Princess. Have her outwardly agree to the Eldest Princess's demands, thus securing the Eldest Princess's support for you. Once you ascend to the throne, you can then arrange a marriage between her and Prince Yu. She can gain Prince Yu without having to marry you—why not?"

Xiao Yifan's eyes lit up slightly, and a satisfied smile appeared on his lips. He couldn't help but praise, "Brilliant plan, sir."

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, put it down, and then remembered another question: "But I heard that Prince Yu seems to be quite fond of the Yun family's adopted daughter. Ya Min has been trying to deal with her, but has repeatedly failed. Sir, if Prince Yu really marries her, then what about Ya Min...?"

Mr. Songzhu smiled meaningfully: "Your Highness, what if the person is no longer here?"

Xiao Yifan was taken aback: "What do you mean, sir?" As he spoke, he made a throat-cutting gesture with his hand.

Mr. Songzhu said, "Your Highness, this matter can be handled by someone else. For example... Consort Zheng. She's been holding a grudge ever since she was humiliated in the south of the city. If given the chance, do you think she'd be willing to vent her anger? Our Prince Yu isn't in the capital right now..."

Xiao Yifan's eyes lit up slightly: "I'll leave this to you, sir. I'll provide you with manpower; just give them your orders."

Mr. Songzhu stood up and bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your trust, Your Highness. I will certainly not fail in your expectations."

Xiao Yifan nodded, leaned back in his chair, and after a long while, looked at Mr. Songzhu, his voice tinged with uncertainty: "Sir, what do you think we should do if that old bastard Chu Duanshan refuses to stand on my side?"

Instead of answering directly, Mr. Songzhu asked in return, "Your Highness, what do you think?"

Xiao Yifan remained silent for a moment, then stood up, walked to the window, turned his back to Mr. Songzhu, gazed at the dark night outside, and said in a low voice, "I don't know. But I do know that if the General's Mansion is truly behind me, my important matter is almost certain. If not..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his voice betrayed his resentment.

Mr. Songzhu stood up, walked behind him, and said unhurriedly, "Your Highness, in fact, as long as Miss Yun enters your household, even if the General's Mansion doesn't want to support you, others will think that the General's Mansion supports you. If that old bastard Chu Duanshan is sensible, he will naturally know how to choose. If he chooses wrong, then he can't blame Your Highness for putting righteousness before family."

Xiao Yifan turned around and looked at Mr. Songzhu, saying, "What you say is absolutely right."

Mr. Songzhu bowed quickly and said humbly, "It is my duty to share Your Highness's burdens."

The next day, after court, Xiao Yifan went to Consort Shu's palace.

Consort Shu was sitting on the couch playing with the cat when she saw him come in. She smiled and waved to him, "Fan'er, you're here? Come and sit down."

Xiao Yifan sat down opposite Consort Shu and recounted the events of Yunheting and Yunxiu's visit to his residence the previous day, as well as Mr. Songzhu's analysis.

After listening, Consort Shu remained silent for a moment before asking, "And you, what are your plans?"

Xiao Yifan said in a deep voice, "Mother, the matter of Yunxiu being born with the destiny of a phoenix can only be believed to be true, not to be false. Therefore, I want to take a gamble."

Consort Shu remained silent for a while before saying, "Alright, your mother supports you. But you need to be careful in dealing with the Eldest Princess. She has always wanted you to marry Ya Min, so don't make things worse."

Xiao Yifan nodded and said, "Mother, I understand. That's why she needs your help."

After a moment's thought, Consort Shu said, "Alright, I will help you with her side. But you need to talk to Ya Min privately. That girl is arrogant and difficult to tame; don't let her ruin your plans."

Xiao Yifan nodded hurriedly and assured her, "Mother, please rest assured, but there is one more thing I would like to ask of you."

Consort Shu looked at him affectionately: "What is it?"

Xiao Yifan leaned back in his chair and casually said, "I would like to trouble Mother to summon Yunxiu to the palace and give her some reassurance."

Consort Shu gave him a reproachful look and said with a smile, "Alright, Mother will arrange for someone to go and inform them."