Chen Xuan fell into deep thought. If they were to decentralize power, they had to make it appealing enough for others to accept willingly. At least, he needed to satisfy those high - ranking officials.
"The Marquis Mansion can't be in charge this time. It would be too conspicuous," Chen Xuan mused. "Let the Zhang family take over."
"As for the remaining two shares, one should go to the Liu family, and the other... give it to the young master of the Jin family."
The Liu family was an adherent of Xie Guang and his overt supporter. It was the most appropriate choice for them to get a share. However, deciding who should get the last share was a difficult problem. Giving it to either the Zhang or the Liu family wouldn't work, otherwise, it would be no different from having a single - family monopoly.
They could only give it to a neutral party. Moreover, the rank of this neutral person couldn't be too high, but neither could it be too low.
After much thought, Chen Xuan concluded that the Jin family was the most suitable.
"That young master of the Jin family is slippery at such a young age. He has learned all the officialdom skills from his teacher," Chen Xuan said disdainfully. "He's like a fence - sitter, swaying from side to side. Giving this hot potato to him will not only make us feel at ease but also the Liu family."
Chen Tingfeng sneered, "I'm afraid he won't accept it."
Fu Zhen concentrated on her thoughts. Jin Xianghuan had once told her some things about her elder brother, but most of them were about how strict he was with her and how old - fashioned he was. She never mentioned that he was a slippery person.
However, considering that he had become a fourth - rank official at such a young age and his family had a merchant background, it was obvious that he was a capable person.
Chen Xuan said calmly, "He has no choice but to accept it."
If they could think of the Jin family, wouldn't Xie Guang's faction?
He had to take this power.
"Alright, that's enough for now. I'll facilitate this matter tomorrow. You and the Second Prince should stay stable for the time being and secretly check if they have any other tricks up their sleeves." As he spoke, he put down his teacup, stood up, and was about to stroll back.
Unexpectedly, after walking a few steps, he turned back, stopped in front of Fu Zhen, and smiled at her, "It's dark and windy. How about Uncle sending Zhenzhen back?"
Before Fu Zhen could say anything, Chen Tingfeng immediately stood up, "Father, there's no need to trouble yourself. With your son here, I will surely send Zhenzhen back to the Zhuqing Courtyard safely."
Chen Xuan was too lazy to bother with him. Didn't he know what this brat was up to?
Fu Zhen blushed. It was already late at night. From the perspective of an elder like Chen Xuan, it was indeed inappropriate to let her and Chen Tingfeng be alone. But... even if he stopped Chen Tingfeng now, this guy would just turn into a nocturnal prowler later. Why bother?
She said somewhat guiltily, "Thank you for your concern, Uncle. But Zhenzhen still has some things to talk to cousin about, so..."
Her voice got softer and softer, and she lowered her head. It was obvious that she looked like a guilty thief.
Looking at Chen Tingfeng beside her, although his expression was cold, he couldn't hide the pride in his eyes. That sense of pain welled up in Chen Xuan's heart again.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and forced a smile as he looked at Chen Tingfeng, "Leave as soon as you've sent her. Don't do anything unnecessary. Do you understand?"
Chen Tingfeng smiled at him, "I'll follow Father's teachings."
He was a sensible person. He naturally wouldn't do other things. As for hugging and kissing, weren't they just part of their daily routine? How could that be considered excessive?
The two of them strolled slowly in the mansion under the moonlight.
Winters in the north were always longer. Although the New Year had passed, the cold weather would still last for a long time.
It was already late at night, so it was even colder.
Fu Zhen was wearing a lot of clothes, so she didn't feel cold at the moment. She took a deep breath and felt that all the fatigue in her body had been taken away by the cold air.
Chen Tingfeng laughed at her for sniffing like a puppy. She gave him a disdainful look and told him to shut up if he couldn't speak properly.
However, their hands were tightly clasped under their sleeves.
After walking a few steps, Fu Zhen remembered what had happened just now, "What do you think Xianghuan's elder brother will do?"
Jin Xianghuan was her close friend, and she naturally trusted her. But her elder brother was another matter.
Chen Tingfeng motioned for her not to worry, "I've had a few dealings with him. He's not a stupid person. He'll find a way. Moreover, he has a teacher in the Hanlin Academy. Those scholars who have been in the Hanlin Academy for decades are almost as shrewd as foxes. They know best how to protect themselves. The Jin family will be fine."
Fu Zhen felt relieved, "That's good."
She then asked Chen Tingfeng to tell her the whole thing in detail. After listening, Fu Zhen raised her eyebrows slightly, "Who do you think the people sent to the south will look for?"
Chen Tingfeng smiled, "Cousin is so smart. Why don't you take a guess?"
Actually, Fu Zhen already had an answer in her mind. She just asked this question to test Chen Tingfeng. Seeing Chen Tingfeng's confident look, as if everything was under his control and he still had the leisure to ask her back, she knew that her answer was correct.
"The Eldest Princess?" she asked.
Chen Tingfeng smiled, "Cousin and I really have a connection in mind."
In the past, Xie Guang had hidden in the south, and the person he saw most often was naturally the Eldest Princess.
Fu Zhen lowered her eyes and thought for a moment. She didn't know much about this Eldest Princess. In fact, she could be said to know nothing about her. The only time she had seen her was at the Hundred - Flower Banquet in May.
That Hundred - Flower Banquet in her previous life was the opportunity for her to marry Chen Tingfeng by design.
Unknowingly, she had already come a long way.
Suddenly, she looked at Chen Tingfeng as if she wanted to imprint his whole being in her eyes.
Chen Tingfeng stopped walking and looked down at her, "What's wrong?"
Since the Hundred - Flower Banquet was about to start, would the white - clothed woman who was brought back to the mansion by Chen Tingfeng in his previous life also appear soon?
But now they had already taken a completely different path from their previous lives. Would that woman still appear?
She bit her lips, and her heart was filled with mixed feelings.
"Chen Tingfeng," she said, "you can only have me as your woman in this life."
He was stunned. Although he was a bit confused by her sudden words, he quickly reacted and said firmly, "Yes."
"I promise you that in this life, there will only be Fu Zhen for me," his tenderness seemed to have the power to soothe people's hearts, "I will never go back on my word."
Fu Zhen suddenly relaxed.
She had already given such an early warning. If Chen Tingfeng still brought that woman back, she really wouldn't know what to say.
Without love, there would be no expectations. But since she had expectations, she would never want them to be disappointed.
If he still broke his promise... then don't blame her for being heartless.
"What kind of person is the Eldest Princess?" she held his hand and continued walking forward.
With the person she loved by her side, even the cold winter of the first lunar month didn't feel cold.
The Eldest Princess's name was Xie Lingyun. Her biological mother was a minor concubine who had passed away early.
"She's a very smart person," Chen Tingfeng recalled his brief encounter with her. "If she were a prince, she would surely have no fewer supporters than Xie Yan."
A girl who had lost her mother managed to stand out from the cruel imperial harem. Every move of hers exuded the dignity of the royal family. Her character didn't turn bad. Instead, she was well - educated and understanding. The Emperor doted on the Second Princess largely because of her elder sister.
Before she got married, she was always the Emperor's favorite.
"Perhaps because she had experienced the warmth and coldness of human relationships since childhood, when it was time for her to get married, she chose a scholar from a reputable family in the south who had come to the capital for the imperial examinations. Although his family wasn't as wealthy as those powerful families in the capital, it was still well - off. Moreover, the family was simple, with only two brothers, and she chose the eldest son," he said slowly. "That scholar wasn't outstanding in academics, but he was honest, upright, and not old - fashioned. He was a real gentleman. Most importantly, he was deeply in love with the Eldest Princess."
Such a destination was truly a blessed haven for Xie Lingyun.
The son - in - law was of good character and knew how to enjoy the romantic things in life. Marrying to the south and being far away from the capital meant a peaceful life. Moreover, as soon as she got married, she had a princess mansion. She didn't need to serve her elders, and her son - in - law was deeply in love with her. Compared to the smoky and blood - thirsty imperial palace, it was simply a perfect place.
Although the Emperor was reluctant to let her marry so far away at that time, he couldn't resist Xie Lingyun's wishes and finally agreed.