Chapter 416: She Is Different

Chapter 416: She Is Different

"This is how it will be. When the Emperor sends people to suppress the rebellion, those who will be suppressed are these very people."

Xie Peiyu frowned, "Wouldn't that harm the innocent?"

"Innocent?" The Princess Royal chuckled, "Since you've decided to take this path, would you still fear harming the innocent?"

Xie Peiyu pursed his lips and said nothing, feeling heavy-hearted.

The Princess Royal sighed and waved her hand, "Forget it, you are ultimately like me. Wanting to act but unable to bear it. A woman's kindness only prolongs the war; it's better to sacrifice some to end it sooner."

Seeing he remained silent, she beckoned him over, "Come here, sit next to me."

Xie Peiyu did not move closer and sat down at a distance from her.

The Princess Royal smiled helplessly, "Alright, then stay there."

"Yue'er, I know you plan to challenge Gao Zhi's lineage, using the fact that he is not of royal blood to bring him down. But..."

"Yes, we discussed it, and this is the way with the least casualties. First, reveal that he is not of Prince Zhong's lineage, then make public the late Emperor's decree."

"That's not enough. You need to find a way to align with the will of heaven. In reality, aligning with the will of heaven means aligning with the people's will."

"What does Mother mean?"

The Princess Royal slowly sobered up, her expression solemn, "The common people don't care who becomes the Emperor; they only care about who can lead them to a good life. Your relief efforts in the north were commendable, providing an excellent opportunity.

Those people misunderstood you and hurt you, yet you didn't hold grudges and stayed to help them. You even joined forces with the noble families to provide more food, helping them through their difficulties, thus winning their hearts. If Gao Zhi sends troops to attack them now, wouldn't he lose the people's support?"

Xie Peiyu nodded, "Mother thinks of everything."

"Once he loses the people's support, all you need is a reason to overthrow him. He is not of royal blood, and you have my father's decree—this is the best reason. At this point, if you overthrow him and take the throne, it will be seen as aligning with the will of heaven."

After hearing her words, Xie Peiyu fell silent for a long time.

"Mother, I think you should talk more with Jinyu."

"Oh?"

"The way you speak sometimes is quite similar."

"Really? She understands these things?"

Xie Peiyu nodded, "We talked about overthrowing Gao Zhi before."

"Oh? You discussed such matters with her?"

"Yes."

"When did you talk?"

"It was a long time ago, before she married into our family."

The Princess Royal was speechless, but then laughed, though it sounded somewhat bitter.

"For such a significant matter, you dared to tell her before she even married in. You must trust her deeply."

"Yes, I trust her, it's instinct."

The Princess Royal suddenly felt her son wasn't suited for great deeds.

His heart was too kind, which she couldn't fault since he was like her.

But his character was somewhat like his father, straightforward like a warrior.

Sighing, she said, "You're good at fighting, but you lack cunning. Being a general following orders might suit you, but seizing power certainly won't. Tell me, what else did you discuss with her?"

"We covered everything."

The Princess Royal was speechless again.

"I had different opinions from you and was once lost. She told me that compared to the vast universe, ordinary people's perspectives are like frogs at the bottom of a well, seeing only a small part. Wise people can see decades ahead, while sages can foresee centuries. She said she is an ordinary person, but I don't think so. I believe she sees a thousand years into the future. Mother, Jinyu is not an ordinary lady of the inner chambers."

The Princess Royal was momentarily stunned.

She always thought Zheng Jinyu was just an exceptionally talented noblewoman, whose fate had been turbulent for many years but managed to recover in just two years, naturally possessing some skills.

But she was still a young girl, someone who should be protected, not involved in dirty affairs.

She preferred doing those things herself rather than involving young girls.

Today, after hearing her son's words, she realized perhaps Jinyu was indeed not an ordinary girl.

"Call her over."

"Alright."

Xie Peiyu went back to call Zheng Jinyu. As they were heading to the Princess Royal, Zheng Jinyu was surprised to see the Princess Royal already there.

Zheng Jinyu looked at Xie Peiyu, "Didn't you say we were going to your mother's courtyard?"

The Princess Royal smiled, her every gesture exuding grace.

"I asked Yue'er to call you, but I couldn't wait. I am eager to meet the one who can see a thousand years into the future."

She had already gracefully taken her seat and was playing with a new hairpin that Zheng Jinyu had placed on the table.

Zheng Jinyu looked at Xie Peiyu in confusion.

Xie Peiyu was also quite embarrassed, constantly winking at the Princess Dowager.

However, her attention was entirely on the hairpin, not on him at all.

"Mother, don't talk nonsense."

The Princess Dowager smiled faintly, "Didn't you say she has seen the world a thousand years from now?"

Xie Peiyu: "..." You've really sold me out completely.

Zheng Jinyu laughed, "What do you mean I saw the world a thousand years from now?"

She had never said anything like that, making her feel guilty now.

Could it be that he guessed she came from a thousand years in the future?

Or did I talk in my sleep, and he took it seriously?

Xie Peiyu mumbled, "She's just guessing."

The Princess Dowager immediately exposed him, "Clearly, you were the one guessing."

Xie Peiyu: "...You're really my mother."

Zheng Jinyu looked at the mother-son pair and figured out what was going on, feeling quite awkward.

All she had done was watch some historical dramas about palace intrigues and knew a bit of history, which is why she understood that the current noble families and royal clans would eventually disappear.

How could she compare to the Princess Dowager, who grew up in the palace?

If she wasn't careful, wouldn't she just make a fool of herself?

The Princess Dowager looked at Zheng Jinyu with interest and asked with a smile, "Look at him, isn't he silly?"

Xie Peiyu: "..."

Zheng Jinyu: "Ah?"

She glanced at Xie Peiyu and whispered, "He seems fine."

"What's fine? He kept talking about wanting to bring down Gao Zhi, but I always disagreed. Firstly, I didn't want unnecessary bloodshed, and secondly, I was worried about him. He's too young, too naive, and lacks experience."

Pausing for a moment, she continued, "I know he brought Cui Yongnian into the plan. Cui Yongnian is smart, but he's also young and inexperienced. Young men full of vigor are eager to win and prove themselves."