Chapter Eight: The Four Directions Move

  On the other hand, Zhou Feng came out of Qing Shui Palace. Zhou Feng suddenly turned his head and shouted at a group of guards behind him, "Jin Quan."

  "The Second Prince."

  Among the guards, a very majestic middle-aged man came out and saluted Zhou Feng.

  "The plan has been set, and we can't let this big brother be at ease anymore. You lead fifty imperial guards to keep watch day and night, trapping him in the Clear Water Palace, and before the court meeting begins, no one is allowed to approach Big Brother."

  Zhou Feng gave the order.

  "Agreed."

  Jin Quan nodded and immediately selected fifty imperial guards to guard the Qing Shui Palace. It wasn't that Zhou Feng was being overly cautious, but it was necessary. In this harem, although Deng Guifei's family was in power,

  At present, Emperor Zhou has six sons and three princesses, with three of the sons being born to Empress Deng. The father of Empress Deng, Deng Kuang, is also the current Chancellor, and can be said to have a powerful influence.

  However, Mingfei and Guanfei each also have a prince.

  At the same time, their maternal family forces are also not small and should not be underestimated.

  There is still a killing aura ahead. Zhou Feng took a deep breath and headed towards Hanyue Palace.

  The palace is vast, and the place slightly to the left of due north is the Forbidden City. The palaces are densely packed here, with a majestic atmosphere.

  The main hall is even more majestic and luxurious, with a screen in the center position, embroidered with a phoenix, a breath of the king of all birds, suddenly rushing forward.

  In front of the screen is the Phoenix Throne.

  At this moment, a woman was kneeling on the phoenix throne. This woman was none other than Deng Guifei. Although she had passed her thirties, she looked like she was only in her early twenties due to her good looks and fair skin. Her eyes were charming and her skin was white with a hint of pink, making her an absolute beauty.

  Below them stood two young men who looked somewhat similar to Zhou Feng. They were the fifth prince, Zhou Que, and the sixth prince, Zhou Nu, both sons of Empress Deng.

  At this moment, Deng Guifei was elegant and calm, extremely composed. On the contrary, Zhou Que's face was flushed with anxiety, and he was very flustered.

  "If you two had your elder brother's mind and composure, I would truly have one less worry. " Empress Deng sighed and said, seeing the two brothers so anxious.

  "Mother, this is about the position of the Crown Prince of Great Zhou, it's really impossible to calm down." Zhou Que's personality was even more impatient, and he couldn't help but say.

  "That's right, as long as Big Brother is successful, we can also follow in his footsteps and live a life of luxury and wealth." Zhou Nu nodded repeatedly.

  "It's precisely because it's a serious matter that one must remain calm and composed. Panicking will only lead to chaos." Empress Deng said with a stern expression.

  It seems that Deng Guifei was really angry, Zhou Que and Zhou Nu immediately shrunk their necks and didn't dare to speak again. But in their hearts, they were still anxious and couldn't bear it, after all, it was the position of the Crown Prince of Great Zhou.

  They have been waiting for many years and finally they are going to drive out that legitimate son.

  How can I not be anxious?

  "Your Highness, the Second Prince has returned."

  At this moment, an imperial eunuch walked in and reported.

  Finally returned. Zhou Que and Zhou Nu let out a sigh of relief, their hearts excited, but only Deng Guifei's face remained calm and composed.

  A moment later, Zhou Feng walked in and paid his respects.

  "Empress Dowager."

  "There's no need for so much courtesy among family members." Deng Guifei said with a hint of annoyance, before asking, "How is it? Can the matter be settled?"

  "It's done, but it deviated slightly from the plan. That week, Jian actually cut off his own leg and replaced it with a wooden one." Zhou Feng nodded, but also looked somewhat worried.

  "This little unexpected event doesn't count for much, just find an excuse to brush it off." Deng Guifei also reacted the same way as Zhou Feng, thinking that this matter was not a big deal.

  "It was indeed a matter of afterwards, that week Jian Shi really couldn't stay. Poor Yun Er, alas." Deng Guifei sighed.

  Zhou Feng sighed when he heard the words, and on that day Zhou Jian had injured Deng Yun with a slap in the face. Deng Yun considered it a great shame and hated not being able to take up a knife and kill Zhou Jian himself.

  Deng Guifei made a promise that after the crown prince's enthronement, she would let Deng Yun personally take care of it, which finally calmed down Deng Yun.

  "Ah." Zhou Feng also remembered Deng Yun and couldn't help but feel stifled for his sworn brother, a cultivator who was actually... Ah.

  "Also, please persuade the Emperor on behalf of the Empress Dowager." After a moment, Zhou Feng took a deep breath and requested.

  "All right, let's go, we're going to the Temple of Virtue and Morality." Princess Deng nodded and stood up.

  "The Imperial Concubine Deng is arriving at the De Xiang Palace." The sharp voice of the eunuch sounded. Soon after, Consort Deng arrived outside the De Xiang Palace in a sedan chair.

  The De Xiang Palace is as its name suggests, a grand and majestic place. Empress Deng, despite having been here multiple times before, still felt too intimidated to look up at the palace, hastily lowering her head instead.

  Deng Guifei nodded slightly and walked in.

  After entering the German Elephant Palace, it is very spacious everywhere, making people's eyes bright.

  Led by the old eunuch, Deng Guifei arrived at a study outside and walked in.

  The study is slightly dimly lit inside.

  Right in front of him, a young man sat on the throne, motionless, but exuding an aura of unyielding dignity.

  It is precisely the politics of King Zhou of today's week.

  "Your Majesty."

  After seeing Zhou Zheng, Deng Guifei changed her expression and said with a charming smile.

  "What's going on?" Zhou Zheng's expression remained unchanged as he continued to ask calmly.

  Looking at Zhou Zheng's faint expression, Deng Guifei's heart flashed a hint of fear. It is said that she dominates the palace alone, but outsiders can't know, even if it's her, it's hard to grasp the heart of this great King Zhou in front of her.

  At first, King Zhou and Queen Zhao were deeply in love, with both sons and daughters. But one night, the queen vanished, and their eldest son was killed by his own father's hand, how ruthless and merciless.

  As for the person in front of her, Deng Guifei naturally had a few points of fear.

  "Your Majesty, the Duke's leg was bitten by a venomous snake. Since Qing Shui Palace is remote, the Duke couldn't wait for the imperial physician to arrive and had to cut off his own leg with one swift stroke. Fortunately, his life is not in danger." Consort Deng said after a moment of deliberation.

  "Oh." Zhou Zheng's expression changed for the first time upon hearing this, but it wasn't pain or concern, just a hint of mockery.

  Deng Guifei's heart tightened, and she looked even more fearful.

  But had to force himself to ask: "I don't know what to do with the Grand Master's affairs, how should they be settled?"

  "Let him stay in Qing Shui Palace." Zhou Zheng said lightly.

  "Yes."

  Deng Guifei should be.

  "Your Majesty, the position of Crown Prince is crucial to the country. However, the position of Crown Prince in the Great Zhou Dynasty has been vacant for over a decade, hasn't it?" Deng Guifei continued to probe.

  "It's almost time, I'll send someone to inform Qingfeng Sect, Wàn Dú Sect and Yù Shòu Sect to each send an elder to witness the ceremony. It will probably be in about a month, let Feng'er make preparations." Zhou Zheng nodded and said.

  "Yes."

  This is a done deal then. Deng Guifei suppressed her inner joy and responded with a single word.

  A moment later, Deng Guifei, who had achieved her goal, bid farewell and left.

  After Deng Guifei left, the study fell into a brief calm. A moment later, Zhou Zheng sneered: "Eliminate the eldest brother, and then it's the position of the Crown Prince, but is it that easy? Let me see how much ability you have, you few little rabbits."

  Then, Zhou Zheng got up and walked out towards the direction of Qing Shui Palace.

  "Broken leg? Who told you to be Zhao Qingyi's son, the nephew of the Zhao family. You're wrong just because you were born into the wrong womb, don't blame others." Thinking back to what Deng Guifei said earlier, Zhou Jian broke his leg, Zhou Zheng also coldly smiled and said.

  There's nothing in the palace that can be kept hidden for long, and with just a slight stir, more than half of it becomes known to everyone. How much more so when it comes to the crown prince breaking his leg, and what's more, King Zhou has issued an edict, making preparations for the enthronement ceremony of the crown prince.

  The voice of Wang's second son Zhoufeng suddenly surged. But at the same time, a dark undercurrent also began to stir.

  In the northern part of the imperial palace, on the right side, there is a palace called "Qing Luan". The scale of this palace is not inferior to that of Huan Xiu Palace.

  Also a cluster of flowers, a style of elegance and luxury.

  Because of this, the master of Qingluan Palace, Guan Fei's identity is noble and revered. Her father, Guan Xing, was a renowned general-in-chief, holding military power and wielding immense influence.

  Guan Fei herself gave birth to four sons and two daughters: Zhou Fei, Zhou Ting.

  Inside the main hall, there is also a phoenix throne, but on the screen behind this phoenix throne, what is embroidered is a fierce tiger, baring its teeth and brandishing its claws, powerful and intimidating.

  In front of the Phoenix Throne, a woman was also kneeling. She stood up and looked like she was in her early twenties, elegant and unmatched, it was Guan Fei.

  In front of the Phoenix Throne, there stood a man and a woman.

  The man was very handsome, but his eyes were fierce. The woman had a fair complexion and looked elegant, but her narrow and long eyebrows made her look somewhat intimidating.

  These two were Wang's fourth son Zhou Fei and second princess Zhou Ting.

  "Your elder brother broke his leg and automatically gave up the position of Crown Prince. This position, do you think it should fall into your second brother's hands?"

  Guan Fei sneered and said.

  If Deng Guifei is said to be flattering and cunning, then Guan Fei is overbearing and tyrannical, with a straightforward and forthright personality.

  "Of course I can. Everyone is a commoner by birth. Since the second brother has driven away the eldest brother, then this prince's position, I will naturally take it for a sit."

  Zhou Fei's blood was still boiling with anger, and he coldly laughed at this.

  "Right, why should Second Brother get the upper hand? Our Grandfather was a great general, with power in his hands, and he and Chancellor Deng were like needle and awn. Who will win or lose, let's see after this round."

  Zhou Ting's personality was also sharp, and she said with a cold smile.

  "The establishment of the crown prince is still up to the officials in the court, as well as your father's intention. Your uncle can indeed lend a hand, but what's most important is Zhou Jian's attitude."

  Guan Fei saw her two children full of ambition and smiled in satisfaction. But immediately after that, she also pointed out.

  "That's right. Big brother broke his leg, definitely not by himself. Either he was beaten or forced. If big brother betrayed in the imperial court, then second brother would be left with a crime of cruelty to his brother. Some conservative and rigid old ministers in the imperial court, as well as the remaining forces of big brother's maternal family Zhao, will surely counterattack. In this way, second brother will be doomed. The rest is between me and third brother."

  Zhou Fei is no fool either, and upon hearing this, his eyes lit up as he said.

  "That's right, this is the opportunity we've been waiting for. We've also waited for over a decade, but never made a move because if we did, this position would fall into your second brother's hands. But if we don't make a move, your second brother will get anxious and take action himself, which is exactly what we're waiting for. Let's go and contact Zhou Jian. No matter how Zhou Feng pressures or threatens us, we'll take it all on ourselves to keep him safe, as long as he speaks out against the emperor. We'll work together with the people from the Zhao family and our own family to launch a surprise attack. Once your second brother is taken care of, then we can talk."

  Guan Fei's face showed a look of being pleased with herself as she nodded and stood up.

  "What mother said makes sense, but there's no rush. We haven't seen big brother in over a decade, and besides, big brother was crippled by second brother, and my third sister has eye problems, so we should prepare some gifts to bring along."

  Zhou Ting smiled and said.

  "We've gotten used to living in turmoil." Consort Guan heard this and rubbed her forehead, laughing wryly.

  Then, as Guan Fei said, Zhou Ting prepared gifts and comfort items, and went to the Qing Shui Palace in a grand manner.

  At the same time.

  Inside the Taiji Palace where Mingfei resides.