I started out with seven husbands, and I worked hard to support my family while crying.

Chapter 141: House Arrest

Zhang Xuzi glanced at the two people in front of him out of the corner of his eye. One was Pei Zuo, a student he had carefully cultivated, and the other was Fang Xiaoxiao, who had many similarities with him.

Both of these people were of great value to him.

He was plotting how to help Pei Zuo ascend to the position of Crown Prince. Once he succeeded, the entire Great Yu Kingdom would be under his control.

As for Pei Zuo, this seemingly clever but actually incompetent fellow, Zhang Xuzi didn't take him seriously at all.

On the contrary, it was Fang Xiaoxiao who made him wary.

Whether it was her "Shuidiao Getou" or her new work "Nian Nu Jiao: Mid-Autumn Festival" written at the brothel, especially the line "I want to ride the wind and return, why bother riding the wings of a roc?", Zhang Xuzi was deeply impressed by them.

As an ambitious Confucian scholar, Zhang Xuzi was no longer satisfied with his current status and power.

He craved more, attempting to emulate the late emperor and become a de facto ruler. Indeed, human greed is insatiable, as it has always been throughout history.

Zhang Xuzi now wields immense power. He has been committing adultery in the harem for many years, and even though the emperor has heard rumors, he chooses to turn a blind eye and even punishes those who raise the issues instead of addressing the problems themselves.

This is why Zhang Xuzi became increasingly unscrupulous, even attempting to overthrow the Dayu Dynasty and usher in a new era of dynasties.

Ironically, ever since he conspired with Pei Zuo's mother to frame the Crown Prince, they had kept a low profile. Even the two of them didn't understand why, simply believing they didn't want to expose their ambitions too early.

Seeing that the teacher was staring at him, Pei Zuo cautiously whispered a reminder.

"Teacher, are you tired? How about we continue this discussion another day?"

"No need, no need. I was just too curious about the lady Fang beside you."

Zhang Xuzi spoke slowly.

"Curious? This student is a little puzzled. Is there anything special about you, my lady?" Pei Zuo asked, his face full of doubt.

"Of course I do, but I can't figure it out right now. I'll explain it to you in detail after I've spent more time with Madam Fang and sorted it out!" Zhang Xuzi pretended to be tired and rubbed his forehead with his hand.

Fang Xiaoxiao watched as the two of them completely ignored her presence and chatted away on their own. Her dissatisfaction was about to erupt like a volcano, and she felt as if her lungs were about to explode with anger.

However, she was well aware of the current situation.

No matter how unhappy or uncomfortable you are, you can only endure it and never let the old fox and the little fox notice anything unusual about you.

She now categorizes Pei Zuo and Zhang Xuzi as the same kind of people.

Pei Zuo was like a little fox following behind an old fox, and the two of them were talking so inappropriately in front of her.

Pei Zuoxuan immediately turned to Fang Xiaoxiao and asked softly, "Are you tired? Why don't you go back to your room to rest first, and come back here after you've rested?"

This sudden show of concern was quite perplexing. Even though Fang Xiaoxiao already had seven husbands, three of whom were very caring towards her, she felt no warmth at all in the face of Pei Zuo's concern; instead, she felt disgusted from the bottom of her heart.

"Okay, I am indeed tired after a long day. Since you're going to confine me, I'll go back to my room and get some rest."

"????"

Upon hearing this, Pei Zuo, who had originally intended to extract information, instantly froze, even quickly averting his gaze, fearing that his teacher would notice. But he was merely a young fox; how could he compare to the cunning of an old fox?

Zhang Xuzi snorted coldly upon hearing this, but then immediately put on a kind expression.

The speed at which he changes his expression is so fast that even the master of Sichuan opera face-changing would have to admit defeat.

This Confucian sage was not only extremely knowledgeable, but also possessed a petty and capricious nature, capable of turning his back on people as easily as flipping a book, far exceeding that of ordinary people. It was as if he wanted to break through the atmosphere and head straight for the universe.

Fang Xiaoxiao was just an ordinary woman; how could she be compared to him?

Looking at Pei Zuo, who also had a cold face beside her, Fang Xiaoxiao couldn't help but mutter to herself, "Your Highness, why are you so afraid of the Confucian Sage? You're almost as scared as a quail."

Quail? These two words struck Pei Yan like a heavy blow, instantly planting seeds of discontent and humiliation in his heart.

One day, when this seed takes root and sprouts, it will surely overthrow the old fox's hegemony.

The old fox was also full of dissatisfaction. He coldly glanced at the two of them and then said, "Don't think that I'm blind and deaf. I see everything."

Fang Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat, and she thought to herself, "This is bad. This old fox is indeed not easy to deal with."

But she maintained a composed demeanor and said, "Sage, you have misunderstood. I was just speaking casually."

Zhang Xuzi snorted coldly: "Just something you said offhand? Hmph, I think you're not as simple-minded as you think."

Seeing this, Pei Zuo quickly tried to smooth things over: "Teacher, Madam Fang must be exhausted and confused. Please don't take it to heart."

Zhang Xuzi glared at Pei Zuo: "You certainly know how to speak up for her. Have you been bewitched by this woman?"

Pei Zuo quickly lowered his head: "This student dares not."

Fang Xiaoxiao felt contempt; the two of them, singing in unison, were truly disgusting.

But she said, "It's all my fault, please calm down, sage."

Zhang Xuzi stared at Fang Xiaoxiao for a moment, then said, "Alright, you should go back to your room and rest."

Fang Xiaoxiao felt as if she had been granted a pardon and quickly bowed and took her leave.

After she left, Zhang Xuzi turned to Pei Zuo and said earnestly, "This woman is not to be underestimated. You must not be deceived by her and ruin our important plans."

Pei Zuo nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, teacher, I understand."

However, Pei Zuo's heart was stirred by Fang Xiaoxiao's words.

He secretly vowed that one day he would break free from Zhang Xuzi's control and become the one who truly held power.

Fang Xiaoxiao returned to her room, sat on the edge of the bed, and was lost in thought.

She knew she was in grave danger and had to find a way to escape their control. But that was easier said than done. Zhang Xuzi was cunning and shrewd, and Pei Zuo was completely obedient to him.

Fang Xiaoxiao sighed, got up and walked to the window. Looking at the night outside, she silently prayed that she could find a way out soon and escape this dire situation.

"Squeak!"

The wooden doors to each window were gently pushed open, and the person who came in was none other than her husband, Zhou Wenjian, who had stood up for the Crown Prince, remonstrated with him in court, and ultimately suffered the tragedy of having his entire family executed.

Zhou Wenjian held a bowl of seafood porridge in his hand, looking at his wife who was staring blankly out the window with a hint of worry.

To be honest, this was the first time he had ever seen his wife looking so worried.

What on earth is going on?

While I may be pondering, I cannot delay the things that need to be done.

His most important task right now is to make sure his wife has a bowl of porridge that he cooked himself.