Zhao Bugao was very Rejoice that at least he was still alive.
Although after making many efforts, he still failed.
But ever since he started plotting for that position, he had already been prepared for a day like this.
He just didn't expect this day to come so quickly.
Zhao Feng looked at the adopted son he had raised for many years, kneeling at his feet, and couldn't help but sigh.
He had also anticipated that there would be such a day.
He had even dreamed of losing to this adopted son.
If that day really came, Zhao Feng wouldn't be sighing like this.
At least, that would prove that his adopted son had finally surpassed him.
But ending like this always made neither of them happy.
Zhao Feng's recent troubles were all brought about by his adopted son, Zhao Bugao.
And it wasn't just that.
Zhao Bugao stirred up trouble in the Imperial Court from behind the scenes, intensifying the conflict between officials and nobles.
The demotion of Grand Secretary Liang Zhao was entirely orchestrated by him.
Then he provoked the officials to retaliate, launching two conspiracies targeting Consort Feng.
The first time was when Consort Feng had not yet announced her pregnancy.
But that time was used by Chief Steward Shang and Zhao Feng, which instead dealt another heavy blow to the officials, and Emperor Yongyuan also took the opportunity to remove the Grand Secretary and replace him with his confidant.
The second time was instigating Deng Weixian to leak the questions.
That time, because it was detected in advance, Emperor Yongyuan changed the questions at the last minute, failing to achieve the desired effect.
Originally, after the descendants of the noble faction won, the matter of the silk cloth was supposed to be spread.
Unfortunately, due to the last-minute change of questions, the expected effect was not achieved.
But because of this incident, Consort Zhao and Consort Feng were punished to some extent.
In the Imperial Court, the surging arrogance of the nobles was momentarily stifled.
Zhao Bugao moved between the two sides, feigning compliance and using everyone.
His purpose was actually to shake the position of Zhao Feng, his Godfather.
If he had continued to plan carefully, perhaps one day he would have achieved this goal.
Unfortunately, he made one mistake.
Zhao Bugao's calculations included Emperor Yongyuan.
This was something Chief Steward Shang could not tolerate.
If Zhao Bugao had only plotted against Zhao Feng to advance himself, Chief Steward Shang would not have interfered.
It was only because Zhao Bugao crossed the line and touched interests he shouldn't have.
Sitting in his chair, Zhao Feng recalled everything Chief Steward Shang had told him, feeling suffocated.
He had previously felt that someone was stirring up trouble in the palace, but he never expected it to be this adopted son before him.
What was even more regrettable was that the father and son's struggle had just begun and was forced to meet its end.
"Bugao, why were you in such a hurry?"
Zhao Feng finally asked this question unwillingly.
He had been a good adopted son all his life.
Therefore, he naturally hoped to also be a good adopted father.
He also hoped that he could be like Chief Steward Shang, enjoying a peaceful and worry-free old age with a trustworthy adopted son to see him off.
In recent years, he had also felt that he and Zhao Bugao were drifting apart.
But Zhao Feng had always believed that it was just a temporary spat between them, and they would eventually return to their initial father-son relationship.
But unknowingly, the two had already become so distant.
Zhao Feng didn't understand.
He was already the Chief of the Internal Affairs Bureau.
Zhao Bugao also held the title of Deputy Chief, with his position only below his.
Everyone outside believed that Zhao Bugao would be the next Chief of the Internal Affairs Bureau.
Their lineage would continue a beautiful story of three generations living in harmony.
This was a fairy tale that all Eunuchs in the palace found unbelievable.
In the deep Forbidden Garden, filled with deceit and self-interest, how wonderful it would be if two commendable father-son relationships could be left behind.
But all of this was ultimately Zhao Feng's wishful thinking.
Zhao Feng was also in pain at this moment, wondering if he had been such a terrible Godfather?
After many years as father and son, Zhao Bugao naturally guessed Zhao Feng's feelings when he asked that question.
"Godfather, you did not wrong me."
"It's just that I, your child, couldn't wait."
"It's really..."
"Couldn't wait."
As Zhao Bugao spoke the last word, he raised his bloody forehead and stared directly at Zhao Feng, his eyes fearless.
"You!"
Zhao Feng pointed angrily, about to say something, but Zhao Bugao interrupted.
"Godfather, you should be able to understand my feelings too!"
"Because of the injuries you sustained back then, you have no hope of reaching the Third Rank in this life."
"But what about me!?"
"I can't even reach the Fourth Rank!"
Listening to his adopted son's roar, Zhao Feng weakly lowered his hand and turned his head away.
Only, there were tears glistening in his eyes.
This was Zhao Feng's lifelong knot.
His fate and Zhao Bugao's were so similar; both had their pursuit of martial arts in this life limited by injuries.
It was just that Zhao Bugao was less favored by fate than Zhao Feng, encountering such a thing at a younger age.
The only thing they had in common was that both were injured for their respective Godfathers.
This was also one of the reasons why Zhao Feng insisted on cultivating Zhao Bugao as his successor, despite his limited strength, overriding all opposing opinions.
Zhao Bugao also shed his usual disguise at this moment, his voice low and his demeanor steady.
"Godfather, besides power, what else can I strive for in this life?"
"Perhaps someone else can help me with what you cannot."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Feng slammed the table beside him, stood up abruptly, and roared:
"Foolish!"
"Your father sought out everyone for you back then..."
"I know!" Zhao Bugao's eyes also turned red, glaring at Zhao Feng, repeatedly saying, "I know, I know, I know..."
"It's because I know no one in Great Xing can help me that I did this!"
Zhao Feng's eyes widened, and he couldn't catch his breath, clutching his chest in discomfort.
"You!?"
He pointed at Zhao Bugao, feeling that the adopted son before him was suddenly so unfamiliar.
A dark green vortex gradually gathered at Zhao Feng's fingertip, pointing towards Zhao Bugao's glabella.
Zhao Feng's face was constantly changing, seemingly hesitant.
But Zhao Bugao snorted disdainfully, simply closing his eyes to await death.
After an unknown amount of time, the dark green vortex at Zhao Feng's fingertip finally dissipated, and he slumped back into the chair.
"Go, go to Yan Qu Hall to take up your post."
"You were willing to give up three jars of Linhu Essence Blood, so you must really like that child."
"Then cultivate him well, and let him avenge you in the future."
Zhao Bugao opened his eyes, a look of pain flashing in their depths.
He heavily kowtowed again, saying, "I just lost, there's no hatred."
"What I owe you, I will keep in my heart."
After kowtowing, Zhao Bugao stood up and walked outside.
But after taking two steps, he couldn't help but stop and ask a question:
"Godfather, if I had truly waited patiently, would you have protected me then, just as Chief Steward Shang protected you?"
Without waiting for Zhao Feng to answer, Zhao Bugao answered himself, "No, you couldn't."
"At that time, as an old Eunuch of the Fifth Rank, how could I hold onto the position of Chief of the Internal Affairs Bureau?"
"Would I just meekly await my death?"
Zhao Feng was silent.
"Godfather, one last piece of advice for you."
"His Majesty may seem majestic, but he is already strong on the outside but weak on the inside. If you don't quickly..."
"Get out!"
Zhao Feng pointed outside the door and roared.
Zhao Bugao snorted coldly, said no more, and left on his own.
Li Xuan watched from outside, dumbfounded, never expecting that Zhao Bugao was actually Deng Weixians Godfather.
Until a few days ago, he had always thought that Deng Weixian's mysterious Godfather was Zhao Feng.
But now that he had the answer, many things made sense.
Deng Weixian's sudden change in expression outside the woodshed earlier wasn't because he saw Zhao Feng, but because he saw Zhao Bugao beside Zhao Feng.
Thinking back carefully now, almost every time Zhao Feng went to rescue Deng Weixian, Zhao Bugao also appeared.
It was no wonder that the situation that troubled Zhao Feng later appeared; it turned out that all of this was Zhao Bugao's plan.
Honestly, Li Xuan had never thought that this person would be Deng Weixians Godfather.
His personality was simply too strong to ignore.
In this regard, Zhao Bugao was very successful.
After Zhao Bugao left, the room fell silent.
Zhao Feng leaned back in the chair dejectedly, looking up at the ceiling, lost in thought.
At this moment, Chief Steward Shang walked out from inside the room, having clearly heard their entire conversation.
Zhao Feng asked somewhat weakly, "Godfather, it seems I'm only suited to be a son."
Chief Steward Shang said nothing, merely placing his hand on his adopted son's shoulder, offering silent comfort.
Li Xuan quietly left.
He felt that now was not a good time to disturb Zhao Feng.
It was better to let Zhao Feng process this matter properly.
What a betrayal it was to suddenly break ties with the adopted son he trusted.
Being hurt by an enemy is not uncommon, but being hurt by a loved one is the most painful.
...
Zhao Bugao really survived.
He conscientiously served as the supervising Eunuch at Yan Qu Hall.
This even made Wei Chengji suspect if there was some other plot involved.
And this time, Zhao Bugao kept his promise and fulfilled his duty as a Godfather.
Whenever he had free time, he would come to teach Deng Weixian martial arts, not even avoiding Wang Suyue.
Wang Suyue initially found it strange, never expecting Zhao Bugao to teach Deng Weixian so seriously; it seemed their relationship was more than just superficial.
But Wang Suyue was also happy about this.
She didn't know at this time that Zhao Bugao had fallen out with his adopted father, and she was delighted, thinking that the closer Deng Weixian and Zhao Bugao's relationship became, the better.
Deng Weixian, on the other hand, was somewhat confused.
He didn't understand why his Godfather, who had always lurked in the shadows, would appear so openly before him and publicly acknowledge him as his adopted son.
He thought this was some kind of tactic by his Godfather, deliberately creating a 'light under the lamp' situation to conceal their true relationship.
But now, Zhao Bugao was acting more like a Godfather than before.
This made Deng Weixian even more bewildered.
Zhao Bugao also never sought Deng Weixian out privately, and during his teaching, he never gave any hints.
Therefore, even though Deng Weixian felt uneasy, he could only diligently practice martial arts.
Thanks to this opportunity, his originally slow progress in Copper Head Iron Arms had reached a state close to perfection.
Only this matter could still make Deng Weixian happy.
Li Xuan observed for a few days and found that Zhao Bugao was behaving honestly in Yan Qu Hall.
But even so, he dared not relax his vigilance.
He knew that Chief Steward Shang and Zhao Feng were certainly keeping a close eye on Zhao Bugao.
He just didn't understand why Zhao Feng would spare this adopted son who had betrayed him.
"Is it really out of old affection?"
"Or is it that Zhao Bugao can't cause any more trouble?"
But for now, it seemed that at least Zhao Bugao had truly begun to seriously cultivate Deng Weixian.
In that case, Deng Weixian should not be in any danger.
Moreover, Zhao Feng had previously promised Li Xuan that he would not harm Deng Weixian's life.
In the worst case, he would send him to Jingyang Palace.
With Zhao Feng's promise, Li Xuan didn't have to worry about Deng Weixian so much every day.
The matter of the silk cloth leak should be over now.
...
Another few days passed.
The Ice-Cold Breath in Li Xuan's body was fully recovered again.
This was also thanks to swallowing an Ice Crystal Frozen Blood Snake's gall bladder in between, which sped up the recovery of the Ice-Cold Breath a little.
It had only been a little over half a month since he last absorbed the cold energy from Ankang Princess's body.
But compared to the last time, Li Xuan had much more confidence.
He had eaten a Chasing Wind Rabbit in between, which greatly increased his strength.
Great Strength Vajra Legs had also reached the perfect state, and the Qi and Blood Power in his body was much more abundant than before.
Ankang Princess was also used to it now; as long as Li Xuan called her name and then ran towards the bed, she knew what he meant.
Although Ankang Princess was surprised that the interval was getting shorter and shorter, she was already impatient.
Every time she practiced with Li Xuan, her body felt particularly comfortable, especially the sleep she got after practicing; it was incredibly sound.
"Li Xuan, are we practicing Swimming Fish Style again today?"
Ankang Princess ran to the bed, got into position, and asked eagerly.