Chapter 128 – Palace and Court
His Majesty was in a bad mood.
All the people in the palace and the court knew that his majesty was not in a good mood these recent days, because his majesty even suspended the regular program of accompanying the empress dowager to watch the opera every ten days, and not many people could have the chance to see his majesty throughout the whole day in addition to the daily court meetings. Eunuch Yao, Eunuch Hou, and now the reappointed Eunuch Dai, have been surrounded by ministers outside the palace gates every day for the past few days, and everyone wants to know what is going on.
His Majesty has not summoned any of his close ministers to the palace, and by the looks of it, he doesn’t seem to be bothered by anything.
But people just knew that His Majesty was in a bad mood. Because at the court meeting, most of the folders that were played up by the states were refuted, the main secretary of the Da Lisi was severely reprimanded, and the old Lord Qin of the Privy Council was also scolded by the Emperor, the Qin family is the Emperor’s beloved amongst the Emperor’s beloved, and an important minister of the military, and normally in front of the civil and military officials, the Emperor would always leave the Qin family with some face, but now it is being treated in this mean way… …
Kyoto Guardian Qin Heng and Junior General Qin’s faces remained unchanged, and when they entered and exited the Chinese Book under the Door, they still maintained their clear smiles, and they didn’t look like they cared much about His Majesty’s reprimand of their own family.
Seeing this scene, the group of ministers understood that the Emperor was using the reprimand of his own inner circle to remind certain other people in the capital.
It was a very muddled maneuver, and everyone could not guess who the emperor was trying to remind, but knew that the matter of reminding itself was already there. As expected, on the third day, Ye Chong, who was far away from Dingzhou, once again wrote to His Majesty in sorrow, saying that now that the world is at peace, there is no longer a need to maintain too many troops in Dingzhou, and that some people should be laid off.
Self-requested disarmament, this is the Ye family’s terrified gesture. The emperor lightly allowed it, not allowing the court to debate the matter with the Privy Council at all. The ministers, including the newly appointed Grand Maester Hu and Grand Maester Shu, all thought that this was just a follow-up to last year’s hanging temple incident and did not associate it with anything else.
After the Ye family asked for their own abolition, His Majesty seemed to be in a better mood and resumed his daily greeting to the Empress Dowager, while allowing the Eldest Princess to live in the palace once again, and Guangxin Palace once again truly opened its doors for the Eldest Princess.
Distance produces beauty, produces danger, a family, living together …… will certainly be much safer.
The emperor must be thinking this way, that old man in the Chen Garden thought this way.
He sighed, knowing that things did not go exactly as he had planned, and that he still needed to do something more. But now that the seed had begun to sprout, nurtured by the black soil in people’s hearts, it would one day give birth to poisonous vines that would inexorably break through the layer of hard rock that pressed down on it.
Only those who lived in the palace knew that His Majesty’s mood had not really improved, and his face still carried a hint of sorrow and a very subtle sadness.
The emperor was the lord of the world, the lord of the palace, the object of all eyes, the trust of all lives, the hope of all futures, so everyone in the palace was cautiously and nervously guessing what was still hidden in his majesty’s heart.
In the taiji hall and the royal study room close waiter a few old man, has long been mixed into the human essence, to the Palace of the probing questions, of course, refused to make any noise. Moreover, under the cumulative authority of Hong’s old man, the sisters and eunuchs of the various palaces did not dare to ask too obvious questions.
After the Princess moved into the Palace of Guangxin depressed and unhappy, immediately returned to the usual beautiful face, every day to go to the Empress Dowager’s side to accompany the talk, and occasionally go to the East Palace to meet the Empress and the Crown Prince. Only she herself was a bit puzzled, not knowing what the emperor was thinking.
At this time, a head eunuch in the Eastern Palace became a very important figure.
Because his name is Hong Zhu, has been working beside the emperor, deeply liked by his majesty, and also in the rumor with Eunuch Hong some kind of kinship, for the taiji hall and the royal study of the personnel is also familiar with, if let such a person to go to spy on the news, it should be the most suitable candidate.
Hong Zhu in the East Palace as a fourth grade eunuch chief has been three months, by virtue of the identity of the emperor sent with its own small intention to serve properly, has been recognized by the Empress …… just of course can not immediately get admission. However, the Empress also gave Hong Zhu enough benefits, this time this matter, also want to see Hong Zhu actually not available, available to what extent.
Empress smiled and looked at the kneeling in front of the Hongzhu, the heart also like some of this little eunuch’s knowledge and interest, clear eyes, said softly: “His Majesty is worried about the country, the Palace naturally want to share for His Majesty to share, although the harem can not interfere with the affairs of the state, but know His Majesty’s mood, but also to do some soup to serve, so that His Majesty comfortable some.”
Hong Zhu fawned and said, “Empress Mother is thoughtful.”
“Go and ask.” The Empress sighed and said, “If you let His Majesty know, don’t hide it, it’s not an unseemly thing, don’t harm yourself.”
Hong Zhu’s face appeared touched and led the order to go.
After a short while, this newest red man in the palace made a few rounds in the huge palace, and after being patted on the back, he didn’t dare to proudly continue to receive compliments, and hurriedly returned to the Empress’s palace.
He attached himself to the Empress’ ear and whispered something.
Empress slightly frowned, noble full of face hidden worry, sighed: “So it is for the treasury empty thing, this big river embankment repair velvet project, this palace is also known, from the early winter before has been delayed until now, is not because there is no money for the sake of the …… alas, this palace if you can empty hand to change out of silver to , it can also solve the worries of His Majesty, but it’s a pity ……”
Hong Zhu heatedly laughed: “Empress Mother is the mother of the world, where is the need to bother about these things? As for the national treasury, isn’t there Fan Shangshu taking care of the household department?”
The Empress listened to the word household, eyes bright, as if unintentionally asked: “Fan Shangshu long years of management of the Ministry of households, is also considered to be hard work, this treasury is empty …… is the problem of input, he has what method?”
Hongzhu slightly stunned, want to speak and then stop.
Empress look at his look, contemptuous smile, said, “small child family, bias has so many things in mind.”
Hongzhu bluffed a jump, hurriedly kneeled down, said with a bitter face: “I don’t dare, just in the imperial study that …… heard that his majesty had a big tantrum yesterday, said that the Ministry of households to do incompetent, and …… “He lowered his voice and said,” I heard …… that the household department has officials in the deficit, secretly transferring state funds, and the number is also very large, so His Majesty …… was furious.”
The queen’s heart jumped, immediately but the face of the expression covered, smiled and said: “These imperial politics do not say with the Palace, how is His Majesty’s recent mood? What kind of places do you wander around the palace from time to time?”
Bitter Bamboo looked around, know that this is a taboo in the palace, will teeth bite, climbed to the empress side lowered voice said a few words.
The Empress willow eyebrow raised, and then the powerlessness of a soft, lips slightly trembling, cheeks flushed with pallor, cold voice: “Small building …… again small building.”
Waiting for Hong Zhu full of anxiety and fear out of the palace door, hit from the back of the screen flashed out a young man, this young man wearing a light yellow robe, facial lines soft, eyes clear and godly. The one who could wear this kind of clothing in the palace, besides the Emperor and Empress Dowager Empress, was only His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Nowadays, the body of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Qing Guo has been much better than the previous two years to raise, at least the kind of unhealthy white color on his face has faded quite a lot, this is certainly because of the Empress’s strict discipline, does not allow him to use up too much energy in matters of men and women, but also because of the gradual growth in age, facing the chaotic situation, with the step by step advancement of a few of his royal brothers and imperial brothers… …and had no choice but to make a change.
For the Crown Prince, the biggest enemy in the past was naturally the Second Prince, but when the Second Prince was half crippled by Fan Xian’s success, he was shocked to find that Fan Xian, who he had thought to be his biggest booster – was actually also his father’s son, and also the son of his father and that demoness star!
To the Eastern Palace, an unresolvable grudge had long been made with the Ye family, so the one the Crown Prince was most wary of at the moment was, of course, Fan Xian, who was far away in Jiangnan.
We all know each other well, after Fan Xian’s life is revealed, if the crown prince ascends to the throne, Fan Xian must not have a good end, and Fan Xian, if he is in sole control, must …… not allow the crown prince to ascend to the throne!
“Empress Mother, it seems like it’s time to take action on the Ministry of Households.” The Crown Prince, who had earlier been listening to the Empress’ conversation with Hong Zhu from behind the screen, said.
The Empress closed her eyes and thought for a while and said, “Hong Zhu, this eunuch, just how much credibility is there?”
“Seventy percent.”
The Empress smiled and said, “That’s what I think too. Hongzhu was originally in the Imperial Study Room as an errand boy, with your father’s side, soaring to greatness is just around the corner, and now, although transferred to the East Palace, promoted two levels, as the chief eunuch, the authority is far worse than a year ago.”
Prince said, “If it is not Fan Xian will Hong Zhu solicitation of bribes reported to the father …… father will not be angry to Hong Zhu kicked out.”
This matter was known to everyone in the palace, they all knew the story in the imperial study that day, and they all thought that the reason why Hong Zhu had left the imperial study was because he had offended Fan Xian, the Lord of the Supervisory Court’s Tishu.
The Empress sighed and said, “Look at the disposition of His Majesty, he really likes Hong Zhu the little eunuch …… The problem is that this palace is not clear whether this matter is true or false.”
The crown prince pondered and frowned and said, “Hongzhu holds a grudge against Fan Xian should be true, the palace eunuchs and palace maidens have all heard him gnashing his teeth about that matter, as for the father’s side …… even if it is to use Hongzhu to spy on the child, but the child thinks to himself that this half year has not been a line of bad footsteps. ”
The Empress nodded, a smear of killing intent flashed in the phoenix eyes, coldly smiled and said, “As long as the reason for His Majesty’s anger is true …… the Ministry of the Household can be investigated, Fan Jian, this person, can not stay in the Ministry of the Household, otherwise Fan Xian in Jiangnan in charge of the internal treasury, Fan Jian in Kyoto in charge of the national treasury, your future days will be very difficult. ”
The Crown Prince nodded and responded, “My child has always remembered my father’s teachings and only does what my father is willing to do.”
The Empress frowned and said, “I will go to Guangxin Palace later to ask your aunt what she means.”
Suddenly hearing the name of the eldest princess, the crown prince’s eyes flashed with a trace of strange aura, but immediately but extremely well covered it down, hesitantly said, “This time or ask your aunt’s side to step in?”
The Empress shook her head and said with a cold smile, “She’s not a good match …… Besides, now that His Majesty has allowed her to live in the palace, why wouldn’t he have the intention of keeping a close watch on her? People in the deep palace, she wants to contact with those ministers in the court can not be very convenient, your father to do things, although every time seems simple, but in fact, the mind is wonderful ruthless, in this regard, you have to learn more …… alas, your aunt, how do you want to move recently, can be really inconvenient miles.”
The nominal mother of the country sighed, eyes and eyebrows but through a cover not to go gloating flavor, the Princess in the women of the country is too dazzling, has been vaguely obscured the queen’s elegance, how happy to call her? Now her own husband on the younger sister-in-law more and more look bad, although rationally the empress know is not good, but still can not help but feel a hint of pleasure on the sensibility.
That shameless little foxy girl!
“I’m just going to inform her.” The Empress sighed and patted the Crown Prince’s shoulder, “Your aunt’s relationship with Lao Er, you have to bear with it for now, don’t remember what happened in the past. As for this time, the matter of checking the deficit of the Ministry of Accounts, I will find someone to do it …… don’t worry.”
A faint chill welled up between her eyebrows, “Although the mother’s mother’s family has been killed by those heavenly killers, but there are still some people hidden in the dynasty. As for Fan Jian …… he transferred to the treasury so much silver to go to Jiangnan, did he think that he could hide it from the world? Did he think he could hide it from His Majesty? Even if His Majesty loves Fan Xian, he can’t allow this kind of thing to happen under his nose!”
The Crown Prince was slightly shocked, no wonder the deficit in the Ministry of Revenue was so great, so Fan Jian’s guts turned out to be so big! He then realized that his mother and aunt had long ago caught the root of the household department’s sickness, no wonder he was so confident.
The Empress smiled and said: ”After the Ministry of Revenue, the world will be peaceful for a few more days, and Fan Xian won’t be able to bounce around as much as he does today. Come to think of it, in his majesty’s heart, as long as you don’t do anything out of the ordinary, even if you fight with those people, he’ll just pretend he didn’t see it, in the final analysis, you’re the crown prince after all, something that the world knows.”
The Crown Prince sighed, “Throughout the dynasties, perhaps only my son, the Crown Prince, has been the most foolish.”
The Empress laughed coldly, “History doesn’t know how many crown princes lived worse than you before they took the throne! What are you afraid of? As long as you survive until the day you ascend the throne, there will be a time for you to raise your eyebrows.”
She then coldly said, “The reason why the Empress Mother has concluded that His Majesty is still bent on letting you succeed the throne, naturally I have my reasons.”
The crown prince said in trepidation, “But …… although the oldest two collapsed, the oldest three went down to Jiangnan and has been led by Fan Xian.”
This was one of the most discussed things in the palace recently in secret. The third prince was young but went down to Jiangnan to see things along with Lord Chinchilla, named learning, could it be that he wanted to learn how to rule the country? So the third prince’s birth mother, Yi Gui Concubine, became the center of the discussion, but this woman of the Liu family had been silent, reserved and self-contained.
The Empress glared at the Crown Prince and said through clenched teeth, “To be afraid of even a yellow child like this, what kind of talent do you have?”
The crown prince sullenly said, “The son really can t see …… the father has that meaning you said.”
“Not that meaning, not long ago abolished you!” The Empress had some hate for the meaning of steel.
The crown prince smiled bitterly, “Perhaps, father is just looking for an opportunity.”
Empress shook her head, calmly said, “You are wrong, you than those other brothers …… have the biggest one pile of strengths, and you yourself …… always see not understand.”
Prince was surprised and asked, “What strengths?”
The queen’s face calm with a bleak cold, slowly said: “The eldest prince has a background of Eastern Barbarians, the second prince’s birth mother Shu Guifei in the capital is also quite powerful, the third prince’s birth mother Yi Gui concubine from the Liu family, in the capital is more of a large family, and Fan Xian thought to rely on …… all of the prince, only you …… Only we mother and son are alone, without any family power to utilize.”
“After all, His Majesty and I are a couple who have lived together for so many years.” The Empress laughed contemptuously, “Your father is good at everything, is too heavy with suspicion, this Qing State throne to be passed on, he is of course afraid of Li’s imperial power to fall to the relatives …… so picking the successor, he must not accept that the successor stands behind the overly large family forces. ”
“So the oldest two can’t, the oldest three …… even more can’t!” Empress cold gaze like two knives gouge out the crown prince’s heart, “Only you …… His Majesty let that old cripple kill your mother’s lineage of family, one is for that all evil female demon star, on the other hand, why is it not clearing the obstacles for you in the future?”
“Do not be afraid, my child.” She gently stroked the crown prince’s cold cheek and sighed, “If there’s no major problem, no matter how many tricks His Majesty uses, it’s actually pushing you to grow up and be strong; he already picked you many years ago, and he, never doubts his own choices.”
The Empress ate a nervous laugh, “Even if his choice was originally wrong.”
She suddenly looked stern and said through clenched teeth, “So do you hear me? You are able to have the position of the Crown Prince, able to secure the position in the future …… all because your mother’s clan paid more than three thousand lives! Those were your elders, relatives! They all died, and it was only with their blood, their corpses, that they paved this path to the royal carriage for you! So you must endure until the day you succeed!”
A spring breeze floated in the palace, but this spring breeze was so cold, so chilling.
The crown prince can not help but hit a cold shiver, because the empress dowager grandma tube harem tube stern, in fact, he is also the last few years only from his mother’s mouth, know when the Kyoto bloodshed night of the truth, know that their own maternal grandfather pro-uncle all died in that political turmoil.
It turned out …… that his father was trying to get rid of the foreign relatives around himself ……
His heart began to draw tight, simply did not know how he should react, if his mother’s analysis is right, then as long as he shows enough composure, as long as the world in the future does not have any big problems, that dragon chair is still …… his own after all!
The Prince of Qing Guo’s gaze gradually hardened as he looked at his mother and nodded heavily.
Mother and son both seem to have forgotten the sentence that was once said in the middle of the conversation – the prerequisite for the crown prince to succeed to the throne is that no big problems – and everyone in the world knows that whether it is Chen Pingping or Lord Fan Jr. is the most adept at the shady and ruthless character who finds big problems from no problems.
The palace and the dynasty is actually a two-person existence, through the emperor this can not be ignored corner, the two power field is perfectly harmonized together. Courtiers want to flatter the emperor, we have to flatter the nobles in the palace, the nobles in the palace to extend their hands outside the palace, but also need to use the outside courtiers to do things for themselves.
This is how the so-called interest groups come about.
Therefore, when the Emperor lost his temper in the Imperial Study Room over the deficit of the Ministry of Revenue, through countless ways, the entire officialdom began to move. The highest tenet of being an official is that what His Majesty doesn’t like, the official must hurry to follow, even if the person standing opposite the Emperor is a legendary character of the grade of the Imperial Master, the officials still have to be courageous and not be willing to be left behind.
Because there is the emperor’s mood as an indicator, this kind of thing can never be wrong.
But this time the news in the palace and the reaction of the court, obviously there is a time difference, the officials are more calm and cautious than usual.
For one thing, because, to check the deficit of the Ministry of households, must inevitably involve the Ministry of households, Fan Jian, and everyone knows, Fan Jian, this person is very old, not to mention, and with the Prince of King Jing’s relationship is irreversible, and His Majesty has a few points of the milk brother’s love, the officials do not know the emperor to Fan Jian in the end, what love still exists.
The second reason for the officials to be careful is very simple – because Fan Jian’s son surnamed Fan Xian word Anzhi, is the Supervisory Yuan, now the line of Jiangnan Road full authority of the Lord.
Although everyone knows in their hearts that Fan Xian is the emperor’s illegitimate son, …… everyone is also clear that Fan Xian’s loyalty and filial piety is famous throughout the entire country of Qing, and I don’t know how many stories are circulating in the folklore, such as the death of his father in the palace, and the annual meeting to fight to the death to be admitted to the Fan’s ancestral hall… …
If it was investigated into Fan Shangshu’s head, no one knew how Fan Xian would react. The officials only knew that the second prince had once thought of taking advantage of the second young master of the Fan House …… as a result, he had angered Fan Xian, and had been used by Fan Xian to make countless vicious and underhanded moves, arrogantly and incomparably beating the second prince, who had already hidden himself into a great power, head to head, collapsing, and in a state of disarray.
In the end, Fan Xian managed to beat the second prince to house arrest and returned to his home …… This brilliant result is enough to deter the vast majority of officials who want to speculate politically.
This little Lord Fan didn’t even care about the Second Prince, let alone his own officials.
But the pressure from the palace is getting stronger and stronger, and the news from all sides also confirms that His Majesty does have the intention to take the Ministry of Households, and the real source of His Majesty’s unhappiness these days is precisely in the Ministry of Households. So, the stupid officials finally suppressed their temperament and began to go home to write a letter.
Among these officials, there were those who were sincere for the country and hoped that the court would withdraw the investigation of the deficit of the Ministry of Revenue, and there were also those who had been authorized by the nobles in the palace to use this matter to bring down the Fan family and play the trick of hitting the bull across the mountain, so that Fan Xian, who was far away from the south of the Yangtze River, would lose his reputation, but there were more of them, or they were still the political speculators who had been speculating about the holy will of the Emperor in order to rise up the ladder of power for a long period of time.
All in all, for many different reasons, the officials in Kyoto had a rare opportunity to unify their opinions and demanded that the court thoroughly investigate the rumored shortfall in the Ministry of Revenue, to give the people of the world an explanation, and to give His Majesty an explanation.