HLnovel Chapter 146 Little Fox Spirit
Chapter 146 Little Fox Spirit
"Minister Gu cherishes talent; he is truly a pillar of my state," Emperor Cheng praised, then asked, "What was the cause of the dispute?"
"When students get together, they inevitably have lively discussions, ranging from national affairs to poetry and literature. This time, they got into a dispute over the rhyme scheme of the opera lyrics. It's not a big crime, but it doesn't have a good impact."
"Is that so? It's understandable that young people are impetuous. In that case, punish those whose crimes are particularly egregious, and let the accomplices be released as a mercy," Emperor Cheng said.
"Your Majesty's decision is wise. I will certainly convey Your Majesty's grace and encourage them to become talented in order to repay Your Majesty's kindness," Gu Chang'an replied.
Emperor Cheng laughed a few times, his expression full of pride. He looked out at the boundless river and farmland, immersed in the beauty of nature, and also immersed in the pinnacle of power.
"Gu Qing, you just said that those scholars often talk at length about state affairs?" Emperor Cheng quickly recalled and asked, "Do you know what they talk about?"
"They're just bookish types; they can talk about anything, but most of it is just empty talk. Your Majesty doesn't need to worry about it," Gu Chang'an said nonchalantly.
"I was just having a casual chat with you. What do they all think about the struggle between the Crown Prince and Prince Yi in the court?" Emperor Cheng asked with a smile.
Gu Chang'an was now in a dilemma: "Your Majesty, I..."
"It's just idle talk, feel free to say it," Emperor Cheng reassured him.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I have rarely heard anyone mention Prince Yi. They only say that His Highness the Crown Prince is kind, gentle, respectful to scholars, and open to advice. He is a rare and benevolent heir."
Gu Chang'an added, "His Highness is very popular among the students."
He spoke casually, but Emperor Cheng's expression changed as he listened. As Gu Chang'an said, what did these students know? They must have been led astray.
This world belongs to him; is it his place, Li Heng, to treat scholars with courtesy and respect?
Gu Chang'an pretended not to notice the change in the emperor's expression, but after a moment of silence, he suddenly felt the fishing rod in his hand tremble.
A fish has taken the bait.
After Emperor Cheng boarded the imperial carriage, his expression remained unfriendly. When he set up camp that evening, he summoned Zhao Jing to his tent.
"Has the Crown Prince been in contact with any students from the capital recently?" he asked.
The Flying Fish Guard oversees all officials, with the Crown Prince naturally being the first to be monitored. Zhao Jing immediately said, "In recent days, the Crown Prince has been visiting Minister Shen's residence whenever he leaves the palace. Minister Shen is one of the examiners for this year's imperial examination, and students often visit him in groups."
"You mean Shen Zizai also mingled with the students?" Emperor Cheng's tone became more serious.
It has been common for candidates to pay respects to examiners since ancient times, and Emperor Cheng was confident that Shen Zizai would not seek personal gain. But now it seems that this is not the case.
"Minister Shen usually doesn't meet these students in person. His Highness will certainly chat with them humbly when he does, but it's all just small talk," Zhao Jing continued.
Emperor Cheng was relieved about Shen Zizai, but he became even more dissatisfied with Li Heng, who was recruiting students for the imperial examinations, not those of the crown prince.
If this trend continues, the civil officials will only become more inclined to support the crown prince, and no one will take the emperor seriously anymore.
No wonder Li Heng has been submitting memorials lately saying he wants to preside over the imperial examinations; he's trying to win over so many people!
"You've done a great job lately, both in terms of the cases assigned to you and the intelligence work, especially the timely intelligence from the border."
Emperor Cheng said to Zhao Jing, "I will reward you. Do a good job."
"I am entirely dependent on Your Majesty's trust, and I will certainly do my utmost to fulfill it," Zhao Jing said excitedly.
He had been sidelined for several years, but he never expected to have a chance to turn things around. It was indeed different after listening to Lord Gu's guidance. In the future, he would still have to follow Lord Gu's lead.
"You may leave now. Keep a close eye on the Crown Prince and the Eastern Palace. Report any unusual activity to me immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
"Mother, the matter of taking a concubine cannot be delayed any longer. You must bring it up with Father as soon as possible," Li Heng said urgently when he arrived at the Empress's tent that evening.
After missing out on Lin Wan'er, he immediately found Shen Yue as a suitable candidate, and only the Shen family could counterbalance the Zhou family.
The Zhou family is currently in the wrong because of Lin Wan'er's matter, so they won't make any further moves. This is the most opportune time.
"Your mother understands. I will sound out your father's intentions, and you just need to focus on securing the position of presiding over the imperial examinations this time," Empress Ning instructed.
Only in this way can we establish authority and make it clear to the world who is the unstoppable rightful heir.
"It seems Father Emperor doesn't intend for me to preside over the hunt. Perhaps if I win first place in this hunt, I'll have a chance," Li Heng thought to himself.
No one else dared to compete with him; his only rival was the King of Chess.
"You've never been serious about archery, so it won't be easy for you to beat him."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will find a way." Li Heng bowed and said, "I take my leave."
After he left, Empress Ning went to the emperor's tent for a meal. During the meal, she subtly suggested that the crown prince did not yet have a principal wife, and that his concubine had not conceived in the two years since entering the palace. She suggested that a woman from a respectable family should be selected to enter the palace as a concubine.
"To prevent the maternal relatives from causing trouble, our dynasty has a tradition of selecting women from the common people to enter the palace as concubines. In that case, I will order the Ministry of Rites to conduct a grand selection among the common people and choose suitable women to enter the palace." Emperor Cheng said in a low voice.
Originally, he simply disliked Li Heng's hypocritical and ruthless behavior, which lacked the decisiveness of an emperor. However, Li Heng's large-scale recruitment of court officials has made him wary.
How could he not understand what the Empress meant when she mentioned Shen Yue as being of marriageable age during the day, and then said at night that the Crown Prince should marry a principal wife?
However, the Shen family, which was in charge of the imperial examinations, had countless disciples. If Shen Zizai hadn't avoided forming factions, his influence might have surpassed that of the Grand Secretary.
The Crown Prince has already married a woman from the Zhou family, so he absolutely cannot marry a woman from the Shen family.
"Your Majesty, I am not as well-educated and reasonable as the daughters of officials. Why don't you choose a suitable person for marriage, thus saving the expense of selecting a concubine?" Empress Ning naturally could not agree to this decision.
Emperor Cheng looked coolly at the dignified empress before him, his tone indifferent: "Isn't the empress just a commoner? Is there something wrong with that?"
"Your Majesty..." Empress Ning was a little flustered, but after a moment she reacted immediately: "It is up to Your Majesty to decide."
She wasn't at a loss for words, but rather she sensed the emperor's bad mood and knew that continuing the conversation would only backfire.
Emperor Cheng was somewhat satisfied and said, without revealing his emotions, "Let's have our meal."
When Empress Ning came out of the tent, she called over a young eunuch and asked, "Who was here just now?"
"Your Majesty, it was Commander Zhao of the Flying Fish Guards at first, and then Consort Zheng came to deliver a bowl of soup," the young eunuch replied.
Empress Ning narrowed her eyes slightly. Both of them might be related, but she suspected Consort Zheng the most. This woman was the best at whispering in someone's ear.
If it weren't for her, the Prince of Yi wouldn't be so favored by His Majesty.
That vixen!