Chapter 9 The Emperor’s Attitude (1)

Today, the seventh prince, King Xiang, has made great achievements in controlling floods in Anzhou, and is deeply admired by the people. The people are grateful and grateful. On the way back to Beijing from Anzhou, people from various counties came to welcome him after hearing the news.

It was rumored that Princess Xiang, who risked her life against the sky and saved the lives of tens of thousands of residents by evacuating Xiancheng day and night, was even more popular. Everyone said that she was like a god coming to the world, or a Bodhisattva appeared, which aroused the excitement of all the people. What's more, some people who had no chance to come to the city to see the princess's face actually took incense and paid homage from afar, praying to Princess Xiang for her family's safety and eternal peace.

Rumors like this are pouring into the palace every day——

In recent days, there have been turmoils inside and outside the court, hidden changes, and everyone is waiting for the Sacred Heart to express its stance. After all, Zhao Quan's case is not far away, and it affects the whole body. Like Zuo Cheng, his power collapsed overnight. How can we be careless?

Prince Xiang's biological mother, Concubine Min, has been keeping a low profile recently for fear of accidentally offending Long Yan and ruining her son's future. Prince Xiang's uncle, Youcheng Qin Shilian, even claimed to be ill and refused to go to court, so as to prevent the emperor from opening fire on him when he saw him.

But even so, the people outside still didn't care, and lined up on the official road leading to the capital to welcome King Xiang and his party, which was even more lively than the emperor's patrol.

"This is really unreasonable!"

In the Xuanzheng Hall, Emperor Lexi slapped his big hand on the dragon throne, which shocked several highly respected officials and elders present to frown and not dare to speak nonsense.

Lin Kai, the Secretary of the Ministry of War, was silent for a while before saying: "Previously, Zhao Quan, the national advisor who deceived the emperor and disturbed the imperial court, was executed. Now, another concubine who is playing tricks on the emperor and was worshiped as a bodhisattva came to the world. Your Majesty, this matter must be dealt with carefully."

Dong Qian, the Minister of Civil Affairs, also agreed: "Yes, Your Majesty, if such rumors continue, then the people will believe in Princess Xiang and treat Princess Xiang as if she were a god. Then where will your Majesty's prestige and merit be placed?"

It is already an offense for one person's reputation to be higher than that of the current saints. What's more, if the people are to give the names of gods and Buddhas one after another and worship them with the same respect as gods and Buddhas?Isn’t it time for someone else to sit in this world?

They, the old ministers, all figured this out. How could the superior emperor not understand this?

Originally, this time King Xiang went to Anzhou to control the flood and saved tens of thousands of people, which was a great achievement. However, the emperor has not rewarded him for his merits. Isn't it because he was afraid of King Xiang's growing prestige?

But fear comes from fear. If the emperor does not reward those who have meritorious deeds, it will not only make the ministers feel cold, but also make the people criticize. Therefore, no matter how unhappy it is, the reward is still rewarded, but if there is a fault... you will also be punished. Once the merit is paid, it will become in vain.

The emperor's brother Yongping Wang Lexheng stepped forward and bowed: "Your Majesty, after many days of verification by my brother, if Princess Xiang had not bet her life to make these people move away immediately, this heavy rain in Anzhou would have killed or injured tens of thousands or even more people."Although Princess Xiang's move was a bit shocking, her purpose was to protect the lives of tens of thousands of people, and she really saved the people of Xiancheng from the flood. It is normal for the people to be grateful to her for her actions that day."

"You mean I have a small spirit?"

"My brother, I don't mean that. I just want your majesty to take a step back and think. Rather than saying that the people regard her as a god or a Buddha, it is better to say that the people appreciate her bodhisattva heart. After all, not everyone is willing to sacrifice their own lives in exchange for everyone's peace. Your majesty, soThe kind-hearted princess is your majesty’s daughter-in-law, and her merits and blessings also come from your majesty. Your majesty should not only reward you, but also reward her generously.In this way, the people of the world will be more grateful for your majesty’s kindness and know that your majesty’s protection is due to your majesty.”

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wei Que, the general of the auxiliary state, also stepped forward to agree, "King Xiang and Princess Xiang were ordered by Your Majesty to go to Anzhou to control the floods. They did their best to protect the lives of the people of Anzhou for Your Majesty, and received heavy rewards, because whether it was King Xiang or Princess Xiang, everything they did was to fulfill His Majesty's wish to love the people like his own children."

There is some truth in what he said...

He is the king, and all the achievements of his ministers, including the prince, are not due to him?

Lexi's anger finally dissipated due to Lexi and Wei Que's words, and the depression that had been stuck in her chest for several days also faded away.

Perhaps it was because he was particularly afraid of Zhu Yanwu, a daughter who was "born with a phoenix life". As soon as this woman was involved, he would involuntarily magnify the incident dozens of times, and unknowingly fall into his own confusion...

"What you two dear ladies are saying is true, but I am confused."

"Your Majesty has to be on guard!" Seeing that the emperor was actually persuaded, Lin Kai couldn't help but said anxiously: "Didn't the prince just gain some popular support and seek the throne..."

"Lord Lin, be careful what you say!" Le Sheng frowned and glanced at him coldly, "Back then, what the Crown Prince saved was not the support of the people, but the Holy Will, His Majesty's love and care. But he didn't know how to cherish it, and that's why he tried to force him into the palace."

Wei Que also frowned, "Mr. Lin, are you not willing to see King Xiang grant a reward? Are you also unhappy that King Xiang has succeeded in controlling the floods in Anzhou this time? Has he done a good job in protecting the people? How can he associate King Xiang, who is gentle, elegant, knowledgeable and respectful of books and etiquette, with the former prince who forced the palace to rebel?"

Hearing this, Lin Kai said angrily: "What did General Wei say? I have no grievances with Prince Xiang, so how can I not see him well? I just worry a little more for Your Majesty and remind Your Majesty, but General Wei has selfish motives for saying good things for Prince Xiang again and again, right?"

"What selfish motives does this general have?"

Lin Kai chuckled, "General Wei has sent his biological daughter to Anzhou, isn't it because he wants to marry Prince Xiang? Isn't it true? General Wei dares to say that you have no intention of choosing Prince Xiang as your son-in-law?"

Wei Yan's face darkened and he said displeasedly: "What nonsense did Lord Lin say? My family knows that Lan went to Anzhou just under His Majesty's orders. Now Lord Lin is blaming Your Majesty?"

What?Lin Kai was stunned.The eldest lady of the Wei family went to Anzhou on the orders of the Holy Emperor?

What does your Majesty mean by this move?Could it be that His Majesty wants Wei Zhilan to be his daughter-in-law?Otherwise, what would Baba want people to do in Anzhou?She is still newly married, so eager to get married?This is so weird.

Hearing Wei Que suddenly pull him out, Lexi couldn't help covering her mouth and coughing a few times, "Although Miss Wei is a female, she was raised in the army. With the care and consideration of a girl's family, she can also protect those who need protection when necessary. What's more, Miss Wei and Prince Xiang know each other since they were young, so I arranged for her to go to Anzhou to help. Mr. Lin, do you have any opinions?"

"I don't dare." Lin Kai lowered his head as low as possible.

However, the words of the emperor and his ministers made all the ministers present frown, each with their own thoughts, and some calculations in their hearts. Among them, Qi Zhiyuan, the imperial censor, was the winner. This man who originally planned to marry his daughter Qi Ruoyu to Prince Ping as his concubine, but had Zhu Yanwu suddenly appear and disrupt the whole plan, really felt all kinds of feelings in his heart at this moment.

People say that the final decision will be made when the coffin is sealed.A person's right and wrong cannot be determined until after death.

And in the house of the emperor, how can it be easily determined between right and wrong?It’s just about the winner.

The chess game in the court has come to this point, whether to defend or attack, it’s time to make a decision...

It was said to be a big reward, but I didn't expect it to be a big reward.

For their work in controlling floods, the emperor gave King Xiang and Princess Xiang one hundred thousand taels of gold, ten thousand pieces of silk, ten thousand acres of farmland, and three thousand households in Luozhou. He also gave Princess Xiang a gold medal for immunity from death. Among them, the gold medal for immunity from death was the most surprising.

There are different opinions. They all say that Princess Xiang gambled her life to make the people move away, so the emperor specially gave Princess Xiang a gold medal to avoid death to commend her courage. Some say that the emperor was worried that Princess Xiang's loyal temperament would one day play a game of gambling with heaven, so in order to save her life, he specially gave her a gold medal to avoid death.

In any case, this time the emperor really rewarded Prince Xiang and his wife greatly. This was a fact that could be seen by everyone in the government and the people of the entire Dongxu Dynasty. The emperor's generous reward made everyone in Prince Xiang's palace, who had been silent for more than half a month for fear of accidentally stroking the tiger's beard, rejoice. After Prince Xiang and his entourage returned to the capital, there was an endless stream of officials who came to deliver messages of congratulations.

Such a result was beyond Zhu Yanwu's expectation. She held the death-free gold medal in her hand and thought about it over and over again, but she couldn't figure out the emperor's thoughts.