frightfiction Chapter 1404: A person who is greedy for money and has no bottom line (187 million reward value)
Chapter 1404: A person who is greedy for money and has no bottom line (187 million reward value)
"Behind the scenes...he's a man obsessed with money."
"As long as he's paid enough, he'll 'give people the right path.' He's even done some shady things for money to ward off disaster."
"It's just that his hands are clean and he has never been exposed."
Shen Zhinian listened quietly. Her charming fox eyes held no trace of surprise, only understanding. "Everyone in the world believes in Buddhism, especially in royal temples like Fatu Temple, which are extremely popular. The monks' words and deeds are almost like oracles in the eyes of believers."
At this point, her voice was filled with a hint of sarcasm: "Even if Master Huichen's words cannot be completely believed, they are enough to make people weigh them in their hearts and take them very seriously."
Handan couldn't help but take a deep breath, a look of disbelief on her face: "Master Huichen is Master Xingchen's junior fellow apprentice!"
"What kind of person is Master Xingchen? He is a man of high moral character, respected by all. How could his junior fellow apprentice be...how could he be such a person?"
Her words expressed the doubts in the minds of many people in the hall.
The name of Master Xingchen was as bright as the moon in the sky. Throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty, whether royal nobles or common people, he was regarded as a holy monk who could not be desecrated.
It is really shocking that the holy monk’s junior fellow has such a character!
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhinian was silent for a moment.
Light and shadow flowed across her profile, casting a faint shadow.
It's not just Handan and the others.
In her previous life, before Shen Zhinian heard about those things that subverted her cognition, Master Xingchen was an existence above the clouds to her.
If it weren't for the memory of his rebirth, how could Shen Zhinian dare to believe that the holy monk who was revered as a god would eventually do something so shocking and disgraceful as having an affair with a concubine in the harem.
She understands more deeply than anyone else the subtleties of human nature and the vanity of status and fame.
Shen Zhinian suppressed the past that was churning in his mind and brought his thoughts back to the present: "People's hearts are hidden, and reputation and character are not always the same."
"What's most important right now is this Master Huichen."
"Using him as a mouthpiece, he expressed the resentment of the cold palace and the threat it posed to the heir to the throne. Then, he took advantage of the situation and proposed pardoning the guilty woman, hoping for good fortune and happiness... What a brilliant tactic!"
"He maintains a superficial benevolence while also achieving his ulterior motives. He holds the gods and Buddhas in his hands, manipulating people's hearts without being noticed..."
"The person behind this is well aware of this!"
In this way, the role played by Concubine Kang in this matter becomes clearer.
Even if he is not the mastermind, he must be an insider and a promoter.
Shen Zhinian looked at Fuqiu and asked the key question: "Can you find out if anyone from Chuxiu Palace has had any contact with Fatu Temple recently?"
Fuqiu shook her head, her expression somewhat solemn. "Your Majesty, our people outside the palace have thoroughly investigated, and this clue... seems to have been deliberately erased by someone. It's very clean."
"They found no concrete evidence of any contact between Concubine Kang and Master Huichen."
This result was within Shen Zhinian's expectations.
She hummed softly, her eyes full of understanding.
As expected, Concubine Kang must have reached some unknown deal with Baharguli.
With the power that Prince Jin has built up over the years, it would be extremely easy for him to erase all traces of the interactions between Chuxiu Palace and Huichen without anyone noticing.
It's like wiping away a speck of dust on a table, leaving no solid evidence.
This also explains why the people Shen Zhinian sent outside the palace could not find any trace of the connection between Concubine Kang and Huichen.
It's not that it doesn't exist, but it was dealt with cleanly and efficiently.
As for what Concubine Kang wanted, and what leverage Baharguli had on her, it was still a mystery...
Concubine Kang's action is tantamount to seeking the skin of a tiger.
I just don’t know whether she will be able to profit from it in the end, or will she be devoured skin and bones by the tiger in the dark?
Handan looked at Fuqiu, then at the pensive Shen Zhinian, and couldn't help asking, "Your Majesty, now that we know that Concubine Kang may have been secretly involved with Master Huichen, what should we do next?"
Shen Zhinian raised his eyes, his gaze was cold, as if immersed in a cold pond.
She has never been a compassionate saint, nor is she someone who likes to meddle in other people's affairs.
The Prince of Jin harbored evil intentions and plotted against the government. Both he and Baharguli would eventually face certain death.
How good can the fate of those who are involved with such traitors be?
If it were in the past, Shen Zhinian would have advised Concubine Kang against this, or even tried to help her, out of some old friendship, to prevent Concubine Kang from making a mistake and being doomed.
But... if we have different ideals, we cannot work together.
Concubine Kang chose to embark on this wrong path and go against her. Why should she waste her time and energy to save someone who is willing to sink?
What's more, this matter involves a lot of things. If you intervene rashly, you may end up getting into trouble and causing the emperor's suspicion.
Shen Zhinian would not do such a thing that would not be worth the loss.
She said calmly, "Let Concubine Kang go."
"Everyone has their own destiny and must be responsible for their own choices."
Concubine Kang chose her own path, so naturally she has to bear the consequences herself.
Shen Zhinian only needs to watch calmly and make sure that the fire does not burn her and Axu.
As for whether Concubine Kang is dead or alive, what does it have to do with her?
Handan nodded: "Your Majesty is right. In the deep palace, self-preservation is the most important thing."
"Empress Kang chose that path herself, how can others stop her?
Fuqiu frowned slightly, obviously thinking further.
She pondered for a moment, her voice tinged with cautious concern. "Your Highness, Master Huichen is a man obsessed with money and has no moral compass. Today, he's trying to help Baharguli escape her predicament by fabricating a story of grievance for the sake of money."
"If someone can afford a higher price someday, there's no guarantee he won't resort to the same old tactics again, targeting you, Your Majesty, or His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince..."
"This person will always be a hidden danger if he stays in this world."
Having said that, Fuqiu looked up at Shen Zhinian and asked tentatively, "Since we already have evidence of his corruption, why don't we find a suitable opportunity to expose his true face to the public, ruin his reputation, and bring him down from the altar?"
"In this way, Master Huichen will no longer be able to rely on his status as a high-ranking monk to frame others, and he will no longer pose a threat to the Empress."
Shen Zhinian listened quietly.
How could she not know Fuqiu's concerns?
Huichen is like a poisonous snake lurking in the dark, and you never know when it will bite you.
Shen Zhinian slowly raised his eyes, but instead of the murderous decisiveness that Fuqiu had expected, they held a deep, unfathomable gloom. "Publicly announce it?"
She repeated it softly, a hint of a smile on her lips: "And then?"
"Do you think that with just the evidence we have, we can easily bring down a high-ranking monk who has been operating in Fatu Temple for many years and has countless followers?"