frightfiction Chapter 1328: Your Majesty has been feeling quite depressed these days
Chapter 1328: Your Majesty has been feeling quite depressed these days
"We need to be more calm and focused, and work hard."
"The old methods of befriending powerful officials and cultivating a large number of followers are too conspicuous and can no longer be used."
His eyes flashed with shrewd calculation: "Now we need to form a secret alliance, avoid the sharp edge, and moisten things silently."
Concubine Qi asked respectfully, "What does your Highness mean?"
The Prince of Jin advised, "Look further ahead. Don't try to cling to those senior ministers who are currently in power. Instead, pay more attention to the capable officials who are in key departments but are not getting their due."
"For example, those officials in the Censorate who are not of high rank but have the power to report rumors and matters."
"Or perhaps there are capable generals who defend local areas but have no chance of advancement."
"And then there are those marginal figures in the royal family who are far from the center of power, who are resentful or in dire straits."
"Privately, find out their difficulties and choose the right time to help them in an 'unexpected' way."
The King of Jin's smile deepened. "Either redressing their long-standing grievances that no one cared about, or providing their children with a seemingly accidental opportunity for promotion..."
“Only when you do good without expecting anything in return can you truly gain your heart.”
"But on the surface..."
The Prince of Jin's tone suddenly darkened, and he emphasized, "This prince and you must maintain a distance from all factions. We will remain the idle prince who only cares about romance and leisure, and is gentle and inactive."
"We must never give anyone any excuse to form a clique for personal gain."
Everyone responded in unison: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, we understand!"
Prince Jin nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Concubine Qi, and said in a softer tone, "There are some officials whom I cannot personally contact, so I'll have to trouble you."
"Spend more time with their wives, enjoy the flowers, listen to music, and chat about family matters."
"Although you are a concubine, you are a legitimate lady of the royal family, with a noble status, not comparable to ordinary concubines. When you go out and socialize, no one dares to look down on you."
Concubine Qi's eyes gleamed with confidence. She stood up and bowed gracefully: "I understand. I will definitely take care of these matters for His Majesty."
……
Fatu Temple, Ascetic Cave.
It's cold, damp and dark here.
There was only a dim oil lamp on the stone wall, casting a faint, swaying light, barely illuminating the small area.
Liu Shixiu sat slumped on the cold stone ground, with thick black iron chains firmly binding his limbs and neck, and the other end deeply embedded in the stone wall behind him, leaving him with a range of less than three steps.
His dirty prison uniform had been replaced with a rough gray monk's robe, and the newly burned scars on his scalp still ached slightly.
Liu Shixiu originally thought that he was doomed to die.
The inhuman torture in the sky prison and the emperor's cold murderous intent had long since cut off all his desire to live.
But I never expected that it would end up like this.
He survived, even though he was trapped in a hardship cave that was not much better than the Heavenly Prison, but he survived after all.
The person who saved him was Master Xingchen, who was revered as a god in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Could it be... that the Liu family's ancestors who followed Taizu in his campaigns all over the world and made great contributions have protected him in the dark?
There were extremely light footsteps coming from outside the cave.
A figure walked in against the faint light coming through the cave entrance and stopped silently in front of Liu Shixiu.
He raised his head with difficulty, and what came into view was a spotless white monk's robe and a face that was so handsome that it seemed to have gathered all the spiritual energy in the world.
Master Xingchen just stood there quietly, his eyes fixed on Liu Shixiu calmly, without sadness or joy, hatred or disgust.
It was as if he was not looking at a person, but a stone in the mountains, a wild grass beside the cave.
Liu Shixiu licked his cracked lips and asked the biggest question in his heart in a hoarse voice: "Why...why? Why did you save me?"
He never believed that there was any kindness in the world without reason, especially from such a holy monk of such a transcendent status.
Master Xingchen's gaze remained calm, his voice clear and ethereal, echoing in the narrow cave without a trace of emotion: "Amitabha!"
"Everything in this world is predestined. It's not that I saved you, but it's God's will, leaving you a glimmer of hope."
He didn't bother to look at the astonishment and confusion on Liu Shixiu's face. It was as if he was simply stating a simple fact: "In the future, you will reflect on your sins here, cleanse your soul, and reform yourself."
After he finished speaking, Master Xingchen didn't say another word. Without even waiting for Liu Shixiu's response, he turned around and left as quietly as he had come.
The white sleeves flashed in the dim light and quickly disappeared at the entrance of the cave, as if they had never appeared.
The cave of hard training returned to dead silence, with only the heavy, suppressed breathing of Liu Shixiu being heard.
He stared at the light at the cave entrance that had disappeared, and the initial confusion in his eyes was gradually replaced by a burning unwillingness!
God's will? Life?
Hahaha!
He knew it! He knew it!
Liu Shixiu's life should not end! The Liu family's luck has not yet ended!
Since God has spared his life, it proves that he still has a mission to fulfill!
Today's predicament is nothing more than a testament to our suffering. As long as he is alive and breathing, the Liu family will one day rise again and annihilate their enemies with blood!
……
The inner hall of Yongshou Palace.
On the ground covered with a thick velvet carpet, the Fourth Prince was staggering after a brightly colored cloth hydrangea, giggling happily.
Shen Zhinian took off her usual stately attire and wore only a casual light green skirt and coat. Her dark hair was tied up loosely. She looked at the Fourth Prince with a smile, and gave him a few words of encouragement in a soft voice from time to time.
At this time, Yuanbao came in briskly, but he did not smile and praise the Fourth Prince as usual. Instead, he hesitated with a hint of wanting to say something.
Shen Zhinian raised his eyes and glanced at him, then understood and waved to the wet nurse.
The wet nurse understood and quickly stepped forward to pick up the fourth prince who was having fun, coaxing him gently and taking him to the side hall.
Shen Zhinian picked up the warm tea beside him, took a sip, and said calmly: "What's the matter?"
Yuan Bao then stepped forward and lowered his voice to report, "Your Majesty, I just ran into Xiao Huizi. From what he said, it seems that Your Majesty has been in a rather unhappy mood these past few days. He hasn't even been able to enjoy the imperial meals."
"No wonder she never entered the harem."
Shen Zhinian put down the teacup, his eyes flickering slightly: "Do you know what this is about?"
Yuanbao lowered his voice even more: "Little Huizi is tight-lipped, but I have a good relationship with him, so I asked him indirectly for some information."
"It seems... it's related to the war with the Xiongnu in the north. Your Majesty seems to be worried about food and military pay."
He paused, a trace of panic on his face, but he continued, "Please forgive my disrespect, Your Majesty..."
"During the reign of the previous emperor, he was quite fond of… quite fond of large-scale construction projects, and of touring the south and hunting expeditions in the north, spending enormous sums. As a result, when Your Majesty ascended the throne, the national treasury was already… not very abundant."