met free Chapter 374 Shen Zizai's Fury
Chapter 374 Shen Zizai's Fury
Chapter 374 Shen Zizai's Fury
The imperial decree of marriage spread throughout the capital almost immediately. Shen Zizai heard the news as soon as he entered the cabinet, and his face immediately darkened. He walked out without taking a seat.
He met Emperor Cheng in the alchemy room. Emperor Cheng had just taken a pill and was sitting on his throne in the hall, wearing a Taoist robe and with his eyes slightly narrowed. When he saw Shen Zizai, he said naturally, "Take this one back with you. It is a divine pill that prolongs life. I would not be willing to part with it for anyone else."
"Your Majesty," Shen Zizai said, ignoring his words, his expression solemn and his voice even more serious, "I have come to inquire about the meaning of today's imperial decree granting us marriage."
"Is Minister Shen here to interrogate me?" Emperor Cheng asked jokingly.
"Your Majesty, I dare not. I just don't understand. Your Majesty knows that my daughter and Chang'an are in love. What is the deeper meaning behind your actions?" Shen Zizai remained extremely serious, with an aloof and cold demeanor.
If it weren't for the duty of a subject, he probably would have turned against him long ago. Even an emperor shouldn't be so unkind.
"I know you old man dote on your daughter. I watched Xiao Li'er grow up, and I would never bear to see her suffer," Emperor Cheng comforted him, then said, "Sit down and talk."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, but I am not tired," Shen Zizai declined.
Emperor Cheng sighed: "You stubborn old codger, well then I'll tell you the truth."
Shen Zizai didn't speak, he just listened.
"I didn't agree to this at first, but that girl Yanran was determined to marry Gu Chang'an. She was making a scene at home, and the Imperial Concubine came to beg me. I couldn't just stand by and watch her die."
Shen Zizai remained silent. In his more than twenty years as an official, he had never done anything out of line. Even if the emperor was wrong or he was wronged, he would only regard it as a test and training for himself. He had never been dissatisfied or wanted to seek personal gain.
But he had it now, and it was written all over his face.
He doesn't care what he suffers, but he can't accept being treated like this for his daughter!
"I have no choice but to do this. As you can see from the current situation, there are countless people who advocate deposing the Empress. If I don't give in, I'm afraid the Empress's position will really be lost." Emperor Cheng continued to sigh.
Shen Zizai remained silent, but his hand clenched into a fist in his sleeve. For the first time in his life, he wished that it was a real fist, not just his hands.
"Although I am a few years older than you, we grew up together since childhood, so there are some things I will not hide from you."
Emperor Cheng dismissed his attendants and spoke in a gentle, sincere voice: "I know that the matter of deposing the Crown Prince has disappointed you, but I have never thought of disrupting the ancestral laws, nor will I depose the legitimate heir and establish an illegitimate one, thus destroying the orthodox lineage."
Shen Zizai raised his head and looked directly at Emperor Cheng. He never thought that the emperor would speak his mind, nor did he expect that he had such thoughts.
"You have also seen Li Heng's abilities and character. Is he truly worthy of inheriting the throne?" Emperor Cheng asked rhetorically.
Shen Zizai fell silent. Before Li Heng rebelled, he thought that although Li Heng was mediocre, he was kind and listened to the opinions of civil officials. Even if he was not outstanding, he would not make mistakes.
However, Li Heng's rebellion made Shen Zizai realize that he was not only incompetent but also cruel. Knowing that the rebellion was extremely difficult to succeed, he still caused chaos in the world. Even now, the rebels have not been completely killed, and the cities that have been ravaged have not yet recovered their livelihoods.
This person is both foolish and malicious.
He is indeed unworthy to be a ruler.
He shook his head.
"Deposing the Crown Prince was a last resort, but I never expected that it would allow Chen'er's power to grow so great. Now I have no good way to deal with him, and I have no choice but to back down if I want to protect the Empress." Emperor Cheng looked at him: "Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Shen Zizai neither nodded nor shook his head.
He understood, but he also didn't want to sacrifice his daughter.
Emperor Cheng remained silent, waiting for him to make his statement.
"Is Your Majesty willing to rescind your decree?" Shen Zizai asked. "I promised you that I would do everything in my power to protect your position as Empress, even at the cost of my life."
If the Grand Secretary were to remonstrate with the Emperor to the death in court, Prince Yi would likely be condemned by scholars throughout the land, and history would surely record his name. At that point, let alone inheriting the throne, he would even have difficulty saving his own life.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Cheng sighed, looking troubled: "Once the imperial decree has been issued, there is no reason to immediately withdraw it. Fortunately, there is still some time before the wedding. Let me think of a solution."
Shen Zizai did not want this outcome, but the emperor had already conceded, and he could not push his luck any further.
So he could only swallow his immense grievances, bowed to Emperor Cheng, and left without saying a word.
Emperor Cheng looked at Shen Zi's still straight back with a complicated expression.
He knew his old friend best, and he realized he had probably really hurt his childhood friend's feelings this time.
If a ruler is not ruthless, his power will probably have been taken away countless times. If he wants to rule the world, the first thing he must do is to be a lonely ruler.
He can't trust anyone, and likewise, he doesn't need anyone's sincerity.
With power in hand, there will naturally be no shortage of people worshipping you.
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.
When Shen Li entered the Hanlin Academy, she noticed that her colleagues looked at her with great pity, but she greeted them as usual and did not mention the arranged marriage at all.
Shen Li knew that these people cared about her, so she greeted them all with a relaxed expression, appearing no different from usual.
Both sides tacitly remained silent.
It's as if that thing doesn't exist as long as it's not touched.
Around noon, Zhao Wencai, who was in the same department as Shen Li, came over and asked in a low voice, "Lord Shen, is there anything I can do for you?"
"Thank you, Brother Zhao. I'm fine." Shen Li replied with a smile, "I couldn't even find a way to get in touch with the King of Chess before, but now it's come to me. How could I not be happy?"
Zhao Wencai was taken aback. Then his voice lowered even further: "Lord Shen, do you intend to pledge allegiance to Prince Yi?"
"To be honest, Brother Zhao, my Shen family may seem powerful now, but my father is a man who doesn't understand political maneuvering. He offended Prince Yi in the past because he supported the Crown Prince, and friction is inevitable in the future."
Shen Li sighed as she spoke, and continued, "Given the current situation, the King of Chess will surely ascend to the throne. If I don't pave the way in advance, what will become of our family in the future?"
Zhao Wencai nodded repeatedly, "Your Excellency is truly insightful. In the current court, Prince Rui is not competitive, and the legitimate Fourteenth Prince is only thirteen years old. Who can rival Prince Yi?"
"Sir, you have a large family and a great business, so you should naturally make some plans early on. Although we officials are supposed to serve the country and the people, we must also protect ourselves first, mustn't we?"
“Brother Zhao’s idea coincides with mine.” Shen Li’s eyes brightened as she spoke, and she lowered her voice even further: “Once I have established this connection and gained a foothold, I will definitely introduce Brother Zhao to His Highness Prince Yi.”
"Then I thank you for your guidance, Lord Shen. I knew from the day of the palace examination that following you would be the right choice." Zhao Wencai tried his best not to laugh out loud.