mtl008 Chapter 353 Knocking on the mountain and shaking the tiger
Chapter 353 Knocking on the mountain and shaking the tiger
"Cough cough cough..."
A violent cough broke the silence in the room again.
"Empress Hua, please don't speak carelessly!"
The emperor put down the teacup in his hand and scolded in a serious voice.
The Queen Mother is currently in mourning, and any rumors could cause unnecessary disturbances.
Besides, considering the pure and simple appearance of the Seventeenth Prince, it was hard for the Emperor to believe that he would suddenly come to his senses.
"Your Majesty, I swear to heaven that I have never lied to you."
Concubine Hua was afraid that the emperor would not believe her, so she quickly told him what she had seen and heard in the morning.
"Your Majesty, this is not something I saw alone. I was accompanied by my sister, Imperial Concubine Shu. If you do not believe me, please summon Imperial Concubine Shu for questioning."
As the emperor listened to Concubine Hua's words, a serious look gradually appeared on his face.
Could it be that Old Seventeen really started to think about women as Concubine Hua said?
Or does he have some other plans?
"Your Majesty, I really didn't say anything nonsense!"
Concubine Hua did not care about the emperor's favor, but for the sake of peace and happiness, she had long begun to pay attention to her own reputation.
"Noble Concubine Hua, I already know about this matter and will talk to Prince Guo about it. Please do not tell anyone else about this."
The emperor remembered that Concubine Hua always looked at the surface of things, so he patiently gave her instructions.
"It is the empress dowager's mourning period now, and all members of the royal family must observe mourning. If word gets out that Seventeenth Brother has feelings for a young woman from a minister's family, I'm afraid the censors of the previous dynasty will not let him off."
When Concubine Hua saw that the emperor believed her words, she quickly agreed.
"Your Majesty, I understand. I will keep a close eye on Prince Guo and make him put the royal family and his own reputation first."
As she spoke, she became a little interested in Prince Guo's marriage.
"Your Majesty, when you decide on a prince's wife in the future, could you please tell me in advance?"
"Oh? When did the imperial concubine start to care about this kind of thing?"
The emperor asked casually.
"I want to know what kind of woman can catch the eye of Prince Guo."
Concubine Hua had heard An Lingrong mention that Prince Guo was single every year, but was very popular with women.
She was very curious about what kind of woman would make such a man stop.
Concubine Hua glanced at the emperor who was drinking tea without leaving any trace. Prince Guo had a good reputation in the palace. Could it be that...
"I have to go to mourn later, so I'll take my leave now."
After leaving the house, Concubine Hua twisted her arm fiercely. The palace was full of the emperor's spies. What was she thinking about?
Less than half an hour later, two guards appeared in the Yangxin Palace.
"Tell me what happened around Cining Gate this morning."
Concubine Hua said that when she arrived there, there was already a long queue, and she had no idea what had happened before.
The older guard saluted the emperor, and a flat voice sounded immediately.
"As soon as the Cining Gate opened in the morning, Ah Jin, who was serving in the thatched cottage, went to serve the meal. Within two quarters of an hour, Prince Guo and his servant had moved the three clay stoves from the thatched cottage to the door, each with a large copper kettle on top."
"Prince Guo first offered the two servants a cup of hot tea, but the servants, burdened with their duties, declined. Later, the prince said the ladies who had risen before dawn to enter the palace had been working hard, and offered them tea... More and more ladies arrived, and a long line formed... Only after Concubine Hua reprimanded them did peace return to Cining Gate."
"Your Majesty, nothing else happened after that."
"I understand. You guys go down and rest."
After the emperor sent the people away, he sat quietly in a chair and thought about Old Seventeen's behavior.
It is understandable that the master shows goodwill to the guards at the gate.
However, this time, only the wives of ministers of the third rank or above were qualified to enter the palace to mourn the empress dowager.
With the precedent of Hongli taking the initiative to make friends with the wives of Ortai and Ma Qi, Prince Guo's move would inevitably make the emperor think that he also had some ulterior ambitions.
"Su Peisheng, what do you think?"
Su Peisheng, who was guarding the door, shuddered and hurriedly bowed before entering.
"Master, I am old and my hearing is not very good. I would like to ask you what you are talking about."
Su Peisheng felt very bitter. How could he ask a servant like him for his opinion on such an important matter?
"You little slave, you were there when Concubine Hua complained to me."
"If you continue to fool me, be careful of your dog skin."
The emperor glared at him in dissatisfaction.
This dog servant is becoming more and more timid as he gets older, and doesn't act like someone who would serve him at all.
Su Peisheng pondered for a while before speaking cautiously.
"Your Majesty, I have heard that Prince Guo is a gentle and kind person. Although he is a member of the royal family, he has never scolded a palace servant. According to the servants who often walk outside the palace, Prince Guo has a compassionate heart and often takes in the homeless."
"You mean to say that Old Seventeen has an excellent reputation both inside and outside the palace?"
"My Lord, this is what I heard from others."
Su Peisheng only stated the facts and did not express any opinions.
Prince Guo is not as smart and capable as the Eighth Prince, who is known as the "virtuous king", yet he dares to play tricks in front of his master. Isn't this asking for trouble?
He looked at his silent master and stood quietly by his side.
After a long time, the emperor waved to Su Peisheng.
"Prince Guo has worked hard in mourning for me. Please select two clever young eunuchs to serve him in the thatched cottage and make sure they take good care of him."
"The slave obeys."
Su Peisheng understood what his master meant, which was to send two people to keep an eye on Prince Guo in a fair and open manner.
After the emperor handled government affairs for an hour, he always felt something was wrong.
His older brothers and younger brothers are simply too restless, it's time to give them a warning.
"Summer harvest!"
"I am here, Master, please give me your orders."
"Secretly send someone to spread the news of the Fourteenth Prince's death. Don't hide the cause of death. Later, spread the news of the Empress Dowager's death, the collapse of the imperial mausoleum, and the fire in the mourning hall, and have someone lead them to him."
The Queen Mother and Prince Fourteen coveted the throne and intended to cause unrest in the world.
They deserve some of the rumors spread among the people.
"Remember to report your progress to me every day. If anyone takes advantage of this opportunity to cause trouble, arrest them all."
The emperor's words were full of hostility.
"I will do it right away."
Xia Qi, who was busy all over, quickly accepted the order.
No one knows the causes and consequences of the Fourteenth Prince's death and what happened in the palace better than the Deputy Commander.
He planned to assign this matter to the deputy commander who was full of ideas.
After receiving the order, Su Peisheng selected the two smartest guys from among his confidants and personally sent them to the thatched cottage before dinner.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor said the thatched cottage is simple and he's worried you won't be able to get used to it, so he's sent this old servant to send two palace maids to serve you."
"If you need anything, please send someone to tell me at any time."
"Thank you for your concern, brother."
King Guo bowed in the direction of the Yangxin Palace and spoke in a gentle voice.
"Please, Eunuch Su, convey my gratitude to my brother. This thatched cottage seems to have everything I need. I have A Jin to serve me, so I don't need to bother anyone else. Please take this palace maid back..."
"Oh! Your Highness, this is the Emperor's order. I dare not take it back on my own initiative. If Your Highness is concerned about the people below, please go and tell the Emperor yourself."
After Su Peisheng finished speaking, he left the two young eunuchs behind and trotted out the door.