mtl008 Chapter 526: Seeking Freedom
Chapter 526: Seeking Freedom
For what else?
Isn't it just for power?!
Wang Xifeng relaxed her body slightly, sat on her feet, and said softly, "I can't guess."
"Haha, you see, you are too lazy to deal with me today." Emperor Chongzhao still smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes.
Wang Xifeng lowered her head and said, "I have been less energetic these days, and my memory is not as good as before.
"I was about to report to His Majesty that I made a lot of mistakes when handling the affairs of the Imperial Mausoleum.
"If Your Majesty feels that Li Xuanyi is useful in the palace these days, I would like to hand over the task at hand to her..."
"Wang Xifeng." Emperor Chongzhao looked at her quietly.
Wang Xifeng stopped talking but did not look back.
"I did not kill the Emperor.
“He’s already at the end of his rope.
"I didn't argue with him, I just didn't want to let his temper dominate my life."
Emperor Chongzhao said calmly, "You don't have to worry that I will cross the river and destroy the bridge."
Wang Xifeng knelt back, put her hands on the ground and kowtowed: "I dare not."
"When Madam Duan returned to the Eastern Palace, I discussed with her and decided to let you take charge of my harem.
"At that time," Emperor Chongzhao smiled somewhat self-deprecatingly, "I did have the thought of getting rid of the donkey after it had done its work.
"Mammy asked me if I would be reluctant to leave when that day comes.
"I said no."
Wang Xifeng continued kneeling, staring at the tiny cracks on the gold bricks on the ground with heartless and thoughtless eyes, without moving an inch.
"To this day, I can still say that I will not, will not be reluctant to part with it."
Emperor Chongzhao said calmly, "As long as you are willing to distance yourself from me, I will not be reluctant to give up on you.
"In my life, I have never pursued power, nor have I tried to control anything.
"I just hope not to be chased by anyone, nor to be controlled by anyone.
“Especially, not being threatened by anyone.
"I just want to live a comfortable life."
Wang Xifeng moved slightly, hesitated for a moment, but still did not look up.
Emperor Chongzhao looked at her and said softly, "Wang Xifeng, you are my chosen harem partner.
"I am a man, and what I will worry about in the future are the affairs of the country and the world.
“The stability of the backyard depends entirely on you.
"So if you have anything to say, you can't hide it, you have to discuss it with me.
"Just like I told you everything I thought in my heart."
Gritting her teeth, Wang Xifeng pursed her lips and stood up, looking at Emperor Chongzhao: "Your Majesty, if you are not comfortable when you are an adult, you are not an adult if you are comfortable.
"National affairs are meant to balance the interests of all parties. The most important thing for a ruler is to learn to accept grievances, to constrain others, and to be constrained by others.
"You may be impatient to negotiate with the Supreme because you are father and son; tomorrow, for various reasons, you will no longer be impatient to deal with the various forces including your subordinates.
"If that day comes, I am afraid that my body will be torn to pieces and I will have no place to bury my body."
Emperor Chongzhao's expression darkened slightly.
"The Emperor is also aggrieved." Wang Xifeng sighed softly, "The Emperor has never been very close to the Empress Dowager, but for your sake, he did not embarrass her too early.
"I think if the Queen Mother hadn't been so confused about the matter of Prince Su, the Supreme Lord would have originally planned to deal with it perfunctorily.
"As for the Queen, it probably just reminded him of the Queen Mother's previous behavior..."
Emperor Chongzhao's body shook slightly.
"Even I can find out that the Empress and the Queen Mother have the same origin. If I were to investigate, how could His Majesty not know?
“Earlier, the Supreme played dumb and didn’t take it seriously.
"However, if you take this matter seriously, it can be said to be a serious crime of deceiving the emperor.
"You may be planning to take your time with your wife and mother, but in the eyes of someone as ruthless as Tai Shang, you seem indecisive."
Wang Xifeng sighed and bowed solemnly, "You are too soft-hearted towards those close to you.
“If I were to become your partner, I don’t know how much blood and lives would be shed on my hands.
“Just like the Supreme.
"By then, will you also feel that I am forcing you?
"In fact, you didn't choose Wang Xifeng, you just didn't want to choose the emperor."
Emperor Chongzhao leaned silently on the large pillow at the head of the bed and closed his eyes.
Wang Xifeng didn't urge him, but knelt quietly and waited.
After a full quarter of an hour, Emperor Chongzhao slowly spoke: "Wang, you are very presumptuous."
Even though he's a bit of a scoundrel, at least he's somewhat popular.
Wang Xifeng curled her lips and looked up at him: "Your Majesty, at this time of great sorrow, you should take care of your health first!
"The Grand Master, the Queen Mother, and the Empress have passed away one after another. You are heartbroken and want to show filial piety, which is natural.
"I ordered some porridge and pickles. You should have some so that you can keep vigil and perform rituals, right?"
Emperor Chongzhao sighed, slid down, lay comfortably on the bed, and said:
"Someone is coming."
Chang Ying pushed the door open and came in: "I'm here, what does the emperor want?"
"Decree that Consort Wang of Jin will be Imperial Consort, in charge of the six palaces; Consort Li of Jin Xuanyi will be Consort Jing, granted the power of assistant; Consort Geng of Jin Ronghua will be Consort Jing, and Consort Shi of Jin Ronghua will be Consort Ling.
"Although Consort Wu had no intention of being an accomplice, she did commit murder against the heir to the throne. She was demoted to a noble lady and moved to Chang'an Palace.
"Pray for the emperor's heir with Lady Sang. You are not allowed to leave without an imperial decree for three years."
Emperor Chongzhao finished speaking with his eyelids drooping, paused, and continued, "Inform the Ministry of Rites that on the first day of the first lunar month, I will appoint Prince Duan as the crown prince.
"The Ministry of Personnel shall draft the candidates for the officials of the Eastern Palace."
Chang Ying was startled, and subconsciously glanced at Wang Xifeng who was kneeling on the ground. After hesitating for a moment, he said softly:
"Your Majesty, would you like to summon the ministers to discuss this matter? Is it appropriate for me to pass on the message?"
Emperor Chongzhao was unwilling to pay attention to him. He shook his fingers, closed his eyes, turned over and leaned inward.
Seeing this, Wang Xifeng stood up without hesitation and whispered to Chang Ying:
“Go and pass on the message.
"The Secretariat always has to write an edict for you to see.
"Besides, demoting someone is just taking the imperial seal and the seal, and that's it. But there are still rules for enthroning someone.
"Don't worry about the emperor."
Changying naturally just wanted a confirmation, so he bowed and said yes, then walked out.
Before leaving, I heard Wang Xifeng say again:
"Tell Geng Ronghua to send in the porridge and vegetables."
Chang Ying knew that Emperor Chong Zhao was coaxed into eating, and immediately became delighted. He smiled and said, "When it comes to persuading people to eat, no one in the world is better than you, Your Majesty!"
Wang Xifeng glared at him and cursed in a low voice: "Little monkey, when did you dare to laugh? Get out now!"
Changying retreated with a smile.
Soon, Geng Ronghua brought in the palace maids and brought in a food tray. As expected, there was only a bowl of porridge and a dish of pickled cucumbers.
Wang Xifeng spoke a few words and stood beside her to direct her to serve Emperor Chongzhao at dinner.
With the hot porridge in his stomach, Emperor Chongzhao looked much better.
Or maybe it was because of what he had just said to Wang Xifeng that he finally let out his years of pent-up resentment.
Finally, he gave everyone a few gentle and kind words: “Your Highness, you must have had a hard journey back home. Geng Ronghua will accompany you back to the palace to rest.
"Tomorrow morning, remember to pay your respects to Concubine Xu and take back all the affairs."