Chapter 882: The eldest prince died? (Long chapter)
Fourth Master: "It's okay if you don't see me. No need to worry."
Wen Jiu: "I don't know what's going on at home now. We've been out for a long time."
"After reporting to the Emperor, we will go back."
"Um."
As the two were talking, Liang Jiugong came out again, rubbed his red, frozen hands, and took two breaths before saying, "Fourth Prince, why don't you go back today? The Emperor said he has gone to bed and will not see anyone today. He also said... he also said..."
"What else is there to say? Anda, just say what you want to say." said the Fourth Master.
"The Emperor also sent me a message to the Fourth Prince, saying... Fourth Prince, you have too many important matters to attend to, and the Emperor doesn't want to hear them right now. He asked you to think carefully before replying. You don't need to attend court for the next few days."
After saying this, Liang Jiugong also wore an awkward smile on his face: "Fourth Prince, why don't you please go back? It's freezing cold out here, don't get yourself frozen. Wait until the emperor calms down, and then he will naturally summon you to see him."
The Fourth Master pursed his lips and clasped his fists. "Yinzhen understands Anda's good intentions. I have an important memorial here, and I'd appreciate it if Anda could help me submit it."
Liang Jiugong was stunned for a moment, then took the memorial and said, "Don't worry, Fourth Prince. I will definitely hand it to the Emperor myself. I'm just not sure when the Emperor will read it..."
"Just hand it over to Anda, and the rest is up to fate." As the Fourth Master said this, he took out a purse from his sleeve and stuffed it into Liang Jiugong's hand.
Liang Jiugong was shocked and immediately stuffed the purse back.
"Fourth Prince, I dare not accept it. Please rest assured that I will deliver this memorial to the Emperor."
This is absolutely terrifying, isn't it? Who is this Fourth Prince? He actually gave him a purse.
Over the years, he refused to accept anything given by the prince.
But she didn't dare to refuse the gift from the Fourth Prince, fearing that she would anger him.
Two days ago, he saw with his own eyes that the prince strangled a guard to death in front of the emperor.
"Anda, this is the rule." The Fourth Master stuffed the purse into his hand again.
"This... this... I really can't accept it." Liang Jiugong made up his mind and refused again, looking like he wanted to escape.
Wen Jiu looked at it and laughed: "Anda, it's just some snacks, just take them."
Wenjiu changed the purse and put it back into Liang Jiugong's hand.
Liang Jiugong was stunned for a moment, then he opened it and looked at it. He was also surprised, then he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "In that case, I will respectfully obey your order. Thank you, Fourth Prince and Concubine for your consideration."
"It's cold, Anda, please go in early. The prince and I are leaving."
"Farewell, Your Highness, and your concubine."
Wenjiu smiled at Liang Jiugong, then pulled the Fourth Master back.
The Fourth Master glanced at the wine-warming machine and asked, "What did you give him?" Liang Jiugong's influence on the Emperor's father was even greater than that of the ministers of the previous dynasty. What was even more rare was that he had a clear vision and understood the pros and cons of a situation. Normally, he would not accept gifts.
Today, the Fourth Master was just going through the motions, but he didn't expect Jiu'er to give this thing away.
Wenjiu: "It's just some pine nut candies and some dried ginseng slices that have been drying in the sun."
The Fourth Master tilted his head: "Hmm?"
Wen Jiu smiled and said: "As a servant who has reached his level, he naturally has no shortage of money, so giving him gifts is more practical.
Pine nut candies are small and delicious, and just one can satisfy hunger at a critical moment. For those of them who work year-round, carrying this thing is just right.
Ginseng slices are even more convenient. In winter, you can hold them under your tongue and feel warm even when walking in the snow.
It was freezing cold today, and they had no time to relax while on duty. This was very appropriate.
I heard from Doctor Liu before that most ministers hold a ginseng slice under their tongue when attending court. This way, they won’t feel dizzy even if they make it through the morning court session.”
The Fourth Master listened and nodded. "I see. If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known. You're quite thoughtful."
Wen Jiu smiled and was about to speak, but the next second his expression suddenly became serious: "Master, look!"
The Fourth Master subconsciously followed Wen Jiu's gaze and couldn't help but squint his eyes: "Guangci..."
"Master, you are finally here. The Emperor has been waiting for you for a long time."
At this moment, Liang Jiugong's surprised voice came from behind. After seeing Guangci, he immediately trotted over.
During this time, when he passed by Wenjiu and the Fourth Master, he bowed and without delay, went to meet Guangci.
The Fourth Master and Wenjiu stopped and watched Guangci walking towards the main hall of the Palace of Heavenly Purity step by step in the distance.
As Guangci got closer, Wenjiu frowned and tugged at the corner of Fourth Master's clothes: "Master..."
The Fourth Master stretched out his arms and held her behind him. He narrowed his eyes and faced the Master Guangci.
"Amitabha, the donor is also here." Guangci clasped his hands together and raised his head slightly to greet the Fourth Master and the other two.
The Fourth Master narrowed his eyes slightly, and the next second, his fierce fist attacked Guangci directly.
The Fourth Master's entire body was filled with energy, and the servants beside him were almost forced to retreat several steps. Even with the warm wine, they could only barely withstand the strong wind. They could not open their eyes.
"Oh, Fourth Prince, you can't fight, this is Master Guangci!" Liang Jiugong's face turned pale with fear, but he still shouted this with courage.
"Master! Don't be impulsive." Wen Jiu also said this. If they really took action in the Qianqing Palace, the emperor would probably be even more angry.
For a moment, the atmosphere was tense.
After a long time, the energy dissipated and everyone could see clearly what was ahead.
The Fourth Master's fist, charged with energy, stopped just short of Master Guangci's face. It didn't strike him down.
Despite the Fourth Master's fierce aura, Master Guangci across from him remained motionless. The Buddhist beads in his hand continued to spin slowly, and the smile on his lips seemed to remain unchanged.
"Fourth Prince, what do you mean by this? But how have I offended you? Why would you resort to such violence?"
The Fourth Master met Guangci's eyes and calmly retracted his fist. "Master, what are you talking about? I just wanted to discuss some things with you. However, I think this place is not suitable, and I am still ill. I am afraid it will take some time before I can consult you."
"The Fourth Prince is extremely talented and his martial arts skills are unmatched. I admire him and would like to learn from him more."
After saying this, he clasped his hands together again and said, "Amitabha, it's just that the Fourth Prince's illness has been treated for quite some time, but it hasn't improved yet. Do you need me to help the Fourth Prince take a closer look?"
"I won't bother you, Master. You are very busy right now. It seems like you are everywhere. I will not bother you."
"Amitabha, Your Majesty, please do as you please."
Guangci lowered her head slightly, and watched the Fourth Master and Wen Jiu with a kind look in her eyes.
After walking a little further, Wen Jiu couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "How is it? What did you find out?"
The Fourth Master frowned deeply. "This man must not be underestimated. I wonder if the Emperor will even read my memorial. If he does, how much will he believe it?"
"Master, I'm afraid we need to think long and hard about this matter. To us, Guangci is a wicked man with ulterior motives. But to the Emperor, he is his savior. He is a highly respected master who has repeatedly come to His Majesty's aid in times of crisis.
Now, we have not yet caught any substantial evidence against him.
The spices alone cannot incriminate him; it seems like an intentional attempt to slander him.
Under normal circumstances, the emperor might not think too much about it, but now is a tense time. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has lost his arm, and Soetu Lingputuo and he have been in trouble one after another.
Now is the time when Prince Zhi and the Eighth Master are valued.
If we impeach Guangci at this time, the Emperor will probably think we are suppressing dissidents. This would be more trouble than good. It would be better to keep quiet for a while."
The Fourth Master listened and nodded in appreciation. He put his big hand on Wenjiu's head and rubbed it gently: "My Jiu'er has grown up and can analyze the government affairs clearly and logically."
"Master! I'm talking to you about serious matters."
The Fourth Master suddenly smiled faintly. "I'm saying that what you said makes sense. The Emperor is still angry. Speaking of which, the Emperor's heart is unpredictable. Who the Emperor will trust is still unknown. So, let's go back first."
"Okay, let's hurry up. I'm afraid the children are still waiting."
…
Palace of Heavenly Purity.
"Master, you're here? Please sit down."
"Your Majesty's brow is furrowed, but is there something on your mind?"
Emperor Kangxi leaned back in his chair, picked up the tea bowl and took a sip: "Sometimes I really envy the master, who is alone and has no worries."
"Amitabha, Your Majesty, all living beings suffer. How can there be anyone in this world who is free from worries? Even I am no exception."
"Master...what are you worried about?"
"Today, when I came to the Sword Saint, I was naturally concerned about what was bothering you. My lifelong worry is how to solve the problem of kidney troubles."
Guangci raised his eyelids and continued, "For example, today, I have the privilege of meeting the Fourth Master. I am now worried about how to cure his illness. In other words, the worries of all living beings are also Guangci's worries."
He subconsciously cast his gaze upon Emperor Kangxi's expression, hardly missing a single ounce of it.
Emperor Kangxi's face darkened after hearing this: "Master, there's no need to worry about his health."
"What does your Majesty mean?"
Emperor Kangxi: "...It's nothing. As Master said, what bothers you are all other people's affairs. There's no need to be deeply troubled by them."
"The world is full of complications, and I am no exception. I have my own worries, but Your Majesty, there is no need to worry about them. Blessings are interdependent with misfortunes, and misfortunes are the end of blessings. Until the end, no one knows whether what is happening now is good or bad, the beginning or the end."
Emperor Kangxi was stunned for a moment after hearing this, and rubbed his eyebrows: "Master, what you said makes sense, but it's a pity that I can't figure it out now."
Finally, he glanced at Liang Jiugong beside him and asked, "Is Lao Si ready to leave?"
"Your Majesty, the Fourth Master and his Concubine have just left, and they probably haven't left the palace yet. Does the Emperor want to summon the Fourth Master and his Concubine?"
"No need," Emperor Kangxi waved his hand. "Master, I am in a state of confusion. Please recite the scriptures."
Guangci didn't say anything, but just picked up the scripture and began to recite the scriptures.
Emperor Kangxi rubbed his brows, picked up the memorials that were piled up like a mountain in front of him, glanced at them twice, and threw them aside.
He picked up the next one, flipped through it twice, and then threw it away with an even more dismal expression. He went out and flipped through several more memorials in a row. His face suddenly turned cold. The next second, he shoved all the memorials to the ground. "Left one is the Southern Suburbs Grand Sacrifice, right another is the Southern Suburbs Grand Sacrifice. Do they think I'm a fool? Do they really think I don't understand their thoughts?"
"Your Majesty, please calm down." When the servants saw this, they all knelt down, lowered their heads and dared not speak.
Liang Jiugong knelt on the ground picking up the memorial paper, his mind as clear as a mirror.
The reason why the ministers have been urging the Southern Suburbs Grand Sacrifice is simply to know which prince the emperor prefers.
The Southern Suburbs Grand Sacrifice is extremely important and is so close. I'm afraid I can't go with my ear disease, and the Crown Prince is even less likely to go.
Whoever presides over the Southern Suburbs Grand Sacrifice this year will mean that in the emperor's mind, he is very different from other princes.
Emperor Kangxi took two deep breaths, calmed himself down a bit, and suddenly turned to look at Guangci beside him: "Master, how about you preside over the Southern Suburbs Grand Sacrifice?"
Guangci was slightly stunned. "Your Majesty, this is inappropriate. I have only seen a poor monk in my life. How can I hold such a formal sacrifice for the royal family? If Your Majesty is really undecided, I have someone I can recommend."
The fury on Emperor Kangxi's face had disappeared without a trace. He simply turned his gaze to Guangci and said, "Oh? Master, who do you think is suitable?"
Guangci raised his eyelids and softly uttered three words: "Fourth Prince."
Emperor Kangxi paused holding the teacup and looked at Guangci with a frown: "Fourth brother?"
Guangci: “That’s right.”
…
On the other side, the Fourth Master and Wen Jiu have already entered the mansion.
"Master, do you feel something is wrong?"
After Wenjiu entered the yard, his eyelids kept twitching, as if he had a bad premonition.
The Fourth Master frowned: "Where are the gatekeepers?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Buyu walking towards them quickly with a pale face.
When he got there, he knelt down with a thud.
"Master...you are back. Something happened in the mansion."
The Fourth Master's pupils shrank: "What's going on?"
"Master... Eldest Prince... Eldest Prince..."
"Please speak properly. Why are you shaking? Tell me clearly, what happened to the eldest prince?" Wen Jiu said anxiously.
"The eldest brother...he...died."
As soon as the words fell, there was a sudden silence as death.
After a while, Wenjiu came back to his senses first: "Explain clearly, how could this happen? The medicine was given to the eldest prince, and he would be fine as long as he took it. Why did he suddenly die!"
"Concubine, this... this... Concubine said that the eldest prince died of poisoning..."
"Poisoned? How could he be poisoned? How could he be poisoned when someone was watching him the whole time? Grandpa, let's go and take a look. Maybe the child can be saved."
After saying that, Wenjiu pulled the Fourth Master, who was still a little dazed, and walked straight into the house.
"Bitch! You bitch! My son is so young, how could you have the heart to do such a cruel thing to him! Tell me! Explain it to me clearly!"
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