Chapter 182 I feel a little sorry for him! (Second update)
News of the Guangji Temple's collapsed golden Buddha statue spread throughout the capital within a single day. As if deliberately fanning the flames, amidst the chorus of sympathy for the mother and daughter who had been crushed to death, a few unusual voices suddenly emerged.
"The golden Buddha statue is broken. It means the Buddha is angry!"
"What do you mean?"
"Haven't you heard? The Hezhou government has built temples for the Empress Dowager Ciguang everywhere, encouraging the people to offer incense and offerings. In name, they're praying for the Empress Dowager, but in reality, they're just trying to make money."
"Hiss...I heard about this last year, but wasn't it said that it was a spontaneous act of the people?"
"What do you mean spontaneously? Lord Pei has already investigated it thoroughly. It was instigated by the Hezhou government. Last November, a number of officials who had committed crimes were brought to the capital. This matter caused a huge uproar in the court, but because it was the end of the year, the emperor was not in a position to make any major moves, so it was temporarily suppressed. I didn't expect that the Buddha would be furious at the beginning of the year."
"Ah! Now that you mention it, I remember that on the Queen Mother's birthday last year, wasn't it the Buddha who got angry and burned down the Sky Temple?"
"Yes, yes, it was because of the Hezhou incident. Oh my God, so these things were all done by the Queen Mother?"
"Over the years, the Queen Mother has been a vegetarian, chanting Buddhist scriptures, and donating incense to Buddhist temples. I thought she had the heart of a bodhisattva. I never expected that beneath the bodhisattva's face lies a devil who eats people without leaving any bones behind."
These words were like a gust of wind, blowing into thousands of homes overnight. In the market, at the entrance of the alley, in the wine shop and teahouse, almost everyone was talking about it.
In the past, the common people would have certainly not dared to speak so brazenly about the Empress Dowager. But for some reason, no one had stepped forward to stop it, and even the government hadn't made a move. As a result, the people gradually grew bolder.
Of course, if the public opinion is just wind and rain, then the article from Du Zhengyi, a student of Qinglan Academy, is the earth-shattering thunder in this wind and rain.
It is said that when Du Zhengyi heard about the Empress Dowager's evil deeds, he angrily picked up his pen and wrote an article in one go to denounce the Empress Dowager.
The article, like his name, was upright, resolute, and sharp. While it didn't mention the Empress Dowager a single word, each word held a profound implication. Moreover, Du Zhengyi was renowned for his talent and considerable influence among scholars. Upon its publication, the article sparked a furor, with people eager to read it. Further articles criticizing the article followed.
The wrath of intellectuals can overturn rivers and seas, unleashing bloodshed and devastation. Since ancient times, those in power have feared the criticism of intellectuals. Because their pens possess power and courage, these individuals even consider it a form of honor to denounce corrupt officials and dignitaries, as if the harshest criticism is the most noble. Those in power cannot be apprehended; if you do, it means you're guilty, too petty to handle the situation.
In short, when the Queen Mother of Yongning Palace heard the news, she was so angry that she broke her favorite teacup.
"Fools! They are all fools!" the Queen Mother shouted angrily.
"These foolish people just follow the crowd. Have they forgotten that I donated money to them? Now they dare to accuse me of something they have heard so much!"
"Who is that Du Zhengyi? Bring me his article. I want to see how he scolds me!"
The palace maids and eunuchs in the hall were trembling with fear and dared not speak a word.
The Queen Mother angrily pounded the table: "Go and get it!"
"yes!"
The palace maid had no choice but to send someone out of the palace to buy a transcribed article. However, after the empress dowager read it, she collapsed in anger on the spot.
The palace maids summoned the imperial physician and had the empress dowager feel better after that.
"Where is Duke Xin? Has he been invited?" she asked weakly.
"This..." The palace maid lowered her head and said nervously, "The person we sent has returned, but Duke Xin has not come."
"Why?"
"It is said that Duke Xin is ill. He said he is afraid of infecting the Queen Mother, so he cannot enter the palace."
"It's inconvenient to enter the palace?" The Queen Mother heard something and immediately became furious: "I think he dare not enter the palace!"
"Great! This is my good brother!" The Queen Mother sneered repeatedly, "I have protected him since he was a child. All my life, I have devoted all my energy to him and the Liang family. Now that the Liang family is in trouble, I was thinking of discussing with him how to get through it, but I didn't expect him to quietly push me out as a scapegoat."
"He—what a cruel heart!"
After saying this, the Queen Mother was so sad that she burst into tears.
The maids rushed forward to appease him, and the chief steward hurriedly ordered: "Send someone to invite the emperor quickly, and ask the emperor to come here quickly!"
"No need!" The Queen Mother raised her hand to stop him: "He won't come."
Ever since she had plotted for the Emperor to sleep with Liang Yixin, the Emperor had become estranged from her. This time, she had sent someone to invite her, but not only did no one show up, she, the head of Yongning Palace, was humiliated for no reason.
"No need to invite him," said the Queen Mother.
After a pause, her face solemn, she said, "Go! Send someone to the Duke of Xin's mansion. Duke Xin is ill and can't come, but the eldest daughter of the Duke of Xin's mansion should be able to come, right?"
"Just say that I'm not feeling well and ask Miss Liang to come into the palace to take care of me!"
"Yes." The palace servant immediately obeyed the order.
.
While the Queen Mother was anxious, Pei Xingju also started to get busy.
Last time, Zhuang Wan had conducted a rusting experiment for Pei Xingju. In just one night, the power of saltwater corrosion was evident. Pei Xingju learned the truth and immediately took Zhuang Wan's experiment to see Shen Yi. It was unknown what he was planning with Shen Yi, but Zhuang Wan hadn't seen him for two days.
Of course, there may be other reasons why it cannot be seen.
By the time they'd kissed to the end that day, the changes in Pei Xingju's body were undeniable. The most noticeable change was in his abdomen. Zhuang Wan, deeply moved, wanted to let things flow and move closer, but he abruptly stopped her.
"Don't you want to?" she asked.
Pei Xingju didn't say anything, but Zhuang Wan deliberately touched him: "You obviously thought so too."
He stared at her in embarrassment.
How can I describe the expression on his face at that time? Lust tinged with restraint, restraint laced with regret, regret laced with astonishment... It was truly wonderful.
"I don't want to!" He gritted his teeth, looking at Zhuang Wan as if she were a fairy in the Spider Cave: "Don't try to seduce me anymore."
Zhuang Wan laughed heartily.
Perhaps he was afraid that Zhuang Wan would seduce him again, or perhaps Pei Xingju felt ashamed of his reaction that day. These past two days, he was so busy that he only returned home after Zhuang Wan had gone to bed.
Zhuang Wan didn't care. Pei Xingju had his own things to do, and she also had her own things to do.
That day, she got up early and stood in front of the mirror, dressing up while talking to Qiu Tan.
"Later, did you meet Shopkeeper Su from Furong Cloth Shop?"
"Not only did he see her? During the months that the young lady was away from Beijing, Shopkeeper Su came to ask me about it twice."
"What do you want to ask?"
"Ask the young lady where she went."
At this point, Qiu Tan pondered for a moment, then spoke, "The young lady's secret departure from the imperial palace was not concealed. Everyone in the capital knew about it, and there was much discussion about it. Shopkeeper Su was naturally aware of it, so she came to ask me about it. Judging from her expression, she seemed worried about the young lady."
Zhuang Wan paused. She had just broken up with Pei Xingju, and with the palace full of people, she knew she couldn't keep it a secret. It wasn't that she was afraid of what others might say about her, but she remembered the many rumors Pei Xingju had endured, and thinking about it now, she felt a pity.
Oh! I feel sorry for him!
After a moment, she said, "Send someone to ask when Master Pei will be back today. If he returns early, tell him I've prepared dinner for him."
"Hey!" Qiu Tan responded.
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