Chapter 53 053 The Fourth Prince Has Lofty Ambitions
He paused, and some elusive guesses began to form in his mind.
The tranquility of the Meditation Hall began amidst the falling snowflakes.
Granny Huaying stirred the charcoal fire until it burned brighter, then sighed, "This year, I don't know what's wrong with the heavens, the snow keeps falling, how are we supposed to survive?"
Qingli put the book down, sighed, and could only console herself, "The court has been keeping an eye on these prefectures and roads to the north, and we haven't heard of any snow disasters."
Granny Hua Ying uttered "Amitabha," her face filled with a compassionate and pitying expression.
But Heaven seemed to have forgotten to pity the suffering of the world. In Chuzhou, which borders the north and south, a dike several meters high built in the summer with ten thousand taels of silver collapsed under the weight of a thin layer of snow in the winter, causing the icy water to break through the dike and killing thousands of people in Chuzhou.
The yamen runners of the Water Conservancy Bureau, seeing that the water level was low during winter, thought they could slack off and leave the area unattended. But in that instant, water carrying ice shards rushed into Chuzhou City.
Inside the council hall, Emperor Mingkang flew into a rage, slamming a stack of memorials onto the eldest prince's head and shouting, "You worthless wretch! Do you really want to cause such a ruckus that you'll be condemned and imprisoned?!"
Such harsh words and stern tone were not like those of a national emperor, but rather those of a father who loved and hated his son deeply, earnestly advising him not to cause trouble.
Meng Qingshan stood to one side, his brows furrowed. So many innocent lives, and here they were reduced to nothing more than a few words. Yet among those who died unjustly were fathers of young children and sons of old fathers. Who among them did not share deep familial love?
Emperor Kang of Ming was a diligent and hardworking ruler throughout his life. Dissatisfied with the incompetence, extravagance, and debauchery of the previous dynasty, he launched a rebellion. He never expected that his eldest son would behave in this way.
The eldest prince, having suffered the wrath of his father, was also filled with grievances. He crawled forward on his knees and said, "Father, I have always kept your teachings in mind. Although I am carefree, I am still clear about what I can and cannot do. Whether this matter is handed over to the Ministry of Justice or the Court of Judicial Review, I am willing to cooperate to verify my innocence."
The eldest prince spoke with righteous indignation. He had not lost a single ounce of gold or silver in this matter. However, the entire Water Conservancy Bureau and its supervisory officials were all his confidants and people he had won over. He allowed them to profit from the situation, and after this incident, they were all loyal to him and submitted to him.
Emperor Mingkang looked at the eldest prince with deep eyes. He and the empress had been husband and wife since childhood, rising from humble beginnings and supporting each other. In many matters, even if he never spoke of them, the empress could handle them properly. This tacit understanding made Emperor Mingkang feel very at ease, and their affection naturally surpassed that of his other concubines.
Even the eldest prince was not considered to be scheming. He was born amidst anticipation, and the Empress's maternal family had died protecting him. Therefore, Emperor Mingkang felt even more pity and heartache for the eldest prince.
Is this really true?
The eldest prince immediately felt relieved, but his face remained solemn. "Your subject swears to heaven that I have never been involved in this matter, much less instructed to do so."
Emperor Mingkang stared at him for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, before finally rising and sitting back down. He then instructed, "The Crown Prince has neglected his duties. The Crown Prince's residence should reflect on its actions."
“着…”
Emperor Kang paused, and the atmosphere in the council hall suddenly became tense.
De Xi lowered her eyelashes and listened attentively to instructions. Meng Qingshan exuded a cold and stern aura, lowering his eyes to conceal his inner turmoil.
So much so that when Meng Qingshan came out of the council hall, Dexi was almost knocked off balance by his violent aura. "Commander Meng, what are you doing here?"
"The palace still needs to be inspected."
"His Majesty has ordered us to summon the officials of the Court of Judicial Review."
Meng Qingshan couldn't stand these high-sounding words. The officials of the Dali Temple were all shrewd people. Once they had thought about this matter, and after observing the Emperor's expression, they would handle it well. They would simply find some scapegoats from the Water Conservancy Bureau.
He knew that the eldest prince had granted the gift at his own discretion, but it had nothing to do with him.
Meng Qingshan had nowhere to vent his anger, so when he entered the Jingsi Hall, his face was full of rage, which startled Jiang Yue into hiding.
Granny Hua Ying served hot tea, glanced at it cautiously, and dared not say anything more.
Qingli hadn't seen him for many days. Now she saw that his brows were furrowed low, and he rarely looked so sullen. Meng Qingshan was meticulous and cautious in his actions, bold yet careful. He could easily eliminate any difficulties. After a moment's thought, Qingli asked in a light tone, "Is it because of the Crown Prince?"
Meng Qingshan's eyes lit up, and he secretly admired her intelligence. Staying in this corner of the palace, she was able to guess the identity of the eldest prince based on just a few words she heard from Granny Hua Ying when she brought him the meal.
Qingli was only guessing vaguely, but judging from his reaction, she knew he was right. The hot topic in the court recently was the collapse of the Chuzhou dike. However, she remembered what Consort De had said before, that the Empress is the Empress, and subconsciously felt that this matter would only be raised high and then put down lightly.
He was a man of great integrity and hated evil. Even when he was a thug in the gambling den, he only beat up gamblers and never laid a hand on his wife and children. But now, the thousands of lives reported were so easily put aside. After some deliberation, he ended the matter with just a few words.
Corrupt officials are hateful, but the culprit is the eldest prince, so how can we turn a blind eye?
Meng Qingshan's anger subsided in her bright eyes. He calmed down instantly, discarding his confused emotions as a monarch, and began to carefully consider the cause and effect of this matter.
Qingli didn't disturb her. The calculations that had been lingering in her mind for some time began to surface. If the truth of what happened back then were clear, who would uphold justice? Given Emperor Mingkang's actions, would it even be possible?
Emperor Kang of Ming was nearing the end of his life, and the position of heir apparent had been vacant for a long time, leading to a fierce and protracted struggle for the crown prince position.
Since that's the case... Qingli raised her eyes and met Meng Qingshan's gaze. Both of them were startled, and they both had a tacit understanding that was not intended to be.
Qingli was shocked by Meng Qingshan's quick wit and boldness, but she first looked away. She couldn't tell him this directly, as it would be troublesome if she didn't bring up their backgrounds.
Meng Qingshan was surprised and admiring of her. Suddenly, he realized that she had always been unconventional. However, looking at her expression, his eyes darkened, and he realized that she was planning to hide something from him.
But an outsider would immediately recognize that the two are similar in spirit and audacity.
After Qingli saw Meng Qingshan off, Hua Ying, the old nanny, whispered beside her, "Miss, the general seems a little disappointed."
Qingli paused, pretending not to know. She didn't know when, but Meng Qingshan seemed to know her thoughts like a tapeworm. Whenever he had a thought, he could sense it. He would look at her with a wronged and sad look in his eyes, which almost made her run away.
"Is it that obvious?"
Granny Hua Ying nodded emphatically.
Qingli was somewhat dazed, but didn't know how to bring it up. She ordered Granny Huaying to bring a cloak and decided to go to Yingcui Palace.
They usually took the side paths, but this time the snow on the side paths was thick and hadn't cleared, and the melted snow water made the whole place muddy. Seeing that it was cold and there was no one around, the two of them found the main road and walked there.
A group of servants approached from the opposite direction. Qingli felt a flash behind her, and Hua Ying Mama disappeared without a trace. She only saw a corner of her skirt behind the rockery. Qingli's eyes flashed, and she moved to the side to block that corner of the rockery.
Granny Luo from Qichun Palace walked briskly with her chin held high, leading a group of maids. Upon seeing her, she nodded in greeting, "Miss Qingli."
Qingli looked straight at her, saying without any emotion, "Granny Luo."
When summoned, Granny Luo thought to herself that if she hadn't helped the Second Prince earlier, a mere merchant's daughter wouldn't have been enough to make her stop and talk. "Miss, please make yourself at home."
After saying that, he walked past with an arrogant air.
Consort Liu enjoyed the emperor's favor for many years, and her servants were just as arrogant.
Qingli wasn't particularly offended, but as she watched Granny Hua Ying carefully emerge from under the artificial hill and glance at her retreating figure, she said uncomfortably, "I have a grudge against her. If she sees this, it might cause trouble, and that wouldn't be good."
Granny Huaying rarely spoke much, and seldom offered such an explanation. Qingli nodded, not wanting to pry. Everyone has secrets, and Granny Huaying rarely asked. If she were in Qingli's shoes, she could do the same.
"Then let's hurry up and go." Qingli smiled, comforting Granny Huaying's anxious heart.
Granny Hua Ying mumbled a few words, but ultimately said nothing more.
At the corner, Granny Luo suddenly stopped and looked back. She saw a blurry figure with a somewhat familiar look in her back. She frowned, unable to figure it out, and suddenly became angry. She scolded, "You blind fool, hurry up and leave. Her Majesty is still waiting for a reply."
These are items that the Imperial Concubine sent out of the palace to be taken care of; they are of utmost importance and cannot be allowed to go wrong.
In Yingcui Palace, Consort Mu heard that the eldest prince had only been punished with confinement and reflection, and suddenly sneered, sighing, "Who would have thought that in this palace, there is a kind father and a strict mother?"
Hearing this, Qingli thought of the Fourth Prince, who had been seemingly isolated from the court all these years. Emperor Mingkang also disliked his dull and aloof nature. This comparison made her feel a sense of coldness.
But she couldn't understand why the First Prince's behavior was repeatedly forgiven by Emperor Mingkang.
Consort Mu seemed unwilling to elaborate on Emperor Kang's situation, only saying, "Qichun Palace cannot remain silent on this matter."
Qingli suddenly remembered that the little maids behind Granny Luo were each carrying lacquered wooden boxes, so she told Consort Mu about the incident. Consort Mu nodded and said, "In that case, let's just wait and see."
"Aunt, why don't you let my cousin give it a try?"
"Zhan'er?" Consort Mu was suddenly stunned; she had never thought of Zhan'er before.
Looking at her aunt's stunned expression, Qingli felt a pang of sadness. To find out the truth of what happened back then, her aunt had disregarded her grandfather's advice and entered the palace alone. It was already difficult enough for her to avoid open and covert attacks and protect the safety of the Second Princess and the Fourth Prince. She had no extra energy to care about anything else, let alone the subtle coldness and isolation she received from others.
Ling Shuyao appears to have a cheerful personality, but she is actually very sensitive. She can even notice when Consort Mu held her hand that day. She remained sullen for half a day. The Fourth Prince was calm and aloof, never showing any joy or interest. Isn't this also a consequence of the events of that year?
Mu Fei's voice was somewhat low, "He...he probably doesn't want to get involved in this mess."
"When my cousin learned that my grandfather was seriously ill, he traveled thousands of miles from Xizhou, abandoning his achievements in suppressing the rebellion, and rode all the way there. He even unknowingly delivered rare medicinal herbs to the Huang family. This time, he raised horses in the suburbs of the capital, changed the system of official horse raising, encouraged military farms and civilian households to raise horses, improved the horses, and implemented a horse supervision policy. All of these things show that my cousin is kind-hearted, decisive, and has his own unique ideas."
A good horse can greatly reduce soldier casualties; this is a contribution that will last for generations.
The fourth prince has lofty ambitions; how could he be content to be subordinate to others?
"He never said that." A hint of regret showed in Consort Mu's eyes. Over the years, her stubbornness had caused her father to be lonely and helpless, and her children to neglect her. She had not even noticed these things until Qingli reminded her that she had been deluded.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
