Chapter 752: Leaving the Palace
However, the rules in this palace are very strict, especially for a concubine, who can only leave the palace with the emperor's consent.
Therefore, to go out normally, Shen Hanqing still has to go through Rong Zhixiao.
This would be a bit troublesome, and I might have to take him with me.
So Shen Hanqing chose the abnormal method without hesitation.
Shen Hanqing and Su Qingcheng's father met at the restaurant.
Although Shen Hanqing did not leave the palace in a high-profile manner, Prime Minister Su still saluted Shen Hanqing.
Then Prime Minister Su said, "I think Concubine Shen is a smart person and knows what I want to say."
Shen Hanqing nodded slightly, “It’s just that my identity is a little embarrassing.”
Prime Minister Su responded, "Indeed."
"I have no intention of stopping Concubine Shen from being with the Emperor. I just feel that Concubine Shen's status will have some impact on the Emperor's reputation."
Prime Minister Su's words were quite tactful. It's not just a slight impact, but a huge one.
Shen Hanqing said calmly: “So what does Prime Minister Su mean?”
Prime Minister Su observed Shen Hanqing's expression and said, "The person called Prince Chen's concubine should not exist, but the Su family can have a daughter who has been raised outside. Concubine Shen, do you understand what I mean?"
How could Shen Hanqing not understand what Prime Minister Su meant?
It would be best for her to disappear now and then re-enter the palace as Prime Minister Su’s daughter.
This will improve Rong Zhixiao's reputation.
However, Shen Hanqing looked at Prime Minister Su and asked calmly, "Prime Minister Su, what kind of reputation does the emperor need?"
Prime Minister Su replied, "As the ruler of a country, it's natural for me to have a good reputation."
Shen Hanqing smiled and continued to ask: "Then your Majesty, do you have a good reputation now?"
Prime Minister Su choked.
Because Rong Zhixiao really doesn't have a good reputation.
Since Rong Zhixiao ascended the throne, he has never neglected the affairs of state, and the people have lived and worked in peace and contentment.
But in fact, Rong Zhixiao's reputation is not good.
It can even be said that he is a tyrant.
This view arises because the means Rong Zhixiao used when he ascended the throne were too cruel.
Even after he ascended the throne, anyone who displeased him would be killed.
Although the person who died deserved to die.
But how can the common people see these?
They only knew that Rong Zhixiao was cold-blooded and cruel, and had killed people like crazy.
Prime Minister Su paused for a moment and said, "Although this is the case, we cannot disregard our reputation just because of this."
As he spoke, Prime Minister Su seemed to be hesitant to speak.
There are some things that really shouldn't be told to Shen Hanqing.
But he still said, "Prince Chen must have been unwilling to accept this after all these years."
“So he’s been cultivating a good reputation all along.”
"The ruler is the boat, and the people are the water. Water can carry the boat, but it can also capsize it."
"If the emperor truly loses the support of the people, the consequences will be disastrous."
Shen Hanqing smiled and said, "Prime Minister Su made a mistake."
"What does it mean to lose the support of the people?"
"What the people are worried about is whether they can live well."
"If the people are living in poverty, they will naturally lose their support. But if they are living well, even if they hear that the current emperor is cruel, they will just listen for fun."
"After all, they haven't truly felt the emperor's cruelty."
Prime Minister Su didn't know how to respond after hearing what Shen Hanqing said.
Shen Hanqing said again: “Prime Minister Su seems to value the emperor’s reputation very much, so if the emperor has a good reputation, what can it bring?”
"Money? Power? But the emperor doesn't seem to lack these."
"Or perhaps, it can make people compete to spread the story, and be remembered after death."
"So, Prime Minister Su, do you think the Emperor needs this?"
"I'm already dead, so why should I care what future generations will say about me?"
Prime Minister Su felt that he had been led astray by Shen Hanqing, but he had no idea where he had been led astray.
I don’t know how to refute it.
After a while, Prime Minister Su said, "Then Prince Chen..."
Shen Hanqing stretched out his voice and said, “How could Prime Minister Su think that someone who had already been defeated by the emperor would have a chance of success?”
Prime Minister Su was completely speechless.
He wanted to ask if Shen Hanqing was too confident in Rong Zhixiao.
Being overconfident is not a good thing either.
But Prime Minister Su didn't say it so bluntly. He just said, "Some things should be prevented before they happen."
At this moment, the door was suddenly pushed open.
Rong Zhixiao, dressed in casual clothes, looked at the two with a smile, "How about just killing them?"
Shen Hanqing was not surprised, she just raised her eyebrows and glanced at Rong Zhixiao.
Prime Minister Su knelt down in fear and trepidation.
Rong Zhixiao didn't seem to mind. He waved his hand and said, "Thank you so much, Prime Minister Su, for thinking of me so well."
Prime Minister Su was unable to figure out what Rong Zhixiao meant.
I can only keep silent.
Rong Zhixiao soothed him, "Prime Minister Su, there's no need to be so nervous. I'm so happy to have a prime minister who cares about me so much. How could I blame you?"
"But my beloved concubine is right. I'm already dead, so why should I care what future generations will say about me?"
"Even if they say I'm worthless, I can't get out of the ground."
Rong Zhixiao paused, the smile on his face fading a little. "As for Prince Chen, what do you think, Prime Minister Su? Should I kill him or not?"
Prime Minister Su was sweating profusely and kept saying that he had overstepped the line.
Rong Zhixiao regained his smile and asked, "Why is Prime Minister Su so scared? Could it be that I am a cannibal?"
Prime Minister Su's forehead was covered with sweat, so he didn't dare to speak.
Shen Hanqing stood up and said, “Okay, now that we are all out, let’s go for a walk around.”
Rong Zhixiao said in a very servile manner: "My beloved concubine is right. Then let's go out for a walk."
Then he turned to Prime Minister Su, "Prime Minister Su, do you want to come with us?"
Prime Minister Su repeatedly said that it was not necessary, and then watched Shen Hanqing and Rong Zhixiao leave before he breathed a sigh of relief.
When she returned home, Su Qingcheng noticed that something was wrong with Prime Minister Su and asked him about it.
Prime Minister Su originally didn't intend to tell it. The more he knew about the royal family's affairs, the faster he would die.
But he couldn't resist Su Qingcheng's soft and hard nagging.
Prime Minister Su could only briefly explain it to Su Qingcheng.
Su Qingcheng laughed after hearing this, "So what is Dad worried about?"
"In my opinion, the emperor is not bad to the people. In fact, he is working hard to govern the country."
"Besides, I don't think Prince Chen has the ability to shake the person in that position."
"It's not so bad if it has a bad reputation."
Prime Minister Su glared at Su Qingcheng and said, "What are you talking about? How can you say it's not good?"
"That's the king of a country!"
Su Qingcheng still smiled, "What can Dad do? No matter how much he tries, he still can't change it."
"Father knows His Majesty's temperament best, so how can anyone change his mind?"
"No, if there is one, it should be Concubine Shen."
Prime Minister Su muttered, "Why else do you think your father and I would want to see Concubine Shen?"
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