So what if she's a concubine? It's uncertain whether the baby in her belly will even be born, and even if it is, it's unknown whether it will be a boy or a girl. Besides, the Emperor's father-in-law and brother-in-law are both dead, and Consort Hao's family is weak, making her even less worth mentioning.
Besides, the Imperial Concubine is probably just faking it.
Immediately, several eunuchs separated Consort Hao from her people, and several palace maids came to help her up.
Hao Shumei glared at Zhao Shu, a triumphant smile spreading across her lips. The next moment, blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, startling the palace maids who were supporting her.
At this moment, Liaoyuan rushed in, "Amitabha, Amitabha, this is a clash of dragon energies, a clash of dragon energies."
Before Zhao Shu could speak, Hao Shumei hurriedly asked, panting, "Master, is there a solution?"
"If this humble monk is not mistaken, His Highness the Crown Prince possesses an object that he wears by his side year-round. Originally an object brimming with dragon energy, it has also absorbed His Highness's own dragon energy, making it even more potent. If one's fate is weak, one cannot suppress it. If His Highness is willing to give this object to the unborn prince, the prince will be accompanied by His Highness's dragon energy every day, gradually becoming familiar with it, and will be safe. The prince will also recover soon." Liao Yuan spoke with the air of a high monk, as if it were the truth. Zhao Shu wanted to tear his face to shreds.
What a wishful thinking! The Crown Prince was made Crown Prince at a young age, and the jade pendant that has been with him for many years is extremely powerful with dragon energy. It must be the Golden Dragon Jade Pendant!
The threat in his words couldn't be clearer; he not only used the excuse of the prince's weak fate to suppress him.
Zhao Shu coldly looked at Liao Yuan, "This princess was unaware that the imperial advisor had been changed. The master is able to influence the fate of my royal family with a single Zen saying. Dayong must rely on the master to prosper. The master has a long way to go!"
"Your Highness is too kind. The abbot has already ascended to immortality and become a Buddha. Now, I, the humble monk, have been appointed abbot of Huguo Temple. I swear I will never forget the Emperor's boundless grace. Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Your Highness and the Prince are both kind-hearted. Please grant the two princes a way out. I will not repeat the words I gave you that day: 'A moment of foolishness extinguishes wisdom, a moment of wisdom gives birth to wisdom.' Amitabha." Compared to Liaoyuan's high-minded monk demeanor, Zhao Shu was simply a villain and sinner deserving of universal contempt.
Zhao Shu glanced back at the inner hall. Five imperial physicians were guarding the Crown Prince's bedside, and Ji Yun and the others were being ordered around. Hao Shumei was so loud that the people inside must have heard her, but no one came out to ask. It was clear that the Empress Dowager was furious.
But Consort Hao hadn't done anything wrong, so it was difficult to punish her. The Empress Dowager was unhappy, and Hao Shumei wasn't much better off. Huo Danlan and Sun Yun didn't seem to care about her. She was just angry inside, but she couldn't do anything to them.
Both of them are legitimate daughters of first-class families. Although they do not have official ranks, even if we were to talk about rank, she would not. This is because Zhao Shu is wearing court attire, and her rank is not as high as Zhao Shu's. If she wants to win against Zhao Shu, she would have to start with things like the loyalty and filial piety of her elders. But even if we don't talk about it, it is undeniable that no one would dare to say that the two of them are not as noble as princesses.
Especially for princesses who have married but do not have fiefdoms, their husbands are not only of average ability, but also not the eldest son of the principal wife. In contrast, the daughters of first-class families have husbands who are not only highly capable, but are also the eldest sons of the principal wife who will take over the family in the future. No matter how you compare them, the royal family is much weaker.
Throughout history, there have been dynasties that treated their imperial relatives well, and dynasties that treated them harshly. When imperial relatives were treated well, relatives would plot to seize power, just like Zhu Di.
Mistreatment of the imperial clan can lead to a situation where the royal family is too weak while external enemies are too strong. Just like in the Qin Dynasty, when Zhao Gao deposed Fusu and installed Huhai by pointing at a deer and calling it a horse, the imperial clan had no power to fight back.
There are countless examples like this. Of course, the downfall of a dynasty is due to more than one factor, but in any case, the imperial family is an extremely troublesome group.
Often, it all depends on individual circumstances.
In a flash, Zhao Shu sneered, "Master, your words are truly unreasonable. When have I ever harmed anyone? This state of the Imperial Concubine is not my fault. Why are you accusing me? If the Imperial Concubine is unwell, she should go and rest. Aren't you supposed to be all-powerful in your Buddhist teachings? You can even control something as mysterious and unpredictable as dragon energy. Why can't you heal the Imperial Concubine's mere mortal body?"
"This princess is foolish and cannot compare to the enlightened master and high monk. But there are gods watching over us. Master, please be careful with your words. His Highness the Crown Prince has always been fine, but now he has inexplicably vomited blood and fainted. How can we know that it was not Consort Hao who offended His Highness the Crown Prince? As the abbot of Huguo Temple, please see clearly what is primary and what is secondary. Has the monks of Huguo Temple forgotten the importance of the words 'protecting the country' after Master Miaokong ascended to Buddhahood?"
"Perhaps Master Liaoyuan has a close relationship with the Imperial Concubine. What ulterior motives could he have?" she said sharply.
Before the two could reply, she said to Xiao Guozi, "Why don't you ask the master to go and rest? The master has gone to great lengths for my Dayong and even personally escorted Consort Hao to Guanzhou. After traveling a long distance, he tried to snatch the Crown Prince's Golden Dragon Jade Pendant as soon as he entered the palace. Such behavior is truly incomprehensible. I can only pray to the Buddha for guidance. Please invite dozens of eminent monks for me. I want to personally ask the Buddha what it means to have conflicting dragon energies and what it means to have a weak destiny!"
She spoke passionately, but she didn't miss Hao Shumei's resentful gaze. Although it was only a fleeting glance, it still didn't escape her eyes. "The Imperial Concubine is carrying a dragon's fetus. The dragon's energy is too strong, and I'm afraid ordinary imperial physicians cannot treat it. After all, it's just a mortal's body. I, the Princess, will not invite imperial physicians or doctors for the Imperial Concubine. It would be best to rely on the Master for the treatment of the Imperial Concubine. The Master is an enlightened monk with boundless Buddhist teachings. We mortals worship him!" After saying that, she cupped her hands and looked at Liaoyuan with a mocking expression.
Xiao Guozi and the others quickly surrounded them, and even called in several patrolling Pengcheng soldiers to take Liaoyuan away.
Consort Hao, blood still trickling from the corner of her mouth, looked weak and in pain. With a pitiful smile, she began to sing, "The millet grows luxuriantly, the sorghum seedlings sprout. I walk slowly, my heart trembles. Those who know me say I am worried, those who do not know me ask what I seek. Oh, vast heaven! Who is this person..."
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