Chapter 343 Folk Songs
With the deliberate covert operation of the Xun family, in just one day, the news that the emperor was obsessed with the two Turkic beauties spread like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys of the capital.
Whether it is a white-haired, experienced old man in his sixties, or an innocent, confused three-year-old child, everyone has heard of this palace anecdote.
Soon, a sharp and sarcastic ballad quietly emerged among the people.
Two Turkic beauties entered the Han Pass, with graceful figures and looks like fairies.
From then on, the king was intoxicated and indulged in music and dance every night without sleep.
The dragon throne was tilted in the court and the emperor was snoring in his deep sleep!
There are indeed many talented people among the people. With just a few words, this creator vividly and accurately depicts the absurd scene in the current court.
The streets and alleys of the capital.
Several children with pigtails and wearing coarse clothes were chasing and playing with each other, singing this new and strange ballad happily.
"Two Turkic beauties entered the Han Pass, with graceful figures and beautiful looks..."
The clear and tender voices of children echoed in the streets.
Suddenly, a woman with an anxious face rushed over, stretched out her hand and grabbed her child, raised her palm high, and fell on the child's buttocks, and shouted sternly, "Shut up! Who told you to say this?"
The child was frightened by the sudden beating and scolding and burst into tears, sobbing and defending himself, "Mom, they all said that, so I just learned a few words from them."
In fact, these children do not recognize the words in the song at all, and do not understand the deeper meaning of the song. They just sing along because they think it is catchy and fun.
The woman was still angry and dragged the child home, "Alright, go home quickly and stop learning nonsense outside!"
In the blink of an eye, the children on the street were pulled away by their parents, and the streets, which were bustling just now, became quiet in an instant.
Not long after, several guards came here hurriedly with serious expressions.
They had heard the song a long time ago and their faces turned grim. After looking at each other, they immediately ran towards the palace without saying a word, wanting to quickly inform the emperor of the news.
now.
The Yangxin Palace was quiet and silent. Zhang Chengyan was immersed in a dream, looking tired and with a slightly frowned brow.
Wang Decai trotted all the way, rushed into the palace in a panic, looked at the sleeping emperor, couldn't help but sighed heavily, and murmured to himself, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, how did you become like this? In the past, all the civil and military officials in the court praised you as a wise ruler with the demeanor of a sage monarch, but now, in such a short period of time, you seem to have become a different person. There must be something wrong!"
Wang Decai has served the emperor for many years and has been taking care of him since the time when he was in the prince's mansion. He is familiar with Zhang Chengyan's temperament and habits. Now witnessing such changes, he is filled with worries.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
Zhang Chengyan woke up from his sleep, sleepy and impatient, "What are you doing? Can't you see I'm sleeping?"
"Your Majesty, something big has happened!" Wang Decai was so anxious that his forehead was covered with sweat, and his voice unconsciously rose a few degrees.
Zhang Chengyan sat up and rubbed his aching solar plexus with his hand, looking unhappy. "What happened? Tell me quickly!"
At this moment, he just felt weak all over and just wanted to continue sleeping.
"Your Majesty, now the entire capital knows that you favor two Turkic beauties, and the people have even composed a ballad to spread around."
As Wang Decai spoke, he carefully presented the memorial to the emperor.
When Zhang Chengyan heard this, he instantly lost all sleepiness and reached out to snatch the memorial.
When his eyes swept over the content of the ballad, anger instantly surged on his face, veins popped in his neck, and he slammed the memorial to the ground, roaring, "How outrageous! Who is so bold as to write such a ballad to mock me? Who is it? Wang Decai, you immediately send someone to bring this audacious guy back to me, he is clearly deliberately trying to discredit me!"
"Also, how did the secrets of me falling asleep in the court and doting on a Turkish beauty get out? In just a few days, the news spread like wildfire. It would be impossible if there was no one secretly pushing it behind the scenes!"
Wang Decai was so frightened that he fell to his knees, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, I really don't know."
Zhang Chengyan's eyes widened in anger. "If you don't know, go check it out for me! What use is there for you?"
Wang Decai quickly agreed and stood up to leave.
Zhang Chengyan looked at his back and suddenly asked, "Do you think that the person in this ballad is really me?"
Wang Decai paused, a hint of hesitation flashed across his face, and then he turned bitter, "Your Majesty, I...I dare not say it."
"Just tell me what you want to say. I want to hear your true words and pardon you."
Wang Decai felt relieved after receiving his approval. He knelt down again, crying, "Your Majesty, what you have done in recent days is really too much. Thinking back, you have been diligent in governing the country, working day and night. When have you ever behaved so improperly in the morning court?"
His voice choked with sobs. "But now, he has fallen asleep twice in the court. Moreover, you and the two Turkic beauties sing and dance every night until dawn. This has never happened before! Your Majesty, I dare to say that there must be something fishy about this! Even if the Turkic beauties are extremely beautiful, they would never confuse Your Majesty to such an extent! Your Majesty, you might as well think back to the late emperor..."
When Zhang Chengyan heard the word "late emperor", his whole body trembled, as if a basin of cold water was poured from head to toe, and he woke up instantly.
What Wang Decai said was absolutely right. His actions in the past few days were exactly the same as those of the foolish and tyrannical emperor back then!
Once upon a time, he despised the absurdity of the previous emperor!
But now, I have unknowingly embarked on the same path!
"You are right. There must be something wrong with this matter. How could I have lost my mind and become like this?" Zhang Chengyan showed regret on his face. He stood up suddenly and ordered loudly, "Quick! Summon the imperial physician to the palace immediately!"
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