Chapter 093
After Shen Jin finished speaking, Chu Xiuming fell silent. In fact, he had thought about this as well. As long as he could make Emperor Cheng feel that he was a greater threat than the Crown Prince of King Ying, then cooperation would not be impossible.
Moreover, Emperor Cheng was so concerned about Prince Rui because he had something to do with it. After all, Prince Rui was also the blood of the previous emperor. Emperor Cheng didn't know that they had the prince's grandson. So in Emperor Cheng's mind, it was natural for Chu Xiuming to push Prince Rui to the top. After all, Prince Rui was also his father-in-law and was easy to control.
So when Chu Xiuming persuaded King Rui to follow him to the border town, he was also taking a big risk.
Not only that, if Emperor Cheng felt that Chu Xiuming was in danger, he would probably use a conciliatory attitude to appease Chu Xiuming while using thundering means to deal with Prince Rui.
Chu Xiuming, Princess Rui, and even Zhao Ru and the others knew this, so they told Prince Rui about the secret passage in advance and provoked him with words. Although Zhao Ru mentioned that Prince Ying's army was approaching the capital and asked Prince Rui whether he would abandon the Queen Mother, he was actually still thinking about Chu Xiuming. He mentioned the Queen Mother specifically just to confuse Prince Rui's mind and make him unable to associate with other things. After all, Emperor Cheng was his elder brother, and Prince Rui was never a steadfast person. No one could guarantee that after returning to the capital, after guessing Chu Xiuming and the Zhao family's plan, he would not be soft-hearted and tell the Queen Mother or Emperor Cheng. It would be better to let Prince Rui focus all his hatred on Prince Ying and his fear on Emperor Cheng.
If it were any other emperor, he would not join forces with someone like the Prince of Ying, but Emperor Cheng? None of them dared to guarantee that the Prince of Ying would be able to wait until now to take action. It was just that he did not know the attitude of the Chu family and was concerned about the Chu family, so he started to plot against the Chu family early on.
When the Chu family did nothing and guarded the border for Tianqi, Emperor Cheng kept making small moves, either delaying the baggage and food or refusing to provide rescue. He wanted to use the Chu family and guard against the Chu family at the same time, and even killed people from the Chu family because of his small moves. How could Emperor Cheng not feel guilty?
Emperor Cheng would probably like to see the Chu family and the Prince of England both suffer losses, and then he can clean up the situation. But would the Prince of England let Emperor Cheng use him like this?
Seeing Chu Xiuming silent, Shen Jin understood something in her heart. In fact, she had inferred many things from the attitudes of people around her, because Shen Jin would always be Shen Jin, the person who could carefully live out a world for herself no matter where she was. She could not become someone like Chu Xiuming who knew everything.
"Emperor Cheng is no match for the Prince of England." Shen Jin lay on top of Chu Xiuming and said in a low voice.
If Emperor Cheng wanted to plot against Prince Ying and Chu Xiuming, unless Prince Ying deliberately let him succeed, otherwise... it is more likely that Prince Ying plotted against Emperor Cheng. Even so, it would be equivalent to them working together to deal with Chu Xiuming, so Chu Xiuming hoped that the mountain range was really where Prince Ying hid his troops.
Chu Xiuming gently patted Shen Jin's back, "No matter what, Emperor Cheng is now the king of a country." In fact, Emperor Cheng has never realized that his greatest advantage is that the emperor is the heart of the people. His identity is more useful in open schemes than in secret schemes. He only needs to directly order Chu Xiuming to deal with the Prince of England and use the people of the world to pressure Chu Xiuming, then even if Chu Xiuming knows Emperor Cheng's ultimate goal, he will agree to it, because in this situation, even if he pushes out Chu Xiuyuan's identity, the people will not stand on his side, but it will make Chu Xiuyuan lose the support of the people.
But Emperor Cheng gave up his advantages and instead liked to use some tricks. This is why many old ministers were not optimistic about him.
Different people sitting on the throne are of different types, but no matter which type they are, they must be honest enough. It does not mean that the emperor cannot use other means. On the contrary, the emperor can use any means. However, just because of suspicion, he will use those small means to kill the heroes. No one is a fool. Although he will not say anything when he sees it, he will inevitably have some emotions in his heart.
Everyone knows that Emperor Cheng's means of ascending the throne were not fair and aboveboard, but why did most people remain silent at the beginning, except for those diehards? Because to these people, as long as the person sitting on the throne is from the Shen family and the royal bloodline is not mixed, it's fine.
Because they are loyal to the emperor, whether for the people or for themselves, they all want to realize their ambitions.
Shen Jin said, "I'll go."
"No." Chu Xiuming refused without hesitation.
Shen Jin had actually thought about it, and said, "Actually, it would be best if I go. Even you and Xiu Yuan are not as suitable as me."
Chu Xiuming was silent. Shen Jin put his face on Chu Xiuming's chest and said, "If it is true, the Prince of Ying will probably send people to negotiate with Biancheng while looking for Emperor Cheng to cooperate. After all, compared with you, Emperor Cheng is easier to deal with."
In fact, Chu Xiuming had considered all that Shen Jin said. Shen Jin continued, "So it's safest for me to go. Even if there's an ambush, they won't hurt me. They'll just capture me alive and use me to threaten you."
If Chu Xiuming or Chu Xiuyuan left, they would not have the same treatment and would probably be killed immediately. Therefore, only Shen Jin was left. Her status was neither too important nor too light. No matter whether it was Emperor Cheng or the Prince of Ying, they would think that killing her would have no impact on the border town. On the contrary, capturing her to threaten Chu Xiuming would be somewhat useful.
Not only that, Emperor Cheng would not openly deal with Chu Xiuming, so Princess Shen Jin's identity was also a form of protection.
Given the current situation, he has to go, as it is not only related to the child, but also to the future situation. As long as the Prince of England is weakened, then no matter what Emperor Cheng thinks, the ministers in the court will find a way to let Emperor Cheng deal with the Prince of England for their own comfort.
It would be best if Chu Xiuming could report a serious injury at that time...
Chu Xiuming gently stroked Shen Jin's hair and said, "You stay in the border town, are you sure you can leave your things there?"
Shen Jin lowered her eyes slightly. Chu Xiuming could only think more than what she could think of. But was it really as Shen Jin said, without any danger? On the contrary, Shen Jin had no ability to protect herself. If she really took action, others would certainly want to capture her alive, but knives and guns had no eyes. What if something unexpected happened? So Chu Xiuming would not agree, and he was not willing to let Shen Jin take risks. This was his wife, who was held in his palm and whom he did not want to let suffer any grievances.
Hearing about Dongdong, Shen Jin pursed her lips. Chu Xiuming was leaving. If she left too, Dongdong would be the only one left here. He was still so young. "Leave Dongdong to my mother to take care of him. Then Nanny Zhao, Anping and Anning will all stay."
Chu Xiuming wanted to speak, but Shen Jin stood up and covered his mouth, "Husband, I'm just waiting for you in another place."
"It's different." Chu Xiuming was willing to compromise for Shen Jin in many things, but it was impossible in this matter. He moved Shen Jin's hand away, sat up, hugged Shen Jin in his arms, looked down into Shen Jin's eyes and said.
Shen Jin smiled and said, "Husband, it's not certain. What if there is nothing on the other side of the mountain range?"
So it was a bit too early for them to say this now. Chu Xiuming sighed slowly, nodded and said, "Yes."
The matter was not resolved, but everyone tacitly agreed not to mention it again.
In the capital city, Kexianju had already prepared everything that King Rui wanted. Because King Rui requested that everything be prepared in the King Rui's Mansion, at dawn, the people from Kexianju entered the King Rui's Mansion through the back door with many ingredients and tools, and began to work in a specially prepared courtyard.
Several people tied up the live lamb first, and a strong man in his thirties skillfully slaughtered the lamb. Others used materials to build a temporary platform for roasting the lamb in the open space...
At the same time, a middle-aged woman was also led into the main room. When Prince Rui saw this woman, he was stunned for a moment and said, "Madam Zhen, why are you..."
Nanny Zhen looked much older than when she was in the palace. If Prince Rui was not familiar with her, he might not have recognized her. Nanny Zhen now no longer looked as respectable as she did in the palace. She was wearing shabby clothes, looking like an ordinary old woman. Nanny Zhen was not surprised when she looked at Prince Rui and Princess Rui. After all, she was already prepared when the people from Kexianju came over with the note last night.
"This old servant greets the prince and princess." Nanny Zhen said respectfully.
Prince Rui said quickly, "Mammy, please get up and sit down. What's going on?"
"Your Highness." Princess Rui interrupted the King of Rui and asked Nanny Zhen to sit down. She poured tea for her. Nanny Zhen quickly stood up and said she was not worthy of it. "Nanny, why are you alone outside the palace?"
Nanny Zhen waited until Princess Rui sat back next to Prince Rui before she sat down and said, "It was the Queen Mother's order. That day..." Nanny Zhen just briefly talked about the quarrel between Emperor Cheng and the Queen Mother.
Prince Rui's eyes turned red, and he said with guilt, "It's all my fault. If it weren't for my selfishness, and I asked my mother to help me... Your Majesty wouldn't have implicated my mother."
“Your Highness, please don’t say that. The Queen Mother will be very sad if she knew.” Nanny Zhen sighed in her heart. Although Prince Rui was a little weak and incompetent, he valued friendship and respected the Queen Mother more than Emperor Cheng. At that time, the Queen Mother asked her to leave the palace and told her to wait for Prince Rui’s people to come and tell him everything. Nanny Zhen thought that Prince Rui might not come back at that time, but she didn’t expect that the mother and son were really connected by heart.
Prince Rui lowered his head, his expression unclear. In fact, he was sad and angry. No matter how bad his mother was, she was very good to Emperor Cheng and him. But what about Emperor Cheng? She was the mother who gave birth to them and raised them... Thinking of what the princess said, Prince Rui wanted to visit his mother immediately, but Emperor Cheng would not allow him to enter the palace. Even if he wanted to comfort his mother, he could not do it.
Princess Rui looked at Nanny Zhen and asked, "Does the Queen Mother have anything to say to Nanny and the Prince?"
"Yes." Nanny Zhen said respectfully, "That day, His Majesty took the opportunity to attack many people around the Queen Mother. Even I, an old slave, was beaten with a stick. The Queen Mother simply sent those who could be sent out of the palace, and transferred those who couldn't be sent to other places. She asked His Majesty to arrange for people to serve him, and thus saved the lives of me and others."
Prince Rui clenched his fists, trying to suppress his anger. Nanny Zhen said calmly, "I have received the Queen Mother's order and have been waiting for the Prince." She took out a stack of banknotes from her bosom and handed them to Prince Rui with both hands. "This is all the Queen Mother's savings. The Queen Mother asked me to give these to the Prince."
"What does mother mean?" Prince Rui did not take the banknotes, but asked with a frown.
Nanny Zhen said respectfully, "The Queen Mother asked the prince to go to the border town."
Prince Rui frowned. If it weren't for the Queen Mother, he would have gone to the border town long ago. But at this time, the Queen Mother specifically asked Zhen Ma to stay outside to tell him this? Princess Rui also frowned and looked at the banknotes. It was impossible for the Queen Mother to only let Zhen Ma give these banknotes to Prince Rui, because there was no need.
Nanny Zhen just stood up with a respectful attitude and placed the banknote next to Prince Rui, then looked at Princess Rui and said, "The Queen Mother also specifically instructed me that if the princess accompanies the prince this time and arranges the child properly, there is no need to avoid the princess in the following words."
Prince Rui said, "Madam, just speak frankly. Princess and I will live and die together, and share honor and disgrace together."
Upon hearing this, Nanny Zhen said, "Yes, the Queen Mother asked me to tell the prince that the imperial seal is a fake."
"What?" Prince Rui couldn't help but exclaimed in surprise. However, Nanny Zhen kept looking at Princess Rui. Seeing the fear that could not be concealed on her face, she felt relieved. It seemed that Princess Rui didn't know about it before.
Nanny Zhen said, "The real imperial seal was hidden by the Crown Princess, but no one knows where it is hidden. In addition to the imperial seal... there is also the late emperor's will."
"The late emperor's last will?" Prince Rui looked at Nanny Zhen.
"Yes." Nanny Zhen said, "I am sorry for being so rude. Is there any place to avoid me?"
Even someone as calm as Princess Rui took a few deep breaths before she calmed down and said, "Madam, please follow me."
Nanny Zhen stepped back slightly, folded her hands on her belly and lowered her head. Princess Rui took Nanny Zhen inside, but Prince Rui hadn't reacted yet. When they reached the inner room, Nanny Zhen took off her outer and middle clothes, and then removed the bright yellow edict that was tightly tied around her waist by a belt.
Without bothering to put on clothes, he held it in both hands and handed it to Princess Rui. Princess Rui took it but did not open it. She just said, "Give it to the prince when we get out."
Nanny Zhen responded respectfully, and then put on her clothes one by one. She then gave the will to Princess Rui, and she was relieved. After she went out, she saw that Prince Rui had finally calmed down, but when he saw what the princess was holding, he swallowed his saliva. Princess Rui handed it to Prince Rui, and Prince Rui opened it and read it. It was indeed the late emperor's will, and the content was to pass the throne to the crown prince.
"But the prince has already..." After reading it, Prince Rui handed the will to Princess Rui and said after a moment of hesitation.
Princess Rui pursed her lips and waited to see how it was used. If used well, the effect would not be bad, especially... the prince's grandson was still alive. With this will, it could also prove that the prince's lineage was the one favored by the late emperor.
Nanny Zhen said, "Your Highness, just keep this. When you get to the border town, give it to the Marquis of Yongning."
Prince Rui looked at Princess Rui, then at Nanny Zhen, and agreed. Princess Rui folded the edict and placed it with Prince Rui. She looked at Nanny Zhen and asked, "How did the Queen Mother leave this edict?"
Nanny Zhen gritted her teeth and said, "The will that His Majesty gave was a fake."
Although they all had guesses in their minds when they saw this, they were still shocked when Nanny Zhen said it. Nanny Zhen continued, "This is the truth. Emperor Cheng didn't know it either. At that time... it was hidden by the Queen Mother."
Nanny Zhen's words were vague, but Princess Rui had already understood. At that time, the Empress Dowager was probably afraid after seeing Emperor Cheng's attitude of killing the Crown Prince and the remaining princes, so she secretly hid the edict. The Empress Dowager was Emperor Cheng's mother, but not only his mother, she also had a younger son who needed protection. So the Empress Dowager could tolerate Emperor Cheng raising Prince Rui to be useless, but could not tolerate Emperor Cheng threatening Prince Rui's life. So taking out the edict now was just to give Prince Rui some bargaining chips.
If Emperor Cheng had not intended to get rid of Prince Rui, the Empress Dowager would probably never have taken out this edict in her lifetime.
If Emperor Cheng knew that even his biological mother was so wary of him, I wonder what he would think.
Nanny Zhen took a deep breath and said, "The Queen Mother asked me to tell the prince a message, 'My son is also the blood of the late emperor. If that day ever comes, my son would rather take his place. I only ask that my son give his brother a chance to live for the sake of his mother.'"
"I have never thought about this." King Rui said with a changed expression.
Princess Rui understood all of the Queen Mother's plans. She gave out so many chips only because she thought that there were only three people left in the bloodline of the previous emperor: Emperor Cheng, Prince Rui and Prince Ying. So letting Prince Rui take these to find Chu Xiuming was also an extra guarantee, not only for Prince Rui but also for herself. Because no matter whether Emperor Cheng or Prince Rui finally won and became emperor, they were better than Prince Ying, because she was the high and mighty Queen Mother. However, despite all the Queen Mother's calculations, she did not expect that there were still people alive in the Prince's lineage.
Nanny Zhen looked at Prince Rui and said, "The Queen Mother knows that Your Highness has no such intention, but Your Highness, sometimes you can't help yourself."
King Rui gritted his teeth and said, "Is my mother in danger?"
If he really left, what would the Queen Mother do? And how would Emperor Cheng treat his mother?
Upon hearing this, Nanny Zhen looked at Prince Rui with an even kinder look in her eyes and said, "No matter what, the Queen Mother is your Majesty's mother. Your Majesty can rest assured. Even for your sake, the Queen Mother will take good care of herself."
Prince Rui lowered his head and said nothing. Nanny Zhen knew that Prince Rui was such an indecisive person, so she didn't care. Instead, she looked at Princess Rui and said, "Princess, the Queen Mother said that you are a smart person and will naturally know how to choose. Yongning Marquis is the prince's son-in-law. The prince has only four sons, and the eldest and second sons are both from you. If that day really comes...you also know the prince's character and he will never treat you and the prince unfairly."
This is a big deal, but the Queen Mother never knows what Princess Rui wants. However, Princess Rui just nodded and said, "It's easy for Nanny to say, but... Why should Marquis Yongning help the prince? If he succeeds, he will be a hero. If he fails, or the Prince of Ying ascends the throne, then the Chu family's reputation of a hundred years will be destroyed, and I'm afraid it will be infamous for thousands of years. Even if the Chu family pushes the prince away, what can they get? Will they really get more than they have now? And if the Chu family preserves its strength, no matter whether the Prince of Ying wins or loses in the end, the Chu family will be invincible with the military power in hand."
Nanny Zhen knew that what Princess Rui said was the truth, and she considered this entirely for the sake of Prince Rui. The Chu family's current connection with Prince Rui was just marrying Prince Rui's concubine's daughter, but compared with the Chu family's century-old reputation and a woman, the former was naturally more important.
Prince Rui looked at Nanny Zhen when she heard this. Nanny Zhen thought of what the Queen Mother said and said, "The Queen Mother said that Your Highness should use a prince of the opposite sex, and give all those places in the northwest to the Yongning Marquis, so that he can control them... The Queen Mother said that you should ask Old Zhao for details. In the past thirty years, I'm afraid that many people have forgotten the glory of the Zhao family with five Jinshi scholars. Does the Zhao family really want to be silent? When the prince really succeeds, I'm afraid he will have to rely on Old Zhao a lot."
Princess Rui had to admit that the Queen Mother was really good at controlling people's hearts. After all these events, if she hadn't already made a plan, she would have been tempted. Upon hearing this, she lowered her eyes slightly and said nothing. Nanny Zhen continued, "Princess, you can also think about it. If the prince really succeeds, then the prince will be the crown prince, the future ruler of a country, and the princess will be the mother of a country. Then the Zhao family will not only be the mother family of the crown prince, but also have the merit of following the dragon."
"I understand." Princess Rui let out a breath slowly, as if she had made up her mind.
Nanny Zhen was relieved to see this. She looked at Prince Rui and said, "Your Highness, the Queen Mother asked me to tell you to listen to the Princess more. Husband and wife should be of one mind. The Princess stayed with you when you were in trouble. If your Highness does anything to offend the Princess, the Queen Mother will definitely stand up for her."
"I won't." King Rui said quickly.
Princess Rui smiled slightly when she heard this, but didn't say anything. Nanny Zhen continued, "The Queen Mother also said that you should send the girl from the palace to the palace, and the Queen Mother will help take care of her." This was to prevent Prince Rui from being a burden. "Please don't worry about the matter of the Yongle Marquis's Crown Prince's Consort, the Queen Mother will help take care of her."
Prince Rui frowned and wanted to say something but was stopped by Princess Rui. Princess Rui said, "I understand, but the fourth girl is not in good health now, I am afraid she can't enter the palace. I will pack up the fifth girl's things in the next few days and send her to the palace to accompany the Queen Mother."
Upon hearing this, Nanny Zhen was completely relieved. It seemed that Princess Rui had already made up her mind. Nanny Zhen understood what Prince Rui wanted to say just now. The Queen Mother could barely save herself now, so how could she have the ability to protect Shen Qi? She was just saying that. Prince Rui obviously saw it and wanted to ask, but Princess Rui stopped her. Princess Rui had already made the decision to sacrifice Shen Qi for Prince Rui and her son.
It’s not that the Empress Dowager doesn’t love her granddaughter Shen Qi, but compared to her son and grandson, a married granddaughter is not that important.
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