Chapter 91 Come on, take advantage of it!

The prince's eye disease has recovered and he will attend court soon.

This time the Crown Prince is very powerful, and all the ministers in the court are worried about what will happen if they offend a madman.

They had already seen the end of Fan Boying, and no one dared to touch the prince's scales. Moreover, when the prince was about to be deposed due to eye disease, they secretly added fuel to the fire.

No one would want the country to be ruled by a tyrannical prince, especially since this prince is an expert at spreading rumors and is the sharpest blade in the emperor's hands.

Yes, Shen Zhi doesn’t look like a prince, but more like an executioner.

Surprisingly, the prince did not lose his temper in the court, and his silent attitude made many ministers even more uneasy.

Come to think of it, most of the brothers of Concubine Xin Gui, the fifth prince's mother's family, were thrown into prison by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, with all kinds of bizarre charges against them. They dared not laugh, because there was a high possibility that they would be the next person to be imprisoned.

Not only the fifth prince, but all the ministers who turned against the crown prince after he suffered from eye disease suffered.

In addition to the imperial court, the new laws were also implemented on the common people. The heavy and oppressive taxes almost forced people into desperation, and there was a tendency for rebellion.

The people of Cang State were in panic.

"Prince, this is a memorial requesting to depose the crown prince," the emperor threw the stack of memorials in his hand in front of Shen Zhi.

The emperor was about forty years old, with a solemn face and the aura of a superior. He was young and strong, and had more dignity and stability than when he first ascended the throne.

People change, but Concubine Xin doesn't know this, and neither does her father.

The fifth prince's mother's family is very powerful, so the first person to worry should be the emperor.

Otherwise, how could he, an unfavored prince, dare to attack the maternal family of his favored concubine?

Shen Zhi's eyes flashed with contemplation. He glanced at the memorial and confessed his guilt, "I was too reckless. Please forgive me, father."

"I have seen Lord Zhang many times taking advantage of Mother Concubine Xin's leniency to enter and leave the palace, and secretly coaxing Mother Concubine Xin into making friends with ministers for him. I cannot bear to see Lord Zhang make mistakes again and again, so I am the one who is wrong."

"If the Fifth Emperor blames me for this, I will bow my head for the sake of brotherhood," Shen Zhi said earnestly, with a guilty look on his face, "but I hope you will not sacrifice public interests for personal gain."

The emperor waved his hand and excused Shen Zhi from the ceremony.

His eyes, like a cold pond, scanned every inch of his eldest son who had just recovered from a serious illness. He became more and more unable to understand this son.

However, although the fifth child is good, he is easily confused, just like his mother, he is soft-hearted and easily deceived.

"Go to your mother, Concubine Xin," the emperor observed the prince's every move, "and confess your crime to her."

Shen Zhi's face was calm. He received the order and left.

A voice suddenly rang out from the empty palace, sounding somewhat old, "Your Highness has grown up, and looks just like the late Queen."

After a long while, the emperor sighed and spoke, "Their personalities are completely different. Zi Tong is gentle and kind, but he is too scheming and his methods are so immature. Do you really think I can't hear the calculations in his mouth?"

The chief eunuch quickly complimented him, "Your Majesty has a clear vision, and the prince still has much to learn."

"He didn't mention the matter of Xiao's army. He has tens of thousands of soldiers in his hands alone. Is my son going to rebel?" The emperor sighed helplessly, his eyes filled with fatigue and ruthlessness.

The emperor never spoke again. It was the first time that he felt so obviously that he had raised a tiger to bring harm.

The sky outside is clear and bright. Perhaps it is the spring breeze that is bringing everything back to life.

Shen Zhi's health had improved a lot and he was not so afraid of the cold. At least he did not feel any discomfort even after standing in front of Concubine Xin's palace and waiting for a while.

Yuan Bao was still worried, so he advised, "Your Highness, there is no need to meet today."

Concubine Xin was unhappy because her brother was thrown into jail, and now she is deliberately torturing Shen Zhi.

This action clearly demonstrated her dissatisfaction and could easily anger the emperor, but Concubine Xin didn't care. They had been childhood sweethearts and had been husband and wife for many years. Concubine Xin knew very well that the emperor would not really be angry.

For just one Shen Zhi.

An open confrontation can indeed control Shen Zhi, but naked calculations are the most unavoidable. Concubine Xin always knows how to use her advantages.

If she punished him in private, she would be most likely to be criticized.

But now Shen Zhi is no longer a baby, and he doesn't care about intangible things like face.

"If Concubine Xin is not available, I will go back first." This crime does not have to be reported.

There was a deep furrow between the nanny's brows. She looked extremely stern and her words were aggressive. "Your Highness, can't you even wait for this little bit of time?"

Shen Zhi curled his lips and smiled, then asked, "Madam, do you want me to be disturbed by the scorching sun, so that my old illness will relapse and I will be abandoned by my father?"

The nanny was shocked. She couldn't bear such a serious crime. She couldn't speak so clearly, "Of course... I don't dare."

Shen Zhi tugged at his sleeves and said without any shame: "The body of Concubine Xin is precious, and I am the crown prince of the Cang Kingdom, so I am naturally more precious than her, right?"

"I think if I take good care of myself, I won't let anyone gossip about me and make Concubine Xin Gui unhappy."

Shen Zhi looked coldly at the nanny who had been so aggressive just now, until she blushed and lowered her head, then he left with a snort of laughter.

Recently, Shen Zhi feels that his mental state has improved a lot since he became blind. No evil spirits dare to provoke him, which really makes him happy.

Even if I meet a mean person, my mood will still hit rock bottom.

Shen Zhi had always known that Shen Zhaoheng hated him. What he didn't know was that Shen Zhaoheng was favored by his father, his mother was also a favored concubine, and his maternal grandfather's family was honored by it. What on earth was he dissatisfied with that he had to go against him everywhere?

Even her gentle and graceful demeanor seems like an ugly imitation of someone else.

The person he imitated was not someone else, but Shen Zhi's grandfather, the prime minister who had retired and returned to his hometown and was known for his elegance.

This was enough to make Shen Zhi annoyed and annoyed with Shen Zhaoheng.

"I heard that your royal brother has been very busy lately. Every time I hear about it, I wish I could take his place," Shen Zhaoheng frowned, looking genuinely worried about Shen Zhi.

Shen Zhi raised his eyelids and said sarcastically, "If Fifth Brother is willing to kill his relatives for the sake of justice, it is not impossible to give the task of sentencing Fifth Brother's uncle to him."

Shen Zhaoheng's expression remained unchanged, still wearing that gentle mask that he couldn't take off.

Shen Zhi curled his lips and said with an ambiguous tone, "During the last winter hunt, we encountered a prisoner robbery, and my father gave the task of guarding Diao Jieshi to my fifth brother."

"Fifth brother, please watch out and don't let anyone with ulterior motives kidnap the prisoners again and make father unhappy," Shen Zhi said with a smile, as if he was genuinely worried about Shen Zhaoheng.

Shen Zhaoheng knew very well that there was deep resentment in the court about Fan Boying's affairs, and the appearance of Diao Jieshi made everyone with a discerning eye wait and see. He was the descendant of Diao Lu and could not be easily provoked, but if he did not die, the emperor would not be satisfied.

Shen Zhi threw this difficult matter to Shen Zhaoheng. The one who was worried now was His Royal Highness the Fifth Prince, who was respected by everyone.

"Brother Emperor," Shen Zhaoheng sighed, "You are still as smart as ever."

Shen Zhaoheng knew from a young age that he could not compare with Shen Zhi's outstanding family background and extraordinary talent.

But in the end Shen Zhi still succumbed to his cruelty. How could a cunning and sinister person be worthy of being a monarch? Not to mention the common people, even the ministers in the court did not want to have their heads hanging by a sword and live in uncertainty at any time.

Shen Zhi has a far-sighted vision. No matter how smart he is, he still needs help to get that position.

Although he was the crown prince, the one who was one step away from that position was Shen Zhaoheng.

Shen Zhaoheng had a handsome face. He looked up at the sky, bowed and stepped back. "The weather has changed. I hope my brother will be careful on the road. The Qintian Observatory observed the sky at night and there may be floods in the south. My brother is a good man and will surely protect the people of my country."

Shen Zhaoheng bowed deeply and left leisurely.

It was as if he stopped Shen Zhi just to say these words.

Shen Zhi's eyes stayed on the rolling clouds in the sky. The gray clouds seemed to be mixed with water vapor, weighing heavily on people's hearts.

"Let's go," Shen Zhi put his fist to his lips and coughed a few times.

It was still cold, Yuanbao put the cloak in his hand on Shen Zhi's shoulders and held it tightly until he felt a little warm.

Zhuozhou has suffered from frequent floods every year. This year, the Qintianjian has reported many floods, and the disaster today must be even worse.

Yuan Bao knew nothing about the court affairs, but he had heard about Zhuozhou. He asked cautiously, "Your Highness, does the Fifth Prince mean that the Emperor will send you to provide disaster relief?"

Shen Zhi said vaguely: "Maybe."

The person is neither dead nor injured, so of course we have to make good use of him.

Shen Zhi couldn't help but clench his hands and take a deep breath, letting out all the anger in his chest. He no longer had any father-son feelings for the man in a high position.

He had never been chosen. Even if it wasn't Concubine Xin and Shen Zhaoheng, it would have been someone else. His mother was just a tool of power for them to seize the throne.

Yuan Bao said anxiously, "Your Highness, can you not go? Although the common people are important, thousands of people die every year in the floods in Zhuozhou, and there are also plagues. The officials sent by the court are always of low status. Your Highness, you..."

Shen Zhi closed his eyes, lifted his hem and stepped over the threshold, saying without any emotion: "So Zhuozhou has always been in trouble, because the people sent there have no say. Whether I go or not is not up to me."

All Shen Zhi could do was take advantage.

Shen Zhi walked out of the palace, got on the carriage, and swayed all the way to the Prince's Mansion.

A torrential rain suddenly came, washing the earth clean and forming small puddles in the soil. The buds of flowers that had just grown in the spring breeze were washed away by the heavy rain, and life withered before it had a chance to bloom.

The doorman brought a letter to Shen Zhi.

It was sent by Zhong Wenyan, and Shen Zhi burned it after reading it.

In the end, he was wrong. Zhong Wenyan was truly a loyal minister who served his country and his people, but he should not have been born in Cang Country and should not have given his life to this corrupt and infested court.

Yuan Bao brought in a bowl of hot soup, "Your Highness, drink something to warm yourself up."

Yuan Bao wiped the rain off his head and muttered, "I don't know why Doctor Chu had to leave. If he were here, he could still take care of Your Highness."

His Highness's eye disease had just recovered, but Yuanbao was still worried. Ever since Shen Zhi was able to see again, he had great faith in Chu Cunjian's medical skills and wished he could tie him up to His Highness the Crown Prince.

Shen Zhi sipped the hot soup with a spoon and paused for a moment. "There is no need for someone who cannot be retained to stay."

"Yuanbao, take inventory of the mansion's inventory." Shen Zhiyao looked at the incessant heavy rain outside the window. This time Zhuozhou would be more difficult than he had imagined.

Chu Cunjian's mission had been completed and there was no need for him to stay any longer. Shen Zhi knew where he had gone.

According to Chu Cunjian's lineage, they would go to Zhuozhou in advance every year to treat the plague for the people after the disaster. This year it was Chu Cunjian's turn.

And I will be going there soon.

However, Shen Zhi did not expect that the imperial edict would be issued so quickly. Shen Zhi turned around and set out for Zhuozhou.

Shen Zhi didn't sleep well, and his eyes were blurry, as if he had returned to the days when he was blind.

Shen Zhi pinched his brows tightly, trying to make himself more awake.

The journey was long and Shen Zhi heard many things he had never seen before.

The year was bad in Cang State. Many bandits occupied the mountains and became kings, robbing homes. The common people struggled to guard their own fields, but the harvest at the end of the year was not enough to hand over to the masters, and many people had to sell their children.

It has been going on for a long time. This situation has been going on for a long time. The court's solution is to recruit those bandits to the court, give them official food, and oppress the people.

This cycle continued, and the country gradually declined, with public resentment rising.

On the contrary, they think that this idea exists in their hearts and will become a thundering force as long as an opportunity arises.

"Your Highness, we're here," the person who spoke was not Yuanbao, but Zhong Wenyan who followed.

Shen Zhi glanced at Zhong Wenyan's old-fashioned yet handsome face, nodded, and entered the mansion prepared for him by local officials.

And beauty.

Shen Zhi leaned sideways in the chair, his eyes slightly narrowed, his expression lazy and leisurely.

His gorgeous facial features formed an oppressive sharpness, and his thin lips were slightly curled. It turned out that his reputation for being lustful had spread to Zhuozhou.

No wonder he was deposed as the crown prince.

"Let's begin," Shen Zhi clapped his hands slowly, signaling the fawning officials that they could let the girls go on stage.

The official wiped his sweat off his forehead with a bulging belly. The prince was just as the rumors said. He quickly asked the prepared people to come up.

Zhong Wenyan knelt beside Shen Zhi and poured wine for him without looking away.

The sound of stringed instruments gradually rose, the soft music disturbed his heart, Shen Zhi closed his eyes and tapped the rhythm softly.

Soon, a strong fragrance approached.

The long eyelashes were opened, and the cold eyes like water flashed a faint light, so beautiful that even the dancer who was spinning in front of Shen Zhi was stunned, and her thin waist collapsed softly.

Her beautiful face was covered with a veil, and her eyes were charming as they moved, until Shen Zhi reached out and held her in his arms.

"Girl, your dance steps are messed up," Shen Zhi said softly with his strong arms, like lovers talking tenderly.

The dancer's ears blushed with shame and she wanted to speak but hesitated.

She raised her hand to put it around Shen Zhi's neck, but someone suddenly grabbed her wrist. The dancer curled her eyes and thought, who else could it be but Zhong Wenyan, the man beside the prince?

"Girl, please respect yourself," Zhong Wenyan said in a deep voice with a frown.

The dancer smiled coquettishly, brushed away Zhong Wenyan's hand, and said softly: "Your Highness, I can't help myself when I see you, can you give me the opportunity to serve the prince?"

Shen Zhi used force with his palms to push the dancer's waist and sent them out. They slightly distanced themselves from each other. Her beautiful eyes were filled with stars, and when she slightly lowered her eyes, there was infinite affection in them.

It would be great if I could die in front of his affectionate eyes.

"Young lady, please come tonight," Shen Zhi's voice was lingering, and his distinct eyelashes fell lightly, as if passing through people's hearts, bringing a tingling sensation.

No one can resist such a frivolous and dissolute Shen Zhi. Once he takes off his polite outer shell, his delicious inner self is simply an invincible killing weapon, like a spirit that lures people deeper, clamoring for people's desire to climb up and break into him.

The dancer was inevitably startled, her ears twitched slightly, and her eyes glanced at Zhong Wenyan who had just sternly scolded her. Her expression was also a little unnatural, and she stopped him, "Your Highness..."

Shen Zhi raised his hand to stop Zhong Wenyan from talking.

The dancer softened her posture and bowed, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your gift."