Chapter 38 Want to make progress
Wang Zhen couldn't guess what Zhu Yuhuan was thinking. He just looked at her cautiously, and then wondered if he had said something wrong just now, which made Princess Shunde dislike him.
He was already a scholar outside the palace, and did not have to do labor and was exempt from taxes. It could be said that he lived a decent life. However, if he were to take the imperial examination like other scholars, it was unknown when he would be able to succeed. He was not as good as the eunuchs who were often sent to vassal states such as Korea to collect money and people. Although they were not officials, they were close ministers of the emperor and rose to prominence.
He entered the palace in the 21st year of Yongle, and since then he has been observing the movements in the palace, especially the late emperor who was still the prince at that time.
After all, Emperor Taizong already had many capable men around him. How could someone like him, who couldn't even get into officialdom, be entrusted with such an important position? He could only turn his attention to the Crown Prince. However, he overestimated the obstacles posed by the eunuchs. There were countless eunuchs like him entering the palace. Without sufficient bribes, he would never be able to secure such a lucrative position, and would have wasted several years.
Wang Zhen was originally somewhat disheartened, but the increasingly outstanding Princess Shunde rekindled his hope.
In the eyes of others, Princess Shunde was just a woman, and no matter how favored she was, she was just a princess.
But in Wang Zhen's opinion, the fact that this princess has received so much favoritism is enough to show her ability. After all, there are quite a few princesses in the palace, but only Princess Shunde has the power to walk outside the palace and can also establish a charity hall outside the palace with the queen. How can this not be considered an important task?
The most important thing is that as long as I can stay by the princess' side, I will have the opportunity to meet the emperor. If I can show my face in front of His Majesty at that time, do I still need to worry about my future?
After His Majesty issued an order to establish the Inner Study, Wang Zhen vaguely sensed a new trend. His Majesty's reliance on inner officials was almost surpassing that of Emperor Taizong. As long as he could seize this opportunity, he would surely be valued and reach a height that those scholars would find difficult to reach in their lifetime.
So this was a gamble, the gamble being whether one could gain the favor of Princess Shunde.
Zhu Yuhuan stared at Wang Zhen for a long time and asked, "Where are you from?"
Wang Zhen replied respectfully, "In reply to your Majesty, I am from Weizhou."
Zhu Yuhuan nodded in understanding and said, "It seems that she entered the palace after the capital was moved. I think it has not been a few years. She should have been assigned to Concubine Cao's side at the beginning of this year, right?"
Wang Zhen was slightly stunned. He didn't expect Zhu Yuhuan to guess so quickly and almost accurately.
He came to his senses and quickly agreed, "Yes... I don't have much money to pay, so I just follow the orders from above."
Zhu Yuhuan raised the corners of his lips, understanding the implication of Wang Zhen's words.
He simply said that he came from a poor family, had no one behind him, and was trustworthy. At the same time, he reminded Zhu Yuhuan that he had just stated that he was indeed capable of doing things loyally and was a reliable person.
He wants to use me to climb up.
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "Jieyi Cao is a newly promoted concubine and is considered favored. Naturally, the people under her are good. If she knew you were so outstanding, she would definitely promote you. When she comes to pay her respects to my mother in the palace, I will definitely mention you."
Wang Zhen's heart tightened. He didn't expect that Zhu Yuhuan not only saw through his thoughts so quickly, but also threw back his words in just a few words.
As expected of a princess who can appear before His Majesty even though her mother is not favored, she cannot be treated like an ordinary child.
Wang Zhen made up his mind. He looked around and saw that most of the people in the Imperial Hospital were discussing medicine. No one was around. Wang Zhen then said cautiously, "I have an important matter concerning the Imperial Concubine to report to the Princess. Please move aside."
Zhu Yuhuan didn't move, but just raised his eyebrows slightly and asked, "Why do you think I'm interested in Concubine Sun's affairs?"
Wang Zhen whispered, "The princess is gifted and intelligent, and is extremely filial to her mother. The noble concubine is plotting to become empress. This is not a sign of stability for the country or the people."
Zhu Yuhuan was amused after hearing this and asked, "You're talking so big, I wonder where you got it from?"
Wang Zhen's forehead was covered with sweat. He swallowed hard before speaking, "The position of Empress is a role model for women across the country. Only the Empress, with her combined virtue and talent, can hold the position. Furthermore, the Empress is accompanying His Majesty in mourning. Even among ordinary people, there's no reason to divorce her. Yet, the Imperial Concubine is attempting to use His Majesty's favor to depose the Empress. This is shaking the foundation of the nation..."
Zhu Yuhuan found it even more amusing and said, "This is just a family matter, is it really that serious?"
Wang Zhen took a deep breath and said solemnly, "The affairs of the royal family are the affairs of the world, so they are naturally extremely important."
Zhu Yuhuan put away his smile and said coldly, "If Concubine Cao knew what you just said, she would probably send you to the Imperial Concubine's palace. You will be in trouble then."
Wang Zhen's breathing stagnated, and he feigned calmness, saying, "I'm only saying this for the princess's sake..." He caught a glimpse of Zhu Yuhuan's gaze, and his heart pounded like a drum. He felt like retreating, and stuttered as he spoke, "What I said today is completely unfounded. How could the princess bother a mere servant..."
Zhu Yuhuan sneered, "You have the will but not the courage. You really think I'm a child. You're trying to fool me with these words, but you're the first to show your cowardice." Seeing Wang Zhen trembling, she continued, "I'm not interested in your life. Why don't you tell me your news? Otherwise, you'll see whether Concubine Cao believes me or you."
Wang Zhen no longer dared to consider manipulating Princess Shunde. As the two entered the deserted courtyard, Wang Zhen hurriedly said, "The Imperial Concubine's mother came to the palace, bringing medicine specifically for the Imperial Concubine. I happened to encounter her that day and smelled the dregs. She's been coming to the Imperial Hospital frequently lately, and I've been recalling and asking the Imperial Physician about common folk prescriptions for fertility medicine. The amount of white peony in this recipe far exceeds the standard amount. Clearly, it's not a fertility medicine at all. The Imperial Concubine must be using this medicine as a cover to plot something with Madam Sun!"
Zhu Yuhuan thought that Concubine Sun was not good at plotting, even Wang Zhen had guessed it.
However, Madam Sun probably wouldn't be wary of the eunuchs in the palace. Firstly, Hu Shanwei was a female official, and secondly, most of these eunuchs were illiterate, let alone knowledgeable about the properties of medicinal herbs. However, this information was completely useless to Zhu Yuhuan. If the man in front of him wasn't named Wang Zhen, Zhu Yuhuan probably wouldn't have let him finish.
Zhu Yuhuan studied Wang Zhen for a long time and said, "Just tell me what you want. I admire ambitious people, but I don't like lies."
Seeing no one around, Wang Zhen immediately knelt down and said, "I am willing to do my best for the princess. I only ask that the princess give me a chance to rise to prominence. I will never forget your kindness."
Zhu Yuhuan thought for a long time and said, "Your name is Wang Zhen, and you're from Weizhou. Right?"
Wang Zhen was a little confused, but he still kowtowed and said, "Yes."
Zhu Yuhuan curled the corners of his lips and said, "As long as you remain loyal, you will naturally be rich and famous in the future. But I must never hear what I said today from anyone else. Do you understand?"
Wang Zhen was overjoyed and agreed immediately, saying, "Thank you, Princess, for your appreciation!"
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