Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 333: Good Luck is Coming to an End

After everyone left, the emperor kept Li Zisheng alone.

"Li Qing, you heard it too. Although I know you promised someone else that you would not reveal his identity and position, I still hope that you... go find him again and try."

Zhu Jianshen said with a sad face.

Li Zisheng looked grim.

He thought to himself, Lai Zhan estimated that His Majesty could still live for another half a year, so calculating the time, he should have about four months left.

But now it seems that it will be difficult to last for four months.

Zhang Laizhan never disappoints when it comes to predicting the destiny, which means that my good fortune may only last for the next four months.

The good luck is coming to an end!
"Yes. Your Majesty."

Li Zisheng replied respectfully.

"in addition."

Zhu Jianshen added, "The Concubine has been feeling a little depressed lately, and I have no way to comfort her. You should go meet her later to see what she thinks and needs. If you can satisfy her, agree to her request. If you can't satisfy her request... we can discuss it in detail after you come back."

"what?"

Li Zisheng was very surprised.

The emperor actually allowed a foreign minister like him to meet the concubines in the inner palace?
What is the truth?
The key point is... Concubine Chen is Concubine Shao, the mother of three princes. What she wants to tell me is nothing more than important matters concerning the inheritance of the royal family. Doesn't the emperor know that I should avoid suspicion in matters behind the scenes?
"Li Qing, June is almost here, and my health is getting worse day by day. I should prepare for many things in advance."

Zhu Jianshen said emotionally, "No matter what, I will never let you down. You will be as glorious in the future as you are today."

Li Zisheng thought to himself, what you said doesn't count. If your successor insists on using me as a target, any restrictions you put on him will be meaningless.

……

……

Inside Jiaotai Hall.

Zhu Jianshen specially arranged for Concubine Shao and Li Zisheng to meet here.

In order to ensure the smooth progress of this meeting, the emperor specially asked Wei Tai, the chief eunuch and commander of the Eastern Depot, to accompany him, in order to clear the psychological obstacles for Li Zisheng.

Li Zisheng also understood that it was impossible for him to go directly to the East Six Palaces, and meeting in Jiaotai Hall was already a step beyond the line.

"Meet Mr. Li."

The graceful Concubine Shao appeared gentle and elegant in front of Li Zisheng. At first glance, she was a gentle woman from the water town of Jiangnan. She was completely different in style from the Concubine Wan that Li Zisheng had met before.

Because there was a fierce look in Wan Fei's eyes, she was a murderous woman, while the woman in front of him was like the fairy from Yao Chi who was indifferent to the world and admired her own beauty. He probably understood why the emperor was so fond of this woman, because this woman really had no background and no means, but had a fresh and unworldly appearance and temperament, which made the emperor feel like he was an otherworldly demigod.

Li Zisheng quickly returned the greeting: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

"Ah."

Concubine Shao gestured with her hand.

Li Zisheng didn't understand for a moment and looked around blankly.

Wei Tai stepped forward and reminded: "Master Li, the Queen wants you to sit down and talk. I will wait outside first and will not disturb you two."

According to Wei Tai's meaning, I will not eavesdrop on your conversation, and the emperor has no intention of letting me eavesdrop.

As long as you don't do anything to embarrass me in there, I'll just treat it as me outside watching the scenery.

I won't make things difficult for you, and you shouldn't make things difficult for me either.

……

……

Inside Jiaotai Hall.

Li Zisheng first expressed his concern for Concubine Shao, and even said that he would have someone bring some things to the palace and pass them on to Concubine Shao.

Concubine Shao nodded and said, "Mr. Li is thoughtful."

Li Zisheng sighed, "Your Majesty is deeply loved by His Majesty. Honoring Your Majesty is honoring Your Majesty... This is just a small token of my gratitude. Your Majesty doesn't need to take it too seriously. As long as Your Majesty doesn't despise it, it's fine."

Having said that, Li Zisheng had a gentle smile on his face, which was equivalent to setting the stage for the following conversation.

He knew very well that this was a way for Concubine Shao to save face.

Old Li was very good at understanding people's minds, so he could probably guess why the emperor asked him to meet Concubine Shao.

Easy to store?

It seems a bit too much!
The emperor has not mentioned the issue of changing the crown prince recently, but if Concubine Shao suddenly proposed some unreasonable ideas, he would not find it too abrupt, because of the good relationship between Concubine Shao and Concubine Wan. It is obvious that Concubine Shao is very worried that in the future, they and their son will be completely liquidated by the crown prince after he ascends the throne.

Concubine Shao followed Li Zisheng's words and said, "I have been favored by your majesty, and I have no shortage of food, clothing, and daily necessities. Thank you for your concern, Mr. Li."

Li Zisheng said, "Your Majesty, you don't have to be polite. I just want to do something for you to show my appreciation. But it's a pity that there is no chance yet."

"What I lack is not material possessions."

Concubine Shao immediately felt Li Zisheng's "sincerity" and took the opportunity to put forward her own views.

Li Zisheng said with confidence, that's exactly what I want you to say.

If you want something that is inconvenient to tell the emperor, just tell me directly. I will naturally pass it on to His Majesty and see how to solve it.

"Your Majesty, what do you need? I will do my best to help you. Please tell me."

Li Zisheng bowed.

Concubine Shao looked a little sad, and said, "I and my three sons have no shortage of money. But... His Majesty always mentioned to me what will happen when the crown prince ascends the throne. I also want to know how I can help His Majesty and help him recover soon."

Li Zisheng thought to himself, this woman looks weak and frail, but it turns out she is very scheming.

I have hinted at this to an extent, but you asked about the emperor's condition first, showing your respect and concern for the emperor. Is this sincere?
Or are you pretending in front of me?
Li Zisheng said: "Your Majesty's illness is indeed...long-standing and unrecoverable, but Your Majesty is the true dragon emperor, and God will protect you. Your Majesty does not need to worry too much...

"Sometimes your Majesty is full of worries, worrying about this and that, but there is no need to worry. Nothing has happened, right? I will do my best to find someone to diagnose your Majesty."

At this point, Li Zisheng was thinking in his heart, if I let Zhang Laizhan help the emperor with treatment, isn't that equivalent to setting up a trap for the prince?

Zhang Laizhan relied on the Crown Prince to gain power. I’m afraid it will be difficult for him to help me this time, right?
Concubine Shao sobbed, "There are some things that I really don't dare to think about. If something happens to Your Majesty, then we, an orphan and a widow, will... sob..."

At this point, Concubine Shao actually started crying.

It doesn't look fake at all.

Li Zisheng said with a smile that being an empress is different, and that some things can be said directly. If it were an ordinary minister, he would have ten heads chopped off.

What happened to His Majesty?

"My queen, don't worry."

Li Zisheng quickly glanced outside the hall, as if looking for someone to testify for him.

It wasn't me who made Concubine Shao cry, hey, you have to testify for me!

At the moment, Wei Tai at the door was talking to the eunuch who was in charge of Concubine Shao, and had no intention of paying attention to the two people inside.

In fact, this is easy to understand. Wei Tai knew that no matter how courageous you, Li Zisheng, were, could you dare to do anything to the emperor's favored concubine in front of so many eunuchs?

The emperor has let you meet, so why should we get involved?

Just turn a blind eye and a deaf ear!

Concubine Shao said, "I have been praying to the gods recently, hoping that Your Majesty will recover soon, even if it means sacrificing my life."

"Alas, your Majesty has deep feelings for His Majesty, which is really admirable."

Li Zisheng comforted her, "But your majesty, don't worry too much. I will find a way. As for your three princes... they are not young now, right? Your Majesty has mentioned to me before that he will make the three little princes kings as soon as possible."

Concubine Shao shook her head and said, "That's not what I told you, sir."

Having said that, Li Zisheng clearly felt that Concubine Shao's expression looked much better when she mentioned this matter, and she was not as sad as before.

Li Zisheng certainly understood that Concubine Shao was planning for her own future, and the fact that her three sons were made kings was obviously the first step in the direction of things developing for the better.

Li Zisheng thought to himself, Your Majesty has never made many comments on his own illness in front of us ministers, but it is obvious that he has made the worst plan in front of Concubine Shao, his bedside companion. This is a reflection of the deep love between husband and wife. So Concubine Shao told me all this because she might think that I am highly valued by Your Majesty and have already received such emotional feedback from His Majesty.

Li Zisheng suddenly thought of something and felt sad. The prince was just as bad as losing his mother at an early age. No one beside His Majesty said a good word for him.

In this case, wouldn't the prince become the public enemy of the entire palace?

Li Zisheng said: "I understand that Your Majesty is only concerned about His Majesty's health. I actually have the same thoughts as Your Majesty. I will definitely try my best to ensure that His Majesty's condition does not worsen."

"Then I'll leave it to you, sir." Concubine Shao stood up and bowed to Li Zisheng.

Li Zisheng was flattered and quickly returned the greeting.

After Concubine Shao sat down, she continued, "Your Majesty mentioned earlier that my son Youluo should become your disciple."

“Ah… this… this…”

Li Zisheng suddenly remembered that Liang Fang had mentioned this to him before.
It seems that Concubine Shao would also use some special means for her son.

It's just my situation...

It’s not as good as you see!

Concubine Shao asked, "Sir, are you unwilling?"

"Of course I am willing."

Li Zisheng quickly expressed his opinion, "I will raise this matter with Your Majesty. I hope I will have the honor to teach the Fourth Prince and make progress with him."

At this point, Li Zisheng suddenly realized that even His Majesty didn't mention the matter of changing the crown prince at this moment. Do I still have to wade into the muddy water and serve as a teacher for the Fourth Prince?
Isn’t this digging a hole for yourself?
Concubine Shao's eyes were red, and she said with tears in her eyes, "After talking to you, sir, I feel relieved. I hope you will take your majesty's illness to heart and hope that your majesty will... recover soon. I will thank you for all the people in the world."

"You don't have to do this, my lady. This is what I should do."

Li Zisheng hurriedly returned the greeting.

……

……

A meeting that ended in a strange way.

Li Zisheng followed Wei Tai to the Qianqing Palace. On the way, Wei Tai didn't ask a single question, as if he was indifferent to the meeting.

And Li Zisheng was also wondering, why did Concubine Shao want to see me?
Do you want Your Majesty to make special arrangements?
Not to mention changing the crown prince, she didn't even mention the matter of making her son a king. It was only me who brought it up on my own initiative... Could it be that because I mentioned it, she automatically avoided the topic?

Return to the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Jianshen dismissed the others and talked to Li Zisheng alone.

Zhu Jianshen coughed twice and said, "Li Qing, what did the Concubine Chen tell you?"

Li Zisheng said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Shao is very concerned about your Majesty's condition and hopes that I can do my best to diagnose your Majesty. Basically... that's what I'm talking about."

"Oh, nothing else?"

Zhu Jianshen asked.

Li Zisheng gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, I dare to speak frankly. Does the Empress Chen have other concerns, so she..."

Zhu Jianshen sighed, "Alas! Li Qing, this is a time when the king and his subject are alone. There are some things I will not hide from you. You know best how my body is. Even if this disease can barely survive this summer, it may not survive the cruel winter."

"His Majesty……"

Li Zisheng hurriedly tried to correct him, but was interrupted by Zhu Jianshen.

"Li Qing, whoever is ill knows it best. You don't need to say those comforting words. Everything the Imperial Hospital and the doctors behind you are doing now is to try to delay the onset of my illness... I know this very well."

Zhu Jianshen spoke frankly.

Li Zisheng was very sad when he heard this. His nose felt sore and he cried, "Your Majesty, you will get better..."

Zhu Jianshen smiled faintly and asked, "What if it doesn't get better?"

Li Zisheng didn't know how to respond, and he couldn't help but burst into tears. Soon his dry cheeks were covered with hot tears.

Zhu Jianshen's eyes were also red. He said nothing, but picked up a handkerchief and handed it to Li Zisheng, signaling Li Zisheng to tidy up. After Li Zisheng wiped away his tears, he continued:
"So, I asked you to see Concubine Shao because my illness is not getting better, and even in the future... um... Li Qing, do you think that if I die in the future, the Crown Prince will treat them mother and son well?"

Zhu Jianshen seemed to be testing Li Zisheng with a fatal question.

Li Zisheng said: "I dare not answer."

"I asked you to answer, you must answer."

Zhu Jianshen insisted.

Li Zisheng lowered his head and said, "From what I have seen, the Crown Prince is kind and filial. He is respectful to Your Majesty and the ladies in the palace. He is sincere and respectful. He will not let down his mothers or his brothers and sisters."

Zhu Jianshen nodded and said, "In fact, I think so too. The prince may not be good at other things, but his generosity and kindness are obvious to all. But the question is, won't the court officials make things difficult for them in the future?"

Li Zisheng felt that the emperor's words were meant to speculate and set the tone for what would happen in the future.

To put it bluntly, the emperor intends to entrust his son to someone else.

Li Zisheng replied seriously, "Your Majesty, even if there are those ignorant ministers in the court who claim to be clear-headed and upright and want to trace the origin of the affairs of this dynasty, they will not embarrass the empress and the prince in the palace. I believe that such a thing will never happen."

Li Zisheng was still thinking in his heart, the situation you described is very likely to happen to me, but you said it will happen to your wife and children, how is this possible?
Are the ministers going to drag your concubine and son out and chop them into pieces? Even if they wanted to, the prince would not do that.

Since ancient times, those who have committed such acts were all new monarchs who succeeded to the throne through illegal means, such as Qin II Hu Hai and Emperor Yang Guang of Sui Dynasty. So if you are really worried about your wife and children, you should think about how to make the prince more law-abiding.

Zhu Jianshen said in a deep voice: "As you said, even if the new emperor ascends the throne and wants to start a fire, this fire should not involve the inner curtain, especially in my Ming Dynasty. But the problem is that there are many people in the court who have prejudices against Wan Shi, and they will definitely make a big fuss about Wan Shi's affairs in the future."

Li Zisheng insisted: "But your majesty, the prince is kind and kind, he will not bring up the past."

Zhu Jianshen continued to shake his head: "This has to do with Ji Shizhi's death... Speaking of which, it has been many years, and Yutang has always lacked the love of his mother. I don't even know whether he has really forgotten his mother or has been enduring it, waiting to bring this matter up and talk about it again one day in the future."

Li Zisheng thought, you used "Shi" to address Concubine Wan and Concubine Ji, which shows how deep your feelings for them are. But when it comes to Concubine Shao, no matter how favored she is, you only call her "Chen Fei".

That long-passed Concubine Ji was said to be not favored at all, so how come she is so special to you? Is it because she is the mother of the crown prince?
Zhu Jianshen said, "Wan Shi is gone, but Chen Fei is still here. There will always be people who bring up the old story and try to link Ji Shi's death to Wan Shi. At that time...how do you expect Chen Fei and her son to face the overwhelming public opinion in the court?"

"I will never let this happen."

Li Zisheng said as if to express his opinion.

"Ah."

Zhu Jianshen smiled and nodded, "I feel relieved with you here. But Li Qing, you are actually in danger too, do you know that?"

Li Zisheng said: "I am devoted to serving the court and will not worry about my own safety."

Although he said this, Li Zisheng was thinking in his heart, I think about my own future much more than your Majesty does.

How could I not know that I would become the public enemy of the court in the future?

A treacherous minister like me has only been able to get to where I am today because of the emperor's favor. If you fall, I will definitely become the target of public criticism.

Zhu Jianshen looked at Li Zisheng with regret and said, "So, you should also plan for your future... I plan to hold a ceremony for the fifth prince at the beginning of next month. What do you think?"

"I think it's appropriate."

Li Zisheng echoed, "The Fifth Prince is not young anymore, it's time for him to be able to take charge on his own."

"But he's still a child..."

Zhu Jianshen sighed deeply.

"..."

Li Zisheng was speechless.

I'm saying what you want to say, but why are you swallowing back what you said?
Zhu Jianshen said, "I am also planning to make some of the older children kings, so as to provide them with a good future. What do you think?"

Li Zisheng thought again, are you sure you are asking me what I think?
Didn't you notify me?
"I think it's appropriate."

This time, Li Zisheng only answered questions and did not add any personal opinions.

"hehe."

Zhu Jianshen smiled heartily and said, "Li Qing, you are a real person. This is where I think you are capable. It is rare for you to stick to your original intention in such a big melting pot as the court. I also plan to let the fourth and fifth princes worship you as their teacher. Do you agree?"

Li Zisheng said respectfully, "I have no objection."

Li Zisheng knew that he had no right to make the choice in this matter.

The emperor was essentially entrusting the fourth and fifth princes to him, with the intention of entrusting him with the care of his children.

But Li Zisheng was thinking in his heart, Your Majesty, did you entrust the task to the wrong person?

I'm like a clay Buddha crossing a river, I can't even save myself!

"I am really worried about the future of them and their child. This is what worries me the most." Zhu Jianshen said with a worried look on his face, "Everything else in the palace can be properly handled, except this one..."

When he said this, his eyes turned red.

"Your Majesty, don't worry. Even if I die, I will do my best to ensure the safety of Empress Chen and her child." Li Zisheng expressed his position in a firm tone.

(End of this chapter)