Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 341 Neither Helps
Qin Chang said: "Whether this matter has an impact on us or not, let's find a chance to tell Li Zisheng about the letter. Let him handle it."

Wei Tai asked in confusion: "Did you also tell Li Zisheng about Deng Changen's visit to the Empress?"

"Correct."

Qin Chang had a sinister smile on his face and said, "Li Zisheng and Deng Changen have a deep grudge. Before he left the palace this time, I told him that Your Majesty asked Deng Changen to take medicine, and his face turned very bad. If he knew that Deng Changen followed in his footsteps to see the Concubine Chen, he would know who his opponent is."

Wei Tai laughed and said, "What a good trick. But do we really want to make things difficult for Deng Changen?"

Qin Chang's face was a little grim, and he said: "The current situation forces us to stand with Li Zisheng. People like Deng Changen are not capable of accomplishing great things."

"Right."

Wei Tai nodded in agreement, "Li Zisheng still has more means. Moreover, Li Zisheng has already made plans and is deeply trusted by His Majesty. The only thing he is unable to do is to treat illnesses. However, Deng Changen's treatment of illnesses... is simply a joke."

Qin Chang looked back and frowned, "Don't say that in front of others. Your Majesty is still waiting for the medicine to take effect."

"Yes Yes."

Wei Tai quickly bowed his head and admitted his mistake.

……

……

Deng Chang'en went to Jiaotai Hall to meet Concubine Shao.

Concubine Shao did not respect Deng Chang'en as much as she did Li Zisheng.

Because even Concubine Shao, who was in the inner palace, knew that Deng Chang'en had been unlucky recently. If it weren't for her husband being sick and seeking medical treatment, it would never have been Deng Chang'en's turn to enter the palace to show her ability.

"Mr. Deng, is there any sign of improvement in His Majesty's illness?"

Concubine Shao still used the same rhetoric as when she met Li Zisheng.

Everything revolves around the emperor's illness.

Deng Chang'en almost patted his chest and made a solemn promise. He said confidently, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. Your Majesty will definitely recover. I guarantee it with my life."

Concubine Shao frowned slightly.

But I was thinking in my heart, could it be that this Taoist priest is more powerful than Li Zisheng?
But I never thought he was that great before?
Concubine Shao looked sad and said, "I sincerely hope that your majesty can recover soon, and I have been praying for your majesty. Unfortunately, my ability is low and I can't do much. Your majesty recently mentioned that he wants to make my son a king. I wonder if Mr. Deng knows about this?"

"This……"

Deng Chang'en was a little doubtful at first, but then he seemed to muster up his courage, took two steps forward, and said in a serious tone, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, the Crown Prince is not worthy of the position, and his background is questionable. It is difficult for him to be the crown prince. The Fourth Prince should take his place."

Even though Concubine Shao had already thought of various excuses, when she heard this, her eyes widened and she seemed a little unable to react.

I hadn't even mentioned anything about being worried about the difficult life of orphans and widows in the future, but Deng Chang'en told me this. What does this mean?
"I have no such intention. These matters... still need to be obeyed by Your Majesty."

Concubine Shao was a little panicked.

Although I thought so in my heart, but hearing you say it directly, you, Deng Changen, are not afraid of death, but I am afraid of something happening.

Deng Chang'en seemed to have given up everything, and mustered up his courage to say, "Your Majesty, please be at ease. There are many people in the court who have this idea. As the saying goes, evil cannot prevail over good. Right is right, and wrong is wrong. Sooner or later, the position of crown prince will belong to the Fourth Prince."

Concubine Shao was unable to respond for a moment.

Deng Chang'en said, "I wonder what instructions the Queen has? Or is there anything you want me to take out of the palace? Just tell me, I will definitely fulfill my mission."

Princess Shao thought, you are such an opportunist, but you speak so confidently. Who knows whether you are really capable or just bragging?
The last person to make such a solemn promise was Liang Fang, who is now living in Nanjing to retire.

How can I trust you?
"I appreciate Mr. Deng's kindness. But I am not an unreasonable person. Everything depends on God's will. I will leave the health of His Majesty to you, Mr. Deng."

After saying this, Concubine Shao felt that she could no longer talk to Deng Chang'en, so she turned around and was about to leave.

Deng Changen took two more steps and said in a hurry, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. The people in the court will definitely put things right and bring order to the world. At least... there are elders working hard for this."

Shao Fei paused for a moment, a hint of worry showing on her face. She probably thought Deng Changen was a bad teammate and didn't want to team up with him anymore.

But she said nothing and walked away.

……

……

That night, Zhu Jianshen summoned Concubine Shao to the Qianqing Palace for dinner and asked her to stay overnight.

Concubine Shao was extremely respectful to Zhu Jianshen and did not despise her husband's filthy behavior at all. She even cleaned and tidied things up for her husband herself. After being busy for a long time, beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Zhu Jianshen pulled her to sit beside him.

Princess Shao thought her husband had some thoughts and was about to bend down when she heard Zhu Jianshen say, "My beloved concubine, Mr. Deng came to see you today. What did he say to you?"

Zhu Jianshen seemed not to care what his wife would say to Deng Changen, he only asked about Deng Changen's words.

The biggest difference between Deng Chang'en's meeting with Concubine Shao this time and Li Zisheng's last meeting was that the emperor never summoned this person again afterwards.

Concubine Shao still leaned forward, with a somewhat evasive look on her face, and said, "I dare not say it."

Zhu Jianshen said, "What's the difference between you and me? Just tell me what you want to say."

Concubine Shao said: "He said... he wanted to help Youju ascend to the throne of the crown prince."

"Hehehe..."

Zhu Jianshen couldn't help laughing when he heard this, and his body trembled. Concubine Shao looked back at her husband and quickly said, "I don't have such unreasonable thoughts. I just want the children to live a few days of peace. I hope Your Majesty will understand that I really didn't say anything to him."

After Zhu Jianshen laughed, he shook his head and sighed, "My beloved concubine, do you know why I have never punished the person who proposed to change the crown prince?"

Concubine Shao thought about it and then shook her head.

As everyone knows, those who proposed changing the crown prince were only a minority in the court. The leader was Concubine Wan, and her chief was Liang Fang, and then Wei Xing. Now these three people have left the emperor in different ways.

The emperor did not punish these people for the change of crown prince. Instead, they were punished because they opposed the change of crown prince, for example, Huai En, the eunuch who held the seal of the Imperial Household Department and was once the most trusted and relied upon by the emperor.

"Because sometimes I also feel that the prince is not loyal to me." Zhu Jianshen said.

Concubine Shao was now completely silent.

When her husband brought up the issue of the heir to his property in front of his concubine, her best option was to remain silent, because she knew her husband's character and knew that the more she tried to argue, the more useless it would be and it would have a counterproductive effect.

Zhu Jianshen asked, "What else did he say?"

Concubine Shao said in a weak voice, almost inaudible, "He also said that someone in the court would help the prince. I don't know what he is talking about."

"He's right."

Zhu Jianshen said, "As far as I know, there are indeed people in the court who intend to do this. I did not stop them, and of course, I did not help them. Everything depends on their own ability."

"Ah."

Concubine Shao nodded without saying anything.

Zhu Jianshen asked, "Don't you want to know who they are?"

Concubine Shao shook her head.

"Ugh!"

Zhu Jianshen said, "No matter what, the Ming Dynasty will be passed down. No matter the crown prince or the fourth son, it seems that neither of them is a coward. The Ming Dynasty will be passed down from generation to generation. I have also arranged all my affairs after my death, so I can die with peace of mind."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Shao sobbed and said, "Your Majesty, please don't say that. If anything happens to you, I don't want to live anymore."

"Ugh!"

When Zhu Jianshen heard this, he looked slightly relieved.

He stroked Concubine Shao's hair and sighed, "The late emperor has already stopped the bad custom of concubines being buried alive with the emperor. Besides, you still have three sons. You must raise them well for me. When they grow up and become useful people, I will never let anything happen to you..."

"Whoa, whoa..."

Concubine Shao leaned in Zhu Jianshen's arms, crying inconsolably.

Zhu Jianshen said, "Alas! It is also my fault that I was not determined enough at the beginning and failed to depose the crown prince before he rose to power. Now, his wings have grown stronger, and people in the court have praised him more. In addition to his benevolence and filial piety, he has also been praised for his ability to do things. However, I know that he relies entirely on the help of others."

Concubine Shao continued to cry and didn't say anything.

"Ugh!"

Zhu Jianshen sighed again and said, "I have chosen a good match for the Crown Prince. The Crown Princess's family is quite capable. Unfortunately, the fourth child is still young and not old enough to get married."

Concubine Shao stopped crying and looked up at her husband with confusion.

Why did you suddenly mention arranging a marriage for your son?
It's actually quite good that the second son can have the ceremony of coming of age. As for the eldest son Zhu Youlang's marriage... she, as a mother, didn't think about it so early.

Zhu Jianshen said: "But those who can help the fourth brother also have deep-rooted forces in the court. I will neither help the crown prince nor the fourth brother. It all depends on their own abilities."

Concubine Shao said, "Your Majesty, Youlu is still a child. He is already very tired from schoolwork and never asks about what is happening outside. Even if he has the ability, how can he show it?"

"The same is true for the prince, actually."

Zhu Jianshen said with emotion, "I mean, let's see who can win the hearts of the people. For me, both sides of my hand are flesh, and it is indeed difficult for me to make a choice. My beloved, please rest early... I am tired. I have not rested well these two days because of gastrointestinal problems."

"Yes."

Concubine Shao stood up again and said respectfully, "I will serve you."

Zhu Jianshen said, "You don't need to serve me. Just stay by my side. Sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night, all I can think of is the figure of Wan Shi. If you were here, I might feel more at ease. In the next few days, you should stay in the Qianqing Palace every night."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your love."

Concubine Shao said emotionally, "Even if I were to be torn to pieces, I would never be able to repay the emperor's kindness."

Zhu Jianshen smiled and said, "You are too weak, unlike Wan Shi, who is very strong and never admits defeat. But this is also your advantage. Sometimes I also like those with gentle personalities. It makes me feel comfortable."

……

……

"Lights out."

When Qin Chang and Wei Tai brought the memorial to the Qianqing Palace, they found that the inner hall was already dark.

Wei Tai took a look and turned back to Qin Chang and said, "Eunuch Qin, you see His Majesty has been tossed around quite a lot these past two days. It would be a good thing if he could rest earlier. Strangely enough, His Majesty has been fine ever since he took the elixir offered by Deng Changen. Deng Changen should be the most proud one right now."

Qin Chang curled his lips in disdain and said, "Even if you are proud, you won't be proud for two days. Just wait and see!"

(End of this chapter)