mtlumby2d Chapter 256: Palace Affairs
Chapter 256: Palace Affairs
After Shen Li returned to the mansion, her anger was still raging. She knew that if this matter was not properly resolved, Fuxilou would never have peace.
After thinking it over again and again, she decided to go to the palace, act coquettishly and complain to the emperor, revealing everything that the second prince Xuanchen had done and laying it all out in the open.
When the emperor heard Shen Li's crying, his face was so gloomy that water could drip out of it.
He thought to himself, this Princess Fuxi is Beichen's great fortune! Whether it's her magical rain-making charms, her contribution of high-yield grain, her movable type printing technology that benefited students everywhere, or even her wise suggestion of exchanging grain for Xiqi warhorses, each and every one of them has made indelible contributions to Beichen's development. Now, someone dared to bully her right under his nose. How could he tolerate this? He immediately summoned the Second Prince, Xuanchen, to the palace.
Xuan Chen hurried over and saw Shen Li there. He was slightly startled and wondered why she was here. Although he had his eyes on Fuxilou, he hadn't made a move yet! So he pretended to be calm.
"Your Majesty, I don't know why you summoned me today?" Xuan Chen asked after bowing respectfully.
The emperor snorted coldly: "Chen'er, do you know what good things you have done? Why did you send people to threaten Fuxi County Master about the matter of Fuxi Tower?"
Xuan Chen's eyes widened upon hearing this, and he immediately denied it. "Father, I am innocent! I have never done this. Someone must be framing me behind the scenes to alienate my relationship with you, Father, and Princess Fuxi."
Seeing this, Shen Li's eyes were red with anger: "Second Prince, how can you confuse right and wrong like this? That person said with his own mouth that you sent him and even wanted to buy shares in Fuxilou, but now you are denying it!"
Xuan Chen raised his voice, eagerly defending himself, "County Master Fuxi, you must not slander me! How can you conclude that I was responsible based solely on the words of a masked man in black? There are many people in the capital who want to frame me. Father, you must be vigilant!"
The emperor looked at Xuan Chen's jumping expression and felt more disappointed.
He thought of the many benefits Shen Li had brought to Beichen, and then looked at his son who was eager to distance himself from the matter and had no sense of responsibility, and he couldn't help but shake his head secretly.
The second prince usually likes to fight for power and is not steady enough in his actions. Now, he has acted so clumsily in the matter of Fuxi Tower and even made such cunning excuses. He really feels that this son is not up to the task.
The eunuch Li Quan stood quietly at the side. He had served the emperor for many years and had a pretty good idea of what the emperor was thinking.
At this moment, he saw the disappointment in the emperor's eyes and sighed in his heart: This second prince is too confused. He did such a poor job in the matter of Fuxilou, and now he is still making excuses like this. I am afraid he has lost the emperor's favor.
Li Quan lowered his head slightly, a hint of barely perceptible contempt flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his submissive look. After all, in this palace, the best strategy was to protect oneself.
The emperor rubbed his temples, feeling both angry and helpless. He hadn't wanted the fighting between these princes to affect the reputation of the court and the royal family, but now that things had gotten to this point, if they weren't handled properly, who knew how much trouble would arise in the future.
"Enough!" The emperor shouted angrily, interrupting the quarrel between Xuan Chen and Shen Li. "This matter ends here. Chen'er, go back and reflect on your actions. Li'er, I will give you an explanation."
The emperor wanted to be a peacemaker and temporarily calm the situation. He didn't want to punish Xuan Chen too much, so as not to be accused of favoritism, but he also wanted to appease Shen Li. After all, Fuxilou was his property that he had personally bestowed upon it, and he didn't want it to be disturbed too much.
Although Shen Li felt unwilling, she also understood the emperor's difficulties. She bowed slightly and said, "Thank you, Uncle Emperor. Li Er believes that you will uphold justice."
Xuan Chen quickly thanked him and left the palace. His face was terribly gloomy, and he secretly vowed to find out who was behind this, daring to embarrass him in front of his father. At the same time, his jealousy and resentment towards Shen Li deepened...