mtlumby2d Chapter 1711 Li Changde, a eunuch, would he be lustful? (283 million reward)
Chapter 1711 Li Changde, a eunuch, would he be lustful? (283 million reward)
Grey Falcon said, "Li Changde and Zhan Weiran are indeed Nangong Xuanyu's right-hand men. One is in charge of the palace's secrets, and the other holds the Tiger Tally of the Imperial Guard. Both are people he trusts."
"However... I believe that if we are to talk about who Nangong Xuanyu trusts the most, it would probably be the Imperial Noble Consort Shen of Yongshou Palace."
Luan Di Yi Tu raised an eyebrow slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, signaling him to continue.
Grey Falcon pondered, “It is no secret in the capital that the Shen family’s daughter is so favored.”
"She had only been in the palace for three or four years when she rose from the lowest rank of concubine to the position of Imperial Noble Consort, a rank equivalent to that of a vice empress. This was unprecedented in the harem of the Great Zhou Dynasty."
"His father, Shen Maoxue, was originally just a minor official of the sixth rank, but now he is the Minister of Personnel. The Shen family is so prominent that even their chickens and dogs have risen to high positions!"
"There's even a saying circulating privately in the capital these days: 'Having ten sons is not as good as having one daughter; a family can rise instantly.'"
"It is evident that in the eyes of many, the favor and power represented by the Shen family woman have reached a point where they can reverse the fate of their family!"
"Nangong Xuanyu's favoritism and indulgence towards Shen is far beyond that of ordinary concubines. Perhaps... she has access to secrets that even Li Changde and Zhan Weiran may not know..."
Grey Falcon's praise of the Imperial Noble Consort of the Great Zhou Dynasty was not based on blind admiration, but on a calm analysis of all the intelligence gathered.
The speed of Shen's advancement, the rise of the Shen family, and the emperor's unusual protection of Yongshou Palace all demonstrate the importance of this woman in Nangong Xuanyu's heart!
However, after listening, Luan Di Yi Tu slowly curled up a mocking smile, his eyes full of disdain: "Grey Falcon, you have served by my side for many years. You have seen the wildest horses and the fiercest wolves on the grasslands, as well as the most charming female slaves in the Golden Tent."
"But you may have forgotten that even the wildest horse must eventually be saddled and bridled; even the fiercest wolf must obey the alpha's commands; and even the most beautiful female slave..."
At this point, he snorted coldly: "They are merely playthings for the master's amusement. When he is happy, he can reward them with a piece of meat, and when he is tired of them, he can discard them."
"There's a saying in the Great Zhou Dynasty: 'Brothers are like hands and feet, women are like clothes.' Hands and feet are hard to replace once severed, but clothes can be replaced when they get old."
"Nangong Xuanyu is an emperor who fought his way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood. How many innocent souls of his own flesh and blood are buried beneath his throne? Tell me, would such a man value a woman more than his trusted confidants who have risked their lives for him?"
Grey Falcon frowned slightly: "This..."
Luan Di Yi Tu sneered: "The Shen family woman may have some cleverness, knowing how to curry favor and take advantage of power, making Nangong Xuanyu unable to leave her gentle embrace, but this is nothing more than a pastime for the emperor in his spare time."
"At most, Lady Shen knows where the emperor will stay tonight, which concubine has received a reward, or she knows some of the political climate in the court through her family."
"But a mysterious weapon, a national treasure that concerns the fate of the country and determines life and death, would only be allowed to be touched by a woman in the harem if Nangong Xuanyu were insane."
For Luan Di Yi Tu, women were nothing more than appendages to men, tools for procreation, and gifts that could be given away at will.
How can a woman possibly become a partner with whom a man shares core secrets and participates in decision-making?
Seeing that Grey Falcon wanted to say something more, Luan Di Yi Tu interrupted him: "Li Changde and Zhan Weiran, these two are the key. It's better to break through them than to rely on a woman in the inner palace."
Grey Falcon knew the prince's contempt for women and dared not refute him, only bowing his head and saying, "Your Highness is right."
Luan Di Yi Tu ordered, "Concentrate all available resources and use any means necessary to find the weakness of Li Changde or Zhan Weiran for me!"
"Whether it's greed, lust, family ties, or old grievances, even the vices and secrets of their subordinates, I will dig them all out for them!"
The trusted aide quickly replied, "Yes! I understand!"
But... would Li Changde, a eunuch, be a lecher?
Grey Falcon sighed inwardly.
He always felt that the prince had underestimated the special place that imperial concubine held in Nangong Xuanyu's heart.
But as a loyal subordinate, he had no choice but to obey.
Perhaps... the prince needs to hit a wall before he understands that sometimes, even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman...
……
Yongshou Palace.
Fuqu entered and said, "Your Highness, a personal letter from the Master has been delivered to the manor."
Shen Zhinian took the letter, unfolded it, and read it carefully word by word.
Shen Maoxue used the Shen family's influence in the Ministry of Personnel, combined with information from the Xia family's spies on the northern border regarding unusual fund and cargo flows, to trace the source of the problem.
Ultimately, traces of the North were found in several seemingly unrelated but actually secretly connected aspects.
In his letter, Shen Maoxue stated that if one only looks at these traces, the truth is obvious—
Within the Great Zhou's imperial harem, some concubines' powerful families brazenly colluded with the Xiongnu. Using a foreign enemy, they spread rumors and attacked the reigning Imperial Noble Consort—their intentions are utterly despicable!
However... Shen Maoxue was, after all, a cunning old fox, and did not rush to conclusions.
He wrote at the end of the letter: "...However, the traces are too obvious, which makes it lose its authenticity."
"The Xiongnu are not reckless or foolish. Such a hasty and self-destructive move is unlike their usual style. It is likely a deliberate attempt to create chaos within the Zhou court, causing distrust between the emperor and his ministers, and mutual suspicion among officials."
"It is difficult to say whether it is real or illusory."
After reading the letter, Shen Zhinian's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly.
Her father's judgment coincided with her own.
But... did someone from the Great Zhou really collude with the Xiongnu?
Or was it a carefully orchestrated scheme by the Xiongnu to sow discord?
If it's the former, it means there's a traitor lurking in the inner palace. They must be exposed at all costs, or the consequences will be dire!
But if it's the latter... then it means the Xiongnu's scheme is far more sinister than she imagined. They not only want to harm her, but also to shake the foundations of the Great Zhou.
Either way, it's far more serious than a simple palace intrigue...
Shen Zhinian brought the letter close to the bronze candlestick beside her and burned it completely. She then looked at Fuqu and asked, "What else did Father say?"
Fuqu lowered her head and said, "Your Majesty, the messenger said that the master said it is difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood, and that the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light. Please be extremely careful, Your Majesty, and protect yourself and the imperial heir."
He added that he would continue to keep a close watch, but would not venture further without solid evidence to avoid falling into a trap.
Shen Zhinian nodded.
My father's approach to handling things has always been mature and prudent.
This matter involves foreign enemies, and may also involve the palace and court officials. It is indeed not advisable to make a big fuss about it before there is conclusive evidence.
To stir up trouble and alert the enemy is the least of one's worries.
What I fear even more is being used by the other party, leading to even greater chaos.
Shen Zhinian then asked, "How is Consort Qin doing?"
Xiao Mingzi said, "Your Majesty, since her last visit, Consort Qin has been staying secluded in Shuiyue Pavilion. Our people have been keeping an eye on her, but they haven't seen her have any special connections with people outside the palace."