mtlumby2d Chapter 1599 Master Xingchen Enters the Palace (Bonus Chapter for 243 Million Reward Points)
Chapter 1599 Master Xingchen Enters the Palace (Bonus Chapter for 243 Million Reward Points)
Shen Zhinian always knew Nangong Xuanyu's bottom line and knew how to bring up certain topics when he was most relaxed.
After pondering for a moment, Nangong Xuanyu finally revealed his thoughts: "The Xiongnu have adopted a humble attitude this time. For the Great Zhou, a marriage alliance may not necessarily be a bad thing."
"If the marriage of the Great Zhou princess can bring ten years of peace to the northern frontier, a stable supply of warhorses, and smooth border trade, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks."
The emperor did not directly say he would agree, but this analysis of the pros and cons clearly revealed his inclination.
Shen Zhinian understood.
Just like in my previous life.
She nestled in Nangong Xuanyu's arms, her eyelids lowered, concealing the complex thoughts in her eyes.
Memories of my past life surged back.
Princess Yun'an's marriage to a distant land lasted less than six months before war broke out again. That covenant, along with Princess Yun'an's young life, was burned to ashes in the flames of the grasslands.
In this life, the war ended prematurely, and the situation is completely different. But will the Xiongnu's wolfish ambitions truly change because of a marriage alliance?
Shen Zhinian could not speak frankly, nor could she recount her past life. She could only carefully say, "Your Majesty's considerations are thorough, far beyond what I can achieve."
"However... the Xiongnu are willing to pay the price of three thousand warhorses every year just to marry a princess of the Great Zhou. Is this price... a bit too high?"
"Although I am ignorant of military and political affairs, I know that warhorses are like life itself to the tribes of the grasslands. Their generosity, besides their desire for the Great Zhou, could it be... could it be that they have other motives?"
"Or perhaps there are hidden secrets within the Xiongnu that we have not yet discovered?"
Nangong Xuanyu listened, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Yes, the Xiongnu Chanyu was shrewd, and Luandi Yitu was no fool either.
Are they really only after offering such tempting bait, seeking nothing more than the benefits that a princess's marriage could bring?
Nangong Xuanyu was clearly not blinded by the warhorse.
Shen Zhinian's words touched upon his doubts.
"Niannian is right."
The emperor said slowly, "Luan Di Yi Tu is as cunning as a fox and as brave as a wolf. He must have a plan behind him for offering such terms."
"Perhaps they wanted to lull the Great Zhou into a false sense of security and give the Xiongnu a chance to catch their breath."
"Perhaps there is indeed some turmoil within the Xiongnu that we are unaware of, and they urgently need the support of the Great Zhou to stabilize them."
"Or perhaps... the Xiongnu are interested in more than just the annual tribute from the border markets; there's something deeper..."
"I will instruct the Marquis of Zhongyong and his son to find out details about the Xiongnu from other channels. They have been operating in the northern frontier for many years, and they must have some informants they can use."
"The matter of a marriage alliance is not something to be rushed. I need to see what lies beneath the Xiongnu's sincerity."
Hearing that Nangong Xuanyu was already on guard and would arrange for someone to investigate, Shen Zhinian felt somewhat relieved.
She couldn't say any more.
It's wise to stop short of making a point. Repeatedly emphasizing it will only arouse suspicion.
"Your Majesty is holy."
Shen Zhinian leaned closer to Nangong Xuanyu and said gently, "I hope I'm overthinking it."
"Your Majesty's strategic planning is excellent; whatever schemes the Xiongnu may have, they will surely fail."
Nangong Xuanyu lowered his head and gently kissed the top of Shen Zhinian's head: "Niannian is right. Some things need to be thought about more."
The emperor enjoyed these intimate whispers in bed, a communication that was both intimate and friendly.
This made him feel that he was not alone. At least there was someone in the world who could share his worries.
……
The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the Lantern Festival.
Although Nangong Xuanyu ordered Li Changde to secretly investigate whether Consort Feng and Lady Chu had visited Fatu Temple after the Xiongnu envoys left.
However, the truth remains unclear, and Fatu Temple is still a royal temple. Changing the old rules without cause would only create trouble.
Therefore, as is customary, the eminent monks of Fatu Temple entered the palace on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to preside over a grand New Year's prayer ceremony in the Baohua Hall. They prayed for the health and well-being of the royal family, the country, and all its people in the new year, and for the longevity of the nation!
Starting at Chenshi (7-9 AM), solemn and dignified chanting of scriptures emanated from the Baohua Hall.
The Dharma assembly lasted for a full day.
The chanting gradually ceased as the sun began to set in the west at the end of the Shen hour (3-5 PM).
Master Xingchen, dressed in a white kasaya and holding a nine-ringed staff, led more than ten monks from Fatu Temple out of Baohua Hall.
The monks all lowered their eyes and looked solemn.
Although Master Xingchen also closed his eyes and put his palms together, his overall demeanor showed more compassion for all people than the monks around him.
Officials from the Imperial Household Department were already waiting outside the palace to respectfully see them off.
Master Xingchen nodded slightly and was about to lead his group away when he suddenly stopped.
He raised his eyes, his gaze seemingly casually drifting towards the direction of the Cold Palace.
Master Xingchen's eyes were filled with compassion as he asked a young eunuch who was leading the way, "Amitabha! This humble monk was just praying peacefully in the hall when I suddenly felt a gloomy aura lingering in the northwest, which made me feel uneasy."
"I've heard that recently another noble person in the palace has suffered misfortune and has been relocated to a quiet place?"
His tone was very calm, sounding like the concern of a monk for the suffering of all beings.
Master Huichen, a junior disciple of Master Xingchen, had previously persuaded His Majesty to show mercy and pardon and forgive many of the women convicted of crimes in the Cold Palace, arguing that "the resentment in the Cold Palace is detrimental to the imperial heir's prayers for blessings."
In addition, Master Xingchen has a special status. He is the most prestigious monk in Fatu Temple, and even His Majesty treats him with great respect.
Therefore, when he inquired about the Cold Palace, the eunuch leading the way didn't find it abrupt. He simply assumed it was the high monk's compassion that had sensed something.
The young eunuch was quick-witted; upon hearing this, he immediately bowed and said, "Yes, Master Xingchen, that is indeed true."
“Recently, there was a Consort Chu who offended the Emperor by failing to protect the imperial heir. He has been demoted to a commoner and sent to the Cold Palace to reflect on his mistakes.”
Master Xingchen paused slightly for a moment as he twirled the prayer beads before continuing to turn them.
The next moment, he raised his eyes, still with that compassionate expression, and put his hands together, saying, "Amitabha!"
"Life is impermanent, and all beings suffer. May the Buddha have mercy and deliver them from their suffering, so that they may soon attain liberation!"
Master Xingchen's voice was compassionate and sorrowful, sounding very sincere. Everyone thought he was a highly virtuous monk, lamenting the plight of a woman from the deep palace whom he had never met, yet whose fate was full of misfortune.
Without saying another word, he turned around, tapped his staff on the ground, and led the monks behind him away.
The palace servants standing by were all deeply moved, for Master Xingchen was indeed compassionate! He cared so much even for a commoner who had been convicted of a crime in the Cold Palace.
But no one saw the dark glint that flashed deep in Master Xingchen's lowered eyes.
Lady Chu was stripped of her title and reduced to a commoner, then banished to the cold palace…
One of the chess pieces he placed in the harem was rendered useless.
Master Xingchen had long understood the dangers of the palace, and even if Lady Chu was pregnant, the child might not survive. He hadn't expected Nangong Xuanyu's reaction to be so intense.
Is this simply the wrath of an emperor, or... has he sensed something?
It's easy to get into a place like the Cold Palace, but hard to get out, and even harder to survive.
How much longer can the Chu family hold out?