noffsinger Chapter 458 I'm Not as Good as My Brother
Chapter 458 I'm Not as Good as My Brother
Mu Chengtian is the nephew of the Queen Mother. He went to the battlefield at the age of thirteen. Although he is not invincible, he has experienced hundreds of battles. He led the Mu family army to garrison in the Eastern Frontier, which is only a barren land away from the Yong Dynasty.
When Fu Jinyuan first entered the military camp, he followed General Xiao and fought against the Mu family army.
At that time, he was just a small soldier and had no chance to fight against Mu Chengtian, but he had heard many stories about his majestic power.
Mu Chengtian returned to the royal capital, but claimed to be ill and refused to see him and the prince.
What does this mean? Isn't it obvious?
He wanted to show his loyalty to Emperor Fu and suspected that he and the crown prince had ulterior motives and wanted to seize Emperor Fu's throne.
"Mu Chengtian is trying to test your and the prince's attitude towards the Mu family." Old Master Shen said in a deep voice.
"A new emperor appoints new ministers. Emperor Fu has suffered a stroke, and this is an incurable disease. Mu Chengtian must also know that in the future, you and the crown prince will rule the Southern Dynasty."
"Mu Chengtian is trying to prevent you from destroying the bridge after crossing the river and seizing the military power of the Mu family."
Ruan Xinglin had discussed the issue of the Mu family army with him, and he hoped to take back the military power of the Mu family as soon as possible.
Old Master Shen said, "Our dynasty is changing from the old to the new. Now the court seems to be stable, but the new emperor wants to take back the military power of various places. If he acts too hastily, it will definitely cause rebellion."
Fu Jinyuan had also heard about the situation in Yong Dynasty.
The new emperor is about to send people to assassinate Feng Chuanjin, so how could Feng Chuanjin obediently hand over the military power?
"Grandfather, I understand what you mean." Fu Jinyuan said in a low voice.
The Mu family's military power needs to be weakened and cannot be taken back at this time. In addition to appeasing Mu Chengtian, Queen Mother Mu is also a reason.
Old Master Shen stopped talking and said, "Come on, continue playing chess."
Shen Sui'an and Fu Jinyuan returned to the palace after having lunch.
Along the way, Fu Jinyuan was thinking about how to solve Mu Chengtian's problem and did not notice the way Shen Suian looked at him several times.
"Have you figured out the problem that's bothering you?" Only after they entered the house did Shen Suian take his hand and ask softly.
Fu Jinyuan came back to his senses and smiled helplessly, "Grandfather just reminded me that I can't be too hasty with Mu Chengtian. I was thinking about how to break the current deadlock with him."
Shen Sui'an's smart eyes moved slightly: "I am a woman, I don't understand the ups and downs of the court, nor do I understand the way of being an official. I only know that if I am in a weak position, I should bow my head and take the initiative to seek peace."
"Didn't he claim to be ill and not come to the palace? Then you can bring Doctor Zhou to visit him in person. You are the prince. If you go to visit him in person, can he still stop you at the door?"
"If he really blocked you from entering, then he would be the one in the wrong."
Fu Jinyuan's expression relaxed and he suddenly laughed out loud, "You're right. I took the initiative to come to his house. If he doesn't appreciate it, I will go again the next day. He refused to see me once, so how could he refuse to see me twice or three times?"
Shen Sui'an held his hand and said, "Then you should take a good rest first. Look at the bruises under your eyes. If you don't know, you might think you were punched by someone."
"Sleep with me for a while." Fu Jinyuan put his arm around her waist.
"Okay, when you wake up, I have something to ask you." Shen Sui'an raised his eyebrows.
"If you have something to say, you have to wait until you wake up. Just say it. I'm listening." Fu Jinyuan walked into the bathroom and changed his clothes first.
Shen Sui'an sat in front of the dressing table and slowly took off the pearl hairpin on her head.
"Who served you when you were in the palace?" she asked.
Fu Jinyuan: "A father-in-law named Su, what's wrong?"
"Is there no young and beautiful palace maid who is considerate and caring towards our handsome prince?" Shen Suian joked.
"What little palace maid?" Fu Jinyuan came out in casual clothes and hugged Shen Sui'an from behind, "Who is gossiping in front of you? I'm in the imperial study every day. Apart from a few eunuchs, there are no palace maids."
"Mother heard some gossip at the tea party. I think someone did it on purpose. How would outsiders know that there were no palace maids in the imperial study? They could easily make up rumors with just a few words."
"If everyone spreads the rumor that you had an affair with a palace maid, what will others think? Will they think that you have a bad character? When the emperor is seriously ill, you have an ambiguous relationship with a palace maid. Isn't this harming you?"
Fu Jinyuan's eyes turned cold, "Someone doesn't want me to help the Crown Prince manage government affairs, and wants to force me not to enter the palace anymore."
"Is there anyone in the court who disagrees with you on political views recently?" Shen Sui'an asked.
"I'm not sure yet. I know the truth about this matter. If you hear anyone gossiping about it, just tie them up. If you can't produce any evidence, charge them with defamation."
"Okay, I know what to do."
……
East Palace.
Fu Jinyi supported his chin with one hand, and held up his eyelids which were about to droop, and tried hard to read the book that the young master asked him to read. He didn't feel tired being a prince before, but he was really tired now.
Shao Fu said that this book would help him learn the ideas of self-cultivation, governing the country, and managing government, and would establish correct political concepts for him.
He felt sleepy after watching it.
In fact, it's not that he hadn't read these books before, but he was in poor health at that time, and his father was only focused on teaching Fu Yuxuan and didn't care how he was doing with his studies.
His mother would never force him. He studied and practiced calligraphy according to his own mood, working for three days and resting for two days.
He has clearly noticed a huge difference recently.
The requirements of the young tutor became more and more stringent, and even his mother had to check his homework from time to time.
He realized that as a crown prince he had to read too many books, and he had to understand them deeply and memorize them thoroughly.
And those memorials to the emperor dazzled him.
Fu Jinyi felt that he was really not suitable to be a prince, let alone an emperor.
He is not as good as his brother.
My brother had never learned how to be a crown prince, let alone been involved in state affairs, but he learned quickly. When he had different opinions with the cabinet, he would not be led by the cabinet. He was able to speak well and convince several cabinet officials.
It's simply amazing.
"Your Highness, let me pour you a cup of tea." Changfu asked softly when he saw that the prince was almost asleep.
"Or I should work harder, otherwise it will be useless no matter how much tea I drink." Fu Jinyi said.
Changfu felt sorry for the prince as he watched him work so hard. "Prince, you should take a rest. Your health is very important."
Fu Jinyi pressed the book against his face. He also wanted to rest.
But he also wanted to share the burden with his brother, who seemed very tired recently.
Suddenly, the book on his face was taken off. Fu Jinyi opened his eyes and saw a dignified and noble figure. He sat up straight and asked, "Mother, why are you here?"
Queen Ruan glanced at the book in her hand and asked, "What's wrong? Are you tired?"
Fu Jinyi nodded gently, "Mother, can I not be the crown prince anymore?"
"Why do you say that?" Empress Ruan's eyes were still gentle as she sat down beside him. "Tell mother what happened."
"Nothing happened, it's just... Mother, I'm not suitable to be the crown prince. I used to think that I was the most suitable to be the crown prince, but I didn't want Fu Yuxuan to be the one. Mother, my brother is more suitable than me."
Fu Jinyi whispered, "Brother is in good health, can stay up late to read memorials, is hardworking, and is good at both literature and martial arts. He is much better than me."
With his small body, let alone staying up late, he could have a heart attack at any time if he heard the ministers arguing in the court.
Since my brother is strong and healthy, why not let him work harder?
Anyway, when Prince Chen becomes the emperor in the future, he will definitely not treat his younger brother badly. He just wants to be a happy and idle prince.
After hearing Fu Jinyi's words, Queen Ruan was silent for a long time.
She was not angry, just a little sad.
In fact, she also realized that Fu Jinyuan was more suitable than the prince in every aspect.
If Fu Jinyuan had not been sent out of the palace, and if so many things had not happened, it would have been better.
"Yier, at this point, the position of crown prince is no longer something you can take whenever you want." Queen Ruan said.
"Your father is seriously ill, and the ministers in the court are already in a panic. If you and your brother are in different positions, it will definitely cause a lot of suspicion, which will not be good for you and your brother."
Fu Jinyi frowned, "Then... let's wait until things calm down."
"Okay then." Fu Jinyi also knew the importance of political stability at this time.
Queen Ruan sighed helplessly in her heart, but still said softly, "Yier, mother only hopes that you brothers will always be in harmony and support each other. You two are my only blood relatives. People say that the royal family is cold and heartless, but you are both loyal children."
"Your eldest brother suffered a lot when he was young. It was not easy for him to be reunited with us."
Fu Jinyi smiled and said, "Mother, I only have one brother. If I don't treat him well, who else can I treat well? And I am your only younger brother."
A smile appeared in Queen Ruan's eyes, "Yes, you are right."
"Mother, I heard that father has been using elixirs recently?" Fu Jinyi asked in a low voice.
In the past few days, the emperor has not seen anyone except Concubine Ning, and even he was sent away when he wanted to go to attend to the emperor's illness.
Su Zhongcheng secretly told him that the emperor asked Concubine Ning to help her find elixir, and said that the elixir could help him recover.
When she heard the name Emperor Fu, the tenderness in Queen Ruan's eyes immediately faded.
"Your father had already asked people to find several Taoists who were good at making elixirs. I only heard about this matter from hearsay. Your father would not tell me." Queen Ruan said lightly.
"If the pill can really cure his illness, then let him be."
Fu Jinyi opened his mouth. How could pills cure diseases? If you eat too much, you will die.
"Don't worry, Taoist Bu Xuanfeng has also entered the palace. He will personally make the elixir for the emperor." The empress dowager would definitely feel at ease with the elixir sent by Bu Xuanfeng.
“…” Fu Jinyi shut his mouth. Never mind. Maybe there really is a magic pill that can cure all diseases.
"Since reading is too tiring, why not go do some boxing? Didn't your elder brother teach you how to do it? You'll feel more awake after doing a set of boxing," said Queen Ruan.
Fu Jinyi: “…”
It doesn't seem to be a good solution.
Queen Ruan scolded the palace maids serving in the Eastern Palace before leaving with them.
She has also heard some gossip recently, so today she will clean up the entire palace.
Don't let her find out who is destroying Prince Chen's reputation behind the scenes. She will make that person regret being born into this world.
If there is one, there will be two.
Today people say that Prince Chen is having an affair with a palace maid, and tomorrow someone will try to sow discord between the brothers.
Its heart is awkward!
The spring-like smile on Queen Ruan's face disappeared, and there was only murderous intent in her eyes.
"Empress, we found out that a few days ago a young palace maid tried to bump into Prince Chen on purpose, but was stopped by Eunuch Su before she could get close. The young palace maid was very pretty, a rare beauty. The people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs haven't dealt with her yet." Qingdai whispered in Empress Ruan's ear.
"Huh, which palace are you from?" Queen Ruan asked coldly.
Qing Dai: "She is from the laundry department. If she hadn't come out on her own initiative, I wouldn't have noticed this person."
"Go and bring the person here." Queen Ruan ordered coldly, "Wait, go and tell Princess Chen to come into the palace."
There was a reason why the people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs were undecided about how to deal with the young palace maid.
The emperor likes to have beautiful women serving him, like this little maid in the laundry department, who is so beautiful that it makes people's eyes light up.
She did offend the King Chen, but the King Chen didn't order anything to happen to her, did he?
What if Prince Chen remembers such a beauty one day?
The Prince of Chen is also a man, and which man doesn’t love beautiful women?
So when the Ministry of Internal Affairs heard that Queen Ruan was going to summon the young palace maid, they felt anxious that a disaster was about to happen.
"Eunuch Liu, what should we do? Has the Queen discovered something?" The young eunuch asked Eunuch Liu, the general manager of the Imperial Household Department, worriedly.
"Don't be anxious. We are doing things according to the rules. There is indeed no order from above. How can we deal with a palace maid casually?" Eunuch Liu pretended to be calm.
"Send her to Kunning Palace first and observe what the Queen plans to do," said Eunuch Liu.
He personally went to the laundry department to find the little palace maid. Looking at the thick bangs on the little palace maid's forehead, which concealed her appearance by 70%, he nodded with satisfaction.
"The Queen wants to see you. Remember, don't talk nonsense in front of her." Eunuch Liu warned.
The little palace maid nodded timidly, "Yes, Eunuch Liu."
She lowered her head and followed Eunuch Liu carefully. Her feet were sore from walking before she finally arrived at Kunning Palace.
Eunuch Liu wanted to go in with the little palace maid to pay homage to the queen, but was stopped by Qingdai.
"Eunuch Liu, the Queen only wants to see her." Qingdai said.
"Yes, yes." Eunuch Liu replied with a smile.
The little palace maid entered the hall and fell to her knees without even raising her head.
"Your servant pays respect to Her Majesty the Queen. May Her Majesty be blessed with good health and happiness."
After a long time, she didn't hear any sound.
The little maid raised her head timidly, only to find that there was no sign of the queen in the hall except the maid guarding the door.
There was a flash of surprise in her eyes.
Could it be that the Queen wanted to torture her on purpose and therefore didn't want to see her at all?
The little palace maid was feeling uneasy and could only continue to kneel with her head down.
She didn't know how long it had been, until she felt her knees were numb from kneeling, and then she heard the sound of footsteps.
"Greetings to Princess Chen." The palace maids all bowed their heads.
The little palace maid's expression changed. Princess Chen?
Said Princess Chen wanted to deal with her?
Shen Sui'an didn't know why Queen Ruan summoned her. When she entered the hall, she only saw a kneeling little palace maid. She was a little stunned.
"Princess, the Queen will be here soon." Qingdai said.
PS: Today two chapters are combined into one.