kvmb Chapter 933 A Long Sigh
Chapter 933 A Long Sigh
After reading the letter, a few sentences deeply moved the emperor.
"Since the First Emperor established the unification of the world, the rise and fall of dynasties have been observed, and the wheels of history have rolled forward. Regardless of prosperity or decline, it is always the common people who suffer the most. The late emperor had the ambition to establish an everlasting dynasty and ensure the well-being of all people, and I also wish that the people would not suffer the pain of displacement."
"However, the road ahead is long and arduous. I am like a candle groping in the dark, and a gentle breeze could blow out the flame."
"I don't even know if the path I've chosen is the right one."
"If powerful families are regarded as a major threat, the concentration of imperial power will also breed tyrannical emperors, and tyrants can also destroy the world."
"This is my last letter. I dare to offer my advice: all human beings are born with seven emotions and six desires. Even the most upright person has a dark side. Governing the country by the hearts of the people is not as good as governing by laws and perfecting the legal system..."
It's clear that Chen Zijun truly knew she didn't have long to live, and that's why she dared to write anything out loud.
If he had any chance of survival, would he have written anything about being a tyrant in his letter? Which emperor would be willing to admit that his offspring would produce a cruel and tyrannical person?
Isn't this slandering the royal family?
But even if the emperor was angry, there was nothing he could do, as Chen Zijun had already died.
One could even say that he died for the late emperor, for the royal family, and for the world.
Once he calmed down, the emperor realized that Chen Zijun's words made sense.
He then wondered if the Crown Prince, who was wholeheartedly devoted to upholding justice, had the same long-term vision, had seen the current drawbacks, and was exploring new avenues.
The emperor was pleased with the crown prince's intelligence, which was no less than that of Chen Zijun, but he also had hidden worries. Governing the country by law was not so easy.
It has affected the interests of the entire aristocratic class.
Furthermore, in the emperor's mind, he was the Son of Heaven, above the law, and it was only reasonable for him to create the law.
The letter also listed twelve legal provisions, which terrified the emperor.
He suspected that if Ying Er finished reciting all twelve articles in the Imperial Study today, he might be immediately accused of forging the late emperor's edict and impersonating the Dragon Guard, and beheaded.
And clouds are growing.
Even the emperor might not be able to protect him.
My father really dares to dream.
The emperor wondered if he was truly a gentle and cowardly ruler, compared to his own crown prince and his father.
Just as she was lost in thought, a young eunuch came in to report that the Grand Princess had woken up.
The emperor rose and went to the side hall.
The Grand Princess was served medicine by palace servants, while someone was arranged to protect the County Princess and prevent her from hearing any gossip.
Whether it's the matter of the prince consort or Chen Zijun... for the time being, I don't want Yiyang to know.
"Aunt, let me send people to guard Yiyang," the emperor said.
Princess Mingzhu was about to rise and pay her respects, but the emperor excused her from doing so.
"Aunt, there is no need for such formalities with me. I have few relatives, and in this world, you are the only elder who truly cares about me."
These are my heartfelt words, but they must never be spread.
The Empress Dowager is still alive.
Grand Princess Mingzhu glanced at the palace servants and said sternly, "Your Majesty, please be careful with your words."
The emperor was confident, and those serving him were all his trusted confidants, which is why he acted so recklessly.
However, he still waved his hand, ordering all the palace servants in the hall to leave.
"Aunt, I wronged Chen Zijun back then," the emperor sighed.
It is very rare for an emperor to admit his mistake.
A dignified emperor, except in times of natural disasters when he writes a letter of apology to the world, how could he possibly make a mistake otherwise?
"Your Majesty!" Grand Princess Mingzhu wanted to comfort her, but couldn't help but shed tears first.
"Your Majesty is a wise ruler. What happened back then was caused by villains. It was my fault for not investigating the truth and being used by others. The fault does not lie with you."
It was she who, when she found the evidence back then, clearly hesitated, but still submitted it without checking it.
The emperor sat before the bed, a look of shame in his eyes.
“Aunt, it is because you care about me and are anxious about what I am in need that the villains took advantage of the situation.”
"Therefore, Aunt, your mistake is my fault, and I am willing to bear it."
Princess Mingzhu looked up with teary eyes, knowing full well that the Emperor was trying to comfort her.
Not wanting her to fall into self-blame and regret, he took the initiative to stop her from taking responsibility.
"Your Majesty, I only ask that you restore Chen's innocence."
Princess Mingzhu suppressed the pain in her heart and forced herself to cheer up.
"Don't worry, Aunt, didn't I already agree to that?"
The emperor's word is law.
Seeing that his aunt's expression had softened, the emperor finally took out Chen Zijun's letter.
The Grand Princess clutched the envelope, her fingers turning white, her body trembling slightly.
The emperor sighed and left the side hall.
He didn't delve into the letter's meaning; it was a private conversation between husband and wife, and he wasn't that gossipy.
People say that Chen Zijun and the princess are not a good couple.
Chen Zijun's proposal to marry the princess was motivated by a desire to undermine the emperor's authority and lust for the princess's beauty.
The emperor initially thought so too, until Wang Nanming died.
To preserve the reputation of the eldest princess, outsiders speculated that Wang Nanming was killed by Chen Zijun.
In fact, he personally ordered his execution.
Wang Nanming was supposedly his aunt's fiancé, known for his virtues and talent, but it was all a lie.
He was a lecherous man in private. After his aunt got married, he tried to drug her to ruin her reputation, but fortunately, he was discovered in time.
It was on that occasion that Chen Zijun approached the Emperor and presented evidence linking Wang Nanming to the nearly six-year-long case of missing women in the capital.
The missing women were all fifteen or sixteen years old, outstandingly beautiful, from farming families or wealthy merchants.
The corpses were all hidden in Wangjiazhuangzi.
It was on that occasion that the emperor learned that Chen Zijun's initial request to marry the Grand Princess stemmed from her suspicion of Wang Nanming's moral character, which was why she acted so "arrogantly."
Wang Nanming should have been brought to justice and publicly executed, but Wang did not want to ruin his reputation.
When Lady Wang came to confess her guilt, she subtly mentioned the Princess's reputation in her words...
Finally, Wang Nanming died "accidentally," and the best way for Wang's family to compensate the family who lost their daughter was through a roundabout method.
It was during this time that the emperor became aware of Chen Zijun's feelings for her aunt.
He was surprised, yet secretly delighted, thinking that his aunt could easily take advantage of this relationship...
His aunt did not disappoint him, but the emperor did not expect that his aunt would also fall in love with him.
After Chen Zijun's death, although her aunt was pregnant, she was outstanding in appearance and of princess status, so it would not be difficult for her to remarry.
The emperor had also hinted that his aunt could choose a suitable husband, and he would arrange the marriage.
He wanted to make up for his aunt's unfulfilled love and marriage.
But her aunt refused several times, and even after giving birth to Yiyang, she did not change her mind.
Later, when the emperor learned that his aunt would go to a lonely grave every year during the Qingming Festival and sit there for a whole day, he understood.
The word "love" can indeed hurt people.
Over the years, the emperor felt guilty that his aunt had ruined her life for him.
The emperor still feels guilty, a question he must ask himself.
If, at the time when the evidence was irrefutable, Chen Zijun had not chosen to accept her fate but instead confessed everything to him.
To frankly confess the late emperor's entrustment.
What will happen to him?
The emperor thought that he might spare Chen Zijun's life, but he would make the best of a bad situation and would not allow Chen Zijun to stay in the court.
He is now the ruler, and how the world is governed should be decided by him, the new emperor.
Instead of always listening to the late emperor.
This is the inevitable tyranny of a ruler.
The saying "A new emperor, a new court" sometimes holds true.
In the side hall, Grand Princess Mingzhu looked at the familiar handwriting on the envelope, but hesitated to open it.
Her marriage to Chen Zijun was short-lived.
It started with "coercion," and she went from being vigilant and defensive to scheming.
Princess Mingzhu believed that their marriage was a power struggle between the royal family and powerful ministers.
She firmly chose to take sides, and now it's a matter of who has the better skills.
She won.
The Grand Princess thought she should be overjoyed, for the marriage she had never expected was finally over.
Even after Chen Zijun's death, she could not forget that person.
As if under a curse, she kept thinking about Chen Zijun's tenderness and thoughtfulness on their wedding night.
She had abdominal pain, and Chen Zijun took meticulous care of her.
She broke her contract and married another man, which caused gossip, but Chen Zijun stood up for her.
What was once thought to be Chen Zijun's feigned affection and a charade later became her obsession.
Princess Mingzhu has been living a very painful life these past few years.
On one hand, there is the hidden affection; on the other hand, there is hatred for Chen Zijun.
They hated him for being disloyal as a subject and for rebelling against his superiors.
Now everything is clear: Chen Zijun never overstepped her bounds; she only acted domineeringly to fulfill the late emperor's entrustment.
Chen Zijun was sincere, but she betrayed many of my feelings.
Perhaps he will resent her in the letter?
Grand Princess Mingzhu revealed a bleak smile.
As a princess of the royal family, she often finds herself in situations beyond her control, approaching others with ulterior motives, and even if she has given her heart, she cannot trust them.
The Grand Princess shed tears silently.
General's Mansion.
Fang Nanzhi's eyes were already red.
My uncle never kept any retainers; he was the late emperor's hidden guard.
My uncle was not a traitor; he died for his ideals, for righteousness, and for the bond between him and the late emperor.
My uncle may have faced death calmly after his defeat.
But her mother and the Chen clan also suffered the consequences.
The Chen clan members faced numerous life-threatening situations on their exile journey, enduring hardship and cold to survive.
Her mother was assassinated, and the once wealthy and noble young lady was left to wander in the countryside, filled with sorrow and grief, which led to her untimely death.
For a moment, Fang Nanzhi didn't know whether to praise her uncle's righteousness or complain about his selfishness.
Fang Tong's large hand landed on the top of his daughter's head.
"Zhizhi, you've been to school, you should know that there's rarely a perfect solution in this world."
You can't have your cake and eat it too.
Chen Zijun resolutely chose righteousness, sacrificing himself to ensure that the late emperor's instructions would be fulfilled by future generations, which inevitably implicated his family.
When it comes to choosing between personal interests and the greater good, there must always be a trade-off.
"There's another saying: 'When you're in the world, you're not in control of your own destiny.'"
The imperial court is also a kind of martial arts world.
Fang Nanzhi tilted her head back and looked at her father: "Father, what do you choose?"
Fang Tong's eyes widened, and he pointed at his own nose: "Does your father, a nobody official, have any choice?"
"Even if that day really comes, you, your brother, and your mother are the most important people."
Fang Tong knew himself well; he was not a person with the world in his heart.
Even after becoming an official, his family was always the most important person in his heart.
If given that choice, he probably wouldn't hesitate.
He was a complete and utterly ordinary person.
Thinking about it, Fang Tong wondered if he should stop trying to get promoted?
Because some people say that your perspective is determined by your position.
If he holds a high position of power and controls the lives or livelihoods of many people, wouldn't it be quite immoral for him not to fulfill his duties and always want to come back to be with his family?
Fang Tong had already thought far ahead, but Fang Yin hadn't.
He pouted and said unhappily, "I knew my third brother didn't care about me. I'm not even in the top five."
Fang Yin's attitude is truly a rare sight.
Fang Tong quickly reassured him, "Nonsense, my brother loves his second brother the most. Our friendship since childhood is longer than that with Zhizhi."
Indeed, when it comes to judging the length of a relationship, no one can surpass Fang Yin.
We grew up together.
Qin Yan sighed in disappointment: "Unfortunately, I am just my father's stepson, and in the end, I am nothing."
Square copper...
"Nonsense, I only have one son. When you take the imperial examination, I'll carry you out of the examination hall."
hiss!
If someone who is already an official of the imperial court were to carry his son out of the examination hall, it would truly become the talk of the capital.
Does he still have any dignity as a father?
Qian Fengping took out a handkerchief, but before she could speak...
Fang Tong quickly brought over some hot tea and said with a smile, "Wife, you are the one I will spend the rest of my life with. I can't live without you."
Qian Fengping's face flushed, and she took the tea and drank it.
She lost all interest in joking and felt that her husband was shameless, especially in front of the children; it was just too mushy.
Fang Nanzhi's sadness was somewhat overshadowed by the commotion caused by her family.
She coughed loudly.
"Father, you and Second Uncle have a long-standing relationship, my brother is your only son, and Mother is your companion in your later years. So what am I?"
"Silly girl, you are my lifeblood."
Fang Tong's eyes were full of seriousness. He wasn't embarrassed at all, even though he was so old, to still be talking intimately with his daughter.
“From the day you were born, your father and your mother have always been like this.”
"Your mother's biggest worry before she passed away was you, and she wanted me to raise you well."
"The Chen case may be a knot in your mother's heart. But Zhizhi, you are your mother's eternal concern."
Don't drive yourself into a dead end because of a single case.
Fang Nanzhi's eyes reddened again, and she nodded earnestly.
"Dad, I understand."
“Once the case is resolved, I’ll take you back to your hometown to visit your mother’s grave and have a good talk with her, so she can rest in peace,” Fang Tong said.
However, the Fang family did not expect that the case would not be truly closed until a month later.
It wasn't until the very end of the year that things finally settled down.
Unfortunately, this case involves too many people, is complex, and has encountered unexpected complications.
The emperor wanted a clear answer, so the Ministry of Justice and the Capital Prefecture dared not slack off.
Let's start with Princess Dongyue.
She was ordered to come to the capital, but she was arrogant and did not cooperate much at first.
The Ministry of Justice and the Jingzhao Prefecture couldn't use force; they couldn't even imprison the prisoners, let alone use torture. Every time, the officials had to come to them for an audience and questioning.
Later, Wan Sheng voluntarily got out of prison.
Wan Sheng, who is always upright and honest, had Princess Dongyue's纨绔子弟 (son of a spoiled, dissolute family) kidnapped.
Princess Dongyue was fond of men and enjoyed having fun, but her only weakness was her son. Under duress, she told him everything.
Many years ago, the prince consort fell in love with Chen Zixi.
He eventually became the emperor's son-in-law, a marriage ordained by imperial decree. Disobeying the decree would implicate his entire family, so he had no choice but to accept.
However, after the marriage, the prince consort was extremely cold and unwilling to spend his wedding night with Princess Dongyue.
They were able to have children because Princess Dongyue drugged the prince consort and forced him to have them.
Because of this drugging incident, the prince consort completely despised the princess. He built a Buddhist temple and studied Buddhist teachings all day long. If it weren't for the need to maintain the dignity of the royal family, the prince consort would have truly become a monk.
Princess Dongyue was heartbroken and indulged in lust, openly keeping male lovers, but her husband never cared.