eurekapd Chapter 578 Born as a Human
Chapter 578 Born as a Human
For a moment, the old eunuchs were slightly stunned, as if they had not expected that Shen Shuyi's request would be for the people of the world.
Xiang Fei chuckled, with some self-mockery in her eyes: "You really think too highly of me. I don't have such great ability."
Xiang Fei did not take the account book presented by Shen Shuyi.
Shen Shuyi just kept it held like that and never took it back.
Xiang Fei stared at her for a long while, then sighed, "I really don't have that much ability. I have lived in Chonghua Palace for a long time, and I have been secluded for many years. I have long since stopped caring about worldly affairs. How can I make decisions for the people?"
"That should be your Majesty's business. It won't be of much use if you come to me."
Shen Shuyi looked straight at her, his eyes clear and firm: "Even though your majesty has lived in Chonghua Palace for a long time and has never left the house, I believe that even for the sake of His Majesty the Twelfth Prince, you will not really ignore worldly affairs."
If Concubine Xiang was really a person who could be bullied by anyone, she wouldn't have made Concubine Rou so wary, and she wouldn't have raised the Twelfth Prince safely to this age.
After a while, Xiang Fei sighed, reached out to take the account book and started flipping through it.
As she turned her head, her brows gradually furrowed, the vertical lines between her brows became deeper and deeper, and her eyes became more fierce.
"The Lu family has become so forgetful of their roots once they gained power. Have they really forgotten how harshly Marquis Zhaowu treated them in the past?" Concubine Xiang threw the account book on the table beside her, a little angry.
Shen Shuyi said in a deep voice: "Not only that, the floods in Jiangnan have not been cured for several years, and the government silver for disaster relief has been replaced, and the people are suffering."
"The Jiang family was full of loyal and brave people, but in the end they were accused of treason and died in hatred."
"Your Highness, do you think...if the Third Prince's party comes to power, will Concubine Rou really consider their old friendship and give you and the Twelfth Prince a way out?"
Shen Shuyi pressed on with every word and refused to give in.
Yuan Shulei's face darkened slightly as she carefully examined the daring girl in front of her.
But the girl stood straight, her eyes were clear, and there was only a mighty and fierce spirit between her brows, without any timidity or cowardice.
Xiang Fei seemed a little tired. She rubbed her brows and lowered her eyes and said, "Rou Fei saved my life in the past. Or rather, she saved Hong Yan's life. She had a hard time when she was young. I don't want to compete with her..."
Shen Shuyi interrupted in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, people's hearts are fickle. You should open your eyes and see if Concubine Rou is still the person you knew at the beginning. What's more, it's not easy for you to pity her. Who will pity the people of this world!"
Concubine Xiang was silent for a while. Even if Concubine Rou had kept it a secret all these years, how could she really not have heard any rumors?
In the final analysis, I just don't want to believe it.
She didn't want to believe that the girl they had once taken such good care of would become like this.
What's more, she and His Majesty had already had a rift, and it was not easy for her to live in peace and enjoy His Majesty's protection like today.
I’m afraid that if she gets involved again, Hongyan’s safety will be affected.
But what Shen Shuyi said was also true. If Lu Qing gained power, would she really let Hongyan go?
Over the years, Hongyan has always had a very good relationship with Prince An. She thought that if that day came, she would adopt Hongyan under the name of Prince An. After all, Prince An had no children and loved Hongyan very much.
By then, Hongyan will be able to be protected and safe.
But... what Shen Shuyi said is also true. Soldiers died tragically, civilians suffered, loyal heroes were wronged. If Your Majesty cannot purge the treacherous and corrupt officials, the country will no longer be a country, and the people of Daqian will inevitably suffer.
Xiang Fei stared at Shen Shuyi for a long time, and then asked in a deep voice: "Aren't you afraid of death?"
Shen Shuyi said calmly: "Madam Roufei also asked me this question today. I am naturally afraid. We are all mortals. Who would not be afraid of death?"
"As a human being, you should do what you should do and what you shouldn't do."
"I just fought with Princess Guining a few days ago. Now I am poisoned by the Blood Shadow Powder. If I can't find an antidote, tomorrow may be the day I die. If I can delay it by luck, I may still be able to survive for a while."
Xiang Fei looked at her, somewhat moved.
Shen Shuyi was still smiling, like a gorgeous and sharp frost flower: "But even if I die tomorrow, I, Shen Shuyi, will still do what I want to do today!"
Xiang Fei stared at her for a long while, then suddenly smiled: "You remind me of Sister Qi Ling."
Fine clothes and fast horses, taking pleasure in revenge.
It seems similar and yet not similar. Perhaps what is similar is the courage and bravery, or perhaps it is the purest and kindest heart.
Xiang Fei's eyes softened, and she said slowly: "I can't help you much, but I may still be able to send you out of the palace safely today."
"Besides, the Jiangnan area is now controlled by Lu Qing and Xiao Heyu's party. If you have witnesses, my Yuan family can find a way to send them to Beijing safely. If not, give me some time and I can try to find someone to come to Beijing to testify."
Hearing this, Shen Shuyi's eyes brightened a lot, as if reflecting the gorgeous sunset glow.
Jiang Li said that only by going to Jiangnan in person could one know how dark that area is. Officials protect each other and there are spies everywhere. The entire Jiangnan officialdom is almost twisted into a rope. You will never know who can be trusted and who cannot be trusted.
Yesterday you were drinking and chatting happily, and the next moment you were stabbed in the neck by your so-called friend. Today you were having a heart-to-heart talk, and tomorrow you may stab the other person with a knife.
The lineage of Marquis Zhaowu has spent more than twenty years managing the area south of the Yangtze River, and today it is impenetrable. Even when Emperor Qianwu sent an inspector there, all he saw and heard was a false illusion of peace and prosperity.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Shen Shuyi thanked solemnly.
Yuan Shulei shook her head: "Don't thank me, I should thank you. As for the rest, I can't help you too much. If there is any news in the palace, maybe I can send someone to send a message to you."
"Your Majesty has given me enough." Shen Shuyi said seriously.
Yuan Shulei shook her head: "I indulged her..."
Shen Shuyi could see the complexity in her eyes. She thought, it was not just because of the Empress Xiang in front of her, but also because of the connivance of the current emperor.
Power breeds evil, and Emperor Qianwu's favor allowed Concubine Rou to grow the wings of evil.
"What else do you want to know?"
Shen Shuyi collected her thoughts and said, "I dare to ask why Your Majesty has been staying in Chonghua Palace for so long, and what happened between Yin Qiling and the late Second Prince."
Xiang Fei was silent for a while, then slowly said, "When His Majesty held a banquet, I, as a concubine, should have attended, but I sprained my ankle, so I rested in the secret garden in the bamboo forest."
But later, somehow, she became dizzy and confused.
She felt something was wrong and suspected that the secret garden had been tampered with and that she was being framed.
But before she could check clearly, the person lost consciousness.
When she woke up again, Xiao Huaijin was lying on her bed, hugging her, his clothes disheveled and his cheeks flushed.
She was panicked at the time, and no matter how calm she was, she never thought that this would happen.
Fortunately, she soon became convinced that nothing had happened between her and Xiao Huaijin. But at this moment, the then Emperor Qianwu Xiao Chengzhang happened to appear and caught her and Xiao Huaijin's "affair".