eurekapd Chapter 85 Unethical Pastimes
Chapter 85 Unethical Pastimes
Because of the large-scale remonstrances by the censors, many people were punished with beatings, which attracted more onlookers and inquiries about the cause and effect.
So the story quickly spread among the people that the emperor was so obsessed with alchemy that he not only burned down palaces but also spent a huge sum of money every year.
This was used to expose the extravagance and waste of the imperial family, which was why the Ministry of Revenue was always short of funds. The so-called supervision of officials was actually an attempt to embezzle money from them.
Now everyone was on edge. Officials and commoners alike couldn't sit still. The thought of the money possibly being taken from them made them feel heartbroken, and at the same time, they cursed Emperor Cheng's ancestors for eighteen generations.
What a state the court is in! Beset by internal and external troubles, surrounded by war, and the emperor is still obsessed with alchemy. He even amasses wealth and beats people for alchemy. He is simply a tyrant!
A few days later, the censor from the next prefecture was sent down to the capital. Such comments became more and more rampant wherever the censor went, but that's another story.
Shen Li was very satisfied with the timing. This fire was indeed an accident. It happened at the same time in her previous life, but in her previous life there was only this one fire, not the one in the harem.
In this life, even the fire in the harem was recorded by the people on the emperor's behalf, which is quite amusing to think about.
Gu Chang'an was supposed to attend court soon, but Shen Li kept him from doing so. He's not fully recovered, so it's time for someone else to take the spotlight.
"The news coming back from the palace is that His Majesty is getting quite angry with those censors every day, and the news he hears from the common people is mostly just curses from unruly folks," Lian Qiao said, laughing as she spoke as she spread the gossip by the bedside.
Who would have thought that someone as high and mighty as an emperor could be so enraged?
Looking at the completed painting in front of her, Shen Li chuckled and said, "It's no wonder Your Majesty is so rude. Some people are taking advantage of the fact that our dynasty doesn't kill officials who speak out, and they're just trying to become famous by cursing so harshly."
She'd heard a few things these past few days and thought that if she were the emperor, she'd probably be a tyrant, which would be infuriating.
It sounds like they're quoting classical texts, but it's actually like cursing someone's ancestors for eighteen generations. Yet, the language is so beautiful that those who don't understand it think they're praising someone.
Gu Chang'an, who was reading a book, said upon hearing this, "Since ancient times, there have been many people who curse for the sake of cursing. Let alone killing them, even beating them up will be criticized as obstructing speech."
Shen Li finally saw Gu Chang'an with some free time. He was wearing a loose white long robe, with a thick outer robe of the same color draped over him because he was afraid of the cold. He was leaning against the window reading a book and looked like a gentle scholar who had stepped out of a painting. His eyebrows were clear and his eyes were bright. He was nowhere to be seen as the living devil he used to be.
Indeed, when people are not subjected to a lot of attacks, even their temperament becomes gentler.
If, as in his previous life, everyone in the world believed that he, this treacherous minister, had deceived the emperor, held absolute power, and amassed wealth from the entire nation, even if he claimed not to care, he probably wouldn't feel good about it.
Rather than letting yourself be indifferent, it's better to let the swords and knives pierce others.
I remember that sister who was beaten by her in-laws every day and eventually killed the whole family said that she had thought about getting a divorce before, but everyone advised her to endure it. It's true that you don't feel the pain until you're hurting yourself.
This is absolutely true. Nowadays, she has discovered that stabbing someone with a knife not only doesn't hurt, but also provides entertainment. If she were to then advise the person involved to be more magnanimous, it would be an extremely immoral pastime.
"When does my husband intend to persuade His Majesty to calm down?"
"Three days later." Gu Chang'an knew what she meant and couldn't help but smile. His Ah Li was really becoming more and more like a child, and her mischievousness was just too adorable.
Shen Li wanted to say something more, but before she could even begin, someone walked into the room. There weren't many people who could enter the inner room without being announced.
"Greetings, Miss Shen, Lord Gu." Ying'er, dressed in a light green outfit, bowed to the two men. "This servant is fully recovered and can serve you again."
Shen Li blinked twice. Did time fly by so fast? It's done already?
Gu Chang'an simply responded indifferently, his gaze returning to the book, his attitude much more indifferent than before.
"That's good. You can continue to serve me closely as before, but you still need to rest more. If you get tired, just let the servants do the work." Shen Li said with concern.
"Miss Xie."
"Lianqiao, pick a ginseng root from the storeroom and let Ying'er take it. She's lost weight from lying down these days, so she needs to nourish herself properly. Watch her drink it."
Lian Qiao bowed and said, "Yes, Miss."
“Miss, there are still plenty of tonics in the room.” Ying’er looked troubled upon hearing this: “Besides, I’m fully recovered, so there’s no need for any more tonics, it would be a waste of those precious things.”
She's been taking supplements lately, but they taste awful. She's been eating them for two months and is almost sick of them. All she wants now is to get out of bed and walk around.
"No, Your Highness sent you here, how can I mistreat you? Besides, it was I who brought you into the palace last time and that's when you got injured. You'll feel bad if you don't eat here."
Shen Li said sincerely, "Don't worry, you don't need to save me money. If you don't like forsythia, just replace it with peony."
"No..." Ying'er and even Shaoyao were stubborn, so they immediately said, "Let's go with Sister Lianqiao, thank you for your kindness."
"We're all family, so let's not be so formal." Shen Li looked at Lian Qiao and said, "Let's take her to find some, and pick the big ones that are older."
Ying'er felt nauseous at the mention of ginseng, and felt like crying. She wondered if this would ever end.
After everyone had walked away, Gu Chang'an laughed: "This is the first time I've seen someone play such a prank. Ah Li really knows how to make the most of things."
“The person is still useful,” Shen Li said meaningfully.
With her background, she wasn't afraid of breaking ties with Li Heng, but that would make her an open target, and she would no longer be able to scheme against him.
To maximize profits and to ensure Li Heng suffers a severe setback, this situation cannot be allowed to turn sour.
Gu Chang'an didn't quite understand Shen Li's intentions. Since she didn't want to help the Crown Prince, there was no need to target him. Even if they couldn't part amicably, they could still go their separate ways.
But Ah Li didn't seem to think that way. She wanted to pull that person down from the position of crown prince, and even... wanted his life.
He didn't know where this hatred came from, but Ah Li didn't say or ask. He would just let her do whatever she wanted.
Shen Li was already somewhat troubled. Ying'er could come and go from her bedroom at any time, making it inconvenient to talk about many things. Moreover, the two of them had been very affectionate lately, and she really didn't want to see a spy hanging around in front of her.
But if Ying'er happens to encounter some kind of accident, anyone except a fool would guess that she has a secret, which would really be a bit difficult to handle.