69novels Chapter 445 Extra Chapter: The Struggle for the Throne 3
Chapter 445 Extra Chapter: The Struggle for the Throne 3
They were all princes; who among them didn't have some ambition?
But Li Yuanke knew his own situation; he did not have ambitions that were incompatible with his abilities, as that would harm both himself and others.
Grand Tutor Shen nodded and said, "This old minister never thought that His Majesty would entrust His Highness to this old minister. Now that His Highness has come under this old minister's wing, this relationship is already established. His Highness may have thought about his situation and knows what the future will be like."
"Has Your Highness not considered what to do? The Shen family and Your Highness are already bound together; the Shen family still has its entire members. They cannot simply sit idly by and wait for their doom. Of course, this is my personal concern, though it cannot be brought to light, it is the truth."
Li Yuanke's eyes were red-rimmed, and his voice was hoarse, "Does the Grand Tutor also believe that if Father Emperor were to pass away, I too would face a desperate situation?"
Grand Tutor Shen said, "The last emperor of the previous dynasty died at the hands of the Pei family. If given the chance, the Pei family will certainly not let Your Highness go. Back then, this old minister stopped the Pei family from taking action, wanting to give the last emperor some dignity. For this, the Pei family has not been without retaliation against this old minister over the years."
Regardless of the last emperor's character, no one wanted to see a regicide. Grand Tutor Shen advised the last emperor to commit suicide.
Shen Shixi said, "From another perspective, I think Brother Yuan Ke is the most suitable to be emperor. The world needs a wise ruler. If Brother Yuan Ke were to become emperor, he would definitely treat the people well."
Li Yuanke looked at Shen Shixi for a moment, then stood up and bowed to Grand Tutor Shen. "I am unworthy, but I am deeply grateful for your high regard! That is why I do not wish to be a burden to the Shen family. I will petition the Emperor to replace my teacher and sever this teacher-student relationship. In the future, I will surely be able to protect the entire Shen family."
Grand Tutor Shen couldn't force him, after all, it was a matter of life and death. After Li Yuanke returned, he was somewhat depressed.
While this outcome was welcome, even Grand Tutor Shen found it difficult to accept the reality. He asked Shen Shixi, "Will the Emperor approve?"
It's funny, he actually asked his three-year-old granddaughter.
Shen Shixi was eating the pastries Li Yuanke had brought, enjoying them immensely, her little feet swinging back and forth. "Of course not! As long as Li Yuanke speaks up, the Emperor will know our family is doomed. The Emperor couldn't be happier!"
Old Master Shen understood immediately. The Emperor wanted to give important positions to the Pei family, but he wasn't heartless or without any reservations. However, if the Pei family were to fall from grace, it would be like putting a noose around the neck of a ferocious beast. The Emperor would then be able to use them without any worries, so why not?
"You little rascal! You're such a clever little devil!"
Grandpa Shen didn't know how his granddaughter could be so capable, but as the sages said, "Those who are born with knowledge are the highest; those who learn through study are next; those who learn through hardship are next again; those who are hardship-stricken and do not learn are the lowest of the people."
My granddaughter is someone who was born with knowledge; there's nothing we can do about it, she's God's favorite!
Sure enough, Li Yuanke arrived the next day, looking as if he had lost his parents.
Shen Shixi was still sitting on the peach tree branch, secretly eating dried peaches. When she saw him, she smiled and said, "Handsome brother, you're here!"
When Li Yuanke came to his senses and saw Shen Shixi, he felt extremely guilty. He pursed his lips, not knowing what to say.
Shen Shixi stretched out her arms to him, and he took two steps forward and hugged her tightly, almost to the point of tears.
"Li Yuanke, don't be afraid! Don't worry, I'm here, I won't let you die!" Shen Shixi said, hugging his neck.
At the time, Li Yuanke did not take these words to heart.
He was puzzled to see that Old Master Shen was not surprised to see him.
Old Master Shen then relayed Shen Shixi's analysis. After a moment of silence, he rose and bowed deeply to Old Master Shen, saying, "This student is incompetent, having implicated the Grand Tutor's family in this matter. I have no way to repay you!"
Shen Shixi said, "It's alright, Brother Yuan Ke. As long as you become a good emperor in the future, our actions are for the sake of the people!"
Li Yuanke replied, "If that day ever comes, I will never forget this moment, and I will dedicate my entire life to serving the people of the world, and I will not fail in my duty!"
Shen Shixi said, "That's good! My grandfather, our Shen family, and many others who are willing to follow you, including yourself, are not doing this for personal gain. We are all doing it for the sake of the people. So don't feel burdened, and don't feel like we're doing this for you. We share the same goals and will work together!"
Li Yuanke's nose tingled with emotion. "Okay!"
The three of them then started to plan together.
Old Master Shen said, "Now that you've said what you said, His Majesty probably has a better understanding. Once this matter is decided to be done, there will be no giving up halfway. Along the way, there will be many difficulties and dangers. Your Highness must be mentally prepared. No matter how difficult it is, only by persevering can you survive."
"I understand!" Although it was difficult, Li Yuanke was very excited. He felt as if the shackles on his body had been loosened, and he had a sense of vitality and relaxation.
Old Master Shen continued, "All my life I have only sought to be upright and honest. It is precisely for this reason that I still have a few like-minded friends in the court. Just as Xi'er said, Your Highness is dedicated to the well-being of the people. I should raise my voice in support. If Your Highness has the opportunity, you should also learn from these people, adopt their strengths, and make up for your own weaknesses."
"I will follow the Grand Tutor's arrangements!" In an instant, Li Yuanke truly felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.
Shen Shixi said, "Since we've made the decision, we should take the initiative from now on. Grandpa, I think Li Yuantai and Li Chengqian are the best breakthroughs. The two are not on good terms, but if Li Chengqian has any weaknesses, Li Yuantai will definitely be able to cripple him."
The two are brothers born of the same mother. If they were to vie for the throne, the Emperor would certainly not tolerate it. Therefore, the position of Crown Prince would fall to Li Yuanzhi. The Pei family has two daughters; the elder daughter is about the same age as Li Yuanzhi and has always been ambitious. If this daughter aspires to the position of Empress, everything will be much easier.
She explained her plans in detail; the scheme was ingenious. In short, it could be summed up in four words: intrigue and deception!
Old Master Shen was an upright and honest man throughout his life, but unexpectedly, in his later years, he had to personally stir up trouble in the imperial court, which weighed heavily on his mind.
Shen Shixi saw through the old man's thoughts at a glance and advised, "Grandpa, whether you are here or not, the turmoil in the court has never disappeared. Rather than becoming the target of others' slaughter in the future, you should become the one who calms the storm in the court, cleans up the political situation, and restores peace to the Great Zhou."
Politics is inherently cruel; it's naive to think you can achieve your ambitions while remaining aloof.
On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, Shen Shixi deliberately mistook Li Yuantai for the Crown Prince, which planted a thorn in the hearts of the two of them.
After Empress Wenzhen passed away, Li Yuantai was heartbroken and grieved so much that he almost fell ill. After recovering, he suggested to the emperor that Empress Wenzhen's admonitions and sayings be compiled into a book for women throughout the land to study.
Emperor Zhenyou praised his filial piety and allowed him to set up a literary academy to recruit scholars on his own.
A year later, the compilation of "Wenzhen's Inner Instructions" was completed.
Emperor Zhenyou personally wrote a preface praising his filial piety and granted him the salary of a prince of the second rank, along with a large fief, making his favor and salary even greater than that of the crown prince.
Under these circumstances, the Crown Prince found it difficult to remain calm and made several mistakes. Emperor Zhenyou then selected eight teachers for the Crown Prince, including three students of Grand Tutor Shen, one of whom was Wen Zhenglun.
He was upright and honest, comparable to Hai Rui. He and a group of ministers went to the East Palace every day to observe the Crown Prince's every word and action and offer their advice. The Crown Prince's nanny privately advised Wen Zhenglun that since the Crown Prince was already a father himself at his age, even if he had some biased behavior, he should not directly offer his advice.
When Wen Zhenglun came to speak with Grand Tutor Shen about this matter, Shen Shixi sowed discord, saying, "Senior Brother Wen, does the old woman mean that the Crown Prince lacks the magnanimity to accept advice? How can he become a wise ruler if he is like that?"
Shen Shixi called every one of the old man's students "senior brother".
Wen Zhenglun said, "What the Second Miss says is very true. It's a pity that our Crown Prince is not even as good as a four-year-old girl. The Great Zhou is in grave danger!"
Wen Zhenglun was very worried.
Shen Shixi continued to fan the flames, "As a minister of the Eastern Palace, it is the duty of Senior Brother Wen to assist the Crown Prince in his words and deeds. Whether the Great Zhou will have a wise ruler in the future will depend entirely on Senior Brother Wen. Whether he will be remembered for his fame or infamy depends on this."