12dz Chapter 76 The Crown Prince is often ill; you should encourage him.
Chapter 76 The Crown Prince is often ill; you should encourage him.
Chapter 76 The Crown Prince is often ill; you should encourage him (2/5)
Wu Cheng said in a deep voice, "I have presumptuously killed my elder brother, a crime deserving of death. I beg Father Emperor to punish me."
"Punish me?" The emperor laughed. "How can I punish you? Kill you to pay for my third son's life? Wouldn't that mean I'd lose another son?"
"Your Majesty, I am filled with trepidation."
"Fearful?" The Emperor looked at Wu Cheng with great interest. "I see you are not afraid at all. You squandered Yuan Hao's wealth in Luoyang, and then ransacked the Iron Buddha Temple in Xin'an County. Now the people of Lin'an are all saying that you, the Fourth Prince, are the Prince of Justice." How can I punish you? Is this the source of your fearlessness?
"Of course I'm afraid of death." Wu Cheng looked up and met his father's gaze. "But I'm even more afraid that more innocent children will be sent to the cellars of the Iron Buddha Temple."
The candlelight in the main hall flickered, and the emperor's movement of turning the prayer beads finally paused for a moment.
The emperor looked at him for a long time, then suddenly sighed, "Enough. As for the third son's matter... I will issue an edict saying that he was killed by Yuan Hao, the magistrate of Luoyang, and that you avenged him. As for Yuan Hao... he colluded with the Northern Barbarians and deserves to die. Those Northern Barbarians used the so-called Hidden Dragon List to try to stir up trouble in the Great Yu court; their intentions are despicable."
Wu Cheng's heart trembled.
This changed Wu Ju's death from "fratricide" to "avenging his brother," and Yuan Hao was also labeled as "colluding with the northern barbarians."
In this way, the royal family's face was preserved, he was exonerated from the crime of "murdering his brother," and even Wu Ju's guilt was absolved.
He didn't mention the Iron Buddha Temple incident, as if he wanted to gloss over it lightly, neither punishing himself nor defining the nature of the Iron Buddha Temple... It seems that Yuantong Xiulu really had a profound influence on this cheap old man.
Fortunately, there was Bodhidharma!
Since my father is a devout Buddhist, it would be perfect to send Bodhidharma to the palace to challenge the bald monk Yuantong.
Besides, Bodhidharma originally wanted to meet his adoptive father.
With a thousand thoughts racing through his mind, Wu Cheng bowed and said, "Thank you, Father Emperor."
"Don't thank me yet." The emperor took a roll of yellow silk from his sleeve and tossed it to him. "I have something else for you."
Wu Cheng took the unfolded document, his pupils contracting slightly.
[By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Fourth Prince, Wu Cheng, is intelligent, quick-witted, loyal, and courageous, and closely resembles me. At a time when Buddhism is shrouded in darkness, his loyalty and righteousness are a blessing to the nation. Therefore, he is hereby granted the title of Prince Feng and bestowed with a residence in Lin'an City. This is the imperial decree.]
Wu Cheng was taken aback for a moment, then looked up at the gentle face on the pedestal.
The emperor smiled. "What, did you think I would punish you?"
"Your Majesty's intentions are beyond my ability to fathom."
The emperor began to gently turn the prayer beads in his hand again. "When I was young, I was exceptionally intelligent and proficient in divination, archery, music, calligraphy, and Go."
"When the future was turbulent, I raised an army in Fengdi and later established my kingdom south of the Yangtze River. At that time, I thought to myself, there were countless heroes in that chaotic era, so why was it I who was able to conquer the southern kingdom and divide the two barbarians by the river?"
Wu Cheng promptly offered flattery, "Because Father Emperor is a sage ruler descended to earth."
"You were just being stubborn with me a moment ago, how come you've become so arrogant and then so obsequious just because I've only bestowed upon you a house?"
The emperor chuckled, "At that time, I was somewhat confused, but even after reading through the Five Classics, I could not find the reason. It was not until I read about Buddhism that I understood."
"I was able to become the emperor because I have been a good person who has cultivated for ten lifetimes. If I want to be an emperor again in the next life, I must continue to cultivate. The more people I help, the greater my blessings will be."
"From that time on, I have been a vegetarian and abstain from fish and meat. I eat only one meal a day and not eat after noon. I also forbid Buddhist disciples in the South from eating meat and fish. Moreover, I wear no more than eight sets of clothes throughout the four seasons, and the lower garments of the imperial concubines in the harem do not drag on the ground."
"Under my blessings, the Great Yu will naturally become a haven in this chaotic world. Therefore, there is no need to hold the officials accountable. If they make mistakes, they will be reborn as animals in the next life. If I commit more killings, I will ruin my merits. Fourth Prince, do you understand?"
I don't understand, you big dummy!
Wu Cheng was quite moved by the first half, but the second half just seemed off.
Does it mean he should take a strong stance on this matter and then let it go easily?
Putting aside the fact that someone wanted to harm him, even if he didn't care, such unlimited leniency and failure to hold anyone accountable would allow officials at all levels to wantonly exploit the people.
Even a fool knows that no man's land is the most chaotic place!
And the most ridiculous thing is that you, as the emperor, knew all this, yet you completely ignored it all in order to cultivate your so-called blessings! You even pretended not to know!
Wu Cheng remained silent.
He didn't try to persuade her, because it would be useless.
The emperor then asked, "Fourth Prince, do you know why I bestowed upon you the title of Prince Feng?"
Wu Cheng remained calm and said, "I do not know."
The emperor laughed, "You are my son. Although you were foolish for a few years, you are still my bloodline. The Northern barbarians' false proclamation seems to praise you to the skies, but in reality, they just want to use your name to cause discord between the Great Yu court and the people and the martial arts world, so that they can fish in troubled waters."
"Since that's the case, then I'll play along. Since you've gained a reputation as a chivalrous hero among the people, I'll make you the King of Heroes, as compensation for your sixteen years of foolishness. Besides..."
9
The emperor looked at Wu Cheng with a meaningful expression, "When I first raised my army, I proclaimed myself the Prince of Feng. Now I am giving you this title. You should know my intention."
He paused, then said calmly, "The Crown Prince is often ill; you should encourage him."
Wu Cheng:
'
Are you treating my buddy like Judy's son?
While inwardly complaining, Wu Cheng remained outwardly calm, saying, "Your subject accepts the decree and expresses gratitude."
"No need for thanks, this is what you deserve." The emperor picked up a warm white jade token from the low table and tossed it in front of him. "Tomorrow I will formally issue the decree in the Hall of Supreme Harmony."
He paused for a moment, then said, "I remember that your maid is Consort Rong's maid. Consort Rong raised you from childhood, so she must miss you very much. Go and see her first. After that, whether you leave the palace or stay in the palace is up to you."
Wu Cheng bowed his head and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."
Once outside the Wanshou Palace, the sunlight outside made Wu Cheng unconsciously squint.
Qingque was waiting at the foot of the steps. When she saw him come out, she went up to greet him.
Wu Cheng weighed the white jade token in his hand and put it into his pocket. Then he smiled at her and said, "Let's go and pay our respects to Aunt Rong first."
His mother died in childbirth, and Consort Rong had no children of her own. She had always maintained a good relationship with the Empress, so she raised him under her care, and he always addressed her as Aunt Rong.
Just thinking about that Consort Rong... made Wu Cheng feel a bit of a toothache.
The two walked along the palace wall toward Guiyue Palace, with the eunuch leading the way trailing far behind.
Passing through a moon gate and around a lotus pond, the eaves of Guiyue Palace are already partially revealed amidst the flowers and trees.
Palace maids were already waiting at the entrance.
Wu Cheng took a deep breath and, with Qingque in tow, stepped into the gates of Guiyue Palace.
The furnishings in Guiyue Palace were no different from what Wu Cheng remembered.
The curtains were still the same old ones, the same slender copper lamp, and the same overly meticulously trimmed asparagus fern on the windowsill.
Following the palace maid to the entrance of the bedchamber, the maid happily ran inside, exclaiming, "Your Highness! His Highness has returned to see you!"
A moment later, the beaded curtain of the inner hall rustled, and a languid, gentle voice drifted out from behind it.
"Is this Acheng? Come in."
The voice was like a cat stretching and rolling in the afternoon sun, leaving a soft, bouncy arc that tickled the ear.
Wu Cheng glanced at Qing Que, who pursed her lips and stepped aside.
Wu Cheng sighed helplessly, then walked inside.
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