Chapter 484: Bound to the Childbearing System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 485: A Passerby's Rise to Power (53)

·

·

·

Main Character:

Shen Yao

Yu Cheng had long wanted to try, once, to truly handle matters independently by his own means.

Before, whether it was Shen Yao or the Emperor, even if they paid no mind to Yu Cheng, there would still be an element of looking out for him.

"Have you made up your mind?" Shen Yao raised a brow, not missing the eagerness hidden in Yu Cheng's eyes.

Boys, once they learn all this statecraft, always want to try their hand at it themselves.

Yu Cheng was no exception; in fact, he harbored heavy ambition in his heart.

The entire future of the Yu Guo would fall into his hands, yet he refused to muddle through like his Imperial Father; starting with small matters to slowly temper himself was also a very good practical route.

"I have decided, and ask Mother Empress to help," better than this birth father the Emperor was that Yu Cheng could bend his waist, and would not stick to his ways out of pride in his status.

Shen Yao steadily accepted Yu Cheng's bow, "This palace will help mediate this matter; you take these evidences back and handle it yourself."

As for what shape it would be handled into, that depended on Yu Cheng's own comprehension and ruthlessness.

Yu Cheng rose and bade farewell to Shen Yao, then turned and left Fengyi Palace.

Hongguo saw Yu Cheng off, and upon returning saw her own mistress lying on the couch leisurely eating fruit from the fruit platter.

"Your Highness"

Hongguo hesitated to speak; she had not heard what the two masters said, but from the Crown Prince's pupils, bright to a terrifying degree, she could infer something.

Would it not be a bit too much like pulling up seedlings to help them grow?

Knowing that as a servant she ought not speak too much, but Hongguo simply could not hold back; human hearts are made of flesh, who can ever speak with absolute clarity?

"It is nothing, you need not worry overly either," Shen Yao saw through Hongguo's conflict at a glance, "Sooner or later he must face it alone; otherwise what will become of him in the future?"

The Emperor has no few thunderbolts on him; one day they will surely explode. Can Yu Cheng avoid, hide, and be lazy? That would be the true end of the dynasty for Yu Guo.

Precisely because she understood her son, knew her son's ambition, Shen Yao agreed to let her son handle this matter himself; regardless of the final outcome, it was a practice from which to absorb experience and lessons.

Hongguo: ……

What Her Highness said was too right, to the point she could not refute it, had no reason to.

"Remember to send people to keep watch, and also Qianqing Palace; the Emperor's health is poor, the Imperial Hospital must be admonished."

The Imperial Physicians are all a bunch of wallflower grass; whichever way the wind blows tight, that way they fall.

Compared to the rising new star Yu Cheng, the old man the Emperor, declining like the setting sun, clearly has no competitiveness at a glance.

These years, the Imperial Physicians who secretly came to pledge allegiance to her were not few; even Li Guiquan who served before the Emperor had long left himself a retreat route, not seeking wealth and nobility, only seeking to end his days in peace.

Look, the Emperor cannot even make his own intimates loyal to the death; what does he have to fight her with?

Hongguo nodded in agreement, turned and arranged palace staff to watch He Lan and Qianqing Palace.

Of course, the focus was on Qianqing Palace; the Emperor's body was of utmost importance (it would affect the mistress's and the Prince's great undertaking), they must show extra concern.

Within one month, the number of times the Emperor summoned Imperial Physicians reached a shocking ten-odd times.

Averaging once every three days, not counting those monks and Daoists invited into the palace, nor the normal arrangements for pulse diagnosis.

Shen Yao flipped through the presented account books and vermilion registers, pointing at the name of a certain Baolin who had served bedchamber duty frequently last month, "Is she a palace maid from the Imperial Household Department?"

Not a consort who entered via the Imperial Selection, Shen Yao had no impression of this person.

Lvying nodded, "She is a palace maid by the Emperor's side; she has been by the Emperor's side for no more than two months."

Heh!

Not even two months, and bedchamber duty alone for one month; just what spirit pills and miraculous medicines did that group of Daoists feed the Emperor?

The system slunk out lecherously, gloating, 'What else could they eat? They're all poison pills with high lead content; eat one grain and suffer a whole day.'

Compared to the pills it prepared for the Host, simply one in heaven, one on earth.

The system was full of pride, deeply felt the Emperor might not even need them to devise countermeasures; he could play himself to death on his own.

'The Emperor eats the Imperial Physicians' prescriptions as usual, the Daoists' alchemical pills without cease.'

Curving a finger to tap the tabletop, Shen Yao could easily imagine the Emperor's current physical condition — a leaky, cracked jar, the slightest touch and it would shatter all over the floor.

"Lvying, similar consorts, there have been quite a few in the Huang Hou lately, right?"

The Emperor's fondness for the new and weariness of the old was increasingly famous; similar minor consorts were consumables, once tired of them he directly swapped for another; the entire Huang Hou was his holding pen.

Not to mention others, just the few famous palaces, now emptied out and filled entirely with this sort of minor consort.

The Emperor enjoyed himself, patted his butt and left these rotten messes for Shen Yao, causing the account books sent by the Imperial Household Department every month to all be over budget.

"Replying to Your Highness, this month there are three additional Baolin, two Nüshi," as for the uncountable Cai nü, they truly are not counted; how many depends entirely on the Emperor's mood.

"This palace knows," Shen Yao waved her hand calmly, letting Lvying step forward and help her up from the couch.

"How is He Lan?" A month had passed; whatever means Yu Cheng used, he had already employed a thing or two.

"He Lan's palace staff have recently committed frequent errors; the Crown Prince requested several Stewards from the Imperial Household Department, and privately replaced several batches of serving palace staff," though there was turmoil it was all within control, no existence yet capable of stirring up waves.

Yu Cheng knew the Imperial Household Department's virtue all too well; unless pushed too far, the Imperial Household Department would always smooth things over, even willing to push out a few scapegoats to serve as the masters' stress-relief tool persons, just to guarantee their own survival.

"Mm, He Lan has quite a few Bodyguards; Cheng'er did not impulsively flip the table directly, so the Imperial Household Department most likely will not risk acting."

Yu Cheng's probability of gaining the upper hand in this warm-up practice is very high.

"If there is still evidence in private, then secretly send it to He Lan and hand it to Cheng'er."

One matter does not trouble two masters; Yu Cheng wants to rely on his own ability to resolve it, so Shen Yao simply let go completely; not to mention where Yu Cheng can ultimately walk to, just the absorbed experience and lessons are enough for him to slowly digest.

Lvying cutely agreed, and per her mistress's orders sent the investigative evidence to He Lan.

Yu Cheng once again obtained new leverage on the Imperial Household Department; after thinking it over he still continued to probe them.

In the future when he ascends he will certainly have to tear a piece of flesh from the Imperial Household Department; understanding their bottom line in advance is also advantageous for formulating future plans.

Yu Cheng had plenty of twists and turns on his mind; he turned and went out to keep looking for palace attendants to deal with.

He knew that no matter how many times they were replaced, there were spies from the Imperial Household Department inside, and Yu Cheng wouldn't kick them all out in one breath; instead, he'd come around every now and then, keeping the Imperial Household Department busy and unable to let go.

Overall, in the contest between He Lan and the Imperial Household Department, He Lan still held the upper hand.

But on the Emperor's side at Qianqing Palace, trouble had arisen again; he was clamoring to leave the palace to worship his ancestors.

"Leave the palace to worship? Have the date and place already been set?" Do the ancestors of the Yu family know the Emperor is this filial?

The last time he left the palace, he brought two children and a group of court officials, only to end up stabbed himself with a knife wound to the chest; now he wants to run outside again, truly not afraid of dying, huh.

The news Hong Guo brought back had long been confirmed; the Emperor had even issued an Imperial Edict, and he wanted to bring Yu Cheng, who was currently competing with the Imperial Household Department, along.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao smiled somewhat coldly, especially her gaze, cold as frost.

Hong Guo:...

Hong Guo lowered her head, thinking to herself that Her Majesty was truly angry.

After all, she could make a scene however she wanted; what did dragging the children into it have to do with anything?

Yu Cheng was invited to Fengyi Palace by Shen Yao once again; unlike last time when the mother and son discussed putting things into practice, this time Shen Yao opened her mouth to tell Yu Cheng to be careful.

"Does Mother know Father Emperor wants to leave the palace?" And he's bringing his only son along.

Shen Yao raised her hand and pointed outside the window, "It's hard not to know what's going on over at Qianqing Palace."

It wasn't that Shen Yao deliberately investigated the Emperor's actions; rather, whenever there was news from Qianqing Palace, it would be sent to Fengyi Palace to let her know.

Yu Cheng awkwardly rubbed his nose, "I heard Father Emperor wants to worship his ancestors," but in truth it was just an excuse; his father wants to cultivate immortality and live a hundred years.

Shen Yao spoke coldly, "Aren't there enough temples in the palace for him to worship at?"

Yu Cheng:...

After all, there are too many people and eyes in the palace; it's not convenient for the Emperor to do those mysterious things.

In recent years, whether high monks or Daoists, they have all been highly favored in front of the Emperor.

Even because those pills with severe toxicity where the benefits were smaller than the harms, the Emperor became even more obsessed with attaining the Dao and longevity; he raised who knows how many Daoists outside the palace, and Yu Cheng could even hear these rumors from his two uncles in private, though both uncles were very careful to avoid taboo subjects.

But Yu Cheng was older now, and his two uncles often entered the palace to walk around; over time, how could they really not say anything, so in the end Yu Cheng learned some unimportant inside information.

Now connecting it all together, Yu Cheng felt only helplessness toward his birth father.

"Mother Empress."

Not knowing what to say; his birth father was unreliable, and the Huang Hou could be so stable, all thanks to his birth mother's control.

"Alright, I'm not angry, I just feel that it's not safe for you to leave the palace."

Things from a few years ago, even if past, would leave memories; Yu Cheng wasn't a child who remembered the bite but not the beating; on the contrary, his memory was very good.

Even someone who had offended him slightly a few years ago, he hadn't forgotten in his heart.

Not that he wanted to settle accounts after autumn, but rather he already had his plans early on.

Hearing his birth mother tell him to be careful, Yu Cheng immediately thought of the endless assassination schemes.

Otherwise...

No, no, this matter still needs long-term consideration; it can't be said directly.

Yu Cheng sat on the round stool listening to his birth mother's instructions, and when the time was about right, he stood up and left.

After Yu Cheng left, the system mentioned that this kid was somewhat ruthless and merciless, "Who knows, the Emperor might have bad luck."

If the Emperor suddenly kicked the bucket at this time, the impact on them would be very limited.

In recent years, the Shen Family hadn't been operating in vain, and Shen Yao hadn't been wasting time. If it weren't for the Emperor restraining them, their days would be much better than now.

"The help the Emperor can provide now is far less than the harm of him dragging them down; keeping the Emperor around is only because they want things to be more legitimate and proper."

Shen Yao casually swung her arm, mentioning the imperial consorts in the harem who had quieted down.

Not newcomers, but old-timers.

Behind each person stood a clan of some size providing backing; these backers guaranteed their survival and also gave them chips to negotiate with Shen Yao.

Vertical and horizontal alliances.

The tricks used in power struggles are now all used in the palace.

Shen Yao doesn't lose out; others gain real benefits, but I'm afraid more people than imagined hope the Emperor kicks the bucket.

"Yes, this palace is just waiting for the day I become Imperial Noble Consort."

"Younger Sister and Elder Sister have the same idea; left and right it's just striving for favor without forgetting; better to be quiet and clean."

The relationship between Consort Xian and He Chongyi had become quite good; I don't know how these two got together, but anyway, they visit each other most frequently in daily life.

Both of them had some treasonous thoughts in their hearts; now they're all waiting for Yu Cheng of He Lan to rise to power, to live a few days of comfortable life without mess and noise.

"Younger Sister coming today, is it because you heard about the Emperor wanting to leave the palace to worship his ancestors?"

The Emperor leaving the palace had already spread in the harem; Shen Yao had no intention of covering it up for others, and even some minor consorts were noisily fighting to accompany him, directly whipping up this trend.

He Chongyi nodded and laughed, "The Emperor is bold;" even after what happened before, he didn't retreat, which made her admire him.

Consort Xian looked at He Chongyi with a reserved expression and shook her head, "The Emperor can't worry about so much."

Behind her stood the Zheng Family, which stood firm and unshakable; she knew even more inside information.

Understanding that the Emperor was just using worship as an excuse; actually he wanted to pursue the illusory path of longevity; truly, knowing today, why bother back then, courting death by ruining his body, yet still holding a desirous hope of eating elixirs to live forever, not practical at all.

Consort Xian read sage books since childhood and knew best that those mysterious things were unreliable; the Emperor didn't cherish the time he should have taken care of himself in his early years; now that he lost this convenient condition, he became even more stubborn instead.

"It seems Elder Sister knows a lot; however, the Emperor's matters have nothing to do with us;" they were all out-of-favor consorts, seeing the Emperor's true face only a few times a year; who would care what the Emperor thinks in his heart.

Consort Xian nodded; indeed so; the Emperor's matters have nothing to do with them.

Even if leaving the palace is to pursue some longevity, that should be the Empress and the Shen Family's worry; I believe the Empress should be able to handle it.

Consort Xian turned her head to look outside the window; not far away was the famous Fengyi Palace.

Shen Yao:...

"You really overestimate this palace," she didn't have that kind of ability.

The system shamelessly boasted that the Host was too modest; it still didn't know the Host's abilities — a mere Emperor, extremely easy to handle.

Shen Yao gave a sideways glance at the jumping system, "Hope he can return safely this time."

If he doesn't return, that's fine too — just right for Yu Cheng to replace the one worshipping the ancestors, also saving the steps of the ancestral rites.

Whether the Emperor received Shen Yao's sincere blessings was hard to say for now; anyway, not many days passed before the Emperor left the palace with his only son.

This time the Shen Family was still the accompanying personnel; Shen Chunbai, due to advancing age, had to stay in Jingcheng, so only Shen Zhanghe and Shen Changyu were arranged to go.

The Shen Changyu brothers, having been earnestly instructed for several days, remembered their birth father's teachings; compared to the protection six years ago, this time they had to be even more serious and cautious.

All the way they arrived at the destination safe and sound; the Emperor pretentiously worshipped the Yu clan ancestors, and also brought Yu Cheng along to pay respects.

Pity such warm days lasted only two days before the Emperor reverted to his old ways, as hidden Daoists presented a pill said to be extremely nourishing.

The Emperor couldn't restrain himself; however the Imperial Physician advised against it, so he directly used the Empress and the Imperial Consorts brought along to seek pleasure, finally dying of illness in an undignified manner.

Shen Yao:... No way, he just went offline like that?