Chapter 1108: Don't be sentimental

The weather was scorching.

Emperor Taixing disliked the heat and decided early to go to the summer palace to escape the heat.

Once the Emperor left, the capital seemed to become empty.

The Heir Chen Guanfu was named to accompany him to the summer palace.

The Hou Fu young lady Chen Mengxun was also named to go to the summer palace.

The Hou Fu knew very well that this was the start of the selection. The girl Xun would 100% be selected; the key was which Imperial Prince she would be betrothed to. This required Chen Guanfu and his wife to operate in the dark.

This trip to the summer palace thus appeared especially important. It not only related to the children's marriage and future, but also to the Hou Fu's stance and choice of side.

Of course, the Hou Fu could also cut ties with the married daughter and not choose a side.

However, things like fighting for imperial power are not something one can stay out of just by not choosing a side. As long as the daughter marries over, the court and the world will consciously view the Hou Fu as a faction, a force, and support for a certain Imperial Prince!

Most importantly, Marquis Pingjiang, who was still holding his ground in the Northwest fighting, held military power in his hands. It made people very nervous!

In short, one hair moves the whole body.

Before leaving, Chen Mengxun had the head steward send a letter to Chen Guanlou, wanting to meet and ask for advice.

Chen Guanlou arrived on time for the appointment.

The uncle and niece were drinking iced drinks in the pavilion of the Hou Fu garden, chatting while blowing the hot wind coming from the lake.

"You are going into the palace for the selection; presumably, the Hou Fu has arranged everything properly in all aspects, and everything that should be taught has been taught, and everything that should be said has been said. You are surnamed Chen, and with your father and grandfather, you will definitely become the focus of the struggle in this selection; you don't need to be anxious or nervous at all."

"By rights, what Uncle Lou said is all correct. Ever since it was confirmed that I would enter the palace for the selection, the family specifically invited several masters to teach me in all aspects. But I feel it's not enough."

"Where is it not enough?" Chen Guanlou raised his eyebrows slightly, a bit puzzled.

The masters invited by the Hou Fu were all proper and had real talent and learning; there was no reason they would hold back or act in bad faith. The Hou Fu's money wasn't that easy to take.

"The masters speak quite subtly, not direct enough, and not direct enough to strike the heart. I invited Uncle Lou over today because I have a few questions in my heart that I want to ask."

"Tell me, and I will try my best to answer you. If I can't answer, don't laugh at me." Chen Guanlou wasn't afraid of losing face, nor would he deliberately maintain the image of an elder, saying it very casually.

Chen Mengxun lowered her eyes and smiled, then said: "If someone forces me, insults me, slanders me, or libels me, should I kill them?"

"Kill those who should be killed; what's difficult about that!" Chen Guanlou gave the answer directly without the slightest hesitation.

Chen Mengxun lowered her head slightly, biting her lip, "However, if I kill, I will be crowned with a vicious reputation; what should I do then?"

"There are two ways. One is to kill silently, and the other is to kill openly. This is strategy. Specifically how to do it, that is the technique. Whether to do it yourself, borrow a knife to kill, or use loopholes in the rules, you must analyze the specific situation. The Imperial Palace is a place that eats people; if you don't kill me, I kill you, so there's no need to have a burden."

These words were truly too cruel for a girl of sixteen or seventeen.

It should have been an innocent age, with parents and elders to love, enjoying fine clothes and food. Yet because of the selection, she had to face the cruel reality at a young age and calmly discuss the fierce matter of killing.

She had hidden these questions in her heart for a long time.

She couldn't discuss them with her parents; they would definitely preach at length.

She couldn't discuss them with her brothers and sisters; they would be frightened, or even look at her with strange eyes.

She couldn't discuss them with the masters; no matter how capable the masters were, deep down they still believed women should be quiet and gentle, helping their husbands and teaching their children.

If they heard her talk about killing, they would likely split into two parts. One part would bow for the sake of five pecks of rice and continue to teach her various skills. The other part would hate and loathe her for their inner cognition. At some point in the future, they might ruin her reputation.

Only Uncle Lou could clear up her confusion.

The world said Uncle Lou was unconventional, didn't follow etiquette, and his brain was one thing after another.

She didn't think so.

In her view, Uncle Lou had long since transcended the mundane, transcended gender, and stood at a height the world had never touched to view all problems. Killing and arson were just like eating and drinking, and could be brought out for discussion.

She needed an elder to give her a reassurance pill, allowing her to move forward bravely without fearing anything.

"If one day, I am killed, is it because my skills are inferior to others?"

"Time and fate! Sometimes it's not that your skills are inferior, but that your luck is bad. You must be clear that luck is also part of strength. To keep your luck, remember one sentence: don't talk nonsense with the enemy; when it's time to kill, do it without hesitation. If you want to vent, if you want to talk nonsense, you can find someone later. Don't be complacent, and in your most triumphant moment, get carried away and be killed in return!"

"Thank you for the reminder, Uncle Lou; I have remembered it. Is there anything else Uncle Lou wants to teach me?"

Chen Guanlou pondered for a moment and continued: "Respect the fate of others, and let go of the complex of helping others. Don't be overly kind. Killing requires bearing the consequences, and helping others also requires bearing the consequences. You are a young girl, and it's inevitable that there will be times when you can't bear it. At this time, don't rush to make a decision; thinking more won't hurt.

Also, if someone uses their status to pressure you, you don't need to fear them. We keep the rules when we should, but whoever deliberately makes things difficult for you with the rules, at worst, just flip the table directly. You must remember you are surnamed Chen; as long as your grandfather doesn't return to the capital, you have the confidence to be arrogant. So, when you should be arrogant, don't hide it."

"If in the future, Grandfather returns to the capital, what then?"

"Tuck your tail and live as a person. Be low-key when you should be low-key; do not show off and give others a handle. Your future must not only enjoy glory, wealth, and supreme power, but you must also learn to endure. Endure what others cannot endure. Things in this world mostly emphasize balance; a person cannot be arrogant for a lifetime, and there will always be a time to bow one's head. Do not feel that being a head lower than others is shameful. Remember, as long as you are alive, there is a time to make a comeback."

Chen Mengxun nodded heavily, remembering every word in her heart.

Chen Guanlou was still worried and urged: "Girls are delicate and easily swayed by emotions. You must learn to think about problems with a man's thinking and learn to do things from a man's standpoint. Remember, power is the best tonic, allowing you to live forever."

"Then wouldn't the Emperor live forever?" Chen Mengxun said with a smile.

"I was just making an analogy. Once you master power, you will know that no man or woman is as important as power. No matter how great the difficulties or how many obstacles, they are all scum in front of power! For thousands of years, men have been striving for what? They have been striving for power! With power, money and beauty are all there. Remember, learn to think with a man's thinking, and don't be sentimental." ===== CHAPTER 1109 =====