Hu Shanwei had been in the palace for twelve years, not for nothing. He was not timid when he heard this. He said calmly, "Your Highness has misunderstood. I paid out of my own pocket to hire bodyguards to send Ru Siyao back. Since I invited her here, I must be responsible to the end and ensure her safety. Besides, Ru Siyao and her husband put all their money and energy into medicine. Their family is poor. Where did she get the money to hire more than forty bodyguards?"
The prince looked at her steadily, "You haven't told me yet, what did Ru Siyao find out?"
Hu Shanwei said: "King Luhuang died of arsenic poisoning, and the remaining five pills were also found to contain arsenic that was fatal. There was something wrong with his pill recipe, and he didn't get the dosage right."
"Just that?" asked the prince.
Hu Shanwei only told half the truth. The other half could only be told to the emperor and Concubine Guo. Hu Shanwei said, "If the prince does not believe me, then don't ask me. You can check it yourself. King Luhuang's alchemy room is in the basement of the inner study. Everything remains the same as it was before."
No. King Luhuang's "Alchemy Notes" and the alum mixed with pure arsenic had been secretly moved and hidden by Hu Shanwei. This was irrefutable evidence that King Luhuang was poisoned.
King Luhuang was absurd, but should absurd people die unjustly? Compared with the tyrannical King Qin, King Luhuang was simply a pure and innocent little angel.
The prince said, "The inner study is located in the backyard of Prince Lu's mansion. It is where the widow of Prince Lu lives. I am the eldest brother and I have to avoid suspicion. How can I enter my brother's wife's backyard privately?"
In feudal society, men and women were strictly separated. For example, the prince's East Palace was inside the imperial palace, but the East and West Palaces were all inhabited by the emperor's women, and the prince was not allowed to step into them. The same was true for the harem, which was as private as the history records in a browser five hundred years later. Unless there were special circumstances, even brothers had to avoid danger.
The prince is known for his benevolence and he cherishes his reputation. The Princess of Lu is young and beautiful, so he has to avoid suspicion. In this regard, the prince will never leave any trouble or handle. The good prince of Ming Dynasty is not just talk.
Hu Shanwei knew his concerns and became bolder, saying, "The Princess of Lu is a person who understands the greater good. People who do great things are not particular about small details. We only need to clear the path that must be taken by the study in advance and set up curtains along the way. Your Highness can go to the inner study to take a look in the presence of this humble minister, Huang Zicheng, the Minister of Rites, and others."
Hu Shanwei was so frank that she didn't seem to be lying. She met the prince's scrutinizing gaze without dodging or evading.
After twelve years in the palace, a fox can cultivate and become a spirit. It shows some courage.
The prince suddenly smiled, "Okay, I believe Hu Siyan. Hu Siyan is very thoughtful, I really admire him."
The prince stopped asking questions, and Hu Shanwei breathed a sigh of relief and comforted herself: The prince was the crown prince and she was a subject. She only told half the truth without any lies, so it should not be considered a crime of deceiving the emperor.
The prince took a fancy to a pink and white peach blossom, reached out to pluck it, broke it in half, but could not break the end because it was attached to the bark.
"Hu Siyan, come and help us." The prince extended his hand to Hu Shanwei.
The prince was so "weak and powerless" that Hu Shanwei said, "Let me come."
Hu Shanwei walked to the peach tree, took the broken branch with both hands, rotated it 360 degrees back and forth, and tore it. With a click, the peach branch was broken cleanly.
Hu Shanwei handed the peach branch to the prince, who took it and chanted a poem to her, "'The peach tree is young and tender, its flowers are bright and beautiful, the daughter is getting married, suitable for the family', this peach branch is a perfect match for Hu Siyan, flowers are given to the beautiful woman."
After saying this, the prince handed the peach blossom to Hu Shanwei.
The poem chanted by the prince was "Taoyao" from the Book of Songs, which praises a girl's marriage. In later generations, it gradually evolved into an expression of admiration and seeking marriage.
Hu Shanwei: What is the prince doing? Since intimidation failed, he tried to bribe... No, he seduced me
As everyone knows, the prince and Lu, who was promoted from a concubine to the crown princess last year, live in harmony. The original crown princess Chang died early, and the prince never remarried. He and Lu loved each other very much, and they had three sons and three daughters together. For a long time, there were no other women in the Eastern Palace except Lu. The prince's insistence on being single has also won praise from the world.
In fact, loyalty to love can easily win people's favor in any era, especially for men in high positions and with power. This loyalty is more difficult to come by and therefore more precious. Many women in the palace envy the love between the prince and Lu, especially Lu, who thinks she has met a perfect man.
Lu came from a family of scholars. It was estimated that the prince and Lu had used this trick of flirting with flowers and poems many times in the East Palace. Now the same trick was used on Hu Shanwei... and it was of no use.
Because compared to the various methods Mu Chun used to tease Sister Shanwei, the prince was like an elementary school student.
The point is, the prince's slightly oily round face and slightly plump body at the age of 37 are just like a bowl of cold lard residue with white spots on it. Coupled with the song "Peach Blossoms", it is so greasy.
Therefore, Hu Shanwei was not only calm, but also wanted to laugh. He thought that those women in the palace who fantasized about the prince and Lu being together for life would be disappointed and would no longer believe in love.
Why did the prince use the "beauty trap" to seduce me
What does he want to do
Could it be…
Hu Shanwei took a step back, not daring to take the peach branch, and bowed his head and said, "I am a thin young man, and I am thirty-two years old this year. At my age, many women have become grandmothers. I am old and ugly, and I am not worthy of being called a beauty, let alone these peach blossoms."
In order to reject the prince, Hu Shanwei ruthlessly slandered herself. In fact, she felt that 32 years old was the prime of her life and she did not feel old. In fact, what does it matter if she is old? A woman's value cannot be judged by her age. Women are not vegetables. They must be fresh and tender.
The prince refused to give up, took the peach blossom and took a step forward, saying: "I have always felt that you are very similar to someone, Shangguan Wan'er of the Tang Dynasty. Shangguan Wan'er was Wu Zetian's think tank and assisted her for many years. In addition to politics, she was also good at writing poems and articles, which influenced the literary style of the literary world at that time."
Hu Shanwei said hurriedly: "Your Highness, please do not compare me with Shangguan Wan'er. It is really a disgrace to me. My little achievements are like an ant compared to the female prime minister Shangguan Wan'er."
The prince said: "Hu Siyan should not be modest. Hu Siyan changed the filial piety system that lasted for thousands of years and advocated "parents are equally respected". From the perspective of ethics and human feelings, it is an improvement of the filial piety system. In terms of literary talent, although Hu Siyan's palace poems are far inferior to Shen Qionglian, Hu Siyan has a pair of wise eyes and recommended the southern drama "Pipa Ji" to the emperor. The educational contribution of this drama is far-reaching, and the emperor still likes it. In my eyes, Hu Siyan is a good woman with both talent and talent. Don't belittle yourself."
If it wasn't to reject you, would I have to throw dirty water on myself!
At this time, Hu Shanwei wanted to beat the prince up, but she was far inferior to the prince in terms of physical strength and status, so she could not win at all, and "regicide" would bring disaster upon herself.
Calm down, stay calm!
Hu Shanwei secretly warned himself, suppressed his anger, and said: "I am just doing my duty."
The prince continued to tease Hu Shanwei, saying, "Shangguan Wan'er assisted Wu Zetian. After Wu Zetian fell, Shangguan Wan'er married Tang Zhongzong Li Xian and was named Zhaorong. She was deeply loved by Tang Zhongzong and was allowed to continue to participate in politics. Zhaowenguan was established to encourage poetry and literature. She also made many achievements in politics. Her style was not inferior to that of working under Wu Zetian. Do you know how old Shangguan Wan'er was when she was named Zhaorong?"
Hu Shanwei was well-versed in history books and said, "Forty-one years old."
Seeing her lowered her face, the prince thought she was shy, so he used a flower branch to support her chin and forced it up. "Shangguan Wan'er was 41 years old and was awarded the title of Zhaorong. Hu Siyan is only 32 years old. In the future... the position of imperial concubine is just around the corner."
Bah! I don't want a concubine, not to mention a concubine, I won't even take the position of empress!
This time it's not just about seduction, but also about bribery.
Hu Shanwei felt that the peach branch dragging her chin was like a bee sting, burning with pain and creepy. She stretched out her hand to push the branch away and said, "Your Highness is well-read and talks about the past and the present. Do you know what happened to Shangguan Wan'er and her family?"
Her entire family died, and Shangguan Wan'er was beheaded by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, and died young.
So the prince used Shangguan Wan'er as a metaphor, which was equivalent to saying that he was in love? The kind that would kill you and destroy your whole family.
The prince grew up reading books of sages, so he certainly knew what happened to Shangguan Wan'er. He smiled gently, playing with the peach branch in his hand, and said:
"I can guarantee that as long as you are obedient, serve as my eyes and ears in the palace, and show your loyalty, I will never treat you or your family unfairly in the future. I have already sent people to inquire about your father, Hu Rong. He is an honest and low-key bookseller. His family has such a famous female official. He never bullies others by taking advantage of his power. He runs his small bookstore regardless of the weather. His only hobby is to go to the Jiaofangsi to drink a pot of tea and listen to "Pipa Ji". Your Hu family is not greedy, and you will definitely be able to obtain long-term prosperity and wealth."
Hu Shanwei looked at the prince in surprise: How many masks does he have
He was known for his benevolence. For his mentor Song Lian, he knelt down and begged for mercy, risking the risk of disobeying Emperor Hongwu. He was respectful to his teacher. He was loyal to love and stayed with Concubine Lu for many years without changing his mind. He was a legend in the palace and among the people. He was friendly to his younger brothers. No matter what mistakes his younger brothers made, he would go to his father to plead for mercy and give them another chance.
He was such a perfect prince, he was simply the template of a good prince in history, even more perfect than in the history books.
But now, when the prince had finished handling the funeral of King Luhuang and was about to return to the capital, he suddenly threw a peach branch, a symbol of marriage, to Hu Shanwei, and flirted with her, seducing her with money and promising her the position of imperial concubine, in order to make Hu Shanwei his eyes and ears.
It turns out that the Crown Prince had already copied down my background and knew my father Hu Rong quite well, which shows that the Crown Prince had long intended to win me over.
Why confess now
Could it be…
Hu Shanwei's previous speculations were gradually becoming reality, but the prince's blatant seduction, the promises of a rosy future and beautiful prospects for her were all based on his mouth.
No matter what the prince said, as long as there was no evidence, let alone seduction, the prince would say that he wanted to kill his father and rebel, but he had no evidence and Hu Shanwei could not do anything to him.
Hu Shanwei tried to avoid the main point and talked to the prince, saying, "Shangguan Wan'er was loved and trusted by Emperor Zhongzong of Tang. Why did she die in the end? Because she trusted the wrong man. After Emperor Zhongzong of Tang died, Empress Wei and Princess Anle conspired to have Empress Wei follow the example of Wu Zetian and ascend the throne, and then make Princess Anle the crown princess. Shangguan Wan'er pretended to support Wei, but secretly allied with Princess Taiping to support Li Dan as emperor in order to protect herself."
"She catered to Empress Wei and her daughter on the surface, but secretly acted as an insider, opening the city gates and welcoming Li Longji, the son of Li Dan, with the palace maids by candlelight. As a result, Li Longji led his troops into the palace, killed Empress Wei and Princess Anle, and wiped out the entire Wei family. Knowing that Shangguan Wan'er was an insider, he deliberately pretended not to know, and no matter how Princess Taiping pleaded for mercy, he still beheaded Shangguan Wan'er under his banner."
"Shangguan Wan'er had been in the harem of the former Tang Dynasty for decades, and had experienced several changes of dynasties. She was known as the female prime minister. In the end, she ended up like this because she believed in Li Longji's promise. Was Li Longji stupid? Would she be in cahoots with Wei Shi, a woman who opened the city gate to welcome him? No, everything is just the eternal truth that when the birds are gone, the good bows are put away; when the cunning rabbit dies, the running dogs are cooked; when the world is at peace, the counselors die."
Bang!
The prince clapped his hands, "Hu Siyan is indeed extraordinary. Most people only know that Li Longji accidentally killed Shangguan Wan'er when reading history books, but you used your brain to read history books and saw the mystery of the palace coup hidden in them. What I like is not Hu Siyan's appearance, but your clear mind. I really admire you more and more."
The prince's arrogance made Hu Shanwei feel sick as if he had swallowed a lump of lard. He said, "Your Highness, Shangguan Wan'er's death taught me a truth. I would rather believe in ghosts than trust a man. I will keep this lesson in mind."
After Hu Shanwei expressed his opinion, the prince's face gradually turned cold, "You don't even believe me?"
Hu Shanwei said: "Yes, compared to the prince, I am more willing to believe in the principle that when the birds are gone, the good bows are put away, and when the cunning rabbits are dead, the running dogs are cooked. People can lie to others, but principles will not lie to others."
The prince asked: "What do you want me to do so that you will believe my sincerity in cooperating with you?"
"Cooperation?" Hu Shanwei smiled. "Wouldn't it be better to get rid of those hypocritical aspects and speak directly? Don't talk about admiration, adoration, and appreciation, just talk about cooperation. Your Highness values me, isn't it because of the little face I have in front of the emperor and the imperial concubine?"
The prince said, "Your Majesty is 62 years old this year. The Imperial Concubine suffers from heart disease. The death of King Luhuang was a great blow to her... It's time to plan for your future. You are an ambitious woman. From what you said just now, I can see that you are not interested in the position of Empress. Then, how about continuing to be a female official and becoming the head of the female officials, the Shang Gong? Without my support in the future, you will not be able to be a Shang Gong."
Hu Shanwei's eyes gradually turned cold. "Is the Crown Prince threatening me? Your Highness, you are still guarding the East Palace, and the master of the harem is the emperor. As for the future - Your Highness, please forgive me for being frank. In history, there are really not many people who have been crown princes for more than 20 years and finally ascended to the throne."
Hu Shanwei was deliberately provoking the prince. He should stop pestering him. A female official who was too close to the Eastern Palace would not be trusted by the emperor and the imperial concubine.
However, unexpectedly, the prince was not as furious as expected. Judging from the veins on his forehead that suddenly bulged and the fingers that tightly grasped the peach branch, he was indeed very angry, but the prince did not get angry but laughed:
"Sure enough, a female official who dares to contradict my father would also dare to ridicule the crown prince. It's really interesting. I want to cooperate with you even more. As I said before, what should I do to make you believe in my sincerity?"