Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1392: Master, please come to the palace to pray for blessings (183 million reward points plu

"Don't worry, Imperial Concubine. Wenshu knows."

Princess Wenshu saw that Shen Zhinian had listened, so she said no more.

After sitting for a while, she saw that it was getting late, so she stood up and said, "...Wen Shu will not disturb the Imperial Noble Concubine."

Shen Zhinian said to Fuqiu, "Send Princess Wenshu out."

Fuqiu said respectfully, "Yes."

Silence returned to the hall, and Shen Zhinian sat alone under the window.

"Xia family..."

She whispered these two words, a hint of deep thought flashing in her eyes.

It seems that when Chu Xiyan investigates those noble ladies, she needs to pay more attention to the background and movements of the Xia family.

The court, the harem, money, power, have always been closely intertwined, and any one move can affect the whole body.

"Miss."

Handan tiptoed in and reported, "The Imperial Household Department has sent over last month's account books, saying there are a few expenditures that require your approval."

"In addition, a new list of palace maids has been submitted. Please review it."

"besides……"

In just a moment, several piles of files and booklets waiting to be processed were piled up on Shen Zhinian's desk.

She turned and walked towards the desk.

With the assistance of Consort Xian and Consort Xuan, Shen Zhinian did share a lot of trivial matters. But although she was no longer the Empress, she held the power of Vice Empress and handled the affairs of the six palaces.

There are so many things in the huge harem and so many things to deal with. Every day there are still countless things that require Shen Zhinian to make the final decision personally.

What's more, what really consumed her mind and energy was far more than just these superficial palace affairs...

Shen Zhinian dealt with the important matters first.

"...The day before yesterday, the Langzhong of the Ministry of Personnel's Examination and Reward Department was in mourning. Your Majesty's preferred candidate is..."

Shen Zhinian picked up a red brush, wrote a name on the secret letter, and handed it to Xiao Mingzi beside him: "Send it to my father, he knows what to do."

Xiao Mingzi bowed and took it: "Yes."

Yuan Bao brought a cup of freshly brewed tea and whispered, "Your Majesty, Lord Jiang has sent in a message saying that there is a vacancy for the Censor of Jiangnan Province, and His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin's people are very active."

Shen Zhinian picked up the teacup, and the hot steam blurred the cold light in her eyes.

Jiang Lingzhou is now more and more stable in his position in the Hanlin Academy. Using his status as a Qingliu official, he keeps an eye on the developments of all parties in the previous dynasty for her, especially any clues about the Prince of Jin's faction.

Shen Zhinian must ensure that the chess pieces he places fall in the most critical positions.

"Tell Lord Jiang that there's no need to confront Prince Jin's men head-on. Simply slip the evidence against your rival to Li Yushi of the Metropolitan Censorate."

"The slave understands."

Yuanbao took note and turned around to make arrangements.

Cultivate personnel, plant spies, and quietly influence the decisions of the previous dynasty...

These things take up far more energy than reviewing ten palace affairs books.

Shen Zhinian often sat alone by candlelight until late at night, with seemingly unrelated poems and songs spread out in front of him, but his mind was rapidly deducing the rise and fall of various forces.

……

The fifth prince's illness has been recurring since his first birthday and has not shown any improvement.

He was already weak due to premature birth, and now he was as thin as a kitten, even his cries were pitifully weak.

That afternoon, after Nangong Xuanyu finished handling state affairs, he went to Chuxiu Palace.

The inner room is filled with a strong medicinal aroma.

Concubine Kang was half-kneeling by the window, personally holding a warm handkerchief and wiping the cold sweat from the fifth prince's forehead bit by bit.

Hearing the announcement, she hurriedly stood up to greet the emperor: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Long live your Majesty!"

Seeing Concubine Kang's appearance, Nangong Xuanyu was slightly stunned.

After not seeing her for just half a month, Concubine Kang had lost weight. Her palace dress, which once fitted her well, now seemed a little empty.

Her cheeks were sunken, making her eyes, which always seemed to be filled with sorrow, look even bigger. There was a deep dark complexion under her eyes that even makeup could not conceal.

“…No need to be so polite.”

Nangong Xuanyu raised his hand to give some support, his eyes passing over Concubine Kang and falling on the Fifth Prince lying on the bed.

The fifth prince closed his eyes, breathing weakly, and his little face was abnormally flushed.

Nangong Xuanyu's voice slowed down a bit: "How is Sui'an today?"

Concubine Kang looked at the Fifth Prince, tears streaming down her face before she could say a word: "The imperial physician comes every day to take his pulse, and he drinks medicine without fail, but... but there's no improvement. Sometimes he's better, sometimes he's worse, over and over again..."

"My heart is also in turmoil, without a moment's peace..."

She raised her tearful eyes and looked at Nangong Xuanyu, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Qiao... Imperial Physician Qiao told me privately a few days ago that Sui'an was born with a deficiency and his foundation is damaged. If he continues to waste time like this, I'm afraid... I'm afraid he won't even be twenty..."

These words hit Nangong Xuanyu's heart hard.

He did not have many offspring, but even though the fifth prince was weak, he was still his flesh and blood.

Seeing Concubine Kang crying so hard she could barely breathe, her frail shoulders trembling violently, Nangong Xuanyu felt a slight sense of unhappiness over the Fifth Prince's prolonged illness, which now transformed into a complex sigh.

He reached out and gently patted Concubine Kang's shoulder. His movements were a little awkward, but it was a rare comfort: "Okay, don't cry anymore."

"The words of the imperial physician may not be reliable. Sui'an is still young, so take good care of him. Who says there is no chance of recovery?"

Concubine Kang leaned into the emperor's arms, absorbing the warmth for a moment. Her crying gradually subsided and turned into suppressed sobs.

After a long while, she seemed to have recovered her breath. She wiped her tears with a silk handkerchief, raised her red and swollen eyes, and whispered, "Your Majesty, the effect of the medicine may have run out..."

"I have heard that Master Huichen, the junior disciple of Master Xingchen of Fatu Temple, also has profound Buddhist teachings and is very effective."

"I would like to invite Master Huichen to the palace to perform a ritual to pray for a peaceful year, seek heaven's protection, and drive away the evil of illness."

"Perhaps...perhaps sincerity can move the heavens and give Sui'an a glimmer of hope?"

As Concubine Kang spoke, she looked at the emperor timidly, with complete dependence and pleading, as if this was the only piece of driftwood she could grasp.

Nangong Xuanyu was silent for a moment.

Although he did not have complete faith in gods and Buddhas, he still held them in awe.

Looking at Concubine Kang's appearance and then looking at the Fifth Prince lying on the couch, who was dying, this might be a solution.

Nangong Xuanyu said: "Since you have this intention, then I will do as you say."

"I will ask Li Changde to arrange it and ask Master Huichen to choose an auspicious day to come to the palace and pray for the fifth prince."

Concubine Kang's eyes instantly filled with surprise and gratitude. She quickly took a step back and bowed deeply: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace!"

Nangong Xuanyu said lightly, "Hmm," and glanced at the Fifth Prince on the couch: "Take good care of the Fifth Prince, and take care of yourself too."

Concubine Kang choked up and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern."

The emperor sat for a while, gave a few more instructions, and then left Chuxiu Palace.

Concubine Kang quickly stood up and saluted: "Your Majesty, I respectfully bid you farewell!"

After Nangong Xuanyu's figure disappeared, she slowly walked to the side of the couch and gently brushed her fingers across the fifth prince's forehead.

The miserable look on his face just now gradually subsided, and an imperceptible light flashed in the depths of his eyes.