bullyxtreme Chapter 206: Meeting the Emperor and Replying
Chapter 206: Meeting the Emperor and Replying
Chapter 206: Meeting the Emperor and Responding
Lord Kuang knew that the emperor asked him to stay not for what he saw along the way, but just to understand the situation of the Si family. So he told them everything that happened that day.
"I still remember that Jingyu was a smart kid, but it's a pity that God is jealous of his talent."
Lord Kuang responded, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. I also remember that the eldest son of the Si family resembles General Shao. What a pity."
The emperor asked again: "Is my cousin really stupid?"
"Mrs. Si was unconscious. She was holding Second Miss Si's one-year-old daughter and kept calling Third Miss Si by her name. When she saw Prince Feng, she also called him Duke."
The emperor nodded and said, "I still remember how my cousin protected me many times when I was bullied by my brothers when I was young."
Lord Kuang lowered his eyes. "Fortunately, the Si family treats Madam Si well. From my perspective, Madam Si looks the same as before, except for her age. On the contrary, Si... Xingzhi seems to have aged a lot."
"It's been nine years, and I'm old."
Lord Kuang said hurriedly: "The emperor is in his prime."
The emperor waved his hand and continued, "Si family...where is the youngest son?"
"Si Jing'an is a bit dull. Prince Feng specially tested his knowledge, and it turns out... he's not even half as good as his brother."
The emperor's eyes flickered as he spoke, "Si Jingyu is a young talent, both civil and military. Even the late emperor praised him highly, saying that in the future, the Shao and Si families would be able to hold up their families with just Si Jingyu. Even though Si Jing'an is his younger brother, he probably cannot match him."
"Yes."
The emperor closed his eyes and said nothing, but he did not ask Lord Kuang to leave.
A thin bead of sweat formed on Lord Kuang's forehead. He thought for a moment and said, "That boy is very dull and stays in the countryside. I don't think he will have any luck."
"Do you think there's no such thing as good fortune, or did Feng Ziheng tell you so?"
Lord Kuang felt a tightness in his heart, and he felt his palms were slippery, but he didn't dare to make any unnecessary movements. He said calmly, "Your Majesty, I am stupid and should have asked more questions."
The emperor laughed and said, "That's really stupid of you."
Lord Kuang kowtowed and apologized: "It is my fault. I just saw that Prince Feng was paying close attention to the eldest daughter of the Si family, so I neglected her."
"Oh? The eldest daughter of the Si family? That child's name is...is..."
"Si Muyan."
"Yes, Si Muyan." The emperor asked, "What did Feng Ziheng say?"
Lord Kuang said hurriedly, "Prince Feng said that this girl is capable and intelligent, not inferior to her elder brother. However, I cannot see that. I think she is just a country girl, not as beautiful as the second lady, nor as intelligent as the third lady. Moreover, I think that since she is a woman, there is nothing to be afraid of. So I advise Prince Feng not to pay too much attention to irrelevant matters."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor laughed heartily and pointed at Lord Kuang, saying, "You are truly not even half as good as Ziheng. Ziheng is very clever and must have seen that Si Muyan has some extraordinary qualities, which is why he was so alert."
Lord Kuang's heart finally settled down, and he said hurriedly, "I am stupid, how can I compare with the prince?"
The emperor waved his hand and said, "You are my close minister. There is no need to compare yourself with others. No matter how smart Si Muyan is, she is just a woman with a few more abilities."
"Yes." When Lord Kuang was about to kneel down to pay his respects, he hesitantly asked, "Your Majesty, that kid from the Si family..."
The Emperor said, "Since Feng Ziheng has never taken any notice, it's clear he's useless. I remember he was still young when the Si family was in trouble. Even if Si Jingyu had incredible abilities, it's impossible for him to be taught well in just a few years."
Lord Kuang said, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. I think... Si Jing'an and Si Xingzhi are somewhat similar in their youth. Although he is not as talented as Si Xingzhi, he is much tougher."
"Children who grew up in the countryside are naturally tough."
Lord Kuang knelt and left the hall, unconsciously looking in the direction of the Empress Dowager's palace. He sighed slightly in his heart and carefully thought about what he said in front of the Emperor today. Although not every word was true, he did not lie.
Feng Ziheng waited in the Empress Dowager's palace for half a minute before a nanny came and took him in.
"The Queen Mother learned that the Crown Prince would return to the capital in the next two days. She has been waiting for a long time and is feeling a little sleepy."
Feng Ziheng asked, "Madam, is the Empress Dowager in good health?"
"Please remember that Your Majesty is doing well."
Entering the inner hall, the empress dowager leaned back in her chair. She was over seventy years old and already looked very old, but her face was calm and expressionless, giving people the feeling that she was unapproachable.
Feng Ziheng bowed respectfully. The empress dowager asked him to stand up, and he did not sit down. Instead, he stood aside and answered.
"Your Majesty, I was asked by Your Majesty to meet the female member of the Si family. However, she was unconscious and did not recognize anyone. When she saw me, she thought I was my father."
Hearing this, the Queen Mother didn't show much expression and asked again, "Have you seen the body?"
"I've checked it and confirmed it's indeed theirs."
The Queen Mother then showed a look of sympathy, and after a long while she said, "Are the others... okay?"
"All good." Feng Ziheng said, "From my observation, the three girls of the Si family are extremely intelligent. The eldest daughter looks a lot like her grandmother. I heard that she was the one who opened the Si family's food shop. It was because of her that the Si family's livelihood was reversed. Even now, the entire village relies on the Si family's income to survive."
The Queen Mother was quite surprised: "He is actually a person with a big heart?"
Feng Ziheng continued, "My daughter is like her mother. She is very smart, knows how to judge the situation, and is not a talkative person."
The Queen Mother laughed and said, "I remember Wan'er. She was lively and active since she was young. She was never shy when interacting with the princesses and princesses, and she knew how to act in her best interests. Si Xingzhi actually told Shao Qin that this child was cunning, but he thought everyone was like him. Is he just a blockhead?"
Then he asked, "By the way, speaking of blockheads, what about Tong'er? Tong'er is most like her father. She's so rigid and inflexible at such a young age. Is she okay?"
Feng Ziheng took out the booklet he had brought with him and handed it to the nanny to present. "Your Majesty, I heard that the second young lady has married. It's a pity that her husband passed away young, and she didn't even get to see her child born. Her temperament remains the same as when she was young, a little old-fashioned, but she's not stupid. This booklet is what she wrote when Zizhou taught her law in Lingnan."
The Queen Mother's eyesight was not very good. She looked carefully for a long time before she smiled: "The handwriting is not good, not like her father."
He continued to read and laughed again: "It's not very literary, but it's quite simple."
She wanted to read it again, but she didn't have the energy. She closed the booklet and said, "You brought it back specially. Do you think it will be useful?"
Feng Ziheng said, "It is my understanding and suggestions on the current laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty. There are many points in it that make sense. I think it can be handed over to His Royal Highness Prince Ning."
The Queen Mother said "Hmm" and said, "If you think it's useful, that's the good of this girl."
Feng Ziheng pondered for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty, could I... advise His Royal Highness Prince Ning to reward Si Mutong if this booklet is used?"