sbdcsierra Chapter 1327 Is there any unknown connection?
Chapter 1327 Is there any unknown connection?
This undoubtedly laid the foundation for endless hidden dangers.
As a ruler, one sometimes has to bow to the general trend and the will of the people, even if this general trend may be illusory.
Nangong Xuanyu's deep gaze fell on Master Xingchen's jade-like face. He slowly spoke, his voice filled with caution and compromise: "Master Xingchen's words, I understand."
"However, I must ask, if I follow the Master's advice and spare Liu Shixiu's life, leaving him to the chastisement and enlightenment of the Buddha, will this truly resolve this crisis as indicated by the hexagram, and not harm the fate of the nation?"
This was the emperor's last concern, and it was also the step he needed to convince himself and appease the world.
Master Xingchen clasped his hands together, bowed slightly, and spoke with a convincing and pious voice: "Your Majesty is wise."
“Although the Way of Heaven is subtle, it sees through all things.”
"If Your Majesty wishes to demonstrate benevolence and preserve the bloodline of the founding heroes, allowing them to convert to Buddhism and atone for their sins with their remaining lives, this will serve both the will of Heaven and the will of the people."
"Heaven will surely be grateful for your majesty's kindness and forgiveness. Disasters will naturally disappear, and blessings will surely come. The vitality indicated by the hexagram should be here."
Master Xingchen did not give an absolute guarantee, but he closely linked the emperor's behavior with the will of heaven, giving it an extremely legitimate and noble meaning.
This completely satisfied Nangong Xuanyu's needs for political correctness and posthumous reputation.
Nangong Xuanyu was silent for a moment, and finally, his fingers tapping on the table suddenly stopped.
He raised his eyes, his gaze returning to the coldness of an emperor. "Since that's the case, I will follow Master's advice. Liu Shixiu... can be spared from death."
"Of course..."
The emperor's tone suddenly turned stern and cold: "The death penalty can be avoided, but the living punishment cannot be escaped!"
"Let Liu Shixiu become a monk, put black iron chains on his body, and imprison him forever in the ascetic cave of Fatu Temple. He cannot leave until he dies!"
"I will assign someone to guard it. If there is any mistake, the master will be held responsible!"
This is no longer tolerance, but a longer and more painful form of punishment.
Master Xingchen's expression showed neither joy nor sorrow. He bowed deeply and said, "Amitabha!"
"Your Majesty is kind and gracious. I will obey your command and keep him under strict supervision. I will make him repent of his sins day and night to repay your grace."
……
Yongshou Palace.
Xiao Mingzi lowered his head and reported to Shen Zhinian in detail what he had learned about the emperor's final decision on how to deal with Liu Shixiu.
As soon as he finished speaking, Handan, who was standing beside him, couldn't help but frown. An indignant look appeared on her face. She muttered in a low voice, "That Liu guy got away with it!"
"Back then, he instigated Shen Nanqiao and nearly poisoned the Empress. Such a wicked man deserves to be cut into pieces!"
"Now, it's good. I'm just locked up in a temple and eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures. What kind of punishment is that?"
Shen Zhinian sat upright on the soft couch by the window, holding a cup of warm floral tea in her hand. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly when she heard the words, but she didn't speak immediately.
She put down the teacup, her eyes flashing with deep surprise and confusion.
Master Xingchen?
This name did not leave much impression in her memory of her previous life, and the final outcome was very tragic.
He was suspected of having an affair with a concubine in the harem. The scandal was exposed and the furious Nangong Xuanyu sentenced him to death and tore his body into pieces.
Apart from this, there has never been a single word linking him to the Duke Dingguo's Mansion.
Since there is no connection, why would he, at this critical moment, go to such great lengths to use the fate of the country as an excuse to save Liu Shixiu, a doomed man, from the emperor's hands?
This is completely unreasonable.
Yet… to be hailed as a holy monk in the capital, a city full of hidden talents, revered by the people and even treated with respect by the emperor, this person was definitely not an ordinary person; he must have something extraordinary.
Master Xingchen's action today is extremely risky. If he did not have a great plan or truly believed in God's will, he would never take such a risky move.
Shen Zhinian himself is a person who was reborn. He has an inexplicable awe for those mysterious things in the world that cannot be explained by common sense, more than ordinary people.
Could it be that... Master Xingchen can really see into the secrets of heaven and calculate from the astrological hexagrams why Liu Shixiu's life must be spared?
This thought made Shen Zhinian's heart tremble slightly.
However, no matter how hard she thought, the scene before her was still foggy and unclear.
The emperor's decree had been issued, his words were unwavering, and there was no turning back. Even though Shen Zhinian had a thousand doubts and confusions, he couldn't change anything at this moment.
She slowly let out a breath, temporarily suppressing the doubts swirling in her heart. She regained her usual composure and instructed Fuqiu, "Send a message to Lin Wan, tell her about this, and give her some words of comfort."
"Tell her that although Liu Shixiu is still alive, he is no different from being dead. He is just suffering in a different place. Tell her not to worry about such a rotten person anymore and just live her life in peace."
Fuqiu agreed respectfully and turned to make arrangements: "Yes, your majesty."
Shen Zhinian picked up the teacup again, but his eyes drifted out the window and fell on the crabapple tree in full bloom in the courtyard.
Master Xingchen... Liu Shixiu...
Is there any unknown connection between the two?
……
Prince Jin’s Mansion, secret room.
The candlelight cast varying shades of light on several faces with different expressions.
The news that Liu Shixiu was finally rescued by Master Xingchen and imprisoned in Fatu Temple has already reached here.
An aide looked worried and was about to say something.
But the King of Jin, who was sitting at the top, had a faint smile on his lips and tapped the table leisurely with his fingertips, looking calm and composed as if everything was within his expectations.
Concubine Qi, standing beside Prince Jin, observed his expression, her beautiful eyes flickering as she asked with a charming smile, "Your Highness, you look so calm and composed. I'm sure you've already anticipated that even if Liu Shixiu were apprehended, he would never betray you, Your Highness?"
Upon hearing this, the King of Jin chuckled softly, his laughter showing a bit of insight and disdain for Liu Shixiu: "Although Liu Shixiu often acts impulsively and short-sightedly, he is not so stupid as to be hopelessly stupid."
"He hates his brother to the core, and all he wants is to overthrow his brother's kingdom."
At this point, the Prince of Jin lifted his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and said firmly, "Since Liu Shixiu had such intentions, how could he easily betray me and put my brother on guard? What good would this do to someone with ulterior motives?"
"Only by keeping me as a hidden agent can the waters remain muddy. Only then can he have a glimmer of hope, or even... a chance to seek revenge."
"Liu Shixiu still understands this trade-off."
Concubine Qi praised sincerely, her eyes shining: "Your Highness is wise!"
The other staff members also showed expressions of relief and admiration.
Prince Jin put down his teacup and glanced at his confidants present. "After this incident, although my brother has eliminated the obvious target of Duke Dingguo's Mansion, his vigilance will undoubtedly be even greater than before."