Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 94: Only One Level Left

In the study of Li Mansion.

After hearing what Li Zisheng said, Pang Qing and Shen Lu both thought that you are really "conscientious and responsible".

Are you pretending to the point that you almost believe it?
Li Zisheng put away his contempt and said, "What I am worried about now is not which famous lady is causing trouble. No matter how talented and beautiful they are, they have to pass the preliminary and final selections. The only thing I am worried about is that the Queen Mother will interfere during the palace selection... If the Queen Mother is not satisfied with the little niece of the Laizhan family, then all my efforts will be in vain."

Pang Qing asked hesitantly, "Master Dao, do you think... this matter is likely to alarm the Queen Mother?"

"Ah."

Li Zisheng nodded.

His political thinking has always been sharp, and he considers all aspects of the problem. He immediately patiently explained to the two, "According to the rules, for the prince's wedding, the queen and the prince's biological mother should come out together to complete the palace selection process, select the final three people, and let the prince choose one of them to become the crown princess."

Shen Lu suddenly realized: "That's right. Now the prince's mother died a long time ago, and the queen has not asked about the affairs of the six palaces for many years. Only the queen mother cares about the prince's marriage."

Li Zisheng sighed, "I've also been thinking about a question... Tomorrow the Queen Mother specifically asked me to go to Qingning Palace to perform a fasting ceremony. Should I mention the matter of the Crown Prince's selection of a concubine to her on the spot, especially... solemnly recommending the young daughter of the Zhang family to the Queen Mother?

"Originally, there is nothing wrong with this move, but I am afraid that the Queen Mother will have a prejudice against me, and it would be bad if I rashly bring it up."

Shen Lu thought about it and wanted to make some suggestions, but in the end he felt that his words did not count and the matter had a direct bearing on his interests, so he did not dare to speak out.

Pang Qing had no scruples and suggested: "Since you have been invited, you might as well say it clearly."

"how to say?"

Li Zisheng looked towards Pang Qing.

At this moment, Pang Qing’s value was revealed.

When Li Zisheng was hesitant, he needed someone with a clear mind to help him make a rational analysis from the perspective of an outsider, because Li Zisheng knew very well that many times those who were involved were confused.

Even if the opinions are not so pertinent, they can sometimes help him make decisions.

Pang Qing said: "Master Dao, you might as well put yourself in their shoes... Since the Queen Mother specifically asked you to go, it is enough to show that the Queen Mother has a thorough understanding of the whole matter.

"The prince is now alone and helpless. Facing the difficulties and pressure from His Majesty and Concubine Wan, even the lecturers in the Eastern Palace are helpless. Apart from you, the Taoist priest, who else can really help the prince?"

"Ok!"

Li Zisheng nodded thoughtfully, admitting that this made sense.

Because he thought so too.

Everyone in the court treated the crown prince as a transparent person, except Li Zisheng, who took advantage of the earthquakes in Ningxia and Mount Tai to help the crown prince successfully overcome the crisis of changing the crown prince.

How can anyone compare to his great achievements?

Pang Qing said again: "Since you have been invited, if you don't tell me, you will miss the opportunity in vain.

"Even if the Queen Mother refuses to accept the person you recommend, it won't be a big loss for you. The selection of the Crown Princess is complicated and involves many variables. We can just do our best. How dare we force it?"

"hehe."

Li Zisheng smiled and said, "In fact, the most difficult hurdle lies with the Queen Mother... If the little girl of the Zhang family can be selected into the final three names, even if she is not selected, I will advise His Majesty to keep the little girl of the Zhang family in the East Palace to accompany her and be a concubine. If she gives birth to a eldest son in the future, she can also be honored as a mother by the son."

Pang Qing smiled and said, "That's why I have to mention it... As for the women who can enter the palace selection stage, I think their qualifications are not too bad, or there are always a few with good talents, appearance and good character. Without the Queen Mother's secret care, it would not be easy to successfully select the final three."

"Ruxue, what do you think?"

Li Zisheng did not make a decision directly, but turned sideways to ask Shen Lu for his opinion. Shen Lu looked very embarrassed: "It is not easy for me to make suggestions on such an important matter, but... I still think what Mr. Pang said makes sense."

Pang Qing was very satisfied with Shen Lu's answer and said, "Although the Queen Mother is very noble and His Majesty is a very filial monarch, it's a pity that the Queen Mother never asks about state affairs. It's hard for her to intervene in state affairs for a while, so she is inevitably a little disappointed.

"If the Queen Mother can have a mutual understanding with you, Master Dao, and if there are any matters in the court in the future, the Queen Mother can occasionally inquire about them. This is actually a great thing that is mutually beneficial."

"Yes."

Li Zisheng seemed very happy. "In the past, I would not have dared to think about it! Thanks to Lai Zhan for helping me a lot this time, it is enough to prove that even God is on my side.

"The Queen Mother knows that I am deeply trusted by His Majesty. Under this circumstance, I will make an exchange of interests with the Queen Mother at the right time. Isn't it a good thing for the Queen Mother to help the little girl of the Zhang family to be selected as the Crown Princess?"

Pang Qing smiled and said, "Yes, yes, doesn't the Queen Mother want to interfere in the affairs of the Eastern Palace?

"Even if ordinary ladies treat her with respect, they won't obey her in everything... But for the person you found, the situation is different."

Shen Lu asked in surprise, "From what you two said, the Queen Mother also wants to use the Crown Princess to interfere in the affairs of the Eastern Palace?"

Li Zisheng comforted him, "Ruxue, you don't have to worry too much... The Queen Mother and I will not influence the will of the newly elected Crown Princess. She may be the mother of the future country, and we are not qualified to arrange or use her.

"But if we helped her get into the Eastern Palace, and she can remember this favor in her heart, when she truly becomes the queen in the future, will she completely abandon this favor today?"

Shen Lu suddenly realized and said hurriedly: "Of course not, Lai Zhan is a man who values ​​friendship and loyalty. The daughter he taught must be well-educated and sensible."

"Isn't that what it is?"

Li Zisheng seemed to have thought of something and said, "Ruxue, I remember you once said that Laizhan had a relative who was an official in the court... Besides you, he seemed to be a scholar in the Hanlin Academy?

"Who is it? Please explain in detail."

Shen Lu introduced: "Laizhan has two younger sisters. The eldest sister married Xu Qiong, the president of the Nanjing Hanlin Academy, and the second sister married into my Shen Mansion."

Li Zisheng smiled and said, "So it's Xu Xueshi. This relationship is extraordinary... Xu Xueshi has been in Nanjing for some years, right?"

"Yes."

Shen Lu replied respectfully.

Li Zisheng was a little puzzled: "Why hasn't he been transferred back to the capital, or directly promoted to the vice minister of the six ministries in Nanjing?"

Shen Lu said with embarrassment, "Actually it is like this... A few years ago, Xu Xueshi was observing mourning. In addition, he went to pay his respects to Huang Ci, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, when his mother passed away. This caused the Confucian officials to denounce him for being in league with the eunuchs. As a result, he was not included in the top ranks in the Ministry of Personnel's imperial inspections in the following years, and his official position has been stagnant."

"Humph!"

Li Zisheng was annoyed when he heard this, "Isn't this nitpicking? To be the president of the Nanjing Academy, how can one not be virtuous and talented? How can one not be capable? But because of something that is not even a fault, it becomes a stain on one's life?

"Does that mean that if someone in the court has a funeral or wedding in their family, they will have to consider whether it will affect their reputation before visiting them?"

Shen Lu was speechless and unable to answer.

He also didn't expect Li Zisheng to be so excited.

Perhaps because Li Zisheng and Huang Ci were both close to each other, he cared so much about this matter.

"Then I will help Xu Xueshi and let him come to the capital as soon as possible so that he can be used by the court."

Li Zisheng said resentfully.

(End of this chapter)