Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 98 Strong (Vote Request)
Although Empress Dowager Zhou did not show up, she was sitting in the main hall of Qingning Palace.

It was not until Chen Gui came to report that the fasting and offering ceremony was almost finished that she lazily ordered: "Then invite the people into the hall for tea... You can't ask people to do things for nothing."

Chen Gui replied respectfully: "Yes."

After saying that, he went out to invite Li Zisheng.

Not long after, Li Zisheng appeared at the gate of Qingning Palace.

Li Zisheng was quite tactful. He changed his previous cold expression, raised his whisk, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."

"Isn't this Li Qing? Long time no see. Come here and let me see you... Well, you are much thinner than before. It seems that the court is not a place to keep people. Li Qing has been working hard for state affairs. He must have suffered a lot in the past two years, right?"

As soon as Queen Mother Zhou arrived, she showed her concern for Li Zisheng.

Li Zisheng smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind... I usually do my work in the court, and although I have to do everything myself and work very hard, I don't suffer much.

"Your Majesty has been working hard for the Ming Dynasty day and night, and your body is getting thinner and thinner. I feel sad and can only do my best to repay your Majesty's kindness."

"Loyal minister!"

Empress Dowager Zhou pointed at Li Zisheng and said to Chen Gui beside her, "I have always said that Li Qing is the most loyal minister of our Ming Dynasty. This is absolutely not an exaggeration, but a fact."

Li Zisheng pondered for a moment. Why did this sound so weird?
What is exaggeration and what is being realistic? The more you emphasize it, the more it sounds like you are mocking me.

"Give me a seat."

Empress Dowager Zhou didn't seem to realize that there was anything wrong with her words and had someone bring a chair over for Li Zisheng.

Li Zisheng bowed and then sat down.

It’s not that he was rude, but because when he met the emperor normally, the emperor would give her a seat. No matter how high the empress dowager’s status was, it was still inferior to that of the emperor.

After the guests were seated, Queen Mother Zhou did not dismiss Chen Gui. Instead, she focused her eyes on Li Zisheng and asked seriously, "Mr. Li, during your fasting and offering ceremony, did you find any evil things in or around Qingning Palace?"

Li Zisheng said: "I practice the Taoist Five Thunder Method, which cannot communicate with ghosts and gods."

"Oh, what are the differences between the various methods?"

Queen Mother Zhou seemed to be seriously discussing academic issues with Li Zisheng.

Chen Gui on the side said with a smile: "Ancestor, the concept of ghosts and gods is mostly seen in Buddhism, which says that ghosts and gods are also within the six realms, but Taoists do not advocate this."

"Really? Why did I hear that Taoism also emphasizes this?"

Queen Mother Zhou frowned, seeming dissatisfied with this explanation.

Chen Gui said: "Those who talk about ghosts and gods in Taoism are mostly scammers in the market, but Master Li is proficient in the Five Thunder Method, and has dabbled in talismans and other things. He is also quite accomplished in alchemy."

Queen Mother Zhou thought about it, but still didn't quite understand, so she said helplessly, "I thought that Buddhism and Taoism were both for the purpose of dispelling evil spirits, otherwise why would they hold fasting and offering sacrifices?

"But it makes sense. People with profound Taoist skills never bother to practice Taoism with the ideas of ordinary people... I guess my son is not interested in ghosts and gods either."

After hearing this, Li Zisheng felt so embarrassed that he wanted to pick his feet.

Isn't this a clear mockery of him? The emperor admires Taoism in the hope of achieving immortality. In order to please him, you abandon the Taoist teachings on ghosts and gods and focus on talking about immortality in order to gain the emperor's trust?

Have you ever seen an emperor care about whether he will become a god or a ghost after his death?
"but……"

Queen Mother Zhou changed the subject and immediately continued, "There are so many Taoists in the world, who else can accurately predict two earthquakes and use the opportunity to calculate the fate of the country, except Li Qing?
"To say that you are a rare talent in this world is an understatement. I should say that you are a rare talent throughout the ages."

Li Zisheng was so dizzy from being pulled and tugged by the Queen Mother Zhou that he could only stand up and salute respectfully: "Your Majesty, you are too kind."

"No, I speak from the heart." Queen Mother Zhou motioned Li Zisheng to sit down, and then said, "You predicted that Mount Tai would shake, which can be regarded as doing something good for the East Palace. It is said that the emperor gave up some ideas because of this. Now he is going to hold a grand wedding for the prince?"

"Uh... yes."

Li Zisheng wanted to carefully consider the intention of Queen Mother Zhou's words, but then he thought that this matter was no secret and there was nothing wrong in admitting it directly.

Queen Mother Zhou waved her hand and said, "Hey, is the fasting and offering ceremony outside finished? Are all the things packed up? Is there anyone taking care of it outside?"

Chen Gui immediately understood what it meant and said hurriedly, "I will go out and take a look."

"Yes, it's a bit cold in this hall. The wind makes people feel cold all over... Close the door first, and send two braziers in later."

Empress Dowager Zhou rubbed her hands.

"Yes."

Chen Gui immediately understood, and when he left, he took the two young palace maids who were serving inside with him and closed the door of the palace.

……

……

When Li Zisheng saw this scene, he felt a little uncomfortable.

The old lady is a widow...

As the emperor's mother, she was in the same room with a strange man... Although Li Zisheng was not young anymore, he still felt a little uncomfortable being alone in such an occasion.

But on second thought, probably no one would dare to gossip about it.

Who made Empress Dowager Zhou's position in the palace so special? Even Concubine Wan couldn't do anything to her. Otherwise, the woman who was loved by everyone would have become the queen long ago.

"Li Qing, I won't hide anything. Just tell me the truth. What is your purpose in helping the Crown Prince?" asked Queen Mother Zhou.

Li Zisheng replied in a very official manner: "I did this because I accidentally discovered the secret and reported it to Your Majesty truthfully. I have no selfish motives."

Queen Mother Zhou nodded slightly: "Oh, you are afraid that the emperor will do something that he will regret for the rest of his life, so you told him in advance that you actually have no intention of helping the Crown Prince?"

Li Zisheng thought to herself, you old lady really have to... ask such thorough questions?
I've helped you, but do you still want to get to the bottom of this?
What good will this do for you and me?
"I heard that the Emperor is very anxious about the selection of concubines for the Eastern Palace, and asked you to send the candidates to the capital before the New Year to complete the preliminary selection. Is this true?"

Queen Mother Zhou continued to ask aggressively.

Li Zisheng could see that the old lady didn't like being controlled by others. She insisted on being strong in everything she said and did, and she wanted to completely crush him.

But then again, if a woman who even the emperor has to be timid and cautious in dealing with is not assertive, how can she intimidate the evil spirits in the palace?

Li Zisheng replied cautiously, "Yes, but Your Majesty, you must have heard it wrong. It is not me who is responsible for this matter, but the Ministry of Rites."

"it's the same."

Empress Dowager Zhou smiled slightly, and her eyes seemed to say, "Do you think I don't know that you are the leader of this matter? The emperor has clearly handed the matter over to you!"
"Then... Li Qing, I have to say something unpleasant. The selection of a concubine for the Crown Prince is such a big thing that we cannot be too hasty. Even if there is a slight delay and the matter is postponed to next year, it is completely understandable."

Queen Mother Zhou said with a smile.

Li Zisheng was a little frightened.

Does Empress Dowager Zhou want me to go against the Emperor?
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(End of this chapter)