20demayo Chapter 881 The Crown Prince Faints
Chapter 881 The Crown Prince Faints
When the father and son returned home, Xu had just come out of the Buddhist hall.
Ever since she met Sanya in the palace, Xu's right eyelid had been twitching incessantly, and even covering it with white paper couldn't hide it. She always felt that something was about to happen.
She was already somewhat superstitious before, but she became even more so after meeting Sanya.
To pray for peace for her family, Madam Xu instructed Xiao Hu to find a geomancer to select a good feng shui location in the house and set up a small Buddhist shrine.
Every day after meals, she would go to the Buddhist hall to chant sutras and pray to Buddha.
Whether this would ensure safety was unknown, but after a while, Xu became much calmer.
He's no longer as restless as before.
Seeing his mother enjoying herself, Zhang Ping'an felt relieved.
"Was it lively at the Qian family's place today?" Madam Xu asked with a smile.
"It was alright, but it was just a meal with close relatives. We didn't invite any outsiders, and since we're still in mourning, the banquet was rather simple. It certainly can't compare to previous years," Zhang Ping'an replied casually.
“Alas, times have changed. The Empress is gone, so we have to be more careful with the servants,” Xu sighed.
Then, remembering something, he reminded her, "Pengpeng's boat will arrive tomorrow morning. Remember to arrange for someone to pick him up, so that your second brother-in-law's family won't say that we're arrogant and look down on people."
"My second sister's family isn't like that. Mother, please don't overthink it. Being too formal will only make Pengpeng uncomfortable. I've already made arrangements for this. I'll have Xiaoyuer go tomorrow."
"Oh, it's good that everything is arranged. Pengpeng has had a tough time. He took the imperial examination three times before finally passing. Now his hard work has paid off, bringing honor to the Liu family. If he could pass the imperial examination this time, he could help you and your father in the court," Xu said with a smile.
They were clearly very welcoming of their grandson's visit.
"Grandma, why have I never seen you so enthusiastic towards your cousin from your fourth aunt's family? Dad always says it's not good to treat people differently based on their status!" Little Fish chuckled.
He crossed his legs and poured himself a cup of tea.
Xu rolled her eyes at her grandson: "How can this be the same? Your fourth aunt's cousin is a drag on everything. He can't study, and he can't do business well. He has to rely on your father to help him. No wonder Grandma likes him. Apart from you and your father and your grandfather, everyone else is a guest. We need to distinguish between insiders and outsiders. Grandma isn't senile yet!"
“Mother, don’t keep saying that. Fourth Brother-in-law is a capable man. He’s doing very well in our hometown, Fucheng. He’s taken care of many things back home and has helped out a lot. Although he’s benefited from my influence, he’s also very capable. Although Dingding didn’t pass the provincial examination this time, it doesn’t mean he can’t pass next time. Maybe he’s a late bloomer. He’s not that old yet, and he has many more opportunities,” Zhang Ping’an said, frowning as he advised.
Among the brothers-in-law, the second and fourth brothers-in-law have the lowest official positions. However, the second brother-in-law lives far away in Lin'an and has strong financial support from Shui Sheng, so he doesn't have to worry about money and rarely bothers Zhang Ping'an.
Only my fourth brother-in-law, besides his own family, also had to help the relatives on the Sun family's side. There were many difficulties, but also many opportunities to benefit from their help.
As she spoke up more often, Xu felt sorry for her son and always thought the Sun family was a burden. Consequently, she also became less fond of her grandsons.
Previously, when he traveled a long way to the capital to offer birthday greetings to Madam Xu, Madam Xu had remained indifferent.
Everyone's smart enough to understand what this means.
Zhang Ping'an secretly advised them several times, and packed more gifts for his nephews to take back as a token of his apology.
Now that Xu has said this, Zhang Ping'an has no choice but to speak more seriously.
"It's not good to flatter the powerful and belittle the weak like this. Fourth Brother-in-law is usually quite sensible. But you always say things like this, and Fourth Sister is caught in the middle, which is also difficult."
Madam Xu didn't take it seriously. She had her own ideas. "I wasn't talking nonsense. I was just telling the truth. Why can't people say it? Besides, if I don't keep reminding the Sun family, they'll still think our family is theirs. I want to constantly remind them who they're relying on to get to where they are today. With you backing them up, would they dare to mistreat your fourth sister?"
Before Zhang Ping'an could speak, Xu Shi urged Xiao Hu to quickly bring out the bird's nest soup, which she had specially prepared to replenish the family's blood and energy.
Seeing that Xu was trying to distract him, Zhang Ping'an shook his head and finally emphasized, "In short, don't say that again!"
"Oh, I know. I'll stop saying anything when the Sun family produces a scholar."
…………
Time flew by, and the next day arrived. Zhang Ping'an went to the palace for the morning court session as usual.
Because he spoke up for the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince on the matter of the fiefdom, Zhou Ziming accused him of forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices. Some time ago, he had many people executed, and now the main hall looks emptier than usual.
The ministers were also more cautious in reporting on state affairs.
Often, Zhou Ziming would not state his decision directly, but would first ask the Crown Prince for his opinion and method of handling the situation.
It was also a disguised way of training the crown prince, allowing him to grow quickly and become familiar with court politics.
This unique and meticulous cultivation and favoritism made the Crown Prince feel very heavy.
In addition, he was too saddened during the mourning period and ate very little. With his heart heavy, the Crown Prince fainted at the end of the morning court session.
Zhou Ziming was so anxious he almost fainted.
The best imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy were summoned to help with the diagnosis and treatment.
The morning court session ended hastily amidst the chaos of war.
Empress Wei's 49th day memorial service has not yet passed, and the Crown Prince has fallen ill. All signs indicate that this is not a good omen.
After returning to the Privy Council, Zhang Ping'an locked himself in his room, trying to sort out the threads of these matters.
After eating his fill, he was filled with worry: "My lord, I feel that things are not going well lately. Everyone is being extremely cautious. In the past, I had a fairly good relationship with the servants of other ministers, but now it's difficult to even strike up a conversation. Everyone is pretending to be deaf and dumb, afraid of saying the wrong thing."
"It's a sensitive time right now, a transition of power, which is normal. You don't need to deliberately try to find out information; just be like them. By the way, how's things in Qing County?"
"Just as you guessed, the Zhong couple died more than six years ago. It was said to be an accidental drowning, and no one in the family survived. Later, I went to Sanqing Nunnery and asked the nuns there and the local government. The former abbess, Master Cihui, did indeed drown while she was out begging for alms. The abbess who succeeded her was another senior nun in the nunnery, Master Cixin."
Master Cixin served as abbot for four years until she passed away two years ago due to illness. Before her death, she passed the position to the current Master Miaozhen, the one you are looking for.
"Okay, I understand," Zhang Ping'an frowned slightly.
He then asked, "Did you find out anything about that monk?"
"We have some clues, but we haven't found out who it is yet. After all, it's been too long and there are too few clues. We still need more time," Chi Bao said with a hint of shame on his face.
He continued to assure him, "I will arrange for more capable people to continue the investigation, and I will report back to you, sir, as soon as I have any news."