"No, I heard that the Fourth Prince was assassinated by a righteous man."
"Serves him right! He brought it on himself!"
As soon as the two entered the palace, Si Xitong turned around and went to Lanqi Palace.
Sure enough, Si Xinian had an accident. The imperial physician was changing his bandages, saying, "Your Highness, the poison was only recently cleared, and now your vital energy has been severely depleted, which is really not good for your health."
"Cover it up for me, I don't want to..."
Si Xitong stared wide-eyed and called out to him, "A-Nian!"
Si Xinian was immediately thrown into a panic, looking around as if he had found cover to hide in.
The next moment, Si Xitong approached, raised her hand, and slapped it onto Si Xinian's handsome face.
"Why do you always act recklessly?!"
As soon as Xie Lanzhi entered the hall, she saw Xiao Fenghuang making a move with great momentum, which meant she was extremely anxious. Even if Xie Lanzhi hadn't told her, Xiao Fenghuang probably already knew. Now that her brother-in-law was doing things for her, she should logically try to persuade Xiao Fenghuang, but at that moment, the atmosphere was rather tense.
She stood rooted to the spot, too afraid to step forward. She looked at her brother-in-law again; he was covering his face and looking down, his expression unreadable. After a long while, he finally said, "I'm sorry, brother. I just wanted to resolve this as soon as possible."
"Only now can I rest assured. Don't blame my brother-in-law; it was my decision that was made without my consent."
As Xie Lanzhi moved her foot, Si Xitong's suppressed voice burst forth.
"Reckless and impulsive, using yourself as bait, is this the only method you're good at?"
She scolded, "If there is no other way, then admit your incompetence instead of trying to be strong."
“Si Xinian, I don’t need you to shield me. I’ve realized that all the praise I gave you in the past was actually harming you.”
"How could that be!?" Si Xinian hurriedly explained.
"You have truly disappointed me." Si Xitong's eyes were full of reproach, causing Si Xinian to widen his eyes. This was a far more severe reprimand than usual, each word striking his heart.
This is how his elder sister sees him now. Si Xinian's hand fell limply to his side.
The imperial physician covered his ears in nervousness, but was still forced to listen to what he had to say.
Xie Lanzhi gave the imperial physician a wink, and the physician automatically left the hall, and she followed him out.
"How is Qi Nian's health?"
The imperial physician said, "The fourth prince almost damaged his meridians. Fortunately, his arm was saved, but he lost too much blood and needs to be nourished for a period of time."
Xie Lanzhi told him to go down and find Xie Guang, who then told Xie Lanzhi about the assassination attempt.
Xie Lanzhi put her hands behind her back, her face full of thought: "Tianjing has been a mixed bag for a long time. Even if Qinian is going to hold a large-scale marriage recruitment in the capital, it doesn't really bother anyone. Even if it does bother anyone, it's just a trivial matter compared to the Tianjing Incident."
"Now that he has been assassinated, he must be a disgruntled official from the previous dynasty."
Xie Guang asked for instructions: "Marshal, what should we do with the Si clan members? These people are used to living a life of luxury and are just a bunch of good-for-nothings who eat and drink for free. They have no value whatsoever."
Xie Lanzhi shook her head: "Even these useless people have their own value."
If we drive him away, wouldn't that mean my brother-in-law has worked for nothing and gotten hurt for nothing?
Xie Guang couldn't understand what the Grand Marshal was thinking. Anyway, he couldn't understand, so he just had to do as he was told.
When the Si clan heard that Marshal Xie had no intention of expelling them, they resumed their feasting and drinking. They also continued to send letters to the eight provinces of Shanxi praising the good life in Tianjing.
Xie Lanzhi dismissed Xie Guang and went inside the palace at the appointed time.
It just so happens that it bumps into Little Phoenix.
Si Xitong returned to Lanzhang Palace expressionlessly.
When siblings quarrel, it's best for a third party not to get involved.
However, Si Xitong rarely said anything harsh, and she was always gentle with others, but this time she dealt a significant blow to her brother-in-law.
And the strike effect was significant.
For Si Xinian, who is obsessed with his older sister.
Xie Lanzhi stayed quietly beside Si Xitong. Si Xitong was much calmer than expected. Her anger only lasted for a moment. After a while, she started to make tea for her.
"Little Phoenix," Xie Lanzhi called her softly.
Si Xitong turned her head, her expression full of doubt: "Lanzhi, just say what you want to say?"
Xie Lanzhi asked, "What if Qinian does something rash?"
“If he wants to commit suicide, then I won’t have to worry about him anymore.” Si Xitong’s tone was slightly somber, and she replied solemnly: “He hasn’t learned how to manage a business yet, he’s just relying on a few talents to do things, he might as well go grow sweet potatoes.”
Plant sweet potatoes~
Plant sweet potatoes~
Xie Lanzhi was shocked; Little Phoenix seemed to be stricter than she had imagined.
It would be such a waste to throw such a good seedling into a melon field.
She quickly said, "Actually, he's at the right age to study. Why don't we set up a school for him and let him go..."
Si Xitong interrupted her without hesitation: "No. Lanzhi, if you continue to indulge him..."
As she spoke, she turned her gaze to her, not sparing her either: "Let's let it go this time. If you want to continue, how about I use myself to lure the enemy for you!"
"No, there's no need for that." Xie Lanzhi swallowed her words, deciding it was best not to provoke her at this critical juncture.
She nodded repeatedly: "You're right. Qi Nian's unruly personality is indeed terrible, and he deserves to be punished."
"Punishment? How should I punish you? When should I punish you? Should I punish you or should I punish you?" Si Xitong forgot that he was still holding a teapot and carried it directly to Xie Lanzhi. Steam was still rolling out of the spout, and it looked like the boiling water inside was about to overflow, causing Xie Lanzhi to frantically try to catch the teapot.
Be careful not to burn yourself!
A series of penalties, coupled with an extremely serious face, made the little phoenix look arrogant and menacing.
Such a strong-willed young girl.
Xie Lanzhi immediately replied, "You're right, he needs to be punished. I'll punish him right away."
"Punish him by confining him to his quarters."
“It doesn’t hurt or itch at all, you’re just indulging him.” Si Xitong snatched the teapot back from her hand, turned around and went back to the table to think of a punishment.
Even with one hand holding a teapot and the other behind her back, head held high in thought, her imposing aura remained undiminished.
After a long pause, a decision was finally made.
Si Xitong said in an unquestionable tone: "Punish him by making him plant sweet potatoes. He shall not be allowed to enter the palace again until he has produced a thousand catties."
Xie Lanzhi: "......."
The decision to send a prince to grow sweet potatoes came from Si Xitong, and the person in charge was Xie Lanzhi.
Xie Lanzhi asked Xie Guang to take Si Xinian to a small courtyard by the farmland to recuperate. Once he recovered, she would take him to carry manure and plant sweet potatoes.
She then remembered a certain brat and decided to send him away as well. Xie Shangguang thus became the first among the Xie clan generals to be tasked with carrying manure.
The news of Si Xinian's punishment spread throughout Tianjing in an instant, and the people of Tianjing laughed their heads off. Perhaps after spring, a sweet potato prince would emerge from the sweet potato field.
Meanwhile, the Xie clan was also laughing, thinking that a sweet potato general would emerge from the sweet potato field.
In the capital of the Seven Jin Dynasty, Si Bo Gong heard at home that Lord Xie had severely punished Qi Nian, but had not driven away the Si clan members, which puzzled him for a moment.
What's the use of keeping useless people who aren't even worth seven ranks?
Upon hearing this, Si Lei privately mocked the Eight Jin for failing to find a powerful backer, only to have that backer crumble instead. The Eight Jin also stopped sending people to Tianjing, but members of the Si clan secretly went to Tianjing. If they were refused entry, they would go to the Nine Jin.
Many people did not want to stay in the desolate, godforsaken place where even the rebels could not be controlled, and where they had to rely on paying money and food to the Shi State government and the Xie family for security.
How can such a weak and incompetent environment possibly cultivate people with unwavering integrity who are dedicated to their country and its people?
A note from the author:
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 18:53:18 on December 8, 2021 and 12:00:18 on December 9, 2021!
Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmine: 迷1个;
Thank you to the little angel who watered the nutrient solution: Mi 1 bottle;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 57 She Wants to Break Up the Couple
Xie Lanzhi accepted all the writings left behind by Si Xinian.
Nowadays, the Si clan members are everywhere in Tianjing, making them easy targets for attacks. The Xie clan looks down on them and refuses to associate with them.
In the Golden Palace, all the officials gathered to discuss the matter of the Si clan.
Facing the former imperial family, most of the officials in the capital felt a certain degree of affection and took the initiative to suggest that the Si family be allowed to enter the Nine Jin, so that they could protect the Nine Jin in place of Princess Fengning.
Out of respect for Si Xitong, Xie Lanzhi granted the Si clan members a special status to remain in Tianjing: Imperial Envoy.
The position was filled by Si Bo Gong. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Si Bo Gong was transferred from the Seven Jin states.
Si Lei had no choice but to let Si Bogong go.
Now that Lord Sibo has not arrived, the Si clan members, seeing that Lord Xie is lenient, are wandering around Tianjing again.
Si Xinian's infamy still lingers, and Xie dares not interfere. Privately, she has long harbored resentment towards Si Xinian's identity, but she dares not say much because of Xie Lanzhi.
There are also outspoken people in the Xie family, Xie Feng being one of them.
After Xie Feng accompanied Xie Lanzhi to conquer Fengxi Town last time, he was promoted two ranks to become a fifth-rank guard general, and is now the commander of the Tianjing First Gate.
Xie Feng's memorial was personally handed over by Wu Qiu.
In everyone's eyes, Wu Qiu was already a candidate for Right Chancellor, and most of the memorials he submitted had been carefully considered.
It was then passed to Xie Lanzhi. She glanced at it a few times. Most of the clan's opinions were decided by her, and if she didn't want something, the clan had to give up on it no matter how much they wanted it.
Many people are now unable to accept the hidden dangers brought by Si Xinian and the possibility of shaking the position of the Xie family's matriarch. Therefore, this intention is no longer personal desire, but rather to truly regard Xiao Fenghuang as the matriarch and a member of the Xie family, and to fight for her interests.
The memorials mostly describe the following: Since ancient times, emperors have mostly been yang, with yang being superior to yin. Ancient Daoists referred to this as yin and yang, emphasizing the masculine yang embracing the feminine yin. Those who have been called phoenixes and dragons throughout history have been unrestrained, valuing strength above all else. They used martial prowess to secure peace and literary strategy to plan. For over a century, the Xie clan has been in exile, receiving little protection from Confucian rites, hence they are called "half-barbarians." However, now the Xie ruler is a yang woman, and his mother a yin woman. He desires to restore the rites of Jin and appease the world, which the Xie clan agrees with. The Jin dynasty's officials, having suppressed both civil and military power, have left bandits defenseless. Therefore, the Xie clan's emphasis on martial prowess and disregard for civil affairs, along with the Confucian scholar's policy of combining taxes, is the best strategy.
The Si clan is weak and bound by tradition, placing the weak in a position of honor and reversing the natural order of things. Now, the women of the Si clan are strong and the men are weak, and they cannot allow the men to interfere with their livelihood. Therefore, the clan takes the old Si dynasty as a warning and avoids the practice of honoring the weak husband and despising the strong wife.
This memorial describes, from various angles, the various drawbacks of the Si family's emphasis on civil affairs over military affairs and on systems over talent.
Regardless of the hierarchical distinction between eldest and illegitimate sons, if the eldest son is incompetent and the illegitimate son cannot rise to prominence, the stability brought about by this temporary system will inevitably be overthrown, as the world operates on a mechanism of survival of the fittest. This system is even more unworkable. Confucianism's emphasis on filial piety and ritual to suppress human desires brings stability and ideological control to the monarch, but it is detrimental to the development of people's livelihood and national skills.