Shunzhi said, "That is not the case. It seems that your suspicion and resentment towards me is indeed not small, but changing your decision is for your own good. I naturally know that you are a gifted and intelligent child. If you were to sit on the throne, you could become a more suitable monarch than me. Throughout history, the student surpasses the master. Even if you really surpass me, there is nothing bad about it. Only because once you become the Emperor, the responsibilities you bear will no longer be the same. You will be heavily restrained and trapped in the vortex of power, unable to extricate yourself. And by your side, it will be difficult to find loyal ministers to assist you. All you will have is a group of minions blindly fighting for power and profit. This position seems to be supreme, but in fact, it is the most lamentable thing. When you discover that in the whole world, there is no one you can trust, can you understand that kind of deep and oppressive loneliness? Not only that, you have to calculate step by step to survive. When the burden of the whole world is placed on your shoulders, if there is even the slightest negligence in any part of the country, the people will secretly curse you, the monarch. Only because a tall tree attracts the wind, when everyone ignores your hard work in governing and comes to criticize you, you will not live very happily. I have tasted this kind of life, and now I cannot escape unscathed. I only hope that my most beloved son will not fall into this kind of situation again. Sometimes, the one who can truly control the world is not the most talented person, but the most suitable person to sit on the throne. I hope you can understand Zhen's difficulties and understand Zhen's thoughts for you. I feel that you are a child who loves freedom. You should gallop between mountains and rivers, living a carefree life. Perhaps you are right, you are indeed not suitable for this imperial palace. "
His earnest and well-intentioned advice did not move his son in the slightest. Xuan Shuang raised his hand and slapped. He finally controlled his strength, but it still caused a crack to appear on the golden paint of the dragon chair's armrest. The crack spread in all directions, appearing extremely ominous. He said coldly, "Enough, are you relieved to pour out your grievances to me? You are not me, how can you impose your feelings on me? As for what I am suitable for and what I am not suitable for, it is not for you to judge. Whether it is good or not, I will only know after I experience it for myself! Do you think that everyone is like you, not interested in becoming an emperor? Do you think that they would rather live a mediocre life? "
The change in Xuan Shuang's appearance was already poles apart from a year ago. Now, his words made Shunzhi feel that the distance between him and this child was getting farther and farther. His voice was bitter as he said, "I don't know what you've been through this year. In the past, you were polite and everyone praised you … "Xuan Shuang interrupted," But now you should know that everything is just an illusion. Is it you or me who is addicted to the past? "
Shunzhi continued, "Of all my sons, you are undoubtedly the smartest. I used to appreciate you the most, and today … "He paused for a moment before continuing," You are no exception. "
Xuan Shuang sneered, as if he had just heard Shunzhi's words clearly. He laughed heartily and said, "In the past, in order to please you, I pretended everywhere for you to see. Rather than saying that the person you admired was me, it would be better to say that I pretended to be the 'perfect elder brother' in your heart. As for the current me, my words and actions truly express my personal views. A person like this who has no respect for his elders and can't distinguish right from wrong should be the most hated by those old feudal masters, right? Who would appreciate it? I used to curry favor with you in every way possible so that I could perform well in front of you, so that you could appoint me as the crown prince. Since the facts are here, and you have made your position clear, I don't want to waste any more effort pretending to be nice. What's more, if the Vice Hierarch of the Devil Cult opened his mouth and was still polite, even I would feel that it was too fake. In fact, why did you ask me to come back? You knew that I had already abandoned my status in the palace, so I no longer had any scruples and wouldn't give you the slightest bit of face. It was full of insinuations, cynicism and ridicule. If you forced yourself to listen, wouldn't you be looking for trouble? Won't it be better if we don't have any contact with each other until death? Or perhaps the rest of the people in the palace are respectful and reverent toward you, so you feel that your life is too good, so you want to look for something new? "
Shunzhi was not angry, he said, "Your words are sharp, Zhen will just treat them as' honest words grating on the ear '. In comparison, Zhen would rather face the real you than deal with a good child wearing a mask. After all, your answers are all based on your own thoughts. Those ministers who are respectful on the surface, Zhen doesn't trust a single one of them. At least Zhen knows that no matter how passionate you are about the throne, you won't have the slightest bit of bad intention toward Zhen. Those older brothers will only try to figure out Zhen's tone of voice, and at the same time pick a few sentences to make excuses, so it's worth it for him to stir up trouble. Therefore, the only one worthy of my trust is you alone. So now, can Zhen talk with you as an equal? "
In the past, when Xuan Shuang was trying to curry favor with Shunzhi, he was always cautious in everything, fearing that he would overlook the slightest thing. Once Emperor Ama showed the slightest bit of displeasure, he would be nervous for a long time. But today, he was disobeying everywhere, and the result was the opposite of what he had achieved in the beginning. For a moment, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He said, "Very well, let's assume that I'm the strategist you found with a lot of money. When the time comes, don't forget to give me a clear account of my remuneration. However, if you trust others too much, you'll only reap the consequences of your own actions. Now, there's no harm in telling me, you don't even want your dignity as a monarch. After going through untold hardships to find me back to the palace, what is it for? "
Shunzhi smiled bitterly, he said, "If Zhen said that I was' asking for help ', would you believe it?" Xuan Shuang was slightly startled. He thought about the group of henchmen he had secretly gotten acquainted with, and then he thought about the many forces lying dormant in the dark. In the end, which party was so impatient that they planned to make the first move? And who was so incompetent that the Emperor saw through them first? He couldn't help but sit up straighter, pretending to be relaxed, he said, "What is a majestic monarch like you asking me for? Don't tell me you want me to help you catch a cricket? "
Shunzhi looked around and saw that there was no one in the hall. He slowly walked to the furthest place from the main door, lowered his voice, and said, "Recently, the palace hasn't been very peaceful. Someone is secretly training the army and plotting a coup. In fact, it can be said that she has already begun to form cliques. Although Zhen was aware of it, Zhen deliberately didn't say anything. Zhen only hoped that she would find her conscience and turn back from the wrong path. However, recently, it seems that her forces have matured quite a bit. Gradually, she will emerge from the shadows and challenge Zhen in the open. Zhen is not afraid of anything else, but Zhen is worried that the change in the palace will have a great impact and will inevitably bring disaster to the common people. When war breaks out, I don't know how many innocent people will experience more disasters … "
Xuan Shuang frowned, he said, "Since you know what she's planning, then why don't you take care of her before she can make a move? Let's see how she can cause trouble? "After hearing what Shunzhi said, an image of a person gradually appeared in Xuan Shuang's mind.
Shunzhi said, "It's too late. Zhen's every move is under their surveillance. Even the slightest movement will alert the enemy. That person's influence in the palace is greater than mine. If we act rashly and force her into a corner, she will certainly stake everything on one throw. Therefore, Zhen is now in a completely passive position. I know that she didn't have good intentions towards Zhen from the beginning, but Zhen still tolerated her again and again. After all, people's hearts are made of flesh. She can be ruthless, but Zhen still has some misgivings. Now, I only hope that if that day really comes, you can stand on Zhen's side. Even if the result of the coup is very likely to be beneficial to you. "
Xuan Shuang's mind was prejudiced by first impressions. He didn't think that Shunzhi would scold him indirectly, calling him an accomplice of the rebels. His first reaction was to ask, "Since it's beneficial to me, why are you so sure that you can persuade me to help you?"
Shunzhi said without hesitation, "Because Zhen understands you. Zhen knows that you don't like your fate being manipulated by others. You'd rather follow your own principles and give it a try. Even if you hit your head and bleed, you'd be willing. Isn't that right? Zhen is only sorry for involving you in this quarrel. "
Xuan Shuang sneered, "Understand me? How can you say that you understand me? The me of the past is nothing more than a facade that doesn't exist. How much do you know about the me of the present? You dare to make such a big bet? What if I choose to stand in the enemy camp? Won't you lose the whole game? " He thought that Shunzhi knew all about this in detail, so there was no way he would be defenseless. The reason he deliberately asked was just to get a few more words out of him.
Shunzhi said, "What if it's the only remaining father-son relationship? If Zhen loses this only bargaining chip, Zhen would rather lose the whole game. "
Xuan Shuang listened to Shunzhi's sorrowful words, and for no reason, his own heart also became heavy. He couldn't bring out his usual laughter and teasing. After a pause, he said, "Emperor Ah Ma, I admit that you treat me very well. But I don't need to rely on other people's help. I can also help you defeat the rebels fighting for power. I can also stay in the Palace and serve you until you grow old. It's just that … "Hearing these words, Shunzhi was deeply moved. He thought that if Shunzhi could do these things, no matter how harsh his demands were, he would agree to them.
Unexpectedly, Xuan Shuang changed the subject, he said, "Right now I don't have the same attachment to the Crown Prince position or the Emperor's throne as I did in the past. It's just that I still want to be the Emperor of a country, no matter what, even if it's just to satisfy my craving. Just wait, there will come a day when I will replace you, until I'm really tired of it. Because what I hate the most is being snatched away … the things that should belong to me! You know, from childhood to adulthood, I've always been able to do what I say. "
A long silence spread between the two of them. Xuan Shuang's words made it clear that he and Shunzhi were on opposite sides. Even if one was loyal for a moment, disloyalty would grow in the long run. After a long time, Shunzhi suddenly said, "It's been a year, are you still holding a grudge against your mother?"
When Xuan Shuang heard him mention Shen Shiyun, his tone was still calm. For a moment, he almost overturned his original guess. After staring blankly for a moment, he said bitterly, "I just can't stand her style of using everyone as tools to pave the way."
Shunzhi said, "Blood is thicker than water. Even if she has committed a great sin, she is still your mother. You can't avoid seeing her for the rest of your life. What's more, no matter what kind of crime she has committed, the purpose behind it is to pave the way for you, my son. She has poured her heart and soul into you. There's nothing wrong with a mother who loves her child. What's more, who isn't a tool? Being used by others is also being used at the same time, even if it's not always intentional. The relationship between people is maintained by this interest. You see, there are many concubines in Zhen's Palace. Usually they are jealous of each other, but once they are pregnant with the Emperor's seed, they will try every means to fight for power and influence for him. Do you think the one they love is Zhen? They are only borrowing the power in Zhen's hands to consolidate their own positions. Being in the situation, one should naturally adapt to the situation. Only then will there be a way out. No one is an exception. Zhen doesn't blame them. "
Xuan Shuang frowned and said, "Why do I feel like you are deceiving yourself? All these years, she has covered the sky with one hand. How much do you know about what she has done behind your back? "
Shunzhi said, "There are many things that Zhen would rather bury even if Zhen knew about them. The truth in the Palace is not something that needs to be known clearly. In the future, you will understand that sometimes, being able to not understand the truth is also a kind of happiness. Since your mother has never done anything evil to you, you don't have to be so hateful. The Imperial Palace is a place where might and justice coexist. If she has really done something that angers the heavens and the people, someone will naturally come to punish her. You don't have to act rashly. After returning to the Snow Song Palace, you should go and see her. "
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