My Lady Always Lacks Ambition-Chapter 976 - 949: Don’t Ever Say You’re a Daoist

When Qin Liuxi asked about the events of the past three years, Nian Youwei could not dwell on whether her story about ghosts was true or false. He quickly summarized the recent circumstances.

Just as Qin Liuxi had speculated, the court of Da Feng was somewhat corrupt now. Three years ago, Lin Xiang mourned his father’s death, and his position was temporarily left vacant by the Saint without appointing anyone new. The only dominant figure in the court was Chen Xiang, who had been heavily relied upon during the previous Emperor’s reign. Though an old-school scholar, he was nearly seventy years old and ready for retirement.

After Lin Xiang went into mourning, the battle for succession quickly intensified to a fever pitch. While the adult princes didn’t physically fight to the death, plenty of intrigue brewed beneath the surface. Some courtiers were eager to pick sides, with each prince’s maternal and marital families pushing behind the scenes, busy seizing territories and plotting for their factions, resulting in increasing chaos within the court and among the public.

"The battle for succession shouldn’t be the main reason for harsh taxes, right?" Qin Liuxi frowned.

Nian Youwei responded with a bitter smile: "You’re not a court official, so you don’t understand the complicated intricacies. To vie for succession, one must first compete for power, winning over civil servants and securing military authority. These efforts require greasing the wheels, and where does the silver come from? It’s extracted layer upon layer, until the common people bear the burden."

Qin Liuxi, with a dark expression, said, "You mean corrupt officials."

"Yes, but people look out for themselves; who doesn’t want to climb higher?" Nian Youwei noticed her expression and spread his hands: "Don’t look at me like that. Of course I want to advance too—who wouldn’t want to be more than a lowly seventh-rank officer? Though I do have my limits."

Qin Liuxi snorted.

"Still, you’re right that the battle for succession isn’t the main reason for harsh taxes. It’s because the Saint has become increasingly foolish." Nian Youwei’s voice grew nearly inaudible as he gestured upwards.

Qin Liuxi said, "Speak freely, besides me, no one will hear you."

Nian Youwei hesitated, seeing her fingers deftly forming a mantra, but then he relaxed, saying: "The Saint is old now, and all his sons covet the throne. It naturally makes him paranoid. Like the great-grandfather Emperors, he trusts the Dao and wants to concoct an Elixir of Immortality. Nowadays, the Saint’s most trusted figure is the Supreme National Master, for whom he’s spending lavishly to build the Immortal Palace."

Qin Liuxi’s face turned grim. In the past, when the great-grandfather Emperors had issues, it led to the Mystic Sect’s decline; is history repeating itself?

What kind of nonsense is this Supreme Master?

"With the Saint devoted to the State Preceptor and focusing on building the Immortal Palace, he’s also ordering the search for all kinds of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. So you say, how could the officials, eager to curry favor, not exploit and oppress to their utmost?" Nian Youwei sighed.

Qin Liuxi sneered: "How did the Saint come to trust the Dao for no apparent reason? Who introduced it?"

"It was the Eldest Prince, oh, he should be called the Crown Prince now."

Qin Liuxi was surprised: "Has the Eldest Prince been appointed as the Crown Prince?"

"Yes, also this year. Speaking of which, it involved another scandalous affair, which led to the decisive appointment of the Crown Prince." Nian Youwei continued, unable to hide a disdainful expression.

"What, does that relate to the appointment of the Crown Prince?"

Nian Youwei said: "The appointment of the Crown Prince was to cover the Saint’s scandal."

Qin Liuxi raised her eyebrows, scandal?

She sat down on a stool, eager to hear more!

"Last year’s New Year’s Eve banquet, the Saint and Princess Consort Ning were caught together by several imperial decree holders, even the Empress Dowager and Princess." Nian Youwei said: "Though naturally, the matter was suppressed and not publicly reported, afterward, many of those decree holders either fell gravely ill or died suddenly, yet the rumor still spread, even suggesting that Prince Rui from Prince Ning Mansion was the Saint’s child. Before the first month passed, blood was spilled at the Meridian Gate. To silence the rumors, Princess Consort Ning committed suicide to prove her innocence, while the Saint appointed the Crown Prince, celebrating widely, thus covering the matter."

"And then?"

"For the Saint’s birthday celebration, he brought back a Princess Consort Ru from the palace who greatly resembled Princess Consort Ning."

Qin Liuxi was shocked; Princess Consort Ning was Qi Qian’s own mother, confirming the reading she did for him involving father killing father, revealing his true identity...

He was a Prince, not just a prince.

The Saint truly loved his mother.

"So, by introducing the Supreme Master to the Saint, the Eldest Prince traded for the Crown Prince position." Qin Liuxi tapped the table, wondering if this Supreme Master was Si Luo?

No, he wouldn’t be so blatant, but surely, he’s involved. Building an Immortal Palace, establishing a State Preceptor, he could exploit faith.

And by plunging the court and nation into chaos, dispersing national fortunes, his objectives are met.

Qin Liuxi’s expression turned steely.

"Now, with the increase in harsh taxes, naturally the public is filled with grievances. Our South County was already poor, but a few good years followed by heavier taxes have reverted it to its previous struggles. You think I wouldn’t worry or age ten years?" Nian Youwei rubbed his face, feeling how harsh it was.

"Can’t even afford to worship the City God anymore?"

Nian Youwei felt somewhat embarrassed and said: "You went to the City God Temple? It’s not that people don’t want to worship; it’s just some really are struggling and feel the City God isn’t responsive... cough, mainly because the Saint decreed that citizens should erect longevity tablets for the State Preceptor to show respect."

This time, Qin Liuxi really changed her expression and stood up instantly: "He’s crazy?"

"That’s what I mean when I say the Saint is increasingly foolish now."

Thinking of Qingping Temple, Qin Liuxi asked, "The Saint believes in the Dao, so what about Daoist Temples and monasteries in Da Feng? Any repression?"

"There’s no repression; instead, they’ve been promoted." Nian Youwei cautiously glanced at her and said, "The Supreme National Master originates from the Taoist Sect, so Daoist Temples have flourished. But some trust it, and those who don’t, such as old scholars and students, call it a demonic path misleading the nation. They criticize both small temples and famous Grand Temples, including the City God Temple, accusing them of colluding with demonic paths and deluding minds. You know, people have a rebellious mindset, so the more the Saint trusts the State Preceptor and neglects state affairs, the more those who consider themselves righteous will fiercely oppose, creating resentment towards the Taoist Sect."

Killing with praise.

Qin Liuxi thought of this term.

The Saint’s actions are akin to killing with praise, though he genuinely praises, yet this genuine praise sets righteous Taoist sects as targets. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"If you’re traveling outside, be cautious; don’t easily proclaim yourself as a Daoist." Nian Youwei added another piece of advice.

"Why is that?"

Nian Youwei explained: "Like I mentioned, self-proclaimed righteous scholars and students despise the State Preceptor for misleading the nation and causing the Saint’s obsession with alchemy. They thereby redirect their anger towards some Taoist sect members. To be blunt, if you were to shout that you’re a Daoist among literati, they might throw dung at you! I’m not joking; a Daoist experienced such a painful encounter."

Qin Liuxi was astounded; in just three years, Xuanmen Taoists had fallen to the point where everyone throws dung at them?