Chapter 678 Can I be buried with His Majesty?

If Shen Yuanjing and Shen Yuanxu dared to say that, it would mean that their entire Shen family was dissatisfied with His Majesty.

"No, Auntie definitely didn't mean that. She's probably just annoyed by spending every day with Uncle."

“Yes, Uncle’s hearing is getting worse. We try to avoid him every time we go home.”

The two spoke with such sincerity that Shen Lanxi believed them for the time being.

"I also asked the imperial physician about my third uncle's ears. The imperial physician has exhausted all methods, but said that the illness is complicated and involves the head, so he dares not prescribe strong medicine."

Shen Yuanxu: "Then let's not let the imperial physician prescribe strong medicine. We're living a good life now, it's just that I can't hear, as long as it doesn't affect my daily life."

Shen Lanxi: "That's what I think too. You are all my family, and I hope that each of you is well."

When Shen Yuanxu and Shen Yuanjing heard her say this, they felt inexplicably pressured and could only force out smiles.

"How about this, I will have the Ministry of Rites select some promising young men from respectable and clean families, as well as beautiful and intelligent women of marriageable age, and compile a list."

"When the time comes, each of you should go and inquire about whom you have chosen. Once you have found out, report back to me, and I will then issue an edict to grant the marriage."

Shen Yuanjing and Shen Yuanxu: "Your Majesty is wise!"

News of the arranged marriage bestowed by the Shen family quickly spread throughout the capital. Many who had been observing began to send their children to meet the young men and women of the Shen family.

As his children's marriages became increasingly important, matchmakers came to Shen Yuanxu's door to propose marriages.

His Majesty previously abolished the rule that the Shen family was not allowed to take concubines, and then he also abolished the rule that the Shen family should observe a two-year mourning period for the deceased wife.

When a matchmaker comes to the door, there is no question of disobeying an imperial decree.

Although most of the women proposed were daughters of concubines, they were young and beautiful. Given their status, it was already considered a great honor for them to become Shen Yuanxu's second wives.

Liu Yanhui told this to Shen Lanxi as a joke.

Unexpectedly, Shen Conglian would suddenly appear at this time to take a concubine.

This father surpassed his son for the first time, and unexpectedly, it was in marriage.

What's even more surprising is that the same matchmaker was used to arrange the marriage between the father and son.

When Shen Lanxi heard this in the palace, she immediately burst into laughter.

"In fact, it was Shen Conglian who snatched the woman that his son wanted to see. Fortunately, the matchmaker hadn't arranged for the meeting to begin yet, otherwise the Shen family would have made a fool of themselves again."

After Liu Yan finished speaking, His Majesty did not stop her for a long time, so she continued to talk about other secrets of the mansion.

As for whether Shen Yuanxu feels resentful, that's a matter for the Shen family.

Because Shen Conglian took a concubine, the younger generation of the Shen family felt ashamed and all stayed at home, rarely going out.

From the betrothal to the wedding, it only took one month.

The day before the Shen family's wedding, Shen Yuanxu went to the ancestral hall and stared at his mother's memorial tablet for more than an hour.

Next to Liu's memorial tablet was Hu's memorial tablet.

The list of younger family members to be married was quickly sent to the palace.

Shen Lanxi entrusted the matter of the arranged marriage to the Ministry of Rites.

Soon, the imperial edicts bestowing the marriages were issued one by one.

The high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital saw this and began to place their bets on the Shen family's sons.

...

After Shen Yuanxu and Shen Yuanjing returned to the capital, they only held nominal positions in the Ministry of War. Although they had official titles and salaries, they had no real power.

The two of them privately felt that they were not as good as Shen Yuanhao, who was in charge of supervising the construction of the canals, since supervising the construction of the canals had real power.

"The imperial court is full of talented people. Every year, the major academies send a large number of talents to the court. Your Majesty has no shortage of people to use."

The older they get, the more they realize how far-reaching His Majesty's original plans were.

No wonder His Majesty targeted the academy first.

After realizing this, Shen Yuanxu began to regret his actions.

If he had not chosen to join the army, but instead devoted himself to the academy, he would have long since become a teacher to all the students in the world, and would be worshipped by them.

However, there is no going back in life. Since he had chosen to pursue a military career, he still had to prioritize gaining military power.

“We are all border guards. When we return to the capital, we will definitely be going to the Ministry of War.” Shen Yuanxu felt that if he wanted to succeed, he had to bring Shen Yuanjing with him.

Shen Yuanjing: "What if His Majesty doesn't agree?" If His Majesty were willing, wouldn't things have been arranged long ago?

Shen Yuanxu glanced at Shen Yuanjing: "Don't worry, in the end Her Majesty will still rely on us brothers to protect her country."

Although Shen Yuanjing had some doubts, he nodded.

Her Majesty cannot stand alone, and besides, she is a woman, not young, and still has no children. The future emperor will definitely be chosen from the Shen family.

"Alright, let's speak with His Majesty privately after court tomorrow!"

However, accidents always happen unexpectedly.

Cheng Zheng collapsed without warning, and Shen Lanxi immediately suspended court for a day.

In less than six months, Cheng Zheng's hair had turned completely white.

Shen Lanxi didn't know how long she had been sitting by the bed until a hand gently tugged at her sleeve.

Cheng Zheng woke up, radiating vitality. He sat up in bed as if he had never been sick, reaching out to the eunuch.

The eunuch turned away, wiped his tears, and left. When he returned, he was holding a box in his hands.

"Is this for me?" Shen Lanxi asked with a smile.

Cheng Zheng nodded gently, a smile playing on his lips.

After Shen Lanxi opened it, she saw that there was a booklet inside.

She opened it, glanced at it, and then ordered the eunuch to leave.

"It is the blessing I have prayed for for several lifetimes to see you in Tianjin. I often feel hopeless and sometimes wish I could die in the dungeon of Tianjin."

When Shen Lanxi reached this point, she raised her hand and grabbed his hand, continuing to read.

"It is Your Majesty who has entrusted me with the task of making the most of my abilities. Even though I am a cripple, I can still serve Your Majesty and earn a living through my own skills!"

"I'm so happy!"

Shen Lanxi smiled at Cheng Zheng after reading this far, and continued.

"Before the strategist came to me, I only dared to secretly admire His Majesty and never dared to reveal my feelings. When the strategist came to me that day, I was overjoyed!"

"Why did Your Majesty choose us, people with disabilities, instead of so many talented young people?"

"I've thought about it for a long time."

"Later I finally figured it out, and suddenly I felt that being unable to speak was a good thing."

"The dungeon in Tianjin robbed me of my tongue. But if it weren't for that incident in the Tianjin dungeon, I'm afraid I would never have met His Majesty."

"From that moment on, I realized that not having a tongue was a good thing. I stopped giving up on myself!"

Cheng Zheng stared at His Majesty, never before so bold as to look directly at the Emperor's face.

As if making up for all those days when he was downcast, Cheng Zheng stared at him without blinking.

"Finally, I would like to ask Your Majesty for a favor."

"After His Majesty passes away, may I be buried with His Majesty?"

When Shen Lanxi finished reading the last page and looked up again, Cheng Zheng had already stopped smiling, and his eyes were lifeless.

Even so, he continued to look at her.

Shen Lanxi knew he was waiting for her answer.