At the palace banquet, when Emperor Xiaoxuan uttered these words, although the ministers dared not speak, those with unmarried or unmarried daughters in their families could not help but be tempted.
Seeing that the Shen family members were silent, he didn't dare to show it.
Emperor Xiaoxuan smiled and said, "Duke Shen, I am bestowing people upon the Prince's residence. You should not be unhappy about it, right? I am doing this for Zhiyi's own good, to help her share her burdens."
That's a good point.
As a subject, I cannot refuse the Emperor's grace, yet you still ask such a question.
They stab someone in the body, but deliberately aim for the heart.
It seems that His Majesty still remembers the time when the Crown Prince wanted to join the army at Shen Jingchuan's wedding banquet, but was refused by the Duke of Zhenguo.
Shen Chongde simply smiled and said, "Your Majesty's affection for my daughter is more than enough for this old minister to be grateful for; how could I possibly be displeased?"
As he spoke, he changed the subject again.
"It is merely a matter of His Majesty bestowing people upon the Prince's residence; this is a matter for the Regent, and it is not something an old minister should presume to comment on."
"The prince is the head of the family, so we have to see what he thinks."
He was a cunning old fox after all; with just a few words, he tossed the hot potato back to Zhou Xuance, his eyes smiling, but his gaze held a warning and threat:
Are you willing to give it a try?
Emperor Xiaoxuan did not look at Zhou Xuance, but stared at Shen Zhiyi: "Zhiyi, what do you think?"
Shen Zhiyi's fingers tightened slightly. Just as she stood up to speak, Zhou Xuance stopped her: "Your Majesty, thank you for your concern. My residence is not short of people."
Emperor Xiaoxuan was displeased, but he still smiled and said, "How can we not lack supplies? We're all working ourselves to the bone."
"Your Majesty, I see that you have been recuperating for so long, yet your health has not improved. It must be due to inadequate care from those around you. Now that the position of Empress is vacant, some treacherous servants are probably taking the opportunity to shirk their duties. Instead of worrying about my family affairs, Your Majesty should..."
"Establish a new empress as soon as possible!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xiaoxuan's expression changed slightly, and the assembled officials were so frightened that they fell silent.
The atmosphere froze instantly.
Shen Zhiyi pursed her lips:
To defy the Emperor?
He's really daring.
Everyone knows the Regent is fearless, but no one expected him to dare refuse the Emperor in public. Moreover, his words clearly implied:
You can't even manage your own harem properly.
That's none of my business.
This is not just bold, it's downright outrageous.
But the emperor seemed helpless against him, only gripping his wine cup tightly.
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Your Majesty, Xuanze and Zhiyi have just gotten married and are newlyweds. It's their business, so please don't interfere. I'm happy to see that Xuanze is getting better and better. I'll have a drink with them."
Shen Zhiyi and Zhou Xuance stood up at the same time. After drinking with the Empress Dowager, the singing and dancing continued.
The melodious music and the clinking of glasses among the officials dispelled the previous tense atmosphere.
"You're really daring, not giving His Majesty the slightest face in front of so many people," Shen Zhiyi said, lowering her voice as she approached Zhou Xuance.
"Do you intend to bring new women into the Prince's residence?"
"Your Highness doesn't want to?"
"I'm already exhausted from serving you every day."
These words have a hidden meaning.
After each of their outrageous encounters, Shen Zhiyi felt exhausted and too lazy to even lift her arms. It was Zhou Xuance who carried her to bathe or helped her wipe her body.
At first, she resisted, but as time went on, she got used to it.
Serving?
Hearing this, Shen Zhiyi blushed and turned to glare at him, saying, "What kind of occasion is this? Watch your words."
As she spoke, she picked up a piece of pastry and stuffed it directly into her mouth, saying, "Eat more, and shut your mouth up."
Zhou Xuance smiled gently, slowly eating the food she handed him.
A lot of people are paying attention to them.
"Isn't it said that the Regent hates sweets the most? How come he's eating hibiscus pastry?"
"What do you know? The princess fed him herself, so naturally he thinks everything tastes delicious."
"Hey? It sounds like it was forcibly stuffed into the prince's mouth."
...
As everyone whispered among themselves, the Mid-Autumn Festival moon worship ceremony soon arrived.
In the north, people hold a moon worship ceremony every Mid-Autumn Festival, offering mooncakes, fruits, wine, and tea to the moon goddess and pray for the safety and reunion of their families. At this time, the north is experiencing a prolonged drought, so the ceremony takes on even more significance.
The emperor and empress were supposed to lead all the officials in worshipping the moon goddess, but this year only the emperor himself participated.
Just as the court officials and their families were preparing to follow His Majesty in the sacrificial ceremony, news of a victory arrived from the border:
"Your Majesty, Commander Shen traveled day and night and arrived at the northern border. He caught the enemy off guard and took the opportunity to capture three Rongyi cities in succession."
Chen Zhiyi was stunned:
Is my second brother really that brave?
"Excellent, very good, you deserve a reward!" Emperor Xiaoxuan laughed heartily, then looked at Shen Chongde, "Duke Shen, you have indeed raised a fine son!"
"The boy has only the courage of a common man. He just happened to seize the opportunity this time. He still needs more training. Besides, fighting for the country is the duty of a man. This is what he should do."
"You're being modest."
This was probably the only good news he had heard in months.
Therefore, he bestowed many favors upon him.
even,
Emperor Xiaoxuan wanted to promote Shen Muzhi to a higher rank, but Shen Chongde politely declined, fearing that Shen was young and ambitious and that too much favor would make him arrogant. So Emperor Xiaoxuan smiled and said, "Then we will reward Shen after he returns to the court in triumph."
"Your Majesty, I thank you on behalf of my son," Shen Chongde said.
Shen Zhiyi secretly exchanged a glance with her mother.
A reward?
If Miss Zheng is willing, we can ask His Majesty to grant us a marriage, which would be a respectable arrangement.
The worship ceremony continued. After the emperor lit incense and paid homage to the moon goddess, just as he was about to insert the incense into the incense burner, suddenly…
The incense has gone out!
Gao Daban was watching from the side, and his face turned pale with fright.
They immediately changed the incense for Emperor Xiaoxuan, but the result was...
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
