"She really said that?"
Xue Shen sat in his study, listening to the report from the Shen family's spy about the Qingwu Courtyard.
"yes."
The scout's expression was also somewhat complicated. Some of the rumors about His Highness were exaggerated by the common people, while others were deliberately spread by them. They knew all too well how bad His Highness's reputation was; even officials in the court felt a chill when they heard of His Highness's "misdeeds." How much more so for a delicate young lady like Miss Shen Er?
But this Miss Shen not only didn't cry or make a fuss, but also put on a devoted and heartbroken look, which really angered the two tutors sent by the Empress Dowager.
“She’s quite clever.” Xue Shen showed some interest, twirling the jade thumb ring on his thumb, and said, “Unlike her stubborn father, she’s more like her older brother.”
Qin Fenglu Pacification Commissioner Shen Xiuyi was an old fox; Shen Youying followed him and was a little fox.
Thinking that he would be marrying this little fox into his family in a few days, Xue Shen felt a rare sense of anticipation. He then asked about Shen Mingjiang's case: "Has the Ministry of Justice reached a conclusion?"
"The case file has been submitted for His Majesty's personal review."
"Then we should have a result soon." Xue Shen narrowed his eyes slightly and tapped his fingers on the armrest, making a "tap-tap" sound.
"If I'm not mistaken, he won't dare kill Shen Mingjiang; at most, he'll strip him of his title and dismiss him from office."
The Shen family had guarded the Northwest for generations, and Shen Mingjiang was originally the military governor of Hedong in the Later Shu. At that time, various forces were vying for power, and war raged for years, causing widespread suffering. It was Emperor Gaozu who united several separatist forces, including the Later Zhou and Later Shu, and established the Great Wei, thus ending decades of division and war.
Shen Mingjiang was the first general to voluntarily submit to the Great Wei.
He was brave and invincible, and was highly trusted by Emperor Gaozu. Later, he fought alongside Emperor Taizu, who was then the crown prince, on several occasions, and they forged a deep bond between the emperor and his subject.
When it came time to reward those who had rendered meritorious service, Shen Mingjiang was granted the title of Duke of Yi, appointed as the Privy Councilor, and concurrently served as the Military Governor of Pingliang. He served under both Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizu without decline, and his glory and power represented the pinnacle of a military general.
It was precisely for this reason that Emperor Cheng'an distrusted him and feared him.
Shen Mingjiang was in charge of the Privy Council and had the power to deploy troops. His eldest son, Shen Xiuyi, was appointed as the Military Commissioner of Qinfeng Road, leading 200,000 border troops from Tianshui and Xiongwu to guard the northwest and prevent the Western Xia and Tubo from invading the border.
The Shen family's prestige in the army was probably even higher than that of Emperor Cheng'an.
Emperor Cheng'an was narrow-minded and suspicious, so naturally he could not tolerate Shen Mingjiang or the Shen family.
However, during his years in office, he favored civil officials over military ones and severely suppressed military officers, which had already caused considerable resentment within the army. If he were to rashly take action against Shen Mingjiang, the military officers might feel a sense of shared vulnerability and mutinied.
That's why the case of the Shen family father and son colluding with the Western Xia and betraying the country came about.
Unfortunately, Shen Mingjiang was upright, and Shen Xiuyi was a cunning old fox; neither father nor son could be found guilty, and the fabricated "treason" evidence that Emperor Cheng'an had fabricated lacked persuasiveness. Although he could silence the officials who spoke out for the Shen family, he could not silence the chilling indifference in people's hearts.
When he went to ask for a marriage decree that day, he deliberately tested the emperor, and the emperor immediately backed down, which showed that he was still afraid.
He ultimately dared not kill Shen Mingjiang.
*
Just as Xue Shen had predicted, a few days later, the imperial eunuch arrived at the Shen family with the imperial edict.
"...Duke Shen Mingjiang of Yi State colluded with the Western Xia and plotted rebellion, which is punishable by death. However, I am particularly reluctant to do so because of his past merits. Now I strip him of his title, dismiss him from his post, and confiscate his property...as a warning to others."
Upon hearing the news of the stripping of her title, Fang's legs went weak, and she only managed to stay upright thanks to the support of her maid. Clutching the maid's arm tightly, she forced a smile and said, "My lord, this...this must be a mistake?"
The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict put it away and said with a forced smile, "Is Madam questioning the imperial decree?"
Fang repeatedly said she dared not, and could only watch helplessly as the imperial guards behind the other party surged into the mansion like wolves and tigers.
As she watched the other party carry out box after box of gold and silver treasures from the storeroom, Madam Fang was so heartbroken that she almost fainted, but she could only watch and dared not stop them.
Shen Huaizhou and Shen Muyu stood on either side of her, their faces pale with fright.
When she saw the imperial guards carrying out the chests from her courtyard after confiscating her property, Shen Muyu finally couldn't help but say, "Mother, that's my dowry!"
Her eyes were red, and seeing that neither Fang Shi nor Shen Huaizhou said a word, she could only poke at Shen Youying: "Say something! You are the future Princess Consort of Qin, it would be so embarrassing if word got out!"
Shen Youying glanced at her, frowned slightly, and ignored her.
The eunuch who was delivering the imperial decree heard this and respectfully said with his hands clasped, "Don't worry, Miss Shen. You are the Princess Consort of Qin, personally appointed by His Majesty. We have already given instructions that nothing in your courtyard will be touched."
"Thank you for your trouble," Shen Youying curtsied in thanks, then gestured for Danzhu to hand over a purse, and asked softly, "I wonder when my father will be able to return?"
The eunuch who delivered the imperial decree accepted the purse, weighed it discreetly, and then smiled with satisfaction: "Second Miss, rest assured, Lord Shen should be back around tomorrow."
Shen Youying was finally relieved.
Stripping someone of their title, dismissing them from office, and confiscating their property are minor matters, as long as they are safe.
The imperial guards searched the premises for nearly two hours and returned laden with spoils.
Looking at the mansion in ruins, almost completely emptied, Fang felt her heart bleed. She had worked tirelessly for years after marrying into the Duke's family, finally accumulating some possessions. Now, with a single imperial decree, everything was gone.
The Duchess's glory, the Duke's wealth, and her children's future—all gone!
The blow was too great for her; she didn't even have the energy to pretend with Shen Youying before Shen Huaizhou and Shen Muyu helped her back.
Shen Youying was left standing alone in front of the main gate, looking at the plaque that had been taken down by the Imperial Guards and carelessly thrown on the ground.
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