Before she could speak, tears streamed down her face; her expression of suppressed grievance was incredibly moving.
There's clearly something going on.
The Empress thought to herself that Shen Qinghe possessed both her mother's ruthlessness and her father's shrewdness; no wonder she had been able to deceive everyone in the past.
"you say."
Shen Qinghe recited the lines that Emperor Hongde had prepared for her, crying as she spoke, perfectly portraying the grievances and indignation of a woman who endured the murder of her mother but could not expose her father due to filial piety.
"When I first went to the estate, I couldn't face my father. Later, my great-aunt took pity on me and brought me back to the Duke's mansion. My mother used to be confused and had a bad relationship with Princess Huyang. After she passed away, Princess Huyang and my great-aunt reconciled. I knew it would be awkward for me to stay in the Duke's mansion, so I asked my uncle to send me back to the Shen family."
“My father was always dissatisfied with my great-uncle’s usurpation of the family property, but he was helpless. So he forced me to poison my younger brother. I was unwilling, but he threatened me with the fact that he had instigated me to get close to Lord Lu. I was afraid and had no choice but to obey.”
"He had a legitimate reason for not being at the Imperial Preceptor's residence that day, which was the first birthday banquet of his adopted son."
"Your Majesty, I am certain that everything I have said is true."
She wanted to swear an oath, but thinking of the Yao family's fate, she didn't dare.
The Empress listened, but Emperor Hongde only needed her testimony anyway.
At the same time, Wen Zhixuan stepped into the residence of Shen Jiyun, the second branch of the Shen family.
"At this point, Lord Shen should understand what the Emperor's heart truly is."
Shen Jiyun remained expressionless.
"I am unaware of the truth, and I hope the Imperial Preceptor can enlighten me."
Wen Zhixuan put down his teacup and said, "Minister Shen can no longer be saved, but the Shen family still exists. Back then, your wife was unjustly driven out, and you lost the position of head of the family. Now, His Majesty has investigated thoroughly and overturned the case for you and your wife. You can regain control of the Shen family. This is a cause for celebration."
Shen Jiyun smiled.
"So the Imperial Advisor has come today as an advocate. It's a pity that I, Shen, am incompetent. I can't even resolve matters within my own household, so how can I be a loyal minister to His Majesty like the Imperial Advisor?"
Wen Zhixuan also laughed, "If Lord Shen were incompetent, why would Vice Minister Shen have sacrificed his own son to snatch the Lord's Decree from you?"
Shen Jiyun's smile faded slightly.
Wen Zhixuan continued, "I know that Lord Shen is wary of powerful aristocratic families, but honestly, does Lord Shen really want the Shen family to remain a second-rate, poor family forever, with no chance for its members to rise in the future?"
Shen Jiyun remained silent.
Wen Zhixuan said, "I know Lord Shen has reservations. Don't worry, I'll be the one to take the lead. His Majesty values talent and will surely entrust Lord Shen with important responsibilities."
After much deliberation, Shen Jiyun finally made up his mind.
"Having received the emperor's bounty, one should naturally share the emperor's burdens."
This was Emperor Hongde's strategy of sacrificing a pawn to save the king—sacrificing Shen Jiming to win over the entire Shen family.
Soon, the imperial edict was issued.
Shen Jiming murdered his first wife, poisoned his eldest son, framed his brothers, mistreated his daughter, and was morally corrupt. As a result, he was dismissed from his post as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and demoted to Youzhou.
"Your Majesty's move is truly ruthless."
Jiang Zhixu sighed, "Shen Jiming has been back in the capital for less than ten years and has been the head of the family for less than two years. In terms of prestige and foundation, he is naturally not as good as Shen Jiyun. It seems that His Majesty is going to promote the Shen family."
Jiang Yiqing remained noncommittal.
Jiang Zhixu felt something was missing. After looking around, he asked curiously, "Where's Miaomiao?"
If my daughter were here, she would definitely complain.
Xiao Yitang rolled her eyes. "She hasn't finished school yet."
Jiang Zhixu: "..."
He stood up. "I'll go pick her up."
Jiang Shumiao has been in a bad mood lately because of the Yao family's matter, and there's still more to come.
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