It seems that Jiaojiao hasn't told Shen Qinghuai about their relationship.
Xiao Huaijin reached out and helped Shen Qinghuai up. He narrowed his eyes slightly and glanced at Shen Qinghuai before smiling and saying, "I owe Lord Shen an explanation."
Shen Qinghuai felt a chill run down his spine, but for the sake of his sister's future reputation, he gritted his teeth and boldly asked, "I only want to ask, Your Majesty, is your love for my sister genuine?"
Seeing that Xiao Huaijin's expression was not offended, Shen Qinghuai continued, "Your Majesty should know that my sister was once married to Pei Zhixuan, the heir of the Duke of Dingguo, but the marriage was not a happy one, and my sister was not happy."
"I know."
Upon hearing the name Pei Zhixuan, a cold glint flashed in Xiao Huaijin's eyes.
Shen Qinghuai didn't notice and continued, "That guy treated my sister terribly. Even though he later repented, my sister insisted on getting a divorce. She's always had her own ideas, and as her older brother, I can only do my best to accommodate her."
Shen Qinghuai spoke earnestly, so much so that he didn't even bother to brush away the sycamore leaves that fell on his shoulder.
"Your Majesty, although my sister has been married before, in my heart, she deserves a man who loves her wholeheartedly and treats her well. If Your Majesty is only temporarily attracted by my sister's beauty, I implore Your Majesty to let her go."
After saying this, Shen Qinghuai took off his official hat and knelt on the ground, saying, "Your subject is willing to take my younger sister away from the capital and never return to the capital to meet the Emperor again."
Shen Qinghuai knew that his words would most likely enrage Xiao Huaijin.
Even though he feared the emperor's power, he was still willing to confront Xiao Huaijin now for Shen Yunjiao's sake.
Although it's unknown when Xiao Huaijin fell for his sister, the chances of them staying together forever are extremely slim.
Beautiful women often have tragic fates, and emperors are often ruthless.
He couldn't let his sister get hurt!
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
Shen Qinghuai's words were sincere. Xiao Huaijin paused slightly after hearing them, and then slowly said, "Lord Shen, there is no need to worry. I have already made up my mind."
Shen Qinghuai looked up blankly at the tall and handsome emperor opposite him. What did Xiao Huaijin mean?
"I am willing to offer the entire world as a dowry, and grant her a lifetime of peace and stability."
Shen Qinghuai's eyes widened suddenly. Did Xiao Huaijin intend to make Yun Jiao his empress?
"Your Majesty, I am terrified. What do you mean by this?" Shen Qinghuai asked tremblingly.
"It means exactly what it says," Xiao Huaijin said calmly.
He reached out and helped Shen Qinghuai up again. "You two siblings are quite alike, both of you like to kneel down at the drop of a hat."
Shen Qinghuai's face showed disbelief. "Your Majesty, are you telling the truth?"
Xiao Huaijin replied with a smile, his eyes gentle, "My dear minister, I know you and Jiaojiao have a deep bond, so naturally I am more concerned and reluctant to let her suffer any grievances. But rest assured, I swear that from now on she will not be bullied in any way."
Xiao Huaijin had long harbored the idea of ​​establishing an empress, but Dayong had a rule that after the emperor's death, the princes had to observe a hundred days of mourning.
During these hundred days, he still cannot marry Shen Yunjiao.
He naturally hoped to marry Shen Yunjiao as soon as possible, but if they were to rush into marriage against ancestral rules, it might damage Shen Yunjiao's reputation in the future.
Thinking of this, Xiao Huaijin could only suppress his inner desires.
Seeing that Xiao Huaijin seemed somewhat gloomy, Shen Qinghuai thought that he had asked too many detailed questions and displeased the emperor, so he quickly cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I believe you."
"Alright, since you're here, then come back to the palace with my carriage." Xiao Huaijin pressed his temples, and couldn't help but sigh at the thought of returning to the palace to face the mess left by Emperor Zhaowu.
This morning at court, the emperor actually entered the palace from outside with Minister Shen from the Ministry of Rites.
This incident caused a great uproar among the court officials.
Those court officials who had previously speculated that the Shen family would soon fall from power were all incredibly surprised. They thought that the new emperor's first act upon taking office would be to make an example of the Shen family and show the court officials his iron fist.
But the new emperor didn't seem to intend to do that. On the contrary, he praised Shen Qinghuai for his merit in receiving the delegation and granted Shen Qinghuai several days off.
This made it even more difficult for the court officials to understand the new emperor's thoughts.
But they soon learned what the new emperor truly wanted to attack.
"I've heard that Lord Lin's granddaughter is already sixteen." Xiao Huaijin sat on the dragon throne, lazily staring at Lin Ziyu, the Minister of Revenue, who was the head of all officials and wore a scarlet official robe.
Upon hearing His Majesty mention his granddaughter, Lin Ziyu was overjoyed and quickly stepped forward, knelt down, and said, "Your Majesty, my granddaughter, Lin Rongyan, is sixteen years old and not yet engaged."
Upon hearing this, the surrounding officials were all wondering in their hearts, "Does His Majesty intend to establish an empress so soon after ascending the throne?"
If the Granddaughter of the Minister of Revenue is to be made the future Empress, it would be tantamount to winning over Lin Ziyu, a veteran of three reigns. It is reasonable for His Majesty to do so.
Xiao Huaijin lowered his eyes and chuckled softly, "She's sixteen already."
Upon hearing this, the people below realized that the new emperor must have some designs on Lin Rongyan, so they all began to flatter her.
Jiang Wang, a junior official in the Ministry of Revenue under Lin Ziyu, spoke first, "Your Majesty, I have heard that Lord Lin's granddaughter is dignified, generous, virtuous and talented, and is the foremost noble lady in the capital."
Yao Zhan, who was standing to the side, raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this.
Isn't the most beloved noble lady in the capital his precious princess? When had he ever heard of the name Lin Rongyan?
Before he could speak, the Ministry of Justice official who was on good terms with Lin Ziyu hurriedly chimed in, "Your Majesty, I have also heard and witnessed that Lord Lin's granddaughter is intelligent and virtuous. She personally organized such a grand banquet as the Lotus Banquet and managed to do it flawlessly. This girl is truly talented and beautiful."
Lin Ziyu nodded modestly, "I dare not accept such praise. It was just a banquet that the children held on a whim. I am not worthy of such high praise."
"Lord Lin, please don't be modest. Your granddaughter is worthy of this reputation." A clear and powerful voice rang out, sounding somewhat out of place amidst the hypocritical flattery.
Everyone held their breath, watching the handsome and refined Prince Pei step out of the ranks.
Upon seeing Pei Zhixuan, Xiao Huaijin smiled casually and said, "My dear minister, you also know of Lord Lin's granddaughter's reputation?"
Pei Zhixuan nodded slightly and said loudly, "Your Majesty, Lord Lin is very fortunate. I was invited to the Lotus Banquet and saw that he truly lives up to his reputation."
Lin Ziyu was puzzled when he saw that Prince Pei, whom he had no dealings with in the past, actually spoke up. He quickly nodded and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your praise, Lord Pei."
Although Lin Ziyu didn't know why Pei Zhixuan chose to speak at this time, he was a rising star in the court, the newly appointed Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and Lin Ziyu didn't want to have any grudges against him for the time being.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com