When Shen Zhiheng and Shen Zhishu saw that Shen Zhixiu had something to say, their expressions became more solemn than before.
Shen Zhixiu didn't exchange useless pleasantries and spoke directly.
"Ever since I fell off a cliff last year, I haven't been able to take care of my family. I've been busy with official duties and getting married lately, so I'm even more exhausted."
"But I know a lot about this. I didn't go to court today just to tell my two brothers. If this continues, the Shen family will follow in the footsteps of the Xu family."
As soon as Shen Zhixiu said this, everyone in the Shen family changed their expressions, including the old lady. Everyone saw what happened to the Xu family.
Shen Zhiheng asked inquiringly, "Third Brother, what do you mean by this?"
Shen Zhixiu looked calm and glanced at Shen Zhiheng indifferently.
"Brother, I heard that you met the carriage of Minister of Works Rong Hai yesterday, and he even gave way to you?"
Shen Zhiheng was stunned for a moment, then hummed.
Shen Zhixiu added, "Brother, although Rong Hai is not in the cabinet, he is at least one of the Nine Ministers. You are only a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Personnel. This is really inappropriate."
Shen Zhiheng immediately explained, "Zhixiu, this isn't entirely my fault. When Minister Rong heard that I was in the car, he immediately gave way."
Shen Zhixiu's expression grew even colder. "Isn't it just your driver who's taking advantage of the power of others? Seeing Minister Rong riding in an ordinary carriage, he started yelling at him."
"Minister Rong is generous and doesn't bother with you, so he gave way. But he can give way, big brother, you can't pass."
Shen Zhixiu spoke in a heavy tone, clearly angry.
Seeing this, the old lady looked at Shen Zhiheng disapprovingly, "Boss, this is your fault. Bring the things and go to the Rong Mansion to apologize."
Shen Zhiheng naturally did not dare to disobey the old lady and responded with a yes.
But I was not very convinced in my heart.
In recent days, Shen Zhixiu's status in the court has been rising rapidly, and the Shen brothers are respected wherever they go, so he has become a little arrogant.
Shen Zhixiu glanced at him, and knowing that he didn't take it to heart, he continued in a deep voice.
"I know what you're thinking. There are many aristocratic families in the capital, and even more royal relatives. With high status, they naturally act arrogantly in public."
"But if you hold yourself too high, you'll end up hurting your arm sooner or later."
"And my second brother, a few days ago, he mocked General Suzaku for being from the countryside and living a poor life."
"Although General Zhuque comes from a humble family, he has won battle after battle in recent years. The younger generation in the family are also not mediocre, and it is only a matter of time before the family prospers. Second brother, you dare to mock a general who has made great contributions to the country on the battlefield. Do you think our Shen family has been too good lately?"
"I'm only the Deputy Prime Minister, and my family is already so arrogant. If this continues, I'd better retire immediately, otherwise the Shen family will soon fall."
Shen Zhixiu had been wanting to say this for a long time, and today was the perfect time. Giving them a good beating would also help housekeeper Su Qingyu relax.
His words were extremely harsh. As the younger brother, it would be disrespectful to speak to his two elder brothers in this way. However, the brothers Shen Zhiheng and Shen Zhishu did not think it was wrong at all. Since Shen Zhixiu entered the officialdom, his influence in the Shen family has gradually increased. After entering the cabinet, he has been secretly colluding with the head of the Shen family.
The Shen family can be what it is today thanks to Shen Zhixiu.
It’s just that Shen Zhixiu had devoted all his attention to the court before and rarely asked about family matters.
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhishu immediately explained, "Third Brother, I was just joking with General Suzaku."
Shen Zhixiu chuckled, "Are you kidding? General Zhuque and Censor Hu have always been at odds. What's the point of you butting in on their argument?"
"Or does Second Brother want to help Censor Hu deal with General Suzaku?"
Shen Zhishu hurriedly said that he didn't mean that and didn't think much about it.
The old lady narrowed her eyes slightly and did not open them until Shen Zhixiu finished speaking.
His sharp eyes swept over the brothers Shen Zhiheng and Shen Zhishu.
"If Third Brother hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known you were so arrogant out there. Have you forgotten what your father said before he died?"
"Boss, tell me, what did your father tell you before he died?"
Shen Zhiheng's expression changed when he heard this, and he said with a hint of shame.
"Before my father passed away, he told us not to be arrogant and not to forget our identities."
The old lady nodded and said, "Just remember this. Today's cultivator is right. Since ancient times, arrogance has been the beginning of disaster for aristocratic families."
Shen Zhixiu started to discuss with the old lady again, "Mother, I have told Qingyu that we need to be stricter in managing this family."
"As for the younger generation in the mansion, young masters and young ladies, you should all behave yourself from today onwards."
The old lady agreed and said, "That's the way it should be. Qingyu, go ahead and do it. If anything happens, I'll cover it for you."
Su Qingyu stood up and bowed, "Yes, mother."
After Shen Zhixiu had scolded the people from both branches of the Shen family, he hurriedly left the house and went to the cabinet duty room to handle government affairs.
Su Qingyu followed Yang to take over the accounts of the mansion.
On the way to the accounting office, Yang smiled and said, "I'll be troubling you, Third Sister-in-law. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."
Su Qingyu thanked him, thinking that Yang Shi probably didn't know as much as she did. At least she knew who the eldest wife's confidants were in the mansion, but Yang Shi might not know everything.
When the two arrived at the accounting office, the account manager, Mr. Qian, had already sorted out the account books with his two apprentices.
"Second Madam, Third Madam, these accounts have been sorted out."
Mr. Qian is in his forties, dressed in a gray gown, and has gentle and polite manners.
Su Qingyu knew this man was Chen's confidant. She casually picked up this month's accounts and took a look, confirming they were all fake. Mr. Qian had another set of accounts, and the records in those were the real ones.
If she wanted to manage the Shen family's inner chambers, the first tough nut to crack was the accounting office. She wanted to see the real accounts and eliminate Chen's confidants step by step.
Mr. Qian saw her looking through the account book, and a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes. He smiled and said, "Third Madam, the rule in our house is that I have to go to you every ten days to file accounts."
Su Qingyu glanced at him indifferently, "Mr. Qian, do you mean that I can't look at these accounts? Or do you think I can't understand them?"
Mr. Qian said hurriedly, "That's not what I meant. It's just that the account books at the mansion are complicated, and I'm afraid Third Madam won't be able to understand them all in a short time. How about I tell you the details when I submit the account?"
Su Qingyu said coldly, "No need. You don't have to come to me to settle accounts in the future. I can come anytime I want to check the accounts."
Mr. Qian was stunned. "Third Madam, there is no such rule."
Su Qingyu frowned slightly. This mansion really needed to be regulated.
"Rules? What I say today is the rules."
"If you feel uncomfortable with this, I can find someone else to manage the accounts."
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