The arrival of the Li family was expected.
So the old lady immediately ordered the servants, "Please come in quickly."
Shen Zhixiu and Shen Zhiheng also stood up and took Shen Zhao out to greet them. Today, the Shen family was in the wrong, so they had to give the Li family enough face.
Su Qingyu and Chen also stood up and stood aside, waiting for the Li family to come and question them.
Chen was a little uneasy, but Su Qingyu remained calm. Whatever the Li family did was none of her business; that was the eldest wife's business.
Judging from Chen's attitude, she seemed to be very concerned about the marriage with the Li family. For Chen Zhao, marrying Li Chaoyun was indeed a step up.
Soon, the Li family was welcomed in. Prince Shan Li Jingchuan had a calm expression and was chatting quietly with Shen Zhixiu.
Princess Yongjia, who was following behind, looked unhappy, with obvious anger between her brows.
Li Chaoyun held Princess Yongjia's hand with an arrogant attitude, as if he was ready to call for an explanation.
Li Yunzhou followed behind not too far away, with little presence.
Su Qingyu shook her head subconsciously. Princess Yongjia obviously disliked Li Yunzhou, but she always kept him by her side just to show her magnanimity as a stepmother.
However, Princess Yongjia had a legitimate son, Li Yunsi, who had been stationed in the northern border for the past few years, with his wife and children living with him in a border town. In his previous life, shortly after Li Yunzhou went to war, Li Yunsi died on the battlefield. Even his wife and children were slaughtered by the rebels.
After Li Yunzhou returned to the capital, he exposed Princess Yongjia's hypocrisy. Princess Yongjia then suspected him of having evil intentions and murdered her legitimate brother.
However, there was no evidence, and Li Yunzhou was already in power at the time and had made remarkable military achievements. The emperor ultimately ordered Princess Yongjia to stop mistreating his illegitimate son and rewarded Li Yunzhou with a mansion.
As for who would win or lose between the two after her death, she didn't know.
"Hello, old lady. I apologize for coming here so presumptuously today."
Li Jingchuan's polite words brought Su Qingyu back to her confused thoughts.
The old lady also greeted politely: "Your Highness is too polite. It is my family who is disrespectful today."
There was no need for the Li family to speak, the old lady took the initiative to bring up what happened today.
After everyone was seated, Princess Yongjia said, "Madam, I'm not trying to embarrass the Shen family. This marriage is a good omen for both families, and I want to make things go smoothly for them."
"Although I was a little dissatisfied with the marriages that my brother had arranged for these two little ones, I didn't say much when I thought about the Shen family's tradition."
"But the young master of the Guifu family slapped my daughter in the face in front of so many people. That's a bit too much."
"The prince and I came here today to ask the old lady if this marriage between our two families is still possible."
Princess Yongjia didn't say she wanted to cancel the engagement, she just asked if the marriage was still going to happen. Clearly, she wanted an explanation from the Shen family.
After all, the two had already consummated their marriage in the palace, and Li Chaoyun had no better choice than to marry into the Shen family.
So for Princess Yongjia, her daughter had to get married, but she also had to vent her anger.
The old lady knew that her grandson was in the wrong in this matter, so she spoke with some concession.
"Even if the prince and princess don't come today, I will go to the Li family in person to explain."
"This is all the fault of Zhao'er's concubine. She has been beaten to death."
After saying this, he raised his voice and asked the servants guarding outside, "How's the beating going over there?"
Someone at the door reported, "To answer the old lady, Concubine Cheng has just passed away."
Su Qingyu's face flashed with disappointment. After all, she couldn't see her off in person. It was like watching a play but missing the most exciting part.
She actually wanted to burn some incense for Cheng Rujin, praying to the Bodhisattva to bless her and have all her dying vows come true. But she didn't know if praying to the Bodhisattva would work in such a bloody matter.
When the old lady heard that Cheng Rujin had passed away, she explained to Princess Yongjia, "She has been beaten to death, but this is ultimately due to the Shen family's lax upbringing. We allowed our concubine to commit such a serious mistake. I hope your Highness and Princess will bear with us."
Princess Yongjia snorted softly, "It's just the death of a concubine, what kind of explanation is that?"
"If the Shen family can't satisfy us, then there's no need to get married."
Shen Zhixiu suddenly raised his drooping eyes and asked, "I wonder what explanation the princess wants?"
It was clearly an ordinary question, but Princess Yongjia felt a strong sense of oppression in it.
The tone unconsciously became two degrees softer than before.
"I didn't quite agree with this marriage before because I felt that your eldest son's future was uncertain."
"Since the Shen family asked me what I want to be explained, I will tell you directly. After these two children get married, I hope Shen Zhao can be transferred to the Ministry of Personnel and get involved in government affairs."
This was what Princess Yongjia had thought of on the way here. The marriage had to go on, but there had to be some benefits.
The Shen family's old lady was still alive, so it was impossible for them to split up the family. Therefore, they couldn't openly mention money and family property.
Of course, she doesn't care much about money.
Since Li Chaoyun is marrying Chen Zhao, whether she can live a good life in the future depends entirely on Chen Zhao's status in the court.
Since Shen Zhao holds a high position and has great power, Li Chaoyun can live a glorious life as the headmistress of the Shen family.
On the contrary, if Shen Zhao was mediocre, Li Chaoyun would be three points shorter when he went out.
Therefore, Princess Yongjia wanted to take this opportunity to force the Shen family to pave the way for Shen Zhao.
Especially Shen Zhixiu, as long as he is willing, there is no need to worry about Shen Zhao's uncertain future.
Compared with the previously noble Hanlin Academy, the Ministry of Personnel naturally has more real power and is easier to advance.
Princess Yongjia finished speaking, then took a sip of her teacup. Her expression was unhurried, as she believed the Shen family didn't want to make a big deal out of this matter. After all, the marriage was granted by imperial decree. It would be embarrassing if the matter reached the imperial court.
Prince Shan, Li Jingchuan, also sat awkwardly sipping tea, barely looking up. Princess Yongjia was the one who made the decisions about the family affairs, and he secretly felt that she was being unreasonable. But he couldn't persuade her, nor did he dare to.
Just when Princess Yongjia felt that the Shen family should agree.
Shen Zhixiu spoke lightly.
“Since the princess mentioned Shen Zhao’s future, I will take this opportunity today to talk about it.”
“After Shen Zhao gets married, he won’t be in the Hanlin Academy anymore.”
Shen Zhiheng, Chen, and Shen Zhao all looked happy when they heard this, thinking that Shen Zhixiu was finally going to promote his nephew.
But what Shen Zhixiu said next surprised the Shen family's eldest wife and everyone in the Li family.
Chen's face turned ashen, and she stared at Shen Zhixiu with her eyes wide open in anger.
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