Emperor Xuande looked at Song Zan with his eyes wide open.
He was the emperor, and it was not a glorious thing for him to be lectured mercilessly by his subjects because of a woman.
Even if you are giving advice as a minister, shouldn't you know when to stop and give the emperor some dignity?
He is not a tyrant who is blinded by lust. Does Song Zan have to speak so harshly?
Song Zan still stood upright, with an upright expression on his face. If you didn't know, you would think that the censor was going to die and make a remonstration to the Golden Palace.
"Your Majesty spoils me, and this is known to all the court. However, as a subject, it is my duty to advise Your Majesty."
"If you allow Your Majesty to fall into unkindness and injustice for some shameful purpose, what is the difference between you and a treacherous villain?"
Chen Zheng, who was standing at the door, was shocked. Was the words of Marquis Zhongyi directed at him?
Traitor?
He shared the worries of His Majesty and served the country loyally, so how could he be associated with such treacherous people?
When Emperor Xuande heard Song Zan say this, his expression relaxed a bit. But he still spoke with a cold tone, "I didn't intend to do anything. You're overthinking it."
Song Zan stepped aside and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty is wise. His Royal Highness Prince Ning is waiting for Your Majesty to officiate the wedding. Your Majesty, please."
Emperor Xuande glared at him and walked out.
Although Emperor Xuande emphasized that he had no intention of doing anything, everyone present knew that if Marquis Zhongyi had not come today, the situation would have been very difficult to resolve.
When everyone accompanied the emperor to the front hall, the wedding procession had already entered the palace.
Officials from the Ministry of Rites were arranging the subsequent ceremony. Emperor Xuande was invited to sit in the main seat, and then Lin Wanyin sat in the side seat.
Although this didn't count as sitting with the emperor, Lin Wanyin was still a little nervous.
She felt uneasy, but Su Chengye, who was standing not far away, was indignant and jealous.
When his son got married, not only was he not allowed to receive his son's kneeling worship, he didn't even have a seat.
However, Lin Wanyin was able to sit like the emperor and was being looked at with envy by the guests.
In such a situation, the difference between the two is immediately apparent. Su Chengye felt an indescribable feeling in his heart and sighed again. If he had known this day would come, he would never have divorced her.
Several officials from the Ministry of Rites were preparing for the next ceremony, and Shen Zhixiu stood outside the crowd watching.
Song Zan walked up to him and asked, "Why are you here?"
There is a custom of sending off the bride in the capital, but there are no elders to send off the bride. Most of the brides are brothers of the same generation or nephews and nephews of the younger generation.
Shen Zhixiu said, "The younger generation in the family are all in mourning, so it's not convenient for them to come and see the bride off. I couldn't bear to see Shen Yue get married alone, so I came to take a look."
Anyway, the Shen family didn't have a banquet today, so there was no need for him to stay in the mansion to entertain guests.
Song Zan thought about it, pulled Shen Zhixiu aside, and talked about what had just happened in Biluoju.
Shen Zhixiu's face, which was originally calm, turned a little gloomy.
"What are they trying to do? Relying on a woman to whisper in the emperor's ear? They even found someone who looks like the late queen. They really put a lot of thought into it."
Song Zan sneered and said, "I have already found out clearly that the person is the seventh daughter of the Jingyuan Marquis's Mansion."
"From what I've seen of the Seventh Young Lady, some of her expressions and movements are very similar to those of the late Queen. I'm afraid someone has been training her for a long time. This isn't just a simple gift of a beautiful woman."
Shen Zhixiu said in a low voice, "They are getting anxious, but a substitute is only a substitute. Does the Jiang family really want to replace the Song family?"
At this point, Shen Zhixiu smiled again and said, "Those of you who are not married should be more cautious. I guess if they want to win over the Song family in the end, they will have to consider marriage."
After all, nothing is simpler and easier than a marriage. Even if the Song family doesn't want to get involved in these matters, it will be seen as taking sides in the eyes of outsiders.
When the emperor grew old and became increasingly suspicious, the Song family could no longer stay out of the matter.
He is not exaggerating, but looking at history, there are traces of this.
Not far away, Su Shunci and Song Wanwan were talking together. Shen Zhixiu and Song Zan's eyes fell on Song Wanwan.
Song Zan said in a low voice: "The daughter of my Song family will never become a tool for the royal family to fight for power."
He and his wife had been looking for a good match for their daughter, but they hadn't found anyone particularly suitable. Their daughter looked good no matter how they looked at her, and no one seemed to be worthy of her.
It seems I have to talk to my wife about this when I get back. Although this matter cannot be rushed, we have to act quickly.
After talking with Song Zan for a while, the ceremony in the hall began. Shen Zhixiu then approached again, wanting to see his niece's wedding ceremony with his own eyes.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Shen Zhizheng happened to stand next to Chen Ge Lao.
In a voice only the two of them could hear, he said, "My teacher taught me that a gentleman in government should be open and honest. He should be worthy of his ruler, and even more so, worthy of himself."
In Shen Zhixiu's opinion, these methods were not inappropriate, but it depended on who was using them. As the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, personally sending someone to the Emperor's bed was ultimately contrary to the sage ways he had learned over the years.
He didn't want to blame, but since they were teacher and student, he couldn't help but express his disagreement.
This was one of the few awkward moments for Shen Zhixiu since he entered the court.
A bitter feeling welled up in Chen Zheng's heart, but he couldn't show it.
He just smiled faintly, "Master has also taught you that the political situation is changing rapidly, and sometimes there is no need to be too particular about details."
Shen Zhixiu watched Su Yuanzhou and Shen Yue get married, and the Minister of Rites shouted, "The ceremony is over."
A smile appeared on his face, and then he said to Chen Zheng, "I have learned a lesson."
Shen Zhixiu knew how much irony was contained in this sentence, and Chen Zheng could also hear it.
To others, the two of them chatted and laughed, acting as both colleagues and teachers and students, which was truly a wonderful story.
But they both knew it well, and the relationship between teacher and student was completely broken.
There was no grand banquet at Prince Ning's Mansion today, only a vegetarian banquet without even any alcohol. This was also a sign of respect for Princess Ning and the Shen family.
When Emperor Xuande left, he did not mention the seventh daughter of the Jiang family. However, Shen Zhixiu and Song Zan both knew that this girl would definitely enter the palace.
As to whether this pillow talk will affect the political situation and to what extent, we can only wait and see.
Not long after Emperor Xuande left, the banquet ended.
At the second gate of Prince Ning's Mansion, Su Shunci was saying goodbye to Song Wanwan.
"Aci, didn't you say you were going to accompany your sister-in-law? Go quickly, I'll be back soon. Remember to come back in a couple of days, grandma is still missing you."
Su Shunci smiled and said, "My sister-in-law just got married. I'll accompany her for a few days and then go to visit my grandmother."
After seeing Song Wanwan off, Su Shunci hurried back to the inner courtyard and went to the bridal chamber.
After Shen Yue's wedding ceremony, she drank the wedding wine with Su Yuanzhou, and Su Yuanzhou also lifted the veil. Of course, Shen Yue was in mourning, so the wedding wine was replaced with water.
At this time, Shen Yue had changed into loose home clothes and was sitting by the bed waiting.
When Su Shunci entered the room, she asked, "Sister-in-law, are you hungry? My brother is still seeing off the guests and will be back soon."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
