When Su Qingyu arrived at the study in the outer courtyard, Wenzhu was guarding the door.
Seeing her enter the yard, he came forward to greet her and bowed, then said, "The Third Master is talking to the Fifth Master in the study."
Su Qingyu was stunned. Fifth Young Master Chen Cheng? How old was he, and he could come to the study to discuss matters?
She was rather curious about what the uncle and nephew would say.
Su Qingyu walked to the window and could just see the scene inside the house through the window lattice.
Shen Zhixiu and Shen Cheng sat across from each other at the desk. Nine-year-old Shen Cheng had a stern face and listened intently to what Shen Zhixiu was saying.
The two are uncle and nephew, teacher and student, and if you ignore Chen Cheng's age, they look like colleagues.
Although the child is only nine years old, his tender profile shows a sense of calmness.
At this moment, the two were talking about Liu Tao, the former Protector of the Nation General. Chen Cheng asked, "Since you knew he was taking empty salaries and embezzling food, why did you still use him to fight in Mobei?"
"Shouldn't people like this be dealt with directly when they are found out?"
Chen Cheng didn't understand how a corrupt general could be given such an important position.
Shen Zhixiu smiled, then explained seriously, "The court knew he was corrupt and what he did. But he was not only brave and skilled in battle, but also familiar with the terrain of Mobei. Given the circumstances at the time, he was the most suitable person to go."
Chen Cheng was still puzzled. "But even if there is a reckoning after the war, it will give him more opportunities to do evil. Doesn't the court count as aiding and abetting the evil?"
He asked seriously, looking at Shen Zhixiu with his bright eyes.
Shen Zhixiu shook his head and said, "The court's decision is also the result of weighing the pros and cons. Do you think the small amount of military pay he embezzled is more important, or the safety of the border town and the lives of the people?"
When the imperial court recruited people, it never considered whether they were honest or incorruptible. Honest and incorruptible people were good people, but they were not necessarily good officials.
Chen Cheng seemed to understand but not quite, and lowered his head in thought.
Shen Zhixiu knew he was still young, so he said, "Go back and read more about this in history books. You'll naturally understand it after reading more."
Chen Cheng got off the chair and bowed respectfully, "My nephew will take his leave."
When he saw Su Qingyu after going out, Chen Cheng showed a bright smile and said, "Greetings to Third Aunt."
Su Qingyu helped him up and told Feicui to take the Fifth Young Master back. In Su Qingyu's eyes, he was still a child.
Chen Cheng said seriously, "Don't worry, Aunt San. Cheng'er is already a man and can go back by himself."
Having said that, he said goodbye and left.
Su Qingyu smiled and shook her head, what a little adult.
She walked into the study, and Shen Zhixiu looked at her with a smile, "This child is very close to you."
Su Qingyu sat down on the chair where Chen Cheng had sat before. "He's a little kid, he'll get close to whoever treats him well. You always have a stern face, so naturally he's afraid of you."
Shen Zhixiu walked around the desk and came to Su Qingyu's side. He leaned over and asked, "Are you tired after going out today? Why don't you go back and lie down?"
Su Qingyu gestured for Shen Zhixiu to sit down, and then talked about what happened in Fanjin Tower today.
Shen Zhixiu's face was gloomy at first, but when he heard Su Qingyu talk about the reaction of the third young master Qin, his expression relaxed.
Su Qingyu spoke in a calm tone, explaining how the dispute arose and everyone's expressions and tone of voice.
She has always been like this. She would tell Shen Zhixiu anything she thought was related to court politics or her family.
When speaking, he did not bring any personal emotions and tried to describe the scene as objectively as possible so that Shen Zhixiu could make the right judgment.
After she finished speaking, Su Qingyu belatedly asked Shen Zhixiu, "Did I go too far? If I disrupt the Rong family's marriage, I'm afraid I'll become enemies."
It's hard to say how the Qin family will react. If they really want to ruin someone's marriage, then this matter could be a big deal or a small one. If Prince Rong gets angry, it could be a big problem for the Shen family.
Shen Zhixiu leaned back in his chair, a rare lazy look on his face.
"If you really cancel the engagement, I will give you a credit."
Su Qingyu looked puzzled, "What do you mean?"
Shen Zhixiu sat up straight again and began to explain to Su Qingyu.
"Recently, the Rong family has been very close to the Crown Prince and the Li family. Anyone with an eye can see that the Rong family is trying to take sides."
"There's one thing you don't know. The second daughter of the Qin family is engaged to Zhang Pan, the Xuanwu King. But it's just a private agreement, and the betrothal gift hasn't been made yet."
Su Qingyu asked, "Is that the second young lady of the Qin family who was going to be seen by Shen Hong before? She has a crush on King Xuanwu, so this is what she wanted."
She wasn't surprised by this marriage. The Qin family and the Xuanwu Palace were already related, so an even closer relationship wasn't surprising.
Shen Zhixiu nodded and said, "Yes, it's her. The Qin family and the Xuanwu Palace are very close and share the same blood. If the Rong family were to marry into the Qin family again, it would cause too many variables."
"The most important thing is that the Third Young Master of the Qin family is in charge of the Fanjin Tower. If the Rong family sides with the Crown Prince and encourages the Third Young Master Qin to use the financial resources of the Fanjin Tower to support the Crown Prince, then if the Qin family and the Xuanwu Palace switch sides, the Crown Prince's ascension to the throne will be a piece of cake."
On the civil side, there was the support of the Cabinet Prime Minister Chen Zheng; on the military side, there were the Rong, Qin, and Zhang families; and on the financial side, there was the Fanjinlou. Shen Zhixiu shuddered at the thought of this situation.
If Qin Yuan breaks off the engagement because of what happened today, then the Rong family will be the only one left to worry about.
Shen Zhixiu explained it clearly, and Su Qingyu also figured out the key point.
Then he smiled and said, "Then I may have hit the jackpot. Third Master, please don't break your promise. If they cancel the engagement, you must give me credit for it."
He spoke lightly, but felt a little heavy in his heart.
The Third Master didn't often talk about court matters, fearing she would worry. But she could sense that the conflict between him and the Crown Prince was intensifying. If this continued, the Crown Prince might not tolerate the Shen family anymore.
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