The old lady's eyes widened instantly, and her expression was definitely not joy or excitement. She was surprised for a moment, and then she was puzzled and unwilling.
She couldn't understand how the third branch's daughter could be given the title of county lady.
The son she loved most in her life was her second son, but his entire family did not have a good ending.
She also had high hopes for the eldest son, hoping he would revitalize the Marquisate. But now, his wife and children had left him, and he was only in his thirties, and he had already lost his fighting spirit and ambition. Sometimes, when she looked up, she could even see the white hair on her eldest son's temples.
But this third brother, whom she looked down upon and always treated as an outsider, had a successful career, a harmonious marriage, and a son and a daughter, both of whom were well-educated.
She thought she was a real failure in her life.
She suddenly felt relieved. Seeing the current situation of the third house, she had the confidence to go down and see the old master.
She even had a malicious thought in her mind: why not go there when Su Zhilan was conferred the title? Then people in the capital would say that the fifth daughter of the Su family could not bear the blessing and killed her grandmother.
But it was just a thought, she didn't want to go see the old man so soon.
Su Chengxun was not surprised by the old lady's reaction, but no matter what the old lady's reaction was, he didn't take it to heart.
For him, being filial is a matter of fulfilling his filial duty, as the upbringing he received since childhood requires him to do so.
The second reason is to let my father rest in peace.
As for what the old lady did, he never took it to heart.
Over the years, the only person I felt sorry for was my first wife. She had suffered a lot in this matter.
When Su Chengye heard that Su Zhilan was conferred the title of county lady, he happily asked a few questions.
The two brothers talked for a while, and then a servant came to report that someone from the palace had come to announce the imperial decree.
Su Chengxun left Songhe Hall and hurried to receive the imperial edict.
While the Su family was busy receiving the imperial edict, the prince quietly went to Chen Zheng's residence.
In the study, Chen Zheng welcomed the prince in and ordered his confidants to guard the door and not allow anyone to approach.
Chen Zheng could probably guess why the prince came, but he still said, "Your Highness, if you have something to say, just give me an order. Why did you come in person?"
A servant brought tea, and Chen Zheng brought it in personally and handed it to the prince.
The prince gestured for Chen Zheng to sit down, then said, "Teacher, what do you think of what happened today? As for my father, should I pretend nothing happened, or find an excuse to excuse myself?"
In fact, the prince did not discuss the plot against Song Hongshen with Chen Zheng, and did not even reveal it to him.
But now that he needed Chen Zheng's advice, he didn't hide it. This sentence was like admitting to Chen Zheng that he was the one who instigated this matter.
Chen Zheng remained expressionless, but was extremely dissatisfied in his heart.
This is not the first time the prince has done this. Every time, he does not discuss things beforehand and asks him to clean up the mess afterwards.
If the prince had informed him of this matter, he would not have approved of his plot against Song Hongshen.
Unless he could overthrow the Song family with one blow, making it impossible for them to recover, he would only be causing trouble for himself.
But it's no use saying this now.
Chen Zheng thought for a moment, then said, "Based on my understanding of Your Majesty, he must have some doubts in his heart."
"If Your Highness acts as if nothing happened, His Majesty won't say anything right now, but it will still have an impact in the end."
"We still need to find a reason to make this matter go away. Attitude is also very important. Your Highness, please allow me to think about it..."
Chen Zheng lowered his brows and remained silent for a long time. His hands rested on the armrests of the nanmu chair, his fingers unconsciously tapping the edge.
Before I could figure out how to cover up for the prince, there was a knock on the door.
Chen Zheng knew that if it wasn't something serious, no one would dare to disturb him at this time.
He apologized to the prince, then stood up and walked out.
Not long after, Chen Zheng came in again. After sitting down, he said, "News came from the palace that the Concubine Chen is pregnant."
The prince was startled, then frowned and cursed in his heart what bad luck.
Chen Zheng said, "This is like someone offering a pillow to someone who is sleepy. Your Highness can use this opportunity to reach an agreement with His Majesty on the Song family's affairs."
The prince was puzzled. It was difficult for him and his father to reach an agreement on the matter of the Song family.
Chen Zheng saw the prince's confusion, smiled faintly, then leaned towards the prince and spoke in a low voice.
When teaching Shen Zhixiu in the past, there were many things that Shen Zhixiu could understand without Chen Zheng’s explicit explanation.
But since he started teaching the prince, Chen Zheng often felt deeply powerless.
Many words were broken down and said, but still had little effect.
So, qualifications are a gift from God, if you don’t have them, you don’t have them.
When Chen Zheng spoke, the prince looked hesitant, but still nodded after Chen Zheng finished speaking.
"I've remembered this. I'll be back to the palace soon."
Chen Zheng personally escorted the Crown Prince to the gate and said, "Your Highness, I have one more thing to say. Actually, Your Highness, there is no need to be anxious. His Majesty has no intention of changing the crown prince. Your Highness only needs to fulfill his duties as the crown prince."
"Before Your Highness ascends the throne, His Majesty will definitely clear away any obstacles for you."
"The Emperor is now in his prime, and it would be inappropriate for Your Highness to be too ambitious. Before Your Highness ascends the throne, you can actually show some weakness."
If the Crown Prince was cunning and could hide his emotions, Chen Zheng wouldn't have said this. As the Crown Prince, it's not a bad thing to have ambition.
But the prince only has ambition but no ability or means. That ambition will become a death warrant, and those who follow the prince will also be implicated.
The prince casually agreed, "Teacher is right, I understand."
Chen Zheng saw clearly that the prince was just being perfunctory. He sighed inwardly and sent the man away.
After quietly leaving from Chenjiajiao Gate, the prince got on an inconspicuous carriage with green curtains.
The Second Prince, who was waiting in the carriage, bowed and asked, "Royal brother, what did Lord Chen say?"
The second prince was very smart. He had no involvement in the plot against Song Hongshen.
Even if Shen Zhixiu personally investigated the matter thoroughly, he could not find any fault with the Second Prince.
The Crown Prince stated Chen Zheng’s opinion, and he also wanted to hear what the Second Prince had to say.
Upon hearing this, the Second Prince said, "Master Chen is indeed worthy of being the Prime Minister of the Cabinet. This is a brilliant idea."
In fact, the second prince felt extremely unbalanced. How could a prince with such qualifications get support from someone like Lord Chen?
If his family background was better, and people like Chen Ge Lao and Shen Zhixiu supported him, he would even have the confidence that he could achieve as much as Taizu.
After hearing what the second prince said, the prince felt much more at ease.
The two discussed some details and then parted ways in a deserted place on Suzaku Street.
The prince went straight back to the palace and knelt at the door of the imperial study.
When he knelt down, Emperor Xuande was not in the imperial study, but had gone to see Concubine Chen.
When Emperor Xuande came back, he walked past the crown prince and entered the imperial study, acting as if he had not seen him.
As the bright yellow hem of his robe passed by, the prince recalled Chen Zheng's words: If the emperor didn't call him or ask about it, it meant he was truly angry. Then, kneeling for as long as he could would be worth it.
While kneeling, he pondered Chen Zheng's words over and over again.
An hour later, Hu Lu walked up to the Crown Prince and said respectfully, "Your Highness, His Majesty summons you in."
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