Song Hongshen issued an edict, ordering the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the coronation according to the rules. On the day of the coronation, a ceremony was also held to crown Su Zhilan as empress.
All the concubines in the harem were sent to the Xishan Palace within three days.
A court official mentioned the matter of selecting a concubine after the emperor ascended the throne.
Song Hong said in a deep voice: "The Crown Princess is already pregnant, and I don't plan to hold another grand selection of concubines."
"There's no need to discuss this matter any further. You should focus on state affairs instead of keeping an eye on my harem."
When he first ascended the throne, it was the time to show his power and intimidate the ministers. At this time, no one dared to be too presumptuous, so they kept silent and did not mention it anymore.
The news of the emperor's abdication and the prince's accession to the throne was soon announced to the world.
Su Qingyu heaved a sigh of relief when she heard the news. At least the Shen family would be able to live in peace for a long time to come.
Three days later, the crown prince ascended the throne and changed the reign title to Yongping. This year was the first year of Yongping.
After Song Hongshen ascended the throne, he first wiped out the Jiang family.
Afterwards, he worked hard to govern the country, exempted taxes, emphasized agriculture, and opened up sea transportation routes.
The entire court was filled with a scene of prosperity.
He also promoted Lin Wuchen, the third young master of the Lin family, to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and gave him an important position.
At the end of the first year of Yongping, the old lady of the Shen family suddenly fell seriously ill.
Shen Zhixiu submitted his retirement letter and wanted to go home to take care of his elderly mother.
Song Hongshen tried to persuade him to stay, but Shen Zhixiu had made up his mind.
Shen Zhixiu said at the time: "Your Majesty, in the six months since you ascended the throne, the government and reforms have been smooth and stable."
"My departure at this time will have no significant impact on government affairs. A new emperor appoints new ministers. Your Majesty should also select loyal young officials."
"My old mother may not have much time left, and I don't want to have any regrets in the end."
Song Hong was deeply moved and approved Shen Zhixiu's proposal.
The second year of Yongping, the tenth day of the third month.
The younger generations of the Shen family gathered in the main hall of Qingyuanju, all with sad faces.
Su Qingyu was holding her eldest son Chen Cong in her hand, and the wet nurse behind her was holding her second son Chen Ke in her arms.
Chen Ke, who was only four months old, had no idea what was going to happen.
Not long after, Mr. Zhou came out from the inner room.
Everyone gathered around and asked how the old lady was doing.
Mr. Zhou shook his head and said, "I tried my best, but there's nothing I can do to save the situation."
Su Qingyu's tears suddenly fell, and Xiangdong and Second Madam Yang beside her could not control their tears.
Mr. Zhou looked at Shen Zhixiu again, "Zhixiu, the old lady wants you to come in."
Shen Zhixiu knew that his mother must have something to tell him.
He walked towards the inner room, and each step seemed to weigh a thousand pounds.
After entering the inner room, the old lady dismissed the servants and only left Shen Zhixiu.
Shen Zhixiu knelt beside the bed and called out with sobs, "Mom."
The old lady took Shen Zhixiu's hand and said, "Don't cry, my son. Mother is going to see your father. This is a happy event."
Shen Zhixiu held her hand tightly and said, "Mother, I have already sent for the imperial physician. Perhaps someone else can help."
The old lady shook her head and said, "Zhixiu, don't dwell on this. Listen to me, I have lived a very fulfilling life."
"I raised the three of you, and you're all so filial. You married wives and gave me so many grandchildren. Now I can hold my head high when I meet the elders of the Shen family."
"When mother is gone, the Shen family will be handed over to you. You must teach these young people well. Mother doesn't ask them to be rich and powerful, she only hopes that they can live upright lives."
"I'm most confident in you and Qingyu. You should worry more about the affairs of the first and second wives. And you should also take care of Yue'er."
When the old lady said this, she looked much more energetic than in the previous few days.
Shen Zhixiu grabbed her hand and burst into tears.
"Mother, your son has agreed to everything you said. If your son has agreed, he will definitely be able to do it."
The old lady nodded with satisfaction and said, "Let them all come in. I want to take another look at my children and grandchildren."
Shen Zhixiu stood up and walked to the door, telling everyone outside to come in.
A moment later, people from several branches of the Shen family came rushing in.
The old lady spoke to each of them one by one, and it seemed that she was reluctant to let any of them go.
When Su Qingyu brought her two children to the bedside, the old lady took her hand and said, "Qingyu, the future of cultivation will be handed over to you. You should live your life well. I want to thank you for letting me see these two little grandchildren. I will die without regrets."
Su Qingyu was crying uncontrollably. The three-year-old Chen Cong beside her didn't understand what was going on. Her tender little hands tugged at the old lady, "Grandma, I want Grandma."
As soon as Shen Yue entered the room, she knelt at the foot of the old lady's bed, calling "Grandma" over and over again, crying uncontrollably.
After two breaths, the old lady of the Shen family looked around at her children and grandchildren, then passed away peacefully.
Shen Zhixiu suppressed his grief and said, "Everyone kneel down."
Everyone in the Shen family knelt in front of the old lady's bed and kowtowed.
Afterwards, the Shen family began to arrange funeral ceremonies. All officials in the court submitted memorials of mourning, and the Shen family temporarily withdrew from the court.
Since then, Shen Zhixiu began to teach the younger generation at home.
After the Shen family ended their mourning period, Song Hongshen asked Shen Zhixiu to return to the cabinet to take charge of the overall situation several times, but was rejected every time.
The younger generation of the Shen family began to emerge.
Some court officials asserted that based on the teaching and influence of Third Master Shen on the younger generation, as well as the talents and abilities displayed by the younger generation of the Shen family, the Shen family could prosper for another three dynasties.
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