Does he really want to see Qi Zhenzhen?
He was the one who sent her into the palace. Now she is the emperor's concubine, while he is a minister stationed at the border. What can they say to each other after they meet?
Take her away from the palace? Qi Xiao felt he didn't have the ability, or rather, he didn't even have the idea. The inviolability of imperial power had become an indelible mark on his heart. Even if he were beaten to death, he wouldn't dare to take a woman from the emperor.
When Shen Shi asked him if he wanted to meet Qi Zhenzhen, a jumble of thoughts raced through Qi Xiao's mind. Torn between these conflicting thoughts, Qi Xiao changed the subject, asking, "How has Her Highness the Imperial Concubine been lately?"
After the question of whether or not to meet was raised, Shen Shi silently observed Qi Xiao's expression. She thought he would be excited and happy, but what she saw on his face was hesitation and bewilderment.
In that instant, Shen Shi immediately understood his thoughts, "The Consort is naturally doing well in the palace."
Since Qi Xiao didn't have the courage, Shen Shi naturally didn't bother arguing with him. What did the relationship between the male and female leads have to do with him? It wasn't like he hadn't given Qi Xiao a chance. Who else could Qi Xiao blame if he didn't seize it?
Qi Xiao's expression was initially one of relief, but then it became conflicted, as if he had something to say but couldn't bring himself to say it.
His dawdling annoyed Shen Shi, who waved him away, saying, "I'm tired of talking for so long, you may leave now."
Seeing the Emperor's impatient expression, Qi Xiao ultimately didn't utter the words he wanted to say. However, this couldn't be blamed on Shen Shi's lack of patience; someone as indecisive as Qi Xiao would get nowhere no matter how long he waited.
Ultimately, it all comes down to Qi Zhenzhen falling in love with the wrong person. In any era, such a distorted relationship is destined to be unacceptable.
After Qi Xiao left, Shen Shi immediately ordered someone to convey his words to Qi Zhenzhen verbatim.
Shen Shi had already done what he promised. As for Qi Zhenzhen's reaction after hearing it, he didn't know and had no interest in paying attention, since the main event was about to begin.
Shen Shi always believed that if you love someone, you should give them the best. He was even more eager to give Ji Ying'er the whole world. Under his special attention, the coronation ceremony was held more grandly than ever before.
Dressed in empress's attire, Ji Ying'er was escorted by Shen Shi to the Temple of Sages, where, witnessed by the ancestors, she rightfully became empress.
"From this day forward, I am Your Majesty's wife. I have no regrets in this life for receiving such great love."
Ji Ying'er looked at Shen Shi with a smile in her beautiful eyes, his handsome figure reflected in them, her gaze filled with infatuation.
Their hands were clasped tightly together, and Shen Shi could clearly feel that Ji Ying'er's palms were sweaty with nervousness, as were his.
"Yes, Ying'er will stay by my side for the rest of her life and we will never be apart." Facing the seniors, Shen Shi spoke sweet words without any restraint.
At this moment, he was completely blinded by love, and Ji Ying'er was the only one in his eyes and heart. The distant bells and the birds chirping in the temple became nothing more than background noise for the lovers.
On the day of the coronation ceremony, Ji Ying'er moved to Weiyang Palace. The Empress's residence was naturally very good. The palace furnishings, regardless of size, were of the best. Most importantly, it was very close to Shen Shi's Qingyang Palace.
When Chen Shi is free, she can visit him whenever she wants, without having to go through all the hassle of meeting him before.
After the coronation ceremony, Shen Shi put the matter of dealing with Prime Minister Zhang on the agenda.
The second young master of the Zhang family has been in the Shenxing Division for several days. Originally, Shen Shi wanted to deal with him immediately, but in order not to bring bad luck to the grand ceremony, he postponed the matter for two more days.
Prime Minister Zhang had already thought he was in deep trouble, and these two days of delay made him see it all over again.
In order to exonerate his son and for his own wealth and status, Prime Minister Zhang began to frequently contact his allies, planning to make a final gamble.
Prime Minister Zhang's plan was nothing more than to put pressure on Shen Shi to exonerate him.
The reality was far more cruel than the imagined. When this powerful prime minister actually tried to contact his network of contacts, he was surprised to find that not a single person was willing to help him.
It's not surprising that everyone did this. Anyone could see that the Emperor was going to take action against the Zhang family. Who would want to suffer the same fate as Prime Minister Zhang if they didn't want to be executed along with their entire family?
The only people he could win over were those he had leverage over, but these people generally held low-ranking positions and were all people he had personally promoted.
Prime Minister Zhang feared that once these people were exposed, he would lose his last trump card. Even if he survived this current crisis, if they attacked him again later, wouldn't he be like a clay bodhisattva crossing a river, barely able to save himself?
Whether to prioritize the present or the future is a question that most people don't even need to hesitate about. After all, if you can't even take care of the present, what future can you expect?
But for Prime Minister Zhang, who rose from humble beginnings to the top step by step, the ability to plan ten steps ahead for every step he took was ingrained in his very being.
Even though he was the passive party, even though he had no choice at all, he still thought about this problem.
Fortunately, Shen Shi did not give him much time. On the first day after the coronation ceremony, Prime Minister Zhang's second son was interrogated. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, his confession was presented on Shen Shi's desk.
According to Zhang Er Gongzi, Prime Minister Zhang not only colluded with bandits to harm and oppress people in various places and extort money, but also colluded with external forces and committed the crime of treason.
Based on the principle of presuming guilt, Shen Shi immediately issued an edict to seal up the Prime Minister's residence and imprison Zhang Zaiguan.
The people below were all shrewd; they could tell what to do just by looking at the emperor's attitude.
As a result, Prime Minister Zhang, who had already been imprisoned, was impeached by a group of people. They listed a whole host of crimes, such as oppressing the people, raping women, accepting bribes, and buying and selling official positions. Prime Minister Zhang suddenly became universally condemned.
Some of these things Shen Shi already knew, while others were just rumors spread by his subordinates. But regardless of whether he was wronged or not, Prime Minister Zhang's various crimes were enough to warrant his execution eight hundred times over.
Of course, Prime Minister Zhang had cultivated his influence in the court for many years, and there were quite a few people who tried to plead for him.
However, Shen Shi's attitude was very firm. Anyone who spoke up for him was dismissed from office. After this happened several times, no one dared to utter a word.
Prime Minister Zhang was ultimately convicted of treason and sentenced to immediate execution. His family members who were guilty were dealt with according to the criminal law, while those who were innocent were demoted to commoners.
Under Shen Shi's swift and decisive actions, the Zhang family's influence was basically wiped out. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Shen Shi also dealt with the prominent families in the capital, giving a good scolding to several disobedient ones.
For a time, the entire court was filled with apprehension, fearing that the emperor might displease them and have them dragged out and beheaded.
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