Chapter 83 The Abandoned Eldest Daughter Makes a Comeback (7 Chapters)
Anxi, who rushed over from the Eastern Palace, could hardly believe it.
Is this really his proud and taciturn prince?
However, when Anxi's gaze fell on Shen Yunzhen, she felt it was only natural.
Such ethereal beauty would have captivated even a rootless man like him, let alone a vigorous young man like His Highness.
Anxi didn't dare to look any longer and lowered her head, silently increasing the distance between them.
Seeing that it was almost time, Anxi took a few steps closer, bowed slightly, and said respectfully, "Young Master, Miss Shen, it's getting late. Why don't you have lunch first?"
Xiao Chengxu suddenly snapped out of his excitement and realized how rude he had been.
He apologized, saying, "I'm sorry, I forgot the time."
Shen Yunzhen shook her head and smiled, "It's alright, what you said was very interesting. I also didn't notice the passage of time."
Perhaps because her body was infused with a trace of energy, she hadn't felt any hunger yet.
Of course, this only happens when she first arrives; she still needs to eat regularly.
Xiao Chengxu's heart softened even more, and he became even more tender and affectionate: "That's good."
Then, he nodded slightly to Anxi and said, "Lead the way."
Anxi led the way, with Xiao Chengxu and Shen Yunzhen following behind.
Throughout the journey, Xiao Chengxu's gaze kept drifting towards Shen Yunzhen, his heart pounding like a deer.
He imagined that his married life with Yunzhen would be like this: they would stroll together in the garden, dine together, and embrace each other in the afterglow of the setting sun...
Just thinking about it made Xiao Chengxu feel intoxicated, and an intense sense of happiness spread through his heart.
At the same time, Shen Yunzhen sensed a faint power of love and desire.
She understood, turned her head slightly, her gaze met Xiao Chengxu's for a moment, and then she moved forward without making a sound, her lips curving slightly upward.
Upon arriving at the dining hall, Xiao Chengxu personally led Shen Yunzhen to the head seat: "Now you are the master of this place."
From now on, she will not only be the master of this place, but also the master of the Eastern Palace.
Shen Yunzhen sat down without saying anything, adopting a stance of neither taking the initiative nor refusing.
Xiao Chengxu sat down beside her, and Anxi gave a wink. The maids immediately filed in, and the table was soon filled with all sorts of exquisite dishes, clearly prepared with care.
Xiao Chengxu said, "I don't know if these will suit your taste. If there's anything you don't like, just tell the kitchen to make something else."
Shen Yunzhen nodded slightly.
After finishing his meal, Xiao Chengxu stayed for a cup of tea. It was no longer appropriate for him to stay any longer, so he reluctantly got up to say goodbye.
He paused as he stood up, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Yunzhen, what are your thoughts on Shen Zheng... and your father's matter?"
Shen Yunzhen replied without hesitation, "He is not my father."
From the original owner's memories, Shen Yunzhen knew that this person was a scumbag. She had no intention of associating with him, let alone putting on a show of deep father-daughter affection.
She just wanted the other person to disappear as soon as possible so as not to affect her enjoyable life.
Xiao Chengxu breathed a sigh of relief and nodded solemnly: "I understand."
Perfect, he doesn't need to hold back anymore.
He will not let him get away with treating Yun Zhen like this!
Xiao Chengxu left full of fighting spirit.
His actions surprised many people.
Shen Yunzhen's existence was not a secret. Her estate was located in the outskirts of the capital, and her background was quickly found out.
These people also speculated that Shen Zhengde had sided with His Highness the Crown Prince, but didn't they see that he had even given away his eldest daughter?
Who knew that the Crown Prince would simply send the person to his residence outside the palace and not bring him back to the Eastern Palace.
This is something many people don't understand.
What exactly happened between His Highness the Crown Prince and Shen Zhengde?
If Shen Zhengde has already submitted to the Crown Prince, then why is the Crown Prince treating his legitimate daughter this way?
They were not brought back to the Eastern Palace, nor were they given any official status. What was the point of this arrangement with the concubine?
His actions were undoubtedly a slap in the face to Shen Zhengde.
But if there was a grudge between the two, why would Shen Zhengde willingly send his legitimate daughter away?
That's really puzzling.
The atmosphere at the morning court session the following day was somewhat delicate. Many court officials had different expressions, their eyes darting back and forth between the Crown Prince and Shen Zhengde, while some censors were eager to try their luck, rubbing their hands together in preparation for impeaching the two.
"If you have something to report, please do so; otherwise, the court may adjourn."
An imperial censor raised his hand to touch his official hat, then lightly flicked his sleeves, straightened his posture, and was about to step out of the ranks.
Xiao Chengxu said loudly, "Father, I have something to report."
The censor froze instantly, forced to watch helplessly as Xiao Chengxu stepped forward.
Xiao Yuheng, seated high on the dragon throne, said calmly, "Granted."
Xiao Chengxu bowed respectfully. "Father, I wish to impeach Shen Zhengde, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. As an official of the court, Shen Zhengde has committed many despicable acts."
He took his concubine as his wife, wantonly seized his deceased first wife's dowry, and mistreated her daughter in every way. Such behavior is truly contrary to human ethics and morality, and runs counter to the ethical principles and moral teachings advocated by our dynasty.
Your Majesty, I believe that an official must possess not only talent but also virtue. How can someone as unfilial, unjust, and morally corrupt as Shen Zhengde shoulder the heavy responsibilities entrusted to him by the court? How can he possibly serve the people and the nation? He is utterly unfit to be an official!
"I humbly beseech Your Majesty to render a stern judgment, severely punish Shen Zhengde, restore justice to his first wife, and ensure a clean and upright atmosphere in the court."
Upon hearing this, the court fell silent.
They had many guesses, but they never expected His Highness the Crown Prince to do something like this.
Look at what he's saying!
Impeaching Shen Zhengde for misappropriating his first wife's dowry and mistreating his eldest daughter was no big deal for the officials; it was a trivial matter.
Every family has its share of filth.
His Highness the Crown Prince had never cared about these things before.
Matters concerning the inner quarters should not be impeached by the crown prince himself.
But he did say it anyway, and he did it in front of all the civil and military officials.
Xiao Chengxu seemed oblivious to the gazes of the ministers, remaining motionless with his eyes downcast and his mind at peace.
He knew very well that this impeachment would be of little consequence to Shen Zhengde, but he deliberately used this point to impeach him.
Inviting Shen Yunzhen was ultimately an impulsive act, but he genuinely couldn't accept her continuing to live on that estate. He just should have acted more carefully.
He only came to his senses after leaving Shen Yunzhen's residence, and his actions would bring much criticism to Shen Yunzhen.
Xiao Chengxu truly cherished Shen Yunzhen, and his actions were to testify for her and demonstrate his high regard for her.
Shen Yunzhen is by no means a dispensable woman, much less a mistress as others have slandered her.
She was the beloved person whom Xiao Chengxu was willing to cherish and carefully protect with all his heart.
As for dealing with Shen Zhengde, that's just an appetizer.
Xiao Chengxu wanted him to fall back down the way he had climbed up, or even fall more miserably, so that he could at least make up for some of Yunzhen's suffering over the years.
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