Consort Hao's expression was not good, and the princesses and noblewomen's expressions were also extremely unpleasant. Everyone looked at each other, and those who were indifferent and had nothing to do with it were a little better, watching the clan members kill each other as if it were a joke.
Of course, the royal family cannot be considered a simple family; it is mixed with the interests of many different families, and princes and princesses often rely on their maternal families.
Zhao Shu slapped them in the face, a severe slap in the face. Looking down on them from a high position, she twisted Consort Hao's intentions. The fiefdom can be given to you, but do you have the face to take it? If you take it, will you still have the face?
Emperor Mingde nodded in agreement, showing a pleased expression to Zhao Shu, and said with emotion, "Ah Jun is sensible. You should all learn from her. Sisters should be modest and considerate of each other, and help each other out."
The princesses and noblewomen were overjoyed and immediately thought of what to say. Who knew that if the emperor was pleased, a fiefdom might fall into their laps? It wouldn't be shameful; accepting it would be a mutual help among sisters.
However, Emperor Mingde did not give them a chance to express their loyalty, filial piety, or sisterly affection. Instead, he criticized Zhao Shu, saying, "It is right for sisters to help each other, but you must also know that how can ordinary people be compared to the imperial family and nobles who have been officials for generations? Do not say such thoughtless things again in the future."
Upon hearing this, everyone was indignant. Ever since Prince Yong and his daughter filed a complaint in the Taihe Hall, the Emperor had changed. He was no longer a gentleman, but a shameless ruler! How utterly shameless!
Zhao Shu obediently admitted her mistake, saying, "Uncle Huang is right to teach me a lesson. I know I was wrong and I will never do it again."
Emperor Mingde was very pleased and satisfied. With a smile in his eyes, he made her sit down, not giving anyone else a chance to speak. He spoke earnestly to Zhao Shu, saying, "Since you were born, I have indulged you a lot. Very well, you are my only daughter among my nineteen brothers, so I naturally have to dote on you. Since I am busy and have no time to care about the affairs of my fiefdom, I am the ruler of a country, governing all people and the world. I dare not compare myself to the wise rulers and sages of the past, but I still care about the people. The fiefdom must not be neglected. So I will follow your advice, but I will also punish you."
Everyone: The Emperor even skipped the whole three-way refusal act; he's truly shameless!
Zhao Shu had to play along in this scene and not let anyone interrupt. Since Emperor Mingde had already said so much, and he had his own ulterior motives, he wouldn't step forward and make a fool of himself.
Emperor Mingde was clearly having a casual chat with Zhao Shu and instructing the younger generation. Although the conversation touched on the fiefdom, it did not involve state affairs. Yang Zhong and others tried several times to stand up and shout, "Your Majesty, we are willing to share your burdens."
But remembering that they hadn't gained anything when Prince Yong returned to his fiefdom last time, and with Huo Baichuan's faction watching him closely—a group of mad dogs and treacherous officials who were not easy to deal with—everyone fell silent.
"Uncle Emperor, why don't you punish A-Jun and find a capable minister for you?" She treated Emperor Mingde as an ordinary uncle, completely disregarding the civil and military officials below. This was not the Taihe Palace, but the Chang Le Palace. She was fearless.
Emperor Mingde thought of Luo Hu and praised Zhao Shu for being sensible, but on his face he had to show a look of doubt. "Tell me, I didn't know that A-jun could find such a capable minister for me."
"Princess, are you perhaps going to recommend Mr. Luo Hu?" Consort Hao asked loudly.
A fierce glint flashed in Emperor Mingde's eyes. This woman had repeatedly caused trouble today.
As soon as she spoke, everyone burst into laughter. Someone said, "We thought the Fourth Young Master was a man of integrity and upright character, but we never expected that Mr. Luo would need a female student's recommendation to enter officialdom. It's truly astonishing."
The speaker was a civil official sitting in the waiting room. It was obvious at a glance that he was a cannon fodder-level nobody. Those of the fourth or fifth rank and above had not yet spoken. However, once he said this, no one pursued the crime of disrespect for speaking without Emperor Mingde's permission. Instead, they laughed and said, "I heard that Luo Hu comes from an ordinary background. It is only natural that he lacks integrity. Don't have too high expectations. Taking female disciples? Hehe, I have never seen such a ridiculous case in my life."
The one who said this was Sun Ganzheng. He was extremely dissatisfied with Zhao Shu, and he spoke without any politeness at this moment.
After hearing his grandfather's words, Sun Yun apologized to Zhao Shu.
Zhao Shu smiled and shook her head, not taking her anger out on her. Sun Yun felt even more guilty and felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.
"Mr. Luo doesn't accept ordinary disciples, but it's different for Prince Yong's only daughter. Everyone knows that His Majesty and the Empress Dowager dote on the princess."
Sun Ganzheng and his faction, one after another, quickly demoted Luo Hu to the dust. Some even said, "This humble official proposes that the Fourth Young Master should be changed to the Third Young Master. Those who seek fame and fortune are not worthy of being mentioned alongside the three Young Masters Xiao, Huo, and Jiang."
"Are you trying to elevate someone else and belittle my teacher?" Zhao Shu sneered as she looked at those people. Among them were people she knew and people she didn't know. She didn't recognize the official who was speaking at the moment. Judging from his fourth-rank official robe, he must have been promoted to be cannon fodder for others when she was not in the capital.
"My teacher taught me to listen to those of high moral character and prestige, to listen to those of great learning and wisdom, to listen to those who love and care for me, and to listen to those of my elders. But he never taught me to listen to those who are self-righteous." These powerful words made everyone in the hall tremble. Those who watched calmly smiled in unison. Such sharp wit and intelligence were truly remarkable.
However, those who had spoken ill of him and mocked him were immediately enraged. The official who had said he wanted to change the Fourth Prince to the Third Prince snorted coldly, his face extremely angry. "I wonder if the Princess spoke so rudely in front of the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, her colleagues, the princes, and the empresses, was it taught by Mr. Luo?" He bowed to each of the people he called out, his intention was very clear: to trample Luo Hu underfoot!
If not, then Luo Hu failed in her duty as a teacher; Zhao Shu was inherently arrogant and rude.
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