Chapter 297 The Wu Family!
"Those who were given residences in the capital can go and take them back today. The rewards His Majesty has given you should be used lavishly in front of all the people of the capital."
"yes!"
Shen Lanxi continued, "Those who are assigned official positions can assume their duties after settling their families."
Qian Feng and Xiao Fang: "Yes!"
Shen Lanxi's gaze fell on Yan Huai and Sun Qian, and her tone became a warning: "The mastermind behind the Wei family army case should be hiding in the capital. The two of you should not appear in public for the time being."
"yes!"
It's best if the Zhou Emperor doesn't make a move. Once he does, she'll meticulously investigate even the smallest clue to uncover the culprit behind it all.
The news of the opening of the special examination was quickly announced to the world, and no one was happier than the students across the country. They had studied diligently since childhood, hoping to pass the imperial examination and bring glory to their families.
The imperial examination system had been suspended for six years, and scholars across the land were disheartened. Now that the country was finally at peace, many scholars disregarded etiquette and wept with joy in the streets.
Among these happy people was Shen Congwen.
"His Majesty has opened a grand imperial examination, and you have all studied diligently for a long time. Finally, you have the opportunity to display your talents. From today until two days before the examination, you are not allowed to step out of the gate again. Send away all the maids in your rooms and replace them with efficient servants. If any of the writing implements are missing, go and buy them immediately. Also, I have collected some rare copies, as well as the Four Books and Five Classics that I have personally annotated. Take them all back and study them."
After leaving the court, Shen Congwen immediately returned home and gathered his sons who were studying together for a talk.
After listening for a while, Shen Yuanqing and the others began to drift off into their own thoughts. Even after Shen Yuanjing brought his wife and children back from outside the city, Shen Congwen hadn't stopped talking.
Madam Shen and her family were already waiting in the main hall. This was the wife that the eldest grandson of the main branch had brought back from the Northwest. It was a marriage bestowed by His Majesty. Kangzhu was also a princess of the Oirat Mongols. It was a marriage between two nations, so Madam Shen naturally attached great importance to it.
“Mother, Yuan Tang and the others have been away to pick up the princess for some time now. Should we send someone to urge them to hurry up?” As soon as Liu finished speaking, she was glared at by the old lady.
"You can't control your sister-in-law." Someone who can't see the bigger picture.
Liu, Miao, and Tian all curled their lips in disapproval. The old lady's flattery was too obvious, as if she wanted everyone to know that she was opportunistic.
Shen Lanxi accompanied Shen Yuanjing to pick up Kangzhu and her daughter outside the city. They traveled quickly and endured wind and rain, which the child could not bear.
"Little Emei, let your aunt take a look and see if you've grown any bigger." Shen Lanxi looked at the little girl with wide eyes who giggled as soon as she saw her, and a beautiful smile involuntarily appeared on her face as well.
"Look what your aunt brought you." Shen Lanxi waved her hand, and Wei Dongzhu took out a string of golden wind chimes from the box.
Shen Yuanjing and Kang Zhu's eyes lit up; what an exquisite item!
With such exquisite craftsmanship and inlaid with gemstones, it must be extremely precious.
Shen Lanxi: "When the little girl is awake in the future, hang this wind chime by her bedside. The tinkling sound will surely please our little Emei."
"Thank you, big sister!" Kangzhu carefully took the wind chime. The gold wire hanging the bell was as thin as a hair, and it must have been made by a top craftsman.
Shen Yuanjing's eyes lingered on the older sister and Wei Dongzhu, and his smile deepened.
"Let's go back to the manor and talk!"
~
Since Zhou Xinrou had not yet returned, and Kangzhu and her son had returned, it was not considered a formal family banquet. However, Madam Shen still had it prepared as a small family banquet, so that the family could get together under the guise of a small family banquet.
"Greetings to Grandmother!" Kangzhu had specially asked her nanny to teach her the etiquette of the capital before she came, and her bows were perfectly proper and without a single mistake.
Seeing that Kang Zhu was dressed as a woman from the Central Plains and respected her elders, Madam Shen nodded in satisfaction and immediately instructed her personal maid to bring out the gifts that had been prepared in advance.
"These bracelets are the old man's most cherished possessions, and I present them to my granddaughter-in-law as a gift today."
Kang Zhu looked at Shen Yuanjing, who nodded, and then she handed over her hand.
"Thank you for your kindness, Grandmother."
Afterwards, Madam Shen gave the child a longevity lock, and the other families also presented their prepared gifts.
Kangzhu reciprocated with a gift, and after the exchange of gifts, as they began to arrange seating, a commotion arose in the backyard.
"Why can't my child and I be seated? I'm also a daughter-in-law of the Shen family, and my son is the grandson of the second branch of the Shen family. Please let me in..."
Madam Shen's face darkened instantly.
"You brat, weren't you locked in your room? How did you get out?"
Liu was embarrassed and was about to stand up to see what was happening when Shen Conglian questioned her.
"Which second branch of the Shen family? I'm not home, where did this child come from?" He wasn't even home, so who did the women from the second branch have children with?
Old Master Shen's face darkened even more after hearing this. "That fool of a second son! This is a family banquet, not a place for him to act foolishly."
Liu explained to Shen Conglian, trying to cover it up, "It's Wu from Yuanxu's room."
Shen Conglian asked in a loud voice, "Which Wu..." He remembered who it was halfway through the question.
Why did you bring her home?
Liu looked to the old lady for help, and the old lady looked uncomfortable.
"Second son, sit down first. All of you, sit down. Liu, you explain to them!"
With her son's dark and gloomy face, Liu didn't dare to look up at her eldest son.
“Mother, didn’t I say I didn’t want you to interfere?” Shen Yuanxu said through gritted teeth and a frown.
Feeling wronged, Liu decided to take the plunge.
"It was that Wu woman again. She knew I would soften my heart. She knelt before me with the child in her arms. Seeing how sick the child was, I softened for a moment and..."
Shen Yuanxu said angrily, "Mother, Wu and I divorced long ago. You brought her into our home again. What will outsiders think?"
With her head down, Liu explained with a heart full of grievance: "I'm not pitying Wu, I'm pitying the child. Yuanxu, no matter what kind of character Wu is, that child is still our Shen family's flesh and blood!"
Shen Yuanxu was so anxious that his veins were bulging. He quickly turned to look at Shen Lanxi.
The latter gave a reassuring look with a faint smile.
"This Wu woman is indeed malicious. She saw that Yuanxu had a bright future and deliberately came to ruin his marriage."
Liu was taken aback.
Madam Shen's expression also changed.
Shen Lanxi: "When our Shen family was exiled before, the women severed ties with their relatives, divorced, or broke off their engagements. Now that our Shen family has risen again, these people are clinging to us again. Do they think that our Shen family is all spineless cowards?"
Madam Shen gave Shen Lanxi a deep look: "Second son, order someone to send Madam Wu back to the Wu family."
Liu hurriedly asked, "Mother, where is the child?" The child is a member of the Shen family and cannot be sent away.
"Mother..." Shen Yuanxu called out softly.
Liu panicked. Why was her son calling her? She was protecting her son's flesh and blood. Could they have misunderstood? Did her son want Wu to stay?
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