Chapter 544 The Shen Family Attends a Banquet at the Palace!
The official knelt down, prostrating himself, and said, "Your subject dares not."
Shen Lanxi: "Just wait. Once I've made up my mind, I will naturally announce it here in the Golden Palace and then proclaim it to the world!"
The censors cried out, "Our Emperor is wise and benevolent!"
No one presented any memorials during the morning court session; the officials were trembling with fear, only wanting the session to end as soon as possible.
They always felt that things weren't over.
When the court session ended, the official who had been criticizing others walked with a swagger, looking as if he were about to gain power.
"Lord Yan, how about we go to the newly opened Red Moon Pavilion for a couple of drinks tonight?"
The person who was called quickly waved his hand and said, "The petitioner from Hanshui requests the construction of a north-south crisscrossing waterway. I have to go to the Ministry of Revenue to solicit donations. The situation is urgent, so I will not go."
The censor wanted to say there was no need to rush, but Lord Yan had already gone far away.
"Lord Liu, how about a drink at Red Moon Pavilion?"
"No, no, the Ministry of Revenue is in dire need of funds lately, and His Majesty is keeping a close eye on things. I need to go to the Court of Judicial Review to urge them to pay the concubine tax. Time is of the essence and the task is heavy."
"Lord Wang, Red Moon Pavilion, this is my treat."
"No, no, His Majesty has been very concerned about the implementation of the new policies lately, and has asked us to write a detailed memorial. We're already scratching our heads with worry, how can we have time to go!"
He asked more than a dozen familiar officials, but was refused by all of them.
The official chuckled and turned to leave.
Don't think he doesn't know what those people are thinking. His Majesty is different from them. He has already figured out His Majesty's temperament.
His Majesty favors those who dare to speak out. Many officials who dare to speak out end up dying for their cause. Countless officials have made their names in history because of their remonstrances. Although he cannot die for his cause, he dares to speak what others dare not, and has already stood out among the court officials.
Gaining His Majesty's favor is just around the corner.
Many new dancers have recently arrived at Red Moon Pavilion. They dance gracefully to the soft music. How wonderful!
...
The next day, Shen Lanxi received news that the censor had died in a brothel.
In the imperial court, Shen Lanxi was both angry and regretful.
"I never imagined that a seemingly upright and incorruptible official would actually set foot in a brothel. For a high-ranking official of the court to die in such a manner is an utter disgrace to our dynasty."
Most of the courtiers were thinking to themselves: Didn't you do it?
Shen Lanxi said sternly, "This matter must be investigated thoroughly to ensure the integrity of my court and prevent the people from losing faith in my officials."
The officials remained silent; the death of the censor must be related to Shen Lanxi.
"The Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice must cooperate in the investigation and bring the murderer to justice!"
Shen Lanxi's choice surprised everyone.
Who was Wei Jie of the Dali Temple? He was known for his uprightness, incorruptibility, and stubbornness. Otherwise, he would have been impeached and forced to retire long ago because of his brilliant case-solving skills.
He had earned the late emperor's trust because he was impartial and a loyal subject.
Shen Lanxi handed over the case of the death of the censor to Wei Jie. Could it be that the death of the censor really had nothing to do with her?
After the court session ended, the officials from the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Personnel remained.
Shen Lanxi went straight to the point and said, "I know what you're thinking. Here, I can tell you the truth: I didn't do the death of the censor."
This was exactly what the officials of the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Personnel wanted to ask, but dared not.
Now that they heard the definite answer from Shen Lanxi, they knew what to do.
Shen Lanxi solemnly said, "If it were really me who did it, I wouldn't be looking for you. I would just find some fancy-looking imperial envoy."
The people of Dali Temple understood even better.
This was the first time we'd encountered such a "straightforward" emperor, which greatly reduced the difficulty of solving the case.
At least, the step of trying to guess the emperor's intentions is gone!
...
The death of the censor was like a gentle breeze across a lake, causing only a few ripples, which were quickly overshadowed by other important events.
For example, news came from the direction of Tianjin.
"Zhou Ruyuan's whereabouts have been discovered near Tianjin."
“Jinmen is located at the key point of Dongchuan. If Zhou Ruyuan chooses to settle there, he will definitely take over Dongchuan.”
"Your Majesty, Zhou Ruyuan colluded with foreign tribes, angered the late Emperor to death, and launched a rebellion. He deserves to be executed!"
"Your Majesty, please send troops immediately to encircle and annihilate them!"
The attention that was focused on offspring was instantly diverted to Zhou Ruyuan.
Shen Lanxi: "I have already sent scouts to investigate. Once the investigation is complete, I will not let them off lightly!"
News of Zhou Ruyuan, who had been missing for several months, has resurfaced, sparking widespread discussion throughout the court and among the public.
Amid the debate, Shen Lanxi finally managed to find time to meet with the Shen family.
Under the pretext of Shen Yuanjing's offspring visiting the palace, Shen Lanxi held a family banquet in the palace.
Previously, such banquets in the palace were usually held in the evening.
Today, Shen Lanxi has issued a special decree.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees... Considering that Madam Shen is old, the Shen family has young children, and many of the women in the family are pregnant, which causes many inconveniences, the banquet will be moved to noon. So be it!"
This was not the first time the Shen family had been summoned to the palace, but they were being treated with even greater urgency than before.
The one sitting on the dragon throne today is surnamed Shen, and he is a member of the Shen family!
They were relatives of the emperor, and attending a banquet at the palace was like returning home.
The Shen family had already made preparations in advance, so they were not in a hurry when they received the imperial edict.
On the day of the banquet, palace eunuchs and imperial guards arrived early in the morning on imperial horses to pick them up—what an honor for the Shen family!
"Eldest son, when you see Lanxi later, don't have a stern face, understand?" Old Madam Shen was afraid that her eldest son would ruin the family banquet, so she had given him this instruction eight times since she got up.
When Shen Congwen got really annoyed by all the instructions, he would impatiently reply with a sentence.
"I understand, Mother."
"Mother, your son is all grown up now."
Madam Shen would only stop talking after hearing her son's reply, and then turn to instruct others.
"Keep a close eye on the children. Each maid should watch one child. Once we get to the palace, make sure they don't break the rules of the Shen family."
"Understood, Madam!"
"Eldest brother, second brother, third brother, fourth brother, it's almost time. Bring me the dragon-headed walking stick that Lanxi had someone send me last time."
"Oh dear Mother, that cane is so heavy it needs to be carried. Can you even lift it?"
"Bah, you worthless fools! That's a dragon-headed cane bestowed by the Emperor; no one else has one, and you're complaining about it."
"Second brother, third brother, fourth brother, your eldest brother has trouble walking, so you two carry him. I just want everyone who's watching the Shen family's mishap to see how powerful the Shen family is!"
That's not a dragon-headed walking stick! That's an iron hammer. I don't know what Lanxi was thinking when she gave it to her.
The three sons who were called out sighed and went to their mother's bedroom to carry her cane.
"Second, third, and fourth sons, His Majesty has said that regardless of whether they are legitimate or illegitimate, wives or concubines, as long as they are members of the Shen family, they are allowed to attend the family banquet. You all need to keep a close eye on things in your respective rooms. If anyone dares to make a mistake, just wait until I kick them out of the Shen family when we get back!"
"Understood, Madam!"
After Tuo Shenlanxi made an example of a few members of the Shen family, things calmed down considerably within the Shen family.
Previously, even in private, they dared not make a big fuss about jealousy and resentment in the inner quarters, for fear that Shen Lanxi would make an example of them.
Before the trip, Zhou Xinrou, who was supposed to go with them, suddenly felt unwell.
Madam Shen was somewhat disappointed, but out of consideration for her status, she didn't say anything else.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
