Chapter 546 The Shen Family's Hot Stove!
"As the saying goes, brothers fight tigers together, and fathers and sons go to war together. It is because my brothers are stationed outside that I can sit in the capital and enjoy a family feast with my relatives."
The Shen family members smiled, but dared not say a word.
Their repeated experiences had taught them that as long as they didn't make any unnecessary moves, Shen Lanxi wouldn't do anything to them, as they were the most honored relatives of the emperor.
"Your Majesty's diligence in governing the country and concern for the people are truly a blessing to our Great Zhou," Shen Conglian said with a smile.
Shen Lanxi: "Thanks to my second uncle for recruiting soldiers, my third uncle for training warhorses, and my fourth uncle for managing supplies, with all of you uncles doing the work behind the scenes, we were able to ensure that there were no mishaps on the front lines. I would like to toast you all here!"
The three people whose names were called immediately raised their glasses, flattered and surprised.
"We are grateful for His Majesty's favor, which has allowed us to have positions in the army." Before, when they were in the capital, they were just small merchants who relied on their elder brother.
Now, his transformation from a merchant to a meritorious official is all thanks to Shen Lanxi.
"From now on, we will need our grandmothers and uncles to take charge of the household so that our Shen family can prosper and grow stronger!"
Hearing her say that, the Shen family members gradually relaxed and burst into laughter.
Madam Shen's eyes flickered, and she immediately said, "When the children were at home, they prepared a performance to present to their Aunt, His Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Shen Lanxi immediately ordered the musicians to be removed to make room for the children to perform.
"Your Majesty, Aunt, I know how to box."
"Your Majesty, Aunt, I can sing!"
"Your Majesty, Aunt, I can recite poetry."
The children eagerly took turns showing off their talents.
Shen Lanxi smiled and said, "Let's start with the largest and go down to the smallest, one by one."
The eldest of the children was Shen Emei.
“Your Majesty, Aunt, I know how to use a staff. My father said that you taught him how to use a staff.”
Shen Lanxi immediately ordered someone to prepare a short stick for Shen Emei.
Shen Emei lived up to expectations, her every move was skillful and professional, clearly showing that she had practiced diligently.
"Good! Those who performed well today will be richly rewarded by me!"
"I will bestow upon Xiao Emei a fine steel rod and have the Ministry of Works make one according to her current size."
Shen Emei was overjoyed when she heard that she was going to be rewarded again.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, Aunt!"
Then came Shen Chengfeng
"Your Majesty, Auntie, I can do boxing!" After saying that, Xiao Chengfeng steadily and earnestly demonstrated his boxing skills.
"Good, Xiao Chengfeng is a calm and steady person, quite like his father!"
Hu Jinyu smiled, her son was very mature since he was a child, and he would definitely be a steady person when he grew up.
"I will have the artisans of Peach Blossom Valley make a pair of boxing gloves for Xiao Chengfeng, so that his hands can be protected when he fights in the future."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, Aunt!"
Afterwards, the younger children recited poems together, and Shen Lanxi also rewarded them with the pre-ordered gifts.
As the family banquet drew to a close, Shen Lanxi had already ordered several large carts of rewards to be prepared in advance, and even sent carriages into the palace to take the elderly, weak, women and children away from the palace.
Those who were interested noticed this, and the next day a matchmaker came to Shen Yuanxin's door to propose marriage.
"The second son of the Marquis of Qingyuan is three years younger than Miss Yuanxin in the family. He will officially take the imperial examination this year to obtain a degree. The Marquis of Qingyuan and his wife said that if they do not wish to live together after marriage, they can live separately in their own residences."
"There is also the illegitimate son of the Southwest Earl's family, who is about the same age as Miss Yuanxin. The Southwest Earl and his wife have also said that they will definitely treat the two children from before as their own. After Miss Yuanxin marries into the family, she will be able to take charge of the household affairs."
"The eldest son of the Prefectural Magistrate of the capital was widowed last year. His ex-wife left behind a daughter. Miss Yuan Xin will become the head of the household after marrying into the family. Most importantly, he is young and promising, and quite handsome."
"The second son of a scholar from the Imperial Academy..."
The matchmaker had only read half of the two stacks of visiting cards when Old Madam Shen stopped her.
"Have a drink of water and take a break!"
With so many families to attend to, she was already feeling sleepy by the time the matchmaker finished speaking.
"Grandma, these are all highly sought-after young men in Chang'an. They are of similar age, good looks, and family backgrounds... Although they are not as illustrious as yours, we cannot only look at family background when choosing a husband for our daughter, don't you agree!"
The nice things were said openly, but the unpleasant things were known to both sides. If it weren't for His Majesty's influence, a divorced woman with two children would have been dreaming if she wanted to marry into such a family.
Everyone knows what these people in the posts are up to.
They simply wanted to use the marriage to curry favor with the imperial family and make their careers smoother.
That's why Madam Shen was even more determined not to be careless.
I've already embarrassed myself once, I don't want to embarrass myself a second time.
"We've accepted the invitation. Go back and wait for our news!"
In an ordinary family, the matchmaker would definitely ask for a reward. But she wouldn't dare do that to the Shen family, especially since the groom's family had already given her all the benefits.
These days, the bold get rich, and the timid starve. Everyone else is afraid of the new emperor's majesty and dares not come, but she insists on going against the tide so that she can seize the initiative.
The matchmaker left happily, and Madam Shen had all her daughters-in-law summoned to discuss the matter.
Shen Yuanxin naturally heard the news as well. Just as she was about to go to the front hall to inquire, she saw Shen Yuantang walking towards her.
"Little sister." Shen Yuanxin happily went to greet her, but unexpectedly saw Shen Yuantang looking at her with a half-smile.
The footsteps that had been moving quickly immediately slowed down, and they stopped in place.
“Shen Yuanxin, I am a princess who is listed in the royal register. His Majesty has not granted me permission to divorce Zhou Ruyuan.”
That bitch doesn't even deserve to call her sister. Does she really think that just because she put on a show in Jichuan, she can be considered her sister?
Shen Yuanxin's expression changed, and she looked at Shen Yuantang warily.
“Sister, I only became close to you because I remember your kindness in saving me in Jichuan.”
Before he could finish speaking, Shen Yuantang interrupted him.
"No need. I only saved you because you are a member of the Shen family. If you are bullied, it will also make this princess lose face."
Shen Yuanxin looked at her with an inscrutable expression. Was she no longer even willing to pretend in front of her?
“No matter the reason, it’s a fact that you went to Jichuan. It’s also a fact that we all come from the eldest branch of the family and have the same father. If outsiders knew that our Shen family wasn’t as united as it seemed on the surface, I wonder what they would say.” Although Shen Yuanxin was far away in Jichuan, she was still aware of what was happening in the capital.
I haven't been idle since I got back; I've already found out everything about the situation at home.
They were all descendants of the Shen family, and none of them was more noble than the other.
Shen Yuantang looked coldly at Shen Yuanxin, his voice filled with danger.
Are you threatening me?
Shen Yuanxin's tone was devoid of any respect: "I wouldn't dare. I'm just stating the facts. If you want to do something, first think about who's sitting on the dragon throne. Even the elders in the family wouldn't dare to comment. You dare to try and argue?"
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