Chapter 224: Plea
"Mrs. Jiang, this way please."
Along the way, Eunuch Fushun was particularly silent, but he did see that Madam Jiang untied a jade pendant from her waist and put it into her arms as if by accident.
He also glanced at the jade pendant. It was not of very good quality. One had to be cautious when meeting the emperor.
Thinking of this, Eunuch Fushun's gaze couldn't help but move around Shen Jiasui's face.
When Lord Jiang was emerging to prominence, His Majesty had tried several times to arrange a marriage for him, but Lord Jiang remained calm and refused again and again.
This dragged on until he reached the age of twenty, and who would have thought that Lord Jiang would have his own ideas.
This girl from the Shen family is indeed beautiful, but considering Lord Jiang's temperament and vision, appearance alone is not enough.
This time, I am meeting the Emperor... I wonder if Mrs. Jiang can handle it.
When he brought the eldest princess to see the emperor, he still had the courage to give her a reminder.
After all, the eldest princess has seen all kinds of storms, so even if she doesn't understand, she won't lose her composure.
But Madam Jiang is so young and her temper is unknown. Fu Shun is also accompanying the emperor and the tiger, so he dare not risk his own life.
"Mrs. Jiang, please——"
Soon, after passing many pavilions and towers, Shen Jiasui was led to a pavilion by the lake.
Emperor Sheng sat firmly in the middle, his dark dragon robe made his face look even more stern, his eyes were like the abyss, preventing anyone from looking into them.
Shen Jiasui only glanced at him from a distance, then lowered his eyes. He was led by Eunuch Fushun into the pavilion and knelt down to pay his respects:
"Your Majesty, long live your Majesty."
His voice was clear and respectful, and his behavior was proper, without any sign of fear.
Emperor Sheng's gaze fell lightly on Shen Jiasui, examining him calmly.
The atmosphere in the pavilion seems peaceful, but there is an indescribable solemnity.
Emperor Sheng did not call him to stand up, so Shen Jiasui knelt there until Emperor Sheng's voice with a hint of emotion sounded:
"That day in the Imperial Garden, when I met Madam Jiang, I didn't know that you and Xiuzhi had such a fate."
"Your Majesty, I never expected to have such a blessing."
Shen Jiasui answered along the lines of Emperor Sheng.
Emperor Sheng nodded slightly, and finally said, "Stand up."
Shen Jiasui hurriedly thanked him, but after he stood up, he moved his lips again, as if he wanted to say something, but he did not dare to speak out because of the majesty of heaven.
Eunuch Fushun had just realized that Madam Jiang's behavior was impeccable, but when he saw this scene, he immediately frowned.
Don't be a beauty in vain. You know, in front of His Majesty, you always talk a lot.
Shen Jiasui fell back to his knees with a thump.
When Eunuch Fushun saw this, he closed his eyes slightly and said to himself: It's over.
The next moment, Shen Jiasui knelt down and said:
"Today, I am blessed to see the Emperor's face. I, your humble servant, would like to ask Your Majesty to remember the Emperor's teacher's past contributions and be lenient with him!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Sheng raised his eyebrows, then curled his lips slightly and said calmly, "Today, many people have pleaded for the Imperial Master, but all the ministers said that this was definitely not done by the Imperial Master."
"How come Madam Jiang seems to have confirmed the Emperor's guilt?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Jiasui realized that he had said the wrong thing because he was too anxious. His body stiffened and his face turned pale.
Emperor Sheng brushed off his hem and continued lightly, "I heard that Xiuzhi asked for an audience several times outside the palace last night. Madam Jiang is here too?"
"After you two left, one went to Censor Zhang's house, and the other returned to the Shen Mansion..."
When Shen Jiasui heard this, he suddenly looked up, with a hint of horror in his eyes, but Emperor Sheng continued:
"Xiuzhi should be heading to the Dali Temple right now, right?"
Shen Jiasui saw that he could not hide anything from Emperor Sheng, and he could no longer hide his fear on his face. He immediately bowed his head and told the truth:
"I dare not hide the truth from Your Majesty. Yesterday's incident happened suddenly. My wife and I are already in a state of panic."
"But my husband knows the Imperial Master best, and he said that the Imperial Master would never do such a disloyal and unrighteous thing."
"I am a dull woman and do not know what my husband is thinking. I just heard him say this after thinking for a long time. This move may be the good intention of the imperial teacher. It is for... is..."
"What is it?" Emperor Sheng asked in a calm voice.
Shen Jiasui gritted his teeth and answered boldly, "It's for His Majesty."
"But to execute first and report later is like deceiving the emperor."
"My husband has received the kindness of the Imperial Master, and I dare not disappoint him, so I will go my separate ways with him."
"As a woman, I don't understand what my husband is talking about. I only know that deceiving the king is no joke, and I couldn't sleep all night because of this."
"Today I have the honor of seeing you, Your Majesty. I cannot hide my worries, so I dare to ask for mercy."
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Master is so devoted and loyal, could you please be lenient with him and allow him to live out his days in peace?"
As Shen Jiasui spoke, he seemed to gradually find his confidence. At this moment, his face was firm and he touched the ground with his forehead.
Emperor Sheng lowered his eyes and just looked at Shen Jiasui quietly, as if he wanted to find some flaws or abnormalities in her expression and behavior.
Eunuch Fushun was still shaking his head in his heart, but after hearing what Shen Jiasui said, he gradually figured out some of the meaning, and his eyes lit up.
Emperor Sheng was silent for a long time. When he spoke again, he spoke in a slightly slower tone, "I heard that the Imperial Master admired Madam Jiang very much and even taught her all the skills of rubbing inscriptions?"
Shen Jiasui nodded upon hearing this, and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Master has been very caring towards me. He not only taught me how to copy the stele, but he also gave me the family heirloom jade."
"I think at that time, the Imperial Master had the intention to sacrifice himself for His Majesty, but I am stupid and did not understand."
As Shen Jiasui spoke, he took out the jade pendant from his arms.
When Eunuch Fushun saw this, his eyebrows jumped. Only then did he realize that everything Mrs. Jiang said and did was well thought out, and she was not as reckless and stupid as he thought.
Emperor Sheng raised his chin slightly, and Fu Shun immediately understood. He stepped forward, took the jade pendant, and presented it to the emperor.
Emperor Sheng raised his eyes and when he saw the flamboyantly flying character "Lin" above, his heart trembled.
This is...the teacher's handwriting from his early years.
Looking at the color and luster of the jade pendant, it is obvious that it has been rubbed and played with for many years.
Emperor Sheng looked at him for a long time, and when he looked away, his expression became gentler.
"I will make my own decision on the matter of the Imperial Preceptor. Xiuzhi is still on his marriage leave. Madam Jiang, please tell him to take a good rest."
After saying this, Emperor Sheng stood up and walked away, saying calmly:
"Fushun, escort Madam Jiang out of the palace."
Shen Jiasui bowed hastily: "Farewell, Your Majesty."
There was no sound in the pavilion for a moment, until Eunuch Fushun came back, bent over, handed the jade pendant back, and said respectfully:
"Madam Jiang, the emperor has gone far away, please get up quickly."
Shen Jiasui slowly stood up and followed Eunuch Fushun out of the palace. She knew that at this moment, many eyes were staring at her, both openly and secretly.
So she slowed down her pace and tried to keep her face calm.
But only she herself knew that her heart was beating like a drum. Everything that happened during the meeting with the emperor just now was like a sharp knife hanging over her head. She was still frightened.
On the way to see the emperor just now, her mind was racing and she was almost drained of thoughts.
The emperor must have seen everything she and Axun did at the palace gate last night, so he would not have missed her return to the Shen family and Axun's search for Censor Zhang.
But even so, early this morning, the emperor appointed Censor Zhang to thoroughly investigate the case, which shows that he is determined to get rid of Cui and to establish Prince Rui.
Then the emperor summoned her, I think there were two purposes: one was to confirm the teacher's true intentions, and the other was to test A Xun's attitude and next steps.
By pleading for mercy, she actually revealed two things that the emperor wanted to know:
The teacher is devoted to the emperor, and A Xun only wants to help the teacher get what he wants. In the final analysis, isn't it all for the emperor?
Judging from His Majesty's attitude just now, I think she has passed the test for the time being.
And she escaped unscathed this time, and Concubine Shu's people should have seen it, and Minister Cui and Prince Rui will soon know it too...
In this battle of wits and courage, Shen Jiasui was already extremely smart, but for Emperor Sheng, there was another layer.
The reason why he helped Jiang Xun and Shen Jiasui get together was to keep Jiang Xun's "weakness".
Now that the two of them are married, he must take a closer look at the temperament and abilities of this "weakness" to know how to exploit it in the future.
All parties are competing with all their might.
Shen Jiasui relied on his strength to walk out of the vermilion palace wall without changing his expression.
Standing at the palace gate, she raised her head slightly and felt that the sky outside the palace was especially brighter.
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