Could the conflict between the two families' children have caused Shangguan Zhu to take such a ruthless action? This should have been a struggle for power in the court.
"Shangguan Zhu and my father had little in common. He didn't take your Majesty's trust in me seriously until your Majesty entrusted the task of manufacturing firearms to me. Only then did he and his faction take action."
At this point, Shen Su paused for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said, "Since arriving in the capital, many of the problems that have arisen have been directed at me. I think it would be more comfortable and stable to be a leisurely marquis. Now I'm afraid I can't withdraw."
His eyes fell on Shen Huaixu's hand. The frostbite on the back of his hand, which had not yet healed, looked particularly glaring. Even if he rested for a few days, it would not heal so quickly.
Sensing his father's gaze, Shen Huaixu curled his fingers.
She felt a little guilty. If she wanted to explain Qiao Man's matter to her father, she would have to explain all the lies she had told before. However, since so many people were involved, she might not be able to explain them clearly. She also didn't want to expose everything, so she could only keep it a secret.
The pity in his eyes flashed away, and Shen Su pursed his lips and said slowly: "Ever since Shangguan Zhu took action, I have secretly investigated a lot of evidence of his crimes."
Shen Huaixu's eyes moved slightly, and he asked tentatively: "What does Daddy want me to do?"
If Daddy wants to bring down Shangguan Zhu, it will conflict with her plan.
"Just protect yourself. The Marquis of Zhenyuan is seriously injured this time. According to his usual style, he will most likely lie low and wait for the opportunity. However, his sons are not the type to suffer in silence. Everyone knows that my weakness is you, Miaomiao, and there is a high possibility that they will attack you. I will send Lixia and Xiazhi to secretly protect you, and you must also be vigilant at all times."
Seeing the obvious worry on Shen Su's face, Shen Huaixu nodded hurriedly, "Don't worry, Daddy, the iron barrel you've arranged around me is like an iron barrel, and anyone who comes will be hit head on. You have to be careful too."
After the father and daughter finished talking, they walked around their own restaurant and then went to the restaurant next door for lunch. This was also a way to assess all aspects of their competitors. After that, they went about their own business and left it at that.
In the days that followed, it was just as Chen Su had said. His Majesty only criticized Marquis Zhenyuan openly, but the punishment was only superficial. From then on, Marquis Zhenyuan remained quiet for a long time.
These things have been talked about by many people for a long time, and some of the details are still unknown.
Compared to the Marquis of Zhenyuan, Meng Jue suffered a far worse fate. He secretly colluded with the Northern Qiang, a crime tantamount to treason, and was sentenced to death along with his entire clan. After the incident, Meng Jue committed suicide, and no one in the Meng family escaped, all being executed.
Chen Huaixu believes that it is still doubtful whether Meng Jue committed suicide.
Perhaps the fate of the Meng family frightened the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion, and the Shangguan family never caused trouble for Shen Huaixu, so Shen Huaixu was naturally happy to have some free time.
The emperor obviously took the establishment of a female imperial hospital very seriously, but as soon as it was proposed, it was fiercely opposed by his ministers. The reason for the opposition was nothing more than one - no money.
The country had only been established for over a decade, and the treasury was already scarce. A lot of money had been spent on disaster relief, and then there was a war. It was understandable that the treasury was empty.
The emperor wanted to embezzle the private treasury, but was stopped by the queen. After discussion, the two decided to discuss the matter later.
There are many issues in the north that need to be resolved urgently, and restoring people's livelihood is also a top priority. In comparison, establishing a female imperial hospital seems insignificant.
After everything about the restaurant was almost ready, Shen Huaixu came to Changlefang to inform Jiang Boliang, Qian Xiuzhu and others that the restaurant was about to open.
She held Jiang Xiaoyu in her arms, watching him babbling something, she reached out and poked his chubby cheek, and saw him looking at her curiously with his round eyes.
The child is over one year old and has started speaking early, but he can only speak one word at a time.
"Jiang Xiaoyu, call me aunt."
Jiang Xiaoyu tilted his head, grinning to reveal his two tiny teeth, and said in a loud and milky voice, "Bubu."
Shen Huaixu was so happy that he couldn't see his teeth and eyes, and patiently corrected his pronunciation: "Auntie, it's Auntie."
Jiang Xiaoyu continued to call "buubu" and "buubu" non-stop, and his chubby little hands kept picking at the sachet on Shen Huaixu's waist, as if he smelled the fragrance, and from time to time he would come up to sniff it like a puppy.
Jiang Wei was jealous. "Why is he so obedient in front of you, but so naughty in front of us?"
"Maybe it's because I always bring delicious food when I come back."
Zheng Li Niang was sewing clothes. Hearing this, she smiled and said, "That's right. Not only food, but also some small things, like that tangram puzzle. He really likes it, but he doesn't know what it will become."
"He likes to play that? This child is smart." Shen Huaixu looked around, "Where are father and mother?"
"He went to the street." Zheng Li Niang looked out the window at the sky. "Looking at the sky, it's time for him to come back."
After a while, there was a noise outside and Jiang Rong ran into the house. The skinny little girl now had some baby fat on her face and looked a lot cuter.
She was skipping and jumping as she walked. Seeing Jiang Wei and Shen Huaixu there, her eyes immediately lit up, "Sister-in-law! Cousin! Second cousin! Uncle bought a really big fish and said he wanted to make pickled fish!"
As he spoke, the child almost drooled.
Zheng Li Niang stood up and said with a smile: "Sister-in-law makes delicious pickled fish. Sister-in-law will make it for you!"
There was a cheer in the room.
There are servants in the mansion, so there are naturally cooks. Qian Xiuzhu and Zheng Li'niang are very busy, so they cook for their family members whenever they have time. The cooks usually make some snacks for them to eat, so that they can enjoy something new.
After Zheng Li Niang left, Jiang Wei touched Jiang Rong's hair, which had become a little messy after running around, and helped her tie it up again. She asked, "Where's your sister?"
"My sister is reading in the room. She said that my second cousin will take the exam tomorrow."
Jiang Wei glanced at Shen Huaixu and whispered to Jiang Rong, "Is your second cousin's test scary?"
Jiang Rong looked at her second cousin several times, trying to cover her mouth with her hands, and muttered softly, "Rong Jie'er doesn't know, but my sister is really scared anyway."
"Really?" Jiang Wei nodded thoughtfully, her words enough to mislead a child. "Teacher, master, and the like are all really scary. Take your second cousin, for example. When he was in the county school, he had a master who hit people on the hands with a ruler. Rong Jie, you must never worship a master in the future. Like your eldest cousin, I'm self-taught. You've seen my paintings, right? Aren't they beautiful?"
Jiang Rong was foolishly happy and nodded heavily, "It looks great! Big cousin is really amazing!"
Chen Huaixu politely interrupted the two people who were enjoying themselves with a smile, "Sister, when I'm done with this, I'll find a master painter to teach you. You must study hard and not waste my sister's hard work."
As she spoke, she pulled Jiang Rong over and said, "Don't listen to your eldest cousin's nonsense. Your sister is afraid because she doesn't want to disappoint your second cousin. Your second cousin doesn't hit anyone. Apart from bad people, have you ever seen your second cousin hit anyone?"
Jiang Rong tilted her head and thought about it, then nudged Shen Huaixu affectionately, "Yes, my second cousin is the best at beating up bad guys!"
Jiang Wei's eyes widened, and she cried out incoherently, "Little sister, you—"
She swallowed the words that were about to come out of her mouth, her face flushed red, and she glared at Jiang Rong again, muttering, "This one is amazing, that one is amazing, they are so young, and they are just little flatterers!"
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