Ultimately, they were just a group of wealthy merchants with no power or influence. If the emperor wanted to take action against them, he didn't even need to personally scheme or plot; he could simply delegate the task to his subordinates.
Sheng Jingyu is different. The Emperor already wanted to get rid of him, so one or two more things won't make a difference.
“Since you’re worried about them, meet with them and talk to them. If you keep showing off like this, you’ll attract attention sooner or later,” Sheng Jingyu said.
Su Wenyuan waved her hands repeatedly and said, "No, the big commotion we made before was for the opening. I have to say it worked. Look at these shops, they've become famous in the capital in just a few days."
Those shops that have been open in the capital for many years are not as popular as theirs.
The novelties they brought out were so unique that they couldn't be found anywhere else in the capital, making them irreplaceable.
Su Wenyuan thought that once this wave of celebration was over, they would focus on doing business properly.
The Emperor was unaware of the commotion outside the palace; he was currently hiding in the Empress's Chengming Palace.
Since the Emperor was ill, someone needed to attend to him. He wasn't in the mood to see the other concubines, so he came to the Empress's place to find some peace and quiet.
But he hadn't expected it to be this quiet.
Apart from saying a few words with a smile when she first met him, the Empress never spoke again.
She didn't even acknowledge him, and just sat there reading a book.
But if you don't turn a single page of this book for so long, are you really reading it?
Finally, the Emperor couldn't hold back any longer and asked, "What is the Empress thinking?"
"..." The Empress remained silent, turning her head to look at him with a worried expression.
Only then did the Emperor notice that the Empress had lost a lot of weight in the few days he hadn't seen her, her cheeks were slightly sunken, and she had become quiet and reserved.
"Does the Empress miss Ziyan?" The Emperor walked over with a concerned expression and asked softly.
However, he asked about something completely unrelated. The Empress didn't mention Sheng Ziyan either, so why did the Emperor bring it up?
Since the Emperor had spoken, the Empress quickly seized the opportunity, her eyes brimming with tears, and choked out, "The North is exceptionally cold. Ziyan may look strong, but he can't stand the cold. Every winter he needs careful care. I don't know..."
The Emperor, no longer wanting to listen, interrupted, saying, "In a few days, I will issue an edict to bring Ziyan back."
They must come back; Sheng Zixi alone is no match for Sheng Jingyu.
The Empress had just gotten into the mood and hadn't even started to speak when she was taken aback by the Emperor's answer.
If she had known it would be this straightforward, she would have said so sooner, so that Sheng Ziyan wouldn't have had to stay in the North for so long.
"When Ziyan returns, I will definitely discipline him more strictly and will never let him make mistakes again and anger His Majesty!" The Empress's promise this time came from the bottom of her heart.
The Emperor said calmly, "I really don't trust the Empress's discipline."
The Empress was taken aback, thinking to herself, "Why is the Emperor so fickle? He agreed so readily just now, could he be going back on his word now?"
The joy in the Empress's eyes was gradually replaced by fear, and the Emperor felt a sense of comfort.
There are still people who treat him like an emperor. If they all acted like the ministers of the previous dynasty, he would be close to dying of anger.
The Emperor remained silent for a long time, while the Empress's heart pounded with anxiety, as if it were about to jump out of her chest.
Lately, she has done so many wrong things that she becomes nervous and afraid whenever the Emperor's reaction is slightly off.
The Emperor's unpredictable behavior today is unsettling.
The Emperor kept looking at her, just like Sheng Jingyu looked at him in the Golden Palace.
"Your Majesty... it's my fault. I didn't teach Ziyan well. If Your Majesty is still angry, when he comes back, scold him or beat him..."
The Emperor gestured for her not to rush.
"I am quite satisfied with Ziyan, but do you know what Prince Chen did this morning?"
Upon hearing that it wasn't about Sheng Ziyan, the Empress visibly relaxed.
If she had said it was Sheng Jingyu earlier, she would have joined in the scolding.
The Emperor is currently hiding in Chengming Palace because he is angered by Sheng Jingyu, and the Empress has already found out the truth.
That was what she was thinking about at first, and she couldn't even concentrate on reading.
Sheng Jingyu is incredibly audacious, and to make matters worse, he has supporters in the court. If this continues, Sheng Zixi will truly be out of the picture.
I wonder if I'll have a chance to compete with him after Sheng Ziyan comes back.
The Empress thought of her two sons over and over again, but she couldn't think of a single way that could defeat Sheng Jingyu.
Thinking of this, the Empress couldn't help but complain: "The Emperor favored Prince Chen back then, and the other princes became mere extras by his side. If it's not that I failed to teach him properly, it's more accurate to say that the Emperor's favoritism allowed him to become lawless."
The Emperor disagreed with this statement and said helplessly, "If Ziyan and Zixi could share my burdens, I would not favor Prince Chen."
They're useless. The old ministers in the court, because of the late emperor, have a great fondness for Sheng Jingyu.
If the Emperor doesn't treat Sheng Jingyu better, these old ministers won't stand for it.
"And now? Zixi has done a lot for the Emperor, so why does the Emperor still indulge Prince Chen?" The Empress was secretly hoping for the Emperor's answer.
She was almost about to ask the Emperor directly: Sheng Jingyu had already refuted him in public, so why hadn't he killed Sheng Jingyu yet?
Even if we can't kill him, there are always other ways to get him away from the capital.
The Emperor did not answer, but thought for a moment and said, "Send someone to tell Zixi to come over. I want to ask him what insights he has gained from attending court recently."
It would be dishonorable for the Emperor not to tell the Empress all his troubles.
He was also afraid that the Empress wouldn't understand after he finished speaking.
At this moment, he hoped that one of the Sheng Ziyan and Sheng Zixi brothers would step forward and give him some confidence.
If even one person were to gain a foothold in the court, his life would be much easier.
The messenger sent by the Empress could not find Sheng Zixi. After asking around, he learned from the people in the palace that Sheng Zixi was not in the palace.
The Empress was furious, thinking to herself, "Why is Sheng Zixi running away at such a crucial moment?"
Just as she was about to send people out of the palace to search, Sheng Zixi returned at that moment, bringing back some bad news.
Less than two hours after the court session ended, the people of the capital already knew that Marquis Anle had been wronged.
The speed was so fast that he would never believe it if you told him there was no one behind it.
Some people have dug up the things that Marquis Anle did for the Kingdom of Anchuan when he was alive.
Whenever a natural disaster struck, the Marquis of Anle would voluntarily donate silver for disaster relief. On several occasions, when the national treasury was in deficit, it was thanks to the Marquis of Anle's disaster relief funds that so many people were able to survive.
When these things spread, some people began to compare the current emperor with the late emperor. When the late emperor was alive, he never mistreated Marquis Anle and expressed his gratitude to Marquis Anle on many occasions.
In contrast, the current emperor kills loyal officials without thoroughly investigating the matter...
The result of this comparison is so extreme that it could infuriate the emperor to death.
The key is that more and more people are finding out, and this is in the capital city.
Sheng Zixi rushed back because he wanted to report to the Emperor, but when he actually saw the Emperor, he calmed down.
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