Chapter 603 What kind of "relative" would recommend Shen Wuzheng?
"The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice?"
Upon hearing these words, Shang Ruyi was stunned and looked at Yuwen Ye in surprise—he had recommended Shen Wuzheng to serve as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.
Admittedly, this position was indeed a bit too heavy for Shen Wuzheng, who had never held any official position and had only ever been a commoner. However, Shang Ruyi understood his intentions. After all, the court was currently in need of capable people. Although Shen Wuzheng had never entered officialdom, he now had a father who was the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, so his background was sufficient. In addition, the former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Fei Qian, had always been loyal to the previous dynasty. After Yuwen Yuan issued his imperial edict, he claimed to be ill and did not attend court. He also actively rallied other officials who were loyal to the old master to submit memorials opposing Yuwen Yuan's ascension to the throne. Naturally, he could not be allowed to stay.
This position is indeed vacant and should be given to someone close to you.
More importantly—
The position of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice was extremely important to Yuwen Ye, who had always made his name through military achievements, especially now that even Shang Ruyi sensed that war might break out in Taiyuan.
However, Yuwen Yuan did not agree.
Of course, they could also understand why Yuwen Yuan did not give this official position to Shen Wuzheng. After all, the function of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue was special, and Shen Wuzheng was just a young man who had just entered the workforce. Even if his personality and abilities were very suitable for this position, the emperor would not take such a risk.
only--
After a brief silence, although there was a hint of shock in the eyes of the two people looking at each other, they quickly digested the surprise. After all, the imperial appointments were not entirely up to them.
But then another perplexing question arose in their minds.
Military Advisor in the Military Records Office of the Weibei Road Army?
Why did Yuwen Yuan appoint Shen Wuzheng to this position?
If the reason why Shen Wuzheng was not appointed as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice was because the position was too special, then their suspicion that Yuwen Yuan appointed Shen Wuzheng as the Military Advisor of the Weibei Road Army was also because the position was too special.
It's as if they knew a major battle was bound to break out in Taiyuan, and this preparation was made specifically for that purpose.
Shang Ruyi even recalled that when Xiao Yuansui occupied Xingluocang, Yuwen Ye was still in mourning as an official, while Chu Yang had already sent the imperial edict appointing him as the Grand General of the State, giving him time to prepare so that he could send troops to Xingluocang later.
Besides this doubt, Shang Ruyi also felt a vague unease.
That is—the Military Advisor of the Weibei Road Army. Was this position something Yuwen Yuan wanted to appoint Shen Wuzheng to, or was it recommended by someone else?
If it was Yuwen Yuan who bestowed the title, then that's fine.
If someone recommended him, then who was that person? And what was their purpose in recommending Shen Wuzheng for the position of military advisor?
Thinking about it this way, Shang Ruyi's vague unease grew even deeper. She looked at Yuwen Ye and asked cautiously, "Besides you, will anyone else submit a memorial recommending you?"
Yuwen Ye frowned slightly and said, "The court is in need of talent right now, and my father has also ordered officials in all departments to recommend capable and virtuous individuals. Shen Wuzheng is a disciple of Li Tong, and there are many of his fellow disciples in the court. If we're talking about recommendations, I'm probably not the only one who would recommend him."
"..."
"But this official position—"
Clearly, he was also somewhat surprised that the secretary had joined the army.
At this moment, Shang Ruyi suddenly remembered what Eunuch Yu had said to her before she left the Shen family: "His Majesty will appoint people without avoiding relatives, and naturally there are people who will be recommended without avoiding relatives."
However, it is clear that the "dear" he is referring to is no longer Yuwen Ye.
So, besides Yuwen Ye, who else would recommend Shen Wuzheng?
Just as Shang Ruyi's unease was becoming more and more obvious, suddenly, footsteps came from outside. Although both of them were deep in thought, they were also particularly sensitive to the sound of footsteps. They both looked up at each other at the same time and subconsciously held their breath.
Then, footsteps stopped outside the door, and a deep voice said, "Your Highness, Your Highness, Prince Qin."
That voice belongs to Xue Daotong.
After Yuwen Yuan became emperor, he, as Yuwen Yuan's close confidant, also entered the palace to serve as a Gentleman Attendant. However, he spent most of his time serving Yuwen Yuan. Therefore, his sudden return to the Duke's mansion at this time was obviously to deliver a message to Yuwen Yuan.
The two men dared not delay and hurriedly got up to greet them.
As soon as the door opened, Xue Daotong was indeed standing outside. Upon seeing the two of them, he bowed respectfully. Yuwen Ye quickly said, "Lord Xue, there's no need for such formalities. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Xue Daotong then smiled and said, "His Majesty sent me to inquire when His Highness Prince Qin and his consort will enter the palace?"
"..."
"Everything in the palace has been arranged."
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Ye's expression darkened slightly. He glanced at Shang Ruyi, about to mention that she would stay at the Duke's mansion for another day so she could return to the Shang family tomorrow, when Xue Daotong smiled and said, "Tomorrow, His Majesty will host a banquet in the palace for those who have made great contributions to the fight against the plague. His Highness Prince Qin and His Highness Princess Qin have made outstanding contributions and will naturally be attending. Therefore, please be sure to enter the palace today to make preparations in advance."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi's heart skipped a beat.
Yuwen Yuan insisted that they must enter the palace today.
Although this was not an imperial edict, but merely a message relayed by Xue Daotong, it was still considered an oral decree, and not much different from an imperial edict.
At times like this, she—
Yuwen Ye thought for a moment and said, "Lord Xue, please report to my father that I will naturally enter the palace as soon as possible. But Ruyi—"
Before he could finish speaking, Shang Ruyi immediately said, "I will also go to the palace with my second brother."
"..."
Yuwen Ye frowned and turned to look at her.
Xue Daotong was extremely perceptive and immediately noticed the unusual expression between the two. He cautiously asked, "Prince Qin and Princess Consort, is there any other important business to attend to?"
Shang Ruyi hurriedly replied, "No, the Emperor's summons is the most important thing."
"..."
"Other matters can wait."
Yuwen Ye looked at her quietly, the slight tremor in his eyes quickly subsided, and after a moment of silence, he smiled and nodded slightly, saying, "Yes, Father's summons is of course the most important."
After saying that, he looked up at Xue Daotong and said, "Please return to the palace and report to the Emperor, Lord Xue. We will set off immediately."
Xue Daotong glanced at him, then at Shang Ruyi, and didn't press further. He simply cupped his hands in a salute and said with a smile, "Very well, I'll go right away."
After saying that, he turned and left.
The two watched his figure disappear outside the courtyard before slowly turning around and exchanging a glance. However, unlike when they were pondering the same question earlier, when their eyes at least met and there was still warmth, Shang Ruyi felt a chill seep into her bones as soon as she met Yuwen Ye's cold, icy eyes.
She asked instinctively, "What's wrong?"
"..."
Yuwen Ye looked at her for a while, but only said indifferently, "It's nothing."
After speaking, he turned his head away, remained silent for a while, and then spoke again, but muttered as if talking to himself, "It's nothing."
Then, before Shang Ruyi could say anything more, he raised his head and said to the outside, "Someone, change your clothes, prepare the carriage, and get ready to go to the palace!"
At his command, the servants immediately sprang into action.
A group of people came in and carried all the boxes and bundles piled up in the courtyard onto the carriages outside. Changwan and Tushe'er also hurried over to help the two of them change their clothes. Although they were not luxurious or exquisite formal wear, it was the first time that the two of them had entered the palace as the Prince of Qin and Princess Qin, so their attire could not be too casual.
After changing into two formal robes, Tushe'er opened the box and took out several exquisite pieces of jewelry to put on Shang Ruyi.
After everything was ready, the two left the Duke's mansion and boarded the carriage.
Accompanying them were Aunt Hui and a group of others. Apart from a small number of people who stayed behind at the Duke's mansion, most of the people in the mansion had been rewarded and continued to serve in the palace. So this rather grand procession set off from Longqingfang and traveled for more than half an hour before finally arriving at the palace.
However, unlike their previous visits to court, which always entered through the Hanguang Gate, this time they went through the Xuanwu Gate.
Although it wasn't the first time she had passed by this place, that familiar feeling, that palpitation that almost made her heart race and her breath stop, still overwhelmed Shang Ruyi once again. Especially when the carriage stopped at the Xuanwu Gate, and they had to walk through the Xuanwu Gate to enter the inner palace, her face turned deathly pale.
However, because there were too many people around, and it was the first time for everyone to come here, seeing the tall and majestic Xuanwu Gate, which was filled with a sense of impending doom, everyone was both excited and apprehensive. No one noticed that Princess Qin, who had been keeping her head down and remaining silent, was already drenched in sweat.
Until a hand reached out, he hesitated for a moment, but still took her hand.
The warmth and strength of the hand brought Shang Ruyi, who was almost suffocating, a sudden relief. It was as if her soul had returned to her body. She shuddered and quickly raised her head.
It was Yuwen Ye beside him.
However, although he was holding her hand, he didn't look at her. In fact, his cold and stern face was expressionless as he stared blankly ahead.
It seemed as if they didn't care about her at all.
Shang Ruyi didn't know what he meant for a moment, but at this moment, the comforting warmth and breath coming from his palm were real. She looked at Yuwen Ye and subconsciously smiled.
However, once they passed through Xuanwu Gate, Yuwen Ye withdrew his hand.
After being enveloped by a warm palm, she was suddenly pulled away, and a chill immediately followed, even more chilly than before. Shang Ruyi's fingers twitched slightly, and she almost subconsciously turned her head to look at him again.
But then Yuwen Ye's gaze flickered slightly as he looked ahead.
Immediately, some people around her let out soft sighs. As if sensing something, she hurriedly looked up and saw a graceful and beautiful figure standing in the middle of the road ahead. Her stunning beauty was breathtaking.
It's Chu Ruoyan!
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