How can we achieve both in this world?
Chen Tang's worry also reminded Chen Yuanyuan.
When choosing a husband for Tang Jie'er, Xu Lingwan made the selection unilaterally with a "high-handed" attitude. She did not think about how Chen Tang's in-laws and husband would view Chen Tang. She took it for granted that with the Shen family's family background, Chen Tang could live a good life by marrying any one of the three people who was marrying a low-class man.
Is this really the case? In modern marriages, unhappy couples are common after marrying wealthy men, let alone in ancient times when the husband was the head of the wife. In the eyes of men, no one cares how much sacrifice you make or whether you marry down. To them, being married is about living together behind closed doors.
Furthermore, relying on family background to maintain a marital relationship is unpredictable. Thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west, who can say for sure what will happen in thirty years? Even Second Master Shen himself cannot guarantee that the Shen family will still be as powerful as before thirty years from now.
Ling Wan had considered asking Di Yuanzhi directly what he thought of Chen Tang, her future mother-in-law. But after changing her clothes, she sat back down again, dejected. If he spoke in a nice and solemn manner, even swore to heaven to express his sincerity, would she believe and be reassured? Men's words are deceitful. Placing all one's expectations and hopes on a man's fleeting promises is unwise.
After thinking about it over and over for several days, Wan still couldn't come up with a solution, which made her feel a little lonely.
Seeing the usually carefree and cheerful little girl suddenly change her temperament and become so anxious for several days in a row, Chen Cong was also a little surprised. He had been very busy recently, busy with planning, investigating, and killing people, so busy that he could only squeeze in time to come back every day to sleep with Ling Wan. When he got up in the morning, Ling Wan was still asleep, and when he returned at night, Ling Wan was asleep again. He couldn't bear to wake her just to ask her "what's wrong", so he wanted to wait for her to tell him first.
But as the secret guards came to report Ling Wan's situation every day, Chen Cong discovered that the girl was not going to tell her.
When Ling Wan was with him, she used her own words to say, "I won't hide anything from you. Husband and wife need to be honest with each other, so Mr. Shen, I never hide my joys, sorrows, anger, or happiness in front of you." Indeed, in front of him, Ling Wan was like a pool of clear water, with the water plants and fish swimming in it clearly visible.
Now, mist suddenly appeared on the surface of the clear water, and Master Shen couldn't help but feel irritated. After arranging the Yangzhou salt transport bribery case that day, he left behind Wei Qihou, Liu Shangshu and others and rushed back.
"Has something happened at home, Master? Why are you so hurried?" Liu Shi, the Minister of Revenue, glanced at the water clock in the corner of the room. It was only the evening hour, and he couldn't help but wonder. He was over fifty, a member of the Liu family in Hedong, and had been in the officialdom for decades, but it was rare for him to see Chen Cong look like this.
Although both were ministers, he was more than ten years older than Chen Cong. Logically, even with Chen Cong's status as the "Prince's Tutor," it wouldn't be wrong for him to call him by his courtesy name. However, it was Shen Cong who had discerning talent and recommended him to the emperor, so Minister Liu, to show his gratitude, joined the others in respectfully addressing him as "Young Master Shen."
"I don't know." Weiqi Hou Xie Lin laughed. He was about the same age as Shen Cong, and had grown up with him since childhood. Looking at the back of that striding figure, he laughed to himself and said, Shen Erlang, Shen Erlang, because of a woman's thoughts, you have come to this day.
"Let's stop here today. Minister Shen has just explained the Yangzhou Salt Transport Bribery Case very clearly." Xie Lin smiled and retracted his gaze, waving his fan calmly.
As he was leaving, he saw Inspector Liu Tongming, who was on a special mission to oversee this case. He walked a few steps faster to follow him, and then chuckled softly, "Master Liu, you must have worked hard on this trip."
Liu Tongming was about to bow and say, "It's not hard, it's my duty," but the usually elegant and calm Marquis lifted his hand with his fan and smiled, "I know that Lord Liu has always been upright. I just want to remind you that the pool of water in Yangzhou may be related to the mother's family of Concubine Hui in the palace."
After saying that, she looked at him meaningfully.
Liu Tongming's expression changed. No wonder the emperor suddenly transferred the case from the Ministry of Personnel to the Dali Temple when Master Shen was about to be sentenced, and also thought of asking him, the censor who "never took sides", to re-inspect the case.
Isn't the connection to Concubine Hui's mother's family also connected to Prince Ning? Now that the case has suddenly been transferred, Prince Ning's hand must be involved. However, despite Prince Ning's involvement, it is ultimately the will of the Emperor. So what is the Emperor's intention? Does he want him to follow Master Shen's lead and seal the outcome? Or does he want him to find something to overturn Master Shen's previous report and reopen the case?
Liu Tongming felt a layer of cold sweat on his forehead. Although His Majesty had appointed the fifth prince, the legitimate son of the Empress, as Crown Prince, which of the two princes above him, Prince Zhao and Prince Ning, were not vying for the throne? Prince Zhao had the Pei family, and Prince Ning had the Cui family. Compared to them, the Crown Prince was still young, and his maternal family was too weak. Although he was favored by His Majesty, it was still uncertain who would ultimately ascend to the supreme throne.
Liu Tongming wiped the sweat from his forehead, bowed and wanted to ask a few more questions, but saw Wei Qihou, with an undiminished smile, tapped his hand with his fan and then bowed: "Master Liu, I spoke too much just now."
After saying that, she gave him an apologetic smile and walked away leisurely, fanning herself.
Xie Lin naturally knew how to deal with someone like Liu Tongming who always tried to smooth things over.
Xie Lin had seen many people playing both sides, but he hadn't seen anyone like Liu Tongming, who had been able to stay in power for twenty years. Wang Xi was right; some people who were just sitting there doing nothing needed to be punished, so it was time to make an example of them.
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