Chapter 35 This official is young and inexperienced
Jinbao asked, puzzled, "Did His Highness insult Lord Shen?"
Pei Yuan tapped his palm lightly with his jade-bone fan, his expression unreadable.
After several encounters, he clearly sensed that Shen Chu was like a cunning fox.
If this farce at the Marquis of Changning's residence was orchestrated by Shen Chu, he must have had his own purpose, and it was definitely not just to explain his refusal to marry.
Moreover, since he was responsible for this farce, why would he deliberately take off his clothes to make Shen Qingshuang mistakenly believe that they were gay?
This scene was completely unnecessary.
Unless Shen Chu had other motives for getting close to him.
Pei Yuan raised an eyebrow, suddenly recalling that last time at Qingfeng Tower, Shen Chu's hand had also reached into his arms, and it seemed that this time was no different.
Could it be that Shen Chu is looking for something on him?
"Someone from the palace has arrived. His Majesty summons Your Highness to the palace immediately," a guard reported from outside.
Jinbao said happily, "It must be about His Highness and Miss Shen's marriage. His Majesty is probably going to choose a new princess for you."
Pei Yuan frowned slightly. "I understand. I will pack my things and go to the palace immediately."
The Longqing Emperor was reading memorials when he beckoned him closer and tossed him a memorial.
"Take a look at this."
Pei Yuan opened it and glanced at it; it turned out to be a letter of apology from the Marquis of Changning.
In his memorial, the Marquis of Changning expressed his deep sorrow and anguish, writing with heartbreaking words that he had failed to manage his household properly, which led to wicked servants bullying their master, causing trouble, and making him a laughingstock in the entire capital.
Finally, I beg Your Majesty to punish him for his failure to properly manage his household.
Pei Yuan closed the memorial expressionlessly. "The Marquis of Changning reacted quickly, submitting his own memorial of apology, thus avoiding impeachment by the censors."
The Longqing Emperor chuckled and asked casually, "I heard you were also at the Marquis of Changning's residence that day. What do you think of this matter?"
"I had a little wine that day and was resting in the guest courtyard of the Marquis's residence. I did not see it with my own eyes, so I cannot make a judgment."
"Oh?" Emperor Longqing stroked his beard. "The fact that the Marquis of Changning's mansion has made such a fool of itself is indeed related to the Marquis of Changning's lax management of his household. Would you dislike Miss Shen because of this and not want to marry Shen Qingshuang?"
Pei Yuan lowered his eyes, "Marriage has always been arranged by parents and matchmakers. Your son will follow Father's arrangements."
The Longqing Emperor seemed satisfied with his answer, glancing at him and asking, "Is it really up to me? If I insist on making Shen Qingshuang your prince consort, will you have any complaints?"
"Your subject will not. The person Your Majesty has chosen for me will certainly not be wrong. Your subject trusts Your Majesty."
The Longqing Emperor smiled with satisfaction.
"The ancestors of the Marquis of Changning were meritorious after all. Although the current Marquis of Changning is not very capable, he is loyal. Moreover, the Marquis's wife is the Empress's cousin."
Shen Qingshuang is also a famous talented woman in the capital. Marrying her as a prince's consort is precisely to have her keep an eye on you, so that you won't always be running to Qingfeng Tower.
"What kind of talk is it for a prince to spend every night in brothels?"
"Father's reprimand is correct."
"Since you are satisfied with this marriage, I will issue an imperial decree today to grant the marriage, which will also appease the Changning Marquis's family in this turbulent time."
"Father is wise."
The Longqing Emperor patted him on the shoulder with a smile on his face.
"Two years ago, I chose you out of several princes to take command of the Flying Eagle Guard because I valued your loyalty and obedience."
Pei Yuan bowed, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Thank you for your guidance, Father. It's still early today. Shall I play a game of chess with you?"
Emperor Longqing rubbed his temples and waved his hand, "Never mind, I'm already having a headache from reading memorials. Playing chess is too mentally taxing, it'll hurt even more."
"Your Majesty, I will read a book to you for a while, and you may take a rest?"
The Longqing Emperor thought for a moment, then said, "Very well."
Pei Yuan picked up a travelogue from the desk next to him and began to read it.
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Shen Chu got ready early in the morning, changed into his lake-blue official uniform, and went to the Inspectorate to report for duty.
He was greeted by a man in his thirties with a black mole the size of a soybean at the corner of his eye, and his mouth drooped slightly when he smiled.
"You must be Lord Shen? My surname is Sun. I am an official in the Bureau of Records and have been sent by Lord Zhao to greet you here."
Shen Chu knew that the Lord Zhao he mentioned was the head of the Censorate, Zhao Dewen, the Left Censor-in-Chief.
She cupped her hands in greeting and addressed him as "Expert Sun".
The rank of the official is sixth grade, and the official in charge of the inspector's seal is mainly responsible for the document exchanges between the Inspectorate and other departments.
Sun Jingli smiled and said, "I've long heard that the new top scholar is handsome and talented. Seeing him today, I can confirm that his reputation is well-deserved. Young Master Shen, please come with me."
As Chen Chu followed him deeper inside, she couldn't help but frown.
"I wonder if Lord Zhao is here? This is my first time reporting to the Censorate, so I should pay my respects to Lord Zhao."
“Oh dear,” sighed Sun, “Young Master Shen has come at an inopportune time. Lord Zhao is unwell and took leave a couple of days ago.”
As they spoke, the two arrived outside a duty room, where a wooden sign read "Zhaomo Suo" (meaning "Patrol Station").
The document storage room was a place used to store various documents and files.
Sun, the clerk, looked apologetic. "Young Master Shen's arrival was sudden. The yamen was busy and we haven't had time to prepare a separate duty room for him."
The office is spacious; please make do with Mr. Shen working here for now.
Shen Chu rubbed her fingers together. "I'm new here and don't know anything about our Inspectorate. I don't know what I should do first."
Sun Jingli smiled and said, "With Lord Zhao not here, I cannot assign you any tasks at will."
"How about this? The original inspector of the Imperial Archives has been dismissed, and the documents and files there are in a terrible mess. Young Master Shen, could you help organize the files for a few days? Once Lord Zhao returns, we'll arrange your work, what do you say?"
Shen Chu smiled slightly, "Did Chief Clerk Sun assign me to organize the case files? Is that the rule of our Inspectorate?"
Sun paused slightly, feeling strangely cold inside despite Shen Chu's smiling face.
The thought that he had Lord Zhao backing him up immediately made him straighten his back again.
So what if he's a newly appointed top scholar, or even if he was personally selected by His Majesty? Once he's in the Censorate, he'll still have to follow Lord Zhao's orders.
Sun, the official in charge, chuckled dryly: "How dare I make arrangements for you? This was arranged by Lord Zhao before he took sick leave."
"I've heard His Majesty praise Lord Shen's outstanding talent; surely this task of organizing the files will be a piece of cake for him?"
Sun Jingli clasped his hands in front of his abdomen and looked at Shen Chu with a smile.
Although his official rank is lower than Shen Chu's, Lord Zhao is higher. If we bring up Lord Zhao, I don't believe Shen Chu would dare to refuse.
Shen Chu was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
"Since it is Lord Zhao's arrangement, I shall comply."
A hint of smugness flashed in Sun's eyes.
So what if he's a fifth-rank official appointed by His Majesty? Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. Once he arrives at the Censorate, he still has to listen to their orders.
If you don't follow instructions, you'll be relegated to the sidelines.
Unexpectedly, Shen Chu changed the subject and said, "I would also appreciate it if Clerk Sun could write me a statement confirming that it was Lord Zhao who arranged for me to organize the documents and files."
Sun Jingli's smile froze slightly. "What do you mean by this, Lord Shen? Do you suspect me of deceiving you?"
Shen Chu smiled innocently, "Of course, I am young and have little experience in being an official. Besides, this office stores important documents and files from previous years."
"If there's no proof, and I arbitrarily search through it, and then Lord Zhao comes back and blames me, wouldn't I be the one who suffers?"
Sun choked on his words, "You're so young, but you're so cunning!"
"If Clerk Sun doesn't provide a written statement, I dare not enter. Or is Clerk Sun planning to use this tactic to frame me?"
Sun's face darkened. "I didn't."
"Was that a deliberate attempt to make me work in the warehouse, organizing documents and sitting on the sidelines?"
"Naturally, it is not."
"If not, then produce Lord Zhao's written edict, or have Clerk Sun write a certificate for me."
Sun Jingli suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. How could Shen Chu be so difficult to deal with at such a young age?
In the end, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and write a statement with a dark expression.
Unexpectedly, Shen Chu stood beside him and pointed out, "Write down the time when Lord Zhao gave the order here... and write down Sun Jingli's name here, oh, and put your handprint here."
Sun was so angry he almost vomited blood. He threw the certificate at Shen Chu and left without looking back.
Chen Chu pursed his lips, dried the certificate, put it in his pocket, and pushed open the door to enter the photocopying office.
Upon seeing this scene, Sun Jingli couldn't help but reveal a sinister smile.
What good is writing a certificate? You still have to go in and organize the documents obediently.
Little did he know that Shen Chu was inside the room, looking at shelf after shelf of files, a smile of excitement on her face.
She went to great lengths to get into the Inspectorate just to come here!
What do you call this? Obtained without any effort?
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