Chapter 055
Shen Jin had already put on her clothes. Chu Xiuming came in, grabbed her cloak, and pulled Shen Jin out, "Come out."
When Nanny Zhao saw Chu Xiuming's appearance, she was startled and quickly followed him out. There were not many people in the Yongning Marquis' Mansion, so they all came out quickly and stood in the garden of the main courtyard. When the little ones saw Shen Jin, they circled around her, seeming to be very uneasy.
"What happened?" Shen Jin looked at Chu Xiuming in confusion.
Chu Xiuming tied the cloak on Shen Jin, then held him in his arms and said, "I don't know." Although he said this, he was on high alert. Even the guards were on guard, with their hands on the swords at their waists, surrounding Chu Xiuming and Shen Jin.
Time passed little by little, and the sky gradually brightened, but there was no movement at all. Even so, no one let down their guard, but became even more vigilant.
Shen Jin stood beside Chu Xiuming. His legs and feet felt a little sore, so he moved slightly. An Ning protected Shen Jin on the other side. Nanny Zhao also showed some fatigue on her face. Chu Xiuming shook Shen Jin's hand to comfort her.
The little one also quieted down, squatted beside Shen Jin, and suddenly stood up with his hair standing up but he didn't scream anymore. Everyone suddenly felt a shake in the distance. Chu Xiuming hugged Shen Jin, pressed her head in his arms, and protected her carefully.
Shen Jin's face turned pale, he bit his lip and said nothing, he felt he could not stand steadily, his hands tightly hugged Chu Xiuming's waist, luckily they were already in the garden, they stopped quickly, but Shen Jin felt weak under his feet, his chest seemed to be pressed by something, he felt extremely uncomfortable.
The shaking lasted only a moment, but it felt to everyone as if a long time had passed. When the shaking stopped, Zhao Ma and An Ping sat on the ground and said, "Earth shaking..."
Chu Xiuming's eyes darkened. The earthquake was not in the capital, but he also felt it so strongly. In the west... He slowly exhaled and said, "Don't go back to the house yet, rest here."
"yes."
Shen Jin put his hand into Chu Xiuming's palm, let Chu Xiuming hold it, and then said, "Where is it?"
"Not sure." Chu Xiuming whispered, "Don't worry."
"Yeah." Shen Jin pursed his lips. Although he said that, he still felt heavy in his heart. "Will there be any trouble in Border Town?"
"No." Chu Xiuming said confidently, "It's not related to that side."
Shen Jin was very worried about Concubine Chen, but she didn't know if there would be more earthquakes. She couldn't bring herself to ask Chu Xiuming to send someone to the Rui Palace to check. But Chu Xiuming suddenly said, "An Ning, you and Yue Wen go to the Rui Palace."
"Husband..." Shen Jin looked up at Chu Xiuming.
Chu Xiuming touched her head. Yue Wen was one of the guards they brought with them and was the most flexible. An Ning knew Kung Fu and was a maid, so she could go into the backyard and see Concubine Chen with her own eyes. Chu Xiuming's consideration was very thorough.
Yue Wen and An Ning responded, and An Ning comforted her, "Don't worry, Madam."
Shen Jin bit her lip and said, "No, it's a mess right now, wait until later..."
Before he could finish his words, Chu Xiuming stopped him. Chu Xiuming looked at Yue Wen and An Ning and said, "Go to the middle of the road and come back to tell me about the situation along the way. Don't go under the eaves."
"Husband!" Shen Jin looked at Chu Xiuming and said.
Chu Xiuming said, "The capital city has only been affected. Even if there is still movement, it won't be a problem. Don't worry."
Yue Wen also said, "Don't worry, Madam. We will be back soon."
After listening to Chu Xiuming's explanation, Shen Jin nodded and said, "Don't be too anxious, safety comes first."
"Ma'am, don't worry." An Ning smiled and walked out with Yue Wen.
Chu Xiuming said, "I'm afraid His Majesty will send someone to summon me to the palace soon."
Shen Jin looked at Chu Xiuming and said, "Be careful."
Aunt Zhao asked, "Does the general need to change his clothes?"
Chu Xiuming nodded and said, "Wait a little longer."
As Chu Xiuming said, he felt several more earthquakes, but none as obvious as the first one. Someone from the palace came to summon Chu Xiuming to the palace. After Chu Xiuming received the order, he went in to change clothes, but he didn't let Shen Jin and the others go in together. He just said, "Wait another two hours, and then go in when you are sure everything is fine."
Shen Jin took the initiative to hold Chu Xiuming's hand and said, "Husband, I will help you change your clothes." She also took the initiative to pull Chu Xiuming into the house.
Madam Zhao also said, "This old servant will help Madam."
"I can do it myself." Shen Jin shook her head and rejected Nanny Zhao. She knew in her heart that Chu Xiuming didn't let them go back to the house because he was afraid that there would be danger in case of another earthquake. Even if the earthquake did not occur in the capital, no one could guarantee that there would not be a chance of that happening.
Chu Xiuming glanced at Shen Jin, and finally said, "Madam, please stay." Then he followed Shen Jin's force and walked into the house. What would he do if his wife was so silly without him?
"Are you scared?" Chu Xiuming asked.
"Don't be afraid." Shen Jin said, "Didn't my husband say that everything was fine?"
Chu Xiuming looked at Shen Jin, bent down and kissed her forehead, "Yeah." After changing into inner clothes, Chu Xiuming held the clothes in one hand and went out holding Shen Jin's hand with the other.
When they got outside, they saw Nanny Zhao and Anping waiting not far away. They were relieved to see Chu Xiuming and Shen Jin come out. Anping stepped forward and took the clothes from Chu Xiuming's hand. Several people returned to an open place and helped Chu Xiuming change into official clothes. Chu Xiuming bent down and whispered a few words in Shen Jin's ear, then left with the people from the palace.
Madam Zhao said, "Madam, please sit down and rest for a while."
Shen Jin said, "Everyone take a break."
After Shen Jin sat on the stone chair, everyone dispersed and sat down around her. Little One leisurely lay at Shen Jin's feet. Shen Jin said, "Cook some meaty bones for Little One later."
"Yes." Nanny Zhao said, "Madam, don't worry too much."
Shen Jin responded, looking at the little one and said, "I'm afraid everything is fine now. The little one is not making any noise anymore."
Aunt Zhao said, "Little one is really a good dog."
Yue Wen and An Ning had not returned yet, and Chu Xiuming had left again. Shen Jin always felt heavy in his heart, a little impatient and a little indescribably suffocated. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, and only felt better after a few times.
Aunt Zhao was extremely worried. She lowered her eyes slightly and said, "Madam, I will go to another courtyard to check."
"Don't go." Shen Jin grabbed Zhao Ma's hand and said, "Everyone is here. Other places are just dead things. It's okay."
A guard said, "Madam, I'll go to the kitchen and get some food."
Shen Jin smiled when he heard this and asked, "Are you hungry?"
The guard knew that if he said it was for the lady, she would not let them take the risk, so he said, "Yes."
Others also said, "Yes, Madam hasn't moved for a long time, let's go get something out."
Shen Jin smiled and said, "Just starve."
The guards looked at Shen Jin in amazement. Why was he different from what they expected?
Aunt Zhao laughed instead. The atmosphere was much more relaxed after the commotion. The depression and tension just now disappeared. Shen Jin took out a purse, handed it to the guard who asked for food, and said, "Eat."
The guard blushed and said, "Madam... I'm not hungry..."
"Ah, share it among you." Shen Jin took it from the table when he was helping Chu Xiuming change clothes. It contained some sugar and dried meat, not much. It was prepared by Nanny Zhao, because she was afraid that Shen Jin would be bored when they went to Prince Rui's Mansion today, so she gave it to Shen Jin to eat for fun.
When Yue Wen and An Ning came back, Shen Jin and the others were about to go back to the house. Seeing that the two people were fine except for some dust on their bodies, Shen Jin breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Let's go in together."
Many things in the room were lying here and there. Everyone picked up the things that had fallen to the ground first. After they were roughly organized, Shen Jin asked them to go back and pack their things. The meticulous An Ning and An Ping could slowly pack up. An Ning said, "Madam, everything is fine in the Rui Palace. It's just that a servant accidentally broke his leg in a panic. The doctor has fixed it. Concubine Chen is with Concubine Rui. The Rui King has entered the palace. I saw that Concubine Chen looked good. They were all resting in the yard. When I came back, they hadn't returned to the house yet. The princess asked me to bring a message to you, saying that you just returned to the capital not long ago, and I'm afraid there are many inconveniences. If there is anything missing in the palace, please send a message to the Rui Palace."
"That's good." Shen Jin breathed a sigh of relief and said, "What about the people in the capital?"
An Ning explained the general situation. "It's not a riot. The government has sent people out to maintain order. I saw some people injured along the way, but they were not seriously injured."
It was already dawn when the earthquake occurred and many people had gotten up. It was a blessing in disguise.
Shen Jin nodded, and Madam Zhao poured some water for Shen Jin, saying, "Madam, drink slowly, the water is a little cold."
"I know." Shen Jin took a sip of water from the cup, "You all should sit down and rest. Don't be busy yet. Wait until you have rested enough before you do it."
"yes."
Shen Jin said, "Pour yourself some water."
An Ping said, "I'll go to the kitchen and take a look."
"Tell the kitchen not to cook for me separately, just make a big pot of rice for everyone to share." Shen Jin ordered.
Madam Zhao looked at Shen Jin's pale face and asked, "Madam, are you feeling unwell?"
Shen Jin moved his lips and said, "I feel a little choked."
Madam Zhao said, "There are some candied fruits in the room. I will bring them to Madam."
Shen Jin nodded and leaned back on the cushion. Nanny Zhao quickly found the things. Shen Jin picked a candied green plum and put it in his mouth. "You guys eat too."
Madam Zhao looked at Shen Jin with some concern and said, "Madam, don't worry, everything will be fine."
Shen Jin responded, and An Ning took the small quilt and covered Shen Jin's legs and said, "Madam, do you want to sleep for a while?"
"No." Shen Jin lowered his eyes slightly, "Let's talk about it after dinner."
"yes."
In the imperial study, Emperor Cheng fiercely smashed the cup to the ground, "What else can you do besides quarreling? Keep quarreling!"
Everyone knelt down and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, please calm down."
"I also want to calm down. What's going on with the Imperial Observatory..." Emperor Cheng said angrily, gritting his teeth.
Prime Minister Chen said, "Your Majesty, the current matter is to quickly send someone to deal with the aftermath."
Emperor Cheng said in a deep voice, "I called you here to deal with things. What did you do?"
An imperial censor said, "In addition to disaster relief, Your Majesty should issue an edict of apology as soon as possible."
Emperor Cheng's face changed, and he sat on the dragon throne without saying anything. After a long while, he asked, "What crime have I committed? This is a natural disaster!"
"This is a warning from God." said an old minister.
Prime Minister Chen rolled his eyes and glanced at Prince Rui. He had already made up his mind. Emperor Cheng was unwilling to do so. He had something to hide and wanted to prove his wisdom. This self-criticism edict was recorded in the files. Future generations would read it...
"Get up." Emperor Cheng took a sip of the tea that the eunuch had just brought.
Everyone stood up and moved aside again, which made Prime Minister Chen, who was kneeling and not standing up, stand out. Emperor Cheng saw Prime Minister Chen and asked, "My dear minister, do you have anything to say?"
“Your Majesty, I want to criticize King Rui for his excessive extravagance… This earthquake must be a warning from heaven to King Rui, otherwise why would it be on King Rui’s birthday?” Prime Minister Chen enumerated King Rui’s numerous crimes and finally put the blame for the earthquake on King Rui.
King Rui's face was pale, and he immediately came out and knelt on the ground, "Your Majesty, I will never..."
"Right." Before Prince Rui finished speaking, Emperor Cheng suddenly said, "Prime Minister Chen is right. I am also wrong. Prince Rui and I are from the same family. I have a lot for him... But I didn't expect Prince Rui to be ungrateful of the emperor's grace. Now God has punished you like this. Prince Rui, do you know your crime?"
In fact, all the ministers present knew what the earthquake was all about. It was just a natural disaster. The emperor's edict of repentance was a way to appease and explain to the people and to rally the people's hearts. However, Emperor Cheng had a guilty conscience and put all the blame on Prince Rui.
Although Prince Rui was a little confused, he had not really made any big mistakes. However, in the eyes of Prime Minister Chen, his crimes were unforgivable.
After understanding Emperor Cheng's meaning, several more ministers came out, all of them were supporting King Rui. The rest of the people looked at each other and sighed in their hearts, but no one said anything.
"For his own selfish reasons, the king of Canrui has abandoned the comfort of the border and insisted on summoning the Earl of Yongning back to the capital. If the barbarians invade at this time, what will happen to the people in the border? This is a great evil."
"I am the minister of the Rui King who likes beautiful women. As the saying goes, what goes up must be followed by the others..."
"I, King Rui, have been building a large-scale project in the palace and plundering the people..."
"Your Majesty, I am here to serve you..."
This is really a case of everyone pushing the wall down. All the blame was put on King Rui's head. Even his lateness and early departure was regarded as a heinous act of disregarding the lives of the people. There was no mention at all that King Rui had no real power and it would not have any impact even if he did not go.
Emperor Cheng gradually calmed down. Prince Rui, who was kneeling on the ground, was already soaked with cold sweat and his face was pale...
"You are so good at speaking." Chu Xiuming suddenly said in a cold voice, "You all really have the ability to make the dead come alive."
"Lord Yongning, what do you mean?" A younger official jumped out and pointed at Chu Xiuming and said, "Does Lord Yongning want to confuse public and private matters? Prince Rui is guilty of such a heinous crime..."
"Oh? What is the crime of Prince Rui?" Chu Xiuming asked back.
"We must punish him severely to be worthy of the people of the world." The man said with a proud look on his face, "Is Earl Yongning trying to protect King Rui?"
Chu Xiuming said calmly, "Since this crime is unforgivable, then let's kill all nine clans. If that doesn't make you feel better, then we can exterminate all ten clans."
The man was about to say something when he suddenly remembered the identity of King Rui. He glanced at Emperor Cheng and saw that his face was full of displeasure. Chu Xiuming's attitude was very calm, as if he was talking about something insignificant. "What do you think, Your Majesty?"
"How dare you, Earl Yongning," Prime Minister Chen shouted angrily, "How dare you speak nonsense in front of His Majesty? Do you even have His Majesty in your eyes?"
Yongning Bo Li ignored Prime Minister Chen and said bluntly, "The people in Shu are suffering now, and we don't know how serious the disaster is. What about the follow-up rescue arrangements? Where is the food and grass needed for disaster relief? You are taking the court's salary, but you don't know how to share the worries of His Majesty. Instead, you are determined to shirk your responsibilities. It's ridiculous."
The Minister of War stood up and said, "I think what Earl Yongning said is very true."
The Minister of Industry also stood up and said, "I second the motion."
Prince Rui was deeply moved. Marquis Yongle was also present and he often drank and played with him, but now he didn't dare to say a word, while Chu Xiuming stood up directly.
Emperor Cheng was filled with rage, and felt that Chu Xiuming was born to oppose him. He said sternly, "Chu Xiuming, do you think I dare not kill you?"
When King Rui heard this, he was shocked and said, "Your Majesty!"
After Emperor Cheng said this, not only Prince Rui, but other ministers were not prepared to stand idly by. The young official who was questioned by Chu Xiuming was overjoyed and knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please punish Earl Yongning, he..."
"Shut up." The Minister of Rites kicked the man on the back, knocking him down, then knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, don't listen to my nonsense. Earl Yongning is just worried about the people in Shu."
The Minister of Rites is an old minister of two dynasties. He has retired several times, but Emperor Cheng has not allowed it. He just kept him around to show his respect for the previous emperor and to serve as a decoration. He also knows it very well and rarely speaks. Who would have thought that he is still strong and nimble at old age, and the force of this kick is not light.
Another old minister also questioned, "The Chu family is as old as the country, and has been stationed at the border for generations. Few of the Chu family's sons and daughters have a good end. Many of their bodies were left on the battlefield and cannot be found. Those tombs of clothing and hats... Your Majesty, are you trying to chill the hearts of the people of the world with your words?"
Although Prince Rui is Emperor Cheng's younger brother, he has not done anything, so he was blamed. Few people came out to speak for him, not to mention that they all knew that Emperor Cheng would not take Prince Rui's life. When Chu Xiuming stood up, they remembered that Chu Xiuming was Prince Rui's son-in-law. If they did not stand up, they would be despised by many people.
Chu Xiuming knelt down and said, "I dare not."
Prince Rui looked up at Emperor Cheng. His lack of ability was the reason he survived, but now it became the reason for his crime. Prince Rui knew that Emperor Cheng was unwilling to issue an edict of guilt, so he had to find someone to take the blame. It happened to be his birthday, and even if he didn't admit it, he was afraid that in the future... Prince Rui's Mansion couldn't be involved, let alone Chu Xiuming. As long as Chu Xiuming was still the son-in-law of Prince Rui's Mansion, no one dared to neglect the family members in the mansion. Besides, Emperor Cheng would never take his brother's life, and he would keep him to show mercy. Prince Rui gritted his teeth and bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I am guilty."
Confessing his guilt at this time was a way for Emperor Cheng to step aside. Emperor Cheng felt relieved, but he became more wary of Chu Xiuming. He had never thought that so many people would come out to speak for Chu Xiuming. What's worse, even the officials he promoted did not listen to him. Many people sympathized with Prince Rui. Such a thing happened on a good birthday, and now...
However, this was also the royal family's own business. Speaking to Chu Xiuming just now might have offended Emperor Cheng, so he stopped talking now, and Chu Xiuming also stopped talking.
"Just now I spoke a little harshly because I was worried about the suffering people. Please don't be offended, Marquis Yongning." Emperor Cheng said with a distorted expression, his heart full of hatred and humiliation.
Emperor Cheng thought that this statement would make his ministers think he was magnanimous, but he didn't know that these people had a scale in their hearts. If Emperor Cheng really ignored everyone's disapproval and arrested and killed Chu Xiuming, they might still look up to him. Everyone knew that Emperor Cheng was wary of Chu Xiuming. Taking the opportunity to kill someone and then throwing dirty water on Chu Xiuming was decisive and ruthless, but...
"I dare not." Chu Xiuming did not persist.
Emperor Cheng then hummed, "Everyone, stand up. Since Prince Rui has confessed his guilt, drag him to the palace gate and give him thirty lashes. Imprison him in the clan house and make all his crimes known to the world."
King Rui bowed his head and said, "I obey your order."
The palace guards came in quickly. Prince Rui did not ask anyone to pull him back. He stood up on his own initiative, glanced at Chu Xiuming and shook his head slightly, signaling him not to speak anymore before leaving.
Emperor Cheng then continued, "Select..." The titles of the officials were read out one by one. They were all the ones who had just stood up to accuse Prince Rui. It was not even necessary to guess that they were all Emperor Cheng's confidants. "Prime Minister Chen will be in charge of disaster relief matters."
"I obey your order." Everyone knelt down and received the order.
The news that Prince Rui was beaten and locked up soon spread throughout the palace. Even at the suggestion of Emperor Cheng, various rumors began to spread in the capital, all of which blamed Prince Rui for the earthquake. The reputation of Prince Rui's Mansion plummeted to the bottom, and even those whose family members were on duty in Prince Rui's Mansion were beaten up by many angry people.
In the Buddhist temple in the palace, the Empress Dowager heard the words of the palace maid and said, "Go out." Her face was calm and she didn't say anything more.
The maid retreated, and the maid who had been accompanying the Empress Dowager said, "The Empress Dowager..."
The Buddhist beads in the Empress Dowager's hand were torn apart. "It's all my fault... This is retribution! Retribution!"
The nanny quickly said, "Queen Mother, Prince Rui is your Majesty's brother, he will be fine."
The Queen Mother stopped talking, closed her eyes and looked even older. She said, "Let's clean it up, Princess Shangrui..."
"Yes." Nanny wrote them down one by one.
In the Rui Palace, Princess Rui waved her hand and said, "I understand."
Cui Xi looked at Princess Rui with some worry, but Princess Rui showed no expression and said, "Cui Xi, pass it on. If I hear anyone in the mansion talking nonsense, I will throw fifty lashes on the manor, regardless of life or death. If there is any mistake, it will be severely punished."
"Yes." Cui Xi responded respectfully.
Princess Rui looked at Concubine Chen and said, "Sister Chen, take care of Li. I'll go pack my things. Xuan'er, you can take them to the prince later. I've asked someone to pack some food. Xi'er, you can take the guards in the mansion to your third sister's house and tell her not to worry and not to come to the mansion. Wait until your third brother-in-law comes back before going home. Bring Shen Rong and her brother to my room and have the maids and servants keep an eye on them. Don't let them walk around freely or they might get hurt."
Princess Rui settled the affairs in the palace one by one and soon calmed people's hearts.
At Yongle Marquis's Mansion, Shen Qi's face changed drastically when he heard the news. He stood up suddenly and looked at the Yongle Marquis's son, saying, "Impossible."
Yongle Hou Shizi didn't know how to comfort her. He came back and told his wife as soon as he got the news, "I have asked someone to watch the notice board. If the news is really posted... don't worry too much. Why don't I accompany you back to the mansion to visit mother-in-law?"
Shen Qi said, "Okay."
Yongle Houzi said, "Then I..."
"My lord, Madam is calling you over." The maidservant beside the wife of Marquis Yongle came running over and said.
Yongle Hou Shizi said, "I understand."
Shen Qi pursed her lips and tightened her hand holding the handkerchief. The Prince of Yongle looked at Shen Qi and said, "I'm going to go to my mother first. I'll come right over after you pack up."
"Okay." Shen Qi agreed, with no emotion visible on his face.
Yongle Hou Shizi hurriedly followed the maid to the main courtyard. Shen Qi said, "Shuangqiao, pack up and let's go back."
"Yes." Shuang Qiao responded.
"Pack up more, I'm going to stay in the palace for a while." Shen Qi said gritting his teeth.
Shuang Qiaoshou paused for a moment before saying, "Then the prince..."
"No need to deal with the prince." Shen Qi was worried about his father's affairs, and felt a little disheartened. "Take my dowry banknotes, house deeds and land deeds."
"Yes." Shuang Qiao saw that Shen Qi had made up his mind, so she stopped asking questions and started packing things with the maid. She did not let the maid touch any money or anything like that.
Shen Qi sat on the chair, looking at the door. Time passed slowly, and the sky gradually darkened, but there was no sign of Yongle Hou Shizi. Shen Qi's heart grew colder. Shuang Qiao had packed her things and asked the maid to carry the box to the car first. Then she held the small wooden box and said hesitantly, "Madam, why don't you wait a moment?"
"Let's go." Shen Qi stood up, took the cloak beside him and put it on himself, then walked outside with Shuang Qiao.
As I walked out of the courtyard, I saw the maid who had just called away the Prince of Yongle, running towards me in a hurry and saying, "Young Madam, you are not feeling well, so you asked the Prince to stay by your side to serve you. You knew that you were going back to your parents' home, so you asked me to bring you some silver." As she spoke, she held two silver bills in both hands.
Shuang Qiao looked at Shen Qi, who said expressionlessly, "Take it."
"Yes." Shuang Qiao stepped forward to take it. She glanced at it and saw that it was a silver note for one hundred taels. She felt hatred and anger in her heart. Her eyes turned red. When she handed it to Shen Qi, she didn't even dare to look up.
Shen Qi took it, took a look at it and smiled, "Thank the wife of Marquis Yongle for me." Then he threw the two silver notes casually and said, "Here's a reward for you." He said this to the maid beside the wife of Marquis Yongle, and then got on the carriage without looking back.
Sitting in the carriage, Shen Qi couldn't hold back her tears any longer. Shuang Qiao sat beside her but didn't know how to comfort her. Shen Qi covered her face with a handkerchief and said, "I'm better than my sisters in everything in my life, but there's just one thing..."
She didn't finish her words, but her meaning was very clear. The man she married in this life was not as good as the one Shen Jin married.
The carriage suddenly stopped. Shuang Qiao opened the door and was about to ask when she saw Yongle Hou's son, who was about to get on the carriage with a sweaty face. She shouted in delight, "Son, the prince is here."
Shen Qi stopped crying. She took off her handkerchief in disbelief and looked at Chu Yuhong who got on the carriage. She threw herself into his arms and cried, "Why did you come just now?"
Shuang Qiao got off the carriage quietly, then told the coachman to continue on the road, and she sat in the carriage at the back, feeling a little more happy.
In the Yongning Marquis's mansion, Madam Zhao and the others also got the news. However, looking at Shen Jin who was not sleeping soundly, they were a little hesitant. Madam Zhao said, "It's useless for Madam to go at this time. Let Madam rest for a while."
In the Rui Palace, Princess Rui frowned and said, "Nonsense."
Shen Qi, whose eyes were still red and swollen from crying, said, "Mother, what happened to father?"
Princess Rui asked someone to fetch some water for Shen Qi to wash his face and said, "Nothing's wrong, don't worry."
Shen Qi wanted to say something else, but was stopped by the Yongle Marquis, who said, "If my mother-in-law needs me, please let me know."
Princess Rui sighed and said, "There was an earthquake just now. I'm afraid the mansion is not safe either. It's Qi'er's fault."
Yongle Hou's son said, "Mother-in-law, there is no need to do this. I still have my younger brother at home. I..."
"Silly talk." Princess Rui interrupted the Yongle Marquis's son, "You are the prince, and the Marquis is not here at this time, so you should be in charge of the palace."
The Prince of Yongle was stunned for a moment, then he realized what Princess Rui meant. He knew that this was only done for his own benefit. He had been the prince for a short time and his position was not stable enough. It would be a mistake for him to step out of the palace to preside over the overall situation and increase his prestige. If he let his younger brothers... Just looking at his wife, he felt hesitant again.
Princess Rui said, "I have packed two carts of things. Although I know your mansion has no shortage of these, I still want to show my appreciation. I will take Qi'er to wash up, and then you can go home. Qi'er has been spoiled since she was young and is not sensible enough. It is my fault as a mother. If the son-in-law has made a mistake, just tell him directly. If he doesn't listen, come and tell me, and I will teach him a lesson." After saying this, she actually bowed to the Prince of Yongle.
Yongle Hou's son was startled, and quickly avoided her and said, "Mother-in-law, there is no need to do this. Madam has taken good care of me."
Princess Rui smiled and said nothing more. Seeing Princess Rui's look, Prince Yongle felt relieved. He thought that his father-in-law was probably fine and was just putting on an act for the common people to see.
Shen Qi also knew that she was rash, but she was confused for a moment when she learned about the matter of the King Rui. After she followed the Princess Rui into the inner room, Cui Xi wrung out a handkerchief to clean her face. The Princess Rui asked, "But you had a dispute with your mother-in-law?"
"Mother..." Shen Qi then realized why her mother had said those words just now, and even why she had bowed to the Prince of Yongle as a princess. It was all for her. In this way, even if she had a quarrel with the wife of the Marquis of Yongle, the Prince would probably help her a little because of what her mother had done.
Shen Qi lowered his head and told the story again. Princess Rui knew the temperament of the wife of the Yongle Marquis. She thought that as long as the Rui Palace did not fall, the wife of the Yongle Marquis would be more cautious. She never thought that such a thing would happen. "What will you do when you go back?"
"I will apologize to my mother-in-law when I get back." Shen Qi said.
"You are confused." Princess Rui scolded angrily, "Since you have already forgiven me, what crime are you asking for?"
Shen Qi looked at Princess Rui in surprise. Princess Rui said, "Remember, you are a princess. Although your father was sent to the clan house, his title was not taken away. Your uncle is the current emperor, and your brother-in-law is the Earl of Yongning who controls the army of the world."
Seeing her daughter's expression, Princess Rui said, "This is a different time." She was unwilling to explain more, "And your father will be fine. If anyone says it in front of you, let the old woman slap him directly."
"I understand." Shen Qi said. When King Rui was safe, she naturally didn't need to be too strong. But now that King Rui was in trouble, she had to stand up and show her strength to everyone.
Princess Rui sighed and nodded, saying nothing more.
When Shen Xi arrived at the Yongning Marquis's residence, Shen Jin was awakened by Zhao Ma. After washing up a bit, she sat on a chair in the living room. Zhao Ma even placed a cushion behind her. She didn't know why she was particularly tired. An Ning brought Shen Xi in. Shen Jin asked, "Brother, have you eaten yet?"
"It has been used." Shen Xi said.
"Hurry up and sit down." Shen Jin said, "I'm not feeling well, so I won't get up."
"There's no need to be polite, third sister." Seeing that Shen Jin didn't treat him as an outsider, Shen Xi's reservedness when he first arrived at the Yongning Marquis's Mansion disappeared, and he said, "Mother asked me to bring some things over. She knew that third brother-in-law was not at home, and was afraid that it would cause any inconvenience, so she asked me to stay here with third sister." But third sister was so calm, did she not get the news that their father was in trouble?
Shen Jin was touched and asked, "Is there anything wrong, mother?"
"Nothing happened." Shen Xi said, "Oh, by the way, my mother asked me to bring some tranquilizers, fearing that my third sister might be frightened."
Shen Jin shook her head and said, "When my husband comes back, we will go to the mansion together to thank my mother."
Shen Xi glanced at the big white dog lying at Shen Jin's feet. Shen Jin said, "This is Little Bit. It won't bite." He didn't mention that Little Bit had woken people up before the accident. It would be bad in case people resented him for not warning them first after knowing the news. But no one knew what happened at that time. Shen Jin even suspected that Emperor Cheng couldn't help but send people to destroy the family.
An Ping suddenly rushed in from outside, as if he had just received the news, and said, "Madam, something bad has happened. The prince has been beaten."
"What?" Shen Jin stood up suddenly, "What's going on?" She looked at An Ping and then at Shen Xi, her face full of helplessness and anxiety.
Shen Xi was sure that Shen Jin really didn't know. However, they had just arrived in the capital not long ago, and there were not many people in the palace. The Earl of Yongning was not there, so they were not so well-informed. "I just heard that... His Majesty said that the earthquake was all caused by my father, and ordered him to be beaten and locked up in the clan house." He was also worried, but looking at the look on his third sister's face, he couldn't help but comfort her, "Don't worry too much, third sister, mother has made some arrangements, and my eldest brother has also gone to pack and send things."
"How can this be blamed on my father?" Shen Jin's body softened and she sat back in her chair, her eyes red as she tried to hold back tears. She was really anxious. If something happened to King Rui, they would not be in any good situation. Family affairs like this always involve everyone's success and everyone's failure. She could go to the border town and have her husband to protect her, but what about her mother? What about her mother? What about her sisters at home?
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