Chapter 132
Because of Chu Xiuming's departure, An Yi and the others treated Shen Jin with more caution. This time, Chu Xiuming did not take Jiayi away, but took Yue Wen away. Jiayi and Jiasi stayed with Shen Jin. Unlike what Aunt Qian and the others worried, Shen Jin did not ask about Chu Xiuming after waking up. Instead, she was the same as before Chu Xiuming came.
Now that the new emperor has not yet ascended the throne, Shen Xuan, the prince of Prince Rui of Minzhong, is enough to keep Duke Cheng'en and his men busy. While Shen Xuan took over the troops that had defected from the prince of Prince Ying, he started a mutiny in the name of clearing the court and getting rid of the evil queen. And Shen Xuan was not without any evidence. He had evidence that the queen poisoned Emperor Cheng, causing panic in the capital.
Duke Cheng'en and the Queen never thought that what they did would be known to others. However, they didn't know that when the Queen was cleaning out the Queen Mother's people and placing her own people in place, many spies who had been lurking in the palace for a long time began to take action, which made things go so smoothly.
It can be said that Emperor Cheng and the Empress are in their current situation thanks to Emperor Cheng’s suspicion and the Empress’s evil intentions.
Because of the evidence from Shen Xuan, no matter how much the Queen and Duke Cheng'en said, many families knew what was going on, because the Queen's actions were not flawless. Shen Xuan provided clues to everyone, and after everyone secretly investigated based on the clues, they all understood the truth. Many people from the noble families were not surprised at all, thinking about what Emperor Cheng had done in the past. The older generation just sneered, saying that birds of a feather flock together.
Although the noble families have their own thoughts and want to preserve their own glory and status, they also know one thing: if the country is destroyed, where is the family? If Tianqi is good, they, the noble families, will naturally rise in wealth. If Tianqi is not good... they will just be exploited. Not to mention their status, even their lives may not be saved.
Moreover, the relationship between the Tianqi royal family and the aristocratic families has never been interfered with. Although they will curb the excessive power of the aristocratic families, they will not hurt the foundation of the aristocratic families. Moreover, when the late emperor and the prince were in power, the appointment of officials was more based on real talent and knowledge rather than background. In this way, although there are poor students, there are more students from aristocratic families. Because they have been exposed to different things since childhood, books and the like are still too expensive, and aristocratic families have a natural advantage.
In fact, these people do not believe that Prince Rui is purely out to avenge Emperor Cheng. They are afraid that he is also plotting the throne. However, this is understandable. Apart from the remaining princes born by the Queen, there are only the Shen Xuan brothers.
The queen looked at the prime minister and others and asked sternly, "With your majesty's will, why don't you let my son ascend the throne and bury your majesty?"
Shi Yu looked listless and had no opinion, but the Minister of War said in a deep voice, "In reply to the Queen, the Queen Mother is on her way back to the capital. It will be easier for her to take charge of the situation when she returns."
"Do you want to rebel?" the queen shouted angrily.
Princess Ruyang supported the queen and said nothing. However, Shen Zhi, the queen's son, was young and could not help but said angrily, "How dare you do this! I will not let you off easily when I ascend the throne."
As soon as these words came out, those who were still hesitant lowered their eyes slightly. Shi Yu's eyes flickered, and he finally said, "Your Highness, please forgive me." Although he said this, he did not show any fear. In his heart, he quite liked Prince Shen Zhi. It seemed that after today, many hesitant people would make up their minds.
Shen Zhi had been spoiled by the empress to begin with, and now he knew that he would soon be the emperor, so he had no scruples at all and directly took the teacup at hand and smashed it on Shi Yu's head. Although the child was not very strong, the teacup just hit Shi Yu's head, causing Shi Yu to stagger. The Minister of War hurriedly supported him and prevented him from falling. Shi Yu was now in a very embarrassed state, with tea all over his face and tea leaves on his official uniform. The Minister of Rites, the Minister of Works, the Minister of Revenue... they were all shocked. Although Shi Yu was a good man, he was also the prime minister of Tianqi. Even when Emperor Cheng was alive, no one dared to treat the prime minister like this. And they didn't think Shi Yu had done anything wrong.
Although Duke Cheng'en was proud that his grandson was about to take the throne, he was also unhappy about these people's obstruction, but he was not stupid. His face changed, and then he winked at the queen. The queen did not take Shi Yu seriously. Her attitude also affected her son. Otherwise, why did the minister of war offend people, but Shen Zhi hit Shi Yu? The queen said, "Don't be surprised, Prime Minister. Zhi'er is young and feels sorry for his father who can't rest in peace now."
Shi Yu pursed his lips and said, "I'll take my leave first." After that, he turned around and left without paying any attention to the queen's words.
The Minister of War also said, "I will take my leave first."
"How dare you, you little slave boy, be so arrogant! Wait for me..."
The Queen covered Shen Zhi's mouth with her hand, but that dog slave made the faces of the Minister of Rites and others who were still there change. They were from the imperial examination system, and the most important thing for a scholar was character. The Minister of Rites and others also said goodbye and left. For a while, only the Queen, Shen Zhi, Princess Ruyang and Duke Cheng'en were left in the room.
Duke Cheng En frowned and said, "The Queen should advise His Highness to control his temper. It will be too late to deal with those people after you ascend the throne."
The queen also knew that her son had said something wrong, so she said, "Father, I will prepare some gifts for you to send to the prime minister and others."
Lord Cheng En nodded and said, "Yes."
Shen Zhi didn't think he had done anything wrong, so he asked directly, "Grandfather, when can I ascend the throne?"
Duke Cheng'en said, "Your Highness, why don't you go to Emperor Cheng's place these days..."
"I'm not going." Shen Zhi said directly, "It's dark and spooky over there."
The empress put her arms around her son. Actually, she was also reluctant to go to Emperor Cheng's mourning hall. If possible, she would have wanted to move Emperor Cheng's body to the imperial mausoleum for burial. The imperial mausoleum was built not long after Emperor Cheng ascended the throne, and it has been completed now. All they had to do was carry Emperor Cheng's body in. However, all the court officials disagreed and wanted to wait for the empress dowager to come back and take charge of the situation.
The Empress Dowager has been found, and she also knows the cause of Emperor Cheng's death. It is impossible for her to not be sad at all, but the Empress Dowager now values her own life more, and it is impossible for her to come back. Although the ceremonial procession has returned to the palace, the Empress Dowager has secretly gone to Minzhong to look for Shen Xuan, so she will not come back for a while.
After leaving the palace, Shi Yu sighed slightly. He did not even bother to tidy up his appearance. The Queen and Duke Cheng'en also forgot about this and let Shi Yu leave in a mess. What happened in the palace was no secret. Not long after Shi Yu returned home, everyone who should know knew about it. All of a sudden, those who were originally hesitant because of Emperor Cheng's death all made a choice.
Chu Xiuming was in Shi Yu's house at this time. He only told others that he was the master hired for the younger generation of the family. After Shi Yu told Chu Xiuming about the matter in the study, he frowned slightly and didn't say anything. Shi Yu asked, "I'm afraid someone will come later."
"Yes." Chu Xiuming nodded, "Shen Zhi has helped us."
Shi Yu was not young anymore, as he was wearing casual clothes at home. He took a sip from the teacup.
Chu Xiuming said, "Sir, why don't you start recuperating behind closed doors today and not see any visitors."
Shi Yu asked, "What about the matter in the court..."
Chu Xiuming looked at Shi Yu and said, "Don't worry, because we won't be the ones who are in a hurry."
Shi Yu thought about it and nodded in agreement. Without saying anything else, Chu Xiuming looked at Shi Yu's head full of white hair and said, "Your Excellency has suffered over the years."
Hearing Chu Xiuming's words, Shi Yu laughed, then said seriously, "It's all for Tianqi and for the people of Tianqi."
Chu Xiuyuan in the border town looked at the news sent by Xi Yunjing, his eyes flickered but he didn't say anything, but Manager Zhao said, "Young General, we have to be on guard."
Xi Yunjing just said that Shen Xuan had been making a lot of small moves recently, and had secretly met with the remnants of the Prince of England many times. He thought he could hide it from the world, but he didn't know that his every move was being monitored by Xi Yunjing's people.
Steward Wang also looked gloomy and said, "Young General, don't raise a tiger to cause trouble."
Chu Xiuyuan thought for a moment and said, "I understand."
Steward Wang wanted to say more, but was stopped by Steward Zhao. Chu Xiuyuan pursed his lips and said, "I'll go to Prince Rui's place."
Manager Zhao also knew that Princess Rui was a smart person, so he was not surprised by Chu Xiuyuan's decision. Manager Wang thought about it and said nothing. Chu Xiuyuan sent a message to King Rui and went there that afternoon. King Rui and Princess Rui were both in the palace. King Rui looked at Chu Xiuyuan. After knowing Chu Xiuyuan's identity, he became closer to Chu Xiuyuan and took care of him. He even often talked to Chu Xiuyuan about the former crown prince. Chu Xiuyuan was not impatient at all. However, King Rui did not know much about Chu Xiuyuan's biological father. After all, Chu Xiuyuan's biological father was still young at that time.
After some polite conversation, Princess Rui asked directly, "But what happened?"
King Rui sat aside and looked at Chu Xiuyuan, "Just say it."
Chu Xiuyuan had thought it through before he came. He told Prince Ying that his son was dead and Shen Xuan's recent actions to Prince Rui and Princess Rui. Before Prince Rui could react, Princess Rui's face turned serious and she said bluntly, "My son is confused."
Prince Rui looked at Princess Rui, somewhat surprised but somewhat understanding. Chu Xiuyuan did not say anything, and Princess Rui said directly, "It is better to let Shen Xi go to handle the affairs in Minzhong. I haven't seen Xuan'er for a long time, and I miss him. Besides, Xuan'er is old enough to get married."
Chu Xiuyuan looked at Princess Rui and nodded, "Okay."
Princess Rui pursed her lips and smiled, looking at Prince Rui, and said, "Your Highness, why don't you write a letter to Xuan'er."
"Oh." King Rui said, "I understand."
Princess Rui said, "Just say I'm not feeling well and ask Xuan'er to come back."
Chu Xiuyuan also admired Princess Rui in his heart. He didn't expect that Princess Rui would be so decisive. However, she did save Shen Xuan. Shen Xi had been with Zhao Duan for a long time, so he probably saw things much more clearly than Shen Xuan. With Xi Yunjing around, nothing would go wrong when they arrived in Minzhong.
Prince Rui nodded and wrote a letter immediately. Princess Rui also wrote one and handed it to Chu Xiuyuan, saying, "I'll have to trouble Xiuyuan to deliver it to Xuan'er." Princess Rui also called two guards and told them in front of Chu Xiuyuan, "When the time comes, escort the prince back."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
