Chapter 141
What happened after the extra election
Chu Xiuyuan and other Chu Xiuming brought Shen Jin and Zhao Ru's family to the capital, and then they actually moved into the palace. However, he had people clean up the former crown prince's palace and moved in there.
The Empress of Emperor Cheng and his only remaining son Shen Zhi were imprisoned in the palace. Chu Xiuyuan had no intention of mistreating them. As for Princess Ruyang and the others, he just didn't allow them to move around freely. The people in the Cheng'en Mansion were not so lucky. They were all taken to the prison.
When Emperor Cheng was alive, he had planned to choose a prince consort for Princess Zhaoyang and the others, but later it was delayed because of the matter of the Crown Prince of England. At that time, when Emperor Cheng's intention came true, some noble families expressed their willingness, but now no one is interested in these two princesses. It seems that they are afraid that Chu Xiuyuan will misunderstand them, so they have married off all the children of marriageable age in their families. Now that the mourning period has not yet passed, they cannot hold a wedding, but the two families have secretly exchanged tokens of love, so it is possible.
Especially the families that the queen hinted at at the beginning, they had chosen their own family very early on.
In Chu Xiuyuan's opinion, such behavior was totally unnecessary. Even if he hated Emperor Cheng and Duke Cheng'en's Mansion, he would not take it out on these people and the princess. He didn't even plan to pursue Shen Zhi, but he would not allow him to leave the capital either.
When Chu Xiuming came back, Chu Xiuyuan went to the city gate to greet him in person, and when entering the palace, it was Chu Xiuming who escorted him there.
At first glance, these two things seem insignificant, but upon careful consideration, they have deep meaning. Chu Xiuyuan told everyone in Tianqi about the relationship between him and Chu Xiuming. Although he will change his name and become the new emperor of Tianqi, in his heart, Chu Xiuming is still his brother and his family.
Before Chu Xiuyuan ascended the throne, everyone had proposed to confer titles on the former crown prince and Chu Xiuyuan's biological father, and naturally no one objected. Then they conferred titles on the former crown princess and several princes who were killed by Emperor Cheng. Although Chu Xiuyuan hated Emperor Cheng, Emperor Cheng had already been buried. After changing Emperor Cheng's posthumous title, Chu Xiuyuan had no intention of paying attention to him anymore. After Emperor Cheng's queen was accused of many crimes, she died in the cold palace.
However, Chu Xiuyuan did not touch Shen Zhi. Instead, he conferred a title on Shen Zhi, cleaned up the former Duke Cheng'en Mansion and used it as his residence. In addition, there were rewards for many meritorious officials. Among them, the one who received the most rewards was Chu Xiuming. Chu Xiuming was promoted from Marquis of Yongning to Prince of Ning, Shen Jin was promoted to Lady of Ningguo, Chu Xiuyao was promoted to Marquis, the food allowance of Prince Rui was increased a lot, and he was also given a manor. The most beneficial thing was that the title was given to his second son Shen Xi... After all the rewards were scattered, it was already the second year of Yong'an.
Yong'an was the reign title after Chu Xiuyuan ascended the throne. The word "An" is very simple, but it is what everyone hopes for the most.
Chu Xiuyuan listened to Zhao Rui's advice and no longer had only one prime minister in the court as in the past, but instead had two prime ministers on the left and right. Unlike Emperor Cheng who emphasized civil officials over military officials, Chu Xiuyuan focused on the equality of civil officials and military generals. It took him nearly two years to sort out the court that had been messed up by Emperor Cheng. Chu Xiuyuan did not have the same concerns as Emperor Cheng did at the beginning, and directly sent troops to suppress the remnants of the Prince of England. Those who should be recruited were recruited, and those who were guilty were dealt with.
After the commotion calmed down, the issue of Chu Xiuyuan's selection of the queen was brought up again in the court. Chu Xiuyuan did not refuse this time, and said directly, "I have already considered these things, but now I have no elders." Emperor Cheng's mother, the Empress Dowager, was naturally considered an elder, but she had long been taken back to the palace by Prince Rui to be supported. No one would mention this person without any regard for her at this time.
Shi Yu is now the right prime minister, and he said respectfully, "Your Majesty can select a large number of people to fill the harem."
"The barbarians have not been annihilated yet." In just two years, Chu Xiuyuan has gained dignity while sitting on the throne. "Shuzhong and other places..."
A lot of things have to be said about Tianqi, and it is not suitable to waste money in such places. "I have decided to hand this over to Madam Ningguo."
For some reason, although they felt that this was not in accordance with the rules, many people had a feeling that it was as they expected. Besides, Madam Ningguo was Chu Xiuyuan's elder, and with the relationship with Chu Xiuming, Shi Yu and Zhao Ru looked at each other and stopped raising any objections, so the matter was settled.
Chu Xiuming had not attended court for a long time. When everyone was still worried about Chu Xiuming's power grabbing, Chu Xiuming had already stepped down and was now at home with his wife and children. So they only learned about this news after leaving court. People say that pregnancy makes women stupid for three years. Not long after returning to Beijing, Shen Jin had forgotten what Chu Xiuyuan had entrusted to her. Now that she knew about it, she poked Xixi, who was walking unsteadily, and said, "I've made a note of it."
Even after returning to the capital, Concubine Chen did not return to the Rui Palace, but stayed by Shen Jin's side. This was against the rules, but everyone in the capital pretended not to know about it. Concubine Chen was at ease and said, "Isn't it appropriate to leave this matter to you?"
Concubine Chen also knew the importance of choosing the queen, but since this matter fell on her daughter, she was afraid that if she made a bad choice, she would be blamed.
Shen Jin said, "Mother, it's okay."
Chu Xiuming knew Concubine Chen's concerns and said, "Don't worry, mother-in-law."
Seeing this, Concubine Chen said nothing more, nodded and said, "Have you made up your mind?"
Shen Jin nodded and said, "I want to ask my mother."
Concubine Chen nodded and said, "That's appropriate."
Although Princess Rui seldom goes out, there is almost nothing she doesn't know about the goings-on in the capital. Moreover, Princess Rui has been busy choosing wives for her two sons recently, so I guess she has already prepared for all these things.
Chu Xiuming sat aside, threw his daughter up and caught her again, making her laugh non-stop. Xixi didn't envy him, but leaned on Shen Jin. He could already walk, but didn't like walking, and was quiet most of the time. However, Chu Xiuming and Shen Jin found that their youngest son liked fresh things, especially the little one. Although the little one also played with Dongdong and the others, careful observation revealed that the little one was closer to Xixi.
Having said that, Shen Jin has been a little lazy recently. It should be said that Shen Jin has become lazy since Chu Xiuming has been around. It's not that he is listless all day, but that apart from accompanying the children and eating and drinking, he is unwilling to even leave the mansion. So after Chu Xiuyuan gave him the task, Shen Jin never went out, as if he didn't take it to heart at all. This made people outside anxious. Those who have relatives naturally tried to visit, and those who have no relatives also tried to establish connections. For a while, the capital city became lively. Many people felt that Shen Jin did this on purpose, trying to investigate something secretly, causing some families to be on high alert. Even if there was an extra fruit seller at the street corner, they would observe him carefully in secret, and ordered all the servants in the mansion not to bully others by taking advantage of their power.
Many people in the capital were stunned. They saw that those who used to be arrogant became gentle and polite. Some of them even refused to accept bribes and spoke righteously. Even if someone fell down on the street, many people would rush to help him.
And Shen Jin didn't forget or not take it to heart, she was just lazy. Every day she thought about going to the Rui Palace to meet the Rui Princess tomorrow, but when she woke up in the morning she didn't feel like moving, so she put it off until tomorrow. She kept putting it off day after day, which caused misunderstandings among outsiders.
In the blink of an eye, more than half a month passed, but there was no news from Shen Jin, which made many people restless. They found various excuses to come to the door, and even the palace would occasionally mention it. Chu Xiuyuan was not anxious at all, but comforted people. He knew Shen Jin's condition during this period. At that time, he asked the imperial physician to see Shen Jin. The imperial physician only said that Shen Jin was very tired in the past two years, so he became particularly lazy when he relaxed. It was nothing serious, and let Shen Jin eat whatever he wanted and sleep however he wanted.
After the imperial physician finished the treatment, Chu Xiuming and Chu Xiuyuan felt relieved. Chu Xiuyao was also handed over to the imperial physician and the famous doctors found from the public for treatment. His condition improved day by day. Everyone also found that he seemed to be much more awake and could think. Occasionally, he would call out Chu Xiuming's name, which made everyone very happy. Chu Xiuyuan directly sent all the doctors to Chu Xiuming's house.
Shen Jin finally stopped being lazy that day. After getting up, she hugged the quilt and was in a daze for a while. Then she asked An Ning and the others to dress her up. It was not grand or extravagant, just simple. After all, it was her parents' home, not an outsider's. She was no longer in need of fancy clothes and beautiful accessories to show her happiness.
Chu Xiuming was going to the palace today, so he only asked Yue Wen to send Shen Jin away. Shen Jin did not take any of the children with her. The maid only took An Ning with her, and the rest stayed in the mansion to take care of the children.
When they arrived at Prince Rui's Mansion, the chief steward came to the door to greet them personally. Shen Jin looked at the familiar courtyard and felt a little melancholy. In just a few short years, she went from an unfavored concubine in the palace to the Lady of Ningguo. At that time, there was Princess Rui in the mansion, and although the chief steward would not deduct money from them, he was definitely not so enthusiastic. Everything was handled in a fair and impartial manner. Shen Jin even seldom saw the chief steward. It seemed that everything changed after she married Chu Xiuming.
Princess Rui was making tea. Shen Jin had learned how to make and taste tea elegantly, but she couldn't taste any difference. Princess Rui glanced at Shen Jin and said, "Sit down."
Shen Jin sat opposite Princess Rui. After Princess Rui made a cup of tea, she poured one for Shen Jin first. Shen Jin didn't know what kind of tea it was, but it smelled good with a hint of flowers, so he drank a few more sips. Princess Rui also drank a little, then put it down and said with a smile, "I thought you would come over in the next few days."
"Mother." Shen Jin said with a smile, "I came to ask for your help in making a decision."
Princess Rui was an insightful person and had guessed what Shen Jin meant long ago. She glanced at Cui Xi, and Cui Xi handed a list to Shen Jin with both hands. The list not only listed the names of girls of the right age, but also their backgrounds and family situations. In just a few sentences, she wrote down everything Shen Jin needed to know.
"I have seen these girls before." Princess Rui spoke slowly. Shen Jin had never seen Princess Rui anxious before. "They have very good tempers."
Shen Jin took a look and saw that they were all legitimate girls, and there were no foolish people in their families. There were only five of them. Princess Rui asked, "Are you only choosing the queen this time?"
"Yes." Shen Jin said, "Your Majesty grew up in the Chu family."
Princess Rui understood immediately. Men in the Chu family only married one person. They would only take concubines if they were childless by the age of 30. Princess Rui lowered her eyes slightly and said, "Then find an opportunity to check the pulses of these five people."
Shen Jin looked at Princess Rui in confusion, and Princess Rui smiled and said, "Check your health." Conditions like uterine cold are usually not visible, but they can have an impact on offspring, so it's better to check carefully.
"Oh." Shen Jin nodded and said, "I understand, mother."
Princess Rui smiled but didn't say anything. Shen Jin said, "Actually, I have met my eldest uncle's daughter." The eldest uncle she mentioned was naturally Princess Rui's brother. She remembered that the girl was a good person, but she was not on the list.
"The Zhao family..." Princess Rui said after hearing this, "It is not suitable for another queen. I guess this is just my selfish desire."
Shen Jin thought about it and nodded. He understood what Princess Rui meant. The Zhao family had the merit of following the emperor. Princess Rui's second son Shen Xi was leading troops outside. Zhao Ru was now the left chancellor. Princess Rui's two brothers Zhao Qi and Zhao Duan were also in important positions. Her nephews Zhao Jun and Zhao Che also had a promising future. If there was another queen, it would be too eye-catching. Moreover, the Zhao family did not need a woman to save their face. Shen Jin carefully put away the list and did not mention it again. He asked, "Is my elder sister okay?"
After Shen Qi returned to Beijing, he took his daughter back to the Yongle Marquis' Mansion. Naturally, people in the Marquis' Mansion would not say anything to Shen Qi under the current circumstances. It was just that when Shen Qi left, the Yongle Marquis, in order to be implicated in the mansion, wrote a letter to the court to give Zhu Yuhong's position as the crown prince to his second son, and even sent Zhu Yuhong to the farm. Zhu Yuhong was full of resentment, so he indulged in depravity and took in many concubines. Although the Yongle Marquis treated this neglected son much better after Chu Xiuyuan's identity was exposed, he was unable to make Zhu Yuhong close to them. After Chu Xiuyuan came to Beijing, the Yongle Marquis quickly sent people to pick up Zhu Yuhong, but he did not come back and insisted on living in the farm outside. In the end, the Yongle Marquis went to pick him up in person, which made Zhu Yuhong return to the mansion.
But Zhu Yuhong was not very nice to Shen Qi. He either beat or scolded him or ignored him. Shen Qi felt guilty and treated Zhu Yuhong doubly well, but it backfired. Now the position of crown prince was given to Zhu Yuhong, but the relationship between Zhu Yuhong and his family was very strained. On the contrary, he doted on those concubines who followed him after he fell from grace, which made Shen Qi unhappy.
Princess Rui shook her head. In fact, according to her opinion, they should just divorce. With the current status of the Rui Palace, it would not be difficult for Shen Qi to remarry even if she divorced. However, Shen Qi was holding back and no one knew what she was thinking. "She chose her own date. Let her do whatever she wants."
Shen Jin nodded, and after the two chatted for a few more sentences, Shen Jin said goodbye.
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