Chapter 73
Emperor Cheng had never thought that he would be rejected directly like this one day. He was unable to react for a moment. Even the other ministers were unable to react for a moment. Chu Xiuming said, "I have not been feeling well these days."
Some ministers looked at Chu Xiuming subtly, then at Emperor Cheng, who had a grim expression on his face. No matter how they looked at him, he seemed to be in good health. However, when they thought of the condition of the wife of the Earl of Yongning, they understood why the Earl of Yongning was unwilling to leave Beijing.
"I feel that since the affairs of Minzhong were handed over to Earl Yongning from the beginning, it would be bad for others to interfere in the following affairs." Emperor Cheng thought of what he had discussed with Duke Cheng'en. Earl Yongning could not be allowed to stay in the capital, let alone return to the border city. Thinking of the secret letter from Ruyang, Emperor Cheng narrowed his eyes and said, "Is there any inconvenience for Earl Yongning?"
"Yes." Chu Xiuming thought of what his wife said and said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to leave Beijing before summer."
Sure enough! Everyone was certain of their guess. By the time summer came, Lady Yongning would have finished her confinement. By then, Emperor Cheng would be unable to stop her.
Emperor Cheng looked at Chu Xiuming with a gloomy face and said, "Why don't I ask the imperial physician to check Earl Yongning's pulse?"
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Chu Xiuming agreed without any hesitation.
Emperor Cheng immediately summoned the imperial physician, and it was none other than the imperial physician Zheng. When the imperial physician arrived, Chu Xiuming said, "I'm sorry." Then he rolled up his sleeves and revealed his wrists.
Chu Xiuming had internal strength, so it was very easy for him to fake it. He also consulted a doctor from the border town to make sure everything was foolproof. The doctor frowned and carefully felt Chu Xiuming's pulse, then said respectfully, "Your Majesty, there is something in the body of Earl Yongning..."
In fact, he had a lot of hidden injuries, which have relapsed now. He needs to rest for a period of time, otherwise his life span will be affected.
Even if Emperor Cheng wanted Chu Xiuming to die right now, he didn't dare to say such words at this moment. He frowned and looked at the imperial physician suspiciously, and said, "Then Earl Yongning should rest well in the mansion. No one is allowed to disturb Earl Yongning's rest."
Chu Xiuming agreed.
Emperor Cheng's implication was that Chu Xiuming should not go out, and no one else should come to the house of Earl Yongning.
In fact, after arriving in the capital, Chu Xiuming had never visited anyone else's house except the Prince Rui's Mansion. Even if someone wanted to contact Chu Xiuming, they would not go to the Yongning Marquis's Mansion openly. After all, the Yongning Marquis would have to return to the border town sooner or later, and they had to stay in the capital and work under Emperor Cheng, so they had to leave a way out for everything they did. Sometimes they would speak for Chu Xiuming in the court for the sake of the Tianqi Dynasty, but they would not be too close to Chu Xiuming to avoid arousing Emperor Cheng's taboos.
It is now the sixth day of the New Year, and nearly five days have passed since Emperor Cheng received the news from Shu. The holidays in the Tianqi Dynasty are from New Year's Eve to the fifth day of the New Year, and then the holidays start again on the eighth day until after the Lantern Festival.
But even now, Emperor Cheng has not mentioned the events in Shu in the court, and the officials have more or less known the news. Unfortunately, if Emperor Cheng does not say anything, they cannot take the initiative to bring it up, for fear of arousing his suspicion. After all, no emperor would allow his subjects to be more informed than the emperor.
Moreover, it was something that the emperor deliberately concealed, so they could only pretend not to know. At this time, Prince Rui stood absent-mindedly in his seat, thinking about what the imperial physician had said about Chu Xiuming's physical condition. When he suddenly heard the furious voice of Emperor Cheng, he was startled and looked at Emperor Cheng, and saw Emperor Cheng looking at Chu Xiuming and asked, "Say it again."
"I ask Your Majesty to summon Marquis Zhongyi and Princess Ruyang back to the capital." Chu Xiuming said calmly, "The border town is bitterly cold, and the barbarians are eyeing us covetously. I'm afraid..."
"Are you threatening me?" Emperor Cheng's voice was a little low, but he calmed down instead, and there was an irrepressible ecstasy in his eyes. How could he not be happy? The fact that Chu Xiuming brought up this matter just proved that what was in Ruyang's secret letter was true.
"I dare not." Chu Xiuming said respectfully.
Emperor Cheng sat back on the dragon chair and said, "Then step down."
"I have one more thing to ask." Chu Xiuming did not return to his seat as Emperor Cheng said, but said, "Your Majesty, I would like to ask you, what is the current disaster situation in Shu?"
Emperor Cheng tightened his hands on the imperial desk, looked at Chu Xiuming and said, "Why do you say that, my dear?"
Chu Xiuming didn't say anything else. This attitude made Emperor Cheng feel uneasy. He glanced at the ministers below and saw that all of them lowered their heads. Emperor Cheng gritted his teeth and said, "I haven't received any news about the events in Shu. Have you received any news?"
No one spoke. Emperor Cheng looked at Chu Xiuming with satisfaction and said, "My dear minister, do you have any questions?"
"To reply to your Majesty, there is none." Chu Xiuming said.
In the Yongning Marquis's mansion, Shen Jin looked at the visitor from the palace and said, "The Queen summoned me?"
"Yes." The young eunuch said respectfully, "Please ask Madam Yongning to come into the palace with me immediately."
Shen Jin held her belly and looked at the little eunuch for a long time and said, "Oh, An Ning, help me change clothes."
"Yes." An Ping and An Ning helped Shen Jin walk into the inner room.
Who knew that the young eunuch said, "The Queen said that the wife of the Earl of Yongning is pregnant, so she can just wear ordinary clothes."
Upon hearing this, Shen Jin stopped and looked the eunuch up and down, then asked with a puzzled look on his face, "Are you really from the Queen's palace?"
"In reply to Lady Yongning, I am indeed the servant. This is my badge." As he spoke, the young eunuch took off the badge and held it in both hands. Shen Jin glanced at An Ning, and An Ning went over to take it.
In fact, these had been checked before entering the mansion. After An Ning took them, she showed them to Shen Jin. Shen Jin nodded and said, "I'll go change my clothes."
An Ning casually took the young eunuch's badge. The young eunuch was dumbfounded and said, "Slave..."
But she found that An Ning and An Ping had already helped Shen Jin into the house, and another maid invited the eunuch to a convenient room for tea. After Shen Jin entered the inner room, he did not really change his clothes, but asked An Ning to show the waist card to Zhao Ma Ma, and asked, "What does the queen mean?"
Madam Zhao frowned and looked at the waist badge for a long time before she frowned and asked, "This is indeed the waist badge of the Empress. What are your plans, Madam?"
"I'm not going." Shen Jin thought for a while and said, she was carrying a big belly and it was inconvenient for her to walk, not to mention that the queen sent such a young eunuch, which always felt a little strange, and Shen Jin was not prepared to take any risks.
Aunt Zhao heaved a sigh of relief, "Then I'll call the doctor."
Shen Jin thought for a moment and said, "Don't call the doctor yet. Send someone to deliver the badge to the Rui Palace and hand it to my mother."
Nanny Zhao was stunned for a moment before she reacted. Shen Jin said, "I think mother is willing to help."
"An Ning, go and give the badge to Yue Wen." Nanny Zhao said, "Have Yue Wen take it to Prince Rui's mansion."
"Yes." An Ning responded respectfully and went to look for someone with the badge in his pocket.
Shen Jin said, "Okay, don't worry about it."
The young eunuch had already drunk three cups of tea, but the wife of the Yongning Marquis had not made any movement. There was no one else in the room except the two maids. The young eunuch was a little restless, but thinking of... the promise, he still forced himself to remain calm and asked, "Sister, is the wife ready?"
The little maid smiled when she heard that and said respectfully, "I don't know either." She stopped talking after that.
The young eunuch couldn't help but stand up and said, "Then..."
"What does this eunuch need?" asked another maid.
"The Queen has called me urgently. If I delay, I will not be able to bear the consequences." The young eunuch said anxiously, "Can I trouble you to ask?"
The little maid frowned and said, "Now that Madam is pregnant, she will move more slowly due to inconvenience."
Shen Jin, who was unable to move, was drinking Jianlian and red dates soup at this time. After finishing it, he ate two pieces of cakes. Only then did he ask Zhao Ma to call a doctor. Even if he suspected that this person had a problem, Shen Jin had to give a reason not to leave the house.
The young eunuch was not stupid. Hearing the people outside busy calling for the doctor, he was startled and said, "Since Madam Bo is not feeling well, then..."
But at this moment, he wanted to move but couldn't. He saw the smiling little maid holding his shoulder with one hand and said, "Young eunuch, don't be anxious."
The person Zhao Ma Ma invited was not a doctor at all, but Manager Zhao. After Manager Zhao came in, he looked at Shen Jin and asked, "What are your plans, Madam?"
"I don't know." Shen Jin said, "I just don't want to enter the palace."
"If Madam allows, then leave the rest to me." Manager Zhao was delighted. They were still looking for a way to arrange their people into the palace, but who would have thought that someone would give them an opportunity. Regardless of whether this little eunuch was the Queen's man or not, they would use this incident to make a big deal out of it. If the Queen didn't deal with more people, then how could their people have a chance to be promoted?
Shen Jin nodded and said, "Okay."
Manager Zhao asked, "I wonder what Madam's intention is in handing the badge to Princess Rui?"
Shen Jin said as a matter of course, "Because I don't want to enter the palace."
Manager Zhao frowned in confusion, but immediately realized and said, "Madam has a good plan." Princess Rui can not only enter the palace but also meet the Queen and the Queen Mother directly. Regardless of whether the badge is real or fake, Princess Rui directly took the badge and went into the palace to inquire. If the Queen really wanted to summon Shen Jin, why would she be so negligent? Shen Jin is not only the wife of the Earl of Yongning but also a princess. No matter how urgent the matter is, she would not just send a eunuch to convey the oral order, unless the Queen has other plans in her mind or someone used Shen Jin to deal with the Queen.
If Shen Jin was summoned by the Queen and something unexpected happened, even if it was found that the person was not sent by the Queen, the Queen would still be responsible. Manager Zhao was more inclined to the latter guess, but who was going to deal with Shen Jin? Or was it the Queen who was going to deal with him?
No, when this young eunuch showed up at the Yongning Marquis's Mansion with the Empress's badge, the Empress was already involved. This young eunuch was probably a discarded pawn. Seeing that the mastermind of this incident was targeting the Empress, or rather the Empress's position, after Prime Minister Chen's accident, the Empress's position was probably in jeopardy. Moreover, Emperor Cheng had no intention of appointing a Crown Prince so far, which inevitably gave everyone in the palace a wrong impression. However, the Empress summoned her family a few days ago, and Emperor Cheng went to the Empress's palace to meet with Duke Cheng'en and others. I'm afraid some people would not be able to sit still. Steward Zhao smoothed things over. No matter who did this, they would be the biggest winners.
Shen Jin looked at Manager Zhao in confusion, but she didn't know that Manager Zhao had already changed his mind. Seeing that Manager Zhao didn't pay attention to her, Shen Jin looked at Aunt Zhao. Aunt Zhao understood Manager Zhao better and asked, "What instructions does Madam have?"
"Isn't it wrong to give the badge to my mother?" Shen Jin asked cautiously.
Aunt Zhao smiled and poured water for Shen Jin, saying, "He thinks too complicatedly."
Shen Jin then nodded and said, "I'm really tired."
Nanny Zhao agreed. In fact, according to Nanny Zhao's understanding of Shen Jin, she was probably concentrating on taking care of her pregnancy recently. When the general was around, she would hand over such troublesome matters to the general, and when the general was not around, she would directly hand it over to Princess Rui. Just like she said, she didn't want to enter the palace, but now the general was not around, so she asked someone to send this troublesome matter of the waist badge to Princess Rui.
When Manager Zhao thought things through, he saw Shen Jin and Nanny Zhao chatting in low voices. They laughed from time to time and looked relaxed. For some reason, Manager Zhao always felt that he was a little out of place. Moreover, he and Nanny Zhao were old acquaintances, and he could hardly recognize Nanny Zhao.
"Have you made up your mind, Manager Zhao?" Shen Jin happened to notice Manager Zhao's gaze and asked.
Manager Zhao said respectfully, "Yes, if my guess is correct, Princess Rui should enter the palace after receiving the badge."
"Oh." Shen Jin thought for a moment and said, "No."
Manager Zhao looked at Shen Jin with a puzzled look.
Shen Jin did not explain anything until he saw Manager Zhao staring at him. Then Shen Jin said, "This is a matter of the harem, not the backyard of Prince Rui's Mansion. Mother will not get involved in it." Shen Jin felt that Princess Rui might have someone send the badge directly to the Queen Mother, and not in an open manner.
After hearing what Shen Jin said, Manager Zhao also understood, and suddenly felt that what he had just said was a bit silly, and said, "Then I will take my leave."
"Okay." Shen Jin felt that he couldn't quite understand Manager Zhao's thoughts, so he nodded and said, "By the way, the little eunuch should be well fed and well-drinked, just don't let him go out."
Manager Zhao responded respectfully, and Madam Zhao smiled and said, "This old servant will see Manager Zhao off."
Shen Jin nodded and began to discuss the matter of the new belt with An Ping. An Ning added a few words from time to time. The three of them seemed unaware of the bloody storm that was about to happen outside.
Nanny Zhao escorted Manager Zhao to the door and spoke a few words in a low voice. Manager Zhao nodded and said, "I understand." This Nanny Zhao was the one Manager Zhao was familiar with. As expected, the Nanny Zhao with a smile on her face only appeared next to the lady.
In the Rui Palace, Princess Rui looked at the badge for a long time and said, "Cui Xi, bring me the headband I sewed two days ago."
"Yes." Cui Xi responded respectfully and went to find what Princess Rui mentioned.
Princess Rui looked at Yue Wen and said, "Tell your wife, I know."
Yue Wen didn't ask any more questions. He bowed and left.
Cui Xi came over holding the headband that Princess Rui mentioned. Princess Rui took a look and said, "Find a box to put these two things together, and send someone to call Nanny Yu."
Nanny Yu originally came from the Empress Dowager's palace. Princess Rui had specifically asked her to be her daughter's nanny.
After Princess Rui finished giving her instructions, Cuixi asked a maid to call Nanny Yu, and she went to choose a box to put the headband and the waist badge together. Nanny Yu came over soon. Princess Rui asked Cuixi to hand the box to Nanny Yu, and then said, "I'm sorry to bother Nanny Yu to make this trip. Jin is in her advanced stage and her foundation is a little weaker. I'm afraid it's not convenient for her to make this trip."
Nanny Yu was confused but didn't ask any more questions and responded respectfully, "I will personally deliver the things to the Queen Mother."
Princess Rui responded and said, "Cui Xi, send Nanny Yu off."
“Yes.” Cui Xi responded respectfully. She and Nanny Yu bowed to Princess Rui and then withdrew.
When they were out of the door, Nanny Yu asked in a low voice, "Miss, please explain something to me clearly."
Cui Xi told the story again, and then said, "The princess and the princess both felt that something was a little strange. The queen is a person who values rules and etiquette the most. How could she act like this?"
Nanny Yu understood immediately that it was indeed the case and it was not a good idea to ask the Queen directly. After all, no one knew whether the person was sent by the Queen. Cui Xi explained, "Nanny is also teaching the Third Princess. The Third Princess is cautious by nature. Now she is pregnant. Without Earl Yongning by her side, she has no idea what to do. That's why she came to the Princess for help. If it is really someone sent by the Queen, then ask the Queen Mother... Then the Princess and the Princess will go to apologize to the Queen in person. If not, I'm afraid it will be the other way around..."
The words were vague but Nanny Yu understood them very well. No matter if this person was the Queen's or not, she was probably involved in some private matters. In fact, the Third Princess was cautious to put it nicely, but timid to put it bluntly. However, such a temperament was understandable. When she was in the palace, the Third Princess didn't dare to say a word or take a step more, like a poor little thing. Who knew that her luck would change.
"I understand." Nanny Yu said, "Please rest assured, Princess. I will contact the old sisters in the palace when the time comes."
Cui Xi agreed with a smile, and handed a few purses to Nanny Yu and said, "The princess said that she is sorry to trouble Nanny this time."
Nanny Yu was planning to live out her retirement in Prince Rui's mansion, so naturally she wanted to show her loyalty. She simply took the purse and nodded with a smile. The contents of the purse were not actually given to her, but were for her to take to the palace to make arrangements.
Chu Xiuming only learned about this when he returned home after court. At this time, Nanny Yu had already arrived at the Empress Dowager's palace waiting for the Empress Dowager to summon her. Nanny Yu herself was from the Empress Dowager's palace, and many of the servants around the Empress Dowager were familiar to Nanny Yu. In addition, with the purses that Nanny Yu gave her, no one made things difficult for her.
"Princess Rui sent someone to deliver a headband?" The Queen Mother asked without opening her eyes, twirling the Buddhist beads in her hand.
"Yes." Nanny Zhen, who was serving in the Buddhist hall, said respectfully.
The Queen Mother asked, "Who is it sent by?"
"It's Nanny Yu."
The Queen Mother frowned and said nothing more. The messenger did not dare to say more. After a long time, the Queen Mother opened her eyes and said, "Bring the things here."
After Chu Xiuming heard this, there was no expression on his face. However, when he put the teacup on the table, the seemingly intact cup broke directly. "Very good."
"Husband, your hand..." Shen Jin looked at Chu Xiuming with some concern.
Chu Xiuming stretched out his right hand. Shen Jin breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that there was no scratch on it. He looked at the cup angrily. An Ning and An Ping had already come to clean up the broken pieces and served Chu Xiuming tea again. Shen Jin said, "Don't worry, my husband. I'm sitting here, right?"
"Yeah." Chu Xiuming looked at Shen Jin. If Shen Jin had not been safe and sound at home, it would not have been as simple as crushing a teacup.
Chu Xiuming closed his eyes, calmed down and said, "Let's eat first."
"yes."
Shen Jin said, "I handed the badge to my mother."
Chu Xiuming heard this and said, "Madam is indeed smart."
Shen Jin laughed triumphantly. Chu Xiuming stood up first, then helped Shen Jin up and slowly walked towards the dining room, saying, "I'm afraid the princess has sent someone to the palace to see the queen mother."
"My husband is really smart." Shen Jin smiled when she heard this. "Manager Zhao didn't even think of this. I thought so too. Hey, are Madam Zhao and Manager Zhao relatives?"
"No." Chu Xiuming looked at Shen Jin and asked, "Why do you think so?"
Shen Jin just remembered, "They all have the surname Zhao."
Chu Xiuming squeezed Shen Jin's hand and said, "That's not the case. Besides them, there are many people with the surname Zhao around me."
Shen Jin thought about it and nodded, "Because Zhao is a famous surname."
Chu Xiuming did not explain, and Shen Jin did not ask any more questions. After the two of them finished their meal, when Chu Xiuming accompanied Shen Jin for a walk in the yard, Shen Jin whispered, "Husband, don't you need to discuss things with Manager Zhao?"
"Madam, are you interested in listening?" Chu Xiuming asked back.
Shen Jin shook his head and said in distress, "It's so tiring to talk to Manager Zhao."
Chu Xiuming was amused and said, "Because he thinks too much and too complicatedly."
Shen Jin nodded, his face full of approval.
In the Buddhist hall, the empress dowager stood up with the help of the nanny beside her and sat on a chair beside her. She opened the box and looked at the things inside. She took out the headband first, looked at it and put it aside. Then she took out the waist badge, squinted her eyes for a moment, put it back in, turned her head to look at the Guanyin statue, slowly exhaled, "Take it." After that, she held Nanny Zhen's hand and walked out.
Nanny Zhen whispered, "Why don't you eat first, Queen Mother?"
The empress dowager nodded. Ever since that incident, she had been eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures. Even the dishes for lunch were very simple. However, in winter, only the empress dowager's palace could have so many vegetarian dishes. The empress dowager did not eat much. She only had half a bowl of rice and a few chopsticks of vegetables. She asked someone to take the food away, rinsed her mouth with tea, and asked someone to call Nanny Yu.
Nanny Yu had been waiting the whole time. When she saw the Queen Mother, she did not immediately tell her about what Princess Rui had told her. Instead, she looked at the Queen Mother with red eyes and said, "Your servant greets the Queen Mother."
"Get up." The Queen Mother was very kind to the old people who followed her. She looked at Yu Ma and said, "You look good. I think my daughter-in-law didn't treat you badly."
"It's all the Queen Mother's grace." Nanny Yu said.
The empress dowager shook her head, sighed, and said, "My daughter-in-law has always been a smart person." In fact, sometimes the empress dowager would wonder if Emperor Cheng had married Princess Rui, would the harem be more peaceful.
Nanny Yu didn't say anything, so the Queen Mother just sighed and said, "What's the matter with this waist badge?"
"To answer the Queen Mother, today a young eunuch took a waist badge to the Yongning Marquis's mansion and delivered a message saying that the Queen had summoned the Yongning Marquis's wife. The Yongning Marquis's wife is the most cautious and careful. The Queen is the one who values rules the most, so why would she only send a young eunuch who is unfamiliar to her and rush her so urgently? So the Yongning Marquis took his waist badge and gave it to Princess Rui, asking for her advice." Nanny Yu said respectfully, "Princess Rui was also undecided, so she asked me to go to the palace to ask the Queen Mother for advice."
The empress dowager understood what she heard and suddenly asked, "What kind of person is the third princess?" She had heard a lot about the wife of the Earl of Yongning recently. The empress dowager really had no impression of such a granddaughter. If she had not married the Earl of Yongning, she would probably still be unknown today.
"I had the honor of teaching the Third Princess for a few days." Nanny Yu said, "The Third Princess has a very good relationship with the First Princess in the mansion. She likes to ask for advice from the First Princess when she has something to ask."
Yu Ma's implication was that Shen Jin was a coward who didn't pay attention. The Queen Mother frowned and asked, "Which concubine gave birth to the third princess?"
"To answer the Empress Dowager, it was Concubine Chen's child," Nanny Yu said respectfully.
The empress dowager didn't remember it for a moment and glanced at Nanny Zhen. Nanny Zhen whispered a few words in the empress dowager's ear, and the empress dowager nodded in understanding. The empress dowager knew about her son, Prince Rui. Combined with what Emperor Cheng, the empress and several granddaughters had said in front of her, she now had a general idea of Shen Jin's personality. He was a man without his own opinion, a little silly but very lucky. This could be considered as a fool having good fortune.
"I know about this matter." The Queen Mother said, "Where is that little eunuch?"
Nanny Yu said, "In the Yongning Marquis's Mansion, Princess Rui just got this badge and she let me into the palace."
The Queen Mother frowned and said, "I understand. Madam Zhen, please go to the Yongning Marquis's residence and bring the young eunuch in."
"Yes." Nanny Zhen replied respectfully.
The Queen Mother continued, "Go to the storehouse and prepare some things for my granddaughter so that she can take good care of her."
Nanny Zhen agreed again. The Queen Mother looked at Nanny Yu and said, "Go back and tell Princess Rui that I know about this matter."
Nanny Yu also responded respectfully, and when she saw that the empress dowager had no other instructions, she withdrew.
The Queen Mother said, "Go and call the Queen."
In the Yongning Marquis's mansion, after sending Shen Jin back to his room to rest, Chu Xiuming went to the study and looked at Manager Zhao and said, "Have you spoken?"
"He has spoken." Manager Zhao said, "This young eunuch said that the head maidservant beside Concubine Chang asked him to come. The head maidservant is from the same hometown as him and promised that as long as the matter is completed, she will take him to serve in her palace."
Concubine Chang? Chu Xiuming frowned, and Manager Zhao said, "Concubine Chang has two sons, one is fourteen years old and the other is eleven years old."
"What do you think?" Chu Xiuming looked at Manager Zhao and asked.
Manager Zhao said, "I think someone is trying to frame Concubine Chang."
Chu Xiuming didn't say anything, so Manager Zhao said, "I also heard a piece of news that Emperor Cheng intends to make a noble concubine, and he wants to choose one between Concubine Chang and Concubine Lan."
"You mean, someone deliberately framed Concubine Chang and the Queen for the position of Imperial Concubine?" Chu Xiuming asked.
Manager Zhao nodded, but Chu Xiuming didn't say anything. Manager Zhao looked at Chu Xiuming's expression and asked, "Who do you think it is, General?"
"Anyone could be possible." Chu Xiuming said in a deep voice, "Especially the most unlikely one."
Manager Zhao was stunned for a moment and asked, "General, do you think it's the queen?"
Chu Xiuming did not answer, but just said, "Ask Madam Zhao to come over." Madam Zhao knew the most about the affairs in the harem.
Madam Zhao came over quickly. Manager Zhao told her what happened and asked directly, "Madam Zhao, who do you think was responsible for this?"
"I think anyone could be the one to do this," said Madam Zhao. "The ultimate goal of this kind of thing is to become the imperial concubine or the crown prince, but I think the most likely candidate is the queen."
"Why?" asked Manager Zhao.
Zhao Mama sneered, "This method is very crude. Concubine Chang, who was able to sit on the throne of a concubine and successfully raised two sons, could not be so stupid as to think that she could frame the queen in this way. Besides, it's not like she can sit on the throne of the queen just because the queen falls. And Concubine Lan...if she framed Concubine Chang for the position of noble concubine, it would be understandable, but this matter involves the queen. Concubine Lan has no children, so it's easy to shoot herself in the foot. The one who benefits from this incident is the queen. After this incident, it seems that the queen is the most wronged person and was framed."
Manager Zhao also understood why Nanny Zhao said so, and after thinking about it carefully, he realized that it was indeed the case.
Madam Zhao looked at Chu Xiuming and said, "What are you going to do, General?"
Chu Xiuming said, "Give Concubine Chang and Concubine Lan a heads-up."
"Yes." Nanny Zhao responded respectfully.
Seeing that there was nothing else to do, Nanny Zhao withdrew. Chu Xiuming and Steward Zhao told them what happened in the court today. In fact, they had already discussed the matter of asking Princess Ruyang and her husband to return to the capital. This would make Emperor Cheng feel more at ease. After some time, Princess Ruyang could write a letter to ask for war horses and food.
Manager Zhao asked, "General, it would be better to trouble Madam..."
Before he could finish his words, Manager Zhao looked at Chu Xiuming and couldn't continue. Chu Xiuming said coldly, "That matter must not be handed over to Madam." They have people in the palace, but they have not found a chance to find those things so far. "It won't be long before the palace is purged. You discuss with Madam Zhao how to move our people."
"Yes." Manager Zhao sighed in his heart, and realized that Chu Xiuming would probably not let Shen Jin take risks.
"Manager Zhao, I think you know what to say and what not to say." Chu Xiuming's voice was calm, but with a warning.
Manager Zhao said respectfully, "Yes."
Chu Xiuming stared at Manager Zhao for a long time before saying, "All of us can take risks, but at the same time, no one is qualified to let my wife take this risk."
Manager Zhao lowered his head and said, "I'll remember this."
Chu Xiuming then lowered his eyes slightly and said, "Just remember it."
Manager Zhao felt his back soaked with cold sweat. He knew that Chu Xiuming really had murderous intentions at that moment, but he had no complaints. No one knew better than him what and how much the Chu family had sacrificed.
Chu Xiuming said, "For matters in Shuzhong, arrange for someone to go there first and find a way to sneak in..."
Manager Zhao nodded and said a few words from time to time. After everything was discussed, Chu Xiuming got up and left. In fact, Chu Xiuming knew that Shen Jin was the best candidate without Manager Zhao saying anything, but Chu Xiuming would not ask Shen Jin to do such a thing. Anyone can sacrifice for the greater cause, but Chu Xiuming would not let Shen Jin take the risk and be the one who might be sacrificed because she was his wife.
When they returned to the room, Shen Jin had already woken up. She smiled when she saw Chu Xiuming, her eyes curved and her two dimples were particularly pleasing, "Husband."
"Yeah." Chu Xiuming responded, "Why did you wake up so early today?"
"Because I'm waiting for my husband." Shen Jin said with a smile, "I thought of a name for the child."
"Oh?" Chu Xiuming raised his eyebrows and looked at Shen Jin, and asked, "What is it?"
Shen Jin smiled and said, "Whether it's a boy or a girl, they're all called Dongdong."
East, east, west, north, south?
Chu Xiuming looked at Shen Jin and asked, "Why did you choose this name?"
"Or do you prefer Pangpang, Dundun, Shuoshuo, or Baobao?" Shen Jin looked at Chu Xiuming with an expression that said, "I'm fine with any of them. You can choose."
Chu Xiuming said without changing his expression, "I think Dongdong is good."
I'm sorry, kid. Dad has tried his best.
Shen Jin smiled happily and said, "I have thought about it. The children in the future can continue to be called Nannan, Xixi and Beibei, whether it is a boy or a girl."
Chu Xiuming smiled when he heard this and said, "Madam is really thoughtful." So let's give birth to a son.
Shen Jin nodded and said, "In fact, I originally wanted to name this child Beibei, because this child was born in the capital, but then I thought Dongnanxixi and Xibeixi were more convenient, and Beixidongnan was weird."
Chu Xiuming nodded and listened to Shen Jin talking about how she came up with the name. He asked Shen Jin a few questions from time to time and was satisfied seeing Shen Jin's cheerfulness. Anyway, the child would be called by his full name when he went out, so a nickname would be nice to make his wife happy.
"By the way, husband, who do you think did this?" Shen Jin suddenly asked after explaining the origin of the name.
Chu Xiuming said, "What do you think, Madam?"
"Queen." Shen Jin said as a matter of course.
Chu Xiuming raised his eyebrows and looked at Shen Jin and asked, "Why do you think it's the queen?"
Shen Jin said, "Because we are quite familiar with each other."
Chu Xiuming looked at Shen Jin, and Shen Jin explained, "Princess Ruyang and Princess Zhaoyang are both the Queen's biological daughters, and Princess Chenyang was raised by the Queen. The three of them don't like me very much." Shen Jin wrinkled his nose, "I don't like them either, so the Queen would think of me for such bad things. I don't know the other people in the harem. At most, I have met them a few times. Even if they want to frame someone, they won't go to the trouble of thinking of me."
Aunt Zhao, who was standing by, thought about her own analysis. Although she and the lady came to the same conclusion, she felt that it was a bit silly for her to think so much.
Chu Xiuming was amused and said, "Madam is indeed the smartest."
Shen Jin looked at Chu Xiuming and asked, "Is she really the queen?"
"Let Madam Zhao tell you." Chu Xiuming said. Shen Jin immediately looked at Madam Zhao. Madam Zhao looked at Shen Jin's expectant eyes and repeated what she had said in the study.
Shen Jin's eyes widened, "Mammy, you are so awesome!"
Aunt Zhao smiled and said, "Madam is also very capable. She guessed it right at once."
Shen Jin smiled and said, "Of course, I'm smart."
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