Lu Chengye was responsible for the security of the capital, and after Shen Mingzhuang gave the instructions, he turned and left.
Shen Mingrong stayed behind and talked with Shen Mingzhuang for a while.
Shen Mingzhuang then learned that Shen Ming'e had already passed away not long ago.
Upon hearing the news, Shen Mingzhuang was somewhat stunned. She hadn't expected that Shen Ming'e would pass away so quickly.
Seeing Shen Mingrong's sad expression, she felt a pang of sorrow, but she didn't want to show it too obviously. "You're carrying two babies now. Look how difficult it was for Ming'e during childbirth. You should take better care of yourself and worry less. If you're saddened by her situation, she won't be at peace even in the afterlife."
Shen Mingzhuang held Shen Mingrong's hand. Shen Mingrong was truly one of the few people she could trust. Apart from Jiang Wang and Jiang Xuan, he was also one of her closest people.
This was a rare display of trust from Shen Mingzhuang, which moved Shen Mingrong. He took Shen Mingzhuang's hand and smiled, "I know, don't worry too much about me. I'm always like this, you know that. There's not much I can do, but I feel sorry for that child."
Speaking of the child born to Shen Ming'e, Shen Mingrong perked up and asked Shen Mingzhuang, "Could you give this child a name? The child was born frail and suffered greatly during birth. He is very timid and easily frightened by the slightest disturbance. The Fang family doesn't dare to come and take him away for the time being, but I'm still worried. If you could give him a name, it would be a blessing from the royal family, and it would surely protect the child and help him grow up safely."
This is a case of feudal superstition, but it was done out of good intentions. Moreover, it was a good deed for Shen Mingzhuang. She and Shen Ming'e used to talk in bed together, and those scenes seemed like yesterday, but now that person is gone.
She had to admit that because of Aunt Liu and Liu Wenxin's affair, her relationship with Shen Ming'e had become much weaker, to the point that she later became closer to Shen Mingrong.
But there's no point in talking about these things anymore. Shen Mingzhuang sighed and simply asked Shen Mingrong, "Since this child wants to benefit from the royal family's good fortune, why not bestow upon him the royal family's surname?"
"Surname Jiang?"
Shen Mingrong tilted his head and thought about it, and felt that it seemed pretty good.
"Then let's call her Jiang Rui."
Shen Mingzhuang explained, "The stamen is the heart of the flower. I hope that she will also receive all kinds of love in the future, like the moon surrounded by stars, the delicate stamen of the flower."
Upon hearing this, Shen Mingrong exclaimed, "This is wonderful! It has a good meaning and sounds nice too!"
Seeing that she was satisfied, Shen Mingzhuang was a little relieved. She was also worried about Shen Mingrong's health. "You look a little haggard. Don't take care of everyone around you and neglect yourself."
"My complexion?" Shen Mingrong reached out and touched his face in a daze. He was stunned for a moment, then he was relieved. "I've been having nightmares every night. I burn calming incense in the room at night, but I still have nightmares. I don't know what's wrong with me. I just can't sleep well."
“Then you’ll have to see the imperial physician.” Shen Mingzhuang frowned unhappily. “Don’t you even know if you’re healthy? Not sleeping well is a sign of poor health. I’ll have the head of the Imperial Hospital take a look at you.”
Shen Mingzhuang waved his hands repeatedly, "No, it's nothing serious. I've just been a bit stressed these past few days. The family has already prescribed some medicine. If it doesn't work, I'll ask the imperial physicians in the palace to take a look."
She was worried that the Emperor was ill and the Imperial Hospital couldn't keep up, and she didn't want to cause everyone any anxiety over such a small matter.
Since that's been said, Shen Mingzhuang couldn't say anything more. "His Majesty is probably in some danger lately. Even if the news is blocked, rumors are spreading everywhere. As long as His Majesty doesn't attend court, this matter will only escalate. Duke Rongguo will be very busy protecting the peace of the capital, and he probably won't be able to take care of you at this time. If you're willing, why don't you come to the palace? After all, the palace walls are strong and it's safer than outside."
These words were spoken with utmost sincerity, for Shen Mingrong's safety. How could Shen Mingrong not understand? Her heart warmed, and she unconsciously tightened her grip on Shen Mingzhuang's hand, a smile blooming on her face. "Don't treat me like a porcelain doll, okay? You have so many things to do right now, so don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. Besides, there are so many big and small things piling up in the Duke's mansion, and Chengye can't take care of the family either. If I were to go to the palace again, wouldn't everything be in chaos?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Mingzhuang sighed, "That's true."
"If you have time, why don't you bring your child to the palace for a visit?"
Shen Mingrong nodded, and the two exchanged pleasantries for a while before parting ways.
Shen Bochun was still waiting outside the Imperial Study. He was also quite uneasy. He didn't know whether the person who wanted to see him was the Empress or the Emperor. The messenger said that the Emperor wanted to see him, but it was not normal for the Emperor to be on leave for so long. He had some doubts in his mind.
When he heard footsteps behind him, Shen Bochun turned around and saw Shen Mingzhuang walking over, dressed in a royal blue imperial phoenix robe. He was stunned. He hadn't seen Shen Mingzhuang for some time, and for some reason, each meeting seemed different from the last.
The person still looks the same, but the feeling they give off is somewhat different.
"This old minister greets Your Majesty the Empress."
Shen Mingzhuang stopped a few steps away, at a distance that was neither too close nor too far, and looked at Shen Bochun with a smile on his face.
It's only been a year, and Shen Bochun has already reached the age where he calls himself an old minister. It's truly a story of ups and downs in life, too numerous to recount.
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