Upon hearing what Lord Shen said about her, Madam Shen's previously calmed heart began to feel tightness in her chest, shortness of breath, and dizziness again. She quickly took a few more pills and drank some water before she felt better.
"Do you know what people outside are saying about our family right now!"
Lord Shen frowned, instinctively sensing something was amiss, but the words that were on the tip of his tongue were, "What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into now?"
Madam Shen had just taken the medicine and it seemed to be working. She didn't argue with Lord Shen. "Lin Ruhai sent people to investigate what happened back then. Now outsiders are all guessing that your position as Lord Shen was obtained through improper means!"
These words seemed to strike a nerve with Master Shen.
Bang!
With a flick of his sleeve, the teacups and teapots on the table fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.
"No one will know what happened back then!"
As soon as Lord Shen finished speaking, he realized that Madam Shen was trying to trick him into revealing information. He snorted coldly, "Nonsense! This matter was decreed by the Emperor himself back then, how could it be faked!"
Madam Shen laughed and said, "You can't silence the gossip!"
Lord Shen said, "I'd like to see who dares to speak ill of the Emperor Emeritus!"
Madam Shen said, "Go and inquire about it."
"Now that the Lin family has something on you, do you think they'll let you off easy? With that brat around, do you think they'll let you go just because you don't admit it?"
Seeing that Lord Shen remained unmoved, Madam Shen's lips curled into a bitter smile. "The people's will is with you. If the Emperor knew what happened back then, even the Emperor Emeritus couldn't protect you!"
A crack appeared on Lord Shen's face. "No way."
Madam Shen cried out in anguish, "Shen Shinan, you're a coward! How could they not be! You and Lin Ruhai are inherently enemies; now it's either you or him who dies!"
"Look at the rumors outside, they're trying to kill you!"
Lord Shen glanced at Madam Shen and said, "Don't think that I'll do anything just because you're trying to provoke me."
"I told you not to be so clever! Right now, protecting ourselves is the most important thing!"
Madam Shen roared, "But they're telling you and me to die!"
"He wouldn't dare!"
"Dare not? Go outside and ask around. You, Shen Shinan, are already accused of murder!"
"Coward!"
Uncle Shen slumped into the chair, the last bit of strength drained from his body, his head sinking into his arm.
"Life is difficult. When I inherit the title, I will find you an official position and a wife."
"It's tough. If you don't want to be an official, we'll leave all the shops in the family to you. That way, you'll be free."
"It's difficult. I don't like her. I have someone I like."
"Please help me in this difficult time."
...
"Shi Nan, I'm back. I'm sorry."
...
I never need to apologize. Since you left, why did you come back?
You promised me the title and the family fortune, but now you're coming back to take everything back because of a woman's jealousy? Why should I?
You forced me into this, you practically forced it on me...
What did I do wrong?
The mistake was not eliminating the problem at its root!
Seeing Lord Shen's expression, Madam Shen continued to urge him on, "Back then, it was because you were too weak that the old master made the decision for you. Now you still can't bring yourself to do it!"
You will pay the price for your cowardice sooner or later!
...
The rumors disappeared from the streets and alleys in just two or three days, and the emperor even joked about it with the retired emperor in the palace.
"Father, what happened back then?"
The retired emperor said, "Hahaha, there are no such dark things. Shen Shinan told me long ago that his brother had a letter as proof. I have read it, and this matter cannot be faked."
"Besides, who would want to keep their enemy's daughter by their side?"
"You shouldn't believe everything you hear and wrong the court officials."
The Emperor's eyes flashed upon hearing this, "Father's judgment of people has always been very accurate."
"But the rumors circulating are quite detailed, so we should investigate and clear Shen Shinan's name."
"This also proves that Father Emperor's judgment was correct."
The retired emperor... hehehehe
"It would be good to investigate."
"If anyone dares to use this matter to harm court officials, Your Majesty must not let them get away with it!"
...
Upon learning this, Lin Ruhai also stated that he would not let the person who framed his father-in-law get away with it.
After all, his father-in-law is upright and has nothing to fear.
These days, anyone dares to make baseless accusations; it's simply out of jealousy!
He also revealed his wife's pitiful childhood, which led people to misunderstand his father-in-law. How could such an honest and upright man as Master Shen be the heartless person in the rumors?
In front of everyone, he demanded that those who spread rumors be severely punished.
The Emperor was very pleased with Lin Ruhai's words and immediately appointed the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to investigate the events of that year.
The retired emperor also summoned Shen Shinan to the palace to ask him about the matter in person.
Afterwards, an imperial edict was issued forbidding anyone from discussing the matter.
However, the discussion subsided after two days, as there was something more important at hand: the Northern Frontier had won a great victory, and the court was filled with jubilation.
Although it was a small counterattack, it was able to wash away the gloom brought by the previous three defeats.
However, the Emperor Emeritus and Shen Shinan's expressions were clearly ugly and gloomy to anyone with eyes to see. Lord Shen was under investigation and was restrained, while news of Prince Bei Jing, Shui Rong, from the front had not yet arrived.
In order to prevent the frontline soldiers from being unable to receive supplies in time, the Emperor temporarily dispatched another batch of vanguards to deliver winter clothing, food, medicine and other supplies to the frontline.
As for Prince Bei Jing, Shui Rong, Your Majesty should say that if there is no news, he should be executed for missing a crucial opportunity in the war.
The retired emperor was extremely anxious and sent out several groups of people, but they still couldn't find Prince Bei Jing. For a time, no one knew where Prince Bei Jing, Shui Rong, had gone with the front-line supplies.
Shen Ajiao privately asked Lin Ruhai, "Was the water soluble solution created by His Majesty?"
Lin Ruhai looked surprised and immediately retorted, "No, His Majesty is not that kind of person, and naturally he would not treat matters at the front line as a joke."
"What does the retired emperor want to do?"
Faced with Shen Ajiao's question, Lin Ruhai said he didn't know, but it was nothing more than military merit. Now that the court is stable, if you want to stand out and have the strength, you must have military merit.
The retired emperor wanted to have the right to speak, and he knew this better than anyone else. Shui Rong was someone he had personally raised, so naturally he shared the same thoughts as the retired emperor.
It remains to be seen how Shui Rong will earn this honor.
Whether the water-soluble method succeeds or not, the emperor will naturally benefit.
"A message must be sent back by the end of the year at the latest." The deadline given by the Emperor is New Year's Eve. If it is later than that, it will not be a military achievement, but a death sentence.
Okay, since we're all people with plans, let's not worry about it. Chen Ajiao bought a bunch of New Year's goods at home, planning to fatten up for the New Year.
Grandmother Jia sent people to deliver New Year's gifts twice, though she didn't mention it at all. However, Shen Ajiao knew what Grandmother Jia meant, but she ignored her.
They had someone change the packaging but not the contents and return it.
Grandmother Jia did not say much when she saw this. Since the incident with Baoyu, she had kept a relative distance. Knowing that she was in the wrong, she had not made a fuss since the end of the year.
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