Everyone stared at Shen Yuliang.
Shen Yuliang's mind went blank.
Lying is unacceptable. Firstly, his son insulted Yang Cui without trying to hide it from anyone, and it would be easy to find out with a little inquiry. Secondly, this was in front of the emperor, and if he lied, he might be charged with deceiving the emperor, which would be even worse.
"General Cen is right. I will certainly discipline him strictly when we get back." Shen Yuliang was a pragmatic man and immediately admitted defeat and apologized.
Cen Xiao glanced at him indifferently and said, "Children learn by example. I'm afraid Lord Shen will not only be disciplining Shen Nan."
Shen Nan is Shen Yuliang's youngest son and has always been favored, which is no secret in the capital.
The officials present were all shrewd and knew perfectly well that Shen Nan had spoken ill of Yang Cui. That's why Cen Xiao had directly criticized the Southern Study's education in the main hall—his aim was to vent Yang Cui's anger and embarrass the Shen family.
The officials remained silent.
The Emperor then said, “Minister Shen, you should reflect on your actions. As the saying goes, ‘It is the father’s fault if he raises his children without teaching them.’ Because of Shen Nan, my entire Southern Study has been disgraced.”
Shen Yuliang immediately knelt on the ground: "Your humble servant knows his crime."
"Then I'll fine you three months' salary. As for Shen Nan..."
The Emperor spoke with heavy breathing, and Shen Yu's heart leaped into his throat. He was afraid the Emperor would forbid Shen Nan from studying in the Southern Study.
"Let Shen Nan stay home and reflect on his mistakes for now. What do you think, Minister Cen?"
Cen Xiao said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. However... I have a few words I would like to say to you gentlemen. Please grant me permission."
The emperor thought that Cen Xiao was about to say something surprising again.
However, the emperor also knew that even if he was prevented from speaking now, the man would still find an opportunity to do so, so it was better to hear what astonishing things he was going to say.
"allow."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Then, Cen Xiao turned to face the ministers and said with a serious expression, "Today, in front of all of you, I want to tell you that no matter what kind of person my wife is or what her background is, it has nothing to do with you! Don't worry about things that don't concern you."
I also urge you gentlemen to keep yourselves and your families in check. Anyone who dares to speak ill of my wife again will face my wrath!
Silence fell over the Golden Palace, and the ministers all looked shocked.
If a man doesn't love someone to the extreme, what man would say such a thing in the imperial palace?
Then, Cen Xiao dropped another bombshell: "My wife didn't know I was a general at the time, and she didn't play any tricks on me. I was the one who fell in love with her first, and I begged and pleaded to marry into her family."
"What? Marrying into the family??"
"General Cen, I didn't hear wrong, did I?"
“You heard me right, I am a son-in-law, and my wife is the head of the household.”
In this era, marrying into another's family is an extremely shameful thing, but Cen Xiao was unmoved, as if he was even glad for his decisiveness.
The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment.
The censors couldn't stand it any longer and stood up one by one to condemn Cen Xiao: "General Cen, you are a first-rank general of our dynasty, how can you marry into a family?"
"General Cen, how can you, a dignified general, be afraid of your wife? You should reaffirm your authority as a husband!"
In their view, Cen Xiao's marriage into the family was a result of his fear of his wife.
Cen Xiao raised his eyes, glanced at the crowd, and said, "Which law of the imperial court stipulates that one cannot marry into another family?"
"Uh...no, not at all."
"If you don't have it, what's it to you?"
The censor choked.
He then added, "Although it's not illegal, you are a general, representing the face of the imperial court. You...you actually married into the family..."
"Then I will resign from my post."
"Resign...resign from office?"
The courtiers were in uproar!
The emperor was also shocked.
No one expected Cen Xiao to pull this stunt.
Just as the emperor was about to speak, Cen Xiao knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, the border is now peaceful, and foreign enemies have bowed their heads and dare not invade. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to resign and retire."
The ministers exchanged bewildered glances. Was this for real?
Which general in history who held military power had a good ending? In fact, Cen Xiao and Yang Cui had discussed resigning from their posts before, and today was just the right opportunity to propose it.
The Third Prince then stepped forward: "General Cen, you must not act rashly! Although things are peaceful now, who knows what the future holds?"
"If the enemy invades, I am willing to don military uniform and serve my country, but I beg Your Majesty's permission!"
Cen Xiao no longer refers to himself as "your humble servant".
The emperor slammed his fist on the table in anger: "You want to resign over such a trivial matter? Do you think this is a child's play?" The emperor even swore.
"And you lot..." The emperor pointed at the officials who had spoken out against the emperor, "What business is it of yours if someone marries into another family? Even if marrying into the family is shameful, has it been a disgrace to you? Are you only satisfied when you force the pillars of the court back to farming?"
"We dare not!" the officials said, kneeling and bowing their heads.
"Dare not? I think you dare! If General Cen resigns, and the enemy invades in the future, I will send you all to the battlefield to kill the enemy!"
When the emperor was angry, all the ministers remained silent, and no one dared to utter a sound.
After the Emperor finished speaking sternly, he softened his tone and said to Cen Xiao, "Minister Cen, you are a pillar of the nation. The court and I both need you. This matter of resigning from office ends here. Do not mention it again."
"His Majesty……"
Cen Xiao wanted to speak, but the emperor glared at him and ordered the eunuchs to dismiss the court.
After the court session, the emperor summoned Cen Xiao to the imperial study.
As soon as he entered the Imperial Study, a teacup flew towards him, which Cen Xiao caught with lightning speed.
That's right, it was the Emperor who smashed it!
"Godfather, did you eat too much barbecue last night? Are you feeling a bit hot?"
"I'm going to wake you up! Let me tell you, if you mention resigning again, I will bestow three feet of white silk upon Lady Yang!"
He first referred to himself as "I," and then as "朕" (zhen), which represented the emperor's attitude.
"I just want to go back to her hometown with her and live a simple life."
During her time in Anjia Village, Yang Cui was busy, but not this tired, and she didn't have to deal with so many people and things.
"Stop thinking about women and slacking off all day long. The matter of Prince Qingyang and the grain are still unresolved. I want to see results within seven days! Do you hear me?"
"My lord, I obey the order."
Just then, a eunuch came to report that Su Murong was requesting an audience.
"Announce."
"Yes, sir."
Immediately afterwards, Su Murong entered. After bowing, she began to recount how the Shen family mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had come to General Shen Nan's residence early that morning to demand an explanation.
It also mentioned that Yang Cui wanted to enter the palace to ask whether the Southern Study was a place for teaching and nurturing people, or a place for teaching children to gossip.
It was also said that Yang Cui and the Shen family, along with Shen Nan, requested an audience at the palace gate.
When Su Murong spoke, his words were full of favoritism towards Yang Cui. He also mentioned that when he and Guo Zhenyu arrived at the General's Mansion, the Shen family mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were very arrogant.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor flew into a rage and snapped at Cen Xiao, "You two have the exact same dog-like tempers!"
Cen Xiao's lips curled up slightly: "This is telepathy."
Isn't that what it means to be on the same wavelength? The couple thought of the same thing.
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