NABC Chapter 375 Another Way
Chapter 375 Another Way
Chapter 375 Another Way
Shen Li smiled modestly.
"But sir, if I may ask you a question that comes to my own mind, aren't you even a little bit unhappy?"
Shen Li waved her hand: "Lord Zhao, you underestimate me. Which man in this world doesn't have three wives and four concubines? Rather than waiting for a man to find some vixen to annoy me, it would be better if His Majesty granted me a marriage. In the future, he wouldn't dare to be unfaithful even if he wanted to."
"Brilliant, Lord Shen is truly brilliant." Zhao Wencai said admiringly, "That's why you're worthy of being a high-ranking official. You're much more understanding than my wife, who wouldn't even allow me to take a concubine."
"I'm sorry to trouble you, Brother Zhao." Shen Li said with a look of sympathy.
The two chatted and laughed, and although others couldn't hear what they were saying, they all realized that Shen Li didn't seem too upset, and the atmosphere returned to normal in an instant.
In fact, because they talked about it publicly, there was more discussion and it became more heated than usual.
Shen Li saw several eunuchs who came to deliver memorials peeking around, and there was a subtle smile in her eyes, but beneath that smile was a deeper chill.
After finishing her duties that day, Shen Li did not return to the Gu residence but went back to her parents' home. She knew that her family was the most worried, and she wanted to comfort them.
When she arrived, her father had not yet returned home. She only saw her mother and sister with grim faces, looking as if they wanted to fight someone to the death.
Upon seeing her daughter enter, Xiao Bailing quickly put on a smiling face: "Li'er is back. Don't worry about that matter. With your father here, he will definitely be able to persuade the Emperor to retract his decree."
“I think so too.” Shen Li smiled and looked at her mother’s reddened eyes, comforting her, “Mom, I can handle this little thing, don’t be sad.”
“Mother is not sad. Mother has been thinking about it for most of the day. Even if Zheng Yanran really marries into the Gu family, with Chang'an’s temperament, he will never like her.”
Xiao Bailing pulled Shen Li to sit down and advised her, "It's the same whether she's here or not. You can continue as usual, so please don't do anything rash."
"Don't be afraid, sister. I'll move back to your house in a while. I'll beat up Zheng Yanran every time I see her. Let's see if she dares to steal your brother-in-law." Shen Yue also came over with red eyes.
"Mother, Yue'er, I'm really fine. There are still three months left. Who knows if she'll be able to marry into the family?" Shen Li's words were practically a direct statement.
Xiao Bailing sighed. She didn't say what she was saying, but in her opinion, the possibility of changing the Emperor's will was extremely slim.
As expected, Shen Zizai returned with a gloomy face. He was stunned when he saw Shen Li, then forced a smile: "Li'er, it's alright. Father will have His Majesty retract his order."
"Father, I really do need your help. Could you come with me for a moment?"
Although Shen Zizai couldn't understand what could be more important than dealing with this marriage at this time, he still followed his daughter to the study.
The door closed, leaving only the father and daughter in the study.
"Did Father go to see the Emperor today?" Shen Li asked.
Shen Zizai nodded: "It is your father's incompetence that I was unable to persuade His Majesty to change his mind immediately, but I will try to persuade His Majesty to change his mind again."
"He said he had unspeakable difficulties, and that he had no choice but to do this because of the power of the King of Chess?" Shen Li sat down and spoke casually.
Shen Zizai was surprised, then nodded again.
"So, Father has decided to confront Prince Yi head-on, even to the point of mutual destruction, to prevent your daughter from having her man stolen, right?" Shen Li continued to ask.
Shen Zi had been feeling sorrowful all day, but now he was at a loss for what to do.
Did his daughter plant spies around him?
"Don't be nervous, I didn't send anyone to follow you." Shen Li found it somewhat amusing, and after laughing, she added, "You know the Emperor, how much of what he says do you believe?"
After calming down and thinking for a moment, Shen Zizai said, "Your Majesty wants to use my Shen family to suppress the power of Prince Yi."
“It seems that Father really understands him.” Shen Li had long since abandoned any respectful titles.
Shen Zizai, unusually, did not correct her, but continued, "Suppressing the King of Yi was what I wanted to do, so it can be said that we are of the same mind. Li'er, don't worry, I will do my best."
"Father is so good to his daughter." Shen Li smiled.
"Nonsense, I only have two daughters. If I don't treat you well, who else would I treat well?" Shen Zizai smiled, a rare occurrence for him.
"Father, I have a better idea. Would you like to hear it?" Shen Li changed the subject and returned to the main topic.
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The news of the arranged marriage to the Gu family spread throughout the capital, and the Gu family took the matter very seriously, with the news spreading rapidly in the following days.
As the matter continued to escalate, various opinions began to circulate in the streets and alleys.
Overall, I still feel that what the royal family did was very unfair. When there was trouble, they made Shen Li risk her life, and now that she is enjoying the prosperity while resting on her laurels, they are giving her husband a concubine.
Officials from both sides began to rub their hands together, preparing for the next major battle.
Although most court officials are now aligned with Prince Yi, the influence of the Shen family should not be underestimated. At this time, some officials are like gamblers, considering who to bet on.
But they seemed to have guessed wrong. Nothing happened in the following days. There were far fewer impeachments, let alone impeaching a single person.
It seems that the censors are also waiting for an opportunity. Many of them have been secretly revising their memorials, hoping to leave their names in this major event.
But nobody brought it up.
The most frequent advice Emperor Cheng heard at the grand court assembly was to establish a crown prince as soon as possible, saying that as long as the foundation of the country is solid, the empire can last for ten thousand years.
At the same time, calls to depose the empress were also rampant.
As time went on, the idea of establishing an heir apparent and selecting a virtuous successor once again filled the emperor's desk.
Emperor Cheng felt that things were getting out of control and realized the inadequacy of those around him, so he quickly promoted Shen Zizai to Grand Secretary, and the position of Second Grand Secretary was taken over by the Grand Secretary.
In addition, the former second-in-command, who had been sent back to observe mourning for his family, was summoned back to court. He repeatedly urged Li Rui to share his burdens, but Li Rui still pretended to be sick.
During this time, Li Rui sent someone to deliver a letter to Shen Li.
He asked Shen Li if she needed him, and if so, he was willing to step forward again and help her take down the King of Yi.
Given Li Rui's merits in serving the emperor, he is considered a strong contender for the throne even now. However, he does not want to be praised or schemed against in the spotlight, so he claimed to be ill and did not leave the palace immediately after returning.
It's clear that he truly has no ambition to fight for all of this.
Li Rui is a very insightful person who hates nothing more than deceit and treachery, but now he has the idea of stepping into this vortex for her sake.
Shen Li felt a warmth in her heart, but still politely declined.
If Prince Rui appears in court at this time, he will undoubtedly be regarded as a candidate for the succession to the throne, and even if the princes who have been discussed as heirs behave themselves in the future, their fate will not be good.
She couldn't put Prince Rui in the spotlight; it was best for her to handle her own affairs.
She couldn't put Prince Rui in the spotlight; it was best for her to handle her own affairs.
The person most opposed to making Prince Yi the crown prince was Shen Zizai, but he only had himself, and even as the chief minister, he never used any underhanded means.
The results were minimal, far exceeding Emperor Cheng's expectations.