PNB Chapter 244 The storm is coming
Chapter 244 The storm is coming
The last time I saw Shen Junling was a week ago.
Of course Shen Junxing knew about the affairs of the Princess' Mansion. The commoner princess who was personally conferred by the Emperor had caused the Imperial Concubine to be deprived of power over the six palaces, and everyone in the Sixth Prince's party was in danger.
Before he left the court, the news had already spread throughout the court.
He is not deaf.
He could understand that Old Madam Shen, a woman living in the back house, didn't understand the situation in the court. But Shen Junxing felt tired of this mother who kept holding him back again and again.
Shen Junxing's attitude made Old Madam Shen feel like a superfluous person in the mansion, and she didn't even have the right to speak a word.
Tears quickly accumulated in her eyes, her mouth moved, and she choked up and said, "Are you still blaming me for forcing you to marry that woman? I know I was wrong, what else do you want from me?"
Old Madam Shen wiped her tears and looked at her first child whom she had raised with great difficulty, feeling overwhelmed with sadness.
"If I'm getting in your way here, you might as well send me to the border, to your father's place. Anyway, no matter what I do or say, it's wrong in your eyes..."
"Mother, that's enough!" Shen Junxing knew very well that Old Madam Shen was just using the same old trick of crying, making a fuss and threatening to commit suicide on him.
She was forcing herself to admit her mistakes and submit to her.
How could a person who has lived a life of luxury for decades be willing to go to the border when she can't even stay there for half a month?
Furthermore, two months ago, the emperor summoned his father and second brother back from the border.
The reason is that there has been no war on the border in recent years, and the emperor is grateful that the old marquis is old and has been separated from his family in Beijing for a long time, so the emperor allowed him to come back to spend his remaining years in peace.
According to the schedule, we should be arriving in the capital in the next few days.
My mother has been feeling ashamed because of the Tang Qingmei incident and rarely goes out recently. She has no idea about this.
It is definitely not a good thing for the emperor to summon my father back to the capital for no reason, even though the border has been peaceful in recent years.
That's because my father and my second brother are suppressing those barbarians who are ready to make trouble at the border.
Now the emperor has no time to care about the border and is determined to recall my father and second brother to the capital. I'm afraid he will take action against the Wu'an Marquis' Mansion.
At this critical moment, there is no room for carelessness. Thinking of this, Shen Junxing hardened his heart again.
"Mother, a little farm girl can climb to the position of princess. Do you think it's really her luck? Princess Ning'an is just a pawn in the hands of a powerful noble or prince. What you should pray for is that her actions will not involve our Wu'an Marquis Mansion, instead of thinking about recognizing her relatives."
"Remember, Ruyi only went to Ganzhou to pray for blessings. She doesn't know the Qin family, and she doesn't have any so-called children. The emperor's birthday is coming, and envoys from various countries will enter the capital in the next few days. The emperor has already called my father and my second brother back from the border. Mother, please put your mind at ease!"
After Shen Junxing finished speaking, he walked into the house without giving Old Madam Shen any chance to speak.
When Old Madam Shen heard that the old marquis and his second son were about to return to the capital, all her attention was diverted to them.
Just as he was about to ask a few more detailed questions, a servant from the mansion came to report that someone had come from the palace. It was Eunuch De's godson, Xiao Fuzi.
After meeting Old Madam Shen and her son, Xiao Fuzi conveyed the emperor's oral instructions.
The Emperor has set up a banquet in the palace tonight to welcome the eldest princess and Princess Ning'an who are arriving in Beijing today. He has invited Minister Shen to bring his family to attend the banquet.
Xiao Fuzi also specifically reminded Shen Junxing not to forget to call Shen Junling and Mrs. Shen Tang Qingmei, who had not been seen in Beijing for a long time.
Shen Junxing's heart continued to sink.
A banquet was held to welcome Princess Ning'an. Logically speaking, there was no need for the eunuchs in the palace to make a special trip.
Because this welcoming banquet was just a small banquet organized by the Ministry of Rites, not all ministers would attend.
But the emperor sent people from the palace to come and inform the Shen family, which sounded a little wrong.
After expressing his gratitude, Shen Junxing quietly stuffed a purse into Xiao Fuzi's hand.
He asked calmly, "Young eunuch, will the families of the officials in the court attend tonight's palace banquet?"
Xiao Fuzi smiled and pushed the purse back, and said politely: "Replying to Minister Shen, this servant is not too clear about this. I am just following the order of the emperor to come and inform you. Minister Shen can attend on time."
Shen Junhan's eyes flashed, knowing that he could not get any useful information from Xiao Fuzi, so he had to politely see her out the door.
Old Madam Shen hadn't noticed the undercurrent yet. As soon as Xiao Fuzi left, she looked at Shen Junxing with some resentment.
"After all, this is also the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion. You are the Minister of Personnel, why do you have to be so humble to a eunuch? And the emperor's intention is to let Tang Qingmei follow us into the palace? Is she worthy of such a person with a heart as poisonous as a scorpion?"
When Old Madam Shen mentioned Tang Qingmei, she hated her now as much as she liked her in the past.
Ever since Tang Qingmei's true identity was exposed, Old Madam Shen wanted to tear Tang Qingmei into pieces.
She hated Tang Qingmei for deceiving her, which had ruined Shen Ruyi's life and caused unrest in the Shen family.
She hated Tang Qingmei even more for scheming and playing with her in the palm of her hand, ruining her reputation.
"This is the Emperor's order. Mother, are you going to disobey it? Go back to Fushouju and prepare to enter the palace tonight."
"Here, let me remind you, mother. Xiao Fuzi is the godson that Eunuch De values the most. Eunuch De is also an old man who serves the emperor. Even the concubines and even the princes in the harem have to be polite to Eunuch De. You are calling him a eunuch. Are you slapping Eunuch De in the face? Mother, you'd better not be so outspoken!"
Shen Junxing looked deeply at Old Madam Shen, his face full of helplessness and sadness.
Old Madam Shen did not refute and returned to Fushouju in a bad mood.
After Old Madam Shen left, Shen Junxing came to the courtyard where Tang Qingmei lived.
Tang Qingmei, who had been locked up in the backyard and had been frustrated in everything, became even more haggard since her children were sent away.
Upon hearing the purpose of Shen Junxing's visit, Tang Qing's eyes suddenly lit up.
"The emperor ordered me to enter the palace? Hahaha, Shen Junxing, I've told you before that you can't lock me up forever unless I die..."
"Want to die? There is no such good thing in this world. After all, your life is still waiting for Ruyi to come back and deal with it. Of course you can give it up, but I wonder if you are willing to give up the children you carried for ten months and gave birth to?"
Shen Junxing's expression remained unchanged. Who wouldn't be able to threaten someone?
"Shen Junxing, are you crazy? They are your children too!"
Shen Qingmei cried and laughed, but finally she sat obediently on the stool like a puppet, allowing two maids to dress her up.