northernbook Chapter 194 Requesting the Conferment of the Title of Princess
Chapter 194 Requesting the Conferment of the Title of Princess
Although betrayed by Shen Shaohuai, Madam Shen still hoped he would live. Hearing the Marquis of Chengen's choice and the words spoken by Emperor Jing'an, she wanted to say something, but was dragged away by the guards.
Marquis Chengen realized that Emperor Jing'an would not let Shen Shaohuai off the hook.
Only Madam Shen and the Prince of Zhenbei remained in the main hall.
Emperor Jing'an said to Madam Shen, "Shen Wenxian's crimes are punishable by death. However, considering your merit in reporting him, I will spare you from being implicated."
Madam Shen removed her pheasant-patterned crown with both hands and knelt on the ground: "This sinful woman begs the Emperor to pardon the death sentence of the eldest grandson, and is willing to behead him in his place."
Emperor Jing'an remained silent.
Madam Shen kowtowed again: "Shaoheng was not an accomplice. He made a contribution by donating grain in Guanzhou. I beg Your Majesty to spare his life in consideration of his merit."
Emperor Jing'an, mindful of the persecution Shen Wenxuan suffered at the hands of Shen Wenxian, and the fact that Old Madam Shen had put aside her own family for the sake of meritorious service and protecting her eldest grandson, decided to help him.
When the disaster in Guanzhou was severe, Shen Shaoheng donated hundreds of thousands of shi of grain to relieve the victims, which was an invaluable contribution.
He ultimately showed mercy, sparing Shen Shaoheng's life and sending him to the frontier.
Madam Shen kowtowed to express her gratitude for the Emperor's grace, then, clutching her imperial crown, she walked unsteadily out of the main hall, the damp, cold wind whipping her official robes in the wind.
She gazed at the towering palaces, her eyes filled with gloom.
She failed to raise her children well or protect her family in her lifetime. She has no face to live in this world, let alone go to the underworld to meet her ancestors and her husband.
Large, dark clouds loomed overhead, threatening to collapse, causing Old Madam Shen's back to bend even more.
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Inside the palace.
Emperor Jing'an put the longevity lock into his sleeve pocket, ordered Eunuch Cao to summon the Duke to the palace, and then looked at the Prince of Zhenbei: "I originally wanted to ask if your daughter was betrothed. If she is not betrothed, I intend to bestow a marriage upon her."
He remarked with emotion, "I never imagined that we would become family."
The Prince of Zhenbei's expression darkened.
Emperor Jing'an then asked, "Zhili, have you ever met my nephew?"
Upon hearing the title "Emperor Jing'an," the Prince of Zhenbei's face darkened even further.
His mother said that the family was full of rough men, none of them knew any manners, and they were like wild monkeys. She blamed it on not having chosen a good name, and that's the name she gave him when it was his turn.
His mother didn't even consider that, given the family's origins, she actually thought she could raise a literary descendant just by relying on a name. That was rather naive.
"I saw him."
"What do you think of him?"
"No way."
"..."
Emperor Jing'an frowned: "You don't acknowledge this son-in-law?"
“My opinion is not important,” said the Prince of Zhenbei. “It’s enough that your daughter acknowledges him.”
Emperor Jing'an laughed loudly, "Zhili, you truly live up to your name, being insightful and reasonable."
Prince Zhenbei: "..."
Emperor Jing'an, having received his answer, returned to the main point: "I have read the victory report; you and your four sons have rendered outstanding service. Your merits and demerits are balanced. Your sons have returned to the capital in triumph; I will reward them according to their merits. What do you say?"
Over the years, the sons of the Prince of Zhenbei have had opportunities for promotion, but now they are just unknown figures.
He couldn't figure out what the Prince of Zhenbei was thinking.
The reason for this was that he was worried that his son's outstanding performance would attract the attention of the imperial court, which would lead to the revelation of his young daughter's departure from Liangzhou and result in the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion being punished.
Or perhaps he was disappointed with the court and unwilling to take the lead again, leaving his children and grandchildren to maintain the status quo, wear down the emperor's favor, and then return to an ordinary life?
After a long silence, the Prince of Zhenbei bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please make the decision."
Emperor Jing'an felt reassured. The Prince of Zhenbei had found his daughter and married into a prestigious family; naturally, he wouldn't allow his children and grandchildren to remain unknown. Only by achieving great deeds and establishing themselves could his daughter be better protected.
No monarch can tolerate another sleeping soundly beside his bed.
He was not incompetent or tyrannical, and trusted the loyal and virtuous people of the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion for generations. However, a meritorious and valiant general with a weakness is ultimately more reassuring.
“In that case, I have something to report.” The Prince of Zhenbei took out two memorials from his sleeve and presented them to Emperor Jing’an.
Emperor Jing'an, puzzled, picked up the memorial and began to read it. The memorial requested that he issue a new decree to confer the title of Princess upon Shen Qingtan, and they were willing to exchange it for meritorious service.
At the end, three seals were stamped, clearly the seals of the three sons of the Prince of Zhenbei.
Emperor Jing'an: "..."
He closed the memorial and looked up at the Prince of Zhenbei.
"If His Majesty wishes to bestow rewards, our request shouldn't be too much, right?" The Prince of Zhenbei curled his lips, using the words Emperor Jing'an used to try and get closer to him to shut him down: "After all, we are family. If I were to be too polite, it would be too distant."
The father and his three sons discussed it and were determined to ensure that Manman would be recognized as a member of the family in a grand and glorious manner.
Emperor Jing'an: "..." You really dare to claim kinship.
He opened another book, which listed Madam Shen's crimes of kidnapping Shen Qingtan, as well as the persecution Madam Shen had inflicted on Shen Qingtan during this period.
Emperor Jing'an pointed at the memorial with two fingers: "What does this mean?"
"Shouldn't His Majesty post a public notice to all the people of the Great Zhou regarding the crimes of the Marquis of Cheng'en's family?" The Prince of Zhenbei's eyes flashed with sharpness as he said in a cold voice, "Write down all these charges so that the world knows that the rumors of Manman eloping with someone were all fabricated by the Marquis's family."
Emperor Jing'an was puzzled: "The people all know that this is a rumor."
“Manman’s identity is unusual. The Marquis’s family was punished, but she did not have to bear the blame. Instead, she made a grand return to her ancestral home. It’s inevitable that some people who don’t know the inside story will accuse her of being ungrateful and not pleading for the Marquis’s family.”
The Prince of Zhenbei raised an eyebrow: "The Emperor probably wouldn't want his family to be criticized, would he?"
Emperor Jing'an: "..." Could he just break off the marriage and kick the person out?
Upon further reflection, Emperor Jing'an found the memorial to be quite reasonable and closed it.
"I grant your permission."
The Prince of Zhenbei was now genuinely grateful for the favor.
The emperor and his minister discussed the matter of the northern border.
The Prince of Zhenbei withdrew.
Eunuch Cao entered and reported, "Your Majesty, the Duke has arrived." After a pause, he added, "The Imperial Concubine and Prince Yu have also arrived."
Emperor Jing'an's eyes were filled with gloom. "Summon the Imperial Father-in-law."
Eunuch Cao accepted the order and went outside the palace to invite the Duke into the palace.
The Duke entered the palace, knelt on the ground, and begged for forgiveness: "Your Majesty..."
Emperor Jing'an raised his hand to interrupt the Duke: "Father-in-law, Shen Wenxian's crimes are heinous, and Zhao Jue is deeply involved with him. He is not innocent."
When the Duke heard that the Marquis of Chengen had been convicted, he had already guessed it. Zhao Jue had been in close ties with the Marquis of Chengen for the sake of his title; how could he possibly remain uninvolved?
When Eunuch Cao summoned him to the palace, he confirmed his suspicions.
"You are both Yuanrong's father and my benefactor. This time, I will show leniency and not punish him." Emperor Jing'an said meaningfully, "The rise and fall of the Duke's mansion cannot be maintained by one person. No matter how great the favor, I cannot always show leniency."
The Duke understood the meaning behind Emperor Jing'an's words: Emperor Jing'an had already repaid the favor by pardoning the second branch of the family this time. If they made a mistake again, there would be no leniency.
"This old minister kowtows in gratitude for Your Majesty's grace." The Duke kowtowed and said in an aged voice, "This old minister will certainly discipline his unworthy descendants."