vrcanaries Chapter 426 Suspicion
Chapter 426 Suspicion
She instantly understood what Yongzheng meant, her expression changed for a moment, then quickly returned to normal.
However, this change in her did not escape the eyes of An Lingrong, who had been watching her closely.
An Lingrong sensed something was wrong and took the opportunity to get some snacks for Shen Meiyu to sit next to her and watch.
She also saw a familiar name.
The ninth young master of the Fucha family, Fucha Fuheng.
This is a good candidate.
Looking down, she instantly understood why Shen Meizhuang's expression changed slightly.
However, Yongzheng was right beside her at the moment, so she had to suppress the anger in her heart and, using the small table as a cover, quickly extended four fingers towards Shen Meizhuang.
The fourth name is Fu Cha Fu Heng.
Shen Meizhuang immediately understood An Lingrong's meaning, a smile blooming on her face again. She said softly, "Your Majesty, when I was still a concubine, I heard that the Fucha family was a family of many talented people and had a clean and upright family tradition. I'm sure the children they raise will also be outstanding. This Fucha Fuheng is two years older than the Sixth Prince. If he were to be a study companion, he would be very suitable."
Yongzheng's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked leisurely, "Why, don't you want your nephew from your mother's family to accompany the Sixth Prince? This is a closer relationship, which is both reasonable and appropriate."
Shen Meizhuang sighed softly, her tone filled with helplessness: "I thank the emperor for his kindness. However, I have heard from my mother that this nephew has a bad temper and is causing my elder brother and sister-in-law a lot of headaches. I dare not let him enter the palace."
Upon hearing this, Yongzheng smiled lightly, his tone carrying a hint of amusement: "That's not a problem at all. The palace has strict rules and regulations. This is a good opportunity to rein in his temper. Perhaps it will even help him improve. Furthermore, it will ease your pain of missing your family."
Upon hearing this, Shen Meizhuang said anxiously, "Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince is a prince. His studies and conduct are of paramount importance. No matter how much I miss my family, it cannot compare to the Sixth Prince. I am truly worried that my nephew will be unruly and not only fail to assist the Sixth Prince, but will instead lead him astray. If this is the case, I will never be able to redeem myself."
After hearing this, Yongzheng nodded with satisfaction and said, "Since you are so insistent, I will issue an order to let Fucha Fuheng be the Sixth Prince's companion."
Shen Meizhuang bowed gracefully and said respectfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"
Yongzheng stood up, helped her up and said with a smile: "I have something else to do, so I will return to the Yangxin Palace first. I will come to see you another day."
"Farewell, His Majesty!" Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong said in unison.
When Yongzheng's back completely disappeared from sight, the submissive and gentle expression on An Lingrong's face instantly faded, replaced by a coldness like frost on a cold night.
Meanwhile, Shen Meizhuang was clutching the handkerchief tightly in her hand, her knuckles turning white from the strain, and the veins on the back of her hand were clearly visible. Beads of sweat had already formed on her forehead, trickling down her temples and onto the hem of her delicately embroidered skirt.
The Shen family, the Sixth Prince's maternal family, wields military power and holds considerable influence within the court. If the Shen family's eldest grandson were to enter the palace to study with the Sixth Prince, this would undoubtedly strengthen the Sixth Prince's ties to his maternal family, further entwining the Shen family's power with the prince's. Yongzheng, a shrewd man, would never tolerate such a situation. His actions today were clearly a test of Shen Meizhuang and the Shen family, to see if they harbored any ambitions to seize the throne.
An Lingrong was the first to come back to her senses. Seeing Shen Meiyu's face as pale as paper, she felt distressed. She hurried to Shen Meiyu's side, held her arm, and pried open her clenched hands little by little, then put her hand in her palm and stroked it gently.
Shen Meizhuang only felt a warmth coming from the palm of her hand. The warmth spread along her arm to her whole body, dispelling some of the coldness in her heart, and her emotions gradually calmed down a little.
"Sister." An Lingrong called softly, with a hint of hesitation in her tone.
"Rong'er, just say it straight!" Shen Meizhuang forced a smile, indicating that she didn't have to worry.
An Lingrong pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Master Shen is already old, and it's time for him to enjoy his retirement."
Although the words were euphemistic, Shen Meizhuang could not fail to understand the deep meaning behind them. This was a hint that for the safety of the Shen family, her father should retreat while the tide is turning and voluntarily hand over military power to dispel Yongzheng's suspicions.
Shen Meizhuang pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. Lately, calls for a crown prince had been growing louder and louder within the court. She knew that if no action was taken, the Shen family would be plunged into even greater danger.
An Lingrong sighed inwardly. Yongzheng was getting older and more suspicious. She would have to be more careful in the days to come.
After saying this, Shen Meizhuang asked, "Why did you choose Fucha Fuheng just now?"
"Fucha Fuheng is the son of Li Rongbao, the governor of Chahar. His elder brother, Ma Qi, is the minister in charge of general affairs. Fucha will not take sides with the prince and is deeply trusted by the emperor. The Sixth Prince choosing him as his study companion can put the emperor at ease."
At this point, An Lingrong paused, there was a deeper meaning that she had not yet revealed - in history, Fu Heng was an extremely outstanding figure, with outstanding abilities and loyalty. Having him accompany the Sixth Prince would be of great benefit to his growth.
Thinking of this, An Lingrong's eyes sparkled, and she asked excitedly, "I also heard that Fu Heng has an older sister. How old is she?"
Shen Meizhuang thought for a moment: "If you calculate it, she is about seventeen or eighteen years old, and she is at the age of arranged marriage."
An Lingrong, who was originally full of enthusiasm, suddenly lost her enthusiasm. Forget it, the age difference is too big.
Poor Liudan, he missed a good wife.
A few days later, a memorial was delivered to Yongzheng's desk:
"Your Majesty, I, Shen Zishan, Commander of the Guard Battalion, respectfully wish you the best of health.
Since I have been blessed by the Emperor with this special favor, and have been honored to serve in the army, and have been entrusted with the important responsibility of commanding and defending the capital, I have always been mindful of the Emperor's immense grace, and how little I can do to repay it. Therefore, I have risen early and slept late, always on guard, and have not dared to slack off in the slightest.
However, time has passed, and my old battlefield injuries have been flaring up frequently lately, causing unbearable pain. My spirit has also gradually weakened, no longer as sharp as it once was. Whenever I think about the importance of military tasks, which concern the foundation of our country and the safety of the capital, I deeply fear that due to my own lack of energy, I will make mistakes, harm the country and the people, and fail to live up to the emperor's great grace.
Now I really cannot shoulder this heavy responsibility any longer, so I boldly ask Your Majesty to allow me to resign from the post of commander, retire from the army and return to the countryside to enjoy the rest of my life.
Although I have laid down my armor, my loyalty to the emperor and my patriotism are witnessed by the sun and the moon, and will remain unchanged until my death.
I humbly hope that Your Majesty will have mercy on me. I am extremely worried and respectfully present this memorial.
Your Highness Shen Zishan bows again
May 16, the eighth year of Yongzheng's reign
Yongzheng sat on the dragon throne, his slender fingers casually flipping through the memorials. After a moment, his thin lips curled up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile. "Noble Concubine Hui is quite an insightful person. I only had to express my feelings a little, and she understood them well. This saved me a lot of trouble."
After saying that, he picked up the red brush and wrote the word "approved" on the memorial.
"Su Peisheng, pass on the imperial decree that Shen Zishan be awarded the title of Second Class Loyalty and Bravery Duke and the Double-Eyed Peacock Feather."
"Yes, I will convey your order immediately!" After receiving the order, Su Peisheng bent his body, took a few steps back, then turned around and left quickly.
An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang in Yonghe Palace were relieved upon hearing this. Although the Second Class Loyal and Brave Duke and the Double-Eyed Peacock Feather were honorary awards and carried no real power, they represented the Emperor's attitude.
that's enough.