A concubine enters the mansion? Reborn, three matchmakers and six engagements to marry the Prime Min

Shen Zhixiu said to Su Qingyu, "I can go by myself. If you feel tired, go back to the West Courtyard. There are many people here to take care of mother, and you are not a big problem."

Su Qingyu agreed and told Shen Zhixiu to go without worry, as she and her second sister-in-law would support the family.

When Shen Zhixiu walked to the outer courtyard, he saw Hu Lu standing in the courtyard holding the imperial edict.

He looked outside, past Hu Lu, and saw two sedan chairs parked at the door. They should be the two people Song Hongshen mentioned.

Seeing Shen Zhixiu coming out, Hu Lu unfolded the imperial edict, "Shen Zhixiu, accept the edict."

Hu Lu thought that Lord Shen should kneel down after hearing this.

But who would have thought that he would quickly walk up to him.

"Eunuch Hu, you don't need to read out this imperial edict. I will not accept it."

Hu Lu was startled, "What does Lord Shen mean?"

Are you going to disobey the order?

Shen Zhixiu said, "Don't worry, Eunuch Hu. I won't make things difficult for you. I will go to the palace with you. Return the imperial edict and the people."

"I will explain this to Your Majesty in person, and I will take the punishment myself."

Seeing that Shen Zhixiu knew about this, Hu Lu put away the imperial edict and whispered advice.

"Why do you have to do this, Lord? His Majesty has given him a gift, so just accept him. If you don't want to keep him, then find a reason to get rid of him. Can the two servants in the music hall affect you?"

"Your Majesty just wants you to show your attitude, and you just need to give in."

Song Hongshen knew that what Eunuch Hu said was from the bottom of his heart.

He was the emperor's servant and would not easily say these words to others.

Shen Zhixiu didn't explain much, "Eunuch, there's no need to persuade me, let's go into the palace."

Eunuch Hu knew that he could not persuade Elder Shen to change his mind. He sighed and turned to walk out.

After entering the palace, Eunuch Hu led Shen Zhixiu to Qianyang Palace.

He motioned Shen Zhixiu to wait at the door while he went in first to inform His Majesty.

Hu Lu pushed the door open and walked in quietly.

The Concubine Chen is not here today. The Emperor is lying on the couch and taking a nap. There is an empty medicine box next to him, and it is obvious that he has just taken some medicine.

When Hu Lu approached, Emperor Xuande also woke up.

She glanced at him and asked, "Did Shen Zhixiu accept the person?"

Hu Lu whispered, "Your Majesty, Lord Shen has entered the palace and is waiting outside. I have brought back the person and the imperial edict."

Emperor Xuande's eyes suddenly turned cold, "What? Is Shen Zhixiu going to disobey the emperor's order?"

Eunuch Hu bowed and said, "Lord Shen wants to see Your Majesty and explain to you in person."

"Let him in." Emperor Xuande ordered.

Hu Lu walked outside and signaled Shen Zhixiu that he could come in.

Shen Zhixiu entered the room, knelt on the ground and apologized, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, I cannot take those two people in."

Emperor Xuande did not wake up, still leaning on the small couch, "Can't take them in? Is it because those two people are not to your liking, or the Shen family can't afford to support them? Or maybe you, Lord Shen, don't take the imperial edict seriously."

Shen Zhixiu said respectfully: "Because I don't want to take a concubine. Now my old mother is not in good health, and my wife is pregnant. If I have a concubine at this time, there will be more trouble."

"Your Majesty, please understand my difficulties and withdraw the imperial edict."

During this period, the Crown Prince often had disagreements with Emperor Xuande on court affairs. In the end, if the cabinet made a decision, most of the time it would follow the Crown Prince's opinion.

Therefore, Emperor Xuande became increasingly dissatisfied with Shen Zhixiu.

Hearing him say this, Emperor Xuande smiled and said, "Shen Qing can't even keep his family stable, how can I hand over the cabinet to you?"

"Just two concubines, can they affect your filial piety and your wife's pregnancy?"

Shen Zhixiu continued to speak loudly: "I think that the stability of the government and the peace of the inner house are the same. We should not relax and indulge because of trivial matters."

Emperor Xuande could naturally hear the hidden meaning of Shen Zhixiu's words, but in his heart he felt nothing but disgust.

He didn't show it on his face, and asked, "Shen Qing, do you think that I am too indulgent to the Jiang family? Then according to Shen Qing, what should I do? Should I make use of the crown prince?"

Shen Zhixiu came here today to advise the emperor.

So when he heard him ask this, he said, "Your Majesty, Marquis Jingyuan has been forming cliques recently. I have received more than a dozen impeachment memorials against him. And the second young master of the Jiang family is really not worthy of being appointed."

"I think that Your Majesty can promote the Jiang family, but you cannot entrust them with important tasks."

"As for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, he is His Majesty's biological son and the crown prince appointed by His Majesty himself. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is both virtuous and talented. It would be a good thing for Your Majesty to allow His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to gain some experience."

Shen Zhixiu weighed every word carefully.

But Emperor Xuande still flew into a rage after hearing this, and said sternly: "You've been wanting to say this for a long time, right? In fact, what you want most is for me to give up my power and let the crown prince ascend the throne, right?"

"I've noticed that over the past year or so, you and the Crown Prince have been almost the same."

"But don't forget, you are my cabinet minister, not the prince's."

A bitter smile appeared in Shen Zhixiu's lowered eyes. He said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I am loyal to Your Majesty and to the Great Zhou. Every word I say is for the sake of the Great Zhou."

Emperor Xuande murmured coldly, "Loyal to the Great Zhou? That depends on whether it is my Great Zhou or the Crown Prince's Great Zhou."

Shen Zhixiu sighed in his heart, the emperor's state of mind today was so similar to when he faced the King of War.

When Song Hongshen first returned to his ancestral home, the emperor was happy about his outstanding talent. But when Song Hongshen showed that he was more capable than he was, his mind changed.

So what he said is not important, what is important is what the emperor thinks.

Emperor Xuande asked again: "Do you really want to disobey the emperor's order? Think carefully. Disobeying the emperor's order is a serious crime."

Shen Zhixiu's voice was still clear and without any emotion, "Yes, I have thought about it."

Emperor Xuande sneered and said, "Shen Zhixiu disobeyed the order and broke the law knowingly. He is dismissed from office and sent home to reflect on his mistakes."

Hu Lu was horrified and wanted to persuade him but didn't dare. He could only quietly signal to Shen Zhixiu that if Lord Shen said a few soft words now, there would still be room for maneuver.

Shen Zhixiu was neither humble nor arrogant, he kowtowed and said: "I obey your order."

Just as he finished speaking, he heard the outer door being pushed open.

Then came Song Hongshen's voice, "Father, what is this doing? You have to drive all the loyal ministers and generals back to farm. Are we father and son going to be the kings of a ruined country?"