Chapter 57 Shen Minghan Takes Action

Chapter 57 Shen Minghan Takes Action

"Sister-in-law, where's brother? Wasn't he supposed to have a day off today?"

As soon as Shen Nanzi entered the mansion, she saw Yang Wenhui come out to greet her.

She smiled and said, "I was just summoned by the Emperor, who said there was an urgent matter to attend to."

"It's still a bit cold outside, but there's a charcoal fire inside. Let's go inside and talk."

"Where's Cheng'er?" Shen Nanzi followed her sister-in-law into the house.

"Was he shooting arrows with Jichuan and the others in the back?"

The room was indeed warm, and Yang Wenhui pulled her hand to sit down.

"Ever since your brother brought Cheng'er back yesterday, the kids have been having a blast!"

"It's been a while since we've seen the little ones. It's good for them to play around a bit, so Xie Cheng'er won't feel bad."

Shen Nanzi thought about what happened last night; her brother must be very angry.

"I heard everything your brother said about last night. If you're not comfortable at the Prince Jing's residence, come back and stay for a while!"

"This house is very spacious, feel free to stay here." Yang Wenhui looked at her with some concern.

Shen Nanzi shook her head, "He's not like this overnight, I don't care at all."

"Sister-in-law, don't worry."

A maidservant served tea.

"Here, have some tea." Yang Wenhui took out a cup and handed it to her. "Be careful, it's hot!"

The porcelain white teacup warmed her palms. Shen Nanzi lifted the lid, took a sip, and was greeted by a refreshing fragrance.

“I was worried that my brother would be angry. He has long disliked Xie Yan, but he has been holding back because I still have hope for him.”

"Yesterday's events have been brought to the forefront again, and he must think I've suffered a great injustice."

Thinking back to how Hongrui skillfully threw himself into Xie Yan's arms, anyone who didn't know them would think they were father and son!

At that moment, the Chongde Hall was eerily quiet, and all eyes were on them.

She saw Cheng'er's eyes shift from surprise to sadness, and finally to indifference, and her heart clenched.

“My brother was worried about me and was afraid that I would lose my temper and cause trouble at the Emperor’s birthday banquet, so he took Cheng’er away.”

“In the past, I might have made a scene, but now,” she shook her head, “since I learned that all his past affairs were just for Xue Qingning, making a scene now would be a joke.”

“Sister-in-law, I have long since lost my feelings for him. I’m only making a scene because I’m unwilling to accept it.”

"Now, I just hope Cheng'er grows up quickly. As for anything else, I don't care."

Watching Shen Nanzi calmly recount her story, Yang Wenhui knew that she had truly given up this time!

She couldn't help but curse, "They're all despicable people! They've all married other people, so why are they still acting like they have lingering feelings for each other!"

"Besides, the Emperor had already drafted an edict that Xue Qingning was to be bestowed upon the Second Prince."

"Our Shen family did indeed marry above our station back then, but with life turned out like this, it would have been better if we hadn't married at all!"

"Thieves and prostitutes, shameless scoundrels, causing such a scandal, they've truly disgraced the city."

Shen Nanzi couldn't help but laugh as she listened to Yang Wenhui's curses.

"Sister-in-law, what's done is done, there's no going back now. We have enough to eat and drink, that's enough!"

Yang Wenhui: "You're such an unlucky girl. You're such a good girl, but you had to run into this mess and get caught up in their mess."

"From now on, don't waste your kindness on heartless people like this."

"Okay, okay, sister-in-law, let's go see the children!"

Shen Nanzi didn't want to mention Xie Yan, so she pulled Yang Wenhui to the backyard.

＊

Inside the Shengming Hall of the Imperial Palace, incense smoke curled upwards, and bright yellow satin adorned the walls.

The emperor sat behind him on a table covered with memorials.

Shen Minghan, at the table to the side, beautifully finished the last stroke of his brush, and then said, "Your Majesty, please take a look."

The palace servant handed the memorial to the emperor, who glanced at it and nodded, "Very good. Shen Qing understands my meaning perfectly."

"Your Majesty flatters me." Shen Minghan saw that the Emperor was in a very good mood, and that he had finished reviewing the memorials. There was no one else in Shengming Hall.

"Your Majesty, I have some private thoughts that have been weighing on my mind for a long time, and I would like to speak them out to you today."

The Emperor put down the memorial in his hand, glanced at him, and his eyes were full of understanding.

"Speak up! This has been bothering us for a long time; it's not going smoothly if we don't talk about it."

Outside the Shengming Hall, Xie Yan slowly approached.

The eunuch hurriedly whispered, "Prince Jing, Grand Commandant Shen is inside. Please wait a moment."

Xie Yan nodded, turned around, and stood in front of the steps, his tall and straight back extremely impressive.

Inside the hall, Shen Minghan knew the Emperor was fully aware of the situation, so he carefully considered his words before speaking.

“Back then, my younger sister fell in love with Prince Jing, and I dared to ask for his hand in marriage. His Majesty, being a magnanimous person, granted the marriage.”

"I thought it was a perfect match, but His Highness Prince Jing's heart is not with my sister."

"In recent years, the two have been at odds, living in separate courtyards and acting like strangers."

"My younger sister feels that the position of Princess Jing is really unsuitable, and is willing to do her part by moving away with Cheng'er."

Shen Minghan walked into the hall, lifted his robe and knelt down, pleading in his voice, "Your Majesty, I know that the imperial decree is as firm as the heavens. It is I who have gone back on my word and repeatedly made things difficult for you."

"However, a hostile couple is like an enemy, and if this continues, it will be a torment for both Prince Jing and Princess Jing."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you grant me this leave."

Shen Minghan knelt on the ground with both hands, his forehead hitting the bluish-gray bricks.

A heavy, muffled sound echoed within the Shengming Hall.

Then came a long silence.

It felt like time had stopped.

Shen Minghan's heart skipped a beat, and he slammed his forehead against the cold brick again.

"Your Majesty, I humbly request..."

"Minister Shen," the Emperor finally spoke, "please rise."

Shen Minghan had no choice but to rise from his seat, as the Emperor's order was not to be disobeyed.

"Minghan, I understand what you mean and I know your sadness."

"Go ahead and count them, from ancient times to the present, have you ever heard of a single case of an arranged marriage that was later broken off?"

“You know better than I what an imperial edict is. From the moment it was bestowed, Prince Jing and Princess Jing were one.”

Even if we despise each other, we must grit our teeth and live under the same roof for the rest of our lives, and even in death, we must be buried together.

"Even I, the emperor, have no say in my marriage; I am always subject to orders and arrangements."

“Prince Jing has always behaved improperly, which has caused me a lot of headaches. Despite my repeated reprimands, he continues to do as he pleases.”

"It is the duty of Princess Jing to properly discipline her; if she can do so, why not?"

Shen Minghan sighed inwardly. Was Prince Jing someone who could be restrained by Nan Zi?

If he had been restrained all these years, he wouldn't have come to beg for a divorce.

Seeing Shen Minghan's defeated expression, the Emperor continued, "The royal family adheres to propriety, and there is absolutely no possibility of incestuous acts occurring."

"You can rest assured that I will naturally restrain Xie Yan's behavior."

"What happened yesterday was just hearsay. It was a child's unintentional act, but to attribute it to Prince Jing and the Second Princess is utter nonsense."

"Even if Prince Jing harbors ill intentions, Xue Qingning has always been dignified and well-mannered; it's absolutely impossible for her to be so!"

"It's just that Prince Jing has a close relationship with Yu Bai of the Xue family, so it's simply a case of 'love me, love my dog'!"

"Alright," the Emperor waved his hand, looking tired. "Go on, I'm also a little tired and need to rest."

Having said that, he got up, yawning, and left Shen Minghan in the hall to rest in a side room.

Shen Minghan stood alone, his face full of sorrow.

It seems that this matter needs further consideration.

He acted rashly out of anger, which ultimately ruined his future.

We need to find other solutions.

He turned and walked out of Shengming Hall.

Looking up, I saw a dark purple figure on the steps, the cold wind blowing the hem of his robe.

Shen Minghan recalled all the events and called out, "Prince Jing."

Xie Yan turned around, and his fist came flying at him.