jdhmnovel Chapter 519 Willing to Marry
Chapter 519 Willing to Marry
If you want to become a prince's consort, you must be the daughter of at least a third-rank official.
Therefore, Concubine Jing had always felt that Shen Jingyu’s identity was not enough to be a principal wife, let alone now that she was the daughter of a sixth-rank official.
Madam Qin murmured, "Let me think about it...let me think about it carefully..."
*
After the ice skating competition, the ice sculptures were decorated with lanterns, and for a moment, the Showa Garden was illuminated with lights, which was indescribably beautiful.
Emperor Qianwu, the Empress Dowager and others returned to the palace. The remaining female members of the family and court officials who had not left the palace gathered in groups of three or four to admire the ice lanterns in Showa Garden.
Shen Shuyi was in a good mood. He held the heater and watched the snow scene here with Yao Huiyan.
Not long after walking, we saw someone hanging lanterns on the sycamore trees in the palace amidst the snow.
When you get closer, you will see that some people would simply write their wishes for blessings inside the lanterns, hoping for a smooth and auspicious new year.
"Sister Shuyi, do you want to hang a lantern too? There are palace maids handing it out over there."
Shen Shuyi looked up and saw Xie Jingchi reaching out to ask for a jade rabbit lantern.
As soon as Xie Jingchi turned around, he met Shen Shuyi.
The bright red light illuminated the man's entire body and made his face look extremely handsome.
"Master Xie, are you also planning to pray?"
Xie Jingchi's eyes were deep, and the girl's slender figure was reflected in his dark pupils: "It's not a blessing, but a wish."
Shen Shuyi also took a lantern from the palace servant. Yao Huiyan found a place to hang it, and Shen Shuyi started chatting with Xie Jingchi.
When the two walked a little further, Shen Shuyi asked, "The government silver for flood relief in Jiangnan has been embezzled many times. When does Lord Xie plan to report this?"
What Shen Shuyi wanted to ask was how confident Xie Jingchi was.
What is the evidence now?
When Xie Jingchi mentioned this, his eyes darkened: "Now we have all the physical evidence, but we are lacking human witnesses."
Several cities in the Jiangnan area were controlled by Concubine Rou's party. Several cities and even officials along the way were united in their actions, and no one came forward to testify.
Ordinary people did not dare to go against the powerful, and no one would be stupid enough to testify against the emperor's son in front of the emperor.
This sounds ridiculous, but it is true.
What's more, they need more powerful human evidence. Even if ordinary officials or civilians see a little, it cannot be used as solid evidence.
Those who had discovered clues and wanted to go to Beijing to file a lawsuit were all killed on the way.
Xiao Heyu and his gang are so powerful in the Jiangnan area that it is difficult to get someone to come forward and testify against them.
What's more, no one in the world is perfect. Since he is not perfect, it is inevitable that Xiao Heyu's followers will find evidence against him. In this case, only a person who is upright and righteous can stand up and testify.
But it is really hard to find such a person, and it is even more difficult to find someone who can survive and reach the capital.
"Besides, even if there is evidence and witnesses, he is still your Majesty's son." Xie Jingchi spoke in a deep voice with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
Shen Shuyi was silent for a moment, then asked, "Is white jade abundant in Jiangnan?"
Xie Jingchi responded, "To be exact, it is Kuncheng. Kuncheng is rich in Hetian jade, which has a fine texture and a warm color."
Hearing this, Shen Shuyi said again: "If I remember correctly, Concubine Xiang's family is originally from Jiangnan. Sir Xie, do you know where in Jiangnan they are from?"
Xie Jingchi thought for a moment: "The great-grandfather of Concubine Xiang should be a merchant in Kuncheng. He went to Beijing to take the imperial examination and won the first place. From then on, he entered the court as an official and was highly valued."
"Not only that, Empress Xiangfei's ancestors produced many brave generals who were good at fighting and made many military achievements. This made the family prominent. After several generations of accumulation, the foundation was strong and it became a major family in the capital."
Shen Shuyi breathed a sigh of relief, and couldn't help but think again of the girl who entrusted the white jade to her in the hunting ground.
It seemed that she was right.
The last words of the girl, "Huang Xiang...", should be taken as going to the palace to find Concubine Xiang.
But Shen Shuyi had no idea what he wanted to do with Xiang Fei.
Shen Shuyi couldn't help getting anxious when he thought that he had given the white jade to Xiao Hongyan some time ago, but Concubine Xiang had stayed indoors except for the day of the court banquet.
The Jiangnan flood case involved the lives and deaths of too many people.
A single move affects the entire body, they can only win, not lose.
Shen Shuyi collected his thoughts, looked at Xie Jingchi and said again: "The male cubs of the lion king will be driven out of the lion group when they are two to three years old. Sir Xie, do you know the reason?"
Xie Jingchi looked at her and said nothing.
Shen Shuyi didn't say anything, but the answer was self-evident.
Because male cubs will threaten the status of the lion king.
So, how could Emperor Qianwu, such a great father, have the heart to take action against his own son?
I guess a few big cases alone are not enough.
After all, if the whip doesn't hit you, you will never feel the pain. Only when Emperor Qianwu realized that his throne was threatened and his dignity as a father was challenged, did he turn his weapon against his son.
Shen Shuyi looked at Xie Jingchi and said again: "Sir Xie, if you have the chance, you might as well check the hunting grounds of the Third Prince."
Xie Jingchi narrowed his eyes: "What's that?"
Shen Shuyi curled his lips, his eyes clear: "There is a key that can make the lion move and make up his mind."
Xie Jingchi raised his eyebrows, with a hint of consideration in his eyes.
*
At this moment, a small path inside the palace.
Xiao Tingshan silently sent Shen Jingyu back to the palace where she was temporarily staying. When they arrived at the palace gate, Xiao Tingshan sighed softly.
"Empress Jing may not see you. Miss Shen is very smart. Why do you have to cling to that position?"
Shen Jingyu shook her head, her entire face covered by black veil, revealing only a pair of scarlet eyes.
"Prince Song may not understand, but no matter what, thank you for saving me today." Shen Jingyu's voice was indescribably hoarse.
Xiao Tingshan said again: "Ms. Shen may have a better choice."
Shen Jingyu smiled self-deprecatingly: Is there a better choice?
With her current horrible appearance, she has probably become a laughing stock in the capital, and is an evil ghost that everyone avoids. What other choice does she have?
Xiao Tingshan's eyes were gloomy, and he said to Shen Jingyu: "Song is aiming for a high position. Although I can't give Miss Shen what she wants, if Miss Shen is willing, Song is willing to marry Miss Shen."
What he meant was, although I am not qualified to compete for the position of crown prince, I also want to be the highest official in the country.
Shen Jingyu was stunned for a moment, looking at the man in front of her in disbelief.
She had always known that Song Tingshan was interested in her.
But she still didn't expect that he could do this...
Shen Jingyu's throat tightened, and she wanted to agree almost at that moment.
But when she saw Xiao Tingshan's pale and thin face and his frail body, Shen Jingyu's heart sank again.
How could he possibly survive until that day in this condition?
If she were with him, it would just be two poor people huddling together for warmth, comforting each other, and deceiving themselves.
What's more, she didn't believe that Xiao Tingshan would be interested in her horrible appearance? Even she herself wanted to vomit when looking at this face, let alone him?
Maybe what he said was true in the past, but what can she give him today?