Although it is said that the imperial family is heartless, the current emperor is one of the few benevolent rulers. Not only is he kind to people, but also filial to his parents. He doesn't know about the empress dowager's critical illness yet, if he knew, not only would he not insist on taking power at this time, but he would also blame himself and be deeply grieved, thinking that he has failed to live up to the empress dowager's teachings. As for the empress dowager, she is also one of the few virtuous empresses. The reason why she can't let go of state affairs is because she fears the 300,000-strong army in the hands of Prince Ding'an - after all, Prince Ding'an was the one who supported the establishment of King Jin as emperor back then. Now that our dynasty is at war with the Mongols in the northwest, since we cannot change generals mid-battle, we can only wait until the war ends. In the past, the empress dowager thought that the emperor was too young and had time to slowly educate him, but now time is not on her side, and her thoughts will be different... The weight of the country rests on two things: officials and soldiers. Now that the empress dowager has handed over personnel appointments and dismissals to the emperor, with his intelligence, he should soon understand the deeper meaning behind this... Once the knot in the hearts of the mother and son is untied, at this time, whoever shouts for the empress dowager to return power will be seen by the emperor as a petty person who plots against him out of a desire to leave a good name; but if someone does not support the emperor's personal rule, they will be seen by the empress dowager as a treacherous minister who disregards the country and its people for personal gain... Either way, it is not right.

  What big news!

  Shen Muqing pressed her face tightly against the latticed window, gazing through the narrow slits at Shen Jian chatting affably and Mr. Min nodding repeatedly.

  "It's just like walking on a single-plank bridge, if you lean too far left it won't work, and if you lean too far right it also won't work..."

  "Not bad!" Shen Zhen coldly smiled, "Now it's up to Wang Shengyun to make his move. If he takes this opportunity to submit a memorial, asking the Emperor to take personal control of government, we can lend him a helping hand, stir up the officials in Huai Xi to submit petitions, and even spark public debate at court..."

  "The Empress Dowager dislikes nothing more than the ministers colluding with each other, unanimously approving or opposing something!" Mr. Min said thoughtfully.

  Shen Zhen's voice was cold and clear, "We need to do two things now. First, we must think of a way to inform the Emperor about the Empress Dowager inviting a doctor from outside the palace without alarming others; second, we must start writing a memorial on how to deploy the troops under the command of Prince Ding An after the war in the northwest is over... If the Empress Dowager asks, we must answer flawlessly."

  "As for the first matter, I'm afraid it would be better to take the inner court route." Mr. Min thought for a moment, "As for the second matter, we need to think carefully about it..."

  Shen Zhen paced back and forth with his hands behind his back: "Since the founding of our great empire by Taizu Huangdi, we have implemented the tuntian system. Many military officers are hereditary, with complex relationships among them... I'm sure you also have some understanding of this situation... Apart from Prince Ding'an, there are also Fu Yang Gong Qin Wei, Dingyuan Hou Liang Yuan and Chengyi Bo Zeng Ju, all of whom are descendants of meritorious officials who excel in both literature and martial arts, with considerable prestige in the military. Especially Dingyuan Hou Liang Yuan, who is currently serving under Prince Ding'an's command, has long been dissatisfied with Prince Ding'an's overbearing behavior... If we can use these three men to replace Prince Ding'an, and then persuade the Emperor to open up the Wu Jinshi examination to recruit talented individuals and fill the military with them, it may not be impossible to gradually break down Prince Ding'an's absolute authority in the military..."

  "Shi Ming and I have come to the same conclusion... It's just that advising the Emperor to open up the Wu Jinshi examination may not be acceptable to the Empress Dowager. After all, this is a violation of the ancestral system... The Great Zhou Dynasty has been established for over a hundred years, and it has only opened up the Wu Jinshi examination once during the 46th year of the Yuan Qi era when Emperor Wu was celebrating his 60th birthday..."

  "There is no precedent, we all have to create a precedent. Moreover, with this precedent, it will be even more like adding wings to a tiger. At that time, it's up to us how to write..."

  Shen Mu had long lost the excitement of eavesdropping for the first time.

  Her face gradually turned solemn.

  It turned out that Shen Zhen wanted to use the conflict between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to strike his political enemy, Wang Shengyun, the leader of the Huai Xi faction. However, he also pulled in Prince Town Peace, Yuan Tong, was this scheme not laid too big?

  This is not a modern society that talks about democracy and freedom, the feudal imperial society is based on clans, and it's "covering the nest to protect the eggs". If you win, you can rise to great heights, but if you lose...

  A sense of fear rose in Shen Muqing's heart.

  She certainly wasn't so naive as to think that Shen Zhen, who gave people a warm and gentle feeling, would be able to enter the Imperial Cabinet and take charge of the Ministry of Revenue with such a kind and benevolent image, but he was involved so deeply, which was also something she hadn't expected.

  In the past few years, she has been to the Shen family many times and heard a lot. Today is still a guest on the seat, tomorrow it will be a prisoner under the stairs... Just last year, the right servant of the Ministry of Works in charge of the river course, Zhou Wei, was exiled with his whole family because of "unclear accounts"!

  He suddenly turned pale and his whole body began to tremble, as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

  She couldn't help but secretly pray in her heart. Praying that things would really develop as Shen Zhen and Mr. Min had planned... After all, she was also a member of this family, living under the protection of Shen Zhen's umbrella...

  After whispering to each other for a while, they quickly left together.

  Shen Mu Qing gazed at the restored cold and quiet house, let out a long sigh, then walked out of the main hall, lifted a corner of the curtain to look outside.

  The sky had completely darkened, the outside of the house was quiet and still, without a single light on, nor could anyone be seen, only the sound of the wind blowing through the bamboo leaves could be heard. Looking out into the distance, the inner courtyard of the Shen residence was shrouded in darkness, with only an occasional flicker of candlelight visible here and there, the silence was eerie and foreboding.

  When she came, she brought two maidservants. When she left, it was impossible for her to return alone... Not only would it be difficult to explain to the Li family, but also Luomei and Jincheng, who had not seen their mistress, might be frightened to death... Since Shen Zhen had instructed the servants not to approach, it meant that he did not want this matter to be known, so it was best to pretend ignorance.

  Shen Mu Qing endured the biting cold wind outside the house, continuing to look out from the gap in the door curtain.

  It wasn't until a while later that she saw three dark figures timidly walking over.

  A plum blossom-shaped earring hung beside her ear, and in the faint light, a golden glow flashed occasionally.

  Shen Mu let out a breath of relief and walked out after lifting the curtain.

  "It's getting late, let's head back to Chao Xi Tang! Also, so as not to keep the madam waiting." Shen Muqing said with a nonchalant expression.

  Luo Mei and Jin Xiu responded in unison with a "yes", following Shen Muqing out of the Jiu Si Zhai.

  Chen Xiang stood on the stone steps in front of the house, scratching his head: "...... How did the young lady enter before Master, but come out later...... And coincidentally, Luomei made me and Jinyu not say anything, nor ask anything......"

  "What are you muttering about there?" Someone suddenly patted Xiangxiang's shoulder.

  Chen Xiang was startled and looked up.

  In front of him stood a seventeen or eighteen-year-old young man, tall and sturdy in build, wearing a brand new olive green velvet changshan, smiling at him.

  Chen Xiang let out a sigh of relief and patted his chest, saying: "This is so frightening, Brother Zhou, you almost scared me to death!"

  His name is Zhou Baimu, the youngest son of Zhou Bing, who manages the Shen family. He has been lively since childhood and followed the guards to practice good martial arts skills. He serves as a long-time attendant by Shen Zhen's side.

  "I'm not afraid of anything. I've never done anything wrong in my life, so I don't fear ghosts knocking on my door at midnight." Zhou Bai Mu chuckled and asked, "I saw you with a girl from the girls' quarters earlier... who is she?"

  Chen Xiang nodded and smiled: "One is Luomei girl, one is Jinyu girl!"

  "Oh..." Zhou Bai Mu looked very disappointed.

  ******

  When Shen Muqing returned to Chaohuidang, a brief commotion broke out in Chaohuidang.

  Some shouted "The young lady is back!", some ran to the main house to report, and others came forward to greet her. In any case, everyone's expression was relaxed with a sigh of relief.

  Looks like Li's people have come looking for me...

  Shen Mu Qing was deep in thought when she saw Chen Niangniang hastily approaching her: "Miss, where have you been... Master has returned, but couldn't find you, Madam is worried to death..."

  Shen Muqing didn't want to talk about it anymore, and smiled: "This is really a case of mistaken identity..." As he spoke, he followed his aunt into the house. "I first went to my brother's place, then to Aunt's... I made a detour... In the end, I still couldn't catch up with Master's pace."

  "This child is so stubborn." Li, who was standing in the middle of the main hall with Shen Zhen's support, saw Shen Muqing enter the house accompanied by Chen Niang and scolded, "It's getting dark, can't find Master, and you come back like this... making us worry for nothing..."

  Shen Muqing gazed at Shen Zhen's face, which was smiling at her like a warm spring breeze in March, and she felt a little dazed. Then, she stepped forward to pay respects to Mr. and Mrs. Shen: "It's all my fault!"

  Shen Zhen's warm smile and loving gaze: "Alright, alright, you're back, that's all that matters!" He said to Li Shi, "In your own home, are you afraid of losing something? You're just too anxious. If I hadn't stopped you, would you have gone looking yourself... It's getting late, and Xiaojie has been running around with you for half a day, she must be hungry, let's set the table!"

  ******

  At night, Shen Muqing didn't sleep well and had many dreams. Sometimes she dreamed of sitting in a sunny classroom learning English, sometimes she dreamed of being locked up with iron chains by the bailiffs and paraded through the streets. The scenes were fragmented and all unpleasant. Early in the morning when she went to pay her respects to Mrs. Li, she deliberately wore a delicate pale yellow narrow-sleeved jacket.

  When she arrived, Shen Yuesong and Huang's mother had already taken the lead, standing under the eaves waiting. The two saw Shen Muqing, gave her a courtesy, Shen Yuesong smiled: "Madam just got up, is combing her hair!"

  Shen Muqing returned Shen Yuerong's courtesy and exchanged a few pleasantries with her, then Orange Fragrance lifted the curtain and came out: "The mistress is asking the two young ladies to come in."

  Shen Yue Rong gave way to Shen Mu Qing, who walked ahead. Shen Mu Qing yielded to Shen Yue Rong, and they exchanged polite remarks for a while. In the end, Shen Yue Rong went first, and the two of them entered the house in single file.

  Li had finished washing up and, possibly because Shen Yue was coming to pay her respects, she didn't lean against the bed as usual but instead sat on the inlaid nanmu wood bed by the window.

  The two went forward to greet Mrs. Li, who asked Shen Yuerong with a concerned attitude "Did you sleep well?" and "Are the maids serving you properly or not?" and so on. Then Tian Mama brought Da Sha to greet Mrs. Li, and naturally there was another commotion.

  Li invited Shen Muqing, Shen Yuerong and Da Sha to stay for dinner.

  They kept talking about the differences between Northern and Southern cuisine, but never mentioned Shen Yuerong's request from yesterday. Several times, Shen Yuerong tried to steer the conversation back to their old home in Taicang, only to be interrupted by Li Shi.

  After dinner, Tian's mother took Da She back to Rongyintang, while Li let Chen Niang accompany Shen Yueshan and her maid back to Xiangcui Garden: "I've called the needlework class people to make clothes for Fourth Miss - Kyoto is not like Jiangnan, September's weather is already chilly, be careful not to get sick."

  Aunt Chen hastily agreed.

  Shen Yue reluctantly followed Chen Niang with a disappointed look on her face.

  Will participate in the PK in November, all sisters, remember to leave a pink ticket for me (*^__^*) hehe... Those who don't have a pink ticket can also give me a click on the collection ***, thank you everyone here.