Do you know the long song of laughter?

Chapter 483 The Queen Mother's Decree
"Your Highness!" Li An saluted.

"No need to be polite, sit down and talk."

Zhao Ceying waved his hand, and after Li An sat down, he asked, "But is there any progress?"

"Your Highness, I have invited the King's brother-in-law and Madam Zhang to my home today, and things are not optimistic." Li An shook his head.

"I also know it won't happen that fast. You should put more thought into it next time." Zhao Ceying said somewhat disappointedly.

"Your Highness, although there has been no progress, I have thought of a way that may be worth a try," said Li An.

"What method?" Zhao Ceying asked happily when he heard it.

"I think the root of this problem lies with Xiao Zou, or the Zou family," said Li An.

"Do you mean to sentence Xiao Zou to death?" Zhao Ceying frowned.

He didn't care about Xiao Zou's life or death, but he obviously couldn't do this.

"No." Li An shook his head and said, "The emperor's uncle owes the Zou family a debt. Doing this will only make the emperor's uncle hate Madam Zhang even more. I have heard some bad rumors about the Zou family. Your Highness can have someone investigate."

"What rumors have you heard?" Zhao Ceying asked.

"I heard that the Zou family secretly made money by using the name of the king's uncle. As long as we get the evidence, the king's uncle will naturally be disappointed with the Zou family. Although he will not ignore the Zou family, he will not feel so guilty towards the Zou family either." Li An said.

He originally wanted to send someone to investigate himself, but after thinking about it carefully, he felt that it was not appropriate.

Even if he did this for Zhao Zongquan's own good, it was a private investigation, and who knows whether Shen Congxing would have any grudges.

It would naturally be best to let Zhao Ceying handle it.

Zhao Ceying was silent for a while, then said, "I'll have someone investigate this matter."

"Then I will take my leave first." Li An stood up and bowed.

"Yeah." Zhao Ceying nodded and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

"It's not hard to serve the emperor and His Highness," said Li An.

…………

Since that banquet, Ang Lee would host banquets every few days to invite Shen Congxing and Zhang Guifen to his home.

Every time, he would accompany Shen Congxing to drink and talk, while Minglan talked to Zhang Guifen.

I don’t know whether it was the persuasion of the two that worked, or whether Shen Congxing came to his senses after the Queen Mother punished Xiao Zou.

Although the couple did not treat each other with respect, they seemed to be quite harmonious on the surface.

The one who felt this most deeply was Xiao Zou, because Shen Congxing spent the night in Zhang Guifen's room more often.

Xiao Zou felt a strong sense of crisis and also hated Li Ang and Minglan.

She even went to visit Minglan, but Minglan didn't even let her in.

That day, Xiao Shen returned to the Shen family. She didn't sit at Zhang Guifen's place for long before she came to Xiao Zou's yard.

Little Zou pulled Little Shen and cried as she told her about the grievances in her heart.

Little Shen was a little angry after hearing this, and consoled her, "Don't worry, I'll go to Li's house and talk to Minglan about it."

"Alas." Little Zou wiped her tears and said, "It's because our Zou family came from Yuzhou. Not only is our family status low, but now I am still a concubine. Although the Sheng family was not high in status before, it is also a family of scholars, much better than the Zou family. It's normal for Madam Sheng to look down on me."

"Why should we be looked down upon just because we are from Yuzhou?" Upon hearing this, Xiao Shen said angrily, "I will go find her right now."

After saying that, he walked out.

"Hmph, you don't want to let me in? If you have the ability, don't let Xiao Shen in." Xiao Zou sneered.

…………

It was impossible for Minglan to not let Xiao Shen in.

Xiao Zou was a concubine, and she didn't let her enter the house. Even if Shen Congxing knew about it, he couldn't blame her.

But Xiao Shen was different. She was the legitimate wife and the sister of Queen Shen. How could she be turned away?

What's more, Minglan actually likes getting along with Xiao Shen.

Xiao Shen's personality is somewhat similar to Pinlan's, carefree and without any scheming, yet not unruly either.

Although Rulan also has this kind of personality, she is influenced by Madam Wang and is a little more willful.

Upon learning that Xiao Shen had arrived, Minglan came out to greet her.

"You haven't come to talk to me for a long time. The Marquis Zhongjing's Mansion is not far away. Have you been so close to your husband that you forgot about me, your good sister?" Minglan joked.

"The Li family is too prestigious. I'm afraid they won't let me in even if I come." Little Shen said sarcastically.

Minglan knew that Xiao Shen was probably instigated by Xiao Zou, so she was not angry and said, "Let's go in and sit down and talk slowly. Wouldn't it be a joke if we were seen here?"

Xiao Shen thought about it and said nothing more, then followed Minglan into the house.

After arriving at the main hall, Minglan waited for the servants to bring her tea and then sent them away.

Only she, Xiao Shen, and their personal maid were left in the room.

"Madam Shen is so angry. I guess it's because Xiao Zou told you that I didn't let her in?" Minglan said with a smile.

"Minglan." Little Shen asked, "I have always treated you as a good sister. Little Zou is my sister-in-law. Why do you have to humiliate her like this?"

"Humiliation?" Minglan asked back, "Madam Shen, she is a concubine. How can a wife go out with other concubines? If I let her in and the news gets out, what do you think the officials and their wives in Bianjing will think of me?"

"I…"

Xiao Shen opened her mouth. What Minglan said was right and she had no way to refute it.

After a moment of silence, Xiao Shen said, "But she is different. Her sister saved my sister. If it weren't for the Duke of England's daughter interfering, how could she be a concubine? She has suffered a lot as a concubine. No one likes her, and you treat her like this too."

Minglan said seriously, "Madam Shen, I want to correct you. She was not forced to be a concubine by anyone. She chose to be a concubine. Since she chose to be a concubine, she should accept this status. The so-called grievances and contempt she suffered were all caused by her own restlessness."

"As for what you said about the Duke of England's daughter interfering, that's also wrong. This marriage was granted by the government, not by the Duke of England's mansion eager to marry their daughter to the Marquis of Weibei's mansion."

"I..." Xiao Shen was a little speechless.

Indeed, if Xiao Zou had behaved herself, she would not have been looked down upon and wronged.

Zhang Guifen's marriage to her brother was arranged by the government, so it was not her fault.

This is true from a rational point of view, but humans are emotional animals.

She had a good relationship with Xiao Zou, and for some reasons she had a prejudice against Zhang Guifen.

Naturally, I tend to favor Xiao Zou.

"Alas." Minglan sighed and said, "Madam Shen, we are all women. If it were your husband, would you tolerate having a concubine like this? However, Sister Zhang never did anything to Xiao Zou, but Xiao Zou pressed her everywhere. Why can't you see the good points of Sister Zhang?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shen fell silent, and asked herself, if she were Zhang Guifen, and her husband had a concubine like Xiao Zou, she would have exploded long ago.

It is indeed very rare that Zhang Guifen can endure.

But she just couldn't like Zhang Guifen.

"Madam Shen, can you tell me why you have such a strong prejudice against Zhang's sister? I think it should not be just about Xiao Zou, right?" Minglan said.

She suddenly felt that if she wanted to ease the relationship between Shen Congxing and Zhang Guifen, Xiao Shenshi was also an important link. This time was a good opportunity.

Xiao Shen was silent for a while, then said, "It's being said outside that I stole her marriage."

"Just because of this?" Minglan said with a bit of a smile: "Although the two families were indeed interested in each other at the beginning, after all, they had not decided on it, so how can it be considered as snatching it?"

"I know, but I always can't help thinking about it. Now the eldest sister-in-law is in charge of the Zhongjing Marquis' Mansion. People outside say that she is old-fashioned and very strict with the rules. But she is a bit strict, and she treats me very well. The master treats me very well too. But I always feel that my happiness is stolen from others. Minglan, can you understand?" said Xiao Shen.

Xiao Shen was well cared for by the Zheng family, but she did not think she was lucky. Instead, she felt that her happiness was built on the misfortune of others. She felt ashamed and uncomfortable because she felt that she had robbed others of their happiness, especially when compared with Zhang Guifen's situation, she always felt like a thief.

In addition, Xiao Shen's hatred for Zhang Guifen also stems from the fact that she and her husband almost became husband and wife.

Although it was just a close call, Xiao Shen still felt psychologically uncomfortable and dissatisfied.

"Madam Shen, you are just worrying about nothing. If a family has a daughter, hundreds of families will pursue her. Which family with a daughter doesn't pick and choose before marrying her off? Many times, it almost works out, but in the end it doesn't happen for some reason. Why do you think about these things?" Minglan said with a smile.

To be honest, Sheng Changwu's wife was originally intended to be married to Sheng Changbai by Kang Wangshi.

If you want to be disgusted, this is even more disgusting.

"I know, but I can't help thinking about it." said Xiao Shen.

"If you think this way, don't you think that the kindness your husband and his sister-in-law have shown you is all fake?" Minglan said.

"No." Xiao Shen shook her head and said, "My husband and my sister-in-law are both sincere to me. I can feel it."

"If that's the case, why are you thinking so much?" Minglan advised: "Sometimes if you let go of your prejudices, you will find that many things are different."

"Let me give it a try." Little Shen nodded, not quite understanding.

…………

In the evening, when Li An came back, Minglan told him about this matter.

Li An felt that doing so would be of little use, as Xiao Shen's opinion could not change Shen Congxing's.

Ultimately it all depends on Shen Congxing's attitude, and the one who can influence Shen Congxing's attitude is not Xiao Shen, but the Zou family.

He had told King Huan about this for several days, but there was no response.

Could it be that the Zou family has not yet used the name of Shen Congxing's son to lend money at high interest?
Because there was an early court session the next day, Li An did not sleep in Minglan's room at night, but in Ruichu's room.

In the middle of the night, Li An got up.

Ruichu was also awakened. Li An wanted her to continue sleeping, but she stood up and helped Li An get up.

Only after Li An got dressed and went out did she go to bed and continue sleeping.

Another advantage of this rewarded house is that it is close to the imperial palace.

The morning court began at the hour of Yin, and those who lived far away from the imperial palace had to get up before the hour of Zi.

Li An was close to the palace, so he could sleep a little longer and it would not be too late to get up after 12:00 am.

After arriving at the palace and waiting for a while, the eunuch notified us to take up our duties.

After the civil and military officials lined up, they went to the main hall.

After standing in the hall for a while, the eunuch in charge of the palace shouted, "Your Majesty has arrived!"

All the civil and military officials were stunned when they heard the eunuch's shouting.

Now the Empress Dowager is ruling the country from behind the curtain, and she will also attend the morning court.

Normally people would say that Her Majesty the Queen Mother has arrived, but now they just say that His Majesty has arrived.

This means that the Queen Mother did not come.

However, the officials quickly came to their senses, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"

Zhao Zongquan walked into the hall from the side door, came to the imperial platform, and sat down on the dragon throne.

"Stand up." Zhao Zongquan said.

All the officials then stood up.

The eunuch in charge of the palace sang and shouted that the morning court had begun, then stepped aside and the court proceeded in an orderly manner.

In fact, basically no important matters are discussed at the morning court. If there is any important matter, the emperor would have summoned the ministers to discuss it long ago.

Most of the time, the morning court would directly announce or discuss some unimportant but controversial matters.

At first glance, it seems that the morning court has no meaning.

In fact, early morning court is a way to prevent the emperor from being deceived.

Many ministers in the court submitted letters of advice or impeachment, but these letters were not delivered directly to the government.

This will result in some of the cards not reaching the government.

All officials of the sixth rank and above who were serving in Beijing could attend the morning court. If someone submitted a petition and there was no response for a long time, they could raise it at the morning court.

This can prevent the emperor from being deceived by powerful officials.

However, there are no powerful officials in the court now, so naturally such things will not happen, and the morning court is very dull.

Ang Lee was standing quite far back and had even started to take a nap with his head down.

Just when everyone thought that today's morning court would end as dull as usual, the Grand Chancellor stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, I have the Queen Mother's decree. The Queen Mother has allowed Your Majesty to posthumously confer titles on your biological father and mother."

"This is impossible!"

Han Zhang's words caused an uproar. Qi Heng was the most excited. He stepped out and said, "My Lord, can you show me the Empress Dowager's decree?"

Han Zhang handed over the imperial edict with a smile. For this imperial edict to take effect, it had to pass the Censorate.

Qi Heng took it, unfolded it and started reading.

"How is it?" The officials from the Censorate did not care about being rude and gathered around.

Although both the Censorate and the Court of Remonstrance are censors, their focus is different.

The main function of the Censorate was to supervise all officials, while the Court of Remonstrance was the public opinion organ responsible for collecting suggestions and comments in the court, discussing the gains and losses of government policies, and providing reference for the emperor.

At the same time, the censors were also responsible for correcting the emperor's mistakes and maintaining etiquette and laws.

These censors have always been opposed to the government's posthumous titles for biological fathers and mothers.

It’s not that they don’t understand the situation, but their status dictates that even if they know that this will offend the government and make the government unhappy, they have to oppose it.

Because this is related to etiquette and law, which is the responsibility of the Censorate.

If they agree or acquiesce without opposing it, they will certainly be despised by scholars all over the world.

"The handwriting matches, and the seal matches too." Qi Heng said dejectedly.

Although the imperial seal was already in Zhao Zongquan's hands, the empress dowager also had her own seal.

If it is stamped with the imperial seal, it is an imperial decree rather than an imperial decree.

Even if the empress dowager held the imperial seal and handled government affairs, the decrees she issued were issued in the name of the emperor.

(End of this chapter)