"My sincere filial piety has become unfilial conduct in Uncle's mouth. What's wrong with the old mansion? Great - grandfather once lived there for more than a decade. Why can't we live there now?" Shi An smiled.
"Uncle, don't be impatient. Brother and I made this decision for the sake of the Shi family."
"What a good excuse for the sake of the Shi family!" Shi Shibo scoffed.
"The Shi family is now being eyed by many forces. Many of our elders have made great achievements. Although the Emperor is young, he is personally taught by the national teacher. As we all know, the national teacher has always been at odds with our Shi family. It's common in history for a family with too much merit to overshadow the sovereign."
"One has to give in order to gain. To ensure the stability of the Shi family, we must show our loyalty to the Emperor."
Shi An and Shi Li sang in harmony, which stunned everyone.
What they said was true. The Shi family had produced too many outstanding people. Some of the elders were still restless even after retiring from the court, which would naturally arouse suspicion of secretly coveting the throne.
"This time, the Empress Dowager found a member of the Shi family in the palace. What if someone else discovers it next time? The Shi family won't be able to clear their name."
For a moment, Uncle Shi had nothing to say in refutation. The people in the hall also changed their minds. They couldn't afford to make any mistakes now and were exhausted every day. If it was really as they said, it might be a good idea.
Sure enough, some people who were standing and talking without understanding the situation began to persuade Shi Shibo.
"Do you know what you're saying?!" Shi Qing stood up and roared.
"Shi Qing, you personally renovated the old mansion last year. You should know that the old mansion is not bad now. Why not send Uncle back to the old mansion to recuperate? He's old and should enjoy his remaining years." a man of the same generation as Shi Qing said.
"What a joke. If so, why not send Uncle San there?" Shi Qing sneered.
Shi An glanced at Uncle San who was suddenly mentioned. The Shi family didn't have many members, but the old guys lived so long and refused to admit their old age. He was really annoyed by them on weekdays.
"Uncle, don't be impatient. The elders in the family will go there when the time comes." Shi Li smiled amiably, which made people feel uncomfortable.
Shi Shibo looked at everyone and knew that there was no room for negotiation on this matter. Well, as they said, it was time for him to rest. He had been struggling for so many years. Oh.
"Stop arguing. I'll go."
"Father." Shi Qing couldn't believe it.
Shi Shibo raised his hand to stop him and then turned to face his younger brothers behind him. "It's better for us old guys to get together earlier and have some tea." The wrinkled skin on his face was pulled up, and the other elders of the Shi family also changed their expressions.
Yes, if the most authoritative elder in the family left, their days of going to the old mansion couldn't be far off.
Shi Qing finally helped his father back to the courtyard of the Second Branch. From his father's actions just now, he naturally understood what was on his father's mind, but he still couldn't help asking, "Father, are you really going back?"
"Of course. An'er and his brother are right. My withdrawal may really give the Shi family some breathing space."
"Your son understands, Father."
In the palace, at Ruo Zhi Garden.
Concubine Qi dragged her heavy winter dress and walked on the stone path with a disgruntled face. When she saw Concubine Rui sitting in the pavilion, she stopped, adjusted her expression, and then walked forward smilingly.
"Sister, why did you invite me to Ruo Zhi Garden? Didn't you say last time that the flowers in the imperial garden were in full bloom? I thought you didn't dislike the imperial garden anymore."
"Of course, I'm here to have fun with you. It's so boring in the palace that I just want to talk to you to relieve my boredom." Zhu'er handed a cup of hot tea to Concubine Qi.
"I see. I've been bored too."
Concubine Qi snorted secretly. She was sound asleep but was woken up by Concubine Rui. She was really unlucky.
Concubine Rui looked at Concubine Qi who was respectful in every way, and a glint of light flashed in her eyes.
A few days ago, the incident of Yin Muran had caused that person a great loss. She had spent a lot of money to buy some precious things and sent them over to appease that person. Otherwise, she would have become a discarded pawn like Yin Muran and Lv Su.
She didn't have a reliable family background. All that she had now was due to her own efforts. The things she sent out had cost her half of her treasury.
That damned Shi Muyuan. One day, she would make her pay back with interest.
She thought that perhaps it was too peaceful in the harem. It was time to find some trouble for the Empress Dowager so that she would have no time to care about other things.
Just then, Zhu'er suddenly rushed in in a hurry and whispered something in her ear. Concubine Rui's face immediately changed greatly and she jumped up from the stone bench. "What!"
How dare Huo Qizhou!
The Duke had already sacrificed two pawns to show his intention. How could the national teacher not understand? But he still investigated into the Ten Thousand Flowers Tower.
Damn it!
The Duke would surely be angry with her again!
Concubine Qi was so startled by Concubine Rui's sudden action that she dropped the tea in her hand. The hot tea soaked her newly - made dress. But since this was Concubine Rui, she gritted her teeth and endured her anger. She had planned to show a smile and let the matter go when Concubine Rui apologized to her. But unexpectedly, Concubine Rui didn't even look at her and just left with a single sentence "Sister, we'll get together another day."
Concubine Qi was stunned on the spot. She was still holding her wet dress in one hand. What? Just leave like this?
Watching the mistress and her maid walking away, Concubine Qi swept all the tea sets on the table to the ground.
"Damn it! This Yu Li simply doesn't put me in her eyes! Does she think I, Qi Yusu, am something she can summon and dismiss at will?"
"Concubine Qi, please calm down!" The maids on the side quickly knelt down when they saw the situation was wrong.
Concubine Qi then calmed down. There were not all her people here.
"Zhao Yuan." She called her personal maid.
"Your servant is here."
"Deal with all these disrespectful maids."
"Yes, Concubine Qi."
"Concubine Qi, please spare my life! Your servant knows nothing!"
"Concubine Qi, please spare my life! Your servant didn't hear or see anything!"
The pleading voices rose and fell one after another and finally disappeared from Concubine Qi's ears.
"Go and find out what happened to that bitch Yu Li just now."
"Yes, Concubine Qi."
Concubine Qi's family background was not bad. She had a few secret guards at her disposal. As for why she still acted submissively in front of Concubine Rui, it was because she had discovered the connection between Concubine Rui and the Duke. Otherwise, how could Concubine Rui, a woman without a family background, snatch her speaking position in the harem.
One day, she would make her come in front of her eight hundred times a day. Concubine Qi thought about it and then gave up. Even if that woman Yu Li didn't annoy her, she would be annoyed to death.
In the Supreme Court of Judicature, soldiers were escorting new prisoners into the cells. There were so many of them that the cells in the Supreme Court of Judicature seemed almost full.