AWB Chapter 184 The Stubborn Old Father
Chapter 184 The Stubborn Old Father
Her sixth-rank hat was made of silver, with a painted double egret holding a piece of green jade in the middle, which was much more beautiful than the black gauze hat worn by men. The tassels on both sides corresponded to the wings of the black gauze hat to help her maintain her proper posture.
She hasn't made any changes to the round-necked robe and boots yet, firstly because she doesn't have any good ideas, and secondly because she feels there can be a transition period.
She spent ten days designing these, and when she submitted the memorial, Emperor Cheng was already worried. Seeing that it was not a big deal, he approved the establishment of a style of official dress for women. The specific details of how to reform it were sent to the Ministry of Rites for the final decision.
Minister of Rites Shen Zi was also busy wrestling with the emperor, and submitted a memorial to send Prince Yi back to his fiefdom. Shen Li went directly to his home to let him rest, and first decided on the style of the women's official robes.
“Li’er, how can you not distinguish between what is important and what is urgent? We finally have such an opportunity, so I must write a strongly worded memorial to make His Majesty unable to protect Prince Yi anymore.” Shen Zizai sat at his desk, composing his words.
“Father, you know what kind of temper His Majesty the Emperor has. He can carry out large-scale criminal trials and implicate tens of thousands of people just to get rid of a few old ministers from the previous dynasty who are hindering him. Would he change his mind because of a memorial from you?” Shen Li poured him a cup of tea and spoke softly about the pros and cons.
"It is a subject's duty to offer advice. Even if His Majesty punishes me, I will still submit a memorial," Shen Zizai insisted.
"Submitting a memorial is certainly necessary, but look at how many monarchs of fallen kingdoms have appeared in these memorials? You wouldn't even use such language to insult a grandson, let alone an emperor." Shen Li was both amused and exasperated by her father.
"Has it passed?" Shen Zizai ignored what others said, but he was still somewhat swayed by what his daughter had said.
“If you keep writing like this, you’ll probably go down in history. His Majesty grew up with you, he doesn’t deserve this.” Shen Li teased with a smile before grinding ink beside her. “You’ll have to rewrite it.”
"That's true." Shen Zizai realized he had been a bit impulsive. After calming down, his writing became more objective, but still quite sharp.
"Father, this is enough. Chief Minister Zhou is in charge of matters in the court. What are you worried about? Please hurry up and approve my memorial." Shen Li said coquettishly, pointing to her memorial.
Shen Zizai rarely saw his eldest daughter act coquettishly, and his heart softened immediately. He was about to agree, but he stopped himself in time and asked, "What's the rush? Besides, these things can be approved and revised layer by layer by the subordinates. I only need to review them at the end."
"You're just sitting around doing nothing anyway, what's more important than your daughter's affairs than matters of the court?"
Shen Zizai wanted to refuse, but Shen Li persisted. Shen Zizai had no choice but to take the lead in deciding on the matter himself.
Shen Li breathed a sigh of relief. She knew the emperor's temperament well. Not only would this matter fail, but it would also be subject to retribution afterward. Whoever contributed the most would become the emperor's target once the storm passed.
In his previous life, Zhou Zhen and his father, along with several other cabinet ministers, held the position of Grand Secretary in the cabinet. They were all replaced one by one because they disagreed with the emperor.
If Father's memorial is submitted, it will surely bring disaster upon himself. Conversely, if Father remains semi-hidden during this impeachment, then the first person to be punished by the emperor afterward will be the current Grand Secretary, Lord Zhou Zhen.
This strategy is not just for self-preservation, but also a form of attack.
Zhou Zhen is Li Heng's father-in-law and Li Heng's greatest support. If he falls, Li Heng will also be in grave danger.
Under her supervision, the Ministry of Rites quickly issued the approval document and archived the official uniforms for women. Officials' clothes, except for those specially bestowed, needed to be custom-made. Shen Li's new clothes and crown were already being made long before the approval document was issued.
It took another half a month for the official robes to be completed, and a few days after they were worn, the court's impeachment of the Prince of Chess gradually came to an end.
"Zhao Jing told me today that His Majesty ordered him to secretly investigate Zhou Zhen."
That evening, Shen Li played chess with Gu Chang'an, who was unusually free. Gu Chang'an then lowered his voice and told her about Zhao Jing.
Shen Li placed a black piece and said, "Giving it to the Flying Fish Guards would make them guilty even if they are innocent."
Having served the emperor for many years, Zhao Jing naturally understood the emperor's intentions: whoever the emperor wanted to punish was bound to be guilty.
In the previous life, the conflict did not escalate so quickly. By the time the emperor wanted to get rid of Zhou Zhen, Zhao Jing was already Gu Chang'an's man.
At that time, Gu Chang'an protected Zhou Zhen, so he served as Grand Secretary for several more years until he retired and returned to his hometown. After Li Heng ascended the throne, he returned to the court and strongly advocated killing the couple, but Li Heng only killed Gu Chang'an.
In this life, Zhou Zhen wasn't so lucky.
“Ah Li is absolutely right. His Majesty is furious this time, and we don’t even need to add fuel to the fire.” Although Gu Chang’an had never experienced this before, he was confident.
Shen Li wholeheartedly agreed. Thinking about the future situation of the Zhou family and the Crown Prince, she felt good. She raised her hand, used a silver fork to pick up the watermelon on the ice, and put it in her mouth to eat. She felt cool and comfortable all over.
In early summer, Kyoto wasn't too hot yet, but she still preferred to eat cooler foods.
"Ah Li, you shouldn't be too cold in the summer, it's bad for your health," Gu Chang'an advised.
“Husband, don’t worry, I’m perfectly healthy. The other day, I went to the medicine shop and old man Zou said that my spleen and stomach are in very good condition and I don’t need any special care.” Shen Li said, eating another piece.
The watermelon was placed on her side, not intended for Gu Chang'an, who is prone to feeling cold and cannot eat cold food in either winter or summer.
Gu Chang'an could only smile helplessly and say, "Let's eat then."
"His Majesty will be going to the summer palace next month to escape the heat, right? There are many fun things to do in the mountains there, and we can have a good time to explore," Shen Li thought to herself.
Every year when the emperor went to the summer palace, he would bring his capable officials with him, and the court meetings would also be moved there. Shen Li had been going with him since she was a child.
The Shen family has a residence outside the imperial palace, while the Gu family's house was only started being built two years ago and is not yet completed.
Shen Li plans to take Gu Chang'an back to her own home.
“Okay, there’s not much official business during the summer off-season, I’ll accompany A-Li for a walk around.” Gu Chang’an readily agreed.
Shen Li was already looking forward to it. Although she had learned a lot at the Hanlin Academy recently, it was somewhat boring and not as fun and carefree as traveling with her man.
However, man proposes, God disposes. The next day, while she was compiling the official records of the dynasty at the Hanlin Academy, a scholar who had come to the palace to teach the princes entered the room, his face ashen.
"What's wrong, Your Excellency?" Zhao Wencai, a man of many words, asked upon seeing the situation.
Shen Li did not look up; she was always focused and rarely disturbed by her surroundings.
"It's terrible! Rebellions have broken out in Jizhou, Xuzhou, and many other places. The rebels are looting and pillaging everywhere, and some have even captured county and prefectural governments. The situation is completely out of control!" the scholar said urgently.
All the scholars who had been writing with their heads down suddenly raised their heads, including Shen Li, whose eyes were filled with surprise.