Chapter 473: After Binding the Child-Bearing System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 474: A Passerby's Rise to Power (42)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"The effects vary from person to person; it still depends on how they choose to think about this matter."

Shen Yao did not deny that doing this had the intention of buying people's hearts; after all, she was the Empress, and to keep the Huang Hou stable, she absolutely had to grasp some people's vital points.

"Host, what if some people are unwilling?" Surrendering to the Empress meant having to serve as her vanguard; from then on, one's actions would not be one's own in the slightest (although not surrendering had no good outcome either).

Shen Yao rolled her eyes at the system inexplicably, "If they're unwilling, then forget it.

Buying hearts isn't the goal; the most important thing is still to use the opportunity to have them keep a tight watch on the Jiangnan faction of consorts for me."

You have to know that family members entering the palace are arranged for next month, and the target group is the entire harem's consorts.

The Jiangnan faction produced the He sisters, so the He Family will definitely send people over; when the time comes, "with leverage in hand, are you afraid you can't catch them?"

System:...

So the Host's scheming was waiting here; the others were just incidental, the main purpose was still the Jiangnan consorts.

Giving an "oh" to indicate she had understood, the system turned its head and hugged its spherical body, withdrawing into itself.

Shen Yao raised a hand to touch her hanging long hair, and called Xiao Ji to ask when the Shen Family's people would enter the palace.

Last night His Majesty mentioned the Shen Family's memorial; she agreed, then turned around and told her.

Shen Yao naturally planned for the sooner the better; Shen Chunbai and his son had been back in the capital for such a long time, yet the two sides still hadn't formally met and talked.

Now Shen Yao's two sisters-in-law were entering the palace; nominally to kowtow in thanks for Shen Chunbai and his son, but actually to discuss with Shen Yao which path the Shen Family's future should take.

"Replying to Master, the palace has arranged entry at Si Hour; the two of them have likely already arrived at the Palace Gate by now."

"Then arrange someone to go receive them; last time I saw the two sisters-in-law was in spring of last year; in a flash, nearly a year has passed."

Even as a high-ranking consort in the harem, Shen Yao couldn't frequently summon relatives into the palace.

Last year Shen Chunbai and Shen Zhanghe spent most of their time away from the capital; Shen Yao only summoned She Shi and Cheng Shi to sit a while on the pretext of comforting them.

Meeting again this year, she couldn't help but feel a sense of things remaining the same but people having changed.

"Chenfei She Shi / Cheng Shi greets Empress Niangniang; may Niangniang be blessed with ten thousand fortunes and peace."

"Palace rules are such; sisters-in-law must not take offense; please sit quickly."

Shen Yao raised her hand with a smile, and had Xiao Ji bring two round stools to place before the couch.

She Shi and Cheng Shi expressed understanding; their identities differed and could not be ignored.

"Xiao Ji, watch the tea."

Xiao Ji carried two teacups and delivered them respectively to She Shi and Cheng Shi.

The teacups were exquisite, top-grade porcelain, with a circle of vivid, lifelike patterns carved around them; one glance made one's mood extremely good.

She Shi came from a civil official family; she opened with praise for the room's interior furnishings, then extended from a single small teacup to other aspects, flattering smoothly and naturally.

Because she had been pregnant before, her body had not yet fully slimmed down, giving her an added gentle temperament, making her even more amiable and approachable.

"Where would Eldest Sister-in-law's words lead; these are merely tea sets sent by the Imperial Household Department.

If Eldest Sister-in-law likes them, when you return, have Xiao Ji prepare a few more sets."

Shen Yao had always been generous in this regard, and not the falsely courteous kind.

She Shi had been married into the Shen Family for several years, and had several interactions with Shen Yao; she still understood this half-sister-in-law's temper quite well.

Seeing this, she did not decline courteously, but sincerely thanked her and accepted them.

Cheng Shi echoed from the side; her mind wasn't as sharp as Eldest Sister-in-law's, but fortunately she was obedient enough; before entering the palace, Shen Zhanghe had instructed her that everything should follow Eldest Sister-in-law's lead.

The two exchanged a few polite words, then entered the key topic: the Shen Family's future path.

She Shi placed her posture very low, especially when speaking with Shen Yao; the leading position was certainly Shen Yao, while she merely acted as a tool person who could enter the palace and relay various messages.

"Father and Eldest Brother have been very busy lately; this palace can also learn a thing or two from His Majesty's mouth.

I hope Eldest Sister-in-law will convey to Father and Eldest Brother: the Shen Clan has just stirred up such a huge commotion; it is already His Majesty's extraordinary grace; they must absolutely not touch the bottom line His Majesty has drawn again."

What is the bottom line His Majesty has drawn? Some overt acts of oppressing commoners and seizing good farmland are all things His Majesty dislikes, matters he will settle accounts for after autumn.

"The Three Judicial Offices officials in the Court haven't truly rested since the thorough investigation of the memorials. His Majesty is concerned for the State Foundation; he absolutely cannot allow self-destructive acts to appear.

Before, the Shen Clan broke away; this palace was trapped in the harem and really couldn't say much.

Now that Father and Eldest Brother have returned, this matter will trouble them to put their minds to socializing, striving to reduce some risks on the basis of preserving the Shen Clan's foundation."

Shen Yao spoke bluntly and clearly, not giving She Shi any chance to play dumb.

Hearing this, She Shi could only brace herself and nod in agreement, smiling and telling Shen Yao to rest assured; no matter how dissatisfied the Shen Family was, they wouldn't dare make Shen Yao unhappy.

"Two sisters-in-law, quickly taste this tea's flavor; it's tribute sent from Jiangnan; the quantity is not much."

Shen Yao being able to have this was also thanks to His Majesty's guilt not having dissipated; whatever good tribute was sent down, Fengyi Palace had a share.

She Shi and Cheng Shi each tasted upon hearing this; indeed the tea fragrance was leisurely, able to return sweetness for a long time without dissipating.

The tip of the tongue seemed to still float with the lingering tea fragrance; She Shi pursed her lips without speaking, only praising two sentences of good tea after being startled awake by Shen Yao's words.

Shen Yao nodded with a smile, expressing regret that the quantity seemed small, "Can't spare them for the two sisters-in-law; please forgive me."

She Shi hurriedly stood and saluted, "How could we deserve such treatment from Niangniang," this tea was originally Jiangnan tribute; how could they have the nerve to both drink and take it.

Shen Yao smiled, only saying the tea leaves were few; otherwise she would also send some to the Shen Family to taste.

"Speaking of which, in some days, consorts' family members of Fifth Rank and above in the palace may all enter the palace; those below Fifth Rank will have dedicated people deliver letters for communication.

The Jiangnan consorts' family members spend an extremely large amount of time on travel back and forth.

This palace thought: if there were someone to receive them, would it be a bit better?"

Originally this matter definitely had nothing to do with the Shen Family; after all, the Imperial Court has specialized departments responsible for this matter.

It was just that Shen Yao now brought it up directly in front of She Shi and Cheng Shi, leaving the two no choice but to think more deeply.

Cheng Shi still had no firm grasp, but She Shi had already analyzed several possible meanings from Shen Yao's words and was comparing and eliminating them one by one in her heart with seriousness.

In the end, She Shi tactfully raised the point that was both the most unlikely and the most likely: "Your Highness wants to ensure the Jiangnan Consorts' families eat and live well in the capital; that still requires specifically instructing the responsible Yamen."

Shen Yao feigned rubbing her forehead. "Speaking in the palace is inconvenient for this Palace; having the Emperor instruct it would inevitably cause a stir, and this Palace ought not overthink so much. What this Palace fears is that this time, someone might secretly sabotage things."

The suggestion was raised by Shen Yao after all, and it was Shen Yao's reputation being elevated.

Imagine — if this news spread, which of the consorts' families would not speak a word of praise for Shen Yao?

She Shi understood the hint immediately, stating such a matter absolutely could not let certain people succeed. The Shen Family lacked this functional authority, but given Shen Chunbai's current rank and red-hot influence, it was merely a matter of a few words.

Shen Yao smiled faintly and obscurely. "Better not be too high-profile; should gossip spread, the previous Shen Clan affair serves as a precedent."

"Your Highness rest assured, Chenfei understands." She Shi felt her own mistress acted quite cautiously, thinking to herself no wonder the Shen Family is so stable — with such a great Buddha suppressing things, even she dared not be too presumptuous.

She Shi and Cheng Shi did not stay long in Fengyi Palace, especially since the Emperor would come over in the evening.

Unwilling and not wanting the two sides to run into each other, Shen Yao sent She Shi and Cheng Shi away in advance.

And upon returning to the Shen Family, She Shi and Cheng Shi naturally told Shen Chunbai and the others about the conversation between them.

Shen Chunbai summoned Shen Changyu and Shen Zhanghe, the brothers, back to the Study to discuss.

Men's myriad thoughts often run even deeper than women's.

Take the arrangement for the Jiangnan Consorts' relatives that She Shi mentioned — on the surface, it is Shen Yao having the Shen Family help look after them, best to block some restless people and avoid incidents damaging Shen Yao's reputation.

But in reality, this might merely be a signal for them to pay attention; the true reason lies with these Jiangnan Consorts' relatives — rather than saying it is care, better to say it is surveillance.

Surveillance?

"Father, could it be overthinking? Perhaps it is just care?"

Shen Zhanghe lived up to his status in the Shen Family; in reaction and thinking he forever cannot compare to Shen Changyu, resulting in the Shen Family's current blazing heat, yet the Heir placed in the open has never wavered.

Shen Changyu shook his head. "If it were just care, there would be no need for Her Highness to specially instruct."

Even when the news of the consorts' relatives entering the palace spread, the Shen Family had already prepared these things in advance.

The Shen Clan affair is not only remembered by Her Highness; the Shen Family will not forget either. Enemies have not been fully suppressed — any unfavorable rumors concerning the Shen Family and Her Highness, they will not allow to happen.

"Perhaps Her Highness feels some unease about the Jiangnan Consorts' families.

The Jiangnan region has always been wealthy; consorts from Jiangnan are also very favored in the palace." Not to speak of distant examples — just the He sisters, the Shen Family outside the palace has heard clearly; even He Jieyu's pregnancy and miscarriage, She Shi sent the news via letter to the Border.

Being so, Her Highness suspecting the Jiangnan Consorts' families is inevitable.

Shen Chunbai touched his chin, indicating since this matter was instructed, whatever Her Highness's true purpose, the Shen Family must treat it seriously.

How does that saying go — better safe than sorry; doing more is always more useful than doing less, otherwise if they truly miss something, they will regret it too late.

"Father rest assured, this matter entrust to son to handle." Whether placing people in advance or openly instructing, Shen Changyu felt he could do it best.

Shen Zhanghe:...

Shen Zhanghe went with the flow, stating everything follows Father and Elder Brother's arrangements; he points where to strike.

"Why doesn't Husband make an effort and also perform perform in front of Father?"

When Shen Zhanghe returned from the Study, Cheng Shi asked the situation then fiercely stretched out her hand and patted him.

Shen Zhanghe dodged sideways, saying she also hasn't performed well in front of Her Highness in the palace; the two of them as husband and wife, not to mention Elder Brother and Second Young Master, had better not lose face.

Cheng Shi:...