OBS Chapter 1790 Xia Ziyu's Suspicion
Chapter 1790 Xia Ziyu's Suspicion
"As for the Zhuang family... Your Majesty certainly cherishes your past relationship with Grand Tutor Zhuang, but how can the emperor allow others to sleep soundly on his bed?"
How did the Jiang and Liu families fall from grace?
Back then, which of them wasn't incredibly famous? But what happened to them?
Clearly, Xiaomingzi and his friends had also thought of this.
Fuqu analyzed, "Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has personally uprooted the two powerful families, the Duke of Zhenguo and the Duke of Dingguo. He will not tolerate the rise of the Zhuang family and their imminent demise."
Xiao Mingzi's eyes lit up: "So, His Majesty's punishment of the Zhuang family is not only to give the Empress an explanation, but also..."
Fuqu continued, "This is also an opportunity to weaken the power of the dealers."
"If the dealers behave themselves from now on and keep a low profile, they might be able to protect themselves."
"But if they continue to court disaster... the fate of the Jiang and Liu families will be the fate of the Zhuang family tomorrow!"
Looking at Shen Zhinian's calm expression, Xiao Mingzi suddenly understood why the Empress had been able to get to where she was today in just a few years.
The Empress never only considers immediate gains and losses.
Instead, it will be three years later, five years later, or even ten years later.
Xiao Mingzi lowered his head sincerely: "Your Majesty is wise!"
"This servant has also heard that His Majesty has appointed Lord Gu as Minister of Rites, and concurrently as Junior Tutor to the Fourth Prince, to be the Fourth Prince's tutor."
"The imperial edict has been issued, and it is said that all the officials are discussing it, saying that Lord Gu has won the Emperor's favor and that his future is limitless!"
Shen Zhinian listened without surprise.
Nangong Xuanyu had previously discussed with her the selection of the Fourth Prince's tutor.
At that time, the emperor mentioned several names, and Gu Jinxiao was one of them.
Now that the dust has settled, it was nothing unexpected.
"I am at ease with Lord Gu serving as the Fourth Prince's tutor."
Shen Zhinian said, "Ah Xu is smart, but sometimes he's too impulsive. He needs someone who can keep him in check."
Xiao Mingzi smiled and said, "Your Majesty is right."
Shen Zhinian looked at Fuqu and asked, "Has any news come in from home?"
After all, yesterday's turmoil had also involved the Xia family.
Fuqu shook her head: "Your Majesty, not yet."
She paused, then added, "But with Madam's intelligence, she must already be investigating."
"Your Majesty, please don't worry too much."
Shen Zhinian nodded.
She wasn't worried.
Xia Lingshu is intelligent, and she can trust her.
Back then, when the Shen family was choosing a second wife, Shen Zhinian immediately picked the eldest daughter of the Xia family.
It's not because she's beautiful.
It wasn't because she came from a royal merchant family and her marriage to the Xia family would not arouse the emperor's suspicion.
The main reason is that there is a certain spirit in Xia Lingshu's eyes.
Shen Zhinian had seen that same energy in herself.
Not content to be just a decoration in the backyard, even if they are in the mud, they will climb out!
Sure enough, after Xia Lingshu married into the Shen family, she managed everything perfectly.
Being a stepmother is difficult, but she handled it flawlessly.
My father often said that marrying his second wife was one of the best decisions he ever made in his life.
However... the manager of the Xia family's silk shop kept saying that he gave the money to Xiao Yizi on the orders of the young master, Xia Ziyu.
When the Shen family was to form a marriage alliance with the Xia family, Shen Zhinian had already learned everything about the Xia family's situation.
Xia Ziyu's mother was Xia's father's first wife, who died in childbirth.
Xia's father remarried Xia Lingshu's mother.
Xia Ziyu is the only son left by the first wife and Xia Lingshu's half-brother.
On the surface, the relationship between the brother and sister seems harmonious.
Xia Ziyu was respectful to her stepmother and also took good care of Xia Lingshu.
Xia Lingshu spoke of her older brother with a touch of politeness.
But who knows what the actual situation is?
Shen Zhinian had seen plenty of the intricacies and complexities of life in wealthy families.
There's always an undercurrent of tension between the legitimate son and the children of the second wife. They may appear amicable on the surface, but behind the scenes, countless schemes and calculations are brewing.
Moreover, the Xia family were imperial merchants with vast businesses. Silk shops, tea shops, pawnshops, banks... weren't they all built on a foundation of silver? Wouldn't that make others envious?
Shen Zhinian lowered her eyes.
The manager said he was acting on Xia Ziyu's orders.
If it's true, why would Xia Ziyu do this?
What benefit would he gain from using Consort Zhuang to harm her?
If it's fake, then who's behind it?
"Miss?"
Fuqu's voice pulled Shen Zhinian back from her reverie.
Shen Zhinian raised her eyes, her expression unchanged: "It's nothing."
"I was just thinking that the lady has been pregnant for more than six months and it must be really hard for her."
Fuqu nodded: "Yes, Madam's pregnancy this time has not been easy. I heard that she vomited a lot in the first few months, and only recently has she gotten better."
More than six months pregnant, my belly is big and I have difficulty moving around.
She couldn't sleep well at night, and had to take care of household chores during the day.
If it were anyone else, they would have already been bedridden and resting during pregnancy.
But given Xia Lingshu's personality, she will definitely keep a close eye on this matter and will not give up until she gets to the bottom of it!
Perhaps because she was also pregnant, Shen Zhinian could empathize with her and suddenly felt sorry for her: "Tell Madam not to overwork herself. It's okay to have tests done, but your health is the most important thing."
Fuqu replied, "Yes, this servant has remembered."
……
Shen House.
Inside the main room.
Xia Lingshu leaned back on the soft couch, with several account books spread out in front of her.
Her belly was already quite large, and she moved with a bit of clumsiness.
But those eyes remained clear and bright as they stared at the numbers in the ledger, turning the pages one by one.
"lady."
The old woman beside him said softly, "You should rest for a while; you've been watching for an hour."
Xia Lingshu shook her head: "I'll watch for a while longer."
As the Imperial Noble Consort said, the money from the silk shop was directed at Xia Ziyu.
Her half-brother.
The ledgers show that the silver was indeed transferred from the silk shop's account, and the person in charge was the silk shop's manager.
When questioned, the manager insisted that he was acting on the orders of the young master.
Xia Lingshu raised her head, gazing at the darkening sky outside the window, her eyes deep and unfathomable.
She and Xia Ziyu have gotten along fairly well over the years.
She respected him as the legitimate son of the first wife and never spoke ill of him in front of her father.
He treated her fairly politely, always showing courtesy during holidays and festivals.
Politeness is just politeness, not sincerity.
Xia Lingshu had always known that Xia Ziyu harbored resentment towards her and her children.
Xia Ziyu was only six years old when her mother married into the Xia family.
The six-year-old child watched helplessly as his stepmother entered the house.
Watching her stepmother give birth to her younger sister and brother.
Seeing her father becoming increasingly reliant on her stepmother...
How could he not have his own thoughts?
They just hid it well.
Unfortunately, when the incident occurred, he happened to be on a trip south to inspect the industry, perfectly clearing himself of suspicion.
Xia Lingshu sighed softly: "Granny, have someone keep an eye on the young master. Report back immediately after he returns to the capital!"
The old woman was taken aback: "Does Madam mean..."
Xia Lingshu gently placed her hand on her abdomen, feeling the strong fetal movements beneath her palm: "There are some things that need to be clarified!"