Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 660 - 526: You, want him to enter officialdom?
Shang Ruyi felt both joy and pride for Shen Wuzheng, a deep smile involuntarily appearing on her face. Seeing her this way, Ji Hong also faintly smiled, those aged, time-worn eyes slowly turning toward the grand hall—
At this moment, some lower-ranking officials had begun leaving Taiji Palace to return to their posts; others remained in the hall to discuss how to handle the current epidemic. In short, it was a bustling scene, filled with voices.
Yet, a touch of melancholy appeared in Ji Hong’s gaze.
He smiled faintly and said, "Once the major affairs are settled, some of the old fellows here should retire. This Taiji Palace and the court ultimately belong to the young. Your cousin will surely achieve great things."
"...!"
Shang Ruyi’s eyes sparkled.
Indeed, the future of Shen Wuzheng!
Previously, she had earnestly advised Shen Shiyan to stay away from the court, and she had also discussed this matter with Shen Wuzheng at Zhanping River Posthouse. Both had expressed disappointment and discontent with the court at that time, so she always believed Shen Wuzheng should also distance himself from that dangerous and even murky court.
But the current situation was different from before.
If Yu Wenquan ascends the throne, the court will certainly have a new look, and with Shen Wuzheng’s profound knowledge and outstanding abilities, if he could truly work in such a court, it would be a blessing for the court and the people, and it would not betray his years of diligent study!
Shang Ruyi immediately said, "Thank you, Lord Ji, for your support!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Hong in front of her and Yu Wenye beside her paused for a moment, but soon both understood — for Shen Wuzheng to enter politics, the fastest way was through support. His closest relationship was with Shang Ruyi, and if he entered the officialdom through this path, it would inevitably be seen as relying on marital connections, causing controversy despite his capabilities; however, if he entered the officialdom through Ji Hong’s support, the situation would be different. Ji Hong was a highly respected veteran official, and taking this route would allow Shen Wuzheng’s reputation to remain much cleaner.
Ji Hong looked into Shang Ruyi’s clear eyes and couldn’t help but sigh—at Dayan Temple, he had already looked at this Young Madam of the Duke Mansion with new eyes, and now it seemed, this Young Madam was indeed quick-witted, extraordinarily intelligent, loyal to the monarch and country without being rigid in etiquette, yet not blindly loyal.
If she were a man, she would likely be no worse than those wearing court attire and holding scepters in the court today.
Even though she is a woman, she seems already stronger than many others.
Thinking of this, Ji Hong smiled, looking at Yu Wenqian, who entered Daxing City effortlessly and Yu Wenye, who had achieved numerous military victories and held great fame, as well as the Shang Ruyi before him. He sighed and said, "With such a son and daughter-in-law, what worry does Duke Sheng have about his grand plans?"
With these words, he cupped his hands towards them and then turned away, leaving with a sigh.
Though he did not explicitly say so, Shang Ruyi knew from his attitude that he had agreed, so she bowed deeply to his departing figure. When she turned back, she saw Yu Wenye furrowing his brows slightly, looking thoughtfully at her.
Shang Ruyi asked, "What’s wrong?"
Yu Wenye looked at her, "Do you want him to enter officialdom?"
Shang Ruyi shook her head, "It’s not what I want—my brother wouldn’t follow my arrangements. I just feel that if his knowledge isn’t put to use, it would be a loss to himself, and a loss to the court and the people."
"..."
"So, if there’s a chance, I am willing to help him."
"..."
Yu Wenye looked at her for a while, and finally nodded, "Indeed, if someone like him doesn’t become an official, it truly is a loss to the court."
Shang Ruyi also nodded with a smile.
But after smiling, looking back at Yu Wenye, she suddenly seemed to think of something, her expression freezing. Yu Wenye seemed to sense something too and asked, "What’s wrong?"
"You—"
Shang Ruyi hesitated, seemingly unsure how to speak, after much deliberation, she softly said, "Will you—"
But before finishing, she suddenly saw someone walking past them, preparing to leave Taiji Palace, and hurriedly turned to call out to them, "Lord Yan, please stay!"
"...?"
Yu Wenye was stunned, immediately following her gaze to see that the person preparing to leave the hall was none other than Yan Shaoxuan, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.
This man was about the same age as Yu Wenquan, not very tall, but evidently a sturdy middle-aged man, with greying temples and eyes like torches, exuding some shrewdness. Hearing Shang Ruyi call him, he immediately stopped and politely said, "Young Madam Yu Wen, is there something you need?"
Shang Ruyi hurried to face him, saluted, and said, "Lord Yan, I have a presumptuous request."
"Oh? Please speak."
"Yesterday in Liangyi Hall, His Majesty the Emperor and the Eldest Princess promised me that if disaster struck today, validating the prophecy of the comet’s appearance, the Minister of Rites would be declared innocent and released. Just now—the events have transpired, so I implore Lord Yan to order my uncle to be released."
Yan Shaoxuan raised an eyebrow slightly, "Such a thing?"
Shang Ruyi hastily said, "This is a serious matter, Ru Yi would never dare to lie. If Lord Yan does not believe, you may verify with His Majesty and the Eldest Princess. But my uncle—his health is frail and he cannot remain in prison any longer. I beg Lord Yan to make it convenient."
"This—"
Yan Shaoxuan hesitated for a moment, looked at Shang Ruyi, forced a smile, and said, "Young Madam’s word, I would not doubt. However, for the Ministry of Justice to detain or release someone, there are rules. Without an imperial edict, or at least a verbal order, and just now, His Majesty said nothing, nor was there an order issued, releasing someone like this, if something goes wrong—"
Shang Ruyi quickly said, "Lord Yan can immediately seek verification from His Majesty and the Eldest Princess!"
Yan Shaoxuan glanced back and said, "But just now, the inner palace has already been sealed."
"Ah?"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi became somewhat anxious.
At this moment, Yu Wenye slowly walked to Shang Ruyi’s side, cupping his hands to salute Yan Shaoxuan, then said, "Lord Yan, the situation is special now, His Majesty has retreated to the inner palace to avoid the epidemic, where would an edict come from? Why not let Lord Yan take the responsibility, release the Minister of Rites for now, and once the major affairs are settled, I will immediately ask my father to supplement Lord Yan with an edict, how about that?"
"...!"
Yan Shaoxuan’s eyes flashed with sharpness, immediately somewhat understanding.
Yu Wenye was trying to win him over and also offering him favor.
After all, everyone standing in the court today knows that once the "major affairs" are settled, the real edict would not be from that child scared out of his wits by the plague, but from this Heavenly Strategy General’s father, who would truly be able to issue edicts in the future.
At that time, Shen Shiyan would have already been released, and the edict to supplement would not be the one releasing Shen Shiyan.
But his own merit!
Moreover, he understood that at such a critical moment, Minister Zheng of the Ministry of Justice continued to feign illness, clearly showing his dissatisfaction with the Grand Chancellor monopolizing power, and even approvingly suggesting the emperor abdicate. Since he had made his stance clear, should the Grand Chancellor truly ascend the throne in the future, Minister Zheng’s position would be insecure, and by that time—
