HCB Chapter 222 Brother 3 is dismissed from office
Chapter 222 Brother 3 is dismissed from office
Shi Yao sighed, "What can we plot? With the house in such a mess, it's useless to plot anything. My brothers are injured, sick, and there are also domestic violence and beatings. Yesterday, such a terrible disaster happened, and the sisters-in-law gathered together to talk to each other about their troubles.
They are all my brothers, and when they criticize them, it feels like they are criticizing me, which makes me feel uneasy and as if I am the one who has let them down.
You asked me to come, but I couldn't refuse. I've heard so many stories that my ears are callused. So, have the eldest and third masters returned home?"
Mu Xiang also sighed, thinking that the men in the mansion were not up to the standard, and replied, "Not yet."
You might get beaten.
As a maid, she dared not comment on the masters' affairs or the palace's affairs.
Shi Yao knew what was going on.
I'm afraid that Shi Mingzhen's business affairs have been exposed.
She first went back to Guanju Courtyard to change her damp clothes, took a short rest, and then rushed to the ancestral hall.
Unexpectedly, on the way, they met the brothers Shi Mingmo and Shi Mingchen who were supporting the third wife, Rong.
Rong looked haggard, with red eyes and traces of tears on her face. It seemed that the three of them had just come out of Shi Mingkui's yard.
When she saw Shi Yao, Rong's face became long. She wiped her face with a handkerchief and turned her eyes away, as if she hated Shi Yao very much.
Shi Yao bowed silently. After following the etiquette, she had to go ahead. Shi Mingmo suddenly asked, "Shi Yao, what did you and your sisters-in-law talk about at noon?"
Shi Yao turned around and evaded the question, "My second, third, fourth, and fifth brothers are all injured. My sisters-in-law are upset, but they can't blame my brothers, so they have to come to me to complain."
Shi Mingmo's eyes were sharp: "Is that true?"
Shi Yao's face turned cold and she said calmly, "If you don't believe me, just go and eavesdrop on the wall next time."
The eldest wife, Zheng, was rushing over. After hearing the conversation between the brother and sister, she rushed straight towards Shi Yao and cursed like crazy:
"It's all because of you, this unlucky star! If it weren't for you, how could Zhuzhu become someone else's concubine? How could Mingkui be injured? The eldest and third masters wouldn't be scolded by the emperor!"
She reached out her hand and was about to hit Shi Yao.
The people from the third room watched the show coldly, motionless. A look of satisfaction flashed in Rong's eyes. Shi Mingchen hesitated, but ultimately did not move.
Shi Yao quickly dodged and replied coldly: "It's their bad luck, what does it have to do with me? It's not me who asked them to drug the Fourth Prince!
I still feel unlucky. I don't know who the hell ordered my fourth sister-in-law to harm me. I didn't treat her in her own way, which is very kind of me!"
Zheng chased her while crying, "You are still quibbling! If you hadn't returned to the capital, how could so many things have happened? If it weren't for you, how could they have set up this trap?"
Shi Yao dodged nimbly and laughed loudly, "You can fool a ghost with this! My elder sister doesn't want to marry the Fourth Prince. Being the Fourth Prince's principal wife is unfair to her. You and I know it very well.
Even if I wasn't here yesterday, you would have picked a noble lady, or a girl from a relative's family, or one of the guests and sent her to the Fourth Prince's house so that you can cancel the engagement with him!
If it weren't for me, who knows who it was that the Fourth Prince abused? You can stand here with a clear conscience, you should thank me!"
Zheng was furious. She screamed and raged, "Who are you talking about being abused? Who are you talking about? Say it again!"
Shi Mingmo and Shi Mingchen's eyelids twitched when they heard this, and they hurriedly shouted, "Shi Yao, stop talking nonsense!"
What do you mean Zhuzhu doesn't want to marry the Fourth Prince? If this news gets out, how will Zhuzhu get along in Prince Cheng's Mansion?
Such secrets must not be spread outside the palace.
Since Zhuzhu has entered Prince Cheng's Mansion, she is completely devoted to the Fourth Prince and has no second thoughts.
Shi Yao pointed at Zheng and said, "What's the point of calling me? Your aunt is yelling everywhere, but you guys don't yell.
It’s okay, just let the aunt shout and cry as hard as she can, who knows, maybe the elder sister will come back tomorrow to reunite with our family!”
Rong closed her eyes and pushed Shi Mingchen.
Shi Mingchen then hurried forward, grabbed Shi Yao and ran away. After running a long distance, he scolded: "Shi Yao, you did this on purpose, didn't you? Your aunt is sick, how could she outrun you? If you wanted to escape, you would have run away long ago. Why bother arguing with her?"
Shi Yao panted and pouted, "My aunt has something to ask me. How can I, a junior, run away and ignore her?"
Shi Mingchen advised earnestly, "Don't cause any more trouble. The house is already in such a mess. If Grandpa and Grandma hear about it, they will get angry again. Why bother?"
Shi Yao shook off his hand and spat, "Bah! Why don't you go and persuade your aunt? They set up a trap to harm me and then threw dirty water on me. You must be a fool not to see that.
You don't persuade her not to do bad things, but you persuade me, a victim, to be tolerant again and again! Screw you, don't drive me crazy!"
Shi Mingchen pursed his lips, feeling powerless all over, with a look of confusion on his face, as if he had no idea the truth.
Just as Shi Yao was about to go crazy with anger, Zheng was crying and wailing, and Rong was crying silently, the maids came one after another to report: "The imperial edict has arrived! Masters, go to the gate to receive it!"
When Shi Yao heard this, she was delighted: The show is about to begin!
She frowned and ran happily towards the second door.
Shi Mingchen caught the maid who reported the news and asked, "Where are the first and third masters?"
The maid said, "It is said that the two masters came back with the imperial edict. Master Qi, I still have to go to the ancestral hall to report the news."
Shi Mingchen left her behind and chased after Shi Yao.
All the masters of the Shi family hurried to the gate.
The first people I saw were the wet Duke Zhenguo and Shi Jianan.
The two men looked as if they were seriously ill. Each was supported by two servants and was soaked from head to toe, probably because of the heavy rain before.
Shi Yao couldn't help but think, maybe the previous thunderstorm was not for her, but to make the Duke of Zhenguo and the Third Master more miserable?
After all, in TV dramas, it usually rains when people plead guilty to the emperor, to highlight their indomitable will.
All the members of the Shi family who could arrive were there, and the old Duke and the Lady Dowager came to receive the imperial edict despite being ill.
The first imperial decree: "In compliance with the will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: The Shi family has a bright pearl, who is elegant and chaste... She is granted the title of concubine of Prince Cheng. I decree this!"
After yesterday's thrilling experience, Zheng was already disheartened. When she heard this, her heart was lifted up a few inches. She couldn't help crying with joy and said loudly:
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"
This is the highest status Zhuzhu can obtain at present.
The old Duke accepted the imperial edict with tears of gratitude. When the Shi family was about to get up, the eunuch took out a second imperial edict.
Apart from the Duke of Zhenguo, Shi Jianan, and the Alliance of Reborn Sisters-in-law, everyone was wondering why there was a second imperial edict?
He couldn't help but prick up his ears and listen, feeling worried, guessing that it might be a punishment for Shi Mingzhen and Shi Mingkui. Shi Mingzhu's position as concubine was probably the emperor's compensation to the Shi family.
But I didn't expect that the more I listened, the more frightened I became.
"...After a thorough investigation, it was found that Shi Mingzhen took advantage of the flood in Fengzhou to drive up grain prices and profit from the disaster...Officials engaged in business, competed with the people for profits, and extorted the people's wealth. I am very angry...
Shi Mingzhen is ordered to be dismissed from all official posts immediately and never employed again. His wife, Tao, is stripped of her imperial title and confiscated as a merchant. Her descendants for three generations are not allowed to take the imperial examinations. Their private property is also confiscated. This is my decree!"