in2ebook Chapter 163 Can't we really just have a beating?
Chapter 163 Can't we really just have a beating?
"Your Highness is the rightful ruler. To uphold Your Highness is to uphold the imperial order. We, your subjects, have studied the classics since childhood and must be loyal to the emperor and serve the country. We will never allow treacherous officials to cause trouble," Shen Li replied righteously and sternly.
Hearing this, Li Heng felt even colder inside; these words were completely devoid of any personal emotion.
"Please inform Your Highness that it is inappropriate for an official to linger in the inner palace. I shall take my leave." Shen Li's voice was even more indifferent than her emotions. She bowed and left.
Li Heng was stunned for a long time, then angrily slammed his hand on the armrest of the chair: "She dares?! How dare she?! I am the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince!"
"Your Highness, stop! Be careful not to reopen the wound!" Empress Ning rushed in to stop them.
"What's so great about Gu Chang'an? He's just a lackey from a peasant background. How could you possibly look up to him?" Li Heng shouted angrily. "That shameless woman!"
"Be rational," Empress Ning said, feeling these matters were unimportant. She simply asked, "Is she willing to continue serving?"
“She wants to serve the legitimate imperial power, and the integrity of this court.” Li Heng’s hand was stopped, but his voice was still agitated: “It’s no longer me.”
"Alright, what time is it to be so sentimental? When the world is yours, you'll have everything you need," Empress Ning calmly reminded her.
Upon hearing this, Li Heng calmed down and then laughed after a moment, his laughter bordering on madness: "I killed her Gu Chang'an and left her in the palace forever."
Empress Ning couldn't bear to hear any of this, and waved her hand, saying, "It's good that she's obedient, but we also need to keep her in check. I would like to ask His Majesty to allow her to teach Che'er."
Li Heng's eyes gradually lit up: "Your Majesty is wise. Although Shen Li's qualifications and official position in the Hanlin Academy are not enough to be a tutor for the princes, my fourteenth brother loves painting and Father loves him dearly. He will surely allow Shen Li to teach him."
As long as you come to Fengxiang Palace often, you can ask for advice frequently and create many opportunities for contact.
He became more and more agitated as he spoke, determined to find a way to bring Shen Li back to his side.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
Shen Li felt unlucky as soon as she left the palace. It was such a joyous occasion, but she had to meet such an annoying person. It was truly a spoilsport.
"Miss, has the Empress made things difficult for you?" Lian Qiao, who was serving in the carriage, noticed that her mistress's expression was somewhat unfriendly as she got in.
“No, she wouldn’t make herself uncomfortable at this time.” Shen Li denied it, then answered, “She wanted to catch up with me after seeing the Crown Prince.”
"Huh? Is he alright? You're already married, if he had feelings for you, why didn't he do it sooner?" Peony said from the side, "Disgusting."
"Peony." Lian Qiao tried to cover her mouth, but it was too late.
We're still outside; wouldn't it be incredibly disrespectful if someone overheard us?
"Well said." Shen Li thought the words were quite apt.
"He's the worst of the worst. If word gets out, he might not care about being a man, but the whole world will only criticize you behind your back." Peony's words remained sharp, though she lowered her voice: "This is going to ruin you."
Lian Qiao breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that it was best to speak quietly.
"Crown Prince, my foot! I think he's just a scoundrel." Peony grew angrier as she spoke. "Miss, can't I give him a beating?"
"..." Forsythia.
Shen Li shook her head regretfully: "If I could, I would let him swallow the last breath he had left today."
There were only the two of them in the hall at the time, so killing Li Heng would have been easier than eating or drinking.
Peony was very sad about this. The palace was such a hassle; she couldn't even fight the crown prince.
Shen Li has three days to rest before taking up her post at the Hanlin Academy. She does indeed need a few days to alter the size of her official robes.
The official robes of a sixth-rank official were dark blue, with a heron embroidered on the chest and a double-winged hat. This kind of clothing was common, but she never thought that one day she would wear it herself.
The official robes were only available in men's styles, which were obviously ill-fitting for her, so she hired five tailors to alter them to her measurements.
The family received more congratulatory gifts in the past three days, and she was almost numb to it. She registered them and waited for another day to return the gifts.
Taking advantage of the free time before taking up her new job, Shen Li went back to her parents' home for a short stay and also saw her father, whom she hadn't seen privately in a long time.
Shen Zizai was genuinely proud when he saw Shen Li: "Congratulations to my Li'er on achieving your goal. Becoming a Hanlin scholar is the best learning opportunity, so don't slack off."
"Father, we've only just met and you're already urging my sister to study again," Shen Yue complained in a low voice. "Can't you say something happy?"
"Yue'er is right. I'm such a spoilsport. I'm very pleased that Li'er did so well on the exam." Shen Zizai changed his mind quickly.
Xiao Bailing arranged for everyone to sit down and eat, then added, "Your grandfather said today that our Shen family has produced literary stars for generations."
"Mother, a third-place scholar isn't considered a literary star, is he?" Shen Li said with a hint of shame.
"No, Li'er's essay is just as good as that top scholar's. His Majesty wanted to appoint you as the top scholar, but I felt that being too outstanding might not be a good thing, so I lowered your ranking."
Shen Zizai looked at Shen Li as he spoke: "Li'er, do you think your father is conservative?"
“Father handled it well. The top scholar and the third-ranked scholar are only slightly different from each other in the first rank, so there’s no need to make a pointless show of it.” Shen Li, who is also introverted, agreed with her father’s approach.
Moreover, since they are evenly matched, it is reasonable to give the prize to either of them, and it is not considered unfair.
Shen Zizai nodded in approval. His daughter had shown talent but didn't flaunt it, truly possessing the mindset to achieve great things.
After dinner, Shen Zizai went to his study to handle some business, leaving only the mother and her two daughters talking together. They talked until late that night and then went to sleep together.
The next day, Xiao Bailing went out to inspect the shops, and Shen Li, having nothing to do, practiced martial arts with Shen Yue.
Shen Yue practiced endlessly, while Shen Li studied for a while and then sat down to read. In the morning, she let Lian Qiao and Shao Yao take Yu Die out for a stroll, and now she saw the three of them returning.
The three walked and talked, with Peony and Rain Butterfly looking indignant, especially Peony, who looked like she was about to get into a fight.
"But who offended you?" Shen Li asked, putting down her book.
Yu Die quickly shook her head: "No, Miss, we're talking about a lawsuit in the government office."
"Tell me about it."
"When we passed through Shuntian Prefecture, we saw an old woman complaining that Xia Yuan, the son of the Minister of Works, had forcibly taken a woman and beaten her husband to death." Lian Qiao added after stating this, "I don't know if it's true or not."
“How could it be fake? Look how heartbroken that old woman is crying. Besides, Xia Yuan, that纨绔子弟 (playboy), has always bullied men and women, it’s just that no one has died before,” Peony said indignantly.
Lian Qiao, however, was more rational: "There is no concrete evidence yet, so we cannot convict anyone."
“I don’t think the old woman was lying.” Yu Die thought for a moment and said, “Lying doesn’t happen like this.”
Xia Yuan?
Minister of Works?
As Shen Li listened, she recalled that Xia Yuan was Xia Shiyin's younger brother. In her previous life, this Minister of Works was also the Right Vice Minister, who was also the father-in-law of the Prince of Yi.
The matter of Xia Yuan in his previous life had also caused quite a stir.
It is true that he ordered his servants to kill someone, and his father also covered it up. However, in the previous life, the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture did not dare to offend Prince Yi, and in the end, the Xia family sent out a servant to take the blame.