bayedsolid Chapter 316 Xu Family Invitation
Chapter 316 Xu Family Invitation
Capital city, Qi Mansion.
Qi Chengen looked at the invitation in his hand, his thoughts sank slightly, and his eyes became sharp.
It is no longer a rare thing for Xu Ze to return to Beijing.
On the first day he arrived in the capital, he limped and visited all the families that had previously been on good terms with the Xu family, saying that he wanted to borrow money, but in fact he was just telling others in disguise that Xu Ze was back.
Not only that, because of the Xu family incident, many officials in the court were dismissed, and the ministers who were implicated by the Xu family and banished from the capital more than 20 years ago were also transferred back to the capital one by one.
Xu Ze had nothing to do in his spare time, so he met with those ministers many times under the banner of "thank you".
Today's invitation is the first invitation sent out in the name of Xu Ze.
The invitation said that Xu's house had been completely renovated, and in order to thank everyone for their help, and as the lotus flowers in Xu's house happened to be in bloom, the noble families in the capital were specially invited to go to Xu's house to enjoy the flowers.
Qi Chengen knew whether there were lotus flowers in Xu's house.
If Xu Ze's previous actions were all to tell the aristocratic families that Xu Ze was back, then today's invitation was to tell all the people in the capital that the Xu family was back.
Seeing Qi Chengen's change of expression, the housekeeper suggested: "Master, if you don't want to go, why not give some gifts and use the excuse of illness to avoid going out."
"If I reply saying I'm sick, I'm afraid Xu Ze will come to visit me tomorrow."
There was no emotion in Qi Chengen's words.
But the butler had served Qi Chengen for many years and knew that Qi Chengen was a person who did not show his emotions, so he asked again: "Then let the young master go to the banquet?"
"Whether you attend the banquet or not is not important. What I care about is whether this invitation has been delivered to the Imperial Palace."
The housekeeper thought for a moment and said, "I don't think Xu Ze has this ability."
"Then you underestimate him too much." Qi Chengen's eyes were slightly cold.
"If it is sent, what should we do?"
"Reply and tell them that I will be there on time." Qi Chengen said, then stood up and paced around. After thinking for a long time, he said, "Go find a matchmaker and prepare a portrait of all the men of the right age in the capital for Miss. The marriage must be finalized within three days."
"This..." The butler hesitated.
Qi Shengzhu has a very stubborn personality.
Once she has made up her mind, nothing can change it. If she rushes into getting engaged, she might not be accepted.
"She has no say in this matter." Qi Chengen's eyes were cold. "If she doesn't agree, then sell all the servants around her and send her to the manor to practice Taoism."
The housekeeper was stunned and asked quickly, "Master, the situation is not that serious yet, right?"
“When it gets to that point, there’s nothing you can do.”
It has always been Qi Chengen's habit to plan three steps ahead.
Everything Xu Ze did after returning to Beijing was not done on a whim, but was the result of long-term consideration.
Perhaps, in Xu Ze's mind, he had already played out this game of chess countless times.
Qi Chengen looked at the drizzling rain outside the window and murmured, "The weather in the capital is going to change."
At the same time as the Qi Mansion received the invitation, all the major families in the capital city also received visiting cards.
Some are scared, some are excited.
Some people try to avoid it, while others can't wait to attend the banquet tomorrow.
When Shen Yijie received the invitation, tears welled up in his eyes and he said with emotion: "After more than 20 years, I finally received the invitation from the Xu family. I have been waiting for this invitation for more than 20 years."
While expressing his feelings, Shen Yijie instructed: "Go to the storehouse and prepare a gift list. Ji Huai, you come with me to the banquet."
"Father, it's not that I don't want to go. It's just that I now hold an important position in the court. The situation of the Xu family is unclear at the moment. If I go rashly, I'm afraid it will have a bad impact on the court."
Shen Yichuan expressed his concerns.
Shen Yijie slapped him hard with his palm and questioned, "It's just the responsibility of supervising the country. What kind of important position is it? Why, do you think you can represent the royal family, or the emperor?"
Speaking of Shen Yichuan, Shen Yijie was filled with rage.
Few members of the Shen family entered officialdom, and even if they did, most of them served as imperial tutors.
The Xu family’s previous experience was still fresh in his mind, and Shen Yijie never wanted Shen Yichuan to enter the officialdom.
Unfortunately, too many people in the court had fallen in the past period of time, so Shen Yichuan took part in the national examination again, took the first place, and was recommended by the third prince Bei Yao, so he was given the responsibility of regent.
Having been in the court for several years, how could Shen Yijie not understand the emperor's plans?
But Shen Yichuan just plunged into it.
It was difficult to disobey the imperial order, so Shen Yijie could only hold back and not lose his temper.
But today, he really couldn't bear it.
Shen Yijie's reaction was far beyond Shen Yichuan's expectations.
Shen Yichuan immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "Father, calm down. Ji Huai meant that I am still investigating the case from that year. If I go to the Xu family for a banquet now, it will arouse suspicion."
"So, tell me, what are you going to do?"
"Not going to the banquet."
"You've really grown up and have your own ideas." Shen Yijie's face turned red with anger, "Is it true that even if I force you today, you won't go?"
Shen Yichuan slowly raised his head, straightened his back and said, "Yes."
"Not only should I not go, but my father shouldn't go either. There have been many rumors about the Xu and Shen families before. If I go now, it will only cause criticism. What's more, my aunt was engaged to Xu Ze before. If the Shen family goes to the banquet, what will the emperor think? And where does my father plan to put my aunt?"
Shen Yichuan's words were sonorous and powerful.
He looked at Shen Yiji, with a firm expression on his face that he had never had before.
"The Shen family is in a delicate position right now. Ji Huai understands that father and Xu Ze are close friends, but it is precisely because the two families are close friends that they should draw a clear line at this moment. Does father want to watch the Shen family become the next Xu family?"
"Ridiculous!" Shen Yijie slapped him, furious: "Shen Yichuan, how could I teach you to be like this?"
Shen Yiji's force was not small. Shen Yichuan tilted his head slightly, his face burning with pain. But no matter how much it hurt, it couldn't compare to the pain in his heart.
Shen Yichuan raised his hand and wiped the blood from the corner of his lips. Looking at the furious Shen Yijie, he asked, "I also want to ask my father, why did the Shen family choose to protect themselves more than 20 years ago, but now they are trying their best to help? Don't you think you are hypocritical? Or is it that my father is still thinking about the late emperor..."
"The traitor, the traitor!"
Shen Yijie slammed his palm heavily on the table, he sat up and shouted loudly: "Come here, take Shen Yichuan to the ancestral hall."
Outside the door, a group of servants looked at each other, and no one dared to go in.
Shen Yichuan exhaled lightly and said calmly, "Father, I have to go to court tomorrow. I'm afraid I can't enter this ancestral hall."
Hearing Shen Yichuan's words, Shen Yijie became even more furious and immediately said, "Shen Yichuan, you've really become more capable!"
"Father, you should ask yourself if you are biased. Why did you sit back and do nothing when others asked for help from the Shen family, but lost your sense of proportion when it came to the Xu family? Didn't father know? After Xu Ze returned to the capital, he united with his former ministers and got in touch with the ministers who were banished from the capital. There is a saying that a tall tree attracts the wind. I don't need Ji Huai to remind you, right? Father wants to help the Xu family, and Ji Huai also wants to protect the Shen family."
"Shen Yichuan, since you want to know so much, go to the ancestral hall and see your mother who has been kneeling for so many years."
After saying this, Shen Yijie felt like all the strength had been drained from his body.
He sat on the chair, looked at Shen Yichuan's back for a moment, and said, "Ji Huai, your father can't control you anymore. In the end, the Shen family is sorry for the Xu family..."