The daily life of a concubine's daughter

Chapter 388 Another Big Trouble

The father and son first went to pay their respects to Zheng and Shi Mingwei, and then went to pay their respects to the old Duke and the Lady Dowager.

The lady has been getting worse these past few days. She is more drowsy than awake, cannot speak, eats little, and takes little medicine. She can't even sit up.

There is more air exhaling than air inhaling.

The old Duke knew that his wife was about to pass away, so he moved in with the old lady, living and eating with her, despite everyone's advice. Even when he couldn't eat, he would feed her first.

Shi Jizhen and Shi Mingwu knelt in front of the bed. Shi Mingwu had already cried with red eyes in the mourning hall. When he came in front of the old grandfather and the old lady, he barely held back his tears.

Shi Jizheng rested his forehead on the back of the lady's hand and said in a hoarse voice, "Father, Mother, I'm back late!"

The old Duke suddenly closed his eyes.

The second brother’s return means that the Shi family has completely given up military power.

It is almost impossible to go back and continue to serve as the general guarding the border.

He recalled that from his teenage years until eighteen years ago, he had fought in countless battles, big and small, throughout his life. In his later years, due to a momentary lapse of judgment, he made a wrong move and ended up in his current situation.

Zhuzhu set fire to the prince's mansion and fled secretly, which became the last straw that broke the camel's back for the Shi family and also took away the emperor's last bit of patience for the Shi family.

The old Duke regretted it deeply, but now it is too late to regret.

The lady moved her eyes and seemed to want to say something, but when she opened her mouth, no sound came out.

Shi Jizhen felt sorry for his old mother and burst into tears.

Shi Mingwu followed behind and sobbed.

The old Duke patted the lady's hand and said softly, "Don't worry, I'll say it for you. I know everything you want to say."

The lady nodded at him, with a turbid tear falling from the corner of her eye.

The old Duke raised his hand, wiped it for her with his thumb, and said in a deep voice: "Don't cry, crying is useless at this point.

It is rare for a person to live to be seventy years old. We, an old couple, have lived to this age and have enjoyed all the wealth and achievements we should have made. There is nothing to regret. We are already content. The only thing we are worried about is you.

When we die, you can divide the family property. You all have a rough idea of ​​the family property. If you are not sure about anything, ask Mingzhen. Mingzhen——"

Shi Mingzhen knelt forward, kowtowed, and said with tears in his eyes: "Grandfather, your grandson is here."

The old Duke said, "You used to be in charge of the family property. You know best how many properties there are in the family, big and small. While we are still alive, bring all the account books over and divide them up. Your grandmother and I will watch from the side."

Shi Mingzhen wiped away her tears and said, "Yes, grandson will go get the account book right away."

Just as he was about to leave, the old Duke said earnestly, "Mingzhen, you have become a merchant, and it is time for you to spend these days in decadence.

If you can't let go of Tao and the children, then go to them. After all, they are your own sons, so do whatever you can for them.

If you have let it go, then let it go completely, don't bother them mother and son, and marry another daughter-in-law to expand the Shi family."

Shi Mingzhen knocked his forehead to the ground and said: "Grandson will remember grandfather's good advice."

After bowing, he withdrew and called the housekeeper to bring the account books, land deeds, house deeds, etc.

The old Duke looked at his eldest son and said, "At fifty, one knows the will of heaven; at sixty, one's ears are obedient; at seventy, one can follow one's heart without breaking the rules. My dear, I remember that you are fifty this year, and you have reached the age of knowing the will of heaven.

You are the first child of your mother and me. We value you the most and have never hidden any important matters in our family from you.

At your age, you should know what to do and what not to do. You are the eldest and the Duke of Zhenguo. The burden of the family falls on you alone. Your father is sorry for you and has led you astray. I just hope you will stop being confused and wake up soon to protect the foundation of the Shi family."

The Duke of Zhenguo lowered his head, his eyes were stubborn and helpless, and he finally said with difficulty: "Father, I know what to do."

The old Duke paused for a moment before saying, "Remove Shi Mingzhu from the family tree."

The Duke of Zhenguo raised his head suddenly: "Father, no!"

Shi Mingwu and Shi Mingying said in unison: "Grandfather, Zhuzhu is dead, let her go this time! Besides, she is the concubine of King Cheng after all. If she is removed from the family tree, wouldn't it be a slap in the face of the royal family?"

The old Duke smiled bitterly: "Do you think the Emperor and Concubine Ning didn't know that it was Zhuzhu who set the fire? Do you think they didn't suspect Zhuzhu of eloping? It's not to mention that they even suspected Zhuzhu of eloping with someone.

The emperor allowed King Cheng to seal off the city and make trouble, which was a notice to the world. Zhuzhu set fire to the prince's mansion and escaped with the maid!

If it is found, it is death. If it cannot be found, what is the difference between hiding one's identity and being dead?

Besides, she is a person who refuses to settle down. If she returns to Beijing with... with that person one day, how will the world talk about our Shi family? Will the emperor let you off for the crime of deceiving the emperor?

In short, in the Shi family, she is a dead person. After we die, we will build a tomb for her next to us."

"Father!" The Duke of Zhenguo cried out in pain. He wanted to refute but couldn't.

He also saw the retreat in his sons and nephews' eyes.

No matter how much he doted on Zhuzhu, when the Shi family was in turmoil and his own life was threatened, how could he be willing to sacrifice himself and the lives of his parents and son to protect Zhuzhu?

Shi Mingwu raised his head and cried, "Grandfather, but Zhuzhu only has us. If we don't help her, what will she do in the future?"

Fu Nanjun lowered his eyes, his lips curled up in a sarcastic sneer.

The old Duke raised his hand and slapped him: "Shi Mingwu, you are unworthy of being the Crown Prince! Which is more important, Zhuzhu alone, or the lives of everyone in this room?"

Shi Mingwu's lips trembled. He dared not say a word, let alone look back at his wife and son's expressions.

He knelt upright, silently protesting the old Duke's decision.

Even if his grandfather beat him to death today, he would not give up his most beloved sister.

The old Duke took a few deep breaths and slapped himself in the face: "It's my fault! I, an old fellow, did something wrong. I deserve the consequences I have today!"

The sons and grandsons were all shocked and rushed forward to stop him, crying, "Father/Grandfather, your son/grandson is wrong, please don't hurt yourself!"

Shi Mingwu felt like he had a thorn in his back. Facing everyone's condemning gazes, he slapped himself several times and cried, "Grandfather, it was my fault! I will no longer have any connection with Zhuzhu. I will personally build a cenotaph for Zhuzhu."

The old Duke asked, "Why hasn't the impeachment memorial against the Fifth Prince, exposing his military service, been sent to the capital yet?"

Shi Jizheng was shocked: "How could it be? I wrote a letter of apology last month..."

He turned his head sharply to look at Shi Mingwu, his face full of disbelief, "I discussed and wrote this memorial with you. I asked you to submit it to the court, but you suppressed it?"

Shi Mingwu's eyes showed panic for a moment, and he looked at the Duke of Zhenguo evasively.

Shi Jizhen suddenly turned his head to look at the guilty Duke Zhenguo, and understood instantly.

It must be that Shi Mingzhu was attracted by the "eminent emperor's qualities" of the fifth prince Zhou Xu and persuaded the Duke of Zhenguo, who in turn persuaded Shi Mingwu, and finally Shi Mingwu suppressed the memorial.