kingnovel Chapter 1336 Following Your Heart
Chapter 1336 Following Your Heart
There are some things the Empress Dowager dares to say, but Shen Zheng dares not listen to.
She didn't dare ask the Empress Dowager what it meant to "all come to Tong'an County".
But the Empress Dowager began to explain herself: "Zheng'er, have you ever thought about how you would pass on this title if the Emperor were to bestow a peerage upon you in the future, especially if it were a hereditary peerage?"
Shen Zheng's eyes widened suddenly: "Your Majesty, how could His Majesty...?"
Even if the emperor wanted to promote her, there were so many obstacles. If he were to grant her a noble title, wouldn't Prime Minister Cui and his group have committed suicide to prove their loyalty?
impossible.
Shen Zheng felt from the bottom of her heart that it was impossible for her to be granted a title.
It's not that they don't trust the emperor, but rather that they trust Cui Xiang's faction too much.
With Cui Xiang and others around, the possibility of her being granted a title is almost zero.
“Anything is possible.” The Empress Dowager gazed at her. “If any woman in the Great Zhou wants to take that step, it can only, and must, begin with you. If that day truly comes, don’t you want to pass on the title and ensure there is a successor?”
The Empress Dowager's unwavering resolve caused Shen Zheng's originally firm belief to waver somewhat.
In the past, the Chinese people were known for their ability to rise to the top.
And now, with the system's support, she has been granted a noble title... It seems that, as the Empress Dowager said, it's not entirely impossible.
but......
"Is there anyone to carry on the torch?"
She had no intention of contradicting the Empress Dowager, but spoke the truth: "Your Majesty, I dare not think too far ahead, I only wish to do well and steadily in the present. I believe that as parents, we must first be self-reliant and strong before we can raise children; we must first uphold our principles and shoulder heavy responsibilities before we can raise pillars of the nation. If I myself have not yet established myself in the right way, even if I have offspring, it will be difficult to teach them to have the world in their hearts and not fail the people. I ask myself, how can I become a mother like you? Therefore... even if I am fortunate enough to receive a title in the future, I dare not let my own glory jeopardize the important task of inheritance."
These words left the Empress Dowager stunned, her eyes darkening.
Just when Shen Zheng thought she had persuaded the Empress Dowager, she saw the Empress Dowager tilt her head and directly confront Yu Shizhang: "Look at you! What kind of person have you raised Zheng'er to be!"
Shen Zheng: "?"
Yu Shizhang: "?"
After a moment of grievance, Yu Shizhang immediately lifted his robe and knelt down: "This old minister is foolish and dull..."
He didn't understand why the Empress Dowager would turn her attention to him when the person who was chattering away was Shen Zheng.
I clearly didn't say a single word!
The Empress Dowager gestured for Granny Chang to help him up, then looked him up and down before saying, "In recent years, there have been rumors in the capital that you do not intend to pass your title to your son. Is this true? If so, then..."
As she spoke, the Empress Dowager looked at Shen Zheng: "Zheng'er, did you listen to what I said?"
"Huh?" Shen Zheng and Yu Shizhang exclaimed in unison.
Yu Shizhang cried out in protest: "Your Majesty, it's not that this old minister doesn't want to pass it on, it's that rebellious son, he doesn't want it!"
Are the two things: not wanting to give and not being able to give?
Shen Zheng immediately nodded: "Your Majesty, I can testify that what the Earl said is true! Lord Yu Zhengqing does not want to be influenced by the Earl's Mansion and wants to establish himself in the court based on his own abilities."
"you......"
Looking at the two sincere-looking people in front of her, the Empress Dowager finally sighed and said irritably, "Among all the civil and military officials, how many people rack their brains to pass on their official positions and titles to their descendants for generations? But you two are different. One of you declined the title, and the other refused to inherit it! It's as if you're afraid that your descendants will benefit from your glory and live a peaceful life!"
Yu Shizhang looked aggrieved: "This old minister was acting passively, unlike Shen Zheng..."
The Empress Dowager laughed in exasperation: "No need for further words. The inability to pass on the title is your problem."
Yu Shizhang sighed helplessly.
He must be the first earl in history to have his hereditary title become his own.
After thinking it over for a while, he secretly comforted himself—it's okay, at least there's no precedent for this.
As for whether anyone followed suit...
He looked at Shen Zheng.
Shen Zheng sat in an extremely obedient posture, as if afraid that he would divert trouble and bring trouble upon himself.
The Empress Dowager's gaze lingered on the two of them for a moment before she spoke: "Zheng'er, there are some things I will say directly to you and the Earl of Yongning today."
Shen Zheng sat up even straighter: "Your Majesty, please speak. Your humble servant is all ears."
The Empress Dowager remained calm, but her words were shocking: "You hold a high position and have a bright future. For you, a man should be your own, but a child is not necessarily yours. As a woman myself, I know the hardships of childbirth, so I do not advise you to get married and have children. I only wish to have a few close friends by your side to keep you company and relieve your boredom."
As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Zheng felt as if she had been struck by lightning for the second time that day.
She thought she had misheard: "A child...a child can't be your own?"
The Empress Dowager nodded.
Ignoring the shocked looks on Shen Zheng and Yu Shizhang's faces, she continued, "As long as you are willing to call someone 'child,' then that child is the one you carried for ten months and gave birth to with great difficulty. No one else can or dares to question it."
Shen Zheng's world was shaken.
I knew the Empress Dowager was progressive and insightful, but I never imagined she could be so... insightful.
Yu Shizhang listened intently, barely daring to breathe. The teacup he had just picked up hung in mid-air, and he was as stiff as a stone statue.
The Empress Dowager glanced at him lightly: "What? Do you think my actions are against moral principles?"
Yu Shizhang's hand holding the teacup trembled.
again!
You can't bear to be mean to Shen Zheng, so you just throw all your harsh words at him, right?
Oh, it's okay.
He Yu Shizhang.
He's an easy target!
Make it however you like!
"Your Majesty, I have no such intention whatsoever!"
A heartfelt word earned her trust: "That's good. Lord Yongning, I know that Zheng'er treats you like family, which is why I didn't hide my feelings from you when I said this. You... must not betray Zheng'er's sincerity and my trust."
Yu Shizhang understood the Empress Dowager's unspoken meaning in just half a breath—"If word gets out, it will be because of you, Yu Shizhang!"
His mouth tasted bitter.
Honestly, he found it difficult to accept the Empress Dowager's remarks in the short term.
But if one day, Shen Zheng suddenly brought over a swaddled baby, pointed to the infant in the swaddle and said to him, "Lord, this is my newborn."
He thought he would accept this "fact" without hesitation.
And all he would do would be investigate the baby's background so that Shen Zheng would have no worries at all.
Ugh......
It's hard to be a person, and it's even harder to be Shen Zheng's elder!
"Your Majesty, please rest assured." He put the teacup back and looked at Shen Zheng: "No matter what happens, this old minister will protect Shen Zheng."
Shen Zheng was both surprised and touched.
The Empress Dowager continued, "Zheng'er, I brought these portraits not to force you to marry, nor to make you bring home a child to raise. I simply want to tell you that your future is limitless. In your actions, you don't need to care about others' opinions, nor do you need to abide by certain rules that seem to be for your own good but are actually meant to take advantage of you. From now on, act according to your heart, not only for the people but also for yourself. Whether you want to marry or have children, follow your own heart."