Four hundred and thirtieth chapters top door (three)
In the tenth month of the seventeenth year of Hongzhi's reign, Shen Cang, the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, died.
Shen Cang, courtesy name Runmin, was born in Daxing County, Shuntian Prefecture, and his ancestral home was Huating County, Songjiang Prefecture. He was the great-great-grandson of Shen Du, a scholar in charge of serving as a lecturer, and the son of Shen Bang, the general political envoy. He was born as a Jinshi in the 11th year of Chenghua, and was initially assigned to the Department of Household Affairs, Yunnan Qing Li Division. In charge, Ding's father was worried about Ding's mother's hardship, so he was reinstated. He was promoted to Shanxi Secretary Yuanwailang, Langzhong, Shanxi Chief Secretary Councilor, and Honglu Temple Minister. In the eighth year of Hongzhi, he was promoted to the Right Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs. In the ninth year of Hongzhi, he was promoted to the Left Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs. In the fourteenth year, he was promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Punishment.
On the fifty-fifth year of his death, the obituary was announced. He left the court for one day to offer sacrifices, and sent ritual officials to discuss the sacrifices. He also ordered a minister to organize the funeral. He was given the title of Doctor Guanglu and given the posthumous title of Wenping. His younger brother Run was appointed as a member of Zhongshushe.
Although it was established in the Ming Dynasty that posthumous titles were awarded to third-rank officials, not everyone could use this word. The convention was posthumous titles for ministers. Only ministers of third-rank or higher grades who were born in the Hanlin Academy were eligible for posthumous titles. Basically, ministers in the cabinet were posthumous titles. However, posthumous titles are not allowed. Special words for ministers may be based on hard work, integrity, or long-term vision, and may be used to express encouragement and reward in an exceptional manner.
Although Shen Cang was a second-class Jinshi, he was not from the Imperial Academy, and his posthumous title was already the most beautiful one. As for the word "ping", the word "Ping" means "Ping" for deacons and rules, and "Ping" for setting rules and disciplines, which is consistent with Shen Cang's status as Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment.
Inside and outside the Shangshu Mansion, the eyes are full of plain things.
In the officialdom, people often leave the country, but Shen Cang settled in the capital during his father's generation. Both his father and his son reached the high position of Jiuqing. Several generations of in-laws have been in the capital, most of them from official families. In addition, although he resigned twice before, he resigned The minister was still in the middle school. Until his death, he was still the minister. He was the chief officer of the Six Departments and Jiuqing Yamen. Regardless of whether he had any previous friendship with the Shen family, how good the friendship was, and whether he was willing or not, he had to come and do favors. As a result, the Shen family is full of visitors these days.
When the angel descended, bringing with him posthumous gifts and posthumous titles, more and more relatives paid homage to him. For example, the elders of the Qiao family became so sad that they no longer just sent their juniors over, but came to pay homage in person.
It's just that whether it's Shen Zhou or Shen Rui, their uncles and nephews are more than polite to the Qiao family in front of others, but not close enough.
Seeing this, the guests who came to pay homage didn't know that there was a rift between the two families. Thinking that the Qiao family only sent their juniors before the imperial edict was issued, everyone felt that the Qiao family was too snobbish.
The closest in-laws of the Shen family are the Yang, He, and Qiao families. Now that the He family is gone, and the Qiao family is like this, it actually makes the Yang family stand out.
Not only did Yang Zhen come in person every time there was a big memorial ceremony, but Mrs. Yang and the two young masters of the Yang family were also here to help. Although Shen Cang died, Yang Zhen was still in the position of minister in Dali Temple, and the junior officials and juniors who came to pay homage performed the ceremony. He became more respectful
As for the other Yang family, after all, it is not like the Yang Zhen family and the Shen family who are not just in-laws but have been close relatives for many years. However, every time there is a memorial ceremony, there are people from the Yang family who come to visit.
When Shen Cang passed away, neither the third master nor Mrs. Xu looked good, and everyone was worried. However, seeing that Mrs. Xu became more tenacious and survived day by day; the third master was not so good, and he managed to hold on for half a day. Just bedridden.
Fortunately, Shen Zhou and Shen Rui were here, as well as brothers Shen Li, Shen Ying and other clan brothers came to visit. In addition, the blessing materials and other things had been prepared, so the funeral arrangements were organized in an orderly manner.
However, when the angel descended and the imperial court favored him, he turned out to be a cute younger brother rather than a cute son. All relatives and friends inside and outside looked at him with suspicion.
High-ranking officials have always had cute sons or grandsons. It is rare to see cute siblings like this after death.
In addition, Shen Rui was not Shen Cang's biological son, but his heir, and there had been various speculations. Not to mention others, even the Guo family was worried when they learned about this.
During the "First Seven" burning ceremony, Mrs. Guo brought her daughters-in-law over and quietly asked Shen Rui about the matter.
"Brother Rui, what's wrong with you to fall into the eyes of Master Cang and make him dislike you?" Guo sent everyone away and asked straight to the point.
In Guo's heart, in addition to being worried about Shen Rui, she was also dissatisfied with her second wife. Even if Shen Rui really didn't like Shen Cang's heart, she just saw that he had to establish a family at a young age, so she should be kinder. Shen Rui could only be the heir. It is too unfair to take care of the whole family, and the benefits belong to others.
Shen Rui said hurriedly: "Don't worry, aunt, I have discussed it with my master to let third uncle Mengguan... I need to keep my filial piety, and second uncle has decided to be released. Third uncle is just raising people, so it is inconvenient to go out and socialize..."
Hearing this, Mr. Guo's expression softened slightly, but still showed a bit of anger: "But since you have become the heir of Mr. Cang and inherited the incense in this house, this favor should be yours... I asked your elder brother Ying However, the people in the middle school and the two halls are selected by the Jinshi Ministry, and the two houses do not need to be selected by the ministry. Anyone who is a student, a supervisor, a Confucian student, or even a commoner who can write can be selected. Even if it is to establish a foothold in the capital in the future, But Brother Meng Rui, isn’t it justifiable to change the name?
When the older generation dies, many brothers have to separate their families, and not many continue to live together. It is not easy for the three brothers of the Shen family to continue to live together without separation after their parents died.
But there are several brothers living together, but there is no reason for uncles and nephews to live together. Sooner or later, the Shangshu Mansion will separate the families.
The favor falls on the third master. It seems that it is convenient for someone to support the capital after Shen Zhou takes office. In the long run, the small three-bedroom house will be cheaper. The small long house where Shen Rui is located still needs Shen Rui's efforts. Study and earn a future.
The road to the imperial examination is long and difficult. Who can guarantee that Shen Rui will be successful in the imperial examination and become a Jinshi?
If Shen Cang is stuck in the provincial examination or the general examination, what will he do in the future?
Although Mr. Guo could not say whether the deceased was dead or not, his eyes towards Shen Rui became more and more loving.
Heirs are in trouble, there are brothers there, and here they are heirs without blood. Regardless of the rationale, Guo doesn't believe it at all if Shen Cang does not have selfish motives.
Seeing Shen Rui's eyes turning green due to hard work attending the funeral, Mrs. Guo felt extremely sad.
Poor child, in the eyes of outsiders, he has become a high-ranking heir, but who can see the hardships inside and outside here?
Mr. Guo was sad about this matter, Mr. Xie was surprised in front of others, but privately said to Shen Li: "Master, let's see, this matter must be Uncle Rui's idea. Otherwise, as a rich uncle, he would never act like this. I would have done it long ago." I told the master that Uncle Rui is a man who has his own plans... Even if this favor falls on Uncle Rui now, he will start to worry about it. But the uncle of the three tribes is different... Others may be curious about a two-person man. Fangshe people, since Uncle Rui is determined to take the imperial examination, how can he be willing to give up the right path..."
Shen Li said disapprovingly: "Isn't this an advantage? The uncle of the three tribes is weak and can't afford food, so he will try hard, otherwise he wouldn't have stopped for more than ten years without ever ending..."
The examination is in February, and February in the capital is the season when the weather is warm and then turns cold. Every time the examination is held, only one or two candidates are carried out, and it is not uncommon for people to die just like that. It is really like trying to survive. Good people will lose half of their lives when they come out. A life, not to mention a body and bones like the Third Master's, if he really ends up, it's like a gamble between life and death.
Mrs. Xie knew that her husband couldn't bear to hear Shen Rui's bad words, so she just sighed and said: "Although it is a good thing for the uncle of the three tribes, the uncle of the three tribes is a noble scholar and has his own character. It is uncomfortable to think that he has accepted such a great favor from his nephew for nothing... I'm afraid I won't be able to be tough in front of Uncle Rui from now on..."
Shen Li did not answer, but looked straight at his wife.
Xie noticed something was wrong, pursed her lips, and whispered: "Master..."
Shen Li solemnly said: "Although I don't know why you don't like Brother Rui, I have been greatly favored by my aunt. I swore before my aunt's death that I would treat Brother Rui as a brother... I was protected by Uncle Cang before, so it's not my turn. What can I do for Brother Rui? Now that Uncle Cang is gone, I will do my best to protect Brother Rui until the end."
Mrs. Xie said sarcastically: "I am not displeased with my second uncle Rui... What a pity. I was originally my aunt's treasure, my sweetheart, and was raised like a pampered child. However, after going through many hardships, my temperament changed drastically, and I did something that was neither embarrassing nor embarrassing." Heir..."
She said this, but she couldn't hide her disgust in her heart.
At first, Mrs. Xie was not happy with Shen Rui because he diluted her husband's love for their children; later, she felt that Shen Rui had an eccentric temperament, no youthful nature, and was tolerant and repressed.
However, even if a teenager in his teens experiences the pain of losing his mother, how can he be pitiful if he has relatives like the Guo family to take care of him?
Such pretense is just a deliberate attempt to attract the favor of your parents.
In the past few years since Shen Rui came to Beijing, relatives mentioned that he was "sensible, filial," and "mature and prudent." Mr. Xie looked on with cold eyes, but always felt that he was naive on the outside and cunning on the inside.
It is said that "a prodigal son will never be replaced by gold", but there is also an old saying among the people that "you will see your old age when you are three years old". Judging from Shen Rui's reputation as a domineering and arrogant person when he was young, he seems to be honest on the surface now.
There is no shortage of people in the officialdom who meet people who think the same thing but don't think the same way. Xie is not worried that her husband will suffer a loss. After all, Shen Li can win the top prize and is much smarter than the average person. But Shen Rui is different. How could Mr. Xie not be wary of a defenseless person?
It's a pity that Shen Li really can't understand Xie's intentions.
Seeing his wife's insincere expression, Shen Li shook his head and said, "You don't need to force yourself, I won't let Brother Rui come home again in the future..."
Mr. Xie was startled when he heard this, and couldn't help but feel joy on his face. Then he heard Shen Li continue: "I will go there often to see Brother Rui in the future, so I don't have to open my eyes when Uncle Cang is gone, so Thinking of bullying orphans and widows...
Is this to protect the Shangshu Mansion, not just Shen Rui? Isn't this more laborious than taking care of Shen Rui?
Mrs. Xie smiled intently and said hurriedly: "I have really been wronged by you. I don't have any siblings. I only treat Uncle Rui as my brother. Naturally, I also treat my uncle Rui as my brother-in-law. I will celebrate my birthday at these four o'clock." , have I ever been negligent? I just had some small qualms. I felt that the master was spending too much time on Uncle Rui, even Brother Xiao Lin and his three brothers and sisters were left behind. But it was just a small quarrel in my heart, so I did it again. What? Why didn’t you ask Uncle Rui to come to your door?”
After being married for more than ten years, why doesn't Shen Li understand what it all boils down to?
Since Shen Rui is the son of a loving family, if Mrs. Xie is truly grateful to Mrs. Sun, needless to say, she will "love the house as much as the crow" and treat Shen Rui as if she were his own flesh and blood; but now, Mrs. Xie has treated Shen Rui as a matter of face in the past seven years, either because of other reasons or because of it. She and her husband had different views on how to deal with the Sun family.
In Xie's view, Sun's treatment of her husband was nothing more than a small effort, a few taels of silver, and a few feet of cloth; to Shen Li, Sun and he did not live together, and they could provide food, clothing, and study. From the time he went to Chunwei High School, it was not three or five months, nor was it one year, two years, or ten or twenty years. This is not nourishing grace, what is nourishing grace?
Over the years, Shen Li has been nice to his wife, but things in this world are hard to come by, and now he is too lazy to force her. He lowered his eyes, picked up the tea cup, and drank the tea one bite at a time.
Xie felt a fist falling on the cotton, and she couldn't help but feel guilty...