The news that everyone saw Lin Jinran and Tang Mingzhang privately dating under the marriage tree of Wan'an Temple spread quickly in the capital.
Everyone was shocked to hear this!
Lin Jinran was the most talented woman in the capital, so why did she fall in love with the ordinary Tang Mingzhang?
Not only that, there is no comparison between the two in terms of family background or family status.
This inevitably made everyone think that Tang Mingzhang wanted to rely on Lin Jinran to give Lin Taifu more help in the court.
Therefore, everyone said that Tang Dynasty was famous for its deep city and deep thoughts.
Of course, the emperor was even more angry about this matter.
The next day, the emperor called everyone who had witnessed all this into the palace and questioned them one by one.
In the emperor's opinion, so many young men and noble ladies from aristocratic families in the capital would not choose to go to Wan'an Temple at the same time.
And to meet Lin Jinran and Tang Mingzhang privately for life by such a coincidence, there must be another mystery behind it.
Zuo Huaian, Duan Aoxuan and others were first brought in for questioning. According to their words, it was because they played dice in Xiangsefang the day before and the loser had to climb the mountain where Wan'an Temple is located.
When they came down, they were extremely tired, and then happened to see a luxurious carriage outside the gate of Wan'an Temple, so they started betting again on who the noble girl who came to Wan'an Temple today was.
The emperor's face darkened when he heard these words, "As a member of a noble family, you spend your days living and drinking, I feel ashamed of you!"
Their fathers served the country and the people in the court, but their children had no future at all. The emperor was deeply worried about the future of Daqing.
They all knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe.
"Let's go, let's go!" The emperor sent them away with disgust.
Then, Eunuch Fu brought Qin Qianqian and Shen Yunshu into the imperial study.
The emperor's eyes glanced at the two of them, and finally fell on Shen Yunshu.
"Are you Shen Aiqing's daughter?"
Chen Yunshu took half a step forward, nodded and said, "My maid, Chen Yunshu, has met the emperor."
"You are covered in wounds, what's going on?" The emperor saw that Shen Yunshu's arms were bandaged and hung around his neck.
Shen Yunshu answered truthfully: "Back to the Emperor, my daughter and Miss Qin encountered robbers on their way to Wan'an Temple yesterday and were accidentally injured."
Yesterday, she expected that the emperor would summon them to the palace, so she made preparations in advance. After getting off the carriage, she deliberately rubbed her arms from time to time, and bandaged her arms after returning.
"How dare you commit a crime under my nose? It's unreasonable. Eunuch Fu, according to my decree, you must order the Ministry of Punishment to clear out the robbers in the suburbs!"
The emperor not only wanted to clean up these robbers, but also wanted to verify Shen Yunshu's words.
Duke Fu immediately responded with his voice raised: "I accept my order."
After that, the emperor asked Qin Qianqian and Shen Yunshu about going to Wan'an Temple.
Qin Qianqian also honestly told the emperor that she and Shen Yunshu had made an agreement a few days ago.
But the emperor was skeptical about this, because he had investigated that Qin Qianqian and Lin Jinran were close friends. Lin Jinran and Tang Mingzhang had a private life-long affair, and Qin Qianqian would not have known about it.
But no matter how much the emperor made innuendo, Qin Qianqian still couldn't find any loopholes in his answer.
Qin Qianqian even complained softly in front of the emperor, feeling that Tang Mingzhang was not worthy of Lin Jinran.
But this did not completely dispel the emperor's suspicion. Instead, the emperor shifted all doubts to Shen Yunshu.
Shen Yunshu is Shen Chenghai's daughter and Shen Yunjue's sister. She must know that he has called Shen Chenghai into the palace several times to discuss Shen Yunjue's marriage.
To prevent the marriage between Shen Yunjue and Lin Jinran, Shen Yunshu is the most suspicious.
"I heard that you gave up your marriage for your sister?" The emperor tried to break through Shen Yunshu's inner defenses.
Shen Yunshu pretended to be melancholy, "My sister has been without a father and a mother since she was a child. She is really pitiful, and I have grown up with my sister. If I can't even accomplish this, what qualifications do I have to be her sister?" "
The emperor looked at the expression on Shen Yunshu's face, "But you don't care if she wants to kill you?"
"Honestly, it's a lie that I don't care. When I found out the truth, I wanted to drive her out of the general's mansion and pretend that I never had this sister."
Shen Yunshu changed the topic and said heartbrokenly, "But Your Majesty, she has the protection of her father. What can I do as a minister? Are you going to disobey your father's words?"
The emperor had heard about this matter, and it was indeed Shen Chenghai's guarantee that Shen Qingyin was able to save his life.
"This is indeed something your father did wrong. I will definitely talk to him properly when I find an opportunity."
Shen Yunshu pretended to wipe away the tears on his face and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you."
"That's all, you all go back." The emperor knew that if he continued to ask, he wouldn't be able to get anything out of him.
Finally, he called Shen Chenghai and Taifu Lin.
The two stepped into the royal study and saw the emperor raising his hand to his forehead with a sad look on his face.
"Your Majesty, I don't know anything about my granddaughter's private life-long decision. However, as the only elder in my granddaughter's family, I will never admit that they have made a private life-long decision."
Taifu Lin was the first to express his attitude.
"You don't admit it." The emperor said solemnly: "It would be fine if no one knew about this matter, but so many people saw it at that time, do you think you can still give up?"
Taifu Lin retorted, "There is a precedent in the Daqing Kingdom for private life decisions, but it can only be true if there is a noble person to witness it."
As for Lin Jinran and Tang Mingzhang's private life-long commitment, no one came to bear witness for them. Even if they just saw it, it was of no use.
The emperor felt that what Taifu Lin said was reasonable, "But the matter has come to this. If we separate them forcibly, wouldn't it be like beating a mandarin duck with a stick?"
"Marriage matters have been dictated by parents and matchmakers since ancient times. If Ranran's parents are away, I can make the final decision for Ranran. After all, the emperor has already mentioned to me about marrying Ranran before." Lin Taifu said directly.
The emperor frowned slightly, thinking that Taifu Lin wanted to use him as a matchmaker?
"So Lin Aiqing never mentioned the marriage to Miss Lin?"
Taifu Lin didn't hide it either, "The old minister mentioned Ranran's marriage a little bit, but he didn't say anything about it."
The emperor thought about it, but Lin Jinran didn't have the courage to resist his marriage.
After a long time, the emperor turned his attention to Shen Chenghai again, "What does Shen Aiqing think of this move?"
"The emperor has granted marriage to two children. It is a great favor from the emperor. It is not too late for me to be happy for Jue'er." Shen Chenghai glanced at Taifu Lin and replied.
"So, the General's Office won't mind this matter?" The emperor felt much more comfortable instantly.
Shen Chenghai had a frank look on his face, "I have known Taifu Lin for several years. I know Taifu Lin's personality very well. Moreover, Miss Lin is one of the most talented women in the capital. I would like to have Miss Lin as the young lady of the General's Mansion."
The emperor was very satisfied with this, "Since the elders of both parties have no objections, I will draw up a decree to grant marriage to the two of them."
