Shen Chen mentioned this matter to Princess Linjiang when the whole family gathered for dinner. His words were very polite. He just said that his mansion was in need of some capable and literate maids to clean the study, so he wanted to ask Princess Linjiang for someone.
Princess Linjiang frowned and put down the bowl. She searched his face inquiringly. After confirming his expression, she asked, "It's not a big deal. There are many literate maids in the mansion. If you want, I'll ask Mother Qin to pick a few for you."
As she spoke, she glanced at King Linjiang and added calmly, "It's just that... we are one family and don't have different opinions. This is also your home, where you grew up. Although it's nice over there, you are the only one living there. How can it feel like a home? Your father is worried too. If you don't mind the past, why don't you move back?"
Everyone looked up at her and Shen Chen with different thoughts.
When Prince Linjiang heard her say this, he smiled and continued the conversation in a rare warm tone: "Yes, after all, it is more comfortable to live at home. If you open a residence on your own and have to take care of everything by yourself, what will you do when you get married in the future? It will not look good without someone in charge."
Indeed, almost all the members of the Shen family were dead, and many of them were the clansmen who followed Shen Liang and Feng to take advantage of the situation. How could these people still have contact with each other
If Shen Chen sets up his own house, there will be many inconveniences when he wants to get married, as he doesn't even have an elder who can arrange his wedding for him.
As for Princess Linjiang, is it possible that she should go to the Marquis of Pingxi's mansion to arrange the wedding? This is not in accordance with the rules. By then, Princess Linjiang will probably be ready to enter the harem.
It was rare for Chu Jingwu to see his mother being so close to Shen Chen, and his father also looked like he was willing to listen to her. He couldn't help but feel a little hopeful. He glanced at Shen Chen and winked at him.
Princess Linjiang has really changed a lot recently. Not only has she less control over him and promised not to arrange a marriage for him, but she has also treated Shen Chen completely differently and no longer speaks coldly or mocks him.
But she wasn't too close or too eager.
But it was precisely because of her not-too-enthusiastic attitude that Chu Jingwu felt more relieved. It was okay. It was understandable that she couldn't let go of the hatred from the past. After all, the dead Chu Jingxing was her closest and most caring son. As long as she could maintain this superficial harmony and not make excessive calculations against Shen Chen, he would be very satisfied.
And now that Princess Linjiang said that Shen Chen should come back, he was even more delighted.
No matter what, he always hoped that Shen Chen could treat his mother as his mother as before, and that they could have no barriers between each other like when they were children.
Concubine Yu also turned her head slightly to look at Chu Jingan and gave him a wink.
Princess Linjiang is really good at putting on a good show. It has only been a short time, but she has really become better at it. In the past, when facing Shen Chen, her eyes were not eyes, and her nose was not a nose. Even when she had just returned from Jiujiang and had to put on a show, there were many unnatural signs. But now, in just a short time, he has been able to act with ease, and there is no flaw on his face, nor any signs of deliberate affectation.
If she didn't know the background of this girl who was valued by Shen Chen, she would really think that Princess Linjiang was unwilling to give her to someone.
She couldn't help but sigh in her heart.
Shen Chen shook his head and laughed, "Father, besides, the opening of the palace was ordered by the emperor himself, and the ceremony of recognizing the ancestors was so grand. Everyone in the world knows that I have returned to the Shen family ancestral hall. If I come back again, it will be inappropriate. Not to mention that if I come back now, the emperor will probably feel that some people will not like me, and even you will be criticized."
Even if it was Emperor Longqing's biological son who ascended the throne, it would stand to reason that he should not have implemented the previous emperor's decrees for a few years, not to mention the sensitive identity of Prince Linjiang.
It would be better for Emperor Longqing not to change his decision, otherwise the old ministers under him would always have something to say.
This was also the method he had discussed with Old Lady Wei and Prince Zheng to deal with Prince Linjiang asking him to return to the mansion. Seeing Prince Linjiang sigh, he said, "You raised my son. No matter what, as long as you say a word, no matter where he is, he is still your son. Why should we care whether he lives in the mansion or not? Besides, just like my younger brothers, when they grow up, they will also go out and open their own mansions. You should think that I was too early."
He then looked at Princess Linjiang and said softly, "Thank you for your kindness, Princess. If you really love me, why not let me pick a few suitable maids to serve me? The maids trained in our palace are always much better than those outside. I feel at ease using them."
These words made people feel comfortable. Prince Linjiang looked at Princess Linjiang and said, "If you have time, please help Achen."
Princess Linjiang didn't say anything else. She raised her eyebrows and looked back at Shen Chen and asked him, "I wonder if Achen has any other requests? Do you want a nanny? Do you want to select a few wives of the housekeepers?"
Shen Chen shook his head and looked at Princess Linjiang: "By the way, last time my son was drunk, a maid came to deliver a letter for me. She can read. I think she is not bad. Princess, why don't you count her as one of them?"
Princess Linjiang seemed to understand something and frowned: "There are so many maids in the mansion... Do you know their names?"
"It seems her name is something like... Qingshuang." Shen Chen looked straight at Princess Linjiang, and when he saw her expression change, he immediately said, "I heard that she also served you before, that's even better, let's pick her, I'm just in need of a capable maid."
Princess Linjiang was reluctant and immediately declined: "Why not choose someone else? This girl... I have some impression of her, she doesn't seem to be a good one. Some time ago, she seemed to be burning paper at home and was discovered. It's dry and dry now. If there is a gust of wind and water, it will not be fun. How can I take good care of you if I am so careless? It's better..."
Before she could finish, Shen Chen interrupted her and said, "Princess, you are worrying too much. I think she is good. These minor flaws do not outweigh her merits. I think she is pleasing to the eye."
Princess Linjiang's expression suddenly turned extremely ugly. She held back her anger and said nothing, but she also did not agree.
The atmosphere immediately became awkward.
Prince Linjiang also keenly noticed that something was wrong. He turned his head to look at Shen Chen, then looked at Princess Linjiang, and made a decision: "It's no big deal. Since Achen thinks it's her, then it's her. If there are others who don't know the rules, just ask a few maids to teach them again." (To be continued)