Chapter 118: Inheriting the title
Shen Jingxuan looked at the person who came and saw that it was Eunuch Deng beside the emperor, and she understood.
Eunuch Deng bowed to Old Master Shen and said, "Old Master Shen, I have come to convey the emperor's will. I wonder if everyone in the mansion is present?"
"I'll have someone call them out right away." As soon as he finished speaking, Chuntao hurriedly ran into the mansion.
Seeing her understanding look, Shen Jingxuan couldn't help but wonder when this girl became so perceptive and proactive.
Eunuch Deng stood outside the mansion waiting. When he saw Chuntao coming out with Hao and Shen Xinglin, he said in a shrill voice, "The Emperor has ordered..."
In front of the Duke Zhenguo's Mansion, everyone who heard Eunuch Deng's loud shouts fell to their knees.
Seeing that everyone had knelt down, Eunuch Deng continued to read the imperial edict: "In compliance with the will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims that Shen Xinglin, the legitimate son of the Duke of Zhenguo, is handsome and gentle as jade, and is now specially named the Duke of Zhenguo and inherits the title. I decree..."
Just a few simple words showed how reluctant the emperor was and he was too lazy to even give a perfunctory response.
After Shen Xinglin stood up to receive the order, the others helped each other up. Shen Jingxuan glanced at Chuntao and saw that she was smiling so hard that her teeth were showing.
She looked at Chuntao in confusion, not understanding why she was so happy just because she was asked to give some reward to Eunuch Deng.
Chun Tao came to Eunuch Deng with a smile, bent down and saluted him: "Eunuch, you have worked hard, please take this and have some tea."
She covered the full bag of silver with her sleeve and put it into Eunuch Deng's hand.
Eunuch Deng didn't take it seriously at first. As the weight of the silver fell, his hands suddenly dropped and the silver almost fell off because he didn't use enough strength.
He glared at Chuntao. Couldn't this little girl give him a hint in advance? What if such a big bag of silver fell out?
But he was a little puzzled. The last time he was given a bank note, why was it changed into silver this time? If he had known it was silver, he would not have wasted any effort.
Eunuch Deng glared at Chuntao fiercely, said goodbye to Mr. Shen, and left with his group.
Chuntao touched her head innocently, not understanding why she glared at her when she was given banknotes and why she glared at her when she was given silver. Didn’t the young lady say last time that he thought it was too little?
But when I went to get the silver just now, I had already taken all the change I could, and I really couldn't exchange it for more.
With the departure of Eunuch Deng, the yamen runners also took Shen Jiande and his party back to the yamen to report. The front of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, which had been bustling for most of the day, finally returned to peace.
Mr. Shen brought his family to the front hall, and after sitting down he was still frowning.
"Grandfather, your title was given to Lin'er, aren't you happy?" Shen Jingxuan asked with a smile.
"You're talking nonsense..." Old Master Shen glared at Shen Jingxuan angrily. He had already said this before he realized what he had said.
"Pfft..." Old Madam Shen laughed out loud. Her granddaughter was always considerate. Although she always made her grandfather very angry, it was also this that made the haze in their hearts fade away instantly.
Shen Xinglin and Hao Shi had a hard time holding back their laughter, but they couldn't ignore Mr. Shen's reputation and laugh out loud like Old Madam Shen.
"Well, Lin'er has inherited the title today, he should be happy and not let other people affect his mood." Old Madam Shen consoled.
Mr. Shen took a breath and said seriously, "Lin'er, from now on, the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion will be handed over to you. Don't feel any pressure, just let it go."
He knew that Shen Xinglin was still young, so he couldn't ask too much of him, nor could he be too strict with him. Everything should be left to fate and depend on the luck of the Zhenguo Mansion.
Shen Xinglin didn't think so. He knelt down and kowtowed to Mr. Shen and Mrs. Shen, saying, "Grandfather and grandmother, I will study hard and bring honor to our family in the future."
"Good, good, you are worthy of being my grandson. Grandpa is waiting for you to bring honor to our family." Old Master Shen laughed heartily.
Having such an ambitious younger generation makes him proud. Even when he grows old and goes to the underworld, he will have the face to meet his ancestors.
Shen Jingxuan stepped forward and helped Shen Xinglin up: "Lin'er, when will your results be released?"
She thought about what Xie Lingxiao said about the academy, and she should also tell her grandparents. They would be very happy if they knew.
"Sister, there will be news tomorrow." He looked at Shen Jingxuan without blinking.
"Well, after tomorrow, you can go to the academy." Shen Jingxuan said.
Hao's brows gradually furrowed. Are they going to the academy? But it's not so easy to get into the academy.
Shen Xinglin's face fell. Although his sister believed that he would do well in the exam and he should be happy, he knew even more clearly how high the academy's requirements were for its students.
Even if the academic requirements for an ordinary academy are not very high, the amount of money required is beyond the ability of the current Duke Zhenguo's Mansion to afford.
Mr. Shen and Mrs. Shen have lived for most of their lives, so of course they know this truth, and they are also worried about this matter.
Even if some items, house deeds, and land deeds can be sold now, this is not a long-term solution. After all, the academy is not a place where you can go and leave as you please.
For a moment, everyone in the room looked sad and kept their heads down in silence.
Shen Jingxuan asked suspiciously, "Why are you not only unhappy but also frowning when Lin'er is going to the academy?"
"Sister, I'm still young. There's no rush to go to the academy. I'll go there after some time." Shen Xinglin suppressed his desire and said to Shen Jingxuan.
He couldn't let his sister, mother, and grandparents continue to worry about them because of him.
Just wait a little longer, until he grows up a little and becomes capable, then it will be in time for him to go to college.
Seeing that he was a little disappointed, Shen Jingxuan smiled and touched his head: "Lin'er, don't worry. I have my sister at home. I have already prepared the tuition for the academy for you."
"Our Lin'er just needs to study hard and do what he wants to do."
Mr. Shen and Mrs. Shen were shocked, and Mrs. Hao was so surprised that she stood up, but she did not ask any more questions and sat down silently again.
"Sister" Shen Xinglin's eyes were wet, he hugged Shen Jingxuan and cried bitterly.
This is my sister. No matter what happens, she will prepare herself in advance and never let herself worry about anything.
She stands in front of herself in everything, just to make herself happy, just to allow herself to do what she wants and be worry-free.
Shen Jingxuan's eyes were red: "Okay, you're already so old, why are you still crying?"
She turned around and looked at the people whose eyes were also red and said, "Grandfather, grandmother, mother, how about we send Lin'er to Shengshi Academy?"
"Shengshi Academy?" Old Master Shen stood up in disbelief. Is that a place they can go whenever they want?
When Shen Xinglin heard Shen Jingxuan's words, he stood there in a daze for a moment and forgot to cry.