Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

"Dad, I want to seek an opportunity to be sent out. First, to stay away from the vortex of power and avoid the limelight temporarily. Second, I can also make plans outside. In case of unexpected situations, our Shen family will have a way out." Shen Qinghe expressed his thoughts calmly.

Shen Huaizhong pondered for a moment, "This year, many local officials returned to Beijing to report on their work, and they all need to move around the local areas. Choosing this time to go out is a good opportunity."

Shen Huaizhong said as he spread out a map on the desk and circled a few places with his hands. "Have you decided where you want to go?"

Shen Qinghe pointed to Zhili Province on the map and said, "The post of Governor-General of Zhili has been vacant for a long time. My son is thinking about moving here."

After hearing this, Shen Huai was silent for a moment, then tapped the table lightly with his fingers, as if thinking about something.

After a while, he slowly spoke, "A while ago in the Imperial Study, the Minister of Personnel recommended his relative to fill the position of Governor-General of Zhili. Although His Majesty didn't agree immediately, it seems to be a good idea. If I had recommended you this time, not only would the Minister of Personnel cause trouble, but His Majesty would also have to use you against me."

Sheng Qinghe said "Oh", "Son, I didn't know there was such a thing. Although we don't have to be afraid of the Minister of Personnel, you are currently competing with Prime Minister Su. It is not worth offending him for this position."

Shen Qinghai also frowned and echoed with a worried look, "Yes, Zhili is too close to the capital. If you do something outrageous today, the impeachment memorial will be sent to the Imperial Study tomorrow. The risk is too great. It's better to pick a place farther away."

Shen Huaizhong pondered for a moment, then suddenly slammed his hand on the table and decisively decided, "Go to Shandong! The current Shandong Governor is Prime Minister Su's man. If we can find a way to transfer him to Zhili, we can get Prime Minister Su to arrange for you to go to Shandong. This will not only avoid a direct conflict with Your Majesty, but also help to alleviate the conflicts within the Ministry of Personnel."

Shen Qinghe nodded slightly and said firmly, "Shandong is indeed a good choice. It's neither too close nor too far from the capital, making it a good choice for both attack and defense. Furthermore, Shandong is close to the sea, so if the worst happens, heading overseas is also a good option."

Hearing this, Shen Huaizhong placed the teacup in his hand heavily on the desk, making a dull sound.

He frowned and said seriously, "If you have such thoughts, you should resign as soon as possible. The Shen family has a deep and extensive foundation, and the Empress Dowager is supporting them in the palace. It is impossible for them to go to the point you mentioned."

Shen Qinghe responded softly, "Father, I'm just being cautious. Our emperor has become increasingly incompetent. He's been refusing to attend court in recent days, claiming illness. It's said he's been staying in Concubine Qin's palace all day."

Shen Qinghai was very surprised when he heard this and couldn't help asking, "Isn't Concubine Qin already seven or eight months pregnant?"

Shen Qinghe leaned close to Shen Qinghai's ear and whispered in a low voice, "I heard this is called a lucky charm bead. Your Majesty, it's very novel."

Shen Qinghai then asked, "Doesn't the Empress Dowager care about this matter?"

Shen Qinghe replied helplessly, "We can control her, but our emperor is not someone who can be easily controlled. Moreover, judging by the degree of favor his emperor has for Concubine Qin, if she gave birth to a boy, she might really be able to compete for that position!"

Shen Qinghe raised his hand and pointed to the sky.

Shen Huaizhong's face also turned dark blue: "These palace affairs cannot be discussed even in your own home! Also, you should not ask about the palace, don't leave any handles."

Shen Qinghai and Shen Qinghe responded in unison.

Finally, with the joint efforts of Shen Huaizhong and Su Xiang, Shen Qinghe finally got the position of Governor of Shandong.

……

In Songhe Hall, Mrs. Shen Er brought Shen Chuning to pay her respects to Mrs. Shen.

"Mother, in a few days, my husband will be leaving for Shandong to take up his new post. I, your daughter-in-law, want to go with him, so I'm here today to return the stewardship to you."

As Mrs. Shen Er said this, she placed the housekeeper's pair of cards on the table in front of Mrs. Shen.

Madam Shen's face fell, "I'm still sick, do you want me to be the housekeeper?"

In fact, Old Madam Shen was pretending to be sick. She only continued to pretend to be sick to save face because all the maids and servants around her were fired by Shen Huaizhong and there was no one left to use.

If he declared himself recovered at this time, and a lady came to visit him, or he was invited to a banquet or something, there would only be two big maids left in Songhe Hall except for two maids who cleaned the hall.

He doesn't even have a maid. He's so poor. If people knew about it, he would be laughed at by the whole capital.

Moreover, Mrs. Shen Er came from a merchant family and was exposed to the family business since childhood, so she was very good at housekeeping and doing business.

It is precisely because she manages the Shen Mansion inside and out that the Shen family can live an increasingly luxurious life.

Madam Shen Er naturally understood what Madam Shen meant, but she refuted without hesitation: "My husband is going to take up his post alone, and I am really worried about him. I must go with him to pack up and make arrangements myself."

At this time, Old Lady Shen was also very angry about the Shen family's rule of not allowing concubines.

If Shen Qinghe had a concubine, he could take her with him to take up his post, leaving Yun Shuxuan in the mansion to continue working like a slave.

So, she said unhappily, "Why not hand over the housekeeping power to your sister-in-law first, and come back after you have made all the arrangements in Shandong."

Mrs. Shen nodded in agreement quickly, but she was secretly thinking that once she arrived in Shandong, when to return to the capital would depend entirely on her own wishes.

"Besides you, who else do you plan to take with you to Shandong this time?" Old Lady Shen asked immediately.

"Chengshan and Chengwu both have jobs, so they naturally cannot leave the capital. So this time my daughter-in-law plans to take Chengliu and Xiaojiu with her." Mrs. Shen replied with a smile.

"You just need to take Xiaoliu with you. Boys should also gain some experience outside. The road to Shandong is long and the journey is tiring. Xiaojiu, a girl, can't bear the hardship." Old Lady Shen said unhappily.

"Grandma, just let Aning go. Aning has been to her grandparents' home in Jinling with her parents and brothers before. Jinling is much farther away than Shandong, and Aning didn't feel tired at all." Shen Chuning said coquettishly.

Although she was acting coquettishly on the surface, she no longer had the same admiration for him as before in her heart.

Madam Shen touched Shen Chuning's hair and said, "My dear little Jiu, I can't bear to leave you. Why don't you stay at home with me?"