Chapter 0096: The Shen Residence on High Alert, the Shen Family Retreats to the Background
“Father…”
Su Qinghe clenched his fists. As a son under his father’s authority, he could not expose this lie before the Second Prince, yet he had already promised His Highness to spare no effort in helping to facilitate this matter…
Most crucially, he could not understand why his father was unwilling to promote Arithmetic Studies.
Was this not a beneficial endeavor for both the nation and its people?
Hadn’t their Su Family always been willing to share the court’s burdens and promote policies that benefited the people?
Biting his lower lip, Su Qinghe stepped forward and, under that authoritative gaze, spoke in a stiff tone, “Your son believes the Second Prince’s words are not without reason. The path of arithmetic brings great benefits to both the state and the people. I implore Father to carefully consider this matter.”
“This subject will consider it. However, there are indeed urgent matters to attend to today, so I shall not detain the Second Prince further.” Su Zhongyue bowed and made a “please” gesture, his attitude clearly resolute.
With matters having reached this point, Xie Chengze knew it would be imprudent to press further. “Very well, then this prince shall take his leave.”
After speaking, he glanced briefly at Su Qinghe.
Su Qinghe failed to notice this glance. As if all strength had been drained from his body, he stood rigidly with bowed head, his eyes filled with disappointment and self-reproach, along with incomprehensible confusion that left him adrift like floating wood on the sea, unsettled and anchorless.
Xie Chengze withdrew his gaze, turned, and strode out of the Su residence.
Before boarding his carriage, he looked back at the black wooden plaque above the grand entrance of the Su residence.
The winter night was long, and dawn had yet to break. Before the mansion gates, the crimson lanterns hung high still flickered with unextinguished candlelight, illuminating the black wooden plaque with brilliant clarity.
The golden characters “Su Residence” on the plaque were written with powerful, sweeping strokes, meticulously maintained by the servants without a speck of dust. The red candlelight filtering through the lanterns made them shine radiantly…
And also stained them with a crimson hue.
He pondered for a long while before finally withdrawing his gaze and stepping into the carriage.
“To the Shen residence,” he said.
…
The Second Prince’s unannounced arrival put the entire Shen residence on high alert. The Shen family members were on edge, nervously and respectfully ushering Xie Chengze into the main hall.
Though the Shen family lacked the historical prestige of the Su family, they still counted among the prominent aristocratic families holding up half of Jingcheng’s social scene.
Shen Yuan’s grandfather, Shen Zheng, had served as Grand Tutor to the previous generation, successively advising Emperor Jian and the Crown Prince. Shen Yuan’s father was Grand Master of the Palace Shen Zhenpei, a subordinate official to the Chamberlain of the Palace, holding a mid-level official rank that didn’t disgrace the family’s standing.
It was said that the Shen family originally came from a modest scholarly family in Fengyang County, Haozhou. Known for their pure and virtuous family traditions, they often set up teaching platforms outside their residence to provide education for those too impoverished to afford tuition fees but who were diligent and eager to learn.
During the previous emperor’s humble beginnings, though he lived as a beggar, he frequently attended these lectures and benefited greatly. The Shen family, recognizing his studious nature and moved by compassion for his talent, occasionally provided him with food and supplies to support his pursuit of knowledge.
Later, when war erupted during the previous dynasty’s collapse and the people suffered immensely, rebel armies rose up everywhere. Among them were unscrupulous elements who committed atrocities under the pretext of overthrowing the tyrant, burning, killing, and looting upon entering Fengyang city.
The Shen family was completely plundered, and their womenfolk nearly suffered terrible fates due to their exceptional beauty and refinement. Fortunately, the previous emperor arrived with his band of beggar companions and swiftly eliminated the rebel soldiers who had broken into the Shen residence.
Later, when the late emperor intended to carry out a rebellion, Shen Zheng persuaded many renowned scholars to surrender and join him, following the late emperor in gathering troops to march north and overthrow the tyranny. After entering the capital, the Su Family took over the task of building momentum for the late emperor, while the Shen Family retreated to the background and began assisting the young Emperor Jian.
It could be said that the late emperor and the Shen Family complemented each other. Shen Zheng watched the late emperor grow into an enlightened ruler and, coupled with the fact that the emperor had saved the Shen Family, remained exceptionally loyal to him. This is why the Shen Family’s motto became: “Loyal but not stubborn, strategic but not rebellious.”
Loyal, but not blindly so; loyal, yet at times foolishly so.
Thus, when Shen Yuan saw Xie Chengze and, without even offering a formal greeting, directly asked, “Why are you here?” Shen Zhenpei was so furious that he slapped Shen Yuan’s waist and scolded in a low voice, “How dare you speak to the Second Prince like that!”
Xie Chengze: “Pfft.”
Shen Yuan: “…”
“Lord Shen, this prince and Shen Shilang merely have some private matters to discuss. There’s no need to go to such trouble,” Xie Chengze said, watching the Shen Family bustling about to serve tea and water, afraid of neglecting him, the Second Prince. He waved his hand dismissively. “I only hope for a quiet place to discuss matters.”
“So that’s how it is.” Shen Zhenpei glanced at Shen Yuan, who remained calm and composed. His son was truly more capable than he was, maneuvering so effortlessly between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince.
Now that Xiao Yuan was at the peak of his influence, it seemed the Second Prince also wanted to win him over. However, the Shen Family was more loyal to the Crown Prince. If the Second Prince intended to recruit him, he would likely be disappointed, as his son had inherited his father’s teachings and would only follow the rightful heir.
Thus, Shen Zhenpei withdrew with peace of mind.
Only when the main hall was empty did Shen Yuan sit down on the wooden chair beside him. “Why are you here so early?”
“I came to ask about something.” Xie Chengze set down his tea and stared seriously at Shen Yuan. “Is Su Qinghe not doing well in the Su Family?”
Shen Yuan was taken aback, his tone turning cold. “Why are you asking about that?”
He had thought that Su Qinghe, who had been refusing visitors under the pretext of illness, would have lost Xie Chengze’s interest. Why was he bringing him up again today?
“Before coming to the Shen residence, I visited the Su Family,” Xie Chengze admitted honestly. “It seemed like Su Qinghe was somewhat afraid of his father, and the Su Family didn’t treat him very well.”
“You went to the Su residence?!” This time, Shen Yuan slammed the table and stood up. Realizing his reaction was too intense, he slowly sat back down in the wooden chair, his tone subtle. “Did you suffer any grievances?”
The Su Family had always been arrogant and looked down on Xie Chengze. In his previous life, Xie Chengze had endured much frustration and anger because of them.
He secretly glanced at Xie Chengze’s expression, trying to see if there were any signs of redness around his eyes.
“No, what grievances could I possibly suffer?” Xie Chengze waved his hand dismissively, boasting shamelessly. “If anything, they were the ones nearly driven to tears by me.”
Shen Yuan was stunned for a moment, then let out a soft laugh.
Right, how could he have forgotten? Xie Chengze was sharp-tongued and quick-witted.
“So why did you go to the Su Family?” Shen Yuan didn’t forget to steer the conversation back on track, staring intently at Xie Chengze.
“I want to promote Arithmetic Studies,” Xie Chengze did not hide his purpose. “The Su Family has a renowned reputation and holds important positions in the Hanlin Academy. Having them take the lead would be the fastest and most effective method.”
“But you were rejected,” Shen Yuan stated with certainty.
“How did you know?” Xie Chengze couldn’t help touching his face, wondering if he had revealed any disappointment or dejection.
Shen Yuan shook his head with a faint smile. “The reason the Su Family has remained prosperous through hundreds of generations lies entirely in their clan’s unshakable cohesion. They willingly nourish their elite with the blood of ordinary members, all to maintain their prestigious position in the Hanlin Academy during dynastic transitions, continuing to lead literary trends and political currents while maneuvering adeptly in court affairs.”