Translator – Xiao He Lian
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Chapter 93
After the court was dismissed, Emperor Chengyuan summoned Shen Wenqi, Marquis of Changping and the Minister of Personnel to the Tingzheng Hall[mfn](another hall for court hearing)[/mfn] separately, presumably to discuss how many soldiers and money and food to bring on this official trip.
All the officials looked at Shen Wenqi’s back and couldn’t help but sigh.
Everyone was whispering.
Look——
Yao Wenjun, the Minister of Rites, walked down the stone steps and said, “I have been an official for fourteen years and have never seen such a scene. Who would have thought that the candidate for the position of Chief River Defense Envoy would fall to Shen Wenqi?”
Although the position of the Chief River Defense Envoy of the Jin Dynasty did not have much power in the capital, he was a genuine fourth-rank official.
Han Yu, the assistant minister of the Ministry of War, shrugged his shoulders and whispered, “Today has truly broadened my horizons”
Upon hearing this, the Minister of Rites counted on his fingers, “Your Highness the Crown Prince, Censor Hong Cheng, the Governor of Jingzhao Lu Yan, Dali Temple Minister Zhou Shu’an, Minister of War Zheng Yong, Minister of Punishment Yao Bin, Minister of Revenue Sui Yu, Jingzhao junior magistrate Sun Xu, Acting junior magistrate Meng, Meng Wei, and Lu Ye and Lu Ting… Oh, yes, I almost forgot, there is also the young Marquis of Changping, let me think who else…”
“Don’t even think about it. With so many people, can you count them all? Didn’t we also stand out?”
“As soon as Zhou Shu’an finished speaking, I moved a lot to the right. I can’t just stand there alone.” Yao Wenjun took a deep breath, “What kind of rule is this? Did Shen Wenqi practice some kind of kung fu in prison?”
Han Yu glanced in the direction of Li Di and the Sixth Prince, and said calmly: “I only know that someone is destined to have a hard time sleeping tonight.”
…
After hearing the eunuch’s whispers, Empress Xu’s proud and calm face could no longer hold on. She grabbed the edge of the square chair with her left hand and took two deep breaths.
After a while, the Sixth Prince stepped into the Anhua Palace.
He paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, and suddenly laughed angrily, saying, “Mother you didn’t see the Crown Prince’s expression. He was so proud. After today, I’m afraid that most of the court will turn to the East Palace…”
“Stop it.” Empress Xu took a sip of tea and said.
The Sixth Prince was stunned.
“Before the end of the year.” Empress Xu raised her eyes and said, “Go with the flow, avoid the sharp edge, and wait for another opportunity.”
“What does this mean, mother?”
Empress Xu stood up and whispered something to the Sixth Prince. The Sixth Prince’s eyes widened and he shouted, “Mother! If we lose…”
Empress Xu said, “Ye’er, since the execution of Taoist Master Ge and the confiscation of the Meng family’s property, you have lost the right time and place. Today, you have also lost the hearts of the people, so you have already failed. The day when all the countries come to pay tribute is your last chance.”
——
At dusk, the dark clouds dispersed, and the red light reflected on the eaves. The sound of the wheels stopped abruptly, and Shen Wenqi, accompanied by Su Heng, slowly got off the carriage.
He saw his two daughters and youngest son in front of him.
With just one glance, the whole person seemed to be frozen, and the ringing in the ears drowned out the rustling sound of the wind.
Shen Shu and Shen Zhen called out “Father”.
Shen Hong ran over and grabbed Shen Wenqi’s hand.
“Father, Hong’er missed you.”
Shen Wenqi looked down at his youngest son, bitterness blocking his throat making him unable to speak.
It’s been a year and he has grown taller.
Shen Wenqi lowered his head and touched his head, “ńg… Father is back.”
Shen Shu walked over and said, “Come into the house quickly.”
In order to get rid of the bad luck on his body, Shen Zhen placed the brazier in front of Shen Wenqi, who stepped over it, and entered the inner courtyard.
At first, Shen Zhen didn’t understand why Lu Yan insisted on giving her a large courtyard with three entrances and three exits. It was not until today that she understood his intention.
Nanny Fang cooked ten dishes, and the family was finally able to sit down and have a good meal after a year.
Shen Zhen picked up the wooden chopsticks and side-glanced at his father, with his thin chin and graying temples. As she looked at him, her eyes suddenly turned red.
Shen Zhen whispered, “Why didn’t father allow me to go to the Dali Temple Prison?”
Shen Wenqi knew his daughter’s personality very well. He said softly, “Why would an unmarried girl like you go to a place like that?”
Seeing that she wanted to say more, Shen Wenqi hurriedly said, “Okay, if you have anything to say, we can talk later. Let’s eat first.”
Shen Zhen bit her lip, picked up the wooden chopsticks, and put all the fish belly meat into her father’s bowl. After a while, it piled up like a small hill.
Shen Wenqi looked at the bowl in front of him, feeling mixed emotions for a moment.
He was promoted by the previous emperor when he was still a young man, and his career continued to rise. It was not until he was thrown into prison and looked at the heavy shackles on his hands that he understood why the words “governing the family” should be put before governing the country…
He once thought that such days would never come again.
Shen Wenqi stared at his children beside him, his deep eyes filled with extremely complicated emotions, and the wooden chopsticks stuck in his mouth, not moving for a long time.
After dinner, Shen Wenqi returned to the room to talk to his children. During the conversation, Shen Shu suddenly sneezed. When she raised her wrist slightly, a faint bruise could be seen.
Shen Wenqi’s eyes darkened, he stood up and said in a hoarse voice: “Shu Shu, come with me.”
The moon was high in the sky, casting silver shadows on the small courtyard. The evening breeze blew by, leaving only the high and low chirping sounds of crickets in the corners.
Shen Wenqi covered his face with his hands and after a moment, he whispered: “Shu Shu, tell Father the truth, Li Di he…”
Shen Shu pulled over a short stool, sat down, and said softly, “He just didn’t want to divorce, he didn’t do anything to me.”
Shen Wenqi looked at her silently, quietly examining his eldest daughter, and suddenly pulled the corner of his mouth in self-mockery, “It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have let you marry him in the first place.”
“When I married into the Li family, it was this daughter who agreed to it herself. Why do you have to say this, Father?”
Shen Wenqi looked down at his hands.
He was arrogant because of his talent, and thought that as long as the Yunyang Marquisate existed, Li Di would treat her well all his life even if he had evil ambitions. Now thinking about it, it was even more ridiculous.
After a moment of silence, Shen Shu changed the subject and asked, “How long do you plan to stay in East Henan this time?”
Shen Wenqi paused and said, “His Majesty has given me a lot of manpower. Marquis Changping will also go with me. Thirty thousand troops, if we go fast, two months will be enough.”
Shen Shu nodded: “Then take care on your journey, father, the Shen family has a long future ahead of us.”
The disaster in eastern Henan was severe, and Emperor Chengyuan ordered Shen Wenqi to set out as soon as possible. At dawn the next day, Shen Wenqi packed his bags. When Shen Zhen saw her father getting on the horse, her eyes became red again.
Commander Su said, “Lord Shen, it’s time for us to set off.”
Shen Wenqi nodded and said, “Okay.”
Shen Zhen took a deep breath, took two steps forward, grabbed the reins, and stood on tiptoe, “Take care on your journey, Father. Be sure to return safely.”
Shen Wenqi smiled, rubbed her head, and said softly, “I know.”
Looking at his little daughter’s clear and bright eyes, he thought: What the Shen family has lost, I will fight for it again with my own hands.
When I come back, I will never let you suffer any injustice again.
He squeezed the horse’s belly and rode away.
Shen Zhen watched her father, who was nearly fifty years old, gradually leaving and the tears that she had been holding back all morning burst out.
An momo held her in her arms and said, “Don’t cry. Marquis Changping went with His Excellency and will surely return safely.”
Shen Zhen was crying inconsolably, while on the other side, Lu Yan’s face could be described as pale.
He felt dizzy and his heart was pounding.
He knew very well that Shen Wenqi should have set off by now.
Lu Yan’s face looked so bad that anyone could tell. Sun Xu suddenly stopped writing and looked up and asked, “Lord Lu, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
Lu Yan gritted his teeth and said, “It’s okay, it will be fine in a while.” Based on past experience, he estimated that the little girl would be fine after crying for an hour.
However, what no one expected was that Shen Zhen’s tears were like the flood in eastern Henan, and could not be stopped.
It didn’t stop for the whole day.
He endured until his patience was exhausted and Lu Yan slammed the table and stood up.
“Lord Lu, why are you in such a hurry? Where are you going?” Meng Wei asked.
Lu Yan clenched his fists and said, “My old illness has come back. I’m going to find a doctor.” After that, he strode out of the government office.
Meng Wei took off his black hat and whispered to Sun Xu, “Lord Lu has an old illness? How long has it been? Is it serious?”
Sun Xu spread his hands, “Lord Meng, don’t look at me. This is the first time I’ve heard of this.”
After going around in circles, it was already dark when Lu Yan arrived at Shen Zhen’s place.
He climbed over the wall very skillfully and pushed open the door of his Shen Zhen’s boudoir. As the door creaked, the pain in his heart suddenly disappeared.
Shen Zhen curled up at the head of the bed, eyes closed, looking like she was asleep.
Lu Yan folded his arms in front of his chest, glanced at her with his eyes downcast, and suddenly sneered.
He sat down and whispered, “Are you asleep?”
The sound that answered him was Shen Zhen’s even breathing.
The man raised the corners of his lips and reached out to touch her earlobe. Seeing that she didn’t move, his fingertips casually brushed across her snow-white neck and stroked her collarbone. “Since you’re asleep, why are you shaking?”
