amaotonovel Chapter 169 The Death Talisman
Chapter 169 The Death Talisman
Shen Shaohuai was the eldest son. From the moment he was born, Madam Shen showered him with love and care. In particular, Shen Shaohuai's exceptional talent brought honor to Madam Shen, making him even more valued by her.
With Shen Mingzhu gone missing and Shen Shaobai's lack of ambition, she poured all her heart and soul into Shen Shaohuai.
Even though she adopted Shen Qingtan, she only valued Shen Qingtan's worth and intended to pave the way for Shen Shaohuai in the future. That's why she asked someone to cultivate Shen Qingtan.
As Shen Shaohuai achieved success in the imperial examinations, Madam Shen's desire to control him grew stronger.
From the smallest details of clothing, food, housing, and transportation to the largest arrangements, such as arranging concubines.
After the incident involving Zhu Yu, Madam Shen not only replaced Shen Shaohuai's servant, but also his coachman.
Marquis Chengen once thought that Madam Shen regarded him as her god, and that for the benefit of the Marquis's mansion, she would not hesitate to use her brother and sister-in-law, and was always ready to push her brother and sister-in-law out to take the blame.
Until she could make Shen Shaohuai the heir of the Marquis's mansion, she did not hesitate to plot against him taking Concubine Mei into the mansion and deliberately arranged for Concubine Mei to have an affair with Shen Shaoheng.
When she did this, she couldn't have been unaware that she was trampling on his dignity as a man, yet she still secretly carried it out behind his back.
Only then did he understand. For Shen Shaohuai, Madam Shen was willing to give up everything, even herself.
Marquis Chengen couldn't help but think that as long as it didn't involve anyone from the Marquis's mansion, even if he were dismissed and investigated, or even if he lost his head, Madam Shen wouldn't be too heartbroken.
Simply because they are the same kind of people, prioritizing their own interests above all else.
"Huai'er, you shall return to the Imperial Academy today." Marquis Chengen, who also valued Shen Shaohuai, said gently, "Do not interfere in this matter, lest you be implicated."
“Father, you are about to be held accountable. How can I go to the Imperial Academy to study with peace of mind?” Shen Shaohuai’s handsome face revealed his worry for the Marquis of Chengen. “Shen Qingtan arranged for people to break into your mentor’s grave. Take everything you buried there back to the manor. If they push us too far and keep accusing us, the Emperor will send people to search the manor. Even if Prince Yu has extraordinary abilities, he will not be able to protect you. You’d better destroy everything before things happen.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Shen glanced at Shen Shaohuai and continued, "Yes, the matter in Qingzhou has been settled. Keeping those things will not only not save your life, but will actually be a death warrant."
Marquis Chengen frowned, having other plans in mind: "I will handle it."
Upon hearing this, Shen Shaohuai and his wife breathed a slight sigh of relief.
-
In the evening, Marquis Chengen dined with Madam Shen and Shen Shaohuai in a side hall.
After finishing half a bowl of soup, Madam Shen rinsed her mouth with water and said, "Tomorrow is Shao Bai's birthday. I originally planned to invite Shen Qingtan to the manor to celebrate his birthday. But now it seems that it's unnecessary."
She truly hadn't expected that the Gu family would actually find their way to the capital.
“Mother, our ancestors valued the continuation of bloodlines, and there must be some reason for that. Merchants prioritize profit over sentiment, and she naturally follows this trait. No matter how hard you try, you can't raise her to be a person of loyalty and righteousness.” Shen Shaohuai said indifferently, “She has already become estranged from us. Why would she come to my third brother's birthday celebration?”
Madam Shen snorted coldly: "If it weren't for the Gu family getting into trouble, I would have gone to settle accounts with them. I would have made the Gu family pay us back, with interest, for the expenses they incurred in raising Shen Qingtan over the past ten years."
Marquis Chengen's brow twitched. He put down his chopsticks and was about to speak when he saw his trusted confidant rushing over.
A trusted aide reported, "My lord, I inquired with the steward, and he said the Gu family's ship sank, but he wasn't entirely clear on the details. Gu Zongci reprimanded him for accepting the order privately and made him take full responsibility."
Marquis Chengen inquired, "Did Gu Zongci dismiss him?"
The confidant said, "He has made a big mistake. Once this is over, Gu Zongci will probably fire him."
"Gu Zongci is making him take the blame alone. How can a mere clerk like him bear the responsibility for such a big matter?" Marquis Chengen smiled, his smile laced with sarcasm. Gu Zongci probably hadn't realized the seriousness of the situation yet. "You arrange for someone to secretly protect the clerk and make sure nothing happens to him. I still need his help."
"Yes." The trusted aide acknowledged the order and left.
Shen Shaohuai watched his trusted confidant's figure disappear through the door before asking, "Father, when do you plan to report this matter to the Emperor?"
"Once the news reaches the Emperor's ears, I will immediately go to the palace to plead guilty," Marquis Chengen said cryptically. "The latest I will do so is tomorrow."
-
Prince Yu's Mansion.
Prince Yu leaned back lazily in his armchair, holding a secret letter in his hand, reporting the news of the sinking of the Gu family's shipyard.
His expression remained unchanged, his eyes calm, and he placed the secret letter in the brazier and set it on fire.
Regardless of whether the Gu family's ship sinks or not, as long as "grain" from Qingzhou is loaded onto the ship, this matter will no longer have any connection with him.
The Grand Tutor carefully observed Prince Yu's expression and saw that he looked calm with a faint smile on his lips, so he knew that the secret letter contained good news.
With a smile on his face, he cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and said, "Your Highness, I have finally relieved you of one of your worries."
Prince Yu did not respond to the Grand Tutor, but instead looked at the Buddhist shrine next to the desk, which enshrined a gilded Buddha statue.
He slowly walked to the wooden shelf next to him, carefully washed his hands with bath soap, changed the water three times, and then took a clean cloth to wipe his hands dry.
Later, when they arrived at the Buddha shrine, they personally replaced the offerings and lit a few sticks of incense.
The Emperor's smile froze as he watched Prince Yu do all this.
He was Prince Yu's confidant, so he naturally knew that although Prince Yu appeared gentle on the outside, he was actually treacherous and ruthless on the inside.
It was precisely this kind of person who specially placed a Buddha statue in his living room.
This Buddha statue can eliminate all sins and misfortunes.
On the first and fifteenth of each month, Prince Yu would fast and bathe, specially change into the Haiqing robe worn by his lay disciples, and then make offerings to the Buddha.
Moreover, every night before going to bed, Prince Yu would personally change the offerings and light a few sticks of incense.
The Grand Tutor's eyes were fixed on Prince Yu, who held incense in both hands and offered it with a devout expression.
The golden light reflected on his face, making him appear surprisingly gentle and harmless.
The Imperial Chamberlain's hair stood on end, he swallowed hard, and called out, "Your Highness..."
Hurried footsteps came from outside the door, and the Grand Tutor shut his mouth.
Immediately afterward, a guard's gruff voice rang out: "Your Highness, I have important news to report!"
Prince Yu straightened his sleeves, walked slowly to the couch, and sat down: "Come in."
The guard pushed open the door and entered, looking down at the small space beneath his feet, not daring to look directly at Prince Yu, and presented the letter to the Grand Tutor with both hands.
The Grand Master handed the letter to Prince Yu.
Prince Yu opened the letter and read it line by line. When he saw the words "good fortune," his face suddenly darkened.