Chapter 117: Xie Older Brother (Part 1)
The lights in the Western courtyard of the Shen residence were all lit throughout the night.
Shen Gui and Shen Wan wanted to inquire about it, and made their own cronies to keep a watch outside the courtyard doors that not even a mosquito could enter. But to be able to inquire about what was said inside, it was easier said than done.
In the room, Shen Qiu poured a cup of tea for Shen Miao and said, “Younger Sister speak slowly.”
With regards to military affairs, the Shen family had Shen Xin, Luo Xue Yan and Shen Qiu, and Shen Miao was never involved in such matters at all. Young ladies that grew up in the far away from battle Ding capital, and perhaps even the large families in the Ding capital would not be able to understand the structure, as matters of military affairs were often indistinguishable treacherous, and would not be as simple as how it looked on the surface. Even most officials could not the difference apart, much less Shen Miao.
But even if Shen Miao speak of it, everything that she said was so logical, that Shen Xin and wife could not help but cast sidelong glances at one another.
“Cast away the Shen family’s army and revive the Luo family’s army.” Luo Xue Yan said, “But the Shen family’s army are all elites and the Luo family’s army…” Speaking of her own Father’s army, Luo Xue Yan was somewhat sad, “How can it compare with the Shen family’s army?”
“Even though the Luo family’s army are scattered, the most important value is its cleanliness.” Shen Miao said, “There are already traitors in Father’s Shen family’s army and to bring this kind of army into battle, how would one know if one would be stabbed at the back with a knife.”
When the words were spoken, all three became silent.
To have someone who went through life and death and was raised from a soldier to be a traitor, was indeed something that everyone did not wish to see.
Shen Xin said, “I have also thought about what Jiao Jiao had said.”
Shen Qiu and Luo Xue Yan looked at Shen Xin at the same time. At this moment Shen Xin had gotten rid of the suspicious expression, and looked at Shen Miao with some appreciation in his gaze, “An indecision will invariably lead to trouble. But previously Jiao Jiao mentioned in the horse carriage, that within two years I will definitely be recalled back to the capital. What is that about?”
“Exactly.” Shen Qiu turned his head over and looked at Shen Miao, “How does Younger Sister know that His Majesty would recall Father back to the capital within two years?”
No one could guess an Emperor’s mind and for Shen Miao to say such words, there seemed to be some meaning to it. Luo Xue Yan started to get anxious as she was thinking in the long term. Those people who could guess clearly the Emperor’s mind would definitely be Emperor Wen Hui’s people. Could it be that Prince Ding and Shen Miao matters that had been spread all around were true? Lou Xue Yan was worried that Shen Miao was involved in the muddy waters of the fight for the heir apparent, and was used as a chess piece.
Shen Miao’s eyes drooped down. Within two years, Emperor Wen Hui would need to recall Shen Xin back to the capital. This was because of Ming Qi’s tribute presentation to the Emperor, there was the Qin country on the North, and Great Liang on the West, hence like this, Ming Qi’s position in the middle was very precarious. At that time, the Emperor Wen Hui’s health was not good, the Crown Prince was lying sick in bed, Prince Zhou and Prince Li were badly bruised from fighting one another, and Fu Xiu Yi was secretly and gradually spreading his net.
As a loyal General, Shen Xin would definitely be used by Emperor Wen Hui to deter the enemies. Just like the last lifetime, even though at that time the Imperial family was suppressing the Shen family’s army, they still left a final string, and the last drop of oil was squeezed out of Shen Xin by the Royal family.
It is just that these words could not be said to the outside world, thus when facing those gazes, Shen Miao gently smiled, “I only dreamt of a very realistic dream. In the dream, within two years, Father will be able to stage a comeback, and the reputation of the Formidable Great General will not be sullied.”
In fact these words were somewhat perfunctory, but Shen Miao said them warmly with a pair of clear eyes. Even if one did not believe them, their heart would have softened.
Whether or not one will be recalled back to the capital, it was something that no one could say clearly. Be it a year or two, or even three or four, at the moment the best route was to retreat to the Northwestern region. Not only for the sake of a comeback, but because the fight for the heir apparent was currently very intense, thus if the Shen family remained in the Ding capital, even if there was no military power, it is inevitable one would still be involved. This was the logic behind drawing back wisely in the face of overwhelming odds. Prior to succeeding in one’s career, the first thing was to protect one’s family.
That was what Shen Xin wanted.
He looked at Shen Miao and smiled, “Since Jiao Jiao said that it is a dream, then that dream will definitely come true. Father trust you.” There was no intention to delve into the reason behind.
The three words ‘Father trust you’ almost made Shen Miao tear up. At the beginning she was bent on marrying Fu Xiu Yi, Shen Xin did his best to obstruct, but at the end she used death to threaten and Shen Xin finally gave in. The proud General who always gave orders showed a slumped and helpless look as he said, “Since it is the husband you choose, Father trust you.”
And so that pushed the Shen family into the path to extinction.
Shen Miao closed her eyes to make the scenes of the tragic past disappear. She said, “If Father really believe what I said, then please submit a request to His Majesty to go and guard the Xiao Chun City tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Luo Xue Yan was surprised, “Why the rush?”
“It must be done in a rush, so His Majesty would think that Father is dissatisfied that the military tally was confiscated from him, and it was done in a fit of anger. Then he would not think more of it.” Shen Miao explained.
Shen Qiu wanted to say something but Shen Xin made a brief order, “Then it will be done as such.”
“Shen Xin.” Luo Xue Yan was somewhat anxious, after all, this matter was such a major thing. Although Shen Miao had spoken some truth, but to make such a decision hurriedly, it was indeed too hasty.
Shen Xin shook his head, “You and me have been in the battlefield for so many years, and yet could not see as clearly as Jiao Jiao.” He looked at Shen Miao and his gaze became a little more complex, but at the end he reached his hands out and rubbed Shen Miao’s head, “If Jiao Jiao was a male, only a few people could be comparable.”
Shen Miao quietly looked at him.
Today all the things she had said, were what an unmarried daughter would not be able to think about. What kind of person Shen Xin was? Even though he was a rough person, it did not mean that he did not have brains, and one fear that he had seen many dubious points. It was just that Shen Xin did not reveal this and even if it was revealed, Shen Miao would not tell Shen Xin the secret of her rebirth. Perhaps this was an unconditional trust between loved ones.
Just like her previous lifetime, Shen Xin always stood by her side.
“The Shen family will be fine.” Shen Miao pledged.
“Tomorrow morning, Father will submit a memorandum.” Shen Xin smiled and stood up as he pulled Luo Xue Yan up, “It is better for Furen to rest early.”
Luo Xue Yan actually wanted to say something but when she saw Shen Xin’s expression, she kept quiet. She had followed Shen Xin for so many years, and naturally knew Shen Xin’s confidence was always soring, and have not seen him in such a solemn appearance. He was supposed to be a hero admired by everyone, but was not deprived of military power and about to guard a small territory. No one was more upset than Shen Xin at this moment of time. For the first time she yielded, and supported Shen Xin, “Alright.”
It was Shen Qiu who stayed behind and kept murmuring as he looked at Shen Miao. He finally could not stand it and said, “Younger Sister, do you want Father to rebel?”
In the Shen family, Shen Qiu was the one who was the most clear of Shen Miao’s vicious tendencies. Prince Yu of the First Rank coveted her, and she did not left a living soul in the Prince Yu’s residence. The Jing family schemed against her and now ended up dead without an intact corpse. The Emperor took away the military tally from the Shen family, was Shen Miao’s actions of seemingly retreat, truly just for self-protection?”
“The wealth of the Monarch, the worry of an Emperor.” Shen Miao smiled lightly. “The Shen family has all the while been loyal to the Monarch and love the country, so how can such a thing happen? It is better for Eldest brother not to think too much, if there are ears in the wall and others heard about it, one fear that both you and me will have troubles.”
Shen Qiu paused before speaking, “That is the best, Younger Sister must not do foolish things.” He then turned around and walked out of the room.
Shen Miao slowly sat down.
To rebel. She really wanted that, but how to rebel without leaving a bad name was an important thing. The current top priority was naturally to avoid a calamity. But when one return back, one would definitely give a big gift to the Fu family.
One only hoped that the Fu family could swallow it down.
The matter of Shen Xin being deprived of military power, only bustled for a day before it was covered by new rumours the second day. There were always new happenings in Ming Qi, thus this scene was not something new. However the rumours that were circulating in the marketplace on the second day, were still about Shen Xin.
One heard that on the second day after Shen Xin’s military tally was confiscated, he had submitted a memorandum to Emperor Wen Hui in front of all the civil and military officials, and proposed to bring the remaining front section and the scattered Shen family’s guards and move to the Xiao Chun City to guard.
The once outstanding and glorious Great General actually wanted to guard a small city. Others all felt that it was something unimaginable, and thought that Shen Xin was nursing a grievance. To take the initiative to submit a memorandum when nursing a grievance, meant that he felt unhappy with Emperor Wen Hui’s punishment, and made a decision in a rage.
The storyteller in the restaurant talked about the matter very clearly and logically, saying that Emperor Wen Hui’s expression immediately changed and threw that memorandum onto Shen Xin’s face, but Shen Xin still stubbornly demanded to retreat to the Xiao Chun City. How would a monarch be able to tolerate a person who act out rashly, even if one had great contributions, it was all useless. Since he wanted to retreat to the Xiao Chun City then good, he will stand guard there.
So the news that the Formidable Great General will leave the capital tomorrow, and head to the Xiao Chun City was known to the entire Ding capital.
Almost everyone in the restaurant were talking about the matter. Some felt that Shen Xin did the correct thing, since the Formidable Great General no longer was in command of the forces, and would be nursing a grievance if one still stayed in the Ding capital, thus it would be better to go far away, to avoid being disgusted by the situation. Some felt that Shen Xin was held too high up, and did not know the complexity of things. It was he who first lied to the Monarch, had luckily safeguarded his life, and now even dared to make such a face to Emperor Wen Hui. If Emperor Wen Hui was not kind and if it was other monarch, one fear that there would be an even heavier punishment awaiting.
In Kuai Hou Lou, Ji Yu Shu was holding his chin as he looked at Gao Yang, “Say, what is Shen Xin’s meaning behind leaving the Ding capital, and not caring about the Shen family’s army?”
“If it is so, then it is really somewhat courageous and not the reckless conduct of a military crude.” Gao Yan sighed, “After all, there is not anyone who can make a quick retreat before a crisis.” After drinking a mouthful of tea, Gao Yang then spoke to Xie Jing Xing, who was being quiet at the side, “Why are you not speaking?”
Xie Jing Xing was interrupted and looked back at both of them, “The Shen family moved too fast.”
“Fast?” Ji Yu Shu did not understand.
Xie Jing Xing played with the cups in his hands, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his lips. He pointed out a road to Shen Miao to let the Shen family have a retreat route, but did not think that the Shen family’s actions would turn out to be so fast. It was only yesterday that the military tally was stripped away, and today a request was put up in court to withdraw and maintain guard. Shen Xin was a steady person, thus Shen Miao must have definitely said something to Shen Xin, for him to make such a choice in such a short period of time.
On the surface Emperor Wen Hui let Shen Xin pack up and leave tomorrow from the capital to embarrass him, but one did not know that his own thoughts were actually seen through by the little girl in the Shen family. If one was to be aware of it, not sure what kind of taste would there be in his heart. Xie Jing Xing had a feeling that Shen Miao perhaps, would occupy a great important role in the game of Ming Qi but to him, who would be soon leaving the capital, it was of no importance.
“Yu Shu will follow me and leave the capital.” He said, “Gao Yang, the remaining things will be handled by you.”
Ji Yu Shu rubbed his nose and revealed a big of excitement, “Good. Third Xie Older Brother, the chefs that makes snacks here, really make them just too horrible to eat. Third Older Brother’s chef is still the best, one will not need to go hungry.”
Gao Yang rolled his eyes at him and said coldly, “You have eaten everywhere in the Ding capital, which day did you go hungry?” After finishing, he put on a solemn look and said to Xie Jing Xing, “Do not worry, leave the matters here to me.”
Xie Jing Xing nodded his head.
Su Ming Lang saw Shen Miao’s solemn face and immediately spoke obediently, “Understand. I only said it to Older Sister and will not tell to others.” Then he softly said to Shen Miao, “Older Sister Shen, you also must not tell Older Brother Xie about these words because I eavesdropped them. If Older Brother Xie know that I eavesdropped him, he will beat me up again.”
In the Second Young Master Su’s eyes, the graceful and noble Little Marquis Xie was an out and out black-hearted bandit.
Shen Miao agreed, “Alright, would not tell.”
Translator’s comment: I hearts Su Ming Lang!!! So freaking adorbs… Can I have one of him?
Ed: No, you’ll eat him and they will sell those like him by the pound, no amount of donations can cover that T_T