"Third Brother, all the officials I've met along the way speak poorly of you. You've tarnished the Shen Family's honorable reputation!"
Hearing this familiar tone, a mocking smile crept onto Shen Qingping's face.
The Shen Family's reputation—this was a refrain he'd heard since childhood, enough to make his ears ache.
"Qinghui, your younger brother now holds the Emperor's trust and has risen in rank. He's no longer the idle youth you once criticized," Shen Mingwen interjected, his expression stiffening slightly, as if surprised that Shen Qinghui had begun scolding Shen Qingping before even stepping through the family gates.
"Father, it would have been better if he’d remained that way," Shen Qinghui retorted, adopting a lecturing tone. "Before, people merely grumbled about the Shen Family raising a wastrel. But now? They say we’ve bred a bloodthirsty monster. If our ancestors in the afterlife knew—"
"Grandfather died when our family was still poor peasants. How could he have held such lofty expectations for the Shen Family?" Shen Qingping sneered. The words left Shen Qinghui momentarily stunned—his younger brother had never dared to talk back before.
"So, now that you’ve climbed the ranks, you’ve grown bold enough to defy even your eldest brother?"
Nearby, Madam Lin’s eyes flickered with disdain. She’d known about the Shen Family’s useless youngest son since marrying into the household. After years of watching her husband reprimand Shen Qingping, she’d long written off this brother-in-law.
"Enough, Qinghui. You’ve just returned and may not understand the current situation. I’ll explain everything once we’re home," Shen Mingwen said, his forced smile crumbling as he glanced at Shen Qingping.
This eldest son of mine… Back when the third son was a disappointment, his scolding was hard to bear. But now that Qingping holds a third-rank position, why must he still berate him?
"Father, you’re being too lenient with him."
The commotion had drawn a crowd of onlookers. At the sight of Shen Qinghui, the townsfolk exchanged knowing glances.
The eldest son of the Shen Family has returned. Surely, the third son will have to rein himself in now.
Many shared the same thought.
......
Prince Chu's Mansion.
"Shen Qinghui is back?"
Prince Chu’s face lit up with excitement. Finally, someone who could curb that unruly brat Shen Qingping!
"Absolutely true. Moreover, the eldest Shen began reprimanding Young Master Shen right at the capital gates," the servant replied, equally animated. Heaven knew how much humiliation Prince Chu's household had endured because of Shen Qingping.
"Splendid!" Prince Chu was overjoyed. "I’ve always known Shen Qinghui disliked his younger brother. As the eldest son, the Shen Family’s resources will naturally favor him over Shen Qingping."
"Without the family’s backing, Shen Qingping is nothing but a lone boat adrift—utterly powerless."
Just as Prince Chu reveled in his triumph, a servant’s deliberately loud announcement echoed from outside:
"Fourth Imperial Grandson, Song Yanhong, has arrived—"
At the name, Prince Chu instantly schooled his expression.
"Father, I heard Young Master Shen’s elder brother has returned to the capital?" Song Yanhong cut straight to the point.
"Yanhong, I’ve promised you I’d no longer involve myself in court disputes. Naturally, the Shen Family’s affairs are none of my concern."
Seeing Prince Chu’s earnest demeanor, Song Yanhong relaxed slightly.
"Once we depart for our fief, I’ll devote myself to filial duties. Our family will live in harmony."
Prince Chu smiled outwardly but inwardly scoffed.
A royal prince’s ambition should lie on the Dragon Throne!
If not for Yanhong being his only son, he’d never resort to such restraint.
Prince Qi's Mansion and Ping Prince's Mansion reacted similarly, all eagerly awaiting Shen Qingping’s downfall.
Ping Prince's Mansion.
"That eldest Shen is an odd one. Anyone else would be scrambling to curry favor with a younger brother now in power," Song Yanzheng mused, puzzled.
"Nothing stings more than a fall from grace," Shen Hua'er said with a light laugh. "Shen Qinghui was once the undisputed future head of the Shen Family. Now that Shen Qingping outranks him, resentment is inevitable. Focus on your studies—let them tear each other apart."
"I understand. But what about Mei Xiang...?" Song Yanzheng hesitated, thinking of his heavily pregnant concubine.
"Don’t worry. I’ll ensure Mei Xiang is cared for. The child will be kept; the mother, discarded."
"Thank you, Mother."
Song Yanzheng’s worries eased. The imperial physician had confirmed Mei Xiang carried a son—the Emperor’s first great-grandson.
For Ping Prince's Mansion and himself, this was of monumental significance.
......
Meanwhile, at the capital gates.
"Elder Brother, as a local official, you must have presided over countless cases. Surely you know governance requires hearing both sides," Shen Qingping said coolly, meeting Shen Qinghui’s gaze. "Why, then, does your own brother merit only your unilateral judgment?"
"When have I ever disgraced the Shen Family?"
Shen Qingping spoke bluntly, no longer the meek younger brother who’d once endured lectures without protest. Now clad in his third-rank official robes, he dared oppose even his father—let alone Shen Qinghui.
"You slaughter men without blinking. The lives on your hands are beyond counting—is this conduct befitting a noble family’s son?" Shen Qinghui snapped, incensed by his brother’s defiance.
"Do you even know why I killed them?" Shen Qingping smirked. "If they’d been innocent, would the Emperor have promoted me?"
"Shen Qingping, you grow more insolent by the day! A gentleman’s hands should never be stained with blood. How dare you tarnish Father’s legacy as a top scholar?"
"And now you think clinging to Qin Prince's Mansion grants you impunity? One misstep, and you’ll drag the entire Shen Family down with you!"
Just as the darkness in Shen Qingping’s eyes deepened—
A voice cut through:
"Preceptor."
"Greetings to Prince Qin and the Princess." Shen Mingwen was the first to react, followed by a flurry of bows toward Song Yu and Song Shihuan.
"Preceptor, you said you’d only come to fetch someone. Why have you lingered so long outside the palace?"
Song Shihuan’s use of "return" was deliberate—her protective stance unmistakable.
"Certain matters delayed me. My apologies, Princess," Shen Qingping replied leisurely.
Song Shihuan’s gaze shifted to Shen Qinghui. "And who is this? A stranger to me."
"Your Highness, this is my eldest son, Shen Qinghui, returning to the capital with his family to assume his new post," Shen Mingwen answered, wary of the princess’s temperament.
"Ah, so this is the Preceptor’s elder brother."
The warmth vanished from Song Shihuan’s eyes. "Was it you just now, berating my Preceptor?"
"I—I was merely instructing my younger brother," Shen Qinghui stammered under her piercing stare.
A soft chuckle came from Song Yu, who pointed at Shen Qingping.
"Him? You truly can’t scold."
