Shen Mingwen shot a covert glare at Shen Qinghui. He had thought the third son would be the most troublesome, but it turned out to be the eldest!
At this moment, Shen Qinghui could no longer maintain his smile, yet Song Yu and Song Shihuan had no intention of letting him off so easily.
"The 'younger brother' you speak of is my tutor, my father’s closest friend, and a third-rank official trusted by the Emperor," Song Shihuan stepped in front of Shen Qingping. "While my father was away for months, it was Tutor who single-handedly stabilized the situation. Even your own father, Lord Shen, could not bring himself to reprimand him."
"And yet you dare to criticize him—what logic is that?"
Seeing Shen Qinghui about to argue back, Shen Mingwen kicked him squarely in the backside. "Hurry up and apologize to Prince Qin and the young mistress!"
Still standing there like a wooden post, utterly lacking in awareness.
After being kicked, Shen Qinghui stammered through an apology to Song Yu and Song Shihuan, his mind reeling.
Since when had his refined father learned to kick people?
"Enough. For Tutor’s sake, I’ll let this slide," Song Shihuan said, only relenting when she caught the faint amusement in Shen Qingping’s eyes. "Tutor, since your elder brother has returned to the capital today, Father and I will give you the day off."
"Thank you, Young Mistress."
Song Yu and Song Shihuan leisurely departed, leaving Shen Qinghui’s face alternating between green and purple.
Shen Mingwen remained silent, while Lady Shen hugged her granddaughter and heaved a heavy sigh.
The atmosphere instantly turned tense.
......
The carriage arrived at the Shen residence.
"Greetings to the Eldest Master, Madam Lin, Eldest Young Master, and Second Young Miss," the servants of the Shen family bowed to Shen Qinghui and Madam Lin.
Since the second branch also had a daughter, the eldest branch’s daughter was addressed as the second young miss.
"Greetings to the Third Master. No one else has come to the residence seeking you today."
The servant’s next words made Shen Qinghui pause mid-step. Since when had the household servants treated Shen Qingping with such reverence?
Shen Qingping merely gave a quiet acknowledgment, and the servant dared not linger.
The aura around him made Madam Lin glance back several times.
In the main courtyard, Shen Mingwen and Lady Shen focused solely on doting over their grandchildren, leaving Shen Qinghui and Madam Lin ignored—clearly still upset over the incident at the city gates.
"How are Zhikui’s studies progressing? He’s nineteen this year—if his knowledge is sufficient, he could sit for the examinations," Shen Mingwen asked with a smile.
Before Shen Zhikui could reply, Madam Lin interjected, "Father, as the saying goes, one should establish a family before a career. Zhikui is of age now. Since we’ve returned to the capital, the Eldest Master and I hope you and Mother can help arrange a suitable match for him."
The place where Shen Qinghui had been posted was far less prosperous than the capital—naturally, they wanted their son to marry into a prominent family here.
Shen Mingwen’s smile faded slightly. "Then I’ll trouble you with this matter, my lady," he said to Lady Shen.
Half an hour later, just as the meal was about to be served, a servant’s voice came from outside:
"Master, the Sun Family has sent gifts, congratulating the Eldest Master on his return to the capital for his new post."
"The Sun Family?" Shen Qinghui frowned. "Father, I don’t know any Sun Family."
Within moments, several other families sent gifts under the same pretense.
While Shen Qinghui was baffled, Madam Lin’s eyes gleamed with excitement, assuming these were attempts to curry favor with her husband.
But then Shen Mingwen turned to Shen Qingping, who had been sitting quietly. "Should we accept these gifts or not?"
Instantly, the expressions of everyone in the room shifted.
"Since they’ve gone to the trouble of sending them, we might as well accept them," Shen Qingping said lightly, sipping his tea. "Except for the Sun Family’s. I’m planning to deal with them soon."
Prince Chu was growing increasingly restless, and the Sun Family had been making underhanded moves alongside him.
Shen Mingwen waved dismissively, unsurprised. "Do as the Third Master says."
"Wait!" Shen Qinghui suddenly interjected, halting the servant in his tracks.
"If these gifts were sent in my name, then I should decide whether to accept them or not," Shen Qinghui said, his chest tight with frustration. "Reject all of them."
Why was his father now deferring to the third son’s every word?
He had only been away for three years—how had the household changed so completely?
"If Eldest Brother refuses them, then so be it." Shen Qingping remained unbothered by Shen Qinghui’s pettiness, rising gracefully. "I have official matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave."
Watching Shen Qingping depart, Shen Qinghui’s gaze darkened.
"Father, please enlighten me on what has changed in the capital during my absence."
......
A few days later, Shen Qinghui officially assumed his post as a fifth-rank Hanlin Academy expositor.
At the morning court session, officials approached him with warm greetings.
"We’ve long heard of your return to the capital, Lord Shen. Seeing you today, you remain as distinguished as three years ago."
Shen Qinghui beamed, engaging in pleasant conversation—until someone remarked, "It’s getting late. Why hasn’t Young Lord Shen arrived yet?"
"Young Lord Shen?" Shen Qinghui paused.
"Your third brother, Vice Minister Shen."
Realizing the sudden friendliness of these officials was due to his brother’s influence, Shen Qinghui’s smile stiffened.
"Prince Qin has arrived."
At the announcement, the officials parted to make way. Following their gazes, Shen Qinghui’s breath hitched.
Song Yu strode in, his princely robes radiating authority.
And behind him—stood an impassive Shen Qingping, his official attire accentuating his sharp, unapproachable demeanor.
"Prince Qin, Young Lord Shen."
As the crowd eagerly greeted them, addressing Shen Qingping as "Young Lord Shen," Shen Qinghui clenched his fists inside his sleeves.
When passing by, Shen Qingping didn’t so much as glance at him.
It was as if Shen Qinghui didn’t exist.
The half-hour court session felt like an eternity to Shen Qinghui.
Afterward, he cornered Shen Mingwen. "Father, how can you allow Third Brother to act this way? If this continues, people will only remember the Shen family for producing an overbearing official—feared, not respected. Where is the dignity in that?"
"I once believed you and your second brother could maintain the family’s standing," Shen Mingwen said, perplexed. "But Qinghui, Qingping can elevate the Shen name to greater heights. As the family head, how could I not seize this opportunity?"
"You’re also a Shen. One day, you too will benefit from his influence. Why not consider how much hardship he endures now?"
Hardship? Shen Qinghui scoffed. "Father, back then, I was the only one who endured true hardship with you. That was suffering."
He was the eldest son, the one who had sacrificed for the family all these years—yet now, even the title "Young Lord Shen" belonged to his younger brother.
