Cutting Off the Root of Trouble?
Shen Mingwen's heart trembled slightly. He had already forced his eldest son's family out of the capital.
"Please speak plainly, General Gu."
"The Shen and Gu families—one civil, one military—are the prince's right and left arms. Losing either would be a great loss for His Highness. Were it not so, I, Gu Zheng, would not overstep today." Gu Zheng leaned closer to Shen Mingwen, lowering his voice. "If the Grand Tutor can steel his heart, quietly convene the ancestral hall and have the clan elders witness the expulsion of Shen Qinghui's family."
"If Shen Qinghui causes no trouble in the future, everyone will still believe he remains the Shen family's legitimate eldest son. But if he stirs chaos, the consequences will not extend to the Shen family."
With that, Gu Zheng clasped his hands and left.
He had delivered every word the princess asked him to convey.
Were it not for her, he wouldn’t have bothered speaking more than a few words to Shen Mingwen—the mere sight of him was infuriating!
A son’s faults reflect the father’s failures!
Shen Mingwen stood frozen in place for a long while.
That night, he tossed and turned restlessly.
"My lord, is something troubling you?" Lady Shen rose to light a candle, her voice gentle.
Looking at her, Shen Mingwen suddenly felt his eyes burn.
Qinghui—their first child, the one for whom Lady Shen had suffered the most to bring into this world.
"My lady, I remember when we first learned you were carrying Qinghui. I was so overjoyed I spun you around the courtyard countless times."
At the mention of Shen Qinghui, Lady Shen paused, her eyes reddening as if she understood something unspoken.
"Yes, I was so happy too," she replied, her voice trembling with emotion. "When I gave birth to him, you were away for the imperial exams. By the time you returned, Qinghui was already four months old."
"After that, every time you left for the exams, I would take Qinghui to the village entrance to see you off. Then I’d spend days and nights praying for your success and safe return."
Speaking of those days, nostalgia filled Lady Shen’s eyes. Back then, Qinghui had been such a good child, waiting patiently with her year after year.
"I still remember during your provincial exams, Qinghui and I knelt at home to pray. His knees swelled from kneeling so long."
By now, tears streamed down Lady Shen’s face.
Hearts change so easily.
"You’ve suffered greatly, my lady," Shen Mingwen said, gripping her hand.
Qinghui always claimed he had endured the most hardship, but the truth was, Lady Shen had borne the heaviest burden.
"My lord, do what you believe is right."
Shen Mingwen’s pupils contracted sharply at her words, his grip tightening around her hand. "Qinghui... he took the wrong path. To protect the next head of the Shen family, I must do this."
The next day, Shen Mingwen summoned the clan elders and convened the ancestral hall.
What transpired there remained known only to a select few.
Emerging from the hall, Shen Mingwen saw Shen Qingping waiting outside.
No words were exchanged—only a firm pat on the shoulder, conveying everything unspoken:
The Shen family’s future now rests with you.
Today, your father clears the obstacles within the family for you.
......
Qin Prince's Mansion.
"Grand Tutor Shen is a scholar, so such a ruthless decision wouldn’t come naturally to him," Song Shihuan remarked, sipping her tea. "But with guidance, he gains the courage to act decisively."
Such was the integrity of a scholar.
"That boy Shen Qingping is fortunate," Song Yu grumbled, his tone sour. Unlike his own father, who never missed a chance to scold him.
Speak of the devil—Shen Qingping arrived, and the father-daughter pair exchanged a glance.
He was clearly in high spirits.
"For the Gu family’s eldest daughter’s wedding, have Your Highness and the princess decided on a gift?"
"Father and I settled on that long ago!" Song Shihuan laughed. For an ordinary wedding, her father wouldn’t have been so eager.
"Oh? Do enlighten me."
Song Yu cleared his throat. "This prince intends to use the Qin Prince's Mansion’s funds to purchase grain and transport it to the northern frontier."
Yu Fan’s descriptions of the northern frontier differed so drastically from his imagination that he’d even dreamt of its suffering people.
"I know this grain is but a drop in the bucket, but I must start somewhere."
After a moment of silence, Shen Qingping spoke.
"From the capital to the northern frontier, the route passes through nine cities—including Prince Chu’s domain. Your Highness, I have an idea."
"Out with it."
Song Yu perked up immediately. Whenever Shen Qingping spoke like this, someone was about to face misfortune.
"The funds will still come from the Qin Prince's Mansion, but the grain will be delivered under the Ministry of Revenue’s name. This will demonstrate the Great Qi’s regard for the northern frontier’s people. The Emperor will not refuse."
Song Shihuan’s heart fluttered. Her grandfather wouldn’t just agree—he’d likely be moved to tears.
"And then?" Song Yu pressed eagerly.
"If it’s known as Your Highness’s grain, they wouldn’t dare touch it. But if it’s the Ministry of Revenue’s... they’ve grown accustomed to embezzlement. Over the years, how much of the grain sent north ever reached the people?"
"This prince understands!"
Song Yu shot to his feet.
Lure the snakes from their holes, then strike them unprepared.
"This way, the people receive the grain, and we purge a wave of corrupt officials."
Song Yu studied Shen Qingping. Truly, only this man could devise such cunning schemes!
"A move with multiple benefits, Your Highness. Proceed without hesitation. But if no corrupt officials emerge, the grain will have no ties to the Qin Prince's Mansion," Shen Qingping added with a smile.
"No matter. As long as the people are fed, nothing else is important."
After a moment’s thought, Song Shihuan chuckled. "What my mentor truly wishes to deal with isn’t the corrupt officials—it’s Third Uncle’s men, isn’t it?"
With Prince Chu weakened, his subordinates would surely scramble to amass resources to sustain their power.
Even if the grain entered his domain intact, how much would remain upon leaving?
"Dealing with Third Brother? That’s this prince’s specialty."
Song Yu’s eyes gleamed. "Tomorrow, I’ll petition His Majesty to expedite the grain’s delivery north."
He couldn’t wait to see Third Brother’s defeat!
......
The next day, after the morning court session, in the Purple Palace Hall.
"I beg Your Majesty’s permission to purchase grain with my own funds and deliver it under the Ministry of Revenue’s name to the northern frontier, showcasing Your Majesty’s benevolent rule."
Wu Qi, standing nearby, gaped. Since when had the prince spoken so eloquently?
Emperor Yuanyou’s voice rose with excitement. "You’d truly do good without claiming credit?"
"I would. Besides, honoring Your Majesty’s name honors mine as well."
Tears welled in the emperor’s heart. Fen'er, our son has truly grown! He’s nothing like before!
"Granted!"
Seeing the emperor’s swift approval, Song Yu grinned—a smile edged with ruthlessness.
Let’s see who dares lay a finger on Song Yu’s grain!
