The Shen Family Residence.
"Master, Luo Si has arrived in the capital."
At the servant's words, Shen Pu's expression darkened. "Didn't I warn him not to come to the capital recklessly?"
Luo Si was a wanted man. Showing up unannounced would only bring trouble to him and the Shen Family.
"Luo Si said there’s urgent business matters... something he must discuss with you personally. He doesn’t trust anyone else."
"Fine. Have him disguise himself as a servant and enter the estate."
What Shen Pu didn’t know was that from the moment Luo Si stepped through the city gates, Shen Qingping had already set his sights on him.
That afternoon, Luo Si stood before Shen Pu.
As soon as he entered the room, Luo Si tore off his servant’s disguise and sprawled casually onto a chair. "Master Shen, it’s been a while."
"Didn’t I tell you not to associate openly with the Shen Family?"
"If I hadn’t come, half our salt smuggling business would’ve been snatched away!" Luo Si, a burly man with a thick beard, had eyes brimming with ruthless menace—a man who lived by the blade.
"What do you mean, ‘snatched away’?" Shen Pu slammed the table. "I pulled you out of prison and entrusted you with the Shen Family’s most vital business. Is this how you repay me?"
"Master Shen, have you figured out who’s behind this?"
Ignoring Shen Pu’s fury, Luo Si posed the question instead.
When Shen Pu remained silent, Luo Si chuckled. "It’s Shen Qingping of the Shen Family."
Shen Pu’s pupils constricted instantly.
"Him? Impossible. He’s Prince Qin’s trusted aide, a rising star in the court. He wouldn’t risk his neck smuggling salt."
"Then why would a century-old family like yours do it?" Luo Si shot back, leaving Shen Pu speechless.
"No one ever has enough silver, Master Shen. I risked coming to the capital to tell you this: while you failed to uncover the culprit, I did. And this man is cunning. If we let this continue, the Shen Family will lose its grip on the salt trade."
The mere thought enraged Luo Si. Even a traitor like Scar now dared to flaunt Shen Qingping’s backing and ignore him outright. Unbelievable.
Scar was the only one who’d betrayed Luo Si and lived to tell the tale. But not for long—Luo Si would slit his throat sooner or later.
"So, Shen Qingping has discovered the Shen Family’s smuggling."
Shen Pu’s fingers trembled. Yet instead of exposing them, Shen Qingping had entered the fray himself, aiming to take a cut—or even swallow the Shen Family whole.
"Worse, Master Shen. He knows you won’t dare expose him because he’s using the same routes as yours." Luo Si rose slowly. "If we don’t eliminate him, he’ll be our ruin."
"I understand."
Shen Pu exhaled heavily. "I’ll deal with Shen Qingping. You return and stabilize the salt trade. Don’t let the Shen Family steal it easily."
"Tch. Master Shen, you’d better act fast. The Shen Family’s goods are higher quality yet cheaper. You expect me to strong-arm buyers into taking ours?"
With that, Luo Si strode out, leaving Shen Pu fuming.
"That Luo Si is nothing but a scoundrel!"
"Master, calm yourself. A man like him could lose his head any day. No need to waste anger on him," the servant soothed. "But about Shen Qingping..."
"He must die—quietly."
Shen Pu clenched his fists. "Whether it’s the Shen Family or his, the salt trade must never come to light."
"Understood. I’ll dispatch men at once."
......
Two days later.
Seated in his study, Shen Qingping sighed as the clashing of blades echoed from the roof again. He set down his book, dipped his brush, and wrote a single large character on parchment:
"Annoying."
A quarter-hour later, the fighting ceased.
"How many assassinations is this now?" Shen Qingping mused, his tone as casual as if discussing the day’s meal.
"The fifth, sir. Your parents remain unharmed as well," the servant replied, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Five attempts, five failures. The Shen Family truly is useless."
Shen Qingping tossed his brush aside, heedless of the ink staining the parchment. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. "What about Luo Si? Still under watch?"
"Rest assured, Third Master. Ever since Scar started flaunting your influence, Luo Si’s been targeting him relentlessly. Wherever Scar goes, Luo Si lurks within ten miles."
Recalling the evidence he’d gathered, Shen Qingping smirked.
"Luo Si is the key piece. We can’t afford mistakes."
"Indeed, Third Master. Besides him, Scar’s men also uncovered an official colluding with the Shen Family in the salt trade. His favorite concubine holds proof."
Shen Qingping laughed outright, his frosty demeanor thawing. "Who knew the men Chief Shen assigned me would prove so useful?"
"When will you expose the Shen Family, Third Master?"
"Not yet. After Prince Qin’s examination results are announced." Shen Qingping’s lips curved slightly, thinking of Song Yu’s flawless answer sheet.
......
While Shen Qingping and the Shen Family waged their shadow war in the capital, Song Yu and Song Shihuan returned to their inn in Ji'an Prefecture the day before the results were posted.
With the announcement imminent, the streets buzzed with restless examinees.
Spotting Song Yu, Zheng Fang and Ling Ming hurried over. "Brother Guo, you’re back!"
"What’s happened?" Song Yu asked.
"Many candidates plan to camp outside the examination hall tonight to secure a spot. Otherwise, they won’t squeeze in tomorrow when the results go up," Zheng Fang explained, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief.
"And you two?" Song Yu gulped down water. "I won’t go. Knowing a bit sooner changes nothing."
Besides, successful candidates would have yamen runners deliver the news with gongs. His plan was simple: sit in the inn’s lobby at dawn and wait for the fanfare.
A perfect moment for a grand display!
"I’d rather not go either, but Ling Ming insists," Zheng Fang said, glancing at his friend.
Ling Ming grinned sheepishly. "Becoming a scholar means everything to me. These past days, I’ve felt like ants are crawling under my skin. I’ll keep watch and bring you both the news."
Song Yu didn’t dissuade him, clapping Ling Ming’s shoulder with a smile.
The next morning, as daylight broke, a group of yamen runners approached the examination hall’s walls, carrying the long-awaited notice.
The results were posted.
