"Cough, cough—"
Shen Mingwen felt like he was choking on his own saliva, his aged face flushing red.
"Qingping is still quite young. If his official rank is too high, he might make enemies in the court."
Hearing Shen Mingwen's words, Emperor Yuanyou couldn't help but roll his eyes.
As if Shen Qingping hadn’t already made enemies in the court?
"In my humble opinion, promoting him to the second rank is sufficient."
Shen Mingwen was sweating bullets internally. Second rank was more than enough—any higher and it would surpass his own position as a first-rank Grand Tutor.
"Then let it be as you suggest."
Emperor Yuanyou couldn’t hold back a laugh, twisting the knife further in Shen Mingwen’s heart. "Truly, a tiger father does not produce a dog of a son."
With that, Shen Mingwen became distracted during their chess game and excused himself as soon as the match ended. Behind him, Emperor Yuanyou grinned from ear to ear.
Shen Residence.
"Third Son, how are your injuries?" Shen Mingwen stood before Shen Qingping, adopting a polite yet firm tone.
"Mei Zhilin provided the finest medicinal ointments. I’m much better now."
Seeing his father’s demeanor, Shen Qingping instinctively grew wary. It was the same look Shen Mingwen had when competing with him to become the princess’s mentor.
"Did something happen during your chess game with His Majesty?"
Shen Mingwen chuckled dryly. "Well, the Emperor mentioned that after this matter is resolved, your rank will be raised to the second tier."
Shen Qingping’s eyes lit up—second rank!
Poor Shen Qingping had no idea his promotion could have gone even higher, had his own father not intervened.
"Father, in a few years, my rank might even surpass yours."
Shen Qingping grinned, only to have his head promptly smacked by Shen Mingwen.
"Insolent! Since when does a son outrank his father?"
How would he face the ridicule of others?
Ignoring his father’s petty concerns, Shen Qingping’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Will it be Associate Second Rank or Full Second Rank?"
......
"Most likely Associate Second Rank."
In the Qin Prince's Mansion, Song Yu’s words made Shen Qingping widen his eyes. "Why not Full Second Rank?"
"There are currently no vacancies for Full Second Rank positions, and none of the incumbents have committed any offenses. Do you expect them to conjure up a position for you?"
With the Shen family matter settled and Shen Qingping’s injuries improving, Song Yu finally relaxed, lounging lazily in a recliner.
"Those old fogies should make way for someone young and capable like me." Shen Qingping grumbled, though he knew Song Yu was right.
"You could always persuade your old man to retire and hand over the Grand Tutor position to you."
Song Shihuan burst into laughter. "Then let me congratulate you in advance on another promotion, Master."
After some casual banter, they finally turned to serious matters.
"Princess, did you bring Bing Shi back to the capital?"
Shen Qingping’s expression turned grave. "Song Ling’s death is suspicious. I investigated Ping Prince's Mansion and found that among those who personally attended to Song Ling, only Bing Shi is still alive. The others have all disappeared, and no one in the mansion now knows the truth."
"Such ruthless measures must be hiding an even greater secret."
Song Shihuan’s gaze sharpened. "Bing Shi is being kept in the outskirts of the capital. According to his testimony, Shen Hua'er is the most suspicious."
"But without concrete evidence, we can’t petition the Emperor to exhume the body for examination."
Shen Qingping slapped his thigh in frustration, only to wince as the motion aggravated his injuries. He cursed Chu Wuliang inwardly again.
"Master, did you find anything when investigating the capital’s pharmacies and black markets?"
Song Shihuan pressed her lips together before asking.
Shen Qingping shook his head. Strangely, despite scouring every possible place in the capital where poison could be obtained—even sneaking into a brothel once—he found nothing amiss.
"What if the poison was something Shen Hua'er brought from the Shen family into Ping Prince's Mansion?"
The moment Song Shihuan spoke, Song Yu and Shen Qingping looked at her as if she were a priceless treasure.
......
Purple Palace Hall.
"Hmph!"
Emperor Yuanyou snorted heavily. "You’ve been back for days, yet this is the first time you’ve deigned to dine with me. Tell me, how should I feel about that?"
Watching Song Yu silently devouring his meal, the Emperor felt as though his heart were being fried in oil.
"Imperial Grandfather, Father was only concerned that delaying the Shen family matter might lead to complications." Song Shihuan served the Emperor a dish herself. "The Shen family profited immensely from smuggling salt—enough to warrant extermination. How do you plan to deal with them?"
The change in topic pleased Emperor Yuanyou, who happily ate the food Song Shihuan had given him.
Hmm...
The imperial kitchen’s chefs seemed to have outdone themselves today.
"Proceed with the extermination as per the law. As for the Ping Princess Consort, demote her to a concubine." Emperor Yuanyou felt this was fair—just as Lady Chang had been demoted before, so too should Lady Shen.
"Imperial Grandfather is most wise."
Before Song Shihuan could shower him with more praise, Wu Qi’s hesitant voice came from outside the hall. "Your Majesty, the Eldest Imperial Grandson has arrived."
The smile on Emperor Yuanyou’s face vanished instantly.
"Let him in."
"Your Majesty, the Eldest Imperial Grandson claims he is guilty and is kneeling outside."
"Then let him kneel." Song Yu mimicked Song Shihuan by serving the Emperor another dish. "Since Father hasn’t finished his meal, let him kneel a while longer. If he’s guilty, a little extra kneeling will show his sincerity."
Emperor Yuanyou stared at Song Yu in shock.
This rascal... serving him food?
Completely forgetting about Song Yanzheng, he happily resumed his meal.
Outside the hall, Song Yanzheng knelt on the cold floor, listening to the laughter inside. Slowly, he lowered his head, concealing the hatred in his eyes.
After kneeling for a full half-hour, Emperor Yuanyou finally emerged. "What crime are you confessing?"
"My consort is a daughter of the Shen family. If the Shen family is guilty, then the Ping Prince's Mansion is also guilty. My consort has fallen ill over this matter. Father, the Shen family has contributed to the Great Qi. Could you spare at least one descendant?"
Emperor Yuanyou kicked Song Yanzheng on the spot.
"Nonsense!"
"Get out of my sight and return to Ping Prince's Mansion!"
He was already showing mercy by not punishing Shen Hua'er.
Song Yanzheng closed his eyes, not daring to provoke the Emperor further, and hurriedly left the Purple Palace Hall.
Walking along the palace path, his heart pounded violently. If he couldn’t fulfill Shen Hua'er’s request... then it seemed he had only one path left.
......
The next morning, during court.
Emperor Yuanyou announced the verdict for the Shen family: execution of the entire clan.
Just as the officials bowed their heads in silence, the Emperor’s tone shifted.
"In investigating the salt smuggling case, Shen Qingping deserves the most credit. After careful consideration, I have decided to promote him."
The ministers looked up, their expressions numb.
Another promotion? Didn’t he just get one last year?
Then Emperor Yuanyou’s voice rang out again:
"He shall be promoted to Full Second Rank as the Junior Mentor to the Crown Prince."
Even Song Yu was stunned.
Junior Mentor... to the Crown Prince?
The Crown Prince hasn't even issued the official decree yet, and he already has a Junior Tutor?
