Trouble at the Prime Minister's Mansion
Shen Qianyue's eyes were calm, like the deep water in a cold pond, without a single ripple.
"Father didn't ask why my husband hadn't been to court or the Prime Minister's residence for three months. He was only concerned about the continuation of our engagement. He was simply worried about damaging your support at court."
Prime Minister Shen's fingers trembled, and he lowered his voice: "Xie Shangshusheng has a cold temper and ruthless methods, but how has he treated you? Everyone in the court knows that he has bent for you many times. Now you are doing this, aren't you destroying your own great wall!"
Shen Qingyuan also took a step forward, his brows furrowed, his tone full of worry and disapproval.
"Sister, if you have any difficulties, please feel free to speak up. Father and brother will definitely help you."
Chen Qianyue did not answer immediately, but walked slowly to the pear wood chair on the side, picked up the freshly brewed teacup, and gently rubbed the porcelain lid against the rim of the cup. A light sound was heard, which was particularly clear in the silent hall.
"If the father is dissatisfied, he can remove his daughter from the family tree."
Prime Minister Shen almost smashed the teacup, but he was concerned about the personal entourage of Prince Dingwu who might not have left far outside the door, so he forced himself to suppress his anger.
"Do you know that once you are expelled from the family, whether in the government or in the opposition, you will no longer be a daughter of the Shen family, and now without the protection of the Xie family, many people will devour you in an instant, wishing to tear out your bones and pull out your tendons."
Shen Qianyue blew on the tea, took a sip, then raised her eyes and looked at her father, whose chest was heaving with anger.
"Father, this matter involves so many things. Please forgive me for not speaking frankly. The time is not right yet. Knowing more will do no good and may even lead to disaster."
Prime Minister Shen sneered: "Misfortune? What misfortune could be greater than His Majesty personally decreeing your divorce?"
Shen Qingyuan, who had been silent for a long time, lowered his eyes, put his arm around his father's shoulders, and suddenly spoke.
"In that case, father, you should expel my sister from the family tree."
Prime Minister Shen swung his sleeves and angrily scolded: "Ridiculous! Your sister is the wife of the Shangshu Province, and the court has a great order. As a minister, you don't consider the honor of your family at all, but instead indulge her nonsense. How much connections and money did I spend to make you a minister? Are you so angry with me!"
Shen Qianyue suddenly changed the subject and chuckled.
"Since your father doesn't want to, I won't force him. I just heard that the accounts of the pawnshops on West Street have been messed up recently. Could you please let me take care of them for a month? After a month, regardless of profit or loss, I will return the money to the shop and keep the accounts clear."
Prime Minister Shen was immediately alert: "Absolutely impossible! I think you have been bewitched by King Dingwu and have lost your soul! Just now you dared to order him to leave, and now you are plotting to take his property. Don't even think about it!"
Shen Qingyuan seemed to be thinking about something, but did not speak.
Shen Qianyue looked at her father's firm and uncompromising attitude, slowly stood up, adjusted the hem of her skirt, and her face was expressionless.
"In that case, I won't disturb you. I'll go see my mother."
After he finished speaking, he turned around and did not look back even when Prime Minister Shen shouted angrily "Stop!" behind him.
She walked through the corridor and entered Jingxuan Hall where her mother lived. The courtyard was quiet and elegant, with the crabapple blossoms just beginning to bloom, and spring was quietly coming, with a hint of tranquility gently wrapped in time.
Mother Shen was sitting on the couch by the window, doing needlework. The sunlight was warm and soft, bringing her a sense of tranquility.
When she saw her daughter come in, her face immediately lit up with genuine joy, and she put down the work in her hands and went to greet her.
"Qianyue is back? I just heard from the servants that you went to the front. Why don't you spend more time talking to your father?"
Shen Qianyue suppressed the chaotic thoughts in her heart, stepped forward, took her mother's arm, and gently leaned her head on her shoulder.
"Father has guests at his place, and it's inconvenient for me to stay here for long. I just wanted to come and see you and talk to you."
Mother Shen only had this one daughter, so naturally she doted on her in every way. Seeing her like this, her heart softened. She quickly pulled her to sit down, carefully observing her complexion, and couldn't help but nagging about trivial matters at home.
Shen Qianyue answered patiently, choosing only to speak in an obedient manner. She snuggled up to her mother, listening to her gentle nagging, as if stealing a moment's respite from all the heavy planning and calculations.
However, this warmth did not last long.
Mother Shen's conversation involuntarily turned to the trivial matters of her own home, with a hint of sadness and subtle grievance between her brows.
"Your brother's biological mother has become increasingly arrogant recently. She relies on the fact that she gave birth to your father's eldest son. Now that Qingyuan has become an official, she always feels that she is different from others."
Mother Shen sighed, her voice lowered a few notes, her eyes slightly red, obviously she had been depressed for a long time.
"A few days ago, the warehouse found a piece of rare brocade. They had originally planned to make me a New Year's shirt, but she had someone intercept it."
The undercurrents between these wives and concubines never stopped in the backyard.
Shen Qianyue knew very well that her mother had a gentle and even somewhat weak personality, and her father was not a loyal person. Her mother had suffered a lot over the years, and she felt a little bitter in her heart, but she did not show it on her face.
"Mother, please don't get yourself sick from anger. If you like it, I'll have the shop send over some better ones tomorrow. They'll be the latest styles from Suzhou and Hangzhou, so you can choose first."
"As for Aunt Zhao... she's short-sighted and only sees what's in front of her. The more you argue with her, the more complacent she becomes. If you ignore her, she'll become boring."
Mother Shen's eyes were slightly red, and she murmured: "It's different. Time flies. If mother had half of your courage..."
Shen Qianyue gently patted the back of her mother's hand, her tone calm and steady, with a strange and convincing power.
"You are the legitimate wife of the Shen family. No matter how successful your brother is, he is still your legitimate son. Her dignity is only given by you and father. Relax and don't lower yourself to get angry with her."
Mother Shen listened to her daughter's persuasion, and the depression in her heart was slightly relieved. She held her daughter's hand with her backhand and sighed.
"My Yue'er is the most sensible and knows how to care for her the most. If I could live my life over again, I would also like to indulge myself once."
Shen Qianyue soothed softly, "It's not too late, mother."
The mother and daughter snuggled together and talked for a while, mostly mother Shen did the talking, Shen Qianyue listened quietly and comforted her when appropriate.
Time seemed to slow down.
After a long time, Shen Qianyue looked at the sky and prepared to get up and say goodbye.
But Shen's mother held her back, turned around, took out a thick stack of deeds and account books from a rosewood box beside the couch, and stuffed them into Shen Qianyue's hands.
Shen Qianyue was startled: "Mother, this..."
Mother Shen smiled kindly, her eyes were gentle and firm, with a hint of imperceptible tears.
"This is all my dowry shop, the deeds to the farm, and the money I've saved over the years. I'm giving it all to you."
Shen Qianyue quickly refused: "Mother! How can this be allowed!"
Mother Shen was extremely persistent and pushed the box back into her arms with force. Her voice was slightly choked, but with unquestionable determination.
"Take it! Mother doesn't understand the messy plans, but mother can see that my Yue'er has great ambitions. There are some things you don't say, and mother won't ask, but it's good that these may give you some confidence."
"Be cautious in everything you do. I just hope you can escape unscathed."
She raised her hand and gently stroked her daughter's cheek, her eyes full of love and unreserved support.
Chen Qianyue held the heavy box in her hand and looked at the pure and worried love in her mother's eyes. Her throat suddenly choked and her eyes instantly turned red.
This unconditional trust and support made her feel that the responsibility on her shoulders was heavier than any sophisticated calculations or any huge power.
She took a deep breath, suppressed her surging emotions, nodded heavily, and hugged the box tightly in her arms.
"Daughter...I understand. Thank you, mother."
She didn't say anything more, all her words turned into a tight hug.
My mother's dowry may not be as huge as the Shen family's assets, but they are independent and completely belong to her power that she can freely control. This is undoubtedly a timely help.
Shen Qianyue held the box given by her mother, walked out of the courtyard a short distance, passed through a moon gate, and saw Shen Qingyuan standing with his hands behind his back under the shadow of bamboo.
He spoke with sarcasm and a half-smile.
"Sister, sister, I really can't guess what you're up to. King Dingwu is a ruthless hero with a mind deeper than the sea. It's fine that you weren't involved with him before, but now you actually dare to accept that ridiculous imperial decree of divorce."
"And now... you've even foolishly asked father to remove you from the Shen family. Do you know that once you leave the Shen family and lose your status as the daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion, you will have no chance of moving forward in this capital and in this world?"
"What exactly are you after? What Prince Dingwu can give you, can't Xie Shangjia give you? If you marry Prince Dingwu a second time, the best outcome is that you'll be his equal. Why would you take such a risky move?"
Shen Qianyue just raised her eyes coldly and glanced at Shen Qingyuan, her eyes were indifferent and distant, and there was a hint of sneer on her lips.
"Brother, you haven't passed the provincial examination in five years and still have to rely on buying an official position. You'd better worry more about your own career. You don't understand the chess game in the court, and you are not worthy of watching it." Her voice was colder than her eyes, without a trace of warmth.
Chen Qianyue, holding the box, walked sideways past him, her clothes fluttering in the wind. Without any hesitation, she walked straight towards the gate of the mansion without looking back once.
Shen Qingyuan froze in place, watching her resolute figure disappear around the corner of the corridor. His chest heaved violently a few times, and finally he sneered with contempt.
No matter how smart she is, she is just a woman. Does she really think that she knows some military tactics and everyone in the world has to please her?
She is short-sighted and emotional, and is not worthy of being in a noble position. After being coaxed by a few nice words, she forgets her own weight. After leaving the Prime Minister's Mansion and losing the protection of her family, she, Shen Qianyue... is nothing anymore.
Do you really think you can ascend to heaven just by hooking up with King Dingwu? He has a wife. How naive you are!
He straightened his robe, as if to brush away the bad luck brought by the unpleasant conversation just now, turned around and walked in the opposite direction of Shen Qianyue.
A woman who has lost the support of her family is like a rootless duckweed, at the mercy of others, and her final outcome is nothing but a sad ending.
Outside the mansion, the low-key yet majestic carriage of King Dingwu was indeed parked quietly in the shadow of the alley entrance, like a dormant beast, waiting for his allies.
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