Chapter 71: Imperial Censor

But now that I look closely, Shen Shilang and Shen Liangyu don’t look alike at all.

At that time, the entire Shen family was slaughtered, and the bodies of the children in the family were also turned out, and they all matched the numbers.

Therefore, Emperor Jiacheng never suspected that the Shen family would have missed something.

The reason why he paid a little more attention to Shen Shilang was simply because his surname was Shen, and he was both talented and handsome, very much like Shen Liangyu, which made him think of Shen Liangyu involuntarily.

"Your Majesty, that's right. I have been living in the Wei Mansion for many years and have been taken care of by General Wei. Now I have the opportunity to pass the imperial examination." Shen Shilang said with his head down.

"You are a grateful person." Emperor Jiacheng said with a hint of sarcasm. He tapped the tabletop twice with his fingertips and said, "But I heard that you are not living a happy life in the Wei family."

"When you left the Wei family to go to Beijing for the exam, you had a falling out with the Wei family." Emperor Jiacheng said again.

Shen Shilang made a surprised expression at the right time, lowered his head and said: "Your Majesty is wise, I...I am grateful to General Wei for taking care of me. If it weren't for General Wei, I don't know where I would work hard just to make ends meet, and there would be no conditions for me to study for the imperial examinations. So I dare not say that I have broken up with the Wei Mansion. Besides..."

Shen Shilang pulled his lips in self-mockery, "What kind of person am I to dare to claim that I have broken up with the Wei Mansion?"

"You must not be pretentious in front of me." Emperor Jiacheng said coldly.

"Your Majesty, I dare not say a word of falsehood." Shen Shilang looked terrified. "Although I don't have a good relationship with Madam Wei and the second son of the Wei family, I am sincerely grateful to General Wei. No matter what, he also gave me a place to live. Without General Wei, it would be much more difficult for me to take the imperial examination."

"He is a man who knows how to repay a favor." Emperor Jiacheng smiled, but his expression showed that he did not really believe Shen Shilang's words. "However, since you have won such an important event as the first place in the imperial examination, why didn't you write a letter to Wei Zhaoxian? Since he has done you such a favor."

Shen Shilang seemed to be so surprised that he forgot everything. He subconsciously looked up and looked at Emperor Jiacheng in shock.

Seeing the half-smile on Emperor Jiacheng's face, Shen Shilang lowered his head in fear, as if his panic was seen through by Emperor Jiacheng.

Emperor Jiacheng looked at Shen Shilang's expression with satisfaction, and heard Shen Shilang's voice trembling with fear: "Your Majesty, I... I naturally have some resentment. But I dare not forget the kindness of General Wei. My parents died when I was young. Although I can't say that I have a good life in the Wei Mansion, after all, I am of different status, and I know it."

"It's just...it's just..." Shen Shilang pressed his forehead deeply to the ground, "I have read the books of sages and want to make achievements in the court. I dare not be an ungrateful and ungrateful person."

It means that he doesn't want to affect his official career, so even if he has resentment in his heart, he dare not speak it out.

Emperor Jiacheng was finally somewhat satisfied with Shen Shilang's answer, which seemed to be the truth.

Emperor Jiacheng then said: "Since you have always remembered Wei Zhaoxian's kindness, then this time when Wei Zhaoxian asks for help from the court, you should lead the team."

Shen Shilang was shocked and said hurriedly: "But... I am just a compiler in the Imperial Academy, how can I..."

"That's easy." Emperor Jiacheng said nonchalantly, "I'll appoint you as the Imperial Censor to accompany the army on the expedition and perform the duties of supervising the army."

Emperor Jiacheng looked at him deeply and said slowly: "You are now attracting much attention. Everyone in the court knows your relationship with Wei Zhaoxian. It will be good for you to support Wei Zhaoxian."

Shen Shilang suddenly understood what Emperor Jiacheng meant, and quickly prostrated himself, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

"Go, prepare well, and don't let me down." said Emperor Jiacheng.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll take my leave." Shen Shilang slowly stood up, bowed his head, faced Emperor Jiacheng, and retreated to the door of the imperial study before turning around and leaving.

After walking a distance and no more palace servants followed him, Su Jinshi said, "Does Emperor Jiacheng want you to use this incident to gain a good reputation for yourself?"

"Everyone knows that Wei Zhaoxian has done you a favor, and you support Wei Zhaoxian to repay him." Su Jinshi frowned and said, "Is Emperor Jiacheng so kind that he wants to help you improve your reputation?"

Su Jinshi shook his head and said, "If he was really so kind, he wouldn't have forcibly changed you from the top scholar to the third scholar."

Shen Shilang twitched his lips slightly and whispered, "Of course he is not that kind."

"He first asked about my relationship with the Wei family and whether I held a grudge against Wei Zhaoxian. He was testing my attitude towards Wei Zhaoxian."

Su Jinshi suddenly realized, "So when you first said that you had no resentment towards Wei Zhaoxian, he didn't believe it. It wasn't until you finally hinted to him that for the sake of his future he couldn't act like an ungrateful person that he became happy."

Yeah. Shen Shilang nodded, "In his mind, I should be a scheming and smooth person. But given Emperor Jiacheng's suspicion, he wouldn't trust me so easily. That's why he asked me to lead the team to support General Wei."

"He wants to see how I do it." Shen Shilang said in a deep voice.

No matter what he says, just watch what he does.

"Then what are you going to do?" Su Jinshi asked, "You can't really trick Wei Zhaoxian just to gain the trust of Emperor Jiacheng."

As Shen Shilang walked, he looked out of the palace gate and said, "General Wei should retire at the right time. Otherwise, with Emperor Jiacheng's attitude, he may not live for many years."

Shen Shilang lowered his eyes slightly, "I'll think of a way."

Please...collect 6...9...books...!

At this time, Su Jinshi saw Master Liu coming towards him from afar.

In front of Grand Tutor Liu there was a palace servant walking with his head bowed, leading the way for him.

As he approached, Shen Shilang bowed to Master Liu, "Master Liu."

"I heard about it." Master Liu smiled and said, "Congratulations, Master Shen."

"I dare not." Shen Shilang said with his head down.

After bidding farewell to Grand Tutor Liu, Su Jinshi sighed and said, "You officials here are all very cunning, right?"

"What do you mean?" Shen Shilang asked with a smile.

"Grand Tutor Liu had just entered the palace not far away when he heard about your promotion." Su Jinshi said, "Isn't this telling you that he has connections everywhere? Maybe your promotion was the result of a discussion between Emperor Jiacheng and him."

Shen Shilang listened to Su Jinshi with a smile, but his eyes became more and more gentle.

There was admiration in his dark eyes.

"He said it on purpose for you to hear. If you are smart, you will be able to hear it, and you will only be more respectful to him or even afraid of him. If you don't hear it, you are a fool, so you don't need to bother with it."

"You're still talking about us, but you can see it clearly, right?" Shen Shilang said with a smile, "It shows that you are just as cunning as before."

"No way." Su Jinshi held up his chin and said, "I am a bystander and can see things more clearly. Since I am not involved, I can analyze a little. If I were the person involved, it would not be so easy for me to react."

(End of this chapter)