Chapter 272
Yan Shujin would never reveal her weaknesses to anyone in public, but when she gave instructions to Pang Bin in private, she was a different person.
Yan Shujin appeared openly in the affairs of Nanzhong, but privately she supported Pang Bin. Even if the court eventually discovered the situation in Nanzhong, it could be said that it was Pang Bin's own idea and that Yan Shujin was unaware of it. Of course, no one would believe such a claim, but as long as it was covered up on the surface, the rest would be easier to handle.
Yan Shujin naturally wouldn't let Pang Bin take the blame; that's not her nature. She was just looking for a good-sounding excuse.
As for someone like the second-place scholar, they are easy to deal with for both Yan Shujin and Pang Bin, because such a person has too many weaknesses that can be exploited. It is hard to understand how the Emperor Yan's beloved second-place scholar could have such an incomprehensible personality.
Pang Bin was well aware that this matter was risky, and that if things went wrong, it would be a gamble on Yan Shujin's temperament. However, he was willing to take the gamble, and even Mr. Pang didn't say anything about it.
In fact, Mr. Pang is just a businessman, and businessmen often like to take risks and try to win big with small investments. When he was willing to bring his whole family to rely on Yan Shujin, he was taking a gamble.
Pang Bin was Mr. Pang's proudest son. He was very good at studying, but he was very much like Pang Bin in terms of personality. Moreover, even if he died, Pang Bin would not be afraid because he still had his younger brother. He believed that if he died for Princess Yongfu, the princess would definitely treat his younger brother well.
During the few days that Pang Bin went to Nanzhong, Yan Shujin carefully explained many things to Pang Bin. In addition, Cheng Zhi was to go to Nanzhong with him.
In fact, Yan Shujin didn't know how Cheng Zhi had spoken to her family or whether the Cheng family had agreed to the matter. However, Yan Shujin noticed that Mr. Cheng's appearance hadn't been good these past few days, and Mrs. Cheng had also become much more haggard, while Cheng Jitong seemed to be in good spirits.
Cheng Jitong has also returned from Nanyue these past few days and is helping Cheng Zhi pack all sorts of luggage and things that might be useful, mostly various kinds of medicinal herbs.
Sun Qiao knew that Cheng Zhi was leaving and guessed that he might have his reasons. However, he could not ask Cheng Zhi to stay while he left because Sun Qiao had a responsibility to protect Yan Shujin. Moreover, he was in charge of all the private soldiers in Fuzhou and even Nanyue.
Yan Shujin met Sun Qiao several times, but she didn't know what he was really thinking.
After seeing off Pang Bin, Cheng Zhi, and the others, King Xuan was also about to return to the capital.
Before leaving, Prince Xuan had a special talk with Yan Shujin.
King Xuan looked at his daughter, who was now a mother, with an exceptionally proud smile on his face, and said, "I should go back now."
Yan Shujin pursed her lips and said, "Sister Huan is about to have her first birthday celebration."
King Xuan said, "Then I'm afraid we'll miss it."
Yan Shujin looked at Prince Xuan with some resentment.
King Xuan said gently, “Sister Bao, you have your responsibilities, and I have mine. I cannot leave my mother, wife, and young children in such a place and push all the burdens onto them.”
Yan Shujin bit her lip and said, "It's Mother's wish."
“Even if they do it willingly, it won’t work.” King Xuan’s expression was gentle, but his tone was firm: “It is my responsibility, and I cannot shirk these things just because someone is willing to take the blame for me.”
Yan Shujin lowered her head and remained silent.
King Xuan looked at his daughter and laughed: "Just like Baojie, you will not shirk your responsibilities, even if some things are very heavy."
Yan Shujin finally fell silent.
King Xuan took out a thin booklet and said, "This is the culmination of Mr. Chu's life's work. Even Emperor Yan has never seen what's in it."
Yan Shujin was stunned for a moment, then took it. Mr. Chu was Han Jing's great-uncle.
King Xuan hesitated for a long time before saying, "I'm afraid Mr. Chu only has a few years left."
Yan Shujin suddenly looked at Prince Xuan and said, "When I last saw Mr. Chu, he seemed to be in good health, and didn't you find his relatives?"
Despite the passing of Empress Chen, King Xuan felt that his daughter still did not understand death.
King Xuan's eyes softened. Even though he had guessed what his daughter was doing, he was unwilling to delve into it: "His wish has been fulfilled, and he has no other worries."
Mr. Chu was actually in a lot of pain, but he kept holding on. Now all his regrets have come to an end, and the last breath he had been holding on for has disappeared. Naturally, he doesn't have many years left to live.
Yan Shujin gripped the booklet tightly in her hand and remained silent for a long time.
King Xuan smiled and said, "Birth, aging, sickness and death are all normal things. Just like your aunt's passing, it is a very sad thing for us, but for her, it may be a relief."
In fact, King Xuan had been looking for an opportunity to talk to his daughter. He knew that she had been observing mourning for the Empress. He had also been eating vegetarian food these days. His daughter was very sentimental, but sometimes she was too sentimental.
Yan Shujin sighed and said, "I understand what Father means."
King Xuan didn't say anything more, but simply instructed, "No matter what news you hear, don't be afraid, understand?"
Yan Shujin felt uneasy and looked at Prince Xuan.
King Xuan said, "I am here."
Yan Shujin pursed her lips and said, "Father, don't take the risk. If necessary, our whole family can go out to sea."
King Xuan laughed heartily: "It hasn't come to that yet. Perhaps soon our family will be able to reunite in Fuzhou. It's just that we'll have to rely on Sister Bao to support the family then."
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