Shen Yuan entered the study, but blocked Shen Yunjin from entering.
Shen Yunjin watched as the study door was closed again, and angrily clenched the handkerchief in her hand.
Butler Cheng advised, "Second Miss, you are still ill. Why don't you go back and rest first? I will inform you as soon as Master wants to see you!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yunjin tugged hard at the handkerchief in her hand.
Inside the study.
Shen Yuan walked to the desk, bowed, and greeted him, "General Shen."
When Shen Wei saw Shen Yuan, his expression improved considerably. He stood up and smiled at Shen Yuan: "Yuan Yuan, what brings you here? Is there something you need from your father?"
Shen Yuan said, "I want to withdraw three thousand taels of silver from the manor, but Steward Cheng said that the amount is too large and asked me to inquire about it."
In the General's Mansion, the monthly allowance for both the wives and daughters is limited. For example, Shen Yuan, Shen Yunjin, Shen Changshu, and Shen Qingshu each receive one hundred taels of silver per month.
If you don't have enough money, you need to go to Jiang's house.
But Shen Yuan knew that it would be useless for her to go to Jiang Shi, so she bypassed her and went directly to see Shen Wei.
Although the General's Mansion was not short of money, three thousand taels was indeed a considerable sum for Shen Wei, almost equivalent to his annual salary.
It wasn't that he was unwilling to give Shen Yuan so much money; it was just that he didn't understand what Shen Yuan needed so much money for.
"Yuanyuan, what do you plan to do with this money?"
Shen Yuan said, "I want to start a small business. During this trip to the capital, I found that the business of the Beijing Chamber of Commerce is quite good, so I want to open a shop selling rouge and face powder, and also sell some of my own homemade purple gromwell ointment and anti-chapped cream."
Upon hearing that Shen Yuan needed so much money for important business, Shen Wei immediately nodded: "Alright! Go find the accountant and get the bank drafts!"
After a pause, Shen Wei continued, "Three thousand taels probably isn't enough to open such a large shop, is it? Here, go and get five thousand taels!"
Seeing Shen Wei casually hand over five thousand taels of silver, Shen Yuan stood there stunned.
Not counting the half gold medal Xiao Ling gave her, this was the first time someone had given her so much money.
Five thousand taels! That's so much money! Her affordable pharmacy would have to work for at least ten years to earn that much.
Shen Yuan hurriedly expressed her gratitude: "Thank you very much, General Shen! I will use this money wisely and will not waste it!"
Hearing Shen Yuan refer to himself as General Shen, a hint of melancholy flashed in Shen Wei's eyes.
But he quickly let it go. It was just a form of address; Shen Yuan could call him that if she wanted, or not. It wasn't anything important.
It's normal that Shen Yuan can't accept him right away since they've just reunited as father and daughter. A father shouldn't force his child to accept him.
Moreover, seeing Shen Yuan smile made Shen Wei genuinely happy.
The child's eyes lit up when she heard the number five thousand taels, her gaze practically sparkling; she was quite charming and adorable. It seems this child really likes money; he'll have to find a way to give Shen Yuan more pocket money in the future.
Thinking of this, Shen Wei said, "From today onwards, your monthly allowance will increase from 100 taels to 200 taels."
Shen Yuan exclaimed in surprise, "Sister Yun Jin and her two younger brothers each received one hundred taels, but I only received two hundred taels. Isn't that inappropriate?"
"What's inappropriate?" Shen Wei said dismissively, "Chang Shu and Qing Shu are still young and are both boys, so they don't have many expenses. Unlike you girls, who need to buy clothes and jewelry, you have many expenses, so your father should naturally give you more money."
"As for Jin'er, he has been spoiled by your mother and me all these years, and we can't continue to spoil him like this."
Seeing that Shen Wei had finally mentioned Shen Yunjin, Shen Yuan quickly followed up, saying, "Sister Yunjin just doesn't know General Shen's good intentions. If she did, she would definitely not continue to be so stubborn."
Upon hearing this, Shen Wei glanced at Shen Yuan with some surprise.
He wanted to break off his engagement with the Crown Prince, but no one in the household understood him.
Only Shen Yuan felt that she had her reasons.
There were faint tears glistening in Shen Wei's eyes.
Shen Yuan subtly shifted her gaze; of course, she wouldn't reveal that she was one of only two people in the household who knew the truth.
Shen Wei sighed softly and said, "Since ancient times, the crown prince has been chosen based on primogeniture rather than merit. Some people are destined for high positions from birth, but there are many who are not virtuous enough to deserve them."
"Actually, I saw long ago that Your Highness was not a good match for Jin'er, but since Jin'er likes him, I let her be. Anyway, with the General's Mansion and my accumulated military merits as a backing, it won't be difficult for me to win her the title of principal wife."
"But I never expected that His Highness only had the intention to use the General's Mansion, and had no sincerity whatsoever towards Jin'er. He actually wanted to give the position of principal wife to Minister Wang's daughter, and make Jin'er a concubine."
"Since he dares to treat my daughter so disrespectfully, I have no interest in this marriage! It's off!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan only asked, "Has the Emperor agreed to this?"
Shen Wei nodded: "The Crown Prince's collusion with Minister Wang to sell official positions and amass wealth has been reported to His Majesty by the Censor-in-Chief. His Majesty had no choice but to grant my request."
After saying that, Shen Wei snorted coldly, "Now the entire court knows that Minister Wang is going to become in-laws with the Empress!"
In fact, Shen Yuan came here today not just to ask for money, but also to subtly find out what happened in the court today.
Hearing Shen Wei say this, Shen Yuan knew that the matter had been accomplished.
Then, feigning surprise, he asked, "What? His Highness the Crown Prince has actually sold official positions for personal gain? He has committed such a serious offense, won't the Emperor punish him?"
“This matter could be a big deal or a small deal. If he uses the excuse of being misled by treacherous officials to push all the blame onto Minister Wang, then at most he will be reprimanded by the Emperor and have his salary reduced for a few months.” Shen Wei pondered, “But he is so deeply in love with Miss Wang, I wonder how far he will go.”
Shen Yuan sighed, "It's such a pity that Sister Yun Jin's affections have been misplaced!"
Shen Wei sneered, "She's just too stupid!"
That's really stupid!
Shen Yuan agreed with this statement.
"General Shen publicly petitioned His Highness the Crown Prince to annul the engagement for the sake of Sister Yun Jin today. I'm afraid His Highness the Crown Prince will hold a grudge against the Shen family."
Shen Yuan feigned worry and asked with a look of fear, "General Shen has offended His Highness the Crown Prince today. If His Highness ascends the throne in the future, will he target the Shen family first?"
If Shen Yuan could think of this, Shen Wei could naturally think of it too.
Even at great cost, he had to rescue his daughter from the fire.
Seeing Shen Yuan's worried expression, Shen Wei comforted her, "Yuan Yuan, don't worry, with your father here, I will definitely protect you."
Shen Yuan lowered her head: "I believe in General Shen's loving heart as a father. But the emperor's power is supreme, and punishing or killing a subject is just a matter of the emperor's word."
"if……"
Shen Yuan lowered her voice and said in a tone that only she and Shen Wei could hear, "It would be nice if we could have a different emperor."
Shen Wei's eyes widened in shock.
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