Shen Youying insisted on getting married, and Shen Mingjiang couldn't persuade her otherwise. He thought that since he was going to marry off his daughter, he couldn't make it shabby, so he summoned Fang Shi and asked her to prepare everything for the wedding banquet and decorate the mansion.
As Fang listened to his list, she held back for a while, but finally couldn't help but say, "Master, all the gold, silver and valuables in the house have been confiscated. If we continue to make such large-scale purchases, I'm afraid the manor won't even be able to pay the servants' monthly wages next month."
What she was thinking was, the Shen family has fallen so low, what's the use of dressing up so splendidly? How many guests will come to the banquet? Why waste money on this?
She knew that Shen Youying was Shen Mingjiang's darling, but she didn't dare to say it. She just lowered her head and put on a helpless expression.
"The Imperial Guards did confiscate the property, but they only took the gold and silver that were visible. The Shen family hasn't reached the point you're describing!" Shen Mingjiang frowned at her, finally letting out the anger he had been suppressing since returning home yesterday.
“I receive nearly three thousand taels of silver and rice every year, in addition to income from my fields, estates, and shops, all of which are entrusted to you for management. Over the years, I have not concerned myself with these trivial matters, but that does not mean I am ignorant of them! Moreover, since Zhaozhao has married into the Prince of Qin's mansion, even if there is truly no money in the accounts, we absolutely cannot gloss over it. Otherwise, would you be slapping the Prince of Qin's face or the Emperor's face?”
Fang was wringing her handkerchief, her face burning hot.
"I didn't think that far ahead..."
Shen Mingjiang shook his head: "It's not that you haven't thought that far ahead, it's that you've never cared about Zhaozhao."
“When I made you my official wife, I told you that Zhao Zhao lost her mother at a young age. I didn’t ask you to love her more than Mu Yu, just to be a good stepmother. But look at what you’ve done. Zhao Zhao married into the Qin Prince’s mansion to protect me and the Shen family, but did you have even a shred of pity for her? If Mu Yu were to marry into the Qin Prince’s mansion today, would you still have the mind to think about not having enough money at home and simplifying the wedding?”
Fang stammered, unable to speak.
"Alright, just do as I say." Shen Mingjiang waved his hand wearily and softened his tone. "As for the money at home... if it's really not enough, sell this house and find another place to live. Some of the servants can also be dismissed. Anyway, the officials have already dismissed me from my post. I'm just a commoner now, there's no need for such pomp and circumstance."
Upon hearing that he actually wanted to sell the house, Madam Fang was immediately shocked. She wanted to say a few words of advice, but Shen Mingjiang refused to say anything more and gestured for her to leave.
Fang left, clutching her handkerchief, feeling both uneasy and unwilling.
*
After being reprimanded, Fang no longer dared to be stingy and began to carry out the arrangements as Shen Mingjiang had instructed. Previously, only Qingwu Courtyard was decorated with red silk and colorful ribbons, but now the entire Shen residence was bustling with activity.
Even the main gate plaque was replaced. The original plaque with the words "Duke of Ji's Mansion" written by Emperor Taizu himself could no longer be used, so Shen Mingjiang wrote the words himself and had people rush to make it and hang it up.
The two characters "沈府" (Chenfu) written in black ink on a red background are powerful and vigorous, as if carved by knives, spears, and halberds, exuding a strong sense of menace.
By the time Shen Youying got married, the Shen family mansion had been completely transformed.
Only a handful of guests showed up, and the festive decorations couldn't hide the desolation.
When the King of Qin's wedding procession arrived, no one, except for Shen Huaizhou, even tried to stop them.
With the King of Qin in front of him and his father behind him, Shen Huaizhou was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to stop him or not. He awkwardly wiped the sweat from his brow and said with a forced smile, "Please wait a moment, Your Highness."
Xue Shen glanced at him, then looked past the crowd and at Shen Mingjiang in the main hall.
Shen Mingjiang showed no joy at the prospect of marrying off his daughter. He sat there with an air of authority, his usual tiger-headed golden spear beside him.
Xue Shen turned his wheelchair, walked past Shen Huaizhou to the main hall, and cupped his hands in greeting: "Father-in-law."
Shen Mingjiang narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing him without any attempt to conceal his gaze.
He had fought alongside the late emperor and was naturally familiar with the late emperor's only son. Back then, the young crown prince was skilled in both debating with ministers and drawing a bow with a ten-stone weight, and the court and the public placed high hopes on him.
But who would have thought that such a talented person would be ruined by a horse-riding accident?
After the late emperor's passing, the current emperor succeeded to the throne and enfeoffed Xue Shen as the Prince of Qin, granting him every request and showering him with great favor. Whether due to his leg ailment leading to despair or truly being spoiled, the Prince of Qin not only became eccentric and stubborn, but his actions also became increasingly absurd, earning him the contempt of all.
Shen Mingjiang hadn't dealt with him for a long time, and now, looking at him again, he only felt that his skin was pale and his eyes were filled with a fierce aura, which was very different from before.
He frowned slightly and earnestly advised, "In my early years, I followed the late emperor in his campaigns across the north and south. Whenever the late emperor mentioned Your Highness, he was always very proud of you. I hope Your Highness will not disappoint the late emperor's expectations."
Xue Shen patted his numb legs, raising his eyebrows slightly. He chuckled, "The late emperor once hoped I could be a wise ruler, but now I'm just a cripple with crippled legs. The past cannot be retrieved; rather than dwelling on it and adding to my worries, I'd rather enjoy the present moment."
He waved his hand, seemingly unwilling to discuss further, and said, "Today is my joyous day. Father-in-law, please don't bring up those old stories that would spoil the atmosphere. Please invite the Princess Consort out quickly."
Shen Mingjiang disagreed, but had no intention of arguing with him. Hearing someone outside loudly proclaiming "The auspicious time has arrived," he cupped his hands to Xue Shen and said, "Wait a moment." He then personally went to Qingwu Courtyard and carried his daughter out.
Shen Youying lay on her father's broad back, one hand gripping his shoulder, the other holding a round fan to shield her face. Her gaze swept across the edge of the fan, and she caught a glimpse of a red figure in the distance.
That must be the King of Qin.
She was actually a little uneasy, and quietly moved the fan aside to get a better look, but she was caught off guard and met a pair of deep black phoenix eyes.
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