Shen Lanxi had long anticipated this day; she had expected it years earlier. Now that she's bringing up the division of the family, it's already too late.
The Shen family may seem prosperous and flourishing, but in reality, things are in complete chaos.
How do you want to divide it?
Shen Yuanjing said, "We were just staying at the Prince's Mansion where you lived before. It's time for us to move out now."
Shen Lanxi nodded: "Giving a mansion to any of you would be unsuitable."
Shen Yuanxu: "The old house is also empty. Just as His Majesty said, with so many people, there is no way to divide the old house among them."
Shen Lanxi: "The old house hasn't changed over the years, and it shouldn't change in the future. You can go back and visit whenever you want."
I agree with this as well.
"Have you purchased a house yet?"
The two nodded.
"Everything has been arranged, including for the brothers who are not in the capital. Although they are not in the capital, their children have already married and had children there. After we divide the family property, we will help them settle down."
Shen Lanxi: "You have made very thoughtful arrangements. If you need my help, please don't hesitate to ask."
The two expressed their gratitude and returned home to begin dividing their property.
...
“Your parents are not in the capital. Although we have been living together all these years, we each have our own storehouses. In reality, it’s no different from a separate family.” The separation of the family was presided over by Shen Yuanxu, while Shen Yuanjing listened from the side.
"Our Shen family was previously sentenced to exile, and all our assets were confiscated. The younger generation knows this, right?"
The younger generation nodded, naturally knowing. Their first lesson in school was about the rise of Emperor Chongwu, their imperial aunt.
The beginning was the confiscation of their property and exile.
"What we earned later was public property, and most of it was His Majesty's reward. What we're going to divide today is these rewards."
Shen Yuanjing nodded: "Let's split it."
The younger members of each branch of the family have already received instructions from the household: take whatever is given to you and don't say anything.
The Shen family had each established their own treasuries long before His Majesty came to power. They all understood.
The fact that we can separate so easily now is all thanks to His Majesty's arrangements years ago.
Since the passing of our elders, His Majesty has rarely bestowed any rewards except during festivals. The money and goods used to help our elders pass away were all from the public treasury, so after dividing it up, each person only receives a few items.
After everyone had their things divided, they all dispersed to pack up their belongings.
...
"Husband, it's such a pity to leave such a big house empty!"
"It's a pity, but we're just staying here temporarily. We've lived here for so many years, that's enough. Don't be greedy. If you still want to live here, go kneel in the ancestral hall. Come out when you've figured things out."
"Look at what you're saying, I was just joking."
The same thing is being said by married men in their homes.
If it were anything else, we could discuss it. But when this matter was brought up, everyone was severely reprimanded.
The elders in the family had already informed His Majesty, but they went back on their word. Did they not want to live?
In less than three days, the large mansions had been emptied.
Shen Lanxi received the news in the palace and suddenly wanted to go back to see it.
Now that state affairs have been delegated, she can simply leave whenever she has an idea.
That afternoon, Shen Lanxi appeared outside the old house.
Shen Yuanjing and Shen Yuanxu received the news two hours later.
"His Majesty went to the old residence and the mansion?"
The thought of the two mansions being emptied sent a chill down their spines.
How embarrassing!
They never expected that His Majesty would go to see it.
The two arrived in haste and met at the entrance of the old house.
"You found out too?" Shen Yuanxu asked Shen Yuanjing.
The latter nodded with a bitter face, and when the two went inside, everything went black.
The old house was even emptier than the main house; they even moved the large fish tank in the center of the yard.
"Who moved them? Return them all, without missing a single one!" Shen Yuanjing was furious.
His Majesty must have returned to the old residence to see the place where he lived as a child.
Now the old house is empty, with only four walls remaining. Not a single piece of furniture or decoration is left. Does the Shen family lack their furniture or decorations?
"Such petty behavior, is this even a member of the Shen family?" Shen Yuanxu was furious.
The two immediately sent someone to inform the younger generation in the family that the furnishings outside the old house must be returned exactly as they were.
If they find out, anyone who hides the goods and doesn't return them will be punished according to family rules.
Does the Shen family have family rules? No.
The Shen family only has the military regulations that Shen Lanxi has inherited.
Upon hearing the news, some of the family members felt ashamed, some turned pale, and some rushed to the inner quarters to reprimand the people inside.
Before dark, all the things that had been moved were returned to the old house and the mansion.
The commotion was so big that the people all saw it.
They dared not discuss it openly, but privately they all laughed at the Shen family for having no successor.
The younger generation of the Shen family has remained silent for a long time, not daring to appear in public.
Spring goes and autumn comes, and several more years have passed.
Before they knew it, Shen Chengfeng's generation was already over forty years old, and their eldest grandson was as tall as a table.
Shen Lanxi still wields her sword every day, but the people serving her have changed; her guards, strategists, and secret agents have all been replaced.
That day, after she finished wielding her sword, she received a message from her guard.
"Your Majesty, Lord Liu is dying and wishes to see you."
Several years ago, she began receiving news of the passing of her senior officials one after another.
Nowadays, few of the people who followed her on her campaigns are still alive.
Half an hour later, Shen Lanxi appeared at Liu Yan's home.
Everyone knelt down to welcome them, not daring to stand up.
Shen Lanxi walked up to Liu Yanhui and placed something in his hand.
Liu Yanhui was on his deathbed, his eyes wide open, as if afraid that if he closed them, he would never open them again.
"I have arrived!"
In fact, Liu Yanhui's eyesight had long since deteriorated. Upon hearing the sound, tears streamed down his face as he tightly gripped the object in his hand.
Shen Lanxi said with a gentle smile, "I'm giving you something!"
Liu Yanhui seemed to have been injected with new life force, nodded vigorously, and then shouted loudly, "I do not want to die!"
"Your Majesty, I wish to stay with you, even if it's just for a year, or even half a year!"
A pair of reading glasses was placed on Liu Yanhui's eyes.
"Do you see it clearly now?"
Liu Yan struggled to sit up, but Shen Lanxi helped him sit up properly.
"Look closely, His Majesty looks just like he did when he was young, just like when he was exiled to Dongchuan."
Liu Yan returned to the people kneeling on the ground, trying hard to suppress her sobs.
How could Your Majesty look the same as when you were young? Your Majesty's hair has turned gray, and although you look no more than forty years old, Your Majesty has indeed aged.
Their father, grandfather, and great-grandfather said this because they were beginning to experience a final burst of energy before death.
Shen Lanxi: "If you're tired, just think about the time we were exiled to Dongchuan together. Although it was tough back then, it was really fun."
Liu Yanhui slowly drifted into her memories, the light in her eyes gradually fading.
It seems he hasn't told His Majesty something yet. (End of Chapter)
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