Chapter 96
Chapter 96
“Father…”
Su Qinghe clenched his fists. As his father’s son, he could not expose the lie in front of the Second Prince. Yet he had already promised His Highness that he would do everything in his power to help make this happen…
Most importantly, he did not understand why his father was unwilling to promote the study of arithmetic.
Was this not something that would benefit both the nation and its people?
Had the Su family not always been willing to ease the court’s burdens and promote policies that benefited the common people?
Biting his lip, Su Qinghe stepped forward beneath that stern gaze and forced out stiffly, “This son believes the Second Prince’s words have considerable merit. The study of arithmetic will greatly benefit both the nation and its people. I ask Father to consider it carefully.”
“This official will consider it. However, I truly have important business today and cannot ask the Second Prince to stay.” Su Zhongyue bent slightly and gestured toward the door, his resolve perfectly plain.
With the matter stated so clearly, Xie Chengze could hardly overstay his welcome. “Very well. Then I shall not disturb you further.”
After speaking, he cast Su Qinghe a glance.
Su Qinghe did not notice it. He stood rigidly in place with his head bowed, as if all the strength had been drained from his body. His eyes brimmed with disappointment, guilt, and bewilderment. He was like a piece of driftwood upon the sea, floating without anchor while waves churned endlessly within his heart.
Xie Chengze withdrew his gaze, turned, and strode out of the Su Residence.
Before climbing into his carriage, he looked back at the black wooden plaque above the Su Residence’s imposing gate.
Winter nights were long, and dawn had yet to break. Before the gate, the flames still flickered inside the high-hanging crimson lanterns, illuminating the black plaque until every detail shone clearly.
The two golden characters for “Su Residence” sprawled across it in bold, sweeping strokes. Servants polished it diligently, leaving not a speck of dust upon its surface. Red candlelight spilled from the lanterns, making the characters gleam even more brilliantly…
And staining them the color of blood.
He contemplated the sight for a long while, then finally looked away and stepped into the carriage.
“To the Shen Residence,” he ordered.
…
The Second Prince’s uninvited arrival put the entire Shen Residence on guard. The Shen family sat as if on pins and needles as they respectfully escorted Xie Chengze into the main hall.
Though the Shen family did not possess the Su family’s glorious place in the histories, it was still one of the capital’s foremost distinguished clans.
Shen Yuan’s grandfather, Shen Zheng, had served as the previous Grand Tutor, successively guiding Emperor Jian and the Crown Prince. Shen Yuan’s father, Shen Zhenpei, was a Senior Court Counselor, a subordinate official under the Chamberlain for Attendants. The rank was neither particularly high nor low, but it did not disgrace the Shen family name.
It was said that the Shen family had originally been a moderately prosperous scholarly household in Fengyang County, Haozhou. Because the family upheld virtuous traditions, it often set up an outdoor lecture platform beyond the residence so that diligent students too poor to pay tuition could receive an education as well.
When the Founding Emperor was still an obscure beggar, he often attended those lectures and learned a great deal. Seeing his hunger for learning, the Shen family cherished his talent and took pity on him, occasionally providing food to support his studies.
War later erupted. The former dynasty had lost all order, the people suffered terribly, and rebel armies rose in every region. Among them were many vicious men who committed crimes in the name of overthrowing a tyrant, burning, killing, and looting the moment they entered Fengyang.
The Shen family was robbed of everything. Its female members, outstanding in both beauty and grace, nearly suffered an even crueler fate. Fortunately, the Founding Emperor arrived with his band of beggar brothers and efficiently slit the throats of the rebels who had broken into the residence.
Later, when the Founding Emperor resolved to rebel, Shen Zheng persuaded many renowned scholars to surrender to his cause. He followed the emperor as troops gathered along the march, advancing north to overthrow the tyrant. Only after they entered the capital and the Su family took charge of building public support for the Founding Emperor did the Shen family retreat behind the lines and begin assisting the then-young Emperor Jian.
It could be said that the Founding Emperor and the Shen family had helped one another flourish. Shen Zheng had watched the emperor grow into an enlightened ruler, and the man had also saved the Shen family’s lives. Shen Zheng was therefore utterly loyal to him. That was how the family motto came to be: “Loyal without obstinacy; strategic without rebellion.”
Loyal, but not blindly loyal. Loyal, yet blindly loyal all the same.
Thus, when Shen Yuan did not even salute and simply asked Xie Chengze, “Why are you here?” Shen Zhenpei was so furious that he slapped his son across the waist and muttered, “Is that any way to speak to the Second Prince?!”
Xie Chengze: “Pfft.”
Shen Yuan: “…”
“Senior Court Counselor Shen, Vice Minister Shen and I merely have some private business to discuss. There is no need to go to such trouble.” Watching the Shen family bustle around serving tea and water, terrified of slighting the Second Prince, Xie Chengze waved a hand. “All I ask is for a quiet place where we can talk.”
“I see.” Shen Zhenpei glanced at the perfectly composed Shen Yuan. This son of his was far more capable than his father, able to maneuver between the Crown Prince and Second Prince as effortlessly as a fish through water.
Little Yuan was now at the height of his influence, and it appeared that the Second Prince wanted to recruit him as well. Unfortunately, the Shen family was more loyal to the Crown Prince. If the Second Prince hoped to draw Shen Yuan to his side, he would surely be disappointed. After all, the boy had inherited his grandfather’s teachings and would follow only his rightful lord.
So Shen Zhenpei withdrew without concern.
Once everyone had left the hall and its surroundings, Shen Yuan finally sat in the wooden chair beside Xie Chengze. “What brings you here so early?”
“I came to ask you something.” Xie Chengze set down his tea and stared earnestly at Shen Yuan. “Does Su Qinghe have a difficult life in the Su family?”
Shen Yuan paused, then his tone darkened. “Why are you asking?”
He had thought Su Qinghe’s repeated claims of illness and refusal to meet would make Xie Chengze lose interest. Why had he suddenly brought Su Qinghe up again today?
“Before I came to the Shen Residence, I visited the Su family,” Xie Chengze admitted honestly. “Su Qinghe seemed rather afraid of his father, and the rest of the family did not appear to treat him very well either.”
“You went to the Su Residence?!” Shen Yuan slapped the table and sprang to his feet. Realizing that his reaction might have been too intense, he slowly sat back down, his tone turning peculiar. “Did they mistreat you?”
Those people in the Su Residence had always considered themselves above everyone else and despised Xie Chengze most of all. In his previous life, Xie Chengze had suffered no small amount of their contempt and thrown no small number of tantrums over it.
Shen Yuan secretly studied Xie Chengze’s eyes and brows, searching for any trace of redness around his eyes.
“No. How could anyone mistreat me?” Xie Chengze waved a hand and bragged shamelessly, “If anything, I nearly made them cry from anger.”
Shen Yuan froze, then let out a soft laugh.
True. How had he forgotten how sharp Xie Chengze’s tongue could be?
“Then why did you go to the Su family?” Shen Yuan had not forgotten the main point and stared directly at Xie Chengze.
“I want to promote the study of arithmetic.” Xie Chengze did not conceal his purpose. “The Su family enjoys a glorious reputation and holds an important position in the Hanlin Academy. Having them take the lead would naturally be the fastest and most effective approach.”
“But they refused you,” Shen Yuan said with certainty.
“How did you know?” Xie Chengze could not help touching his face. Surely he had not shown any disappointment or dejection?
Shen Yuan laughed and shook his head. “The Su family has survived for a hundred generations without decline because of the unshakable cohesion within its clan. They willingly water the flesh of their finest talents with the blood of their mediocre members, all so that through every dynastic transition, they may remain secure in the Hanlin Academy’s seat of honor, continue guiding literary and political currents, and maneuver freely at court.”