Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 13 Young Master
February in Tanzhou has already brought spring, but in the capital, it is still snowing.

A month has passed since Grand Commandant Shen's eldest son fell into the water. In this month, the officials who needed to be investigated have been investigated, and the policies that needed to be implemented have been implemented. As the man woke up, the heated discussions inside and outside the capital gradually subsided.

At this time, the imperial court also began to work on the next step, which was to select a group of people from the list recommended by the cabinet to serve as imperial commissioners to inspect the river transport in the north and south.

He Qu carried layers of warm medicine, walked up the steps under the plum trees covered with a thin layer of snow, and arrived at Bibo Pavilion in the east courtyard of the Grand Commandant's mansion. After exchanging a few words with his two colleagues guarding the door in a low voice, he pushed open the door and quietly went inside.

The room was bright, with a crack in the west window. Although breakfast had just been served, the east window was tightly closed, so several lamps were lit on the Hunan embroidery screen depicting a flying horse crossing a river, which illuminated the person on the soft couch under the east window and the dossier in his hands.

A burning silver charcoal lamp flickered before the bed, warming two vases of blooming red plum blossoms on the table, filling the air with a pleasant fragrance. The heat enveloped He Qu's still chilly body, instantly creating a dampness around him. After putting down the medicine, he immediately stepped back: "Young Master, the Grand Commandant has requested a new prescription from Physician Li. Please take it while it's hot."

The person on the couch propped up their upper body slightly from the pillow, put down the file in their hand, glanced at the medicine bowl, and picked it up.

He Qu recalled that the Grand Commandant had visited Bibo Pavilion many times in recent days, but had never been invited in. Before coming, he had worried that the medicine would also be refused, but now he secretly felt relieved for the Grand Commandant.

He glanced at the words "Tanzhou Water Transport" on the cover of the dossier, then quickly took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket: "I have something to report. This is a preliminary list of imperial envoys drafted by the cabinet. I saw it in the study when the Grand Commandant sent me to receive Physician Li. There are seven candidates in total, and I have written them down."

After Shen Qingzhou finished drinking his medicine, He Qu took the bowl and handed him the list.

“There is one more thing…” He Qu lowered his head: “The Grand Commandant has taken over the Ministry of War and recently removed the young master’s position from the Ministry of War, saying that he will be transferred to another post.”

He glanced furtively at the bed, rather cautiously.

But in the silence on the bed, only the sound of a few slender fingers turning the pages of the files could be heard.

He Qu raised his head this time, stared at the face, and after a moment said, "Young master, aren't you surprised?"

Shen Qingzhou said calmly, "Go and prepare the winter coat."

He Qu was taken aback again: "You're going out in this freezing weather?"

Shen Qingzhou gazed at the blood-red plum blossoms outside the window, beneath which a person was walking straight toward them.

He Qu glanced over and couldn't help but be moved. He walked to the door, opened it, and bowed to the person who had just arrived: "Uncle Qin, what brings you here in person?"

Qin Xiao was a bodyguard who followed Shen Bo since childhood. Later, when Shen Bo went to war, Qin Xiao also became one of his generals. Unfortunately, he lost an eye on the battlefield. After that, he devoted himself to being Shen Bo's deputy general. Now he has become the chief steward of the Grand Commandant's office and also manages Shen Bo's affairs.

In the Shen family, no one can disrespect Qin Xiao, not even Shen Qingzhou.

After being led by He Qu, Qin Xiao arrived in front of Shen Qingzhou. He first glanced at the empty medicine bowl, then looked at the dossier in Shen Qingzhou's hand, and said, "The Ministry of Personnel's transfer order has been issued. Once you have fully recovered, you can take up the post of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."

"Uncle Qin!" He Qu stepped forward in surprise. "Young Master is from a military family and has been practicing martial arts and training soldiers since childhood. Before the Grand Commandant returned, he was the commander of the garrison. Even now that the Grand Commandant is in charge of the Ministry of War, and the young master's position needs to avoid father and son serving in the same department, he is still the heir of the Duke of Ying! The Grand Commandant's only son!"

"The Grand Commandant benefits from the privileges of his sons and relatives, so it is only natural that the young master should be transferred to another military department to serve as a military officer. Why was he assigned to the Ministry of Revenue? How can the young master possibly use all his skills and talents?"

After listening to him finish speaking, Qin Xiao glanced at Shen Qingzhou again: "The Grand Commandant has repeatedly asked me if the young master has made up his mind. The position of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue is only a fourth-rank official. According to the Emperor's wishes, he originally wanted the young master to work under Commander Huo of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Commander Huo is the Emperor's confidant. This move is a sign of trust in the Shen family and also a way to cultivate the young master."

Upon hearing this, He Qu suddenly realized: "Young Master, was this your own idea?!" Shen Qingzhou closed the file: "The Ministry of Revenue is quite good too."

"Young Master!" He Qu was so anxious that he winked and made faces, wanting to say something but unable to because Qin Xiao was beside him.

Qin Xiao pretended not to see it and continued, "Today, the cabinet convened a meeting of relevant government departments to discuss the selection of an imperial envoy to inspect the grain transport. Both the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue need to participate."

"Although the young master is on sick leave and has not yet taken up his post, the cabinet has asked him to make an appearance, which is probably a sign of respect for him."

"The Grand Commandant sent me to inquire whether the young master's health is up to par."

Shen Qingzhou nodded: "Okay." Then she turned to He Qu: "What about the clothes?"

He Qu suddenly came to his senses and immediately went into the inner room with a complicated expression.

As the snow melts, the meltwater drips down the glazed tiles, forming a crystal-clear curtain of water under the eaves.

Qin Xiao steadily arrived at the front yard and looked up to see Shen Bo standing quietly beside the stone wall engraved with the words "Pine and Crane Longevity".

The second young master of the manor, Shen Zhui, stood a little behind him, glancing into the hanging flower gate from time to time. He was dressed in a royal blue brocade robe, with a jade belt around his waist and a long sword hanging from it. He held the sword with his hand, standing tall and proud, looking exceptionally majestic.

"Grand Commandant, the young master has arrived." Qin Xiao bowed and reported to Shen Bo, who was even more imposing than Shen Zhui.

"Young Master" has been the title Shen Qingzhou has used since childhood. Even now that Shen Bo has been granted the title of Grand Commandant and Duke of Yingguo, and Shen Qingzhou has been officially named the heir apparent, everyone in the mansion still calls him that.

Shen Bo, who was lost in thought, glanced into the hanging flower gate. His eyes, which had been as still as a deep pool just moments before, now became bright and alert.

Shen Qingzhou stepped out of the threshold and glanced around the courtyard. His gaze lingered on Shen Zhui's face for a moment before he looked away and turned to He Qu.

He Qu nodded, then nervously summoned the thick-felt carriage from below the steps and helped him up. The carriage then started moving and slowly drove out the door.

From beginning to end, the son never greeted the father.

"Father!" Shen Zhui exclaimed indignantly.

"Let's go." Shen Bo turned around calmly, only revealing the sadness in his eyes as he got into the sedan chair.

Shen Zhui chased after Shen Qingzhou's carriage for a few steps, and watched it drive straight into the street from the threshold. He snorted heavily, turned back and clung to Shen Bo's sedan chair: "Father, don't be angry. It's not worth ruining your health."

As the carriage left the alley where the Shen residence was located, He Qu glanced at Shen Qingzhou from inside the carriage, then at him.

However, Shen Qingzhou kept her eyes closed and showed no intention of paying attention to anyone.

Just as He Qu was about to give up the idea of ​​talking, Shen Qingzhou asked, "How many days would it take to travel from the capital to Tanzhou by water?"

Shen Qingzhou: Jiajia, I'm here! \(ω)/
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(End of this chapter)