Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 284

"You still dare to argue? It seems that sending you to the Ministry of Revenue as a junior official is a waste of your talents." Shen Bo stood up. "Generals Chen, Li, and Xu are all pillars of our dynasty and my seniors. I have to treat them with respect in front of them. Now that you have surpassed me and can make them your mouthpiece, it seems that the position of Grand Commandant should be yours, and the position of Minister of War should also be yours!"

The seasoned general remained calm and composed, his face showing no emotion whatsoever, yet every word he uttered carried immense weight.

Shen Qingzhou's face also tightened slightly: "I don't understand where Father's anger comes from."

"Indeed, I proposed allocating military funds, but since the old generals brought it up to my father, it means that these veteran generals who have been through countless battles also approve of me."

"And my father submitted a memorial to the court, which shows that he also approved of them."

"In that case, I don't think I've done anything wrong."

"Then dare you say you know nothing about Cheng Wenhui's accusation that the Liu family and Zhou Sheng, the prefectural magistrate of Tanzhou, colluded in secret? And dare you say you know nothing about the connection between this matter and the Yan family?" Shen Bo's voice deepened. "You young brat, overestimating yourself, getting involved in this matter is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot! It's a small matter if you are implicated, but do you know that there are so many others like you in the Shen family?!"

"How do you know that I am the only one who wants to shake the Yan family's great tree? Can't you hear the many voices impeaching the Yan family throughout the court? If I really want to do something to the Yan family, it is only in accordance with the will of Heaven."

Shen Qingzhou clasped his hands together and straightened his back.

"No, you're so sure of yourself!" Shen Bo glared at him, paced back and forth a couple of times, and said, "It's been so hot lately, your body might not be able to handle all this back and forth. I'll go to the yamen to ask for leave for you, so you can rest and recuperate at home."

"Someone is coming——"

Shen Qingzhou originally wanted to have a serious talk with him, but when he heard Shen Bo's words, he stopped.

If Shen Bo really wanted to ask for leave for him, then even if he could leave home, he wouldn't be able to go to the government office.

He had just reached an agreement with Lu Jie. If the Liu family were to fall from grace, they would still have a lot of potential. How could he back out at this juncture?

Although he was not afraid of death, it was not advisable to confront him head-on at this time.

He knelt down: "Father..."

Shen Qingzhou had just entered the house when Lu Jia arrived right behind her. She could hear everything coming from inside the house clearly from the courtyard.

Seeing Shen Bo like this, he couldn't help but feel anxious.

Seeing the guards about to enter, he rushed in before them without a word, crying "Husband!" and embraced the kneeling Shen Qingzhou. After sobbing, he let out a heart-wrenching cry:
"My husband has been diligent since childhood and has acquired a lot of skills. However, in his early years, in order to protect the Shen family, he had to shoulder the burden of the family and keep a low profile."

"I still have to drag my sick body along, bear the infamy, and deal with both open and covert attacks."

"After years of lying low, I finally had the chance to show my talents and earn a future for myself, and finally hold my head high."

"Since taking office, you have worked diligently, but because of your privileged background and long-term illness, outsiders treat you with respect to your face, but behind your backs, many people curse you for being a deadbeat."

Who else but you can know and see this suffering?

"My husband swallowed everything down, never uttering a single word, only thinking about earning himself some dignity."

"If he takes leave every few days, how will the eldest son of the Shen family be any different from a good-for-nothing in the eyes of the world?"
Wouldn't all your efforts be in vain?
"My husband, you have such a miserable life..."

The voice was clear and crisp, yet also poignant and melodious; it was so beautiful that it brought tears to one's eyes and broke one's heart!

Shen Bo clenched his teeth the moment she appeared. No one dared to barge into his study without permission, and this girl was incredibly bold! And that's not all, listen to what she said!
This is hardly an attempt to defend her husband.

This is clearly a slap in the face to Shen Bo!
She was indirectly criticizing him, calling him a cold-blooded and heartless father-in-law who didn't care about his own son's suffering!
Commander Shen's face fell, and he turned his body to the side.

As Lu Jia lunged at him, Shen Qingzhou instinctively freed one hand to support her shoulder, and said softly, "Don't be sad, I'm just a worthless life anyway..."

"Husband!" Lu Jia cried out in even more grief, "I know your feelings. You are a dignified man, and if you cannot use your talents in the court to serve the country, you might as well not live!"
"But what will I do if you die? Maybe I'm already carrying your child..."

Shen Qingzhou's face twitched, she glanced at her sideways, and then sighed silently.

Shen Bo was completely deaf to what was being said and shouted, "Enough!"

Lu Jia sniffed: "Although I am the daughter of a treacherous official, I will still be the mother of a Shen family son in the future. Father, please give your daughter-in-law a way out, even if you can't save her from all this trouble..."

Shen Bo turned his back completely, closed his eyes, and said, "Get out!"

Lu Jia asked, "So, should we ask for leave or not?"

Shen Bo didn't want to say another word to them. He grabbed the riding whip lying beside him, and walked out without a word, his face dark.

Lu Jia turned to watch him walk away, then immediately pulled Shen Qingzhou up, brushing the dust off him as she spoke to the guards beside her, "Did you hear that? Did you hear that? The Grand Commandant said we don't need to ask for leave anymore!"

The guards twitched, cleared their throats, coughed, nodded, and bowed deeply as they retreated.

Lu Jia then pulled Shen Qingzhou along and they quickly returned to Bibo Pavilion.

Yi Cheng, who was still standing in the courtyard on tenterhooks, was stunned when he saw this scene!
……

Grand Commandant Shen stormed back to his residence, and soon after, he left with a dark expression. The guards sent by the Yan family kept watch for a long time, but found nothing. Yan Liang, who was anxiously awaiting news from the palace, heard another message at that moment:
"Young Master! The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works seemed to have made contact with people from the Censorate early this morning!"

"The Left Vice Minister?" Yan Liang frowned. "Isn't that the person who met with Lu Jie at the Ministry of Works yesterday?"

"Exactly!"

How did you make contact?

"Just as dawn broke, the Left Vice Minister went out and headed to an alley near the South Gate. At the same time, Cheng Wenhui also appeared in that alley!"

Yan Liang's eyes darkened: "Cheng Wenhui?!"

Then his voice turned somber: "Is that really the case?"

"Absolutely true! Our people saw it with their own eyes!"

Yan Liang paused for a moment and then asked, "Where is he?"

The guard hurriedly replied, "We are currently at the Ministry of Works!"

Yan Liang flicked his sleeve: "Prepare the carriage, let's go to the Ministry of Works!"

Lu Jie was indeed the only one who went to the Ministry of Works yesterday, but so far we haven't found any evidence that he took the files. On the contrary, this Vice Minister Zuo was in contact with Cheng Wenhui. Could it be that Lu Jie is innocent, and there is a mole in the Ministry of Works?
Happy New Year! The chapter number in the previous chapter was incorrect. It should be "282".