National Division

Chapter 71 The next two are nothing to fear (Please continue reading!)

Led by Han Lingshi, Shen Xian walked through a long street and arrived at a mansion that was noticeably smaller.

Han Yi stepped forward and gently knocked on the door knocker.

A moment later, an old servant came out, looked at the two men, and asked in a hoarse voice, "Who are you two looking for?"

Shen Xian said, "Is Uncle here? I am Shen Xian from Guhe County."

A look of reminiscence appeared on the old servant's face, which was covered with age spots: "You are Erlang's son."

Shen Xian smiled and said, "You remembered me, sir. Is your uncle at home?"

The old servant grinned, his face crinkling with wrinkles: "I just finished my shift and am taking a bath in my room."

He opened the door and said, "Come in, come in."

Shen Xian nodded and then followed Han Yi into the house.

"I'll go and call the master."

Shen Xian and Ling Shi sat down on chairs next to a small table in the front hall, looking around at the furniture and decorations.

Beside the tall table were two chairs with worn-out paint, and most of the furnishings in the room were neither new nor old.

He secretly thought that his uncle's life had become somewhat difficult in recent years.

Living in the capital is no easy feat. Even a low-ranking halberd bearer of the ninth rank doesn't earn much, and it's not easy to find a roof over one's head in the capital.

After a while, a middle-aged man with a thick beard and a burly build, dressed in a loose-fitting samurai outfit, strode over and said with a hearty laugh, "Nephew, when did you arrive? I thought I was dreaming."

Shen Xian stood up and looked at Lai Jiang, whose appearance and features resembled his father's somewhat: "Uncle, it's been a long time."

In his past memories, he still had a relatively deep impression of his uncle.

Shen Qian laughed and said, "You little rascal, you're almost as tall as me now."

As he spoke, he punched Shen Xian on the shoulder with his fist.

Shen Xian smiled and said, "Uncle, how old am I?"

My uncle also possesses innate martial arts skills.

After exchanging pleasantries, Shen Qian asked with a smile, "Why have you come to the capital? Where is your father? Isn't he in Guhe County?"

Just as Shen Xian was about to speak, a series of urgent knocking sounds came from outside the courtyard.

A middle-aged steward in brocade robes entered the courtyard and called out, "Master, the eldest master says he has urgent business at the ancestral home and wants to see you there."

Shen Qian frowned, looked at Shen Xian with his tiger-like eyes, and said, "Your uncle summoned me over."

Shen Xian smiled and said, "I was just saying I was going to the ancestral home. Since Uncle and the others have something to discuss with my eldest uncle, I'll go with you."

He wanted to see what urgent matter the Shen family could possibly have.

Shen Qian smiled and said, "Alright, when we get back, I'll have your aunt cook a couple of dishes, and we can have a good drink together."

With that, he led Shen Xian to the outer room.

Han Lingshi quickly followed.

……

……

Let's turn back time to 15 minutes ago.

In the Shen residence, in the main hall—

Shen Zheng, dressed in a blue official robe and wearing a black gauze hat, sat on the left side of the grand master's chair. He was over forty years old, with gray hair, thin eyebrows and long eyes, and a refined and scholarly demeanor.

On the right, a young official of about thirty years old sat in a grand chair. He wore a light green official robe, had a fair complexion, and handsome features.

“Brother, a judge from the Dali Temple said that the Dali Temple’s criminal officers have already led men to Guhe County, Anzhou, to arrest the Yu family members.” Shen Zhai said with concern, “Given Zhou Liang’s personality, I’m afraid he will pursue them relentlessly.”

Shen Zheng's face was clouded with worry as he said, "Didn't the old man say he would dissolve the engagement between the Yu family and the Shen family?"

“I was just about to write a letter to Guhe County, and I hadn’t even had a chance to send it out yet, when this happened,” Shen Zhai sighed.

Shen Zheng asked worriedly, "This matter shouldn't implicate the main branch of our Shen family, right?"

Shen Zhai lowered his voice and said, "It's hard to say. Now, the Censor-in-Chief Lai has his eye on a prime minister. In the case of Prince Qing's rebellion, even the prime minister cannot be protected, let alone others?"

He had just arrived at the Censorate and was not yet firmly established when he encountered such a thing.

Shen Zheng asked, "Second brother, what do you think we should do?"

Shen Zhai said, "The most urgent task is to send my second cousin to Guhe County as fast as he can, capture that Yu family girl first, and hand her over to the government. He will also gain merit by passing the imperial examination."

Shen Zheng was momentarily stunned, then said, "That would be too disregard for gratitude; it would be better to let it go."

“Brother, what time is it now?” Shen Zhai advised, “The case of Prince Qing’s treason has caused widespread panic in the court and among the people. If you want to completely distance yourself from this matter, you must act in this way.”

Shen Zheng pondered for a moment and said, "We need to let Father make the decision."

“Father is still in the Secretariat and it will be some time before he returns,” Shen Zhai said. “But when the Yu family came to us for help, we kept our distance from them.”

Shen Zheng hesitated and asked, "Is this really true? Perhaps there aren't any wanted criminals hiding over at Guhe?"

Shen Zhai said coldly, "That's even better. Once the Yu family escapes to Guhe County, let my cousin capture them."

Shen Zheng sighed and said, "Back then, the Yu family and my Shen family were old friends. To kick someone when they're down like this is surely something to be ridiculed."

“To conceal and not report is to commit the same crime,” Shen Zhai advised.

Shen Zhengdao said, "Let's call your brother over first."

At this moment, Shen Qian arrived, led by the steward of the Shen family, followed by two young men.

Shen Zheng rose and hurried to the corridor to greet him, smiling, "Cousin Zhongcheng, you've finally arrived." Shen Qian cupped his hands in greeting, a look of doubt appearing on his square, broad-mouthed face, and asked, "I wonder why my elder brother summoned me?"

Shen Zheng extended his hand and invited, "Let's go to the hall first to talk."

The group entered the flower hall and took their seats.

Shen Zhai picked up the conversation and said, "Brother, a friend from the Dali Temple just said that Zhou Liang, the Dali Temple Minister, has his eye on our Lanxi Shen family."

Shen Qian frowned and asked, "What happened?"

Shen Zhai snorted and said, "It's all because of that trouble-making brother Shen Bin! The Yu family is involved in the Prince Qing's treason case and is already a wanted criminal by the court. The daughter of the Yu family is engaged to the son of the Shen brothers. The Dali Temple said that the daughter of the Yu family is probably hiding in Guhe County."

Shen Qian argued, "The Yu family and my second brother's son are engaged, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're hiding in Guhe County."

Shen Zhai said, "Then it's better to annul the engagement."

“This…” Shen Qian hesitated.

This undoubtedly conflicts with Shen Qian's inner conscience.

“Now that the people from the Dali Temple have gone to Guhe County, they’re about to implicate our Shen family,” Shen Zhai said gravely.

Shen Zhengdao said, "Zhongcheng, you should make a trip to Anzhou in person and persuade Brother Shen Bin not to make a mistake by harboring a criminal from the Yu family. If you encounter anyone from the Yu family, arrest them on the spot!"

Shen Qian frowned even more deeply. How could he be asked to do such a tasteless thing?
Turning to Shen Xian beside him, he asked, "Nephew, is this matter true?"

Shen Zheng and Shen Zhai: "???"

What's going on? Only now did the two notice Shen Xian following not far from Shen Qian.

Shen Xian's expression remained calm, but his mind was racing with calculations.

Zhou Liang of the Dali Temple has already set his sights on the Yu family.

That was a very fast movement.

He thought the matter would erupt after some time, but he didn't expect these cruel officials to have such a keen sense of smell.

Shen Zheng looked at Shen Xian with surprise and asked in confusion, "Who is this?"

"Shen Xian from Guhe County." Shen Xian's voice was clear and bright.

Shen Zheng was startled and asked in surprise, "You are Shen Xian's nephew?"

Shen Zhai also carefully examined the young man at this moment.

Shen Xian smiled and said, "I dare not accept such praise. When I came to the front gate, the servants outside said that I am not from the Shen family of Lanxi."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zheng was taken aback, his face flushed with anger, and he said in a deep voice, "Is this really true?"

Shen Zhai scrutinized Shen Xian carefully and asked, "Are you Mu Zhi?"

Shen Xian laughed and said, "I thought the uncles and elders of the Shen family in Lanxi had forgotten me."

Shen Zhai looked sullen.

Shen Zheng said with dissatisfaction, "It must be the servants who are being rude. Second Brother, you have always been too lenient with these servants. How could they be so rude?"

Shen Zhai did not argue, but looked at Shen Xian expectantly and asked, "Mu Zhi, tell your fourth uncle that your father did not take in the Yu family girl, right? Let me tell you, the blind girl from the Yu family is famous in the capital. She is not good enough for you. Your fourth uncle will find you a better one."

Shen Zheng was also watching Shen Xian closely, his eyes filled with eagerness.

Shen Xian looked up at his cousin Shen Zhai, who could be considered the scholarly talent of the Shen family. Now, upon hearing of the cruel officials' attack, he was terrified.

The displeasure I felt actually dissipated somewhat.

The instinct to seek advantage and avoid harm is human nature.

Shen Xian said, "Fourth Uncle, the Yu family girl has arrived in Guhe County."

A glimmer of hope welled up in Shen Zhai's heart, and he asked, "You didn't take her in, did you?"

Shen Xian said in a deep voice: "According to the laws of our Great Jing, women who have been promised marriage are no longer implicated in the crime. Since the Shen family of Lanxi and the Yu family have a marriage agreement, it is not appropriate to break the agreement."

Shen Zhai's voice trembled slightly as he asked, "Are you in Guhe County right now?"

Seeing that Shen Xian did not deny it, Shen Zhai felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head.

"It's over."

Shen Zhai's face turned ashen instantly, his voice filled with fear: "You don't know how ruthless Lai Jing and Zhou Liang are. They will surely frame our Lanxi Shen family."

Shen Zheng's expression was also grim. He said, "What should we do?"

Shen Xian said calmly, "The next two are nothing to fear."

Others feared the cruel officials like Zhou Lai, but he was not afraid, especially after meeting the Empress Dowager, he had a perfect grasp of her psychology.

Zhou and his companion were like hawks and hounds.

They're just dogs for biting people. The diva needs these people to bite people temporarily, but they can't bite people indiscriminately.

A mere blind girl, not some wanted criminal by the imperial court, could not possibly be tolerated by the Empress Dowager.

Shen Qian asked, "Nephew, what exactly happened?"

Shen Zhai grabbed Shen Xian's arm and said urgently, "Send someone to Guhe County immediately to arrest the Yu family members and report them to the authorities."

Shen Xian was about to say something.

A servant entered the hall and announced, "Master has returned."

After such a long time, the most auspicious omen for the Shen family of Lanxi was the return of Shen Lin, the Junior Supervisor of the Secretariat, from the yamen by oxcart.

(End of this chapter)