Chapter 216

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"Character is the hardest thing to discern; one must understand that knowing a person's face does not mean knowing their heart."

Shen Yao placed the round fan by her lips, holding it upright to cover half her cheek.

A pair of beautiful eyes tilted up slightly, making Shen Ying's heart pound wildly.

"Mother"

Shen Ying rarely showed a hint of maidenly shyness, rubbing her wrist somewhat awkwardly.

"What are you flustered about? Mother is reminding you, silly girl, don't let the ways of the world deceive you.

As for character, you are not the person themselves, so how could you possibly understand it completely?

Some hypocritical pseudo-gentlemen, when they turn ruthless, are impossible to guard against."

Shen Yao felt her own daughter's words were not wrong, but simply too idealistic.

Such thinking is unacceptable in this era; it still needs to be slowly corrected.

Shen Ying composed herself and asked how to tell the difference.

Shen Yao did not beat around the bush, only saying to look at the other party's sunk cost.

Simply put, it is how great a price the other party would have to pay if they betrayed you.

"If it is not great, it means they can betray you at any time," like Wei Fan.

"If it is great, they will endure, endure until they feel they can risk it, or endure for their whole life without doing anything."

Like some people in modern times, what they seek is not true feeling, yet they can put on an appearance of true feeling that makes people lower their guard.

"Don't ask about schemes, only look at intent," some words may be spoken beautifully, but without action they are useless; some words are never spoken, yet deeds are done beautifully — that is a good person.

"Ying'er, in choosing a husband, still look at what kind of life you yourself want; different people prioritize different things, you must never let external things blind you, becoming overly fixated on one aspect is exposing your own weakness."

Because there really are people who would deliberately approach Shen Ying to achieve their own ends.

During these days accompanying Shen Yao in the carriage, Shen Ying listened to her birth mother's teachings every day.

There was no disagreement between mother and daughter; it was basically mutual discussion, after all the main purpose was for Shen Ying to live better.

"Imperial Consort, we have arrived at Dongchang Prefecture."

A report came from outside the carriage compartment; Shen Yao, sitting in the inner section, gave an acknowledgment, turned, and led Shen Ying down from the carriage in turn.

Right beside it was the Prince's Mansion, already vacated and prepared, also their lodging for this trip.

Qi Chen was dealing with Dongchang Prefecture's officials; Qi Haochen stood beside Qi Chen with a stiff little face, his eyes glancing around from time to time.

"Alright, you may go back; if there is anything, this King will send people to arrange it."

Qi Chen waved his hand, frowning, wanting this group of obstructive people to leave quickly.

Qi Haochen tugged Qi Chen's sleeve, "Father King, what did they come over for?"

They didn't welcome us at the city gate, yet ran to the Prince's Mansion gate to put on airs.

Qi Chen sneered, "They want to test this King's bottom line; it seems Dongchang Prefecture's officials have no small ambitions."

Dongchang Prefecture is the Jin King's fiefdom, but the Jin King was unlucky — as early as when Qi Chen was still in Luo Zhou Fu, the man played too hard and directly kicked the bucket.

As for the Jin King's offspring, they were even more miserable than Qi Chen; the Jin King's Consort took the whole household's possessions back to the capital to live peacefully, and Dongchang Prefecture returned to the Emperor's direct management until recently when it was reassigned to Qi Chen.

Qi Haochen rubbed his eyes, "Father King, can't we just replace them all?"

Daring to be disrespectful to them father and son — what audacity, strip them all of their posts.

Qi Chen reached out and rubbed his eldest son's little head, "No rush, let's first see what exactly they want to do?

The Emperor has neglected Dongchang Prefecture for some years; these officials claim to serve the Emperor, but are merely lining their own pockets."

How can that be allowed? Dongchang Prefecture is now this Luo King Qi Chen's territory; whatever they've swallowed they'll have to spit back up.

Father and son thought viciously about how to ferret out Dongchang Prefecture's parasites and establish authority. Simultaneously, they felt Guangping Prefecture would also need to go through the same process; Guangping Prefecture has never been anyone's fiefdom, and the parasites inside might be even fatter and more numerous.

Shen Yao brought Shen Ying into the mansion's back courtyard; mother and daughter's lodgings were adjacent, a step out the door and they could visit.

"Go rest first; when the King sends the list, you can observe carefully."

Shen Yao's lodgings were always good; even for a temporary stay they were arranged neatly and beautifully.

Looking at such a comfortable environment, who would imagine the whole of Qi State has already been visited by those natural disasters for a small circle?

Only ordinary people live in dire straits, while the nobility in the upper echelons still revel night after night.

Evening

Qi Chen returned, holding Shen Yao's hand and lamenting that Dongchang Prefecture compared to Changzhou Prefecture was simply too far behind.

Shen Yao listened quietly, occasionally replying a sentence or two, mainly reminding Qi Chen not to forget their proper business.

Dongchang Prefecture's affairs can be set aside for now, but authority over Dongchang Prefecture must be in our own hands.

The simplest is Dongchang Prefecture's soldiers; taking Qi Chen's silver, they must work for Qi Chen.

Isn't the function of a fiefdom to be self-sufficient? Qi Chen gave the Emperor such a large thick gift; enjoying a few more benefits is only right.

"Yao'er rest assured, this King has already sent people to handle it; you and Ying'er, if you have time, may also go out for a walk.

Dongchang Prefecture may not compare to Changzhou Prefecture's prosperity, but it has some unique features."

Including those buildings outside, they are not all the same monotonous scenery.

Shen Yao gave an acknowledgment and nodded, "King rest assured, this concubine understands."

An invitation appeared before Shen Yao, specially brought back by Qi Chen.

The host is the Prefect of Dongchang Prefecture's wife; the location is naturally their family mansion.

The delicately patterned invitation was casually handed by Shen Yao to a maid to be properly put away; she lay against Qi Chen's chest, playing with the hanging hair bun as she spoke of some ordinary trivialities that had just occurred.

The two people leaned quietly against each other, light and shadow hesitated, the atmosphere was extremely good.

……

After resting two days at the Prince's Mansion, Shen Yao led Shen Ying to the address on the invitation.

"Consort of Prince Luo, Miss Shen"

Shen Yao is Qi Chen's Princess Consort, but Shen Ying is not Qi Chen's daughter.

One address of "Miss Shen" — neither wrong nor outstanding — is the tacitly accepted form of address by everyone.

Shen Yao smiled and greeted those leading ladies, while simultaneously introducing Shen Ying's situation for everyone to hear.

Everyone is a perceptive person; even if Shen Yao did not speak, Shen Ying's situation was clear in their hearts after just a few glances.

Shen Ying had long been reminded by Shen Yao, so facing the situation before her she was very calm; no matter who came over, she smiled and greeted them.

"Quick, let the young people play; we'll go sit to one side and rest."

"What the Consort of Prince Luo says is correct; we can only trouble the Princess Consort first."

……

The arranged living room was filled with noble ladies, all of Dongchang Prefecture's powerful elite; they might be divided into three ranks and nine grades according to status, but placed outside, they are existences ordinary commoners can only look up to but never reach.

Shen Yao is the Princess Consort; even if these people do not acknowledge her origins in their hearts, the due face must be given, and the words spoken are each more pleasing than the last.

Who says noble ladies are very reserved; as long as enough benefits are scattered down, they are all ordinary people with desires.

Shen Yao chatted very happily here, because everyone was holding her up.

But in contrast, the atmosphere on Shen Ying's side was not very harmonious.

They are young girls, after all; they have not yet grown to the extent of being able to tell lies with eyes wide open, especially the girls able to appear here — each and every one of distinguished family background.

Compared to Shen Ying, this kind of person who climbed up relying on her birth mother, there is genuine, solid disdain in their hearts.

If one says Shen Ying therefore became angry, that would not be the case; back at the Prince's Mansion, there were also such servants who looked down on people with dog eyes.

But the final result was that they were all dealt with and transferred far away by the steward, no longer obstructing Shen Ying's sight.

This one before her eyes, Shen Ying blinked her eyes, laughing cheerfully and treating it entirely as if she did not know.

Don't know? "No resentment in your heart? No matter how they are, they cannot compare to you."

Qi Chen is not Shen Ying's backing; Qi Haochen is — a blood relationship of the same mother, stronger by far than these people's self-righteous origins.

"Mother, I just feel some novelty; after all, they don't usually reside in Dongchang Prefecture."

"There will be who knows how many similar banquets afterward; do you want to go?"

Whether Shen Yao attends is not the point; the point is the arrangement of Shen Ying's marriage — the marriageable young men and women appearing at these banquets can all be considered.

"Go, Mother, I feel we can interact more with them.

As you said, only look at actions, not at schemes," she also wants to test her own bottom; having learned so many things from Mother, she should also bring them out and show a simple trick or two.

As for those who look down on her, so what? She does not associate deeply with them anyway; there is absolutely no need to take it to heart.

In the following days, Shen Yao led Shen Ying to attend various banquets one after another.

Flower-viewing banquets, scenery-viewing banquets… all kinds of names could be used.

Shen Yao was like an onlooker joining in the bustle, cooperating with everything here, yet soberly knowing she had not fallen into it.

By then on Shen Ying's side, coming and going, she finally knew she had been targeted.

He is still the Prefect's legitimate second son, the proper Dongchang Prefecture Er Ba Shou (only under Qi Chen).

"Miss Shen"

"Sun Shao Ye"

Shen Ying looked at the other party's affected posture, and at the young girl not far away staring viciously at her, and deeply felt she would not choose such a person.

This is not even the worst of it; he cannot even clean up the trouble behind him.

"After all he is the legitimate second son; the legitimate eldest son is already married; the Prefect of Dongchang Prefecture — his ambition is indeed not small."

Because the choice of the legitimate eldest son's wife is the daughter of the Dongchang Prefecture Garrison Commander.

Proper collusion with the regular army; no wonder he dared to come test Qi Chen on the very first day.

Tsk tsk tsk

"Mother, your daughter does not like this Sun Shao Ye; this person's self-satisfaction is too good, as if Shen Ying should accept him with joy."

"Mm, if you don't like him then no need to pay him any mind. The Prince is currently seeking the Dongchang Prefect's faults; his position probably won't be secure."

The Dongchang Prefect is overly self-righteous; his words and deeds all carry a 'what can you do to me' attitude.

Qi Chen has privately revealed to Shen Yao many times, including some other rather stubborn people — all are targets Qi Chen wants to clean up this time.

Telling Shen Ying the names of these people, Shen Yao reminded her own daughter to keep her distance from these people.

Shen Ying: ……

"Mother, your daughter is not stupid."

Even if she went mad she could not challenge something of such high difficulty; does she think she's acting in a storybook? Adults put interests above all.