Chapter 226

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"Endure the bitterness before you, exchange it for the sweetness ahead — this bargain is not a loss."

Shen Zhen looked at the brightly torchlit procession before her, murmuring softly to herself.

Just now, Qi Haochen had led his men to sweep up the rebellious Duan Wang and his followers with irresistible force.

Holding the Emperor's imperial edict in hand, Qi Haochen could be said to have no scruples whatsoever.

After a brief struggle, Duan Wang quickly surrendered to save his life.

Sent back to the capital by Qi Haochen, at worst he would be confined as a wealthy prince; if he dared resist with troops, what awaited him was a cup of poisoned wine and a direct journey to the beyond.

"Why did you come out? It'll be wrapped up soon, and then we still have to rush to the next fiefdom."

Shen Shi, wearing armor, patrolled everywhere, terrified that a single careless moment might bring danger.

"Third Brother, staying cooped up in the carriage is stifling; besides, the entire prince's mansion has already surrendered — who would be so blind as to jump out and court death?"

Shen Zhen carefully moved her body, her eyes constantly darting toward the surrounding buildings.

Although visibility was poor in the night, the lit torches were not mere decorations.

"How will those people be handled? The imperial clan relatives must be escorted back to the capital."

But the rest would not receive such treatment; even their life or death lay entirely in Qi Haochen's whim.

"Detain them on the spot, use the prince's own men for now; simultaneously send a letter to the capital appointing officials to take over."

When Qi Haochen left the capital, he brought few men, and this matter was conducted in secret — even the imperial edict the Emperor gave was not a public decree.

In other words, if Qi Haochen were unfortunately killed in action, the Emperor would not say much about it.

"Can that work? The fiefdom belongs to Duan Wang; once he leaves, the fiefdom will fall into chaos."

After all, the fiefdom was Duan Wang's one-man show; now the master has met with mishap.

"Rest assured, the common people are the majority in the entire fiefdom. As long as the people are stable, chaos cannot rise."

Those who could enter the fiefdom, aside from the natives who had lived there from the start, were refugees who had fled there over the years.

Qi Chen and Shen Yao had laid plans for a long time; they already commanded considerable prestige among the refugees.

To say the refugees as a whole all give them face would be boasting, but regarding the situation in most prefecture cities in the north, it is still usable.

This was a method Shen Cheng and Qi Haochen had discussed long before entering the city.

They could not let Duan Wang's party remain in the fiefdom; there was no guarantee some deep-minded person wouldn't try to drag the whole fiefdom down with them.

When power coerces tens of millions of common people, it is inevitably a tragedy.

Hearing this, Shen Zhen blinked, smiling as she teased her elder brother for knowing so much.

Shen Shi: ……

"You be careful on your own; I'm going on patrol."

Having spoken, Shen Shi led the soldiers behind him away; Shen Zhen watched his retreating back, then looked up at the moon hanging in the sky. "Tonight's moonlight is truly beautiful."

Holy moonlight filled the entire space, utterly at odds with the tense, oppressive atmosphere; such nights they would experience many more times in the future.

……

"Your Highness the Heir" "Your Highness"

After a busy night, Qi Haochen emerged from the study, walking outward while rubbing his slightly red eyes.

He gave two acknowledging hums and nodded; Qi Haochen saw Shen Cheng and Shen Shi, both in armor, sitting upright with proper bearing in the small courtyard.

"Eldest Brother, Third Brother, why haven't you gone inside to rest?"

Qi Haochen frowned; observing their expressions, it was obvious they had not slept all night.

Shen Cheng and Shen Shi opened their eyes; their originally sharp gazes softened considerably.

"Special times call for special arrangements; once today's people are sent off, the two of us will catch a brief rest in the carriage."

Shen Cheng and Shen Shi were not only Qi Haochen's elder brothers, but also subordinates with a mission.

Without exaggeration, their entire fortunes and lives were bound to Qi Haochen. Should Qi Haochen meet with mishap, their prospects would be utterly ruined.

This is the consequence of being bound too deeply; but if Qi Haochen attains the Dao and ascends in one morning, they are also the ones who enjoy the fruits of labor the most.

There is give and take, just like their own people who followed Qi Chen in the fiefdom — what they sought was precisely these returns.

"Eldest Brother, Third Brother, you've worked hard," Qi Haochen reached out and patted both their shoulders; his tone wasn't overly courteous — between brothers, affection proves everything.

When the sun had fully risen, the Duan Wang party, confined in the side hall for a night, boarded the carriages bound for the capital.

Daming Fu, which should have been lively, was even more clamorous; commoners pointed at the carriages and discussed animatedly.

Servants who had long received orders ceaselessly proclaimed the heinous crimes of Duan Wang and his cohort, and combined with the intimidation of numerous fierce, evil-looking soldiers, the entire escort process went unexpectedly smoothly.

Once they parted ways with Duan Wang's group, each heading in a different direction, the weary-looking Shen Cheng and Shen Shi simply staggered their time getting into the carriage to rest.

Shen Zhen felt heartache for her two elder brothers and brought over the nourishing soup she had brewed long ago; even Qi Haochen did not escape.

"Don't refuse; there are still several more fiefdoms ahead — health comes first."

As a physician, Shen Zhen paid the most attention to physical condition; the journey's fatigue made illness likely, and medical supplies were still insufficient at such a time — Shen Zhen did not want to experience a terrifying race against life and death.

So regardless of sickness or health, first condition the body to robust health; it is also advantageous for the upcoming itinerary.

Qi Haochen and the others: ……

The reason given was somewhat too powerful; they could not refuse.

The tonic's taste was not very good, but Shen Zhen was not one to make trouble out of nothing.

She finished smoothly before reaching the next prefecture city; Shen Zhen dusted off her hands, planning to make a good procurement trip this time entering the city, paired with her carefully prepared tonic — guaranteeing that no matter how much they tossed about, they would be lively as dragons and vigorous as tigers.

"So you must still be careful in all things, absolutely do not act recklessly. Mother's instructions, you must keep them in your heart, otherwise I'll write a letter and tell on you."

Shen Zhen stood with hands on hips in a magnificent hall, scolding Qi Haochen who stood with his head in his hands.

It was also luck at work; originally thinking everything would go smoothly, unexpectedly assassins suddenly jumped out and seized the opportunity. If not for the miraculous space Shen Yao gave Qi Haochen, this time no matter what he would have suffered a heavy injury.

Based on this, those assassins' lives naturally cannot be spared, and the entire Xuan De Fu must also be strictly searched to prevent similar events from happening again.

"Fifth Sister, I've remembered. This time I absolutely won't let those guards leave my side by three meters."

Qi Haochen learned his lesson; the terror of that brush with life and death was scary enough.

This time he managed to escape because he had a fortuitous encounter and there was an information gap with the enemy. Later if even more martially powerful people are sent, his little tricks fundamentally won't be presentable.

He felt a bit stifled inside, but more than that was relief. After all he was still alive, and his arms and legs were all intact.

"Just remembering is useless; you must thoroughly avoid it in your actions."

"Fifth Sister, Your Highness."

Shen Cheng entered from outside, interrupting Shen Zhen's words while calling out to Qi Haochen.

This also counts as a tacit understanding between them: when there are outsiders or proper business, they call Qi Haochen 'Your Highness'.

Qi Haochen hid behind Shen Zhen and poked his head out, like a sneaky little animal.

"Eldest Brother."

Shen Cheng waved his hand helplessly. "What are you hiding for? Come over quickly."

Qi Haochen made an 'oh' sound, lifted his steps and ran directly to Shen Cheng's side and stood still.

Hu—

"Go to the study."

After Shen Cheng finished speaking, he also told Shen Zhen to go check on Shen Shi. The one who acts most crazily when he moves his hands is this person. If not for Shen Zhen being able to feel his pulse and diagnose at any time, he would suspect Shen Shi has some unknown hobby.

Muttering "Got it," Shen Zhen watched the two figures leaving and felt she was being looked down on. Hmph, what is there that she cannot hear?

"This, Uncle Wang and them are actually this absurd? Amassing wealth recklessly and acting atrociously in their fiefdom, not the slightest appearance of governing the people's livelihood."

Brows knitted high, Qi Haochen felt the memorial he wrote was still too conservative; he should properly impeach them with a memorial.

"The people have already been rescued. Some who could be settled have been settled properly. More still cannot continue living locally and can only migrate outward."

Shen Cheng also felt this Prince Xuan Wang was somewhat unworthy of his position. Daring to play this big in his fiefdom, he truly isn't afraid of losing the entire fiefdom.

"Send them to Changzhou Prefecture, hand them over to Mother Consort and them. I'll also write a letter."

After Qi Haochen finished saying what he could do, seeing his own Eldest Brother's expression still hadn't changed much, he asked repeatedly if there were still other matters.

Shen Cheng heard this and shook his head, expression hesitating for a long while, still didn't say.

"Unrelated to our operation this time. Just some people originally kept by Prince Xuan, unknown how to handle them."

Simple ones are easy to speak of; only some are in-between, neither crossing the line nor completely innocent.

Killing them is a bit ruthless; releasing them without guilt is a bit lenient.

Moreover among them is a person who counts as an acquaintance to Shen Cheng.

Stretching out a hand to scratch his head, Shen Cheng decided not to disturb Qi Haochen with this kind of matter. Originally it had nothing to do with Qi Haochen; mentioning it would only add one more person to worry. Why bother.

"Really can't decide, send to Jingcheng or hand over to the officials coming to receive them."

The north has abundant mining wealth. Mining is a very laborious and body-consuming activity.

Previously when in Changzhou Prefecture, some criminals who committed more difficult crimes would be sent by Qi Chen to the mines to serve.

Qi Haochen was influenced from childhood by what he saw and heard; handling these matters came naturally to him.

Only thinking Eldest Brother was being courteous with him, Qi Haochen smiled and spread his hands, using action to show everything before him was no problem.

Shen Cheng:...

Shen Cheng rubbed his head. "Go back and rest. Tomorrow morning we leave."

The fiefdom side still isn't finished handling; no matter what we must walk through it once.

Not all need to be sent to Jingcheng. Those who acted properly at most only spoke a couple of sentences.

The Emperor is not a slaughterer. Now staging this capture operation also has the meaning of paving the way for the future New Emperor.

At least in Shen Cheng's view, Qi Haochen's winning chances are already the largest among all Qin Wang Fu heirs. Maintaining this situation, everything will naturally follow as water reaches the channel.

"Eldest Brother rest assured, I'll go back and rest now." Qi Haochen obediently listened and walked away without looking back.

Shen Cheng stood in the study for a while, then turned and went to find Shen Shi and Shen Zhen.

Only Shen Shi was at the martial training ground. Shen Zhen had been sent away by Shen Cheng earlier and wasn't idle. So many medicinal materials bought back all had to pass through her hands before they could enter medicine.

At this moment leisure is not busy; once busy, would she still have to sit in the carriage and make effort?

"So that matter, you didn't tell Fifth Sister?" Shen Cheng felt his head hurt even more.

Shen Shi awkwardly touched his nose tip. "Eldest Brother, it's best not to speak of this matter. Little Sister never met that man. Why speak out and disturb her heart?"

The two brothers spoke in riddles, but one could also infer from the dialogue: besides their birth father Wei Fan, nothing else relates to them and gives them a headache.

"Didn't expect this person would be under Prince Xuan." It caught Shen Cheng off guard.

Wei Fan hasn't changed much over many years. Conversely, Shen Cheng's several children slowly grew up; their appearances all differ from childhood.

It was also a coincidence of timing. When Shen Cheng was questioning a squad under Prince Xuan, Wei Fan happened to be the steward among them. The two met face to face. Wei Fan didn't know Shen Cheng's identity; Shen Cheng recognized Wei Fan by appearance.

Shen Cheng originally planned to explain this matter to Shen Shi and Shen Zhen.

However you say it, he is their biological father. Although to Shen Shi and Shen Zhen, their impression of Wei Fan is close to none.

"Eldest Brother, no matter where he appears, he has no relation to us."

They already bear the surname Shen; Wei Fan bears the surname Wei. As for blood relation, it's even more groundless talk.

Living many years in Changzhou Prefecture and Jingcheng, Shen Shi also changed from initially brainless to thinking. He feels both sides should just maintain a situation of mutual non-recognition; it benefits everyone.

"What's feared is he might remember, then come knocking on our door."

Shen Cheng also doesn't want to acknowledge Wei Fan. Whether from reason or interest consideration, their mutual entanglement has no benefit whatsoever.

"Tomorrow we will leave Xuan De Fu, and he is a military household of Xuan De Fu; without special permission, he may not leave his registered domicile."

"Eldest Young Master, do not overthink; just treat this matter as if it never happened."

Shen Shi spoke straightforwardly; the father-son bond between them and Wei Fan had long since dissipated completely back in Qinghe Town.

Now mentioning this name again, Shen Shi felt not the slightest fluctuation in his heart.

"Mother Consort lives a blissful life, and we have no need of his help whatsoever."

"Eldest Young Master, you should let go of the obsession in your heart; from the beginning it was he who abandoned us, not we who actively forgot him."

Unlike Shen Cheng and Shen Ying, who still retained a trace of familial affection for Wei Fan, the remaining three — Shen Shi included — had absolutely no such concept in their hearts.

The cold, icy words struck Shen Cheng's heart, and also made Shen Cheng thoroughly sober; he was not Wei Cheng, and every point that made him feel conflicted might not even be worth a single meal in the eyes of his other younger siblings.

The corner of his mouth suddenly curved into a smile, unknown whether it was mocking himself or satirizing others.

Shen Cheng stood up. "I will go on patrol; what you said is very right, let it end here."

Besides, it would be impolite; they had long since had no connection with Wei Fan or even the Wei family, and seeing Wei Fan in Xuan De Fu now was merely an accident.

Once they leave Xuan De Fu, for the rest of their lives, they will never encounter him again.

A stranger who only briefly appeared in their lives is simply not worth further consideration.

Another night passed, still the same procedural arrangement as in Daming Fu.

Shen Cheng rode a tall horse, proceeding all the way along the laid bluestone slabs, with the buzzing discussions of the common people drifting around him.

He, whose mood had long since calmed, did not see that Wei Fan — the one who had once made him conflicted — was hidden among them.

The complex emotions in his gaze returned to calm as the carriage and horses departed; Wei Fan lowered his head and straightened his collar, then left as if nothing had happened.