Chapter 161: The Shen Family Has Collapsed! They Want to Appease!

Donggong!

Surrounded by numerous Jinwu Guards, the security was impenetrable.

Under the escort of a group of Jinwu Guards, Zhu Biao walked slowly into Donggong.

And at the palace gate.

Lady Lü had already arrived with a host of palace maids and servants, respectfully awaiting at the gate.

Seeing Zhu Biao return, Lady Lü stepped forward lightly, bowed slightly, and said respectfully: “Welcome, my lord, back to the palace.”

Zhu Biao looked at Lady Lü and nodded gently.

Then.

His gaze swept over the nearby Jinwu Guards, as if something occurred to him.

Moments later.

Zhu Biao’s eyes settled on the Battalion Commander Zhang who had escorted Shen Yuer back, and asked: “How are Zhu Ying’s wife and children?”

Battalion Commander Zhang hurried forward, bowed deeply, and replied respectfully: “Your Highness, they have already returned to the residence. As ordered, I instructed Zhu’s wife to rest at the residence for a few days, and Your Highness will summon her when ready.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao nodded with satisfaction and said: “You’ve done well. I grant you and your Jinwu Guards ten days of leave.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang’s face lit up with joy. He immediately knelt on one knee and cried out: “Thank Your Highness!”

Zhu Biao smiled and nodded, then strode toward the main hall of Donggong, sat in his seat, and began reviewing memorials.

Daily.

As Crown Prince, Zhu Biao reviewed memorials nearly identical to those reviewed by Zhu Yuanzhang.

The Great Ming had only been established for over twenty years, and state affairs were overwhelming.

This was one major drawback after Zhu Yuanzhang abolished the position of Chancellor—numerous tasks piled up directly on the Emperor and Crown Prince.

Fortunately, both Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were diligent; had they been indulgent, they would never have governed so assiduously.

Once Zhu Biao sat down to review memorials.

Lady Lü followed closely behind him, entering the hall together.

Watching Zhu Biao already immersed in reviewing memorials, Lady Lü paused thoughtfully, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes, and tentatively asked: “My lord, Zhu Ying’s wife and children have arrived in Yingtian. Should our Donggong prepare some gifts to bestow upon them, to show favor and grace?”

Zhu Biao held a memorial in one hand and a brush in the other. Without looking up, he replied calmly: “All appropriate gifts have already been bestowed. I ordered the Ministry of Rites to send them. You need not concern yourself with this matter.”

Upon hearing this!

A faint trace of disappointment flashed in Lady Lü’s eyes.

Yet before Zhu Biao, she quickly adjusted her emotions, showing no sign of disturbance.

She walked softly behind Zhu Biao and gently massaged his shoulders, her voice soft: “Your Highness, I’ve heard a rumor—I’m not sure if it’s true.”

Zhu Biao still didn’t look up, continuing to flip through memorials, and asked casually: “What rumor?”

“Isn’t Zhu Ying’s wife a daughter of the Shen family?”

Lady Lü leaned closer to Zhu Biao, her tone probing: “It’s said she belongs to the same family as my brother’s concubine—a merchant’s daughter from the north, the Shen family.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao’s hand paused slightly, his brow furrowed instantly, a cold displeasure flashing in his eyes: “After Zhu Ying’s wife received her title of gao-ming, the Shen family severed all ties with her.”

“Moreover, given what the Shen family has done to Zhu Ying, he will never have any connection with them again.”

“And… do you know what relationship your brother’s concubine bears to Zhu Ying?”

As soon as he spoke these words.

Lady Lü’s heart tightened sharply; she keenly sensed Zhu Biao’s deep aversion toward the Shen family.

Then.

Lady Lü calmed herself, suppressed her unease, and asked cautiously: “My lord, is there some connection I’m unaware of?”

“Your brother’s concubine is the very Shen woman who was once betrothed to Zhu Ying.”

Zhu Biao set down the memorial, leaned back in his chair, and his face showed clear disgust: “But the Shen family despised poverty and favored wealth, always seeking to climb the ladder of power.”

“When Zhu Ying left Beiping Prefecture to enlist in Danning Prefecture, the Shen family was behind it all.”

“This was how the Shen family schemed to break off Zhu Ying’s betrothal.”

“Now, do you understand?”

Each word revealed Zhu Biao’s hatred for the Shen family—perhaps no other family had ever drawn such disdain from the heir to the throne.

Perhaps the Shen family never imagined that Zhu Ying, whom they once easily manipulated, would rise to such heights—directly confronting the Emperor’s ear!

Listening to Zhu Biao’s words.

Lady Lü’s face changed instantly, her heart filled with shock and dread: “There was such a connection?”

“I didn’t know. Had I known beforehand, I would never have allowed my brother to associate with the Shen family—this family has gone too far.”

As she spoke, her voice trembled slightly—these were not lies; she truly had no prior knowledge.

Originally, she had thought to leverage Shen Yuer’s kinship with her brother’s concubine to win Zhu Ying’s favor, securing future advantage for her son.

But now, this path was completely blocked.

If she pursued this connection, Zhu Ying would likely despise her.

“The Shen family—mere merchants. Avoid them.”

Zhu Biao spoke coldly, then picked up another memorial and resumed his focused review, ignoring Lady Lü entirely.

Lady Lü internally pondered: “The Crown Prince clearly holds deep resentment toward the Shen family. I must warn my brother—not to get any closer to them, or trouble will come.”

“That Shen woman must be divorced—no ties allowed.”

At this moment.

Lady Lü had already decided her brother’s fate.

After all, her maternal clan concerned her—and her son’s future.

With Donggong lacking a Mistress and Crown Princess, Lady Lü had long strived for this goal, and she could not afford a single misstep.

Meanwhile!

The Shen family mansion was shrouded in oppressive silence.

“Father.”

Shen Rong hurried into the inner hall, his expression frantic—something major had happened.

“We just received word—Shen Yuer has arrived in Yingtian.”

“And earlier reports have been confirmed: she’s been granted the title of fourth-rank gao-ming lady.”

As he spoke, Shen Rong’s voice trembled—he was stunned by the news.

Hearing this.

Shen Wansan, who had been seated on the master’s chair, stiffened abruptly, nearly dropping his teacup.

His aged face turned grim, his brows knotted tightly. For a moment, Shen Wansan fell silent, his heart flooded with struggle, resentment, and regret.

Clearly, had he known Zhu Ying would rise so high, he would never have targeted him.

Had he known Zhu Ying and Shen Yuer truly loved each other, he would never have sent assassins to kill Lin Fu and Shen Yuer.

Originally, he could have handled it gracefully—even earned Zhu Ying’s gratitude.

But he had destroyed it all himself.

“How long until the man we sent to find Zhu Ying returns?”

Shen Wansan took a deep breath, forcing calm, his voice low.

“It will still take some days,” Shen Rong replied immediately, equally helpless.

“Sigh.” Shen Wansan sighed deeply, his face etched with bitterness: “It seems I truly erred.”

“Had I known Zhu Ying would become so outstanding, I never should have opposed him—or sent men to kill Shen Yuer and the others.”

As he spoke these words.

Deep regret filled Shen Wansan’s face; he seemed to age years in an instant.

“Father,” Shen Rong hastened to comfort him: “Our letter should already have reached the northern frontier. If Zhu Ying isn’t foolish, he’ll surely reconcile with our Shen family.”

Shen Wansan nodded, yet a heavy stone still pressed on his heart—he could not let go: “I hope so.”

Just then!

“Father.”

Shen Mao rushed into the hall, pale and frantic—even more agitated than Shen Rong had been.

Seeing this.

Shen Rong’s face changed instantly, his eyes snapping toward him.

Shen Wansan’s heart sank—he sensed impending disaster—and demanded: “What now?”

“Yan’er has been divorced by the Lü family.”

Shen Mao gasped for breath, his face twisted with anger and helplessness: “She’s been thrown out of their home outright.”

As soon as he spoke.

Shen Wansan’s face turned deathly pale; his already hunched frame seemed to shrink further. He stared wide-eyed, disbelieving: “What did you say? Divorced?”

“Father.”

“Father…”

As Shen Mao’s words ended, a woman in a purple long dress, heavily made-up, rushed into the inner hall.

It was Shen Yan’er.

She stumbled forward, her hair disheveled, her face streaked with tears, utterly broken.

Seeing Shen Wansan, her tears burst forth like a dam breaking. She flung herself before him, voice trembling with unbearable sorrow: “I’ve been divorced.”

“Today, Lu Hao said our Shen family are mere merchants, unworthy of him—and that we’ve offended the Great Ming’s most promising general. He doesn’t want to be associated with us.”

“So… so he divorced his daughter.”

Shen Yan’er wept uncontrollably, her shoulders trembling violently.

“The Lu family actually divorced you because of Zhu Ying?”

Shen Wansan, filled with anger and disbelief, said: “He is the son of a Minister, and imperial kin.”

“How could they possibly fear Zhu Ying?”

At this moment, Shen Wansan was filled with confusion and shock—he simply could not understand why the Lu family had made such a decision.

The Lu family were the true court nobility, while Zhu Ying was merely a warrior!

Why would they ever fear Zhu Ying?

But.

The facts were now settled.

His daughter had already been divorced.

Shen Wansan was now completely panicked.

He realized he had underestimated how much the imperial court valued Zhu Ying, and how great Zhu Ying’s influence at court had become—even the Lu family now feared him.

Unimaginable!

It had only been a few short years!

Zhu Ying had undergone such a dramatic transformation.

And.

With Shen Wansan’s shrewdness, he quickly realized the Lu family had not been unaware of the feud between Zhu Ying and his own family.

Yet now, without warning, they had divorced Yan’er—precisely at the moment Shen Yuer arrived in the capital.

Clearly, this was intimately tied to Shen Yuer.

Lu Hao’s sister was the Crown Prince’s concubine, in charge of the Eastern Palace’s inner court—she must have received word, prompting Lu Hao to swiftly issue the divorce decree to Shen Yan’er.

Aside from this.

Shen Wansan could think of no other reason.

“Could it be that the Crown Prince is displeased with my Shen family?”

Shen Wansan thought of one possibility—and that single possibility sent a wave of intense unease through him, drenching his body in cold sweat.

If that were true, then his Shen family was truly finished.

“Impossible.”

“My Shen family has always obeyed the law; even our secret affairs have never left any trace for others to exploit.”

“The Crown Prince has no reason to target my Shen family.”

But then.

Shen Wansan forced himself to reassure himself, pushing away the unease.

“Father.”

Shen Rong’s face was grim, his eyes filled with anxiety: “What do we do now?”

“We finally climbed onto the Lu family’s ladder, and now they’ve divorced Yan’er?”

At this moment,

Shen Rong’s voice carried a hint of despair; his gaze at Shen Wansan was full of helplessness.

As the eldest son of the Shen family, heir to its future, he now realized the family might have truly made a catastrophic mistake.

Divorcing a concubine!

This was not as complicated as divorcing a wife.

A concubine’s status was barely above that of a servant; divorcing one required no elaborate procedures, unlike divorcing a wife.

Although Shen Yan’er lived in this wealthy household and brought a substantial dowry, she was still only a concubine.

Divorced? She was divorced—but for the Shen family, this was a heavy blow.

Facing his son’s question,

At this moment,

Shen Wansan had lost all sense of direction; his mind was a tangled mess, unable to sort out any clear thread.

These blows had come one after another—too many.

Now he truly felt the immense impact of Zhu Ying’s promotion and elevation—even a frontier Guard Commander could reduce his Shen family to such a state of humiliation in the capital.

This was not something an ordinary Guard Commander could accomplish!

Without doubt, Zhu Ying’s status in Yingtian City far surpassed that of an ordinary Guard Commander.

The title “Marquis of the Champion!”

Carried too much significance.

Moreover, Zhu Ying had again earned the foremost merit in this northern campaign—this must have been part of the reason.

“Sigh.” Shen Wansan let out a long sigh, his heart filled with helplessness.

He knew he must mend ties with Zhu Ying; otherwise, his Shen family might truly fall into irrecoverable ruin.

And this feeling was growing stronger by the moment.

“Rong’er.”

Shen Wansan raised his head, his gaze stern as he looked at Shen Rong: “Immediately prepare gifts—make them generous.”

“Go personally to Zhu’s residence, tell Shen Yuer that our Shen family was wrong, and beg for her forgiveness.”

At this moment,

Shen Wansan had lost all his former dignity; his voice carried weariness and pleading.

He had surrendered.

Even though Zhu Ying had not yet truly acted, he was already terrified.

He could not afford to lose.

The Shen family could not afford to lose.

“But… but will that girl forgive us?”

Shen Rong hesitated, recalling how the Shen family had treated Shen Yuer in the past—he had no confidence.

“Try,” Shen Wansan sighed again, his eyes filled with age and sorrow: “Zhu Ying has become a force to reckon with. Either we become his mortal enemies, locked in endless conflict until one side dies—or we mend relations.”

His tone was filled with powerlessness.

“Yes.”

Shen Rong nodded helplessly; though uneasy, he could only obey his father’s orders.

“Father.”

Shen Yan’er lifted her head, tear-streaked and pitiful, asking Shen Wansan: “What about me?”

“Sigh.” Shen Wansan looked at his daughter—not with pity, but with helplessness that the Lu family had divorced her, depriving his family of a powerful ally.

“Stay in the mansion for now. I’ll send someone to negotiate again with the Lu household.”

His daughter was already divorced—what could he do?

Now, he could only cling to a sliver of hope and continue sending envoys to the Lu household.

Of course, knowing the Lu family as he did, once they had issued the divorce, their decision was likely final—irreversible.

His gaze shifted!

The Zhu residence!

Outside the gate.

Shen Rong arrived personally, accompanied by dozens of servants and over a dozen carts, stopping at the entrance.

The sheer volume of gifts drew many onlookers to gather.

“Who are you?”

The guards stationed at the gate, holding long staves, stepped forward warily, scrutinizing Shen Rong’s party.

“Please inform your master—I am Shen Rong of the Shen family, elder brother of your Lady Zhu.”

Shen Rong smiled broadly, speaking with great courtesy: “I’ve heard Lady Yuer has moved to Yingtian. My father sent me to deliver gifts and to see my younger sister.”

As he spoke, he slipped a silver ingot from his sleeve into the guard’s hand.

But the guard did not take it—he was merely an ordinary guard, unaware of the household’s inner affairs.

The residence had many rules; accepting a bribe could bring disaster.

The guard hesitated, then said: “I’ve never heard the Lady has any elder brother. Wait here—I’ll ask the steward.”

Saying this, the guard hurried into the residence.

Inside the residence!

“Young Lady.”

Lin Fu smiled broadly as he looked at Shen Yuer: “The inventory is nearly complete.”

“The court has been exceedingly generous to Young Master—the household treasury holds a thousand taels of silver, and just now, the Eastern Palace sent over many daily necessities.”

“Once we’ve settled in these next few days, I’ll tour Yingtian City to find shopfronts—Young Master’s businesses are ready to expand here.”

Newly arrived in Yingtian, Lin Fu was brimming with determination—to establish businesses for his Young Master and strengthen the family.

“Lin Bo,” Shen Yuer smiled, her eyes filled with trust in Lin Fu: “You decide these matters. You’re the only elder I and my husband have in this world—no need to consult me on every detail.”

“Rules must not be broken.”

Lin Fu shook his head with a smile, his expression solemn.

He always held firm to his identity and principles in handling affairs within the mansion.

Just then!

“Lady.”

“Lin Fu.”

The guards stationed outside the mansion hurried over.

“What is it?” Lin Fu turned, his expression stern.

“A man outside claims to be the lady’s elder brother, named Shen Rong, and has arrived with more than ten carts of gifts.”

The guard bowed respectfully: “He says he heard the lady has come to Yingtian, and has come specifically to offer congratulations.”

Upon hearing the name Shen and Shen Rong, Shen Yuer and Lin Fu’s smiles vanished instantly, their faces darkening.

Even more so.

Both their eyes burned with anger and hatred—not only for the assassins the Shen family had sent to ambush and kill them, nearly costing them their lives.

But also for their hatred toward Zhu Ying, for plotting to see him die far from home.

This sealed their enmity with the Shen family as irreconcilable, unforgivable.

“Gather all the guards,” Lin Fu said coldly, his voice edged with frost.

“Yes.” The guard beside him immediately replied, turning to rush off and summon the others.

“Young Lady.”

Lin Fu turned to Shen Yuer, his tone concerned: “Let this old servant handle it. You wait inside.”

“No,” Shen Yuer shook her head, her hatred deepening: “I will go and see him myself.”

Saying this, Shen Yuer turned without hesitation and walked toward the mansion’s gate.

Seeing this, Lin Fu frowned slightly, a flicker of worry in his eyes, but he quickly followed after her.

Outside the mansion.

Shen Rong stood beside the carriages, inwardly uneasy—he did not know if this mission would succeed, but the Shen family had been driven to desperation; he had no choice but to come.

Just then!

Tap.

Tap-tap-tap.

A rapid clatter of footsteps came swiftly from within the mansion.

Thirty-odd guards emerged, wielding clubs, marching in unison to surround Shen Rong and his party.

Each guard’s expression was cold, their gazes filled with vigilance and hostility.

Among these guards, several Black Guards remained hidden.

Immediately after,

Shen Yuer and Lin Fu stepped slowly out of the mansion.

Shen Yuer wore a long red-black gown, her bearing elegant and noble, radiating the authority of a mistress.

Lin Fu followed behind her, his expression stern—he was no longer the frail old man he once was.

When he saw Shen Yuer, Shen Rong was startled, inwardly amazed.

The once frail, scrawny girl had transformed completely—Shen Yuer was now more beautiful, and carried an aura of awe-inspiring dignity.

This made Shen Rong acutely realize that the Shen Yuer before him was no longer the helpless girl once bullied at will.

“Sixth sister,” Shen Rong forced a smile, calling out with a tone of flattery.

“Who is your sixth sister?”

Shen Yuer stared at Shen Rong coldly, her revulsion unmasked: “Who are you to call yourself a Shen? What do you want here?”

Feeling her icy disdain, Shen Rong’s smile froze, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Yet he pressed on, raising his voice: “Yuer! Father heard you’ve come to Yingtian and become a noble lady—he’s come specially to congratulate you, and to bring gifts.”

As he spoke, he gestured toward the carriages behind him.

“Heh.” Shen Yuer let out a bitter laugh, her hatred intensifying: “Do I have a father?”

The laugh dripped with mockery and fury.

“Yuer.”

Shen Rong’s smile faltered, yet he continued: “You’re right to hate Father.”

“After all… these years, the Shen family has wronged you.”

“And wronged Zhu Ying even more.”

“But think—without the Shen family, would you have even grown up?”

“Would you ever have had the chance to marry Zhu Ying?”

“In the end, you must still remember some kinship.”

These words carried the weight of moral coercion, meant to sway Shen Yuer.

“Remember kinship?”

Shen Yuer’s eyes flashed with anger: “Raised me?”

Hearing this, she laughed—but it was a cold, chilling laugh that sent shivers down the spine.

“The incident at the Danning Inn was the end of that so-called debt of nurture.”

“As for the debt of birth—did you ever truly give me life?”

“And as for nurture—did you ever truly care for me?”

“Now, vanish. Immediately.”

“I am not a Shen.”

Shen Yuer’s voice brimmed with fury and resolve—the years of humiliation and suffering endured in the Shen family, the hatred for their plot to kill her and Zhu Ying, now poured forth like a dam broken.

“Yuer,” Shen Rong tried to speak again, hoping to salvage the situation.

“Listen, people of the Zhu mansion.”

Lin Fu stepped forward, his voice icy: “The Shen family is not the lady’s kin.”

“From now on, if any Shen comes near, beat them away with clubs.”

…

(End of Chapter)