HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 51: Only Interested in Benefits

Chapter 51: Only Interested in Benefits

Shortly after Xiao Huayong left, Shen Xihe returned to the Shen mansion. Before she could enter Nüwa Court, she saw Shen Yingnan approaching in plain white clothes, her eyes red. After paying her respects to Shen Xihe, she said, “Elder Sister, I wish to set up a memorial hall for Aunt in the Prince’s mansion.”

Concubines had no right to lie in state, nor could they be buried in the Shen family’s ancestral tomb. Their memorial tablets weren’t qualified to be placed in the Shen family ancestral hall either.

“I think if there were a chance to choose again, your aunt wouldn’t want to enter the Shen family. Don’t let her die with regrets on her final journey,” Shen Xihe said softly. “Set up the memorial hall in Prince Kang’s mansion. That’s where she spent her happiest and most dignified days.”

As Madam Xiao’s daughter, Shen Yingnan had the duty to hold vigil for her deceased birth mother and handle her funeral arrangements. Shen Xihe wouldn’t stop her, but she also wasn’t generous enough to allow this eyesore on her territory.

“Elder Sister, please allow me to set up the memorial hall in my courtyard within the mansion. I won’t take a single step beyond the compound,” Shen Yingnan pleaded.

Shen Xihe was about to speak when she suddenly remembered that outsiders didn’t know Madam Xiao died by her hand – they believed she died from the food box sent from Prince Kang’s mansion.

Apart from being thrown out of the Northwestern Prince’s mansion by her, Madam Xiao had no further connection. Even if her murderer was caught, it wouldn’t be linked to Shen Xihe. It would be difficult for anyone to connect Madam Xiao’s poisoning to Shen Xihe.

After all, Shen Xihe was just a young lady not yet of age – she likely wouldn’t have such thoughts or means. Moreover, secretly poisoning the food box sent to Madam Xiao wasn’t an easy feat.

“It’s your courtyard, do as you please,” Shen Xihe left these words before turning to enter her courtyard. “Biyu, pack up. We’re moving to the Princess’s mansion tomorrow.”

She disliked Shen Yingnan. Although she saw no hatred or resentment in Shen Yingnan’s eyes, the mansion was large enough, but she still didn’t like living under the same roof.

Madam Xiao’s poisoning wasn’t thoroughly investigated. They carelessly found someone from Prince Kang’s mansion to take the blame and closed the case.

Under the massive waves stirred up by the Rouge Case, Madam Xiao’s matter wasn’t worth mentioning. After several days of searches and arrests, the prisons were almost full, making everyone in court fear for themselves.

Wei Tao and other masterminds were sentenced to immediate execution. Princess Ruyang offered tens of thousands in gold that her husband Lord Jingxian and others had extorted. The Emperor, considering that she had been deceived and remembering her past merits, and given her advanced age, allowed her to divorce Wei Tao and granted her eldest son the title of Earl. All her children and grandchildren moved to the Earl’s mansion, severing ties with the Wei family.

While Beijing was in an uproar, Shen Xihe secretly investigated the blueprints Yu Xiaodie had sent several times with Moyu and others and truly found where Prince Kang was privately forging weapons.

It was in the deep mountains outside Beijing, requiring crossing several mountain ranges to reach. Shen Xihe didn’t go personally due to her physical condition, but according to messages from Mo Yuan and Moyu, it was heavily guarded.

“His Majesty has many sons, each accomplished in both civil and military affairs. Prince Kang wouldn’t be foolish enough to dream of gaining the throne,” In fact, when she heard Yu Xiaodie say Prince Kang was secretly forging weapons, she suspected this wasn’t something Prince Kang would do. “It’s useless to him, yet he puts in such effort – he must be serving His Majesty.”

“His Majesty is secretly forging weapons?” Biyu was shocked.

As the supreme ruler commanding all under heaven, what wasn’t his? He did not need to rebel, so why secretly forge weapons?

“Weapons are for soldiers’ use. Secret weapon forging must mean secretly building an elite force,” Shen Xihe trimmed branches and leaves, her fingertips caressing a green leaf. “Whether for assassination or to replace the Northwestern Army, it would be of great use.”

“Replace the Northwestern Army!” In the hearts of Biyu and others, the Northwestern Army was irreplaceable.

They were all people of the Northwest, their families had been there for generations. They deeply understood that the Northwestern Army was the stabilizing force for the Northwest and the faith of its people.

It wasn’t just martial prowess that could let Northwestern people live in peace and prosperity. For generations, the Shen family heads had bravely resisted the Turks externally while prioritizing agriculture and caring for the people internally.

“His Majesty won’t tolerate the Northwestern people only having eyes for Father,” Shen Xihe gave a short laugh. “This is a challenge to imperial power. Father doesn’t want to end up like the Gu family, nor can he easily hand the Northwest over to officials who know nothing about it to dictate terms. These years, the relationship between ruler and minister has become hostile due to Northwestern governance.”

Shen Yueshan wasn’t someone who craved power – if possible, he would rather be a carefree knight-errant. But he was the Shen family heir, shouldering the Northwestern responsibilities that the Shen family had carefully managed.

Ten years ago, Shen Yueshan had given Emperor Youning a chance. That year, the Governor’s Office and Qingzhou Prefecture almost rendered Qingzhou unlivable.

When he saw these court-appointed officials deliberately inciting conflicts between ethnic minorities and Northwestern people, marginalizing minorities, and being unable to create ways for Qingzhou people to make a living, even secretly poisoning beggars to maintain a facade of peace, he knew that relinquishing power meant abandoning the Northwestern people to fend for themselves.

So Shen Yueshan hoped she could carefully choose an emperor with an inclusive heart.

To avoid breaking completely with Emperor Youning before the new emperor’s ascension.

However, Shen Xihe wasn’t a woman who placed hope in others. Hearts change easily – who knows if someone’s nature might shift after becoming emperor?

She preferred to handle things herself. Wouldn’t it be more reliable to become Empress Dowager and personally nurture an enlightened ruler?

If they proved unfilial or unbenevolent, she could depose them and adopt another.

A few days after Shen Xihe moved to the Princess’s mansion, the Rouge Case concluded. It was said that the main perpetrators who had fled to various places were all caught by local officials, and this efficiency finally greatly pleased Emperor Youning.

In his joy, he greatly rewarded those who had rendered service – it was said the highest was promoted three ranks.

Shen Xihe felt this was Emperor Youning using the opportunity to further suppress the noble families.

Affected by the Rouge Case, civil and military officials were mostly still apprehensive. To pacify them, Emperor Youning had Noble Consort Rong hold a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet in the Lotus Garden, broadly inviting noble ladies. The invitation arrived before Shen Xihe immediately.

“Sister Xihe, you must save me.” Shen Xihe, who hadn’t planned to go, was pestered by Bu Shulin. “They say it’s a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, but it’s a matchmaking banquet. I heard news that Consort Li plans to ask His Majesty to decree a marriage between me and Princess Anling!”

“Can you escape the fate of marrying a princess?” Shen Xihe asked.

Just as she couldn’t escape the fate of marrying a prince, as the only son of the King of Shunan, Bu Shulin was destined to marry a princess.

“That’s why I’ve come to seek Sister Xihe’s advice. If I marry the princess, won’t His Majesty become suspicious?” Bu Shulin pestered Shen Xihe.

“What’s that to do with me?” Shen Xihe’s attitude was cold.

“Sister Xihe, I admire you…”

Before Bu Shulin could finish, he received a profound look from Shen Xihe and immediately wisely shut his mouth.

“I don’t like to discuss feelings, I only like to discuss benefits,” Shen Xihe was satisfied with his perceptiveness. “Say something substantial.”

“If you can help me handle this Princess Anling situation, I’ll send three thousand sets of fine armor to the Northwestern Army!” Bu Shulin gritted his teeth.

The Shunan Prince’s mansion had their own unique method of forging armor – light yet sturdy, something Shen Yueshan had long coveted.

Shen Xihe smiled: “Since you sincerely asked for my help, how could I refuse?”

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