Guard Gao was the Emperor’s personal bodyguard. Why would he be here?
Could it be?
Minister Shen glanced into the Tianzi room.
He didn’t see anyone!
Guard Gao had already walked over and bowed with clasped hands. “Minister Shen, Vice Minister Shen, my master wishes to see you.”
Master?
The Shen father and son’s eyes shook with shock.
The only person he would refer to as “master” was…
Thus, Minister Shen immediately dismissed the manager and that server.
This action left the manager and server utterly confused.
Just moments ago he was about to fly into a rage—how did his anger suddenly dissipate?
As the manager and server went downstairs, they quietly discussed.
“Manager, who exactly are the people inside? Why do even the two Minister Shens seem so afraid?”
“How would I know? But looking at those people’s extraordinary bearing, and several wearing swords, clearly they’re not of simple origin.”
“Even greater than Minister Shen?”
“Heaven knows. In any case, Minister Shen didn’t blame us, so better to avoid trouble than invite it.”
The server nodded.
The Tianzi room.
As soon as the Shen father and son entered, they saw a man with his back to them, standing by the window looking outside, his gaze searching through the crowd again and again, as if waiting for someone.
“Master, the two Minister Shens have arrived,” Guard Gao said.
Hearing this, Wei Yi turned around.
The Shen father and son looked up, dumbstruck.
They immediately performed the ritual bow and kowtowed. “We greet Your Maj…”
They were interrupted.
“Gentlemen, I left the palace in civilian clothes. You need not perform rituals.” Wei Yi’s tone was gentle.
Over the past six months, he had always been this way with court officials.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Minister Shen was curious. “May I ask why Your Majesty would…” leave the palace?
Wei Yi smiled and said, “Today is the Commerce Festival. I also wanted to leave the palace and enjoy the festivities. I just didn’t expect such a coincidence—to encounter Minister Shen and Vice Minister Shen here. Even more coincidentally, I intercepted the private room you father and son had reserved long ago.”
He used the word “intercepted”!
Minister Shen wouldn’t dare compete with the Emperor. He hastily said, “Your Majesty is too kind. If I had known Your Majesty was leaving the palace, I would certainly have made arrangements this morning.”
“You’re too considerate. How about… both Minister Shens sit down together?” Wei Yi invited them.
Minister Shen didn’t dare. When Wei Yi left the palace, Prince Rong and Master Ji would certainly come shortly. His staying here would undoubtedly be in the way. He said, “It would be my honor, but I’d rather not disturb Your Majesty.”
“Minister Shen need not decline.”
“I dare not. It’s just that I suddenly remembered there are matters at home requiring attention, and I must hurry back to handle them.”
Wei Yi believed him. “If that’s the case, then I won’t keep you.”
The two clasped their hands. “We take our leave.”
After the Shen father and son left, Wei Yi stood by the window again, searching through the crowd with his gaze.
But who would have known—
After just a short while, Shen Changqin suddenly returned.
Hmm?
Wei Yi was puzzled. “What matter does Vice Minister Shen have?”
Shen Changqin lowered his eyes, as if finding it difficult to speak, his face showing discomfort and hesitation.
“I… have a matter to request of Your Majesty.”
“Oh? It shouldn’t be a court matter, I presume.”
“It’s my personal matter.”
“Vice Minister Shen, speak freely.”
“It concerns… the Ji family.”
The Ji family?
Could it be related to Shu’er?
Wei Yi immediately became attentive. He walked before him, frowning as he asked, “What exactly is it?”
Shen Changqin bowed his head and said, “Your Majesty should know that in earlier years, my Shen family formed a marriage alliance with the Ji family. Originally, I was to marry Miss Ji Wanxin, the second young lady of the Ji family, as my wife. However, due to the Ji family’s upheaval, the late Emperor decreed that no living member of the Ji family could ever enter the capital again. Therefore, the marriage between myself and Miss Ji was also called off.”
Oh!
Wei Yi understood his meaning.
“You want me to issue an edict… for an imperial marriage decree?”
Shen Changqin suddenly lifted his robes and knelt down, pleading, “Please grant Your Majesty’s blessing.”
“Vice Minister Shen, you should know that forbidding Ji family members from entering the capital was the late Emperor’s decree!”
“I know, but Miss Ji and I are mutually in love. In this life, I will marry none but her.”
He kowtowed!
Knowing he was softhearted—wasn’t this deliberately making things difficult?
Wei Yi said sympathetically, “Vice Minister Shen, seeing you like this truly pains me. I also wish to fulfill lovers’ wishes, but how can I go against the late Emperor’s decree?”
Shen Changqin threw caution to the wind. He raised his head with an expression of facing death without regret. “Your Majesty, never in my life have I been so devoted to a woman. Heaven favors lovers. I beg Your Majesty, in consideration of my years of dedicated service to the court, please grant my wish! Moreover… when the Ji family rebelled, it had nothing to do with Miss Ji. She is merely a weak woman, absolutely without any heart to harm others. If Your Majesty cannot grant this, I would rather die than live.”
He heavily kowtowed again.
“Vice Minister Shen…” Wei Yi didn’t know what to say.
Lovers finally united—it had always been a good tale!
“Vice Minister Shen, I will consider this carefully. You may return first.”
Shen Changqin saw a glimmer of hope and said emotionally, “Thank Your Majesty.”
His voice choked with emotion.
He rose to his feet. “Then I take my leave.”
He withdrew.
Wei Yi sighed!
His heart felt heavy.
Seeing how Shen Changqin was for the sake of a woman, his heart was touched, and he deeply empathized.
Wasn’t he the same way toward Shu’er!
He shook his head, not dwelling on it further.
Shen Changqin left the restaurant and boarded the carriage. Minister Shen was sitting inside waiting for him.
Sitting upright and proper.
Shen Changqin looked as if he’d done something shameful, his eyes flickering.
However, Minister Shen had already perceived everything.
“You went back to find the Emperor for the sake of that sickly girl from the Ji family, didn’t you?”
“Father…”
“Worthless thing.” Minister Shen rebuked. “How many times have I told you—from now on, our Shen family will have no further relationship with the Ji family whatsoever.”
His expression was resolute. “Wanxin is the only one in my heart. Father, why won’t you grant us your blessing?”
“You…” Minister Shen said angrily, “In any case, anyone is acceptable—except someone from the Ji family. The Ji family committed treason, and they’ll never rise again in their lifetime. Back then, if it weren’t for the fact that those two Ji brothers held military power, I would never have agreed to this marriage. Now Ji Shuhan is dead, Ji Siyin is also dead—what can the remaining Ji Huan accomplish? They’re like homeless dogs. But we’re different. Your father is the dignified Minister of Rites, and you’re a Vice Minister. Who knows how many young ladies from prestigious families in the capital want to marry you, yet you insist on that sickly girl. Truly worthless.”
A thorough scolding!
And moreover… there was nothing wrong with what he said!
That Ji Wanxin must have given Shen Changqin some kind of potion, bewitching him completely. It seemed without that woman, he’d rather die than live.
His body straightened, and he stated firmly, “Regardless of whether Father agrees or not, Changqin must obtain His Majesty’s consent for an imperial marriage decree. Even if it costs me my life, I won’t hesitate.”
“You…” Minister Shen was so angry his chest hurt.
He nearly vomited blood.
“Father, are you alright?”
“I don’t have such an unfilial son. You… you…”
Before Minister Shen finished speaking, he fainted.
“Father! Father!”
Shen Changqin quickly ordered the coachman, “Hurry to the medical clinic.”
Seeing the situation, the coachman pulled the reins and drove the horses toward the medical clinic.