Chapter 49: Su Jinshi Becomes Anxious Over Shen Shilang’s Scheming

“It’s already decided—you’re joining the army now. Come with me to the barracks,” Wei Zhaoxian said coldly.

“General, it’s so late. Can’t we wait until tomorrow?” Madam Wei asked cautiously. “Let me pack some essentials for Jianming. You’ve just returned; why not rest tonight and depart in the morning?”

Wei Jianming stared at his mother in disbelief. She wanted him to leave tomorrow?!

“Soldiers wear uniforms and armor daily. What belongings does he need?” Wei Zhaoxian replied sharply. “He’s joining the army, not going on vacation. A soldier’s only luggage is his uniform.”

“Come with me!” Seeing Wei Jianming still motionless, Wei Zhaoxian snorted, “Do I need to drag you?”

Without waiting for a response, Wei Zhaoxian called out loudly, “Men!”

“General!” Two armored soldiers immediately entered.

Wei Zhaoxian had returned with soldiers, prepared to force Wei Jianming to the authorities if necessary. Now, instead of that, they would take him to the army.

“Take him to the barracks,” Wei Zhaoxian ordered firmly.

“Yes, sir!” The two soldiers flanked Wei Jianming and began to escort him out.

“Let go of me!” Wei Jianming struggled and shouted, but it was futile. Military orders were absolute; they wouldn’t care that he was the general’s son.

[System: Successfully helped Shen Shilang avoid Wei Jianming’s scheme, XP+]

[System: Congratulations on reaching level 12, level reward: 1200 gold coins]

[System: Wei Jianming received punishment, XP+]

[System: Congratulations on reaching level 13, level reward: 1300 gold coins]

“I was wondering why there was no experience reward yet. So it was waiting for this moment,” Su Jinshi mused, having watched the commotion. She returned to Shen Shilang’s side, poking his cheek to signal her return.

Shen Shilang sighed, “Did you enjoy the spectacle?”

When he had gone to find Wei Zhaoxian earlier, Su Jinshi hadn’t returned with him. He guessed she had stayed to watch the drama unfold.

Su Jinshi playfully traced a smiley face on Shen Shilang’s chest with her finger.

The gentle touch made Shen Shilang’s chest tingle, and his face reddened involuntarily. He coughed lightly behind a loosely formed fist.

Su Jinshi now had many questions but couldn’t ask them until the next morning.

She woke early, washing up while watching Shen Shilang practice martial arts. By the time her ordered coffee and bagel arrived, Shen Shilang’s breakfast had also been served.

Su Jinshi took a sip of coffee and quickly bought a communication box to ask, “You let Wei Jianming off too easily yesterday. Wei Zhaoxian was about to take him to the authorities. Why didn’t you take advantage of that?”

“Taking him to the officials would at most strip him of his status as provincial scholar, or bar him from future examinations. Even if Wei Zhaoxian insisted on fair treatment, they might not dare to act too harshly out of respect for the general. Afterward, Wei Jianming would return and continue to hold a grudge against me,” Shen Shilang explained slowly, sipping his thick, fragrant porridge.

“Now that General Wei has taken him back to the army, he will surely discipline him strictly. I suspect it will be at least a year or two before he’s allowed to return easily,” Shen Shilang continued, placing some pickled vegetables into his porridge.

The vegetables softened in the hot porridge, which in turn absorbed their flavors, enriching its taste. Shen Shilang savored a bite and said, “See? With him gone, isn’t the mansion much quieter?”

Su Jinshi was speechless. No wonder Shen Shilang didn’t pursue the matter further. He had effectively banished Wei Jianming from home!

“Next year, I’ll be taking the metropolitan examination. I need peace and quiet to study now, and I don’t have time to deal with Wei Jianming’s antics,” Shen Shilang said, putting down his utensils and looking at her.

Su Jinshi interpreted his expression as saying, ‘See? Now I can study in peace.’

“May all scholars in the world not be as cunning as you,” Su Jinshi felt uneasy at Shen Shilang’s shrewdness. He had taken such a roundabout way to get rid of Wei Jianming, yet others would still praise him for being magnanimous.

Shen Shilang paused, then said softly, “I wouldn’t treat you that way.”

Su Jinshi’s mouth formed an “O” in surprise, then broke into a wide smile that wouldn’t leave her face. She rested her chin on her hands and said with a grin, “Shen Shilang, you’re so adorable now!”

He was so different from when she first met him.

Flustered by the compliment, Shen Shilang’s face flushed even more. “Why do you suddenly say that?” he stammered, embarrassed.

“Because you treat me differently from others,” Su Jinshi replied, her eyes crinkling with her smile.

Her words left Shen Shilang completely speechless, his face turning a deep shade of red as if he might faint from embarrassment at any moment.

[System: Shen Shilang’s favorability +10]

[System: Shen Shilang’s favorability: 51]

The next day, surprising news spread through the mansion.

“You’re saying Inspector Liu was reprimanded by the Emperor and fined his salary?” Madam Wei asked in astonishment. The fine was minor; few officials relied on their salaries for living. But an imperial reprimand was a serious matter.

“What did Inspector Liu do to warrant such a rebuke from His Majesty?” Madam Wei asked, incredulous.

Steward Ning, who had just completed the handover with Manager Yue, bowed slightly before Madam Wei and said, “At the flower-viewing banquet the other day, Inspector Liu’s second daughter wore a hairpin worth 100 taels of silver.”

Madam Wei felt this sounded familiar and asked, “Do you know what the hairpin looked like exactly?”

“It was a hairpin made of South Sea pearls and jadeite. Though unassuming at first glance, it was exquisite and expensive,” Steward Ning replied.

“That’s right!” Wei Ruyan exclaimed. “That day, Liu Yiling wore that pearl hairpin. I even mentioned how surprising it was that Cheng Ruyu didn’t buy it, but Liu Yiling ended up with it. She was the center of attention, with many people gathering around her to admire the hairpin and ask questions.”

“And Inspector Liu was reprimanded by the Emperor because of that hairpin?” Madam Wei asked.

“Indeed,” Steward Ning confirmed. “To support military expenses, even the palace is cutting costs. The Emperor is leading by example, eating only four dishes and one soup per meal. Nobles and court officials, along with their families, have all donated money and jewelry, outwardly living frugally. For the Liu family’s second daughter to be so ostentatious at this time displeased His Majesty.”

“The imperial edict stated that the Emperor was shocked that Inspector Liu’s family members could still afford such luxuries at this critical time,” Steward Ning continued. “I heard that Inspector Liu quickly apologised and donated some more money.”

“However, it’s difficult to gauge the right amount to donate. Too little shows a lack of sincerity, while too much might raise suspicions of corruption,” Madam Wei shook her head. “Inspector Liu has truly been put in a terrible position by his daughter. And Madam Liu should have known better than to let her flaunt that hairpin during such critical times.”