Chapter 42: Shen Shilang’s Unexpected Silence

“You must not have noticed before, but now that you’re aware, observe carefully how Wei Zhaoxian supports Wei Jianlang,” Governor Cheng instructed his son. “Don’t waste effort on Wei Jianming. Look at Wei Jianlang; does he ever bother to associate with your group?”

Cheng Jianfeng fell silent, feeling the sting of his father’s words.

“Now that you understand, you may leave,” Governor Cheng said. “I need to return to the banquet.”

Cheng Jianfeng hesitated for a long moment, then gritted his teeth and decided to tell his father the truth. “Father, about Wei Jianming…”

“What about him?” Governor Cheng inquired.

Cheng Jianfeng bit his lip and said, “Wei Jianming plans to ruin Shen Shilang, to ensure he can’t participate in next year’s imperial examination.”

“Hmph, fool,” Governor Cheng snorted. “Stay out of it. Distance yourself as soon as possible.”

“He plans to make his move right after today’s banquet ends,” Cheng Jianfeng admitted nervously. “I’m worried this might affect you, Father.”

“I’m surprised you even know this, yet you only telling me now,” Governor Cheng retorted. “What exactly does he intend to do?”

Cheng Jianfeng divulged the details of Wei Jianming’s scheme.

“If the attack is set for after the banquet, then it has nothing to do with us,” Governor Cheng reasoned. “However, since you’ve been involved, if Shen Shilang is petty, he might also resent you.”

“But if Wei Jianming succeeds and Shen Shilang loses his chance at the imperial examinations, he won’t be able to cause any trouble. Even if he hates me, what could he possibly do?” Cheng Jianfeng argued. This was precisely why he wasn’t afraid of Shen Shilang.

Governor Cheng shook his head. “What was your impression of Shen Shilang before he became the top scholar?”

“Not much of an impression,” Cheng Jianfeng admitted. “Most of what I heard came from Wei Jianming. He said Shen Shilang was poor in his studies, and was weak, often calling him useless.”

“And now?” Governor Cheng pressed.

“Now…” Cheng Jianfeng replied in surprise, “It’s obvious that he is good in his studies. Recently, Wei Jianming also discovered that Shen Shilang is skilled in martial arts. He had kept it hidden at the Wei residence for years, enduring beatings and insults without revealing his abilities.”

“Given how well Shen Shilang concealed his skills, how did Wei Jianming find out?” Governor Cheng inquired further.

Cheng Jianfeng then recounted how Madam Wei had sought Taoist Li to exorcise ghosts, and how Shen Shilang had intervened, even resorting to force.

“Clearly, this young man is extremely patient and capable of enduring hardships,” Governor Cheng observed. “He has borne humiliation and bided his time, only to soar high once he topped the examination. If Wei Jianming succeeds in ruining him, he would earn Shen Shilang’s deep-seated hatred. What would all his previous endurance amount to then?”

“Shen Shilang endured for so long just for the provincial examination. If he’s ruined now, unless Wei Jianming kills him outright, eliminating the problem for good, Shen Shilang will likely continue to endure and eventually take down Wei Jianming,” Governor Cheng looked meaningfully at Cheng Jianfeng. “Do you believe that?”

Cheng Jianfeng shuddered violently. “Is he really capable of that?”

Governor Cheng shook his head, sighing. “I deeply regret allowing you to associate with Wei Jianming. It was my own lack of understanding of Shen Shilang that led to this misjudgment.”

“It’s not too late now. You don’t need to concern yourself with what happens next, just stay away from Wei Jianming,” Governor Cheng advised. “Consider this a favor I’m doing for Shen Shilang, leaving us an escape route.”

“Yes…” Cheng Jianfeng thought for a moment and said, “Perhaps I shouldn’t return to the banquet, to avoid confrontation with Wei Jianming and having to explain myself.”

“No, you must go back,” Governor Cheng insisted. “Otherwise, they’ll become suspicious and might alter their plans, which could be disadvantageous to both of us. Just find a casual excuse to brush them off.”

“Understood.”

Meanwhile, Shen Shilang was circulating among the other scholars and examiners, toasting them with his wine jug.

The examiners hadn’t expected the top Scholar to be so sociable and easy-going, rather than aloof. They ended up drinking a few more cups with him.

By the time Shen Shilang finished making his rounds and emerged from the crowd, his cheeks were flushed a brilliant red. He walked as if treading on clouds, swaying slightly as if he couldn’t find his footing.

At that moment, a servant from the Cheng residence quickly came forward to support Shen Shilang, taking the opportunity to whisper, “Young Master Shen, Governor Cheng requests your presence.”

When Shen Shilang turned his head to look at the servant, his gaze suddenly became sharp, showing no signs of intoxication.

The servant broke out in a cold sweat under Shen Shilang’s intense gaze. Fortunately, he truly was carrying out Governor Cheng’s order. Otherwise, if he had harbored ill intentions, Shen Shilang’s piercing look might have frightened him into revealing his guilt.

The servant hastily explained, “This lowly one truly was sent by Governor Cheng.”

Shen Shilang’s brow relaxed slightly. Whether it was true or not, he decided to follow and see for himself. If there really was a trap waiting, he wasn’t afraid.

Su Jinshi poked Shen Shilang’s shoulder twice, signaling that he was also there and Shen Shilang needn’t worry.

Shen Shilang smiled slightly and said to the servant, “Then please help me over.”

The servant thought to himself, this top scholar is truly good at hiding his true nature! If it weren’t for that piercing look earlier, he would have believed Shen Shilang was genuinely drunk. Now, watching Shen Shilang feign weakness, leaning heavily on him, the servant was even more convinced of his act.

The servant supported the seemingly unsteady Shen Shilang to the room where Governor Cheng was waiting, which was being used as a temporary resting place.

Upon entering, Shen Shilang saw that it really was Governor Cheng who wanted to see him.

Governor Cheng observed Shen Shilang seemingly struggling to control his swaying body as he bowed respectfully, “Student Shen Shilang pays his respects to Governor Cheng.”

The servant who had escorted Shen Shilang watched with exasperation, thinking: You’re still pretending even in front of Governor Cheng?

“No need for formalities, Shilang,” Governor Cheng said warmly.

The servant withdrew, leaving only Governor Cheng and Shen Shilang in the room.

“My lord, may I ask why you’ve summoned me?” Shen Shilang inquired.

“I must first apologize to you,” Governor Cheng said, lowering his stance. “My son has been discourteous to you several times. It’s my failure in raising him properly.”

“Please don’t say that, my lord. I wouldn’t dare accept such words,” Shen Shilang replied. “Besides, Young Master Cheng was misled, and he didn’t say much during those incidents.”

“I’ve had you brought here because there’s a more important matter I need to discuss with you,” Governor Cheng continued. “You know my son has some private associations with Wei Jianming and the others. However, after seeing their behavior, he no longer wishes to associate with them and has told me about their plan to harm you.”

“He was worried you might not trust him due to his previous friendship with Wei Jianming and the others, so he came to tell me,” Governor Cheng explained. “This matter is of great importance, which is why I urgently summoned you here.”

Su Jinshi thought to himself that this Governor Cheng seemed quite decent.

Shen Shilang feigned surprise and trepidation, saying, “Thank you, my lord!”

Governor Cheng smiled slightly, already prepared for Shen Shilang to inquire about the details.

To his surprise, Shen Shilang unexpectedly had no follow-up questions.