Chapter 60: Departure

“It’s just a marriage proposal!” Madam Wei exclaimed, still unable to comprehend the situation. “And it hasn’t even been finalised!”

“I have no authority over his marriage, and you have even less,” Wei Zhaoxian replied bluntly. “Who do you think you are to decide his wedding?”

Madam Wei looked at him in disbelief, her heart sinking. “Wei Zhaoxian, for the sake of Shen Shilang, you’ve made me lose face in our residence. Today, the steward Ning you brought dared to challenge me openly, trampling on my dignity.”

“And now you even want to divorce me,” she said coldly. “What does this do to the reputation of the Earl of Yongning residence? Who are you trying to make room for? Just say it outright!”

Wei Zhaoxian felt utterly exhausted.

Even now, Madam Wei still believed he had someone else to replace her.

“General Wei.” Shen Shilang called from outside.

Hearing Shen Shilang’s voice made Madam Wei’s face twist with disgust. Wei Zhaoxian noticed her reaction but had no time to address it. He hurried to open the door and found Shen Shilang standing there with a bundle.

“Shilang, what are you doing?” Wei Zhaoxian exclaimed, “Are you really leaving?”

“General, may I speak with you privately?” Shen Shilang asked.

“Alright,” Wei Zhaoxian nodded, stepping out with Shen Shilang into the study.

Once the door was closed, he asked, “Shilang, do you really want to leave?”

Shen Shilang bowed deeply before replying, “I’ve long intended to leave the Wei mansion; I just never found the right moment. Madam Wei’s actions have provided me with this opportunity.”

“You shouldn’t blame Madam Wei; she acted out of misunderstanding and her feelings for you,” Shen Shilang continued. “With her proposing a marriage for me, I can pretend to be forced into leaving and escape from the Wei mansion.”

“However, this approach will tarnish both your and Madam Wei’s reputations,” Shen added solemnly.

Upon hearing that Shen Shilang had planned to leave all along, Wei Zhaoxian first thought he was simply fed up with Madam Wei’s antics and no longer wished to stay. But then he realized the deeper reasoning behind his decision.

“You’re worried about dragging me down,” he understood. “You want to use this opportunity to publicly sever ties with the Wei family, making it seem as though my wife expelled you. This way, anything that happens to you in the future won’t involve us.”

“When you saved me at great risk to your own family’s safety and took me in, I felt indebted to you. If this matter is investigated later, the Wei family will be implicated no matter what. I can only hope that before I achieve my revenge, this won’t come to light. As for any suspicion or schemes against me, at least today’s events will ensure they don’t involve the Wei family.”

“And I will make sure my revenge is swift so that the Wei family doesn’t fall into danger,” Shen Shilang said earnestly. “General, this is all I can do for the Wei family now; please allow it! Otherwise, my heart will be uneasy!”

“You…” Seeing Shen Shilang’s determination, Wei Zhaoxian knew he couldn’t dissuade him. Shen Shilang was preparing for his impending revenge.

“Have you secured a place to stay?” he asked.

“The imperial examination is in March; considering the time, I should set off now,” he replied. “I’ve rented a carriage and packed my belongings; I’m heading to the capital today.”

The journey from Chong’an to the capital is long; leaving now would give him ample time.

Once there, he would need to secure accommodation to prepare for the exams.

“You’re already prepared,” Wei Zhaoxian sighed. “But have you arranged accommodation in the capital? When exam time comes, all candidates will be there; finding a place will be difficult.”

Shen Shilang shook his head. “I haven’t found one yet; that’s why I need to set off now. Once I reach the capital with some time before the exams, I should have enough time to find a place.”

“I have a residence in the capital; why don’t you stay there when you arrive?” Wei Zhaoxian suggested.

Shen Shilang shook his head in refusal. “If I’m pretending to be forced out by Madam Wei and severing ties with your family, staying at your residence would undermine everything I’ve done.”

“Your residence in the capital is well-known; it would have been investigated already,” he added. Even a seemingly discreet courtyard would likely not remain secret from those looking closely.

“I’ll send someone ahead secretly to buy a small courtyard in the capital and rent it out to you,” he proposed again.

Shen Shilang smiled gently. “Let me struggle a bit more; it’ll seem more believable that way. You don’t need to do anything; if I can’t even overcome this little difficulty, how can I talk about revenge?”

Wei Zhaoxian felt helpless but recognized Shen Shilang had a point. He then said, “Let me give you some money for expenses; renting a place in the capital requires quite a bit of cash.”

However, Shen Shilang refused again. “If I’m to appear as someone who has cut ties with the Wei family, I can’t be too well-off. I should seem destitute, struggling even.”

“I’ve earned some money over these years by copying books and writing letters; I’ve managed to save up some silver.” Shen Shilang explained with a slightly helpless smile. “General, please let me handle things myself without interference so no one suspects anything. Leave future matters to me!”

Wei Zhaoxian looked at Shen Shilang for a long time before reluctantly agreeing.

Shen Shilang continued, “As for Madam Wei’s side of things, please don’t pursue it any further. The Earl of Yongning… is also your ally. Over the years, she’s been unaware of anything, and her whole family has risked much for my sake. I too feel guilty towards her.”

This last remark struck a chord with Wei Zhaoxian. Though he had reprimanded Madam Wei several times for her overreactions regarding Shen Shilang’s affairs, he had never truly taken drastic measures against her until he was pushed too far this time. It was because he had faced death on battlefields and knew how hard it was for Madam Wei over these years that he hadn’t acted more severely against her mistakes. He also felt guilty towards Madam Wei for involving their entire residence in potential danger without her knowledge.

“After I leave, Madam Wei should return to being the dignified mistress of the house she ought to be,” Shen Shilang advised gently.

“Though that may be true, she has become increasingly muddled over these years—not just because of your situation.” Wei Zhaoxi said solemnly. “Even if we don’t divorce, she deserves some punishment.”

As long as they didn’t divorce, what he planned next was not something Shen Shilang needed to pry into further.

Slowly kneeling before him, Shen Shilang startled him. “Shilang! What are you doing? Get up!”

Though he had made Shen Shilang kneel before when punishing him previously, it was always for his own family’s spirit rather than himself.

“General.” Looking up at him earnestly, Shen Shilang said: “This life of mine was saved by you. Everything I’ve achieved today is thanks to you. For a long time to come, we may not be able to be as close as we once were. Please accept my deepest gratitude.”

….

T/N: Okay, let’s gooo!