Chapter 84: Don’t Worry If You Can’t Find Me

“He risked his life to save him, so no one can criticize that. Then he’ll petition the emperor to dismiss Wei Zhaoxian. Not only did he excellently fulfill the emperor’s orders, but he also avenged the grievances he suffered from the Wei family,” Quan Guanran sneered coldly. “Did you hear what he said earlier in the tent? He’s kept a meticulous account of every slight he’s endured over the years, clearly biding his time for revenge.”

“Now, hasn’t he seized that opportunity?” Quan Guanran continued. “Even if he petitions to remove Wei Zhaoxian, he also saved the man’s life. Who can fault him? People might despise him inwardly, but outwardly, no one can point out any wrongdoing.”

Sheng Jinchao took a deep breath. “So young, yet capable of such intricate scheming. The mind of a scholar is truly devious!”

Quan Guanran laughed coldly. “I must admit, I admire him. How many can achieve such high honors at his age? And how many, after achieving such success without any solid foundation, can pull a third-rank general down from his position?”

“This Scholar Shen is indeed formidable,” Quan Guanran remarked. “In the future, we must be wary of him. Let’s see how he fares when he returns to the capital and stands before the emperor. If His Majesty favors him, then as long as he doesn’t cross any imperial taboos, this man is destined to soar, and is unstoppable.”

Quan Guanran didn’t reveal to Sheng Jinchao that before their departure, Emperor Jiacheng had summoned him privately. The emperor had instructed Quan Guanran to keep a close eye on Shen Shilang and observe his intentions on this trip.

Was it truly a break with the Wei family, or merely a facade?

Initially, seeing Shen Shilang so cooperative and eager to assist, Quan Guanran assumed he had a good relationship with Wei Zhaoxian. Little did he know that Shen Shilang would make such an unexpected move.

Shortly after Quan Guanran and Sheng Jinchao returned to their tent, everyone in the camp saw Wei Jianlang supporting Wei Zhaoxian as they emerged, followed by Wei Jianming. All three wore grim expressions, especially Wei Jianming, who, despite his injuries, continued cursing Shen Shilang as a treacherous snake and an ungrateful wolf. He loudly claimed he had seen through Shen Shilang long ago and was proven right.

Wei Jianlang’s face darkened with each word Wei Jianming uttered, as if agreeing with his assessment.

Now the entire Northwestern Army knew that Shen Shilang had saved Wei Zhaoxian’s life only to completely sever ties with him afterward. Moreover, risking his life to save Wei Zhaoxian was clearly part of his plan to ensure no one could find fault with him later.

People wondered about the risks involved. What if he hadn’t succeeded in saving Wei Zhaoxian? Wouldn’t Shen Shilang have lost everything?

Most concluded that scholars simply cared too much about their reputation.

However, even Quan Guanran didn’t doubt the true intentions behind Shen Shilang’s actions.

“But despite the young general’s fury, he hasn’t expelled Shen Shilang from his tent,” someone noted.

“After all, he did save General Wei’s life,” another replied. “The young general is too upright; even in this situation, he wouldn’t chase Shen Shilang out. Ah!”

“Good people always end up suffering!”

Inside the tent, Shen Shilang let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Wei Zhaoxian and Wei Jianlang had agreed to his proposal.

“Jinshi, are you there?” Shen Shilang called softly.

Su Jinshi quickly poked the corner of Shen Shilang’s mouth, which still tasted bitter from the herbal medicine, twice gently.

Although they now had a mid-level communication box, Su Jinshi treasured their conversations and hesitated to use it frivolously.

Shen Shilang shivered slightly, then his lips curled into a smile.

“You’ve been by my side all night,” Shen Shilang said. “You should rest now; I’m fine.”

Su Jinshi was surprised that Shen Shilang knew she had kept vigil over him all night.

“Even while unconscious, I felt someone feeding me medicine and placing something cool and thin under my armpit,” Shen Shilang explained. “I guessed it was you.”

Su Jinshi smiled; Shen Shilang seemed to understand her better and better.

“I’m feeling much better now, and there’s a doctor watching over me. Don’t worry,” Shen Shilang said gently. “Go rest and regain your strength.”

Su Jinshi, having stayed up all night, was indeed exhausted.

She also had an appointment with her editor to discuss the outline for a new script. It had been quite some time since her last project; she really needed to get back to work.

So Su Jinshi set her phone alarm to avoid being late.

She didn’t log out of the game but left it paused on Shen Shilang’s page. If anything were to happen to him, the game’s alarm would wake her up.

Having done all this, Su Jinshi returned to her bedroom, drew the blackout curtains, and crawled into bed. She was so tired and had been so tense about Shen Shilang’s injury that once she relaxed, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

When her phone alarm rang, Su Jinshi was sleeping so deeply that she thought she was dreaming. However, as the ringing grew louder, she finally awoke.

Seeing the time, she hurriedly turned off the alarm while getting up to check on Shen Shilang.

Shen Shilang appeared to be doing well. Although still lying down, he now had a dog named Youmi keeping him company.

Because Wei Zhaoxian and his sons had angrily left the camp in public view, the entire Northwestern Army now knew that Shen Shilang had completely fallen out with the Wei family. The army naturally sided with the Wei family; even Guan Changping and Zhou Cheng hadn’t visited Shen Shilang again.

But with Quan Guanran present, he had arranged for someone to look after Shen Shilang.

Shen Shilang lay there contentedly, occasionally petting Youmi. The large dog gradually rolled over, exposing its belly. Seeing such a big dog wriggling happily next to Shen Shilang was quite an amusing sight.

Su Jinshi could now afford both a beginner-level and a mid-level communication box, giving her a total of four hours of transmission time.

She first bought a beginner-level box and told Shen Shilang, “Shen Shilang, I’m going out for work discussions. Don’t worry if you can’t reach me.”

After saying this, Su Jinshi realized she was becoming increasingly aware of updating him, almost like reporting to a family member.

“Alright,” Shen Shilang replied softly.

Su Jinshi called for a ride, and in the car, she could still chat with Shen Shilang for a bit longer.

Shen Shilang asked her, “Jinshi, what kind of work do you do in your world?”

“I’m a short drama screenwriter,” Su Jinshi explained. “It’s somewhat like writing scripts for traditional operas. After I write them, actors… well, our actors are like your opera performers.”

The driver couldn’t help but glance at Su Jinshi through the rearview mirror.

What strange things is this girl saying?

What does she mean by “your opera

performers”?

Who still uses that term nowadays?

That’s not exactly a complimentary phrase anymore!

“They bring my scripts to life as short plays, each episode lasting just a few minutes, which are then broadcast on online platforms,” Su Jinshi had previously explained to Shen Shilang about concepts like networks and television in her world.

…