Chapter 392: Shen Lian

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

However, it was a fortunate outcome.

If Shen Rong had not made a mistake, Shen Lian would not have had the chance to be valued by her father.

She would not even have the chance to enter the Shen family’s residence and get betrothed to Young Master Song.

Song Rui looked at Shen Lian with disdain in his heart, but he did not show it on his face.

“Young Miss, you flatter me.”

“It’s not an exaggeration! Young Master Song is peerless in talent and knowledge, and you are… you are also extraordinarily handsome. You certainly live up to your name as the Immortal Poet!” Shen Lian hurriedly said. She was afraid that Song Rui would think that she was lying.

Song Rui was stunned.

Then, a smile appeared on his face.

“Thank you, Young Miss.” Following that, he cupped his hands and bowed to Shen Lian. When he bowed, he even intentionally glanced at Shen Lian.

Shen Lian felt as if an electric current had passed through her body, and she stared back in a daze.

Song Rui smiled again and even let out a soft laugh, which roused Shen Lian from her daze.

As he looked at Shen Lian’s shy-looking face, he continued, “Minister Shen is worried that Young Miss is not comfortable living in the manor. He specially asked me to come over and take a look.

“Now that I know Young Miss is well, Minister Shen can rest assured.”

“I’m thankful… thankful for Father’s concern,” Shen Lian hurriedly said. She did not dare to look at Song Rui anymore.

Song Rui glanced at Shen Lian, and the disdain in his heart intensified.

He was lustful but not brazen.

Not only was this girl not comparable to Shen Rong, who had already left the Shen family, but she was also worlds apart from his wife.

“If there is anything that the manor lacks, Young Miss can give your instructions directly to Uncle Wang.

“Minister Shen said that there were some obstacles in bringing you into the residence. I’m afraid Young Miss will have to stay in the manor for quite a while more.”

Shen Lian’s expression changed at once as she looked at Song Rui.

Song Rui smiled and continued, “It’s just some minor obstacles. Don’t worry, Young Miss. With Minister Shen around, the trouble will be resolved sooner or later.”

Shen Lian’s expression finally became more relaxed.

She bowed to Song Rui coyly.

“Please go back and tell Father that Lian’er is not in a hurry. Please ask Father to prioritize his health and don’t overwork himself for Lian’er.”

Song Rui glanced at Shen Lian and nodded.

“Young Miss is so full of filial concern. I will definitely pass on the message.”

She was a little stupid, but she wasn’t stupid at the critical moment.

The old fox had more than one illegitimate daughter outside but he only fancied her and wanted to bring her into the Shen family’s residence.

From the looks of it, it wasn’t completely without reason.

“Thank you, Young Master.” Shen Lian bowed again, and a shy and timid look appeared in her eyes.

“Ahem… Let’s take a walk over there,” Song Rui suddenly said.

“Mm-hmm. Young Master, this way please.” Shen Lian led the way.

Then, she brought Song Rui around the manor.

During this walk, Shen Lian enthusiastically introduced Song Rui to the things in the manor.

Under Song Rui’s prompting, she also told him a lot about herself and Shen Hongyu.

Song Rui listened and noted everything down mentally.

He thought to himself that the old fox really treated Shen Lian and her mother well.

Unfortunately, as long as Mrs. Shen was around, Shen Lian’s mother could never enter the Shen family’s residence.

However, it was a good thing that Shen Lian’s mother was still alive.

In this way, there would be an irreconcilable conflict between Mrs. Shen on the one hand, and the mother and daughter together with Shen Hongyu on the other.

The next day, after the court session ended, Minister Shen was invited to the Empress’s sleeping chambers.

“Lord Shen, this way please.” After the lady-in-waiting went in to report, she quickly ushered Minister Shen in.

Minister Shen entered.

“Greetings, Your Royal Highness. May Your Royal Highness live for thousands of years!” After seeing the Empress, he went forward and bowed.

“Minister Shen, no need for formalities,” the Empress replied with a smile.

Then, she said to the palace servant not far away, “Bring a seat.”

Immediately, a eunuch brought a chair over.

Prime Minister Shen turned his head to look at the chair and his expression relaxed substantially.

“Thank you, Your Royal Highness.” After bowing, he stood up and walked towards the chair.

Then, he sat down openly.

As he looked at Empress Jia, Minister Shen pretended not to know anything and spoke up.

“May I know why Your Royal Highness summoned me?”

He had been bowing to Empress Jia and the Jia family’s tyranny for many years, but now the situation was different.

If the Empress really wanted to stand up for his wife this time, then she could not blame him later.

Empress Jia looked at the slightly hostile expression on Minister Shen’s face and sighed in her heart.

However, a smile appeared on her face.

“Indeed, I have something to discuss,” she said.

A hint of glumness flashed across Minister Shen’s eyes, but it quickly disappeared.

“Oh?” he asked.

Empress Jia nodded.

“Mm-hmm.

“I want to talk to you about Rong’er.”

Minister Shen’s expression clouded over and he did not reply.

Empress Jia smiled and continued, “Yesterday, Elder Sister came to the palace and told me about Rong’er.”

“Only then did 1 find out that Rong’er did not die suddenly, but…” As she spoke, a look of bitter disappointment flashed across Empress Jia’s eyes.

Minister Shen’s eyes flickered and he hurriedly bowed to Empress Jia.

“The unfilial daughter committed a mistake and brought shame to the Prime Minister’s residence. I was forced to lie that she died suddenly. Please… forgive me, Your Royal Highness.”

If one took a simplistic view, he had lied to everyone for the sake of preserving the reputation of the Prime Minister’s residence and his daughter.

However, if one took a serious view, it was a crime of deceiving the Emperor.

If the Empress punished him for this, no one could say anything. In fact, their Shen family’s dignity would be completely destroyed.

Empress Jia smiled and raised her hand.

“I’m not saying that your handling of this matter is improper.”

Only then did Minister Shen relax a little.

“But…” To his surprise, Empress Jia’s words suddenly turned around.

Having just put his mind at ease, Minister Shen instantly became worried again.

Following this, Empress Jia continued, “But, Rong’er is still my niece. She is my elder sister’s only daughter.

“The matter of the Fahua Buddhist Temple… Do you think that the way you handled it was… too reckless?” As she spoke, Empress Jia looked at Minister Shen, her gaze no longer as gentle as before.

Minister Shen’s heart shuddered.

He hurriedly bowed to Empress Jia.

The moment he lowered his head, he realized that Empress Jia was intimidating him.

A wave of anger flashed in his heart, but Minister Shen quickly calmed himself down.

“After 1 thought about this matter in the aftermath, indeed… some things could have been handled better.”

As he spoke, Minister Shen raised his head to look at Empress Jia.

He then added, “Rong’er is also the apple of my eye. How can 1 stand by idly when she…” When he said this, a pained look crept over Minister Shen’s face.

“That child has been bewitched by someone and won’t listen to persuasion.

“At that time, I thought she was just threatening me and would not take her life flippantly.

“Who could have thought…” Minister Shen closed his eyes in anguish.

After a while, he continued, “It is true that I have not handled this matter properly.

“I have also failed in my duty in her upbringing, resulting in her committing such a shameful act!”

Empress Jia watched Minister Shen’s performance and sighed in her heart. Minister Shen certainly lived up to his reputation.

Though he admitted his mistake, in the end, he did not forget to mention that Shen Rong had committed a morally reprehensible act.

Even if Empress Jia wanted to find fault with him, it would be difficult for her to do so.

A ripple of emotions flashed across her eyes. Then Empress Jia sighed and gestured for Minister Shen to rise.

“You are indeed to blame for this matter,” she said.

Minister Shen’s body stiffened as he raised his head to look at Empress Jia.

Empress Jia continued, “However, it’s not entirely because of the matter of Rong’er at the Fahua Buddhist Temple. It’s your attitude towards your wife after the incident.”

Minister Shen was shocked.

Only then did Empress Jia’s expression soften as she continued, “Rong’er committed suicide. The greater responsibility lies with her. Actually, no one is to blame..”