Chapter 219
**Chapter 217: Mo Xun**
Shen Wei gazed at the bright moonlight, a glimmer of darkness flickering in her eyes. "It's been so long since I've seen my brother; I miss him dearly."
Soon, the family would be reunited.
Her elder brother was a formidable general, her sister Shen Qiang a wealthy landowner, Shen Wei herself a palace consort and a powerful merchant, and her younger brother a rising star in the court. The Shen family was on the verge of greatness.
Of course, Shen Wei needed to keep the Shen family grounded. Though they appeared to be on the rise, with a bright future ahead, it was crucial to remain clear-headed and rational.
They must avoid greed and recklessness, refrain from arrogance and bullying, and remain loyal only to the emperor. Only then could the family stand strong and ensure prosperity for future generations.
Yet, Shen Wei also had to prepare for the worst—an unfeeling emperor, Li Yuanjing, might harbor jealousy towards the Shen family and seek to eradicate them. In that case, Shen Wei would have to maneuver in the shadows, win over court officials, and rely on Shen Mieyue's military power and her own wealth to support her son’s rise to power.
...
Tonight, the moonlight was particularly bright, like mercury spilled across the official road leading to Yanjing City.
Shen Mieyue was escorting the envoy from the Yue Kingdom, resting at a relay station in the outskirts.
The relay station was brightly lit.
Even though they were close to Yanjing City, Shen Mieyue remained vigilant, having arranged for fully armed soldiers to patrol, wary of bandit attacks.
"Elder brother, have something to eat," Shen Xiuming said, bringing a bowl of braised pork to the entrance of the relay station and handing it to Shen Mieyue.
Shen Mieyue sat on a wooden bench. "Thank you."
Shen Xiuming smiled. "We're brothers, no need for such formality. Mother’s carriage should be arriving in Yanjing soon. We’ll return to the capital in two days and have a lively reunion dinner with our sisters."
Years ago, a miscommunication had led Shen Mieyue to believe their entire family had been killed by the Yue army, while their mother thought her eldest son had died in battle.
Fortunately, fate had smiled upon them, allowing the family to reunite once more.
Shen Mieyue slapped Shen Xiuming on the head. "You rascal! You've picked up the terrible habit of gambling, forcing our third sister to sell herself into servitude."
Shen Xiuming clutched his head, wailing, "Elder brother, I quit gambling long ago! Let’s not dwell on the past! Third sister is now a consort, and who knows, she might even become a favored concubine in the future. It’s a sweet turn of fate."
Shen Mieyue glared at him. "Women in the harem can be treacherous. Our third sister is innocent and kind-hearted; she wouldn’t even harm a grasshopper. How can she thrive in such an environment?"
Shen Xiuming fell silent, not daring to respond.
In the harem, beauties were as numerous as clouds. Shen Wei had been cast aside by the emperor for three years, only brought back to the palace half a month ago. This showed that the emperor was not particularly invested in her; bringing her back was merely out of respect for Shen Mieyue.
The one who had pushed Shen Wei into the abyss was none other than Shen Xiuming.
Every time he thought of it, he wished he could slap himself. He truly deserved it.
He could only strive to achieve political success and elevate his position. The higher he rose, the more support his sisters would have in the palace.
"Elder brother, you’re just a soldier, stationed in Liangzhou for years, yet you know about the dangers of the harem?" Shen Xiuming asked curiously.
Shen Mieyue's face flushed slightly. "Someone told me."
"Who?" Shen Xiuming pressed.
Shen Mieyue coughed awkwardly. "Never mind."
Of course, it was Sun Qingmei who had informed him.
Sun Qingmei was the daughter of the late General Sun, who had joined the military and proved herself as a capable female general, fighting alongside Shen Mieyue in many battles.
After spending three years together in Liangzhou, Shen Mieyue had developed feelings for this brave and resilient woman.
He had boldly expressed his desire to marry Sun Qingmei, but after countless rejections, he was left feeling frustrated.
Why did she keep turning him down when it was clear she had feelings for him?
Women’s hearts were truly hard to understand.
"Report! General, there’s a carriage approaching the relay station on the official road!" A patrolling soldier suddenly rushed in to report. A nondescript little carriage was making its way down the road, catching the attention of the patrolling soldiers.
Shen Mieyue stood up, gripping his sword, his hawk-like eyes fixed on the carriage.
At this hour, where could a carriage be coming from?
The carriage came to a halt, and the patrolling soldiers quickly drew their weapons. As the gray curtain was lifted, a slender figure stepped out.
The moonlight, like white frost, illuminated the young woman's delicate face. Dressed simply yet elegantly, she looked beautiful, her eyes shyly glancing over as she spoke, "I am Dan Tai Rou, here to seek out Master Yan Yunting. May I request an audience?"
Dan Tai Rou had arrived.
Shen Mieyue narrowed his dark eyes, still on guard, and spoke in a deep voice, "Someone, go fetch Yan Canjun. A friend is looking for him."
Immediately, someone went inside to relay the message.
Inside the relay station, Yan Yunting had already settled down. Upon hearing the servant's message, he shot up from his bed.
A friend was looking for him?
Could it be... Princess Zhaoyang?
Yan Yunting hurriedly dressed in a blue robe, quickly adjusting his hair ornaments. During his time away from Yanjing City, he had missed both Princess Zhaoyang and Dan Tai Rou every day.
Yet, despite sending letters home, Dan Tai Rou had replied to every one, while Zhaoyang had not responded to a single one.
The more Zhaoyang ignored him, the more anxious Yan Yunting became.
Who would have thought that Princess Zhaoyang would rush to the relay station at night to meet him?
A smile crept onto Yan Yunting's lips as he hurried out of the relay station.
The moonlight shimmered like water, and Dan Tai Rou stood alone in the light, her thin clothing offering little warmth. Yan Yunting felt a twinge of disappointment, thinking she was Princess Zhaoyang.
But seeing the deep affection in Dan Tai Rou's eyes, he couldn't help but smile tenderly.
Time had flown by, yet his Rou'er still loved him just the same.
"Brother Yunting!" Dan Tai Rou exclaimed joyfully as she rushed towards him.
Yan Yunting opened his arms, gently embracing her. "You silly girl, why didn’t you wait for me in Yanjing City?"
Dan Tai Rou looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Every day at home, I waited and missed you so much that I secretly took a carriage to come see you."
The two embraced tightly.
Shen Xiuming cleared his throat, reminding Yan Yunting, "Yan Canjun, it’s chilly outside. You should take this young lady inside for some hot tea to warm her up."
Yan Yunting nodded, leading Dan Tai Rou into the relay station.
Once they were gone, Shen Xiuming lowered his voice and asked Shen Mieyue, "Elder brother, Yan Yunting wants to marry Princess Zhaoyang, yet he’s involved with another woman. Is he planning to have it both ways? Will the emperor allow that?"
Shen Mieyue shrugged, uninterested. "It’s none of my business."
After all, Shen Mieyue only intended to marry Sun Qingmei in this lifetime.
Other men’s affairs were of no concern to him.
At that moment, a clear voice drifted over from behind, lazily saying, "Men are all the same, greedy for what’s on their plate while eyeing what’s in the pot."
Shen Xiuming turned to see a young man in a blue robe approaching.
The young man was dressed as an envoy from the Yue Kingdom, tall and slender, with a fair complexion and strikingly handsome features. As he walked, the night breeze lifted his long sleeves, giving him an ethereal appearance.
But the next moment, he plopped down onto an empty bench, clutching a fragrant chicken leg and began to eat without a care.
His crude manner of eating quickly dispelled any semblance of grace.
Shen Xiuming, having little interaction with the Yue envoy, cupped his hands in greeting. "May I ask your name, sir?"
The young man chewed on his chicken leg. "I am Mo, with the single character Xun."
His voice was pleasant, ringing like a bell.
Shen Xiuming replied, "Mo Daren, you’re a man too. Why do you criticize the faults of men?"
Mo Xun replied coolly, "I enjoy criticizing. Don’t mind me; believe me, I’ll include you in my complaints too."
Shen Xiuming was left speechless.
The men of the Yue Kingdom certainly had a bad temper!
Mo Xun quickly finished the chicken leg, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and continued, "The world is vast, and men like Yan Canjun, who are so lowly, are as common as dirt. I have a friend whose wife passed away. He became lovesick and began searching for girls who resembled his late wife. Such behavior is truly disgusting."
Shen Xiuming nodded in agreement. "It’s indeed despicable. To seek a replacement for a lost wife—what a scoundrel!"
Mo Xun leisurely stood up, stretched, and suddenly turned to Shen Mieyue. "General Shen, has anyone been secretly following the envoy on the way here?"
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