Chapter 186: The Power of the Masses

  "Gazing out at the distant horizon, I yearn for my hometown, but have yet to see the Great Wall stretching ten thousand miles. In vain, I await a letter from a flying swan, and sorrowfully cry out to the vast sky. I'll tell you, what updates the fastest is the eye. Is it fast? The ancient zither plays a mournful tune on this clear autumn night, even the iron man sheds no tears but feels desolate. If only this body could serve the country, where in the world would I not be at peace?""The voice reciting the poem was clear and resonant, like the collision of gold and stone."Farewell, Brother Shan, thank you for your gift."

  The speaker is Wang Qing.

  "Su Wu herds sheep, his fragrance flows for a thousand years. My brother Bai Yi is about to be sent on a mission to the eight rivers, a thousand words and ten thousand phrases cannot express everything, I only made this 'Su Wu Herding Sheep' picture to encourage you." The speaker was Mr. Min. His voice was distant and melancholic, yet subtly contained longing.

  Bai Yi, is Wang Qing's courtesy name.

  Shen Mu Qing couldn't help but glance up at Wang Qing who was standing behind Shen Zhen with his hands behind his back.

  Although he was of medium build and had an ordinary appearance, he had a pair of bright and spirited eyes. With just one glance, his eyes sparkled with spirit, making his ordinary appearance instantly take on a seven-part elegance.

  "At the time of national crisis, it is my turn to serve the country." Wang Qing smiled and said, "Now with Mr. Shen's timely help, this trip to Bahe, Bai Yide will surely die a heroic death, not letting Su Wu be the only one to gain merit in the past." As he spoke, he bowed his hands to Shen Zhen and Min Xian Sheng.

  Mr. Min took a step forward and grasped Wang Qing's hand: "Brother Bai Yi, what a true hero!"

  Wang Qing smiled faintly and grasped Min Xian's hand: "Brother Bieshan, upholding righteousness and dying for one's principles is what today is all about."

  Shen Zhen burst out laughing and gave a signal with his eyes to Shen Muqing, who was standing beside him: "Bring wine!" He looked very generous.

  Shen Mu Qing couldn't help but let out a silent sigh from the bottom of her heart.

  Wang Qing is only twenty-seven years old... still an age with blood and sex not yet dissipated, no wonder he was recommended by Yuan Yu to be sent to Bahe... no wonder after seeing Mr. Min's painting, his blood boiled... if the person standing in front of him were replaced by Xiao Sa, I don't know what kind of scene it would be...

  She knelt down and made a bow as she went out the door, instructing Ying Fen to bring in the high-grade wine from Liaodong that Dai Shenghui had sent over... At this moment, only such strong liquor could express Wang Qing's determination to cut off his own wrist.

  ******

  After seeing off Wang Qing, Mr. Min and Shen Zhen continued their secret conversation in the study for a long time before taking their leave.

  Mr. Min left, and Shen Muqing couldn't wait to walk in.

  Shen Zhen looked at his daughter's thin face and sighed, taking the initiative to tell her the result of the discussion: "... Although the court allowed Wang Qing to be an envoy to Bahe, there was no money, goods or people. Wang Qing had already mentally prepared himself, he sold his family property and bought many rare treasures to bring to Wu Guo as a gift. I promised Wang Qing that the silver for the rare treasures he bought would be borne by the Xiao family, worth around 10 million taels. And according to his request, some martial arts masters from the Jianghu would be assigned as his entourage to follow him on his mission to Bahe."

  Shen Mu nodded calmly: "If it succeeds, Wang Qing can also make a name for himself in history."

  Shen Zhen quite agreed with her: "If it weren't for this, just money, I'm afraid it would be hard to move Wang Qing's heart."

  Xiao's family gave 200,000 taels of silver, I think it would be better to give it all to Wang Qing. Shen Mu said calmly, "If by any chance, his family will also have something to rely on."

  "I think so too!" Shen Zhen's expression was solemn, "Xiao Xiao isn't thinking of seeing me? Let's set it for tomorrow afternoon then. Some of the requirements Wang Qing mentioned, such as finding a martial arts master to follow, the Xiao family should make preparations early."

  Shen Mu nodded calmly: "I'll let Bai Mu give a massage to Xiao Da Lao Ye!"

  Shen Zhen nodded: "Remember to invite Mr. Min too - after all, I'm already idle at home and some things still need him to handle!"

  Shen Mu Qing smiled and responded, seeing Shen Jian busy running around these past few days, she said with concern: "We've done everything we can, Master, you should rest too!"

  Shen Zhen gazed at her but hesitated to speak.

  Shen Muqing had a bad feeling in her heart. She looked serious and said to Shen Zhen, "Sir, whether it's good news or bad news, you must tell me directly - it's better than hearing it from someone else!"

  Shen Zhen saw how clever she was, and let out a long sigh, smiling: "You child." After thinking for a moment, he still spoke the words: "Mr. Min told me that the Emperor has already agreed to let Liang Bo-gong inherit the title of Duke Dingyuan... The imperial edict will arrive in these two days."

  Shen Mu let out a sigh of relief: "In that case, Yu Hui should be able to marry Wei family's 13th young master smoothly now!"

  Shen Zhen nodded slightly and hesitated: "There's still one more thing..."

  Shen Mu's calm heart slightly stirred, and he smiled: "Is it Liang Ji Min?"

  Shen Zhen's face showed a hint of melancholy.

  Shen Muqing smiled indifferently, "He and the current emperor have been friends since childhood. Now that the current emperor has ascended to the throne, with all the old ministers left behind by the former emperor, it's only natural that he would want to use his own people. Promoting him is also a matter of course." Shen Muqing's expression was very calm, "The officials forced the current emperor to bring back the former emperor, so he took a step back, and naturally, we officials also have to take a step back."

  "It's fine as long as you understand!" Shen Zhen said with some helplessness, "That's just how it is in the imperial court!"

  Shen Mu Qing pulled Shen Zhen's arm: "No matter what, he is also my ex-husband. Now that he has gained imperial favor, when others mention him, I won't be too embarrassed."

  "Oh, you kid!" Shen Zhen sighed with a bitter smile, "I really don't know what to say to you!"

  Shen Mu Qing chuckled and asked: "I wonder what kind of official position he has been promoted to?"

  "It's just a seventh-rank official in the Ministry of Works' construction department, that's all!" Shen Zhen deliberately put on a disdainful look, "Dealing with those craftsmen every day."

  Shen Mu Qing smiled and said: "This position is just right for him."

  Shen Zhen did not think so.

  The two of them chatted and laughed for a while, and as the sky was getting late, Shen Muqing remembered that he had to send a message to the Xiao family, so he stood up and bid farewell to Shen Zhen.

  Shen Zhen was busy with many things these days, feeling a bit tired, and didn't keep her, letting the maid send Shen Muqing out.

  In the evening, Chen Ayi came over to change Shen Zhen's bedding and carefully brought up the matter of Liang Jiemin: "...... seeing Li Mama doing small favors in sewing, only then did I know that it was that person who had come out... truly heaven is blind."

  Shen Zhen sat on the kang, gazing silently at the maidservants going in and out of the house.

  When Aunt Chen finished packing and bid him farewell, he said with a seemingly calm tone: "It's already quite something for a fifth-rank official to be in charge of the Imperial Treasury, but to also let him take on the role of the fifth-rank official in charge of the Imperial Jewelry Office..."

  Aunt Chen was startled.

  Although Shang Bao Si is small, all engineering settlements of the Ministry of Works require the large seal of Shang Bao Si. In the past, such a lucrative position was always given to imperial relatives or favored officials...

  ******

  The next day, early in the morning, Xiao Ze arrived at the Shen's house half an hour earlier than agreed upon and stood waiting outside the door. The mistress then had Yu Chuan go to the backyard to see Shen Muqing.

  Shen Mu Qing was dressed and groomed, preparing to go pay her respects to Shen Jian. She heard Yu Chuan say that the elder madam was waiting for her at the corner gate, which made her somewhat surprised.

  Since that day she came back, there has been no news from the madam's side... Of course, she also avoided this matter a bit. Afraid that the madam would hand over Tu Xiaoque to her for disposal.

  Tou Xiao Que is a member of the Xiao family, and he himself will take action... only fear that rumors will spread far and wide.

  Shen Mu Qing's face showed a few hints of hesitation.

  Yu Zhui saw this and thought she was angry about what happened last time and didn't want to see Madame, so she quickly explained: "Auntie, the reason I haven't come to pay my respects these past few days is because Madame has been busy dealing with the Gou Xiaoque affair!"

  Shen Mu Qing listened quietly and couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

  Never thought Mrs. would have disposed of Tu Xiaoque... even more unexpected is that Yuzhuan would be so straightforward and say these things to her.

  She couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

  Yu Xian saw Shen Muqing's calm demeanor and relaxed, nodding silently in approval.

  Before she came, the old lady had told her that if Mrs. Shen knew that she was going to visit her, she would be a little uneasy, and then tell her about what had happened to Tuo Xiaoque. Moreover, she also said that if Mrs. Shen felt relieved, she would tell her where Tuo Xiaoque had gone.

  Yu Chuan hastily spoke according to the mistress's intention: "The old master wants our mistress to ask for your opinion. But our mistress said, this is a family matter, how can we let you intervene? So the mistress took charge and made arrangements with Tou Xiaoque's brother, letting Zheng Mama send her to a nunnery in Meizhou, Guangdong...and also dispatched someone to serve as an escort, lest she get lost on the way."

  Calm and clear understanding came over him.

  After all, he is the son of the successor, and Mrs. should not have interfered with the people in Xiao Sa's house, but she not only interfered, but also took this matter on herself...

  She suddenly felt a little moved, and hastily ordered Yingfen to follow Yuzhen to invite the old lady in.

  The two of them left together.

  Shen Mu Qing again instructed Ming Xia to bring out the Tieguanyin that Jing Yu had brought from Fujian a few days ago to entertain guests, and instructed the maids to bring out Ma Po's rose-filled pastry points to entertain guests... Just as they were speaking, Ning Bi rushed in hastily: "Young lady, Master Chang is back!"

  "What?" Shen Muqing stood up, "What did you say?"

  "Master Chang is back!" Jing Bi exclaimed with glee, "He's waiting for you outside the second gate!"

  "Quickly let him in, quickly let him in!" Shen Muqing urged repeatedly.

  The blue jade responded with a sound and left.

  Before long, Chang Hui, covered in dust and dirt, followed Qing Bi into the room.

  "Master Chang, you're back!" Shen Muqing smiled and walked up to him, "You must be tired!"

  Chang Hui rubbed his head and chuckled: "It's not hard work, but every day eating meat... Madam, at least let someone get me some vegetables to eat!"

  "Alright, alright, alright!" Shen Muqing saw the teasing in his eyes - nothing bad must have happened... She put her mind at ease and instructed Qingbi to "make some green vegetables for Master Chang." Then she invited Chang Hui to sit down in the main room, "Have you seen Liu Niang on your way back?"

  Chang Hui sat down: "I'll write a letter back to Auntie and then head back - I suppose you've been waiting anxiously for me here too."

  Shen Mu nodded calmly, and Ying Fen rushed in to report: "Young Mistress, Eldest Madam has arrived!"

  Chang Hui listened and immediately stood up: "I'll be back later - just waiting outside!" After finishing speaking, he wanted to climb out the window.

  The quiet and clear smile stopped him: "That lady is Xiao Sa's birth mother!"

  "...... If she asks, I don't know what to say?"

  "What's going on?"

  Chang Hui helplessly said: "Xiao Gongzi said, the lord is humiliated and the minister should die. Now that the emperor has gone on a northern expedition, what face does he have to stand above the imperial court? He should be holding the whip and following closely...". As he spoke, he took out something wrapped in oiled cloth from his collar and handed it to Shen Muqing: "Xiao Gongzi asked me to bring this thing to you!"

  Shen Mu hastily tore open the oilcloth, inside was a piece of paper folded into small squares. Upon opening it, surprisingly, it was a shipyard transfer contract with fingerprints on it.

  The seller is Xiao Sa.

  The buyer is Shen Muqing.

  Shen Mu Qing stared at Chang Hui in shock and amazement.

  It's the end of the month, squeaky is here asking for pink tickets (*^__^*) hehe......