Chapter 191 Part 1 - Secret (Part 1) (1/2)

Chapter 191: Secret (Part 1)

In this start of the year in Ming Qi, it was considered happy but also not very happy.

The happy thing was that the entire family was gathered together and the unhappy thing was that once the New Year was over, Shen Miao would be marrying to Great Liang. As the time passed and the day approaches, everyone in the Shen Family were so busy that their feet did not touch the ground. Shen Miao’s dowry would include guards, servants, maids and even which roads the Great Liang’s horse carriages would be taking had to be prepared.

Even though the dowry Shen Xin prepared for Shen Miao was not comparable to the betrothal gifts Xie Jing Xing gave, it was very substantial. He did not give shops or land because it could not be used in Great Liang, furniture were not brought due to the wearing the horses and carriages and other than some rare and precious jewelry, everything else was changed into taels of silver. In another country, other things perhaps were dispensable but taels of silver were indispensable. It was much more convenient to have silver on hand.

Initially Shen Xin and wife had prepared enough money for Shen Miao but Shen Qiu secretly pulled Shen Miao to the side and took out a thick wad of notes from his sleeve, “These are notes that can also be used in Great Liang.” (aka cashier’s cheques) He then said embarrassedly, “Eldest brother do not have extra things and only have these silver notes for you. Hope that Younger Sister do not complain it being little.”

Shen Miao looked at the crumpled silver notes that Shen Qiu was holding and a warm current passed her heart. Shen Qiu was after all a young man and those soldiers in the army worked hard for him so Shen Qiu should naturally return the favour and treat them a meal or something. Shen Qiu’s salary was not enough at all and most of it was rewards from previous military achievements. Shen Miao was touched that he did not keep it for when he set up a family and instead gave it to her, “Eldest Brother, the money that Father and Mother gave can feed one for an entire lifetime. Why do you give this to me?”

“Father’s and Mother’s are Father’s and Mother’s. Eldest Brother’s is Eldest Brother’s. How could what I give you the same as what Father and Mother give?” Shen Qiu became anxious and pushed the silver notes into Shen Miao’s hands and left without even turning around. Shen Miao did not know if she should laugh or cry as she watched his retreating back and thought to instruct Mo Qing to secretly return it back to him when there was an opportunity.

Just as she was thinking, she saw Shen Xin walking in from outside, “Jiao Jiao, Father have some things to talk to you. Come, let’s go to the study.”

When Luo Xue Yan heard it, she wanted to follow, “Just nice, Mother also has some words to pass to you.”

“It would not be late for Furen to speak after a while.” Shen Xin said, “Let Jiao Jiao and me say a few words alone.”

Luo Xue Yan snorted but did not follow in. She thought that Shen Xin wanted to secretly give some money or something else to Shen Miao and thus did not think much.

Shen Miao followed Shen Xin to the study and Shen Xin instructed the servants to guard the door outside before letting SHen Miao sit in front of the table and brought some snacks and tea for Shen Miao to eat. After sitting down opposite Shen Miao, he then sighed deeply, “In a few days, Jiao Jiao will be marrying off. I planned to let Mo Qing follow you to Great Liang.” After pausing, Shen Xin continued speaking, “Even though Prince Rui is Emperor Yong Le’s blood younger brother, and have someone of a status in Great Liang, there are a lot of matters in the Imperial family and some matters are not as simple as it looks. At that time, you must not suffer grievance. If someone bullies you, go and tell Prince Rui. You are one that Prince Rui married back with thousands of gold so he has to protect you. Don’t carry it by yourself and let him handle it.”

Shen Miao complied.

“If Prince Rui cannot protect you, you need not be afraid as there is still Father and Mother. I have selected a few people in the Shen family army that are not ordinary even though they cannot be compared to Mo Qing. They would be dressed up as guards that are part of your dowry to bring over. Anyhow, one cannot let yourself be in a disadvantage.”

Shen Xin was teaching and guiding untiringly and after Shen Miao thought about it, she finally could not help but asked, “Father, do Mother and you have thoughts of leaving Ming Qi?”

Shen Xin was stunned and looked at Shen Miao speechless.

Since the words were spoken, Shen Miao would say everything out, “Since I will be married to Great Liang, the Emperor would definitely be estranged with the Shen family. Even though Father and Mother are brave Generals, the Emperor would not value you in the future. The Monarch’s mind has always been difficult to guess and even the Emperor have other intentions then why not follow me to Great Liang on the pretext of worrying. Just let the military power go since if one stay in Ming Qi, there might be a day where the military power would be taken back.”

She spoke tactfully and if it was before, after hearing Shen Miao’s words, Shen Xin would certainly be confused. But after that day where Xie Jing Xing spoke to him for a long time and then listening to Shen Miao’s suggestion, Shen Xin immediately understood. He could not help but laugh bitterly, so it turned out be it covertly or overtly, his daughter had already warned him so many times. Why did he not take those words to heart? Was it because of the Shen family’s training of being loyal to the country? Or was it he did not trust from the bottom of his heart that Shen Miao’s words were true?

Shen Xin said, “The Imperial family wants to suppress the Shen family and fearing of the military power in my hands, they would not let the Shen family leave Ming Qi that easily. Moreover, they still want to use the Shen family to control you.”

Shen Miao was startled. All along she was apprehensive towards Shen Xin and would not make Ming Qi’s Imperial family’s indifference too clearly. It was not because she felt that Shen Xin was stupidly loyal but because Shen Xin was taught by Old General Shen since young to be loyal to the Monarch and dedicate himself to the service of the country. To make one overthrow the thing that one revered for so many decades was a long process that at the end, some people would not be able to do it in their lifetime. However Shen Xin’s words seemed to have penetrated through it.

Shen Xin said, “Father knows of Jiao Jiao’s concern but Father cannot leave.”

“If Father makes up your mind and some means are used, one can be able to leave.” Shen Miao said, “The What a good scheme. Heaven family wants to use the Shen family to control me or use me to control the Shen family. They are not afraid that they would suffer a double loss.” Saying till the end, there was some viciousness in her brows and her tone became sharp.

Shen Xin laughed out loudly, “One used to feel that Jiao Jiao is too soft and does not seemed to be like a Young Lady of my military lineage family. Now seeing you like this, like this Father, there is some heroic sense. Not submitting to force and heart is firm. Very good.” He drank a mouthful of tea and said, “Jiao Jiao is so intelligent so it is not difficult to find a way out but how about the future?”

“Future?” Shen Miao was doubtful, “What future?”

“Jiao Jiao.” Shen Xin suddenly said, “The Heaven family view the Shen family as a thorn in the flesh so even if there is one day Ming Qi is flourishing, the Shen family will still become the fish on the chopping board that anyone could slaughter.” Shen Xin gave a big sigh, “Our Shen family are straight and do not fear of crooked shadows that one do not even fear death. It is just that one is not willing to see your Mother, Eldest Brother and even you to be implicated and even more reluctant to see the cleanliness of the generations of the Shen family and the loyalty that your Grandfather and ancestors to be insulted by others.”