Jiapingguan Chronicle

"You!" Song Yaojia reached out and ruffled Shen Cha's hair, laughing and crying at the same time, and said, "Do you wish that the Earl of Yong'an would never set foot in the capital again in his life? If he dares to go to Uncle Wang, Uncle Wang's mouth will make him doubt that even breathing is a mistake."

“Isn’t this great?” Shen Cha raised an eyebrow. “A person like him deserves these things, so he won’t always be thinking about things he shouldn’t be thinking about.”

"So you hold a grudge?"

"Hmph, such a narrow mind." Shen Cha held up her little finger and pointed to her nail. "It would be strange if he didn't hold a grudge. I'd love for him to run into walls everywhere in the capital this time, return empty-handed, and finally slink back to Huaizhou, never to set foot in the capital again for the rest of his life." She looked at Shen Haolin and Song Yaojia, "Don't you two brothers hold grudges?"

“How could we not hold grudges? We’re not exactly petty, are we?” Seeing Shen Haolin nod in agreement, Song Yaojia smiled helplessly. “Even though we’re not in the capital, it’s not impossible for us to help Uncle and Father cause this old man some trouble. Back when his eldest son was getting married, he had designs on Sister Jinyu, and when his second son was getting married, he even had designs on Xiaocha. Plus, he instigated his youngest daughter-in-law’s family to cause trouble in front of my mansion. If we let him go, it really wouldn’t be right, would it?” He stroked his chin. “Think about it, should we teach him a lesson? Just like Xiaocha said, let him be terrified of going to the capital from now on, and never want to set foot in the capital again.”

“Okay,” Shen Haolin nodded, “but we don’t need to do anything.”

"What does Brother intend to do?" Shen Cha looked at Shen Haolin curiously. "Although the Marquis of Yong'an has a bad reputation and is a terrible person, he is still very conscientious. He has managed Huaizhou quite well, and the people live in peace and contentment. There is nothing to hold against him."

“If he’s going to pull strings for his youngest son, there’s no way he won’t have something to hide.” Shen Haolin sneered. “His youngest son is his Achilles’ heel. Once he has an Achilles’ heel, he’ll do anything for it.”

"That's like it having little braids all over its body, waiting for us to catch it, right?"

“That’s right.” Shen Haolin nodded to Shen Cha, then looked at Song Yaojia and said, “You said he’s coming to Beijing next month?”

“Yes, barring any unforeseen circumstances, we should arrive in the capital in about twenty days.” Song Yaojia raised an eyebrow. “What are your plans?”

Shen Haolin sneered and snapped his fingers lightly. The Shadow Ten on duty appeared silently in front of them.

"Your Highness, Duke, Boss!" Ying Shi knelt on one knee and bowed to the three people.

"Did you hear what we just said?"

"Yes." Ying Shi nodded. "Should I send a message back to the capital?"

“Go back in person. After you arrive in the capital, go to the Xuanyuan family first. Tell the two elders what we mean and see what they think. You cooperate with them to implement the plan.” Shen Haolin looked at Shen Cha and then at Song Yaojia. “If you’re going to cause trouble, then go all the way.”

"It's too much trouble for you two," Song Yaojia hesitated. "Isn't it inappropriate? This is such a small matter, it shouldn't require you two to get involved, right?" He looked at Shen Cha, "Xiao Cha, what do you think?"

“There’s no need for the two elders to intervene. Just ask them to cooperate with the Emperor at crucial moments. I believe the Emperor already has a plan.” Shen Cha thought for a moment and said to Ying Shi, “Go to the two mansions and inquire after our elders. Answer whatever they ask. Also, tell the Emperor about the situation of the Crown Prince, the Grand Commander, and the Eagle King Army. As for the two from the Xuanyuan Mansion, don’t mention them. As for the matter of the Marquis of Yong’an, just tell the elders and ask them to take care of it.”

"understood."

"As for what the elders of the two mansions will do, they know what they're doing, and we don't need to interfere," Shen Cha smiled. "His Majesty and the Empress Dowager may summon you; just answer whatever they ask." "Yes, I understand," Ying Shi nodded. "Your Highness, Duke, Boss, is there anything you would like me to bring back to the capital?"

“We don’t have any, but Miaomiao should have some too. Ask her when she gets back.”

"Yes!"

Ying Shi responded and then disappeared silently.

Song Yaojia stared at the spot where Ying Shi had just stood, and it took her a long time to come to her senses.

"What's wrong?" Shen Cha looked at his dazed expression and poked him. "Brother Yao Jia? Snap out of it?"

"Huh? Ah!" Song Yaojia turned to look at Shen Haolin and Shen Cha. "Although I've seen them many times, I'm still shocked every time they suddenly disappear."

"If you move a little lighter and faster, you can do it." Shen Cha glanced at the increasingly heavy snow and tugged at the two of them. "Let's go back, it's getting a bit cold."

Shen Haolin and Song Yaojia nodded and pulled Shen Cha back into the warm pavilion. They didn't rush to take off their cloaks, but instead went to the charcoal brazier to warm themselves and get rid of the chill. After feeling a little warmer, they took off their cloaks and hung them on the clothes rack by the window to dry.

Shen Cha went to check on Shen Jiu and Xia Jiu, who were still asleep. Their little faces were rosy from sleep, and they had a faint smile on their faces.

"Don't worry, she won't wake up until the sun is high in the sky." Song Yaojia stretched, poured herself and Shen Haolin a cup of hot tea, and poured Shen Cha a cup of warm water. She looked up at Shen Cha's face, "Why do you look a little unhappy?"

"I'm not unhappy, it's just that," Shen Cha yawned and leaned closer to Shen Haolin, "I've been thinking, it's a bit strange, all these years, I don't recall ever hearing of the Marquis of Yong'an requesting a title for his eldest son?"

"His family's title ends with Wan Mo, unless his family performs another great service, in which case the title can be continued. But for now, that's about it. Otherwise, why would that old man Wan Mo go to such lengths to pull strings for his youngest son?"

"The younger son isn't capable enough?" Shen Cha stroked her chin, expressing her curiosity. "Brother Ting Yaojia, the eldest son stayed in Huaizhou, but the younger son was sent back to the capital. So, are the brothers at odds?"

“It’s not that they’re really at odds, it’s just that the two brothers have completely different ways of being officials, and the younger son is more bookish.” Song Yaojia looked at Shen Haolin and Shen Cha. “You know what I mean? He’s the kind of person who finds fault with everything and is always quoting the sages.”

"I understand!" Shen Cha nodded. "They're those naive scholars you see during the imperial examinations, right?"

“That’s right.” Song Yaojia sighed, “But his older brother is more practical and considers things more comprehensively, so they often have some conflicts.”

"Isn't it good to have someone like that around?" Shen Cha raised an eyebrow. "Having someone constantly reminding you not to overstep your bounds will surely prolong your career, right?" She took a couple of sips of warm water and sneered, "Sure enough, none of their family members are very bright." (End of Chapter)