The mistress who remarried has returned.

Qin Huai did not answer his father's question, but simply stared at Shen Shu in silence.

Shen Shu was taken aback. Was his friend trying to shift the blame? Shen Shu reacted quickly, "Uncle, I know I was wrong. I couldn't help but drink some. But it won't interfere with business. I have a high alcohol tolerance and I'm perfectly sober now. I can easily lead troops to patrol the city."

Qin Lanzhang realized that it wasn't Qin Huai who had been drinking, but Shen Shu. He was much more lenient towards Shen Shu, so he nodded and said, "So it was you who had been drinking."

Shen Shu felt utterly innocent, but he couldn't simply ignore the blame his friend was throwing at him. After all, he couldn't just stand by and watch his friend get scolded by his father. "Yes, Qin Huai is meticulous and steady in his work. How could he possibly drink in such a setting? Besides, Qin Huai always treats your words like military orders. He would never disobey you. It was just that I relaxed a bit as the banquet was almost over and couldn't resist having a little. Uncle, your osmanthus wine is so fragrant."

Qin Lanzhang said in a deep voice, "Although the banquet is almost over, we cannot let our guard down. You should still spend more time with Qin Huai. He is very composed and can remain unmoved even with a woman in his arms. You are slightly lacking in that regard."

Shen Shu's lips trembled slightly. "Okay, Uncle, I understand."

Qin Huai shifted his gaze from Shen Shu's face, looked straight ahead, and respectfully waited for his father to ask questions.

Qin Lanzhang asked Qin Huai, "Did you receive the list of concubines your mother selected for you?"

"My son received it."

"Then tell me your opinion."

Qin Huai placed the booklet on the table, unfolded it, and said in a deep voice, "The candidate on the first page is the princess raised by Consort Xian, which must be His Majesty's will. The candidate on the second page is the daughter of the Wen family, the niece of Consort Shu, which is Consort Shu's will. The candidates on the rest are all arranged by my mother and grandmother."

"What are your plans regarding the first two pages?" Qin Lanzhang asked.

"His Majesty's actions could be seen as bestowing favors, or they could be seen as a test. I believe Wan Jia should not take His Majesty's daughter as a concubine. That would be too arrogant. His Majesty would surely think that the Qin family is too powerful, even taking his master as a concubine. He would definitely suspect that the Qin family does not respect the Zhou family and would plot to weaken the Qin family. Consort Shu is relatively simpler; it is an attempt to win her over. I do not intend to choose Consort Shu's niece as a concubine, so as not to get involved in nepotism," Qin Huai explained in detail.

Qin Lanzhang nodded. His son shared his view. This boy was much more shrewd than his deceased brother, Qin Jun. "It's good that you understand the stakes involved. I was worried that you might think you couldn't betray the Emperor's grace and would choose the princess on the first page. One wrong step and you'd be outmaneuvered by the Emperor. Since you're so clear-headed, I'm relieved."

Qin Huai said in a deep voice, "My son is very clear-headed."

The retainers all said, "The eldest young master always handles matters with discretion and will never make any mistakes. Master, you can rest assured."

"My son is extremely adept at political maneuvering. Back then, when the Crown Prince insisted on taking his mistress, my son didn't confront the Crown Prince and give the Zhou family any leverage. The Zhou family even thought my son was going to lead troops against him for the sake of a woman. But he didn't budge an inch. He truly exemplifies the virtues of courtesy and humility." Qin Lanzhang said with considerable pride.

The retainers all said, "The eldest son would never lead troops in rebellion for the sake of a woman, thus tarnishing the reputation of the Qin family as traitors."

Qin Huai remained silent.

Shen Shu glanced at Qin Huaining.

Qin Lanzhang then asked Qin Huai, "Did you accept the guqin that Miss Wen brought today?"

"No," Qin Huai said.

Qin Lanzhang nodded. "You refused very well. You're obligated to accept gifts; never accept favors from others. It must have been Consort Shu who sent you the gift; this is a honey trap."

Qin Huai said earnestly, "My son understands."

After a moment's thought, he added cautiously, "And she's not exactly a beauty either."

Everyone was speechless: "..."

Qin Lanzhang pondered for a moment, "It's rare to have all our guests here today. So don't leave Yingtian Pavilion tonight. Just stay in my study and discuss military strategy and literary works with everyone. Have a lively discussion and enjoy yourself in the ocean of literature all night. When you're tired, go to sleep in the room behind the study. When you wake up tomorrow, have breakfast with everyone. Wouldn't that be a delightful thing?"

Qin Huai glanced at his father and the many retainers who had high expectations of him, and said softly, "I should be enjoying myself with you all, indulging in the study of military strategy, discussing matters eloquently, and writing with great passion, forgetting all about home. But I have some important business to attend to tonight. I cannot stay here any longer."

Qin Lanzhang frowned, seeing that his retainers were all very disappointed. He couldn't help but try to persuade his son to stay because of their good intentions. "What is it that you can't postpone? These people have high expectations for you. It's not easy for everyone to get together like this. I hope you can spend some time with them for one night."

The retainers pleaded, "We hope that our young master will do us the honor of spending the night with us."

Qin Huai pondered for a long time.

Shen Shu wondered if he would also have to accompany Qin Huai here to discuss military strategy with these old men, and after that, he would have to sleep with them, and then have them eat and drink with them the next morning? It would be worse than being a hostess.

"A relative of Shen Shu's family has passed away, and I need to help with the funeral arrangements," Qin Huai said with a rather reserved smile. "There are matters that absolutely must be handled, which is why I have to politely decline your offer, sir."

Shen Shu was taken aback.

No.

Which of his relatives died?

How could he not know? Did he die so suddenly?

Qin Huai glanced at Shen Shu, scrutinizing Shen Shu's astonished expression with serious eyes, then revealed sincere grief for the passing of Shen Shu's loved ones.

Shen Shu also looked over at Qin Huai. His friend's mourning was very sincere, but who exactly had died in his family?

Qin Lanzhang and his retainers looked at Shen Shu with sympathy. Qin Lanzhang stroked his beard and said to Shen Shu, "No wonder you drank on such an occasion today. It turns out it wasn't because you had poor judgment, but because someone in your family had passed away. In that case, this oversight is understandable."

Shen Shu helplessly endured everyone's sympathy. He appreciated their good intentions, but it was all so inexplicable.

The retainers said, "Young Master Shen, please accept our condolences and move on."

Under Qin Huai's serious gaze, Shen Shu could only say to the elders, "...Okay, thank you everyone."

Qin Lanzhang asked, "Who passed away? Why didn't your father send a notice of death?"

Shen Shu sized up Qin Huai, also wanting to ask, "Who died?" He didn't even know where to begin making something up. What if he made up a story about someone's death, and that person came to visit Lord Qin the next day, all alive and well?

Qin Huai remained silent.

Shen Shu realized that Qin Huai meant he was free to make things up, which was the purpose of bringing him to Lord Qin's presence. He cleared his throat and began to ramble on, "One of my lovers outside died of illness, and my parents don't know. I wanted to ask Qin Huai to help me buy a good coffin and arrange the funeral, since we were once lovers. Otherwise, my old man might find out I have someone else and break my legs. Uncle, please don't tell my father."