The Prefect of Mòchéng was also quite helpless. "Young Master Shen the Second, how shall we explain this matter to His Highness?"
"My Lord, as you've seen, Lord Shen has so thoroughly insulted my husband. There's a saying: a scholar may be killed but not humiliated. This is simply too much, too much! My husband and I are loyal to His Highness, but to be so humiliated is to cast mud on my husband's name. This cannot be borne."
Hearing this, the Prefect of Mòchéng knew Madam Shen spoke the truth. "Madam Shen is absolutely right. I shall report this to His Highness immediately."
The Prefect of Mòchéng left.
Xue Zi Ning and Shen Yun Xiu exchanged a look and returned to their room. After closing the door, Xue Zi Ning asked, "Young Master Shen the Second, what is going on?"
Shen Yun Xiu said, "I don't know either. But Shen Yun Xuan must have his reasons for doing this. Your Majesty, let's wait and see."
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "We can only do that for now."
"Your Majesty, rest assured. Shen Yun Xuan has always been the most intelligent and resourceful among the Shen family. For him to act this way, he must have found a solution."
"Let's hope so!" Xue Zi Ning said.
The Prefect of Mòchéng went to report the recent events to Han Xi Chen and An Ping.
An Ping frowned. "Did Shen Yun Xuan really expel Shen Yun Xiu from the Shen family?"
The Prefect of Mòchéng replied, "I have already sent people to investigate, and we will know the truth soon."
Han Xi Chen's face was grim. "If it's true, then Shen Yun Xuan has indeed been rather ruthless. It's no wonder Shen Yun Xiu is angry. But if it's false, it's likely a scheme they've orchestrated to deceive us."
The Prefect of Mòchéng stated, "Your Highness, it did not appear to be false. Lord Shen spoke very harshly, and Young Master Shen was doing his best to control himself."
"Deploy more men to keep a close eye on Shen Yun Xuan in secret. Shen Yun Xuan is no ordinary person. To be appointed as the Ting Wei personally by Xue Zi Ning, he must possess some capability," Han Xi Chen instructed.
The Prefect of Mòchéng quickly responded, "Your Highness, rest assured, I will make the arrangements now."
After the Prefect of Mòchéng departed, Han Xi Chen looked at An Ping and asked, "What do you think, Prince Chang Ping?"
"I can't see any flaws for now. Let's wait a bit longer..." An Ping replied.
Honestly, she had been feeling uneasy for some reason.
The next day
Shen Yun Xuan went to the place where the exiles were held, and then to the city of Mòchéng. Upon his return, he encountered Madam Shen.
The Prefect of Mòchéng saw Madam Shen and hurried forward. "Madam Shen, please go back quickly. Lord Shen..."
Madam Shen pushed him aside and went before Shen Yun Xuan. "Lord Shen, my husband accepted your insult. But expelling him from the Shen family, isn't that going a bit too far?"
Shen Yun Xuan heard this and sneered, "Madam Shen? Who acknowledges you as Madam Shen? Shen Yun Xiu no longer bears the Shen surname."
"Lord Shen, even the Empress has not expelled him. By what right do you remove him from the Shen family?"
Shen Yun Xuan paused slightly upon hearing this and then laughed coldly, "Where is he? Does he need a woman to come out and argue with me? Is he a coward hiding from this?"
"Lord Shen, you..."
"Madam Shen, hurry back!" The Prefect of Mòchéng quickly stepped forward and pulled Madam Shen away.
Shen Yun Xuan flicked his sleeves and angrily exclaimed, "Truly, it is difficult to deal with women and petty men."
The Prefect of Mòchéng quickly said, "Lord Shen, it was my oversight. I will be more careful in the future."
Xue Zi Ning returned to her room and took a sip of tea. Xue Jing Yun, seeing this, said with some concern, "Slow down."
She looked up at him and smiled. "I just had a quarrel with Shen Yun Xuan. I don't know if he could understand me."
"Shen Yun Xuan is exceptionally intelligent; he will understand your intentions."
"Yan Zhao, it's so good to have you by my side," she said slowly, holding his hand.
In the evening, the Prefect of Mòchéng met with Han Xi Chen and An Ping again. Han Xi Chen looked at the Prefect of Mòchéng and asked, "Was there anything unusual today?"
The Prefect of Mòchéng replied, "Nothing in particular, except Madam Shen went to argue with Lord Shen."
Han Xi Chen inquired, "What did they argue about?"
The Prefect of Mòchéng recounted the conversation. Han Xi Chen turned to An Ping. "What do you find amiss, Prince Chang Ping?"
An Ping pondered for a moment. "I haven't found anything."
"Have the investigations into the Shen family's expulsion of Shen Yun Xiu concluded?" Han Xi Chen asked.
The Prefect of Mòchéng quickly replied, "It has been confirmed. Shen Yun Xiu's name is indeed no longer found in the Shen family records."
Han Xi Chen remarked, "Shen Yun Xuan's actions are indeed swift."
"What should we do next?" An Ping asked.
"Since that's the case, Shen Yun Xiu no longer has any value for us. Why not negotiate directly with Shen Yun Xuan?" Han Xi Chen looked at An Ping.
An Ping nodded. "Indeed. With Shen Yun Xiu's expulsion, that path through the Shen family is blocked. It would be better to seek a new cooperation with Shen Yun Xuan."
The Prefect of Mòchéng said, "Your Highness, Lord Shen may not agree so readily."
He recalled Shen Yun Xuan's arrogant demeanor. He did not wish to deal with Shen Yun Xuan and preferred Shen Yun Xiu if possible.
Han Xi Chen and An Ping exchanged a look. Han Xi Chen stated, "If he doesn't agree, then let him never return. Shen Yun Xiu can replace him."
An Ping nodded. "Agreed."
Outside the door, Xue Zi Ning and Xue Jing Yun exchanged a look and left.
At that moment, in Shen Yun Xuan's room, he thought about Madam Shen from earlier and couldn't quite believe it. Was that really the Empress?
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
"Who?" Shen Yun Xuan asked warily.
No one answered. He walked forward and opened the door, only to feel a cold wind rush in. He closed the door.
Turning around, he saw two people behind him.
"Who are you..."
The two people tore off their human skin masks. Seeing their faces clearly, Shen Yun Xuan quickly bowed. "Your Majesty, you..."
"No need for such ceremony in public." Xue Zi Ning stepped forward and helped Shen Yun Xuan up.
Shen Yun Xuan's expression was somewhat excited. "Is it really you today? I... I thought I was dreaming?"
"Shen Yun Xuan, to put it briefly, Han Xi Chen wants to cooperate with you. What do you..."
Just then, a voice came from outside the door. "Lord Shen, the Prefect requests your presence."
"I understand," Shen Yun Xuan replied.
Xue Zi Ning said in a low voice, "Han Xi Chen wants to cooperate with you. Do you agree?"
Shen Yun Xuan looked at the young woman before him and asked, "Your Majesty, what exactly has happened? And why is Xue Jing Yun here as well?"
"Shen Yun Xuan, there are too many things to explain one by one. Just remember what I've told you."
Shen Yun Xuan nodded. "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will keep it in mind."
"Go! Act according to the circumstances!" Xue Zi Ning said.
Shen Yun Xuan glanced back at the young woman behind him and left.
The door was closed, and Xue Zi Ning and Xue Jing Yun silently departed Shen Yun Xuan's room.
"You wanted to see me?" Shen Yun Xuan asked the Prefect of Mòchéng.
The Prefect of Mòchéng quickly walked over, fawning. "Lord Shen, I wish to introduce someone to you."
"Who is it?" Shen Yun Xuan asked.
"Lord Shen, long time no see!" As the voice rang out, a figure emerged from the shadows.