Shen Yun Xiu chuckled softly, his handsome face holding a touch of inscrutable mystery. "Your Excellency, what you say is true. However, do not forget that if this matter is discovered, I believe you would push me out as a scapegoat. For the sake of my hard-won life, I must know why you require so much gold. If..."
He paused, then looked up at the Prefect of Mōchéng with a hint of coldness. "I will not agree. This life was a gift, and I can return it. However, I imagine you know that my third brother is a favored individual in the palace..." Da Feng Xiao Shuo Wang
The Prefect of Mōchéng lightly scoffed, a hint of mockery in his tone. "Second Young Master Shen, do not forget that Lord Shen merely cherishes familial ties. If this official..."
The Prefect of Mōchéng did not finish, but Shen Yun Xiu naturally understood what he meant. If the Prefect of Mōchéng were to whisper a word in the right ear, Shen Yun Xuan might no longer care about him.
Under normal circumstances, he would be helpless. But not now. He had the Empress by his side.
Only at this moment did he feel that Heaven was fair to him. If the Empress were not here now, he would likely be forced into submission just to survive.
Things were different now.
He smiled. "Since there is gold to be gained, and a beheading if I lose, may I first consult with my lady?"
The Prefect of Mōchéng scoffed. "Second Young Master Shen still requires a woman's consent for his actions?"
"I am not like Your Excellency. My wife is quite fierce," Shen Yun Xiu replied.
The Prefect of Mōchéng snorted. "Do not keep me waiting too long. I can accomplish this without you."
With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.
Shen Yun Xiu merely chuckled softly, eager to see Xue Zi Ning's expression when she learned of this.
Xue Zi Ning looked at Shen Yun Xiu, asking only, "Is it true?"
Her attitude and expression were not as Shen Yun Xiu had anticipated. He had expected her to be furious.
"If you do not believe me, Your Majesty can accompany me to see the Prefect of Mōchéng tomorrow," Shen Yun Xiu said.
"There is no need to see him. He will recognize me," Xue Zi Ning replied.
Hearing this, Shen Yun Xiu looked at her and asked, "Your Majesty, how should I proceed with this matter?"
Xue Zi Ning glanced at him coolly. "You have already decided how to proceed, have you not? If that is the case, there is no need to ask. You handle this matter, and I will bear the consequences."
She could not believe that someone had set their sights on her Mōchéng. She wanted to see who was behind this.
This was the very statement Shen Yun Xiu had been waiting for. He bowed and said, "With Your Majesty's words, I can proceed with boldness and confidence."
"Shen Yun Xiu, is there truly so much gold in those barren mountains?" Xue Zi Ning expressed some disbelief.
Shen Yun Xiu replied, "I have not performed manual labor. If Your Majesty wishes to know, you can ask Su Qin. She has done so."
Xue Zi Ning was taken aback. She had not thought to ask Su Qin.
"Your Majesty, I have already sent out your letter. If all goes well, it should be received within a month."
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Thank you."
Shen Yun Xiu was momentarily stunned. "I am somewhat taken aback that Your Majesty would thank me."
"Once this matter is concluded, I will ensure you receive fairness."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Shen Yun Xiu bowed.
"Speak if there is anything else. I will do what I can if it is within my power."
Shen Yun Xiu then said, "I have a humble request. My concubine..."
Xue Zi Ning replied, "Perhaps you do not know that after your exile, Lord Shen petitioned to elevate your concubine to the status of a principal wife and have her enter the Shen family ancestral hall. For this, Madam Shen caused quite a scene, but Lord Shen smoothed everything over for you."
Shen Yun Xiu trembled and took several steps back. "My concubine, she..."
"You may now call her Mother, Second Young Master Shen," Xue Zi Ning stated calmly.
Shen Yun Xiu knew that entering the Shen family ancestral hall was his concubine's lifelong wish. He could imagine Madam Shen's resentment and unwillingness, but all of this had been done by someone he had harmed.
"Shen Yun Xiu, you may be jealous of Shen Yun Xuan due to your background, but you cannot emulate Shen Yun Xuan's generosity and magnanimity." Shen Yun Xiu remained silent, turned, and quietly left.
"Madam, the Lord seems quite dispirited. Will you not try to console him?" Su Qin asked softly.
"There is no need," Xue Zi Ning replied.
"Madam, couples quarrel in bed and reconcile later. Please do not be angry with the Lord. He is very good to you," Su Qin urged.
Xue Zi Ning looked at Su Qin and asked, "I know my own affairs. Su Qin, you worked on the mountain. Tell me, is there a lot of gold there?"
Su Qin was taken aback. Though she didn't know the reason for the question, she replied, "I don't know how much is considered 'a lot,' but there is indeed a great deal of it in those mountains, though it is very difficult to excavate."
"Do you know where that gold went?"
Su Qin shook her head. "I truly do not know. However, I saw them transport all the gold to the Prefect's manor. Clearly, it is with the Prefect."
"Madam, why are you asking this?" Su Qin looked at her, puzzled.
"It's nothing, just asking. After all, with so much gold, the national treasury would receive a considerable sum."
Su Qin remarked, "The Emperor is far away. How would His Majesty know? They are merely frogs in a well."
The frog in the well, Xue Zi Ning, felt a pang of unspoken hardship.
In the evening, Shen Yun Xiu brought news that he had reached an agreement with the Prefect of Mōchéng, and they were cooperating.
He would use the Shen family as a front to transport the gold.
The Third Young Master Shen was a favorite of the Empress, and it was rumored that he had an ambiguous relationship with the Empress. With this connection, the Prefect of Mōchéng felt his venture was a guaranteed success.
Xue Zi Ning was somewhat surprised. The Prefect of Mōchéng was indeed shrewd, drawing the Shen family directly into the scheme. If she had not been present, the Shen family would likely have faced ruin.
"Your Majesty now knows that sometimes one is not doing something out of desire, but out of coercion. If I don't do it, my life might be forfeit. If I do, I will still be the scapegoat," Shen Yun Xiu stated calmly.
Xue Zi Ning remained silent. She understood.
"Second Young Master Shen, the Prefect requests your presence," a servant's voice called from outside.
It was rare for someone to seek him out so late. Shen Yun Xiu asked in a low voice, "Do you know why?"
The servant looked around. Having often benefited from Second Young Master Shen, he dared to speak when he saw no one else. "A tunnel collapsed, and many prisoners are trapped inside."
Shen Yun Xiu asked in a low voice, "Did the Prefect not organize a rescue?"
"They did, but the number of people is too great. The Prefect has decided to abandon those deeper inside," the servant replied.
Shen Yun Xiu instinctively looked at the Empress's expression, which was utterly cold. He said, "I will go immediately. You may return and report." The servant nodded and withdrew.
Shen Yun Xiu then asked, "Does Your Majesty wish to accompany me?"