Chapter 107: Different Standpoints

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“As far as I know, the Prince of Yuhang is honest, kindhearted, and filial. He could never have done such a thing.”

He was family, after all, so Zhao Zhen naturally wished to speak on his behalf.

“Your Majesty, the horse administration is one of the reforms we have introduced. If this matter cannot be settled by imperial judgment, both the reform and those who carry it out will be ruined,” Fu Bi added.

“This…”

An emperor could not rely on thrift, benevolence, and compassion alone. He also needed courage and resolve. The Great Song was far less prosperous and peaceful than it appeared on the surface; no dynasty in the Central Plains had ever gone its entire existence without rising to greatness as the Song had. Zhao Zhen too dreamed of matching the achievements of the Han and Tang. Otherwise, he would never have supported the reforms.

Yet now, facing four chief ministers—and with the new reforms at stake—Zhao Zhen soon found himself unable to withstand the pressure.

“Very well. Your Majesty can issue an edict ordering both parties to come to the capital and confront each other in person.” Ouyang Xiu stepped in as peacemaker, with each side yielding a little.

“All right.” Since the ministers had compromised, Zhao Zhen could hardly stubbornly insist that his kinsman had obeyed the law and required no investigation. He had no choice but to yield.

The moment Zhao Zhen agreed, the ministers immediately asked him to issue the edict, and it was sent out.

By the time all this was settled, the night had grown deep, and Zhao Zhen was hungry.

“Companion Chen, is there any mutton soup left?”

The officials and nobles of the Great Song loved mutton soup. A bowl of it warmed the belly, and Zhao Zhen was no exception.

“Yes, Your Majesty. This old servant will have the palace maids prepare it at once.”

“Oh? Is it already so late?” Only then did Zhao Zhen notice the darkness outside. He stopped the eunuch Chen Lin beside him. “To wake the palace maids now would trouble them, and the imperial kitchen prepares a sheep every day in any case. It would waste labor and provisions. What a pity. I’ll drink it tomorrow. Companion Chen, you should rest as well.”

“The emperor of a great realm, master of countless millions, cannot even bear to drink a bowl of mutton soup…” Chen Lin could not help feeling distressed as he spoke.

At the same time, in the Prince of Runan’s residence, Zhao Yunrang drank a bowl of ginseng-and-deer-antler porridge while listening to the news from the palace. After pondering for a moment, he snorted.

“Hmph! Foolish womanly compassion. Someone, inform Yong’er that we will take them to court. A mere seventh-rank county magistrate dares bully the Prince’s household! The Prince of Runan is not so easily pushed around. The horses of the Great Song are mine to begin with.”

Since both the civil officials and the Prince of Runan’s household intended to fight the case, it naturally had to go forward.

From the Eastern Capital to Jinhua, an eight-hundred-li emergency dispatch took only a day. Bao Zheng received not only the imperial edict but also private letters from all the chief ministers. Every one of them expressed support.

With the edict and the ministers’ backing in hand, Bao Zheng immediately summoned Shen Shi and the others. A lawsuit required not only witnesses but physical evidence as well—in this case, Shen Shi’s horse.

“Lord Shen, this matter calls for a fine horse. The finer, the better,” Bao Zheng instructed him earnestly.

Shen Liang was his subordinate and naturally obeyed, though he did not quite understand why the horse had to be as fine as possible. When he returned, he discussed it with Shen Shi.

Shen Shi laughed when he heard.

“Father, the other side is a prince. Why would he seize a poor horse? Just bring the best horse in the family.”

“Is that really wise?”

“Father, corrupt officials are cunning. Honest officials must be even more cunning than they are.”

…

“We’re going to the capital. What are you doing?”

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Shen Shi went to prepare the finest horse, but Shen Liang saw that his wife and elderly mother were also packing their belongings. He hurried over to ask.

Could it be that they intended to go with him?

Over the years, he had taken his wife and mother with him whenever he traveled. Now, however, he felt there was no need.

His mother said, “Liang’er, we have relatives in the capital. It has been many years since we returned. We ought to go and see them.”

His wife added, “I haven’t visited my family in many years either. I would like to go back and see them.”

Hearing this, Shen Liang immediately asked about their relatives in the capital.

Unfortunately, the old lady had not been in contact with them for many years, and she no longer knew much about the situation there.

After the military household had followed the Zhao family and settled in the capital, it had later moved away. As for those who remained behind, no one knew what arrangements they had made. Ever since the family had split, there had been no further contact.

It was not that they had been unwilling. They simply had not dared. The old Zhao family had made it plain that they suspected the military household. Who would risk defying them by maintaining secret connections?

And so the news between them had been cut off.

Since they were going to the capital this time, the old lady naturally wished to restore those ties. The closer the people, the deeper the family affection. If possible, she even harbored the ambition of returning to the capital for good.

Since the old lady had spoken, her children naturally could not refuse. With the entire family traveling to the capital, the party grew considerably larger.

After joining Bao Zheng, their numbers exceeded a hundred. Cao Jinhua was with them as well.

The instant she saw Shen Shi, she ran over.

“You’re going to the capital?”

“Yes. To fight a lawsuit,” Shen Shi replied.

“I understand. I’ll help you,” Cao Jinhua said with a delighted grin.

“Very well.” Shen Shi nodded, then went to bid farewell to Xihou.

The Shen family was no longer what it had once been. They had horses, pigs, chickens, ducks, and even a kiln. Someone had to stay behind to watch over everything.

“You’re really not coming?”

“The young master trusts Xihou and has entrusted the family business to her. Xihou will certainly guard it well for him.”

Xihou had bought her freedom and successfully entered the Shen household. Neither the old lady nor Shen Shi’s parents had objected. Instead, after discovering her talent for accounting, they had put her in charge of the ledgers. Naturally, she became even more devoted to the family.

“It’s just as well that you’re staying. We’re going to court this time. When we go out for fun later, I’ll call for you.”

“Rest assured, young master. We’ll take good care of Miss Xihou,” Fourteenth Lady said.

Xihou was not the only one staying behind. Fourteenth Lady and Eighth Lady were not going either.

They were spirits. The capital was a place dominated by humanity, its human aura thick and chaotic, and it offered little benefit to cultivation. For every breath of the world’s spiritual energy they inhaled, they would also draw countless breaths of human aura into their bellies.

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As Eighth Lady put it, why leave a place rich in spiritual energy for somewhere muddled with human aura? Only a fool would do that.

Little Gulu, on the other hand, had heard that Shen Shi was leaving and had followed him everywhere for the past two days. He clearly intended to go with them.

He was not beside Shen Shi at that moment because he too was saying farewell—to Big Black.

“Gurgle…”

“Woof…”

“Gurgle…”

“Woof, woof…”

“Gurgle-gurgle…”

“Woof, woof, woof…”

…

It was an equally impassioned farewell. Little Gulu spoke once, and Big Black answered once. Anyone who claimed there was no arrangement behind it would hardly be believed.

Even after seeing someone off for a thousand miles, the journey must eventually end.

…

“Miss, aren’t we returning to the capital?” After seeing Shen Shi and the others off, Cao Jinhua did not leave. Her maid could not help reminding her.

“We are going back to the capital, but not with them. We’ll take the Prince’s household ship,” Cao Jinhua replied with a giggle.

“Why? Don’t you dislike traveling by boat?” the maid asked.

“I do. But I said I was going to help Young Master Shen.”

“Help Young Master Shen?” The maid thought about it, then suddenly turned pale. “Miss, are you planning to become a spy?”

“Hee-hee! What do you think? Isn’t my idea wonderful?” Cao Jinhua was extremely pleased with herself and burst into delighted laughter.

“Our dignified Imperial Uncle’s household is supposed to help its own people, yet you’re helping an outsider!” The more happily Cao Jinhua laughed, the more bitter the maid’s expression became.

Following a young mistress like this meant living with one shock after another. The maid sincerely felt like crying.