Chapter 66: Family

“Useless! Useless! Nothing but useless fools!” Hearing his men praising the enemy, Yelü Yi was even more enraged.

As a prince of Liao, there were deeper reasons for his diplomatic mission. Their father, the Emperor, was still deeply grateful to his younger brother, Yelü Chongyuan, for exposing Xiao Noujin’s plot to dethrone him. Out of trust and favor, the Emperor had made Chongyuan Crown Prince, granted him a golden token and sworn testament, and also entrusted him with key positions: Northern Court Chief Minister, Governor of Nanjing, and Marshal of the Army. On one drunken night, the Emperor had even promised that after his own passing, the throne would pass to his brother Chongyuan.

This, of course, infuriated the Emperor’s sons. Thus, the princes took the opportunity to lead the army on this mission—not only to plunder Song’s wealth and provisions, but also to gather troops and build their own power.

Liao was no longer just a confederation of tribes; influenced by the Han, the Emperor’s sons regarded the throne as their rightful inheritance, uncle or not.

Yet before Yelü Yi could make his move, his uncle’s men had already struck first. If not for the defeat of this palace division by the Song, the military provisions would have been lost.

Yelü Yi’s furious outburst was all for show; he had no idea how many of his uncle’s spies lurked among the envoys.

After raging for some time, he finally had an idea.

“Convey my orders: have those monks deliver the money and grain to Eastern Capital. Didn’t they say they know a Master Xinhu? Bring him as well. If he truly has talent, I’ll reward him handsomely.”

“That’s settled then.”

Yelü Yi’s mission was, after all, about money and grain. As for the fallen palace division, since they served his uncle, their deaths were a boon rather than a loss.

In fact, he almost felt grateful to Shen Shi.

Of course, Shen Shi had no need for his gratitude.

As for Shen Shi himself…

“Shi’er.”

A family sat resting by the roadside pavilion. From the crowd, a dignified woman called out Shen Shi’s name.

Turning, Shen Shi saw—it was the mother of this body he now inhabited.

The day of reunion between mother and son had finally arrived.

“Mother!”

Shen Shi mustered his courage and walked over. Meeting his parents for the first time, he couldn’t help but worry—what if they noticed the soul within wasn’t truly their son?

He had little faith in his own acting skills.

But before he could even approach, an elderly woman rushed over and embraced him, crying, “My poor grandson, how did eating a bit of meat land you in jail?”

This was Shen Shi’s grandmother.

In fact, as soon as Shen Shi was imprisoned, the Shen family knew. They were, after all, a prominent clan with many connections. The original Shen Shi had simply studied himself into foolishness, unable to save himself.

As for why the family only returned now, it was simply the way of the old days—travel was slow, taking a month or two was perfectly normal.

“Let your father see, were you hurt?” No sooner had his grandmother embraced him than a man swept him into a hug—his father.

Though his family hadn’t noticed the soul within had changed, which was a relief, Shen Shi could hardly stand being hugged by a man who then tried to pull at his clothes to check for injuries. He quickly struggled, “I’m fine, I wasn’t beaten.”

“So, you finally know embarrassment? Now you understand your father’s care! In the Song, one must pass the Imperial Examinations…”

The original Shen Shi had always struggled with his studies, so his parents often lectured him. Still unaware of the change in their son, Shen Liang began extolling the virtues of Song scholars at length, drawing from his own travels and experiences.

Inspired, Shen Shi blurted, “Yes, Father, I’ve passed.”

“What—?”

Shen Liang choked on his words, falling silent in shock. “You… you passed? What place?”

“Top of the list.”

Heavens! What luck is this?

Shen Liang’s face burned with embarrassment—for he himself had failed the exam yet again this year.

“Shi’er, you took first place?” Lady Shen exclaimed with delight.

“Yes, Mother.” Seeing their joy at his success, Shen Shi felt reassured. Being able to bring them happiness made up for the regrets of the original Shen Shi.

“It’s only the child scholar exam,” muttered Shen Liang softly, clearly envious.

“What’s wrong with that? You never passed it yourself!” His words instantly soured the mood for the two women—Lady Shen, displeased with her husband for disparaging their son, and Old Madam Shen, resentful that her son belittled her grandson. And Shen Liang dared not provoke either of them.

“Come, tell Grandmother how you passed!”

Still, he was her son; the old lady didn’t scold him much.

Yet a son’s success, when the father had failed, must have stung.

“It was nothing. The children’s exam is just a test of memory…” Shen Shi answered honestly.

But to Shen Liang, those words were a blow. He wished he could trade places with his son.

Alas, it was impossible.

“Good, good! My grandson has passed. This is a happy occasion—we must hold a banquet.”

A banquet required silver. The old lady, finding herself nearly penniless, fished out her dowry—a pair of silver bracelets—and handed them to her son. “Liang, pawn these for me. Hire someone to prepare a few tables.”

“Mother! Your son is unfilial!” Shen Liang immediately knelt, his forehead touching the ground.

As the family’s pillar, he couldn’t even support them, and now had to pawn his mother’s dowry. The shame was almost unbearable. But in the Song, military men had no status, and he had failed as a scholar. He knew nothing of business. What else could he do?

His own kneeling wasn’t enough; he made his son kneel as well.

“Kneel? For what? My grandson has passed—this is a day for joy!” Naturally, his grandmother intervened. The love of elders for their grandchildren is timeless.

And so, father and son: the father knelt, the son remained standing.

Shen Shi hurriedly said, “Grandmother, I’ve already made arrangements.”

“You have?” Everyone was stunned.

The old lady smiled, “Good child, always so filial. It doesn’t matter, this bracelet is of no use to me now—just takes up space.”

Her words were touching, but Shen Liang was bewildered.

Since when has this boy been filial? All he remembers is Shen Shi getting into fights and causing trouble.

Filial? Is this really my son?

But doubt was futile, especially as Shen Shi’s behavior grew ever more admirable.

“Grandmother, I’m telling the truth. Our family’s kiln produced a masterpiece, now even the palace uses it.”

If the money had come from gambling, it would only confirm Shen Shi’s reputation as a wastrel. Fortunately, the chamber pot he fired, originally just for personal use, now served as a legitimate explanation. The money earned from porcelain was far more respectable than gambling.

“What? You know how to fire porcelain?”

Her own son, able to fire porcelain? Why had she never heard of this?

Kneeling, Shen Liang blurted out his astonishment.

“This, Grandmother, Father, Mother, let’s discuss at home.”

By now, many people had gathered near the pavilion, pointing and gossiping.

“Right, right, let’s talk at home. Liang, get up—what are you doing kneeling all this time?” The old lady, seeing her son still on his knees, agreed with her grandson’s suggestion and hurried him to his feet.