Ch 68: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

Three years into the emperor’s reign, his authority had grown unassailable. Once the imperial decree was issued, no one dared to challenge it. Just like that, Shen Yunxuan was elevated to Imperial Consort Xian.

After the morning court session, the officials dispersed, with Prime Minister Shu and Minister Shen bearing the sourest expressions. Prime Minister Shu’s discontent was understandable, given his family’s interest in Consort Shu. However, Minister Shen’s predicament became the court’s greatest joke.

If Minister Shen had been a more compassionate father and treated his children with care, the Imperial consort title would have belonged to the Shen family. Instead, this incredible fortune slipped away. Now, Imperial Consort Xian had not only joined the Fang family genealogy but was also elevated in status, with her son likely to become crown prince. Such unimaginable wealth and prestige were lost to the Shen family, leaving everyone to wonder how Shen Xiuyuan could sleep without being consumed by regret, cursing his past mistakes.

The flourishing state of the Empress Dowager’s family served as a testament to Imperial Consort Xian’s growing influence. She wasn’t merely a favored consort—she was a woman of unparalleled achievements, renowned across the empire. As her biological father, Shen Xiuyuan could have basked in glory but instead risked eternal infamy. Imperial Consort Xian had made it clear that severing ties with the Shen family was worth tearing her reputation apart.

The more successful Imperial Consort Xian and Fang Jun became, the more humiliating it was for the Shen family. Their name grew increasingly tarnished. Now, whenever people mentioned the Shen family, they shook their heads and muttered, “The Shen family is finished.”

Back at the Shen residence, Shen Xiuyuan’s anger was uncontrollable. He vented furiously, yet nothing eased his frustration. Qingju, who had once clung to him for Shen Yunxuan’s favor, trembled with fear. In the past, she had claimed that Shen Yunxuan pitied her and allowed her to stay, implying she still had Shen Yunxuan’s support.

When Shen Yunxuan was favored, Shen Xiuyuan valued Qingju, and even Madam Liu dared not provoke her. However, once Shen Yunxuan and her brother broke ties with the Shen family, Qingju had hidden herself away, fearing they might remember her. Now, Shen Yunxuan had been elevated to Imperial Consort, and Qingju knew the family’s fury would soon fall upon her.

Sure enough, after Shen Xiuyuan drank himself into a stupor, he suddenly remembered Qingju and stormed into her quarters. He beat her mercilessly, blaming her for misleading him with lies about fatherly kindness and daughterly piety. “It was all fake! If you hadn’t whispered such nonsense to me daily, I would have guarded myself against those ungrateful wretches long ago!”

Qingju’s cries of pain echoed through the residence, and the news soon reached Madam Liu. She had long forgotten about Qingju but seized the opportunity now that Shen Xiuyuan no longer protected her. From that day on, Madam Liu summoned Qingju daily, venting all her pent-up frustrations on her. Qingju quickly became covered in bruises, her hatred simmering beneath a surface of meek compliance. She quietly plotted her revenge.

While the Shen residence was in turmoil, the atmosphere in Prime Minister Shu’s household was equally tense. Prime Minister Shu appeared to have aged a decade overnight. His son, Shu Dong, was baffled. “Father, why worry? Those siblings have no family backing now, making them easier to deal with. No matter how great their achievements, they need to survive to enjoy them. The one in the palace is untouchable for now, but the one outside has just moved into a new residence and is isolated. Isn’t this the perfect time to act?”

Prime Minister Shu shook his head and sighed deeply. “In my life, I’ve never seen anyone with such heaven-defying fortune. How long have they been in the spotlight? A year? Months? Yet, they’ve already achieved so much. Should our Shu family truly oppose them? Consort Shu has already been demoted from Noble Consort. If we make one more mistake, I fear my reputation will be ruined, and the Shu family… will fall.”

Shu Dong laughed. “Father, you exaggerate. How could it come to that? Our family is deeply rooted, and even the emperor must give us some respect…”

“Silence! Do not speak such recklessly arrogant words!” Prime Minister Shu scolded, his brows furrowing. “We now have only two paths. One is to relinquish power and demonstrate our loyalty. From now on, both Consort Shu and our family must tread carefully, hoping the emperor will overlook my past power plays.”

Shu Dong objected, “That’s no better than gambling! What if the emperor doesn’t forgive us? Then we’d lose everything!”

Prime Minister Shu stood silently by the window, hands behind his back, for a long time before speaking. “The other path is to fully support Consort Shu and fight Imperial Consort Xian and her brother to the end. It’s either them or us. But this path is far more dangerous.”

Though it sounded risky, Shu Dong wasn’t convinced. “Those siblings are like children flaunting gold in a bustling market—rich but defenseless. They’re just two youngsters in their early twenties. Father, why are you so afraid of them? Against our family, they’re no more than eggs smashing against a rock. Leave it to me, and I’ll handle it.”

Prime Minister Shu frowned again. “Do not act rashly. Perhaps there’s a third way. I could speak openly with the emperor. If he elevates Consort Shu to Noble Consort and grants her a son, I’ll retire and relinquish my power, ensuring peace for our family.”

Shu Dong left, dissatisfied. The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became. Already in his thirties, his father still treated him like a child, unwilling to entrust him with anything. He believed his father had grown timid with age, hesitating over such a simple matter. Determined to prove himself, Shu Dong resolved to act on his own and show his father what he could accomplish.

Shu Dong deployed four family-trained assassins, ordering them to infiltrate the Fang residence under cover of night. Their mission: kill Fang Jun and everyone in the house, then leave a note that read, “Exterminate the Fang family!”

After all, the Fang family had been massacred years ago—supposedly by mountain bandits. Who really knew the truth? Disguising the act as vengeance from an old enemy of the Fang family seemed logical. With three generations of military generals, it was reasonable to imagine the Fang family had enemies. If someone discovered Fang Jun had joined the Fang family registry and sought revenge, wouldn’t that be plausible?

Shu Dong’s idea gained the approval of his advisors. Given the hostility between Consort Shu and Imperial Consort Xian, cutting off Imperial Consort Xian’s most reliable support was the best move. Once isolated, Imperial Consort Xian might succumb to despair or even fall ill during her postpartum period. Moreover, if the tragic death of her twin’s elder brother stained her reputation as inauspicious, her children’s chances of ascending as crown prince would be dashed.

The advisors also dismissed Prime Minister Shu’s suggestion of retreat. They believed Imperial Consort Xian wouldn’t accept reconciliation, even if offered. Trusting her was out of the question. The future of the entire Shu family hung in the balance, and keeping power in their own hands was the safest course. With the Shu family’s influence, why not fight for dominance?

That very night, as Fang Jun was enjoying a quiet drink in the courtyard to celebrate, four black-clad assassins suddenly attacked.

Zhuang Mama’s nephew, serving as a guard, immediately shouted for reinforcements and urged Fang Jun to flee. Amid the chaos, an imperial guard leaped over the courtyard wall, engaging the assassins while shouting, “Master Fang, get to safety! By the emperor’s orders, I am here to protect you—”

Before the guard could finish, Fang Jun drew his soft sword from his waist and joined the fight with icy precision. His attacks were swift and lethal, forcing the assassins to retreat repeatedly. The imperial guard, realizing Fang Jun’s capabilities, quickly assisted him.

Within fifteen minutes, the assassins were subdued. Cornered and unable to escape, they bit down on poison capsules concealed in their mouths, spitting blood before collapsing dead.

The imperial guard searched the bodies and found a note, which he handed to Fang Jun.

Fang Jun glanced at the note, smirked, and said, “‘Exterminate the Fang family,’ is it? How audacious.” He returned the note to the guard and clasped his hands in gratitude. “Thank you for your assistance. Please deliver these corpses and the note to the emperor and request a thorough investigation into who dares openly assassinate a court official in the capital.”

The imperial guard agreed, taking the corpses and the note. On the surface, the matter seemed resolved, but as Fang Jun returned to his room, his expression turned cold.

An eye for an eye. He had ignored the Shu family’s earlier provocations while preoccupied with the smallpox inoculation project and the imperial examinations. But now, the Shu family had escalated to sending assassins. If he didn’t retaliate, would they dare target Yunxuan next? Moreover, Consort Shu’s previous schemes against Yunxuan still needed to be accounted for.

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The emperor was furious upon hearing the assassination attempt from the imperial guard. “I just elevated Imperial Consort Xian, and someone dares send assassins after Fang Jun? Is their target him—or me?”

Li Defu knelt immediately. “Your Majesty, please calm down. I will investigate and uncover the mastermind behind this!”

The emperor took a deep breath and frowned. “Fang Jun wasn’t injured?”

The imperial guard, visibly moved, reported, “Your Majesty, Master Fang’s martial skills surpass even mine. Without my help, he could have defeated the assassins on his own! Truly, Master Fang is a rare talent—exceptional in both scholarly and martial disciplines!”

The emperor was stunned. Though Shen Yunxuan often praised Fang Jun’s versatility, he had only known of Fang Jun’s academic prowess. This was the first time he realized Fang Jun’s martial abilities were equally extraordinary. He truly is a once-in-a-century genius!

The emperor finally smiled. “Investigate this matter in secret. Do not let Imperial Consort Xian find out. Let her focus on recovering; we’ll address it when the time is right.”

Though he ordered an investigation, the emperor privately suspected the Shu family. Still, he needed concrete evidence before acting. Fang Jun’s restraint suggested he also understood this, knowing that raising a fuss without proof would be futile.

The emperor sighed inwardly. Prime Minister Shu held significant power and, over his long career, had more merits than faults. Though the prime minister sometimes schemed against him and lacked compassion for the people, he hadn’t caused irreparable harm to the court or exploited the populace. Even Consort Shu’s prior schemes seemed mild compared to this assassination attempt.

The emperor had hoped for Prime Minister Shu to retire voluntarily, believing the balance of power would naturally tip in his favor as his authority grew. However, the rise of Shen Yunxuan and Fang Jun had driven the Shu family to desperation, resulting in increasingly ruthless methods. Sending assassins into the capital crossed an unforgivable line.

“The Shu family cannot remain,” the emperor decided.

Shu Dong, unaware of his failure, grew uneasy when the assassins did not return. Fearing the worst, he kept the attempt a secret from Prime Minister Shu, who was still deliberating whether to fight or retreat. Meanwhile, Fang Jun began targeting the Shu family.

With meticulous planning, Fang Jun soon uncovered Shu Dong’s illegal activities.

Two weeks later, a principled censor received an anonymous letter detailing how Shu Dong maintained a mistress in a western alley. Through her, he accepted bribes and engaged in illicit transactions with several officials. The letter even specified the location of the account ledgers—hidden in the mistress’s woodshed rafters.

The censor conducted an investigation and found the allegations credible. He immediately impeached Shu Dong in court, accusing him of bribery and implicating Prime Minister Shu for failing to discipline his son and allowing him to accept illicit gains.

Prime Minister Shu was alarmed but loudly retorted, “Nonsense! I hold the rank of Prime Minister and have enjoyed wealth and privilege beyond measure. Why would my family need to resort to bribery? How dare you bring baseless accusations before the court? Are you even fit to be a censor?”

The censor remained unshaken. “This matter can easily be verified. I request the emperor to send investigators to retrieve the account book.”

The emperor glanced at Prime Minister Shu and gave a slight nod, ordering the Ministry of Justice to investigate. Within half an hour, they returned with evidence. The account book was meticulously detailed, and the mistress broke down in fear at the sight of the torture instruments, confessing everything. The evidence proved Shu Dong had engaged in bribery over a decade, providing favorable evaluations to officials, selling positions, and even falsifying credentials to elevate a merchant to the rank of county magistrate.

The case was far from isolated. Following the trail, the emperor uncovered a network of over a dozen corrupt officials involved with Shu Dong. All were promptly imprisoned. As new officials emerged from the imperial examinations, the emperor reassigned experienced ones to critical positions while sending the newcomers to gain experience in less vital roles.

The investigation stretched over two months, concluding just as Shen Yunxuan finished her postpartum confinement. Having given birth to twins, she enjoyed an extended double confinement period. With the care of Qingzhi, Qin Mama, and nourishing regimens, Shen Yunxuan’s figure and complexion had fully recovered, now carrying a hint of mature grace. Her gentle demeanor belied her reputation in the palace as a strict enforcer of rules who never tolerated mistakes.

When Shen Yunxuan learned of Shu Dong’s case, she was surprised. In her past life, Prime Minister Shu had retired peacefully, while Shu Dong rose to the rank of fourth-grade official, leading to a quieter period for the Shu family. It wasn’t until years later, during an anti-corruption campaign, that Shu Dong’s decade-long bribery was exposed. Shu Dong had been cautious then—why had his crimes surfaced so early this time?

Initially, Shen Yunxuan planned to observe the emperor’s stance toward the Shu family before exposing Shu Dong. However, the early revelation worked to her advantage. Given the hostility between the Shu family and her own, peace was never an option. Their downfall was undoubtedly a good thing.

The weakening of Prime Minister Shu’s influence was also beneficial for the emperor’s consolidation of power.

Meanwhile, within the palace, those who once flattered the Shu family began shifting allegiances. With Shen Yunxuan as Imperial Consort, the mother of twins, and her brother Fang Jun rising as a fifth-grade official responsible for promoting smallpox inoculation and rice-fish farming, the Fang siblings’ influence was clearly growing. Once these projects succeeded, promotions were inevitable.

In contrast, Consort Shu faced declining favor. Her privileges visibly diminished: broken cups were no longer promptly replaced, her garments and accessories were less exquisite, and her maids even had to queue at the imperial kitchen for her meals. These small but telling changes made her daily life increasingly uncomfortable. Once Shen Yunxuan emerged from confinement, Consort Shu personally confronted her, feigning a smile as she accused Shen Yunxuan of targeting her.

Shen Yunxuan calmly inquired about the matter and then had the record of allowances brought out. “Every allowance in the palace follows set regulations. Consort Shu’s is the same as Consort Li’s, with no discrepancies. If anything, your past allowances exceeded the standard.”

Consort Shu angrily flipped through the records but found no faults, even noting that Shen Yunxuan’s allowances were strictly within regulations. She glanced at Shen Yunxuan’s lavishly decorated chambers and snapped, “Can you claim all this comes from your allowances?”

Shen Yunxuan smiled serenely. “These are gifts from His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, as well as dowry from my late mother. Did you come here today to cause trouble on purpose? As someone from a prominent family, surely you understand palace regulations. Or perhaps you’ve been confined for so long that you’ve forgotten them?”

Consort Shu, a proud daughter of a noble family, had never been humiliated like this. She stood abruptly. “Don’t get too comfortable! You—”

“Enough!” Zhuang Mama scolded sharply. “Consort Shu, your behavior is disrespectful to imperial Consort Xian. What is your intention?”

Shen Yunxuan’s expression turned cold. “It seems Consort Shu has truly forgotten her manners. Zhuang Mama, assign her a strict tutor to re-educate her on palace etiquette. As representatives of the imperial family, concubines must uphold decorum. If she embarrasses herself at an official banquet, what will others think of the royal family? Escort her back.”

Before Consort Shu could retort, Qingzhu and Qingmei dragged her out.

News of her punishment spread quickly throughout the palace. Once feared for her arrogance and even defiance toward the empress, Consort Shu now faced public embarrassment. It became clear to all that Imperial Consort Xian was an unyielding force.

With her authority solidified, Shen Yunxuan’s daily life grew more relaxed. She balanced palace duties with time spent doting on her children and experimenting with agricultural tools and techniques.

As for Shu Dong, he was ultimately sentenced to exile. On the day of his departure, Prime Minister Shu met him to ask coldly, “Why did you do this?”

Shu Dong broke down upon meeting his father’s gaze. “Why? You ask why? Because you never recognized me! Not once!”

Shu Dong, visibly agitated, exclaimed, “Only in front of those officials who bribed me could I feel like I had value, like I was someone capable and recognized! You only ever deny me—always telling me not to meddle in this or that. In your eyes, I’m worth less than a steward!”

Prime Minister Shu’s gaze grew colder. “Fool! It’s because you lack competence that I never entrusted you with important tasks. Do you think they valued you? They only valued the status of being connected to me, the Prime Minister! The moment you lose that connection, see if anyone still flatters you!”

Disgust was evident in his voice. “You wasted your petty cunning on covering up crimes and brought calamity to this family! Now, the Shu family has no way out, and it’s all because of your wrongdoing.”

“Impossible! You’re lying!” Shu Dong sneered. “The Shu family is deeply rooted and flourishing. Even if I made mistakes, it wouldn’t shake your foundation. What calamity? You’re just being paranoid—”

Before Shu Dong could finish, Prime Minister Shu climbed into his carriage and left. But Shu Dong understood the meaning behind his father’s look—it was clear that he saw Shu Dong as nothing more than a fool incapable of comprehending even his warnings.

Shu Dong, consumed by despair, let out a furious roar before being escorted away by the authorities. Prime Minister Shu, exhausted, returned home and stood silently at the gates of the Prime Minister’s residence, staring at its plaque for a long while. The next day, he submitted a resignation letter, citing illness and requesting retirement.

The emperor had expected this but was not pleased. Prime Minister Shu’s sudden withdrawal was akin to abandoning his post, delaying critical state affairs. With ongoing wars at the borders and the recent administrative purges, the sudden vacancy of a Prime Minister would undoubtedly cause chaos—not just for Shu but for the broader political structure tied to his faction. To maintain stability, the emperor had no choice but to appear to retain Shu.

For three consecutive days, the emperor worked late into the night reviewing memorials, catching only an hour of sleep before attending morning court. Seeing his exhaustion, Shen Yunxuan personally prepared a nourishing soup and brought it to the study. At a glance, she could see his fatigue. “Your Majesty, your health is paramount. You mustn’t overexert yourself.”

Touched by Shen Yunxuan’s concern, the emperor took her hand with a sigh. “My father left me a mess to clean up. I’ve worked tirelessly to reform the court for four years, yet problems like these still persist. Shu is trying to force me to compromise to secure his family’s safety.”

Shen Yunxuan understood compromise all too well, having made countless concessions in her past life. While compromises could be frustrating, they sometimes led to clarity and resolution. “Is Your Majesty hesitating because of what Shu Dong and Consort Shu have done?”

The emperor glanced at her and slowly revealed the assassination attempt on Fang Jun orchestrated by the Shu family.

Shen Yunxuan was alarmed. “Is my brother alright?”

“Yes, he’s fine. Don’t worry. The Shu family maliciously targeted a court official—I will not compromise with them. I’ve already begun selecting replacements, and this issue will be resolved,” he reassured her. However, the emperor’s tone made it clear that Shu’s audacity to force conditions after such acts of treachery had crossed the line.

Shen Yunxuan, now indignant, pondered the situation before suggesting, “Perhaps Your Majesty could ask my brother if he knows of suitable candidates to recommend.”

Though she spoke cautiously, the emperor’s thoughts immediately turned to Fang Jun’s unparalleled talents. He suddenly wondered about Fang Jun’s mysterious upbringing. Who had mentored such a prodigious talent? If his mentor were still alive, could he have equally capable peers?

The emperor decided to investigate further and summoned Fang Jun to the palace that day.

Fang Jun, anticipating the opportunity, eagerly explained, “Your Majesty, my literary mentor was Prime Minister Yuan, the late Empress Dowager Xiao An’s father. My martial mentor was General Lin, my maternal grandfather’s former deputy.”

The emperor was astonished. “Are you saying Prime Minister Yuan and Deputy General Lin have been living in the village all these years, mentoring you?”

“Yes,” Fang Jun confirmed. “Prime Minister Yuan built a small estate nearby to live out his retirement. Upon recognizing my potential, he tested me for a year before accepting me as a disciple. General Lin, having lost a leg in battle and with no family of his own, followed my maternal grandfather’s example. After I was sent to the countryside, he chose to live nearby as a hunter.”

Fang Jun raised his head. “Your Majesty, my mentors remain strong and dedicated to serving the country. Prime Minister Yuan only left the court out of grief after the Empress Dowager’s passing. Now, over a decade has passed. I am confident I can persuade them to return. Would Your Majesty permit me to invite him back to court?”

The emperor was thrilled. Prime Minister Yuan’s capabilities far exceeded Prime Minister Shu’s. With his assistance, the emperor could govern with far greater confidence. Without hesitation, he entrusted Fang Jun to personally invite Yuan out of retirement.

“This time,” the emperor thought with satisfaction, “Prime Minister Shu’s cunning has backfired. Not only did his scheming fail, but it also cost him everything.”

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆