Chapter 273: Chapter 273: Must You Marry the One Who Saved You from Drowning? (44)

“Shen Shi’er, Shen Qixi, why? Did I ever mistreat you before?” Shen Hui looked down at the two kneeling below him, not showing much anger but rather a bit of puzzlement.

These two had been with him for years, even at times when there was no one else around, yet they had never shown any intention of harm. Now, having been discovered as spies, it truly left him bewildered.

After all, he had saved their lives in the past, but it seemed there was more to it.

“Before I saved you, had someone else actually rescued you already?”

The two suddenly raised their heads, a flash of surprise in their eyes, then bowed their heads once more, kowtowing a few times to Shen Hui. Immediately after, they took their own lives right in front of him without saying a word.

Kang Chongyi’s face turned somber: “Your Majesty, the mastermind behind this is truly skillful.”

Even after catching the traitors, there was no way to trace back to the mastermind. This made Kang Chongyi extremely uneasy. However, now that they had been exposed, there was no need to fear any leaks about His Majesty. From now on, he knew how to choose people.

Lord Shen had indeed found a good method.

Hearing Kang Chongyi’s praise, Shen Hui smiled and said, “According to Shen Qing’s letter, this method was proposed by his daughter-in-law. When he first mentioned it, Shen Qing was scolded terribly by those around him.”

That’s why there are reasons for my preference for Shen Dai; he’s truly someone not bound by trivialities, adaptable, and quite capable on his own.

To propose such a method in this era truly made Shen Hui curious to meet Shen Dai’s daughter-in-law. It’s said she is a martial arts expert, possibly even more skilled than his master. It’s unknown who her teacher is. It’s also mentioned her surname is Lin, coincidentally the same as his master’s.

But his master has always been a solitary figure, never mentioning any family, otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked his master to travel widely in search of mysteries. Of course, another reason is also that his master is willing to venture to different places.

Even if a meeting were to happen, it must not be too public.

“Where are Shen the Second and his wife now?” Shen Hui inquired.

“After entering the Capital City, they separated from Mr. Shen and his wife, currently wandering around,” Kang Chongyi laughed, “Second Young Master Shen is inherently playful, he cannot stay in one place.”

“Does Your Majesty have any plans?”

Shen Hui said, “Shen Qing mentioned that his daughter-in-law is a martial arts expert, such talent has got me thinking. Currently, we do not know who is behind this. If she could stay and assist me, it would be most favorable. According to Shen Qing, she is someone unconstrained by trivial matters and very wise, if she can help me, she could handle many affairs.”

For Shen Hui, the gender of those who assist him is irrelevant; what matters is their usefulness.

He never mistreats those who achieve merits. If Lin Chen possesses such capability, even entering the imperial court in the future is possible. However, the timing is not yet ripe, and there is still a long way to go. With a lurking adversary, many ideas must be temporarily restrained.

“Will Second Young Master Shen agree?” Kang Chongyi seemed not surprised by his Majesty’s ideas, knowing his consistent character, “The Lin Family may not consent either, having been married for just a few months.”

Shen Hui coughed, acknowledging the slight unreasonableness of it.

But he could offer them what they desired.

“What are their preferences?”

“Second Young Master Shen loves to play, he enjoys anything entertaining,” Kang Chongyi said, “As for Lin, nothing has really been unearthed, it seems she’s indifferent to everything.”

Quite fitting the stereotype of a high master, thought Shen Hui.

“Your Majesty, they likely do not lack silver. The Gu Family provides Second Young Master Shen ample allowance annually, and with no bad habits, he doesn’t spend it all,” Kang Chongyi added, “Silver is definitely not persuasive.”

“Rare weapons probably won’t work either,” Shen Hui frowned, “She can sever limbs with leaves, needing no sharp instruments, everything could serve as her weapon.”

Wondering if she has any ambitions, if so, perhaps painting a promising future of entering the court might entice her? Although merely a promise, within ten years barring any surprises, he was confident he could fulfill it.

The biggest surprise now is the one behind it all. Since exposed, it suggests they can no longer stay hidden. Having planted Shen Shi’er and Shen Qixi by his side without assassinating him indicates there are scruples. It also shows the opponent isn’t so invincible or terrifying, otherwise, they wouldn’t have stayed hidden.

Shen Hui had a premonition that the timing to uproot the adversary might present itself sooner than expected.

Who could it be?

In truth, anyone was possible; after all, who wouldn’t aspire to this position?

“Kang Chongyi, assign someone to discreetly invite Lin Chen in, making sure her identity remains unknown to others.”

Avoiding any trouble for them.

“If Shen the Second insists on following, let him accompany, and I shall explain. A capable wife should shine; one who isn’t, should maintain the household, a skill in itself,” Shen Hui remarked.

Kang Chongyi’s mouth twitched, the logic was sound. Although initially puzzling, over time Shen Hui’s side gained many capable women, proving the rationale. Given opportunities, they could contribute significantly.

But would Second Young Master Shen be so easily convinced?

It’s said that from birth, Lord Shen’s patience was dwindling day by day, often driven to angrily curse and chase him around the streets with a broom.

“Handle their remains.” Shen Hui glanced at the corpses of Shen Shi’er and Shen Qixi, “Just find a place to inter them.”

Their betrayal must have divulged much about him to the mastermind.

But, with them dead, desecrating corpses was futile.

Adapting to this world was swift for him. Internally, he still found some of this world’s rules disagreeable.

Now as a prince, and not an ordinary person, implementing changes was easier.

Harboring this ambition, he pursued it, from a young age understanding his father the Emperor’s mind, fulfilling his every imperial desire. Publicly, he was an exemplary heir, privately a close son unveiling his father’s hidden flaws.

Understanding human nature has always been his forte.

His previous life didn’t afford outward exhibition, but this life fulfilled that desire, albeit with bouts of loneliness.

Upon gaining a secondary memory, he often felt alone in this world.

When he left, his little brother was in his twenties, never much of a crybaby, yet that day his eyes were so red and the sobbing was loud.

Truthfully, he wished not to leave like that, but his body succumbed, unable to await the advent of medicine and technology to save him.

He often pondered on his brother’s life post-departure.

Hopefully, life eased a bit.

Given his brother’s personality, he worried things might not fare well.

“Your Majesty is tired? Rest a while, they won’t be quick,” Kang Chongyi suggested out of concern.

“No need, read me something amusing,” Shen Hui requested relaxation, evidencing he wasn’t overly severe.

Kang Chongyi chuckled, “Coincidentally, there are two scripts from Lanru County, quite humorous. It recounts the weaving girl’s alternate tale, where instead of marrying Niu Lang after he stole her garments, she took him to court for theft.”

Shen Hui expressed surprise, “That sounds intriguing. Investigate the author later to see if they’re talented.”

Shen Xuan took Ah Chen for a stroll. Returning home, the steward informed them of a distinguished guest, learning it was a summon from the Emperor for Chenchen prompted some concern.

He pulled Ah Chen into a room whispering, “This transmigrator, could he be targeting Chenchen?”

If so, he wouldn’t provide the antidote.

Both coming from another world, stealing someone else’s wife isn’t right; is it moral decay or human perversion?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep