Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 156 Checks and Balances

Shen Mansion Study —

"If nothing unexpected happens, the imperial edict and summons will be issued in the next few days."

Looking at his father's composed and confident demeanor, and then at his third sister's self-assured expression, Shen Che couldn't help but ask, "Third sister, why have I never seen you mention those books at the Wensi Pavilion?"

"This is what I obtained in my dream," Shen Qing said in a serious tone.

“My son is blessed by Heaven and favored by the gods.” Li Suxin accepted this explanation.

This accepting attitude shocked not only Shen Che but also Shen Qing, who thought to himself, "My mother spoils me rotten."

Shen Che then looked at Shen Shi, hoping his father could come to his senses.

"It's normal for people to have some unexpected encounters."

Hearing Shen Shi say this, Shen Qing was speechless. All the lies he had made up were completely useless.

Shen Che remained silent for a moment, then got up blankly, pushed open the door, and left, returning to his courtyard in a daze.

"Why has my lord returned like this?"

Qin Zhen quickly stepped forward to brush the snowflakes off his body, and the servants, with clear division of labor, immediately brought a heater and a fur coat.

Surrounded by people, Shen Che sat down, holding a hot water bottle in his hands, and looked out the window at the night view, murmuring, "It's snowing..."

Qin Zhen noticed the worry and loneliness in Shen Che's eyes and asked with heartache, "There are so many rumors going around lately, is that bothering you, my lord? What are Father and Third Sister planning?"

"I...don't know."

Prince's Mansion —

"Your Highness, the King has already ordered the drafting of an imperial edict to bestow titles upon Shen Qingxi. It seems there's no stopping it."

"The year-end performance evaluations for officials at all levels have also been released; let's submit them together."

"What the prince means is..."

“A family like ours needs to be dealt a severe blow from within.” He said, handing a prepared memorial to his subordinate.

The man took a look and was immediately filled with admiration. What a righteous and open strategy! Even if it couldn't stop the Shen family from getting involved in military power, it could still restrain the power of the Shen and Li families. He wondered if the Li family, who had been implicated for no reason, could still stand together with the Shen family.

Human hearts are the most vulnerable to temptation.

The next day, at the Hall of Diligent Governance—

With his health improving, Emperor Yongxi resumed reviewing memorials.

When he came to a memorial approving the promotion of an official with excellent performance evaluation, his pen paused slightly.

It would be a great pity to abandon such a talented person as Shen Qingxi, but if we do that, the Shen family will become too powerful. The reason we promoted Shen Shi in the first place was to suppress other old aristocratic families in Xuandu. How can we let the Shen family become a new behemoth?

He immediately crossed out Shen Che's name, then his gaze fell on another name: Li Sheng, Shen Shi's brother-in-law and the current head of the Li family.

Since Grand Tutor Li retired, Li Sheng has been stuck in the fourth-rank position for many years. He thought he had been suppressed long enough and could be promoted this year, but it seems that it is still not possible. So he put down his pen again.

Actually, the Shen family was originally supported by the Li family. That's just how it is among the aristocratic families; they are connected by kinship.

Poor families? Those are just fallen aristocratic families.

Therefore, he heavily relied on nobles, but while they were good at fighting and killing, they were utterly incompetent at governing the country.

Emperor Yongxi pressed his temples; his headache was starting again.

·

Two days later, just as Shen Shi had predicted, Shen Qing received an imperial decree appointing him as a fourth-rank cavalry general and placing him under Lu Zhen's command. He also learned that his elder brother and uncle's official positions had remained unchanged.

After working hard for half a year, all my KPIs are wiped out in one day!

Shen Che naturally learned the news earlier, and after finishing his shift, he went straight back to Qingfang Pavilion and sat quietly alone in the courtyard.

Father, did you foresee this outcome when you decided to help Third Sister? Is that why you didn't let me participate?

Qin Zhen stood at a distance. She also received the news from her parents' home and felt sad. Was this what it meant to have a stepmother and a stepfather?

Even the usually virtuous and magnanimous Qin Zhen couldn't help but feel resentful.

It won't be just for a year or two. As long as her father-in-law is in the government and she is in the military, her husband will never have a chance to rise in the ranks.

Moreover, the Li family head who was implicated was the young master's direct superior, so how could the young master possibly cope?

Jinyuan

Li Su's feelings were truly complicated. She said that Shen Shi didn't care about Qingxi's happiness for the sake of the big picture, but he didn't even care about his own son's career.

"Madam, the head of the Li family has come to visit."

Oh no, I forgot about my younger brother. He's probably here to confront me!