Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 152 - 150: The Old Man’s Calculations

Chapter 152: Chapter 150: The Old Man’s Calculations

"The Emperor has granted me such a great reward. This is the only thing I can do for the Imperial Court. Why shouldn’t I accept it? Moreover, this is doing good for the people! If you eat the King’s grain, you should bear the King’s worries. I can’t refuse!"

"But this is something beyond human control. What if the crops fail and the Emperor blames you?" Mr. Shen felt the risk was too great; it wasn’t worth it!

"If the Emperor blames us, as long as it doesn’t involve us, why should you care so much? You’re overthinking this!" Mrs. Shen retorted dismissively.

"If you do well, you’ll be rewarded, and if you don’t, you’ll be punished. Isn’t this very normal?" Shen Chengyao didn’t think there was anything wrong with this. This wasn’t a matter of family extermination!

How could everything in the world be guaranteed to go smoothly before attempting it?

As for Mrs. Shen’s words, his own mother always spoke like this. He decided to ignore it.

"..." Having heard these words, Mr. Shen didn’t know how to persuade. The logic was sound, but the problem was, how many people in the world were willing to be punished willingly!

Of course, one should avoid such matters if they can! Who would intentionally get involved!

"Knowing that there will inevitably be bad harvest years, you should clearly explain these conditions to the Emperor and get him to exempt you from punishment before you accept!" Mr. Shen still voiced his opinion of the right course.

"Father, are you suggesting that I negotiate terms with the Emperor?" Surely the Emperor is aware that during years of natural disasters, the crops will fail?

During episodes of severe drought and flood, the crops fail entirely. The Imperial Court would then open its granaries to help the people, so there’s absolutely no need to mention this! It can’t be mentioned! If mentioned, it would appear as if one is seeking personal gain!

He wouldn’t stoop to such despicable behavior!

Having heard this, Mr. Shen’s body shuddered! That’s right! The Emperor was not someone they can negotiate with!

The Emperor should be like this!

If he really wants to punish you, a casual sentence will do.

If he values you, he can still reward you despite successive crop failures!

The world is the Emperor’s, he can do whatever he pleases!

With regard to the tasks the Emperor sets, all you can do is try your best. There is no room for you to say even one extra word!

If you fail, you could be accused of disobeying and disrespecting the Emperor, a crime even greater than failing to grow crops!

The lapse wasn’t Shen Chengyao’s lack of thoroughness; it was his own lack of clarity!

"It’s not you who were wrong, it’s me who misunderstood! I am very pleased that you have gained the Emperor’s appreciation!"

Mr. Shen patted Shen Chengyao on the shoulder, thinking: Shen Chengyao has certainly matured, if his eldest son could have this level of insight, then...

Mr. Shen heaved a sigh. From a young age, his eldest son had wanted to attain an official position, but fate had interceded. He could only hope that Shen Chengyao would assist out of brotherly love.

Wait! The Emperor said that if this succeeds, he will be greatly rewarded! When that time comes, he’ll have Shen Chengyao ask the Emperor to make his eldest son a seventh-rank official. Considering this, Mr. Shen showed a small smile. This might just be a glimmer of hope!

But the eldest son’s family unintentionally offended Shen Chengyao’s family again, they were still upset. This issue couldn’t be mentioned now, it would be a wasted effort. He should wait until the matter is successful next year before raising it. By then, Shen Chengyao’s family’s anger should have subsided a bit. No matter what happens, he’s still their father, so he can try humbling himself and beseeching them.

As for what will happen next year, who can tell? Wen’er may even pass the examination for a prospective official, it’s all uncertain. There’s no rush, there’s a way forward no matter what the result.

If Wen’er becomes a prospective official, that would be even better. It’s always easier to get things done with connections in the court! He needs to get the eldest son’s family to improve their relationship with Shen Chengyao’s family. Shen Chengyao’s family now has status and silver, they could provide significant assistance to the eldest son’s family in the future.

Once the main family enters officialdom, he will have fulfilled his ancestor’s dreams. He can die peaceful then.

Shen Chengyao glances at Mr. Shen, seeing his genuine happiness, he felt a little relieved.

Seeing the change in Shen Chengyao’s emotions, Xiao’er felt a bit of sympathy for him. Probably, as the middle son, his parents had always focused their affection on the eldest son, or perhaps his longing for a father’s love compelled him to remain obedient, understanding, and never oppose his parents in hopes that they would pay a bit more attention to him. However, most of the time, things didn’t go as he had hoped.

She had noticed more than once that if there was something good happening in the family, Shen Chengyao would be concerned about Mr. Shen’s reactions. Though he was often disappointed, he would always care.

Even now, when he has become a father himself, this subconscious mindset still affects him. Many children lacking parental love or those whose parents are not often around exhibit behaviors like this. Some use compliance and understanding to attract adult attention, while others go to the other extreme: acting naughty and full of mischief, throwing tantrums, causing destruction and so on to attract attention. Regardless, they are all longing for parental attention and care.

A father is meant to be revered and loved. There’s nothing wrong with Shen Chengyao’s feelings. The mistake lies with Mr. Shen’s favoritism.

This time, she felt that Mr. Shen’s smile still didn’t reflect complete happiness for her family. Perhaps he had some other plans.

"I definitely will do my best. The Emperor is a wise ruler; even if some uncontrollable factors lead to crop failure, he won’t blame me for it. Father, don’t worry."

Mr. Shen nodded, "Alright then, you’ve just arrived and must be very busy. We won’t disturb you anymore."

Xiao’er found this lacking sincerity. They already were a disturbance!

After Mr. Shen had left with the others, the family gathered again to discuss the details of meeting the Emperor and what needed to be done in the Imperial Capital.

After the conversation about meeting the Emperor was settled, Jinghao asked curiously:

"Sister, what does the Emperor look like?"

"He resembles Brother Shangguan slightly, possessing handsome features with an upright figure, dignified and charismatic. In three words - tall, rich and handsome." Xiao’er looked through the household servant roster whilst answering.

"Tall, rich and handsome? What does that mean?" What kind of saying was this? How come he’d never heard of it?

"Tall, rich, handsome is used to describe men who are tall, handsome and suave, and have lots of silver. Basically, it refers to men who are perfect in figure, appearance, and wealth."

"I see!" Jinghao glanced at Jingrui and Fang Wenri, then at himself. He pursed his lips, silently shaking his head; he was far from being tall, rich, and handsome.

Xiao’er noticed Jinghao’s subtle movement and laughed silently to herself. A young boy already wants to be tall, rich, and handsome!

"What about the Empress? She must be very beautiful, right?" Yun’er asked curiously.

"Yes, she is indeed the epitome of a fair, rich and beautiful woman!"

"So, ’tall, rich, handsome’ describes men, does ’fair, rich, beautiful’ describe women who are fair-skinned, beautiful and have silver?" Jinghao inferred.

"Correct!" Xiao’er nodded.

"Xiao’er, where did you learn these terms?" Mrs. Liu asked. This was the first time she heard these unique phrases.

"I made them up myself. What do you think, aren’t they fitting?" These are popular internet phrases from her previous life.

Everyone nodded in agreement. Shangguan was dazzlingly handsome, and the son was like that, how could the father be different! And surely a woman who could become Empress wouldn’t be plain! So these two were definitely the epitome of the world’s tall, rich and handsome men, and fair, rich and beautiful women!

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