Chapter 26: Shen Jingyu is in a Hurry!
In the first year of Yonghui, Emperor Wu ascended to the throne.
That same year, Emperor Wu married a woman named Xiao from the martial arts world, despite the dissuasion of civil and military officials.
âThis is a promise I made to her!â
On that day, the red silk stretched for three thousand miles, and the entire city was filled with flowers.
She was extremely favored by Emperor Wu.
The woman from the martial arts world was henceforth known to all as Consort Xiao.
In the third year of Yonghui, Consort Xiao gave birth to a son. Emperor Wu was overjoyed and the whole city celebrated.
That same month, Consort Xiao passed away due to illness, and Emperor Wu was heartbroken, drinking excessively and neglecting state affairs. The officials petitioned, and the King of Langya temporarily took over the administration.
âSigh...â
Shen Yian gently stroked the tiny crack on the wine cup and let out a soft sigh.
It seemed he almost lost control of his killing intent again.
Consort Xiao was his mother in this world.
It was laughable to think about it â in two lifetimes, his soul had grown so much, and yet he still yearned for motherly love, perhaps due to being an orphan in his past life.
But heaven always loved to play jokes on him. He clearly remembered that day, just like today, with thunderous roars and heavy rain, many people rushed into the grand palace, and gradually, the crying sounds surpassed the rain outside.
He wanted to cry, but his weak body at that time didnât even have tears, only able to open his mouth and wail.
As he grew older, he learned about cultivation and was certain that his motherâs death was no accident.
A Heavenly Martial Realm expert like her, with extraordinary vitality, wouldnât die so easily.
Poison or curse, anyone who wanted to take the life of a Heavenly Martial Realm expert would have to strike when they were at their weakest.
His birth brought about an opportunity.
The Empress... the three noble consorts... haha...
Every time he thought about his life in the palace, he felt that he had been lucky to grow up in such an environment.
âSorry, Sixth Brother, Iâve made you recall those past events again.â
Shen Yian shook his head and smiled: âSome things have long been forgotten.â
âSixth Brother, aside from that one person, you can deal with the rest of the Zhao family as you see fit. I can provide you with all the information about the Zhao family.â
Shen Jingyu had also opened up and spoken frankly.
âFourth Brother is joking again, Sixth Brother doesnât have the power to move against the Zhao family,â Shen Yian said with a forced smile.
âNo, you do!â Shen Jingyu said firmly.
âOne of the three major commercial associations, the Northern Commercial Association, belongs to you, Sixth Brother!â
To support a massive commercial association, aside from financial power, the most important thing was the size of oneâs fist.
The three major commercial associations each had dozens of merchant teams, and the number of martial arts world guests they supported was staggering!
âDid the Zhao family tell the Fourth Brother?â Shen Yian narrowed his eyes.
If they simply destroyed the Zhao family in Suzhou, it would be relatively easy, as there were only a few direct descendants and many collateral relatives, and the commercial association also had a foothold there.
The Zhao family members in Tianwu City were mostly direct descendants, and many held official positions, so taking action rashly might trigger the old manâs nerves.
If the Zhao family in Suzhou were destroyed, the wealth and vast market left behind would be enough to drive many powers crazy.
âThree-tenths, at most three-tenths,â Shen Jingyu said firmly.
âIâm the same,â Shen Yian smiled lightly.
Eating too much at once would definitely provoke a backlash from various powers, and it was better for everyone to have a share.
By then, the Emperor would be far away, and the Zhao family in Tianwu City wouldnât have a chance to rescue them.
Without the Zhao family in Suzhou, Zhao Consort and the Zhao family in Tianwu City would be like cutting off both arms.
As for the old manâs side... would he care?
âFourth Brother, I need some time to prepare.â
âIâll wait for you.â
âGood.â
The wine cups clinked, and the two drank in unison.
The heavy rain gradually subsided, leaving only a mess on the table, and Wen Wu drove away with Shen Jingyu in a horse-drawn carriage.
âYour Highness, are you going to the Duke of Stateâs residence today?â
Cheng Hai drove the Drunken Immortal Pavilionâs carriage.
âNo, Iâll head back to the palace first,â Shen Yianâs face was slightly gloomy.
It was easy to say, but to actually destroy the Zhao family in Suzhou, there was too much preparation needed, and one move would affect the entire body.
The commercial association could go and eat the cake, but they couldnât send people to destroy the Zhao family.
He didnât want to expose the Hidden Guard for now.
The Heavenly Netâs price was high, and the unstable factors were also high.
By the way, he had forgotten about those guys who had sneaked in from the coast.
Many of them were capable and would do anything for money.
It was like using trash to get rid of trash.
Imperial Palace â Qingning Palace.
A purple thin silk canopy covered the bed, and a slender, charming figure was faintly visible on the bed.
âYour Majesty, King of Song has returned to the palace.â
A palace maid knelt beside the bed and reported softly.
âYes, I know.â
The voice was cold, causing the kneeling palace maid to shiver slightly.
A small eunuch rushed in to report: âYour Majesty, Zhao Zhengqing from the Ministry of Rites requests an audience.â
âLet him wait in the side hall.â
âYes, Your Majesty.â