Chapter 26

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.

“This is a promise I made to her!”

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.

“Sigh…”

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 – 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 didn’t even have tears, only able to open his mouth and wail.

As he grew older, he learned about cultivation and was certain that his mother’s death was no accident.

A Heavenly Martial Realm expert like her, with extraordinary vitality, wouldn’t 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.

“Sorry, Sixth Brother, I’ve made you recall those past events again.”

Shen Yian shook his head and smiled: “Some things have long been forgotten.”

“Sixth 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.”

Shen Jingyu had also opened up and spoken frankly.

“Fourth Brother is joking again, Sixth Brother doesn’t have the power to move against the Zhao family,” Shen Yian said with a forced smile.

“No, you do!” Shen Jingyu said firmly.

“One of the three major commercial associations, the Northern Commercial Association, belongs to you, Sixth Brother!”

To support a massive commercial association, aside from financial power, the most important thing was the size of one’s fist.

The three major commercial associations each had dozens of merchant teams, and the number of martial arts world guests they supported was staggering!

“Did the Zhao family tell the Fourth Brother?” Shen Yian narrowed his eyes.

When did the Zhao family have such strong intelligence capabilities?

“No, it was Father Emperor!”

“Father Emperor?”

Shen Yian’s expression suddenly became more vivid.

Had the old man sold him out?

Wasn’t it agreed that they would split the profits five-five and make a fortune quietly?

But he quickly reacted.

“Father Emperor, did he also take a cut from you?”

“Three-tenths of the profits.” Shen Jingyu held up three fingers.

Shen Yian’s mouth twitched, and the old man was ruthless, taking a hard-earned three-tenths of the profits from Shen Jingyu and the Zhao family.

“Did the Zhao family agree?”

“They didn’t dare disagree.”@@novelbin@@

Shen Jingyu coldly laughed, saying that a secret that could be spoken of was no longer a secret.

“Sixth Brother, do you know how long it’s been since Father Emperor last visited the Phoenix Palace?”

“I don’t know.”

“It’s been almost six years since you left, and he hasn’t visited since then.”

Shen Yian didn’t feel surprised, laughing lightly: “Is that so?”

The old man and that woman were only in a political marriage to solidify their power, and as for emotions, maybe there were some.

But, to think about it, he hadn’t seen that woman in a long time either.

“My people have already arrived in Suzhou,” Shen Jingyu raised his wine cup, his voice slightly hoarse, and he wanted to see Shen Yian’s attitude now.

Even without the other party, his plan would still proceed as scheduled.

However, their relationship would end here.

“Fourth Brother, do you hate the Zhao family that much?” Shen Yian felt like he had said something unnecessary.

In the original story, the Zhao family had left a significant psychological scar on Shen Jingyu when he was young, and it was only later, with Gu Ruoyi’s help, that he was able to recover.

Under the holy mother’s halo, after the Zhao family fell from power, Shen Jingyu didn’t kick them while they were down, and Zhao Consort remained in the King of Song’s residence, while the other Zhao family members were all expelled from Tianwu City.

Now, everything had changed beyond recognition.

“Sixth Brother, you might not be able to understand my experiences.”

Shen Jingyu covered his face and suddenly let out a sickly laugh.

“Hahahahaha!”

The Zhao family had locked him in a cage, repeatedly plucking out his reborn wings, torturing him, brainwashing him, making him feel like he was better off dead, and making him understand that his existence was only for the sake of the Zhao family.

When he was most desperate for redemption, that woman finally appeared, and he thought he was saved, but she personally pushed him into the fire pit.

He still couldn’t forget the woman’s gaze, the coldness and ruthlessness etched into his bones.

“Fourth Brother, how much of the Zhao family in Suzhou can you take down?” Shen Yian raised an eyebrow.

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 man’s nerves.

If the Zhao family in Suzhou were destroyed, the wealth and vast market left behind would be enough to drive many powers crazy.

“Three-tenths, at most three-tenths,” Shen Jingyu said firmly.

“I’m the same,” 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 wouldn’t 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 man’s side… would he care?

“Fourth Brother, I need some time to prepare.”

“I’ll wait for you.”

“Good.”

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.

“Your Highness, are you going to the Duke of State’s residence today?”

Cheng Hai drove the Drunken Immortal Pavilion’s carriage.

“No, I’ll head back to the palace first,” Shen Yian’s 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 couldn’t send people to destroy the Zhao family.

He didn’t want to expose the Hidden Guard for now.

The Heavenly Net’s 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 – Qingning Palace.

A purple thin silk canopy covered the bed, and a slender, charming figure was faintly visible on the bed.

“Your Majesty, King of Song has returned to the palace.”

A palace maid knelt beside the bed and reported softly.

“Yes, I know.”

The voice was cold, causing the kneeling palace maid to shiver slightly.

A small eunuch rushed in to report: “Your Majesty, Zhao Zhengqing from the Ministry of Rites requests an audience.”

“Let him wait in the side hall.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”