Chapter 118

Chapter 118

With Shen Dong and his two brothers helping out, Shen Yuan felt much more relaxed and had time to start planning the next play.

Shen Nan seemed very interested in writing stories. Every day after teaching people to read, he would run over to Shen Yuan and watch him write new stories.

Seeing his younger brother’s interest, Shen Yuan asked him, "Nannan, do you want to read stories or write them yourself?"

Shen Nan grinned shyly. "Brother, can I write stories?"

"Of course you can!" Shen Yuan rarely saw Shen Nan express such enthusiasm for something. He asked right away, "Do you have a story in mind that you want to write?"

Shen Nan actually nodded, his face growing even redder. "I’ve been thinking of one. Do you want to see it, brother?"

"Yes, I do!"

Shen Yuan hadn’t expected Shen Nan to keep this to himself for so long; he had no idea before.

Based on his understanding of his younger brother, Shen Yuan knew that if the child expressed a desire to write a story himself, it meant the story in his mind was already polished. Only then would he muster the courage to show it, allowing Shen Yuan to discover it.

Shen Yuan moved a set of his own paper, ink, and a brush over for Shen Nan, letting him sit beside him to write.

Shen Nan was thrilled to be able to stay with his eldest brother.

He sat obediently, thought for a bit with the brush in hand, and then began writing his story earnestly.

Shen Yuan smiled as he glanced at his younger brother, checking he was settled and had everything he needed, then lowered his head to start writing his own story.

Shen Dong and Shen Xi looked around outside but couldn’t find Shen Nan, so the two brothers came to Shen Yuan’s place to check.

Opening the door, they saw Shen Nan sitting with their eldest brother, both writing. Shen Xi dashed over immediately. "Big brother, big brother, big brother! I want to draw here too!"

Shen Yuan asked Shen Dong if he wanted to stay as well, to write or draw something. Shen Dong nodded firmly.

The four brothers stayed in one room, each diligently writing or drawing, until it got dark. Only then did they pack up their things and head home for dinner.

As soon as they arrived home, a tiny, wobbly figure came running out from the courtyard.

Shen Yuan quickly stepped forward, crouched down, and opened his arms with a smile in his eyes. "Beibei came to welcome big brother!"

Shen Bei revealed her small, white teeth, nodding happily. She first hugged her eldest brother, then her second, third, and fourth brothers—leaving no one out.

The child was really cute, and her older brothers doted on her. Every day, whoever was free would play with her.

Shen Bei was at a curious and playful age. With her brothers and aunt accompanying her, she was happy and carefree every day.

Usually, when Shen Yuan was away during the day and Shen Dong and the others were practicing martial arts with the guards sent by Xie Yulin, Shen Anniang would go grocery shopping with Chunyan, Ji Shuang's wife. They took Shen Bei and Chunyan’s daughter, Yuanyuan, along.

Having experienced hardship herself, now that the family had money and lacked neither food nor clothing, Shen Anniang would occasionally visit pastry shops and sweet shops to buy delicious treats to keep at home. Anyone could help themselves.

These were all sweet things. Apart from Shen Yuan, who wasn't interested, everyone else in the family loved them dearly.

Especially Shen Bei. The little one would even clutch pastries in her hand while sleeping. Despite her young age, her grip was surprisingly strong—no one could open her soft, chubby little hand.

After hugging his younger sister, Shen Xi ran to his room, searched through a small box in his nightstand, and took out the wooden bracelet stored inside. He compared it with the wooden bracelet illustration brought from the Storytellers' Union.

Apart from the orientation, the floral and plant patterns on the wooden bracelet in his hand were the same as those in the illustration.

Even the missing parts of the petals and the curling of the grass leaves were identical.

When Shen Yuan entered, he saw Shen Xi holding the wooden bracelet, deep in thought.

"The same?"

Shen Xi nodded. "When will big brother contact Merchant Lu?"

Previously, Lu Yuan had left a way to contact him, giving his address in Westmoon.

Shen Yuan said, "Tomorrow, I’ll go to the escort agency to see if there are any escorts heading in that direction. I’ll pay them some silver to deliver a message."

Shen Xi put the wooden bracelet away and didn't mention whether he could see Song Zijuan again.

The next day, as promised, Shen Yuan wrote the message on a piece of cloth, put it into a bamboo tube, and took it to the escort agency.

After handling this matter, Shen Yuan returned to the Storytellers' Union.

He couldn’t help but wonder: Song Zijuan had means and channels. After all these years, had he truly not found his birth family?

Thinking of Song Zijuan, Shen Yuan let out a soft sigh.

On the day they parted, the last thing Song Zijuan said to him was to stay away from Xie Yulin.

Yet, in the events that followed, not only did he not stay away, but he became much closer instead.

However, the nature of his current relationship with Xie Yulin was known only to his younger uncle; none of his other close relatives or friends were aware yet.

He had no intention of hiding it, but considering how his loved ones might react, he hadn’t openly declared it.

Shen Yuan’s new play, "Catching Demons," was halfway written when someone from the North Country arrived.

It was Wu Ming.

Knowing that accomplishing this task would earn him merit, Wu Ming acted more decently this time, not acting arrogantly towards everyone.

More importantly, the person receiving him was Chang Linyan.

Wu Ming had had a hard time at Chang Linyan’s hands before. This time, he only wanted to claim his merit peacefully and didn’t dare cause any trouble.

Shen Yuan didn’t know exactly what was discussed between the two parties. He only knew that Wu Ming arrived and departed quickly.

After he left, the two workshops outside the city began working around the clock, running three shifts and burning the midnight oil to keep processing goods.

A team of guards was also selected from the military to escort the goods to the North Country.

For nearly half of the year, the North Country was in wintertime.

While Wu Country was already experiencing the warmth of spring, the North Country remained freezing cold.

The ice sculptors trained by Xie Yulin’s shadow guards also went to the North Country with the escort team.

The North Country was powerful and renowned. Moreover, since the goods were destined for the imperial city, the bandits and robbers along the way were too afraid for their lives to interfere. No matter how tempting the cargo was, they didn’t dare raid official shipments.

Not only would raiding mean losing their heads—even touching the goods could cost them their lives.

The trade between the two countries caused quite a stir among the various nations.

Westmoon Country was the first to receive the news.

While Wu Country’s escort team was still halfway there, inside the Westmoon imperial palace, the Emperor of Westmoon’s face was dark and stormy. The attendants beside him didn’t dare make a sound, keeping their heads bowed low.

"Song Zijun urged me to ban everything related to the stories of Wu, yet Wu is now doing business with the North. Intelligence reports say their cooperation is tied specifically to those stories and plays," the Emperor of Xiyue said in a low voice, his face fierce. "Zhao Yuanshan, tell me, have I placed too much trust in Prime Minister Song?"

The eunuch Zhao Yuanshan pondered for a moment. "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Song is exceptionally capable. His actions must have their own reasoning. It is only that I am dull-witted and cannot grasp the wisdom behind his decisions."

The Emperor of Xiyue snorted coldly. "What wisdom could the head of a spy agency have? And where does this 'exceptional capability' come from?"

"Speak plainly. Why are you hesitating?" the Emperor said impatiently.

Zhao Yuanshan immediately responded, "Those outside the palace often speak of Prime Minister Song that way. Having heard it so much, I naturally remembered it. When Your Majesty suddenly asked, the words just slipped out before I could think."

"Are you saying that both civil and military officials view Song Zijun this way?"

The Emperor’s gaze turned dangerous. Sweat beaded on Zhao Yuanshan’s forehead, and he threw himself to the ground with a thud. Instead of confirming directly, he humbled himself and pleaded, "I misspoke due to a clumsy tongue. I beg Your Majesty for punishment."

Ignoring him, the Emperor’s temples bulged with veins as he suppressed a bellyful of rage.

Song Zijun, oh Song Zijun, it seems I have underestimated you. To think you have been secretly building factions and currying favor with so many court officials behind my back.

Even a eunuch knows about it. Just imagine how brazen you have become, not even trying to hide it anymore.

The Emperor frowned deeply and said to Zhao Yuanshan, "Tell me everything you know about Song Zijun."

He hid a faint smile, yet Zhao Yuanshan's tone remained filled with trepidation. "As you command, Your Majesty."

Zhao Yuanshan did not say much. For a palace eunuch, knowing too much about the affairs of civil and military officials would arouse suspicion.

Thus, he picked out a few things he'd noticed: how during court assemblies, he had inadvertently seen officials showing great respect toward Song Zijun, and how private discussions often held him in high regard.

The Emperor didn't doubt him for a second; instead, he found Zhao Yuanshan’s words credible, figuring a eunuch wouldn't dare lie to him.

As for verifying the truth, it all happened a while ago, consisting merely of casual conversations and attitudes that were impossible to investigate now.

And the Emperor, already suspicious and dissatisfied with Song Zijun, chose to believe only what suited him.

However, Song Zijun currently held the position of Prime Minister. Though he lacked a foundation in influential families, he had the whole spy agency under his command.

His network of spies, informants, and the leverage and resources they held had to be fully secured before the Emperor could move to arrest him.

Once he'd decided on a plan, the Emperor said to Zhao Yuanshan, "Have Prime Minister Song come see me."

On his way, Song Zijun pondered why the Emperor had summoned him.

It couldn't be anything good.

After kneeling in the hall and rising to his feet, he heard the emperor on the throne command, "Shen Yuan, the State Preceptor of Wu, who previously refused Westmoon’s offers, is now behind those stories and plays that led to trade with the North. This individual is too great a threat. Since he cannot be used for my purposes, he has to be taken out. He must not be allowed to grow stronger. This matter is entrusted to you, Prime Minister Song. You have three months."

Song Zijun’s spine stiffened momentarily. Concealing his expression, he bowed his head to accept the order. "As Your Majesty commands."

"Make it quick. You may go and make arrangements."

The Emperor of Xiyue dismissed Song Zijun and, watching his retreating back, could not help but smile.

That Shen Yuan was Wu’s treasure. If Song Zijun could kill him, Westmoon stands to gain. If he failed, no matter. As long as Song Zijun tried to kill Shen Yuan, Wu would not let him go.

At that time, he could just claim to the world that it was all Song Zijun’s personal doing. Even if Wu’s fury was immense, they would not dare direct it at him.

Using Wu’s hands to eliminate Song Zijun wouldn't turn the spy agency against him. Instead, he could use Song Zijun's death as an excuse to completely take control of it.

The Emperor took a deep breath, his mood greatly improved.

The Wu guards traveled for over a month before finally arriving in the North.

Upon entering the imperial city, they were taken to the palace by ministers who had been waiting.

This time, Wu brought many accessories and outfits—clothes and jewelry from various stories.

These were to be exchanged for grain and horses from the North.

After checking, everything was in order.

The North, anxious for the Wu team to teach the techniques from *Snow Disaster*, didn't drag their feet, as that would only waste their own time.

They promptly provided all the items for exchange, letting some of the guards take the goods back.

The group from Wu divided into three groups.

One group returned with the exchanged goods. Another stayed in the North to teach the rescue methods, tool fabrication, and ice house construction related to *Snow Disaster*.

The third group was special—they were ice sculptors trained under Xie Yulin.

Previously, an agreement had been reached: the North would get the ice sculpting know-how, but they could not interfere with Wu’s selection of individuals to learn it.

The Wu personnel acted strictly according to the regulations, operating under the close watch of Northern officials.

While the imperial city began learning the techniques from *Snow Disaster*, the ice sculptors—actually undercover guards—went to the countryside under surveillance to select candidates.

Arriving in the snowy rural outskirts, they stared in surprise at the endless white.

All countries spoke of the North’s power and wealth.

The imperial city was just as described. Heavily guarded and strictly governed, there was no theft or robbery to speak of.

Even the ground was clean, paved with bluestone. The buildings were made of stone bricks rather than cheap timber.

Amidst the wind and snow, the imperial city stood tall, solemn, and imposing.

Anyone who saw it would marvel at its power.

Yet no one mentioned that beyond the city gates, the world was so desolate.

The land was a vast, boundless white, seemingly devoid of human traces.

Led by Northern officials, they walked for a long time before finally reaching a village.

The hamlet, battered by snow and wind, showed no one outside.

The houses here were not built of stone or wood, but of yellow mud and thatch.

It was noon, yet no cooking smoke rose from any household.

The Northern officials were reluctant to enter. They left a few minor clerks on guard while the rest returned to the warmth of the city, where people belonged.