Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Concubine Mei and Concubine Song of the Shen residence were not actually stupid.

It was just that their vision was ultimately too narrow; they could only see the small world of the inner courtyard, only knew how to pander to men's preferences for beauty, and failed to grasp the true situation.

Thus, the young ladies and gentlemen they raised naturally lacked the same breadth of vision, their actions inevitably somewhat inappropriate, prone to being smug and overconfident.

And Lord Shen was a man who prioritized his own interests above all else. If anyone harmed his interests, he could cut them off without a second thought.

Even his most valued legitimate eldest son was no exception, let alone the concubines and their children in the inner courtyard.

Therefore, Madam Shen was not at all worried about what would follow; she just needed to stir the pot a little and wait for the show to unfold.

On the other side.

After Han Zhang and his husband left the Shen residence.

Before Han Zhang could comfort Shen Qinglan for the snubs from his siblings after marrying him, Shen Qinglan—this lovestruck fool—instead took the initiative to console him first.

"Husband, don't take those gossips' words to heart. Third Sister's husband is just a dandy, and Fourth Brother's husband is merely a fallen imperial clansman. How can sparrows compare to a soaring swan like you?"

"Apart from their family background, they are nothing. But you, husband, are different. You're handsome and talented, truly a rare and outstanding man in this world."

"As the saying goes, 'People don't recognize the towering tree until it reaches the clouds.' ... 'After countless washings and siftings, the sand is blown away to reveal the gold.' ... I believe that you will one day achieve your ambitions, reach the summit, and overlook all the mountains!"

Shen Qinglan scratched his head, racking his brains to recall poems he had read, desperately trying to piece together a few more verses to encourage his beloved.

But his literary knowledge was lacking; after searching his memory for a long time, he could only come up with these scattered lines, unable to recite the entire poems. It really taxed his little brain.

And it was also completely endearing to Han Zhang.

Han Zhang couldn't help but smile and tease him, letting out a light sigh on purpose, "But what they said is true. I'm indeed of humble origins, and now I live off your dowry. Besides, setting aside family background is a matter for the future. For now, they can indeed throw their weight around, which I cannot match..."

"Even if Third Sister's husband and Fourth Brother's husband have no merits, Fifth Brother's husband is the legitimate heir to a powerful marquisate. I heard he also holds the title of a cultivated scholar, with a bright future ahead. I'm afraid even decades of effort might not let me catch up to him..."

Although Han Zhang looked down on Fan Zixu and his ilk, he would not truly regard them as useless idiots or consider himself invincible.

Underestimating your enemy and being arrogant are major no-nos in military strategy. You have to recognize your opponents' strengths to counter them properly and become unstoppable.

But all this was too much for Shen Qinglan's simple mind.

In his simple, pure worldview, he believed that his beloved was the best, and no one could speak ill of his Brother Han, not even Brother Han himself.

Scowling, Shen Qinglan covered Han Zhang's mouth and quickly retorted, "Husband, I won't let you say that! Family background is ultimately external; gains and losses are possible, but only the knowledge and skills within you can't be taken away. How can a shallow puddle trap a real dragon? You'll soon soar high and far."

"Besides... there's one thing you have that Fifth Brother's husband can never catch up to, no matter how hard he tries."

The young lad blushed and snuggled into his husband's arms, his voice full of pride:

"My husband is devoted and faithful in love. How many men in this world can say the same? Even if you offered me mountains of gold and silver or boundless wealth, I wouldn't trade this husband."

"Moreover, didn't you tell me before that in dealing with the world, one should play to one's strengths, not compare one's weaknesses to others' strengths? Why are you so down on yourself now?"

"In my heart, you're a god descended to earth, not comparable to those mediocrities."

His Brother Han was simply the greatest person in the world, and he only loved his Brother Han.

If such clumsy, blindly adoring praise came from anyone else, Han Zhang would not be moved. But Shen Qinglan was different.

Shen Qinglan's words always touched a chord in his heart, reaching its softest part.

Han Zhang's voice softened in a way he himself didn't even notice: "You love me..."

He never thought that someone like him, who crawled out of the mud, could win such genuine love. How easy his little husband was to please!

His little husband was not only easy to please but also knew how to soothe him.

Hearing such heartfelt words, Shen Qinglan's cheeks flushed with shyness, but he nodded proudly:

"Yes! I am the one who loves you most in this world, because you treat me the same way. We've faced life and death together, and no one can compare to this bond."

Seeing his proud expression was truly endearing.

Han Zhang couldn't help but chuckle softly, resting his chin on his beloved's hair, his gaze warm as water.

"My husband is right. I was too narrow-minded..."

Seeing that he seemed to have finally come around.

Shen Qinglan breathed a sigh of relief, thought for a moment, then said slyly:

"Husband, today those brothers-in-law dared to cause trouble in front of my father and humiliate us. Just wait—within a few days, my father will surely teach them a lesson!"

"Your father-in-law?" Han Zhang asked in surprise. "What makes you say that, husband?"

Since he asked, Shen Qinglan was happy to explain.

The young lad puffed out his chest proudly and boasted, "Husband, that's because your husband here is incredibly clever and resourceful. I've prepared the ground long ago."

"My father—well, although he's cunning, treacherous, unfaithful to my mother, and thick-skinned as a city wall..."

He rattled off a long list of faults before turning the corner: "But he does have one virtue—he is extremely bold and ruthless. Whoever treads on his nerves or blocks his career path, he will turn his back on even his own family."

"Look at those superiors who gave him trouble in his early years; some were dismissed from office, while others were packed off to remote, impoverished lands to open up wasteland... That shows how petty my father can be!"

"So back home, although I often gave him a hard time and threw tantrums, it was always small-scale trouble within the inner courtyard. I never dared to truly cross my father's bottom line or harm his interests."

"Now, my younger siblings have grown bold enough to openly embarrass him... They haven't gained any advantage from their husbands, but instead have endured plenty of resentment. If my father doesn't teach them a lesson, then the sun will rise in the west..."

As Shen Qinglan spoke, his tone carried a hint of wistfulness and wariness.

His younger siblings in the household thought that when he had his betrothals snatched away before, he made a huge fuss but ultimately had to obediently listen to his father, accept compensation, and let the matter drop. Did they think he was just a paper tiger?

That was only because he knew his father's methods were venomous. If he truly angered him, he could end up 'dying of illness' in no time!

Han Zhang was genuinely taken aback: "I didn't expect your father-in-law to have such means..."

Although he had investigated the Shen family before, due to limited time and access, he could only gather so much information about Lord Shen's official career.

Especially since Lord Shen had previously served as an official far away; it was even harder to get details from a thousand miles away.

He really hadn't expected that this seemingly genial father-in-law, whom his wife often rolled her eyes at, turned out to be such a formidable and ruthless character?

But thinking about it, anyone who had clawed their way up from the bottom—how many of them were truly kind?

Without some cunning and ruthlessness, they would have died a hundred times over.

"In any case, my father... well, it's hard to explain in just a few words. Just wait and see what happens to my brothers-in-law, and you'll understand."

After revealing these secrets, Shen Qinglan did not forget to shower his beloved with praise again.

"My husband remains the wise one, always maintaining a gentleman's demeanor, dignified and courteous. Compared to my younger siblings and their husbands, my father is surely very satisfied with you, his worthy son-in-law, and will definitely extend great support to you in the future."

"Oh, husband, how can you be so clever?"

Having said that, Shen Qinglan showed an expression of infatuated admiration.

The emotional boost was incredible.

It made Han Zhang hold him in his arms, reluctant to let go, grinning uncontrollably.

"Alright, my dear husband, if you keep praising me like this, I'll be floating on air... Let's go to the restaurant; we barely ate at the banquet. You must be hungry, right?"

"Mm! I didn't notice it before, but now that you mention it, I'm really starving. Husband, let's go to Drunken Immortal Tower. I want to eat the wine-braised goose there..."

The couple chatted and laughed sweetly, telling the coachman to drive to the restaurant.

But once they arrived, their smiles faded.

Because...

The waiter said apologetically, "Please forgive me, dear patrons. The wine-braised goose is a specialty exclusive to our private rooms, and all private rooms are fully booked today."

In other words, not only would they miss out on the goose, but they'd have to eat in the loud main hall.

Han Zhang didn't mind in the least.

But for Shen Qinglan, who had grown up accustomed to the finest things and was very particular about his daily needs, it was inevitably a bit uncomfortable.

After all, there's a fundamental difference between choosing to eat street food and having no choice but to eat it.

Shen Qinglan looked at the signs hanging on the wall and asked, somewhat displeased,

"Aren't there still signs for two private rooms?"

If those signs are up, it means the rooms are still empty. Why can't we use them?

The waiter looked at them awkwardly, hesitated a moment, then explained as politely as he could.

"This young master might be new here and unfamiliar with our establishment's rules... In our establishment, the private rooms are reserved for officials and nobles."

The waiter was polite, but the message was clear: they didn't qualify.

In this world, social classes were distinct; one's status could be read from their clothing and accessories.

Han Zhang's attire told anyone with discerning eyes that he was an ordinary xiucai; he held a scholarly title, but was still a commoner.

In the current world, people were sharply divided into grades, and the treatment they received was as different as heaven and earth.

At that moment,

Han Zhang keenly felt the class divide of this era.

Shen Qinglan finally understood what it meant to marry beneath his station.