Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Shen Qinglan's father really wasn't a good guy.

But in the murky waters of officialdom, kindness had no place. Those who survived in officialdom were either exceptionally talented or, if they lacked skill, masters of scheming and getting things done.

Shen Qinglan's father belonged to the latter category.

He lacked great ability, but he knew how to curry favor, how to read the room, and how to accomplish things exactly as his superiors wanted.

His path to power was indeed dirty—he didn't hesitate to stab friends and colleagues in the back, which made most people keep their distance. Yet, there were certain matters in officialdom that required just such a person.

So, with all the power plays among different factions, it was no surprise Shen Qinglan's father climbed the ladder.

When Shen Qinglan heard the news of his father's promotion, his first reaction was not joy but fear.

"I knew my dad wouldn't go easy. That mess with Third Sister's in-laws—ninety-nine percent it was my dad! Otherwise, it couldn't be such a coincidence..."

Outsiders might not know, but Shen Qinglan knew exactly what his dad was like.

Han Zhang mulled over the matter and couldn't help but feel a reluctant respect for his father-in-law.

"Surviving in a tight corner, seizing chances when they come, cutting ties decisively... Father-in-law has indeed shown considerable skill in rising from a poor scholar to his current position."

"Skill? He's completely unscrupulous! He always acts like this. I'm scared I'll wake up one day to find soldiers surrounding our house and everything seized!"

Shen Qinglan was deeply worried.

The cushy life of an official's son wasn't so cushy after all. His father's methods were far too unscrupulous; in Shen Qinglan's eyes, he was exactly the kind of corrupt official you read about in storybooks, destined for a miserable end.

And since Shen Qinglan was in his father's nine clans, he'd be caught up in it too.

However, Han Zhang could understand Shen Qinglan's father's position: "The path your father chose is indeed like walking a tightrope—one misstep and it's over. But with no exceptional talent and a humble background, he had no choice but to be a willing tool for others and take risks."

"It's incredibly hard for scholars from humble families to make a name for themselves. Unless they are exceptionally lucky or brilliantly gifted, most are swept along by circumstances, forced to play along. Otherwise, they spend their lives on the sidelines, stuck in low-level posts with nothing to show for it..."

Look at the biographies of famous poets who wrote timeless poems—you can see that those with integrity and unwillingness to compromise rarely thrived in officialdom.

Even if a man was upright and capable, rising to high office, his end was often tragic.

Only when the emperor on the throne was not just wise but also a strong leader did many humble scholars get a chance to shine—like the famous Golden Age of Zhenguan.

To be honest, if Han Zhang didn't have his own hidden advantages and were in his father-in-law's shoes, his hands might not be any cleaner in climbing the ranks.

Shen Qinglan understood these principles—business also had its tricks and schemes.

But understanding didn't ease his worry.

He could only puff out his cheeks and sigh: "Ah, thinking so much now is futile. Let's take it one day at a time. While bad things haven't happened yet, we might as well enjoy the moment."

"Husband, I've decided—tomorrow I'm going to Rainbow Garment Pavilion and buying both bolts of the Shimmering Silk they just got in! This year's supply of that silk is really scarce; even my mom's fabric store couldn't get any. But I can't let that stop me from making new clothes..."

Just talking about pretty clothes made the young man's eyes light up—nothing could get in the way of his fun.

Han Zhang chuckled softly, ruffled his young husband's hair, and indulged him: "Do as you like. Life is but a few short decades; enjoy it while you can. As for your father... don't worry, love. Once I have the ability, I'll make sure to look after him."

Father Shen, who had not been the one to fall from grace himself but was instead exiled due to his son-in-law in the future: ...

Unaware of what the future held, Shen Qinglan now had absolute trust in his Brother Han. After hearing Han Zhang’s comforting promise, his worries were indeed eased.

Then the young lad's eyes flickered as he slyly calculated:

"Father has been promoted. As his son and son-in-law, we should return to the mansion to offer our congratulations. And the day after tomorrow happens to be the academy's day off—husband, how about you come back with me?"

After all, who knew when their father would drag them down? Now that his promotion brought glory and benefits, they naturally couldn’t miss out. Otherwise, what a loss it would be to be dragged down later.

"My husband, what you say is reasonable."

Han Zhang chuckled, pinching the cheek of his lover, who wore a cunning smile, and nodded. "We really should pay a visit. Besides congratulating Father-in-law on his promotion, I also need to pick up your second brother's studies again. I promised him earlier that I would guarantee he passes the Tongsheng exam next year."

Shen Qinglan hadn’t known about this, and he was taken aback. "What Tongsheng?"

"It was that time at the Moxiang Tea House..."

Han Zhang briefly recounted how he had talked his brother-in-law into it, of course with a polished version of the story.

After hearing this, Shen Qinglan could only hold his forehead and sigh deeply.

"Oh heavens, husband, how could you promise my second brother such a thing? When it comes to the Four Books and Five Classics, he’s like seven orifices open but six closed—meaning he's completely clueless! Do you know that at his age, he still hasn’t memorized the entire 'Thousand Character Classic'?"

Shen Huaizhi: ...Can you stop bringing this up, please?

Shen Qinglan refused, continuing his rant: "Husband, you have no idea about my second brother’s brain. I can still recite a couple of poems, but he can’t even finish reciting the 'Thousand Character Classic'! He would be competent at managing a shop, but to pass the imperial exams? That’s as likely as the sun rising in the west—impossible!"

It wasn’t that he looked down on his second brother; it was just that his brother truly was even worse at studying than him.

Han Zhang struggled not to laugh. "Husband, don’t be so harsh. I think Second Brother is actually quite clever. He's no good at studying, likely due to ineffective study methods and a lack of focus."

"No way, absolutely no way. I know my second brother inside out."

Shen Qinglan waved his hand dismissively, convinced his husband was just humoring him.

"Then how about we make a bet, husband?"

"What kind of bet?"

"We bet on whether I can make Second Brother concentrate on his studies and show improvement. If I win, you'll owe me one favor; if I can’t, I'll owe you one. How about it?"

Shen Qinglan found this interesting. "Then why not just bet on whether Second Brother passes the Tongsheng exam next year?"

"The bet's timeline is too long—I can't wait that long..." Han Zhang leaned close to his ear, lowering his voice with a smile. "I want to delve into with you, my husband, that book 'The Scholar and the Little Demon Monk' in your trunk..."

It was only after marriage that he realized his little husband, who blushed and got shy so easily, had a mental world that was extraordinarily bold and unfettered. Ordinary tales of gifted scholars and beautiful ladies—his husband wouldn't even look at them.

The storybooks stored in his trunk were all about monks and demons, elder brothers-in-law and younger brothers, widowed young men and their adoptive brothers’ tales, and so on... The relationships were truly thrilling and taboo, the plots were full of dramatic ups and downs.

Was this the kind of "knowledge" a simple young lad ought to have?

Han Zhang deeply suspected that it wasn’t Shen Qinglan who had been tricked into marriage—he was the one who had been fooled.

But then again.

Having a little husband with such "knowledge" certainly made him all the more blessed.

Meeting his lover’s intense gaze, Shen Qinglan’s face showed shyness, but he said boldly: "Then I'll play the little demon monk."

This is already a foregone conclusion, regardless of winning or losing.

Han Zhang pulled the young lad into his arms, laughing as he leaned back. "Alright, little demon monk, Master Han sends his greetings."

"Is this how the scholar greets?" the young lad immediately slipped into character, using a tone straight out of the storybooks, his eyes filled with charm. "You're squeezing little demon's hand too hard～"

Such a sweet, seductive charm that flowed like water.

It made Han Zhang want to drown in this paradise of tenderness forever.

…

Love needs bread to keep going.

No matter how much Han Zhang longed for the lingering bliss of that tender haven, he still had to pull himself together and strive for his career.

When it came to tutoring Second Brother Shen, beyond fulfilling his earlier promise,

Han Zhang's primary goal was actually to gain the respect and support of Father Shen, thereby getting himself sent to the Imperial Academy.

First, the quality of teaching and the library at the Imperial Academy were superior to those at Xiangnan Academy.

Second, most students at the Imperial Academy came from prominent backgrounds, making it easier for him to network and build connections.

It might look like he's just sucking up to the rich and powerful, but Han Zhang didn't see it as a problem. As someone who had started a business before, he knew too well the importance of connections.

Many times, a good connection could save you a hell of a lot of effort.

He didn't care about saving face and could swallow his pride, so why not take this shortcut?

Han Zhang wanted to climb up, to rise as quickly as possible.

He didn't want to grind away and wait like Father Shen did, so he had to create his own opportunities and make his own luck for advancement!

Having mapped out his next steps,

On his day off, Han Zhang and Shen Qinglan prepared congratulatory gifts and headed to the Shen residence to celebrate Father Shen's promotion.

Also coming to the Shen residence to offer congratulations that day were Shen Qingshuang, her two sisters, and their husbands.

But unlike their previous snobbish and disdainful attitudes, this time the three couples appeared much more humble and restrained.

What could they do? The situation had turned upside down!

The Fan, Zhao, and Chai families had been demoted one after another, while Father Shen had overtaken them to become a close minister at the emperor's side.

They were merely proud, not stupid. Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, who would dare to act arrogantly? That would be asking for trouble!

Now that their families' fortunes had taken a nosedive, naturally, they didn't dare cross their father-in-law, who was on the rise.

Of course, this was also because the three families didn't yet know that Father Shen had used them as stepping stones. Otherwise, who would still be acting all chummy with that bastard as in-laws?