Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Old Master Shen, viewed through a modern lens, was indeed not a good person.

But in the current era, he was a very qualified patriarch, with everything prioritized around the family's future and interests. He had zero tolerance for letting emotions cloud his judgment.

When faced with the eldest legitimate son he had nurtured for years, he could abandon him without hesitation.

When faced with the second legitimate son he had neglected for years, he could humble himself without reservation.

This ability to bend without breaking, frankly speaking, though heavily criticized, was often precisely what allowed such people to go the farthest.

At least now, Han Zhang didn't mind cooperating with his father-in-law.

He also dropped his probing, no longer concealing, and smiled lightly as he nodded candidly:

"Father-in-law, I understand your thinking, but I don't necessarily agree with it. However, discussing interests is indeed more practical than discussing feelings, so... how exactly does Father-in-law intend to negotiate these interests? I'm a greedy one, I'll have you know."

"You're a sensible man, son-in-law."

Old Master Shen was quite satisfied with his performance, nodding before continuing.

"In the past, I valued Huairen because his temperament was very much like mine—willing to go to any lengths for profit. Coupled with his natural talent for scholarship, I didn't hesitate to pour all the family's resources into him."

"Unfortunately, time has proven I backed the wrong son. Huairen is small-minded, lacks the big picture, and his methods are amateurish and underhanded. If I truly entrusted the Shen family to him, he'd run us all into the ground sooner or later..."

Han Zhang remained noncommittal: "Then isn't Father-in-law afraid of picking wrong again? Second Brother isn't exactly broad-minded either. What if you choose wrong again? You have more than two sons, so why force a binary choice? Don't put all your eggs in one basket, after all."

"Do you think I don't know that logic? It's just that the Shen family's connections and finances are limited. One monk carries water, two monks share the load, three monks have no water at all... If resources are spread thin, everyone becomes mediocre, and no one stands out."

Old Master Shen let out a long sigh, then continued: "As for those concubine-born sons, each harbors the ambition of a tiger but couldn't even subdue a chicken. I'd sooner bet on Huaizhi than on them."

"Huaizhi's only flaw is that he's poor at his studies and too lazy to strive. But in everything else—his people skills, his social graces, his vision and magnanimity—he far surpasses Huairen."

"He may seem muddled, but he knows exactly what's what. He may seem like he's not competing, but when it's time to take what's his, he doesn't hold back."

"Huaizhi and Lan Geer may seem unreliable on the surface, but no matter how they bicker, they never truly harm the family's foundation. They understand trade-offs and know when to bow their heads... This wisdom and tact are unmatched by anyone else in the household."

"So, Qinzhang, my good son-in-law, as long as you can polish this rough diamond for me, whatever you need in the future—if the Shen family can provide it, help yourself to whatever you need."

"Besides, Lan Geer and Huaizhi share a deep brotherly bond. If Huaizhi eventually takes the helm of the Shen family, wouldn't that be another asset in your corner?"

With that.

Old Master Shen took out a letter from his bosom and gently pushed it toward Han Zhang:

"This is a small token of my good faith. Since you haven't entered officialdom yet, there are things I can't directly hand over to you. The eminent scholar Fang at the Imperial Academy owes me a favor from years past. Keep this letter, and as for how and when to use it—that's up to you."

The eminent scholar Fang?

He was one of the most renowned scholars of the day, whose students could be found everywhere.

Han Zhang hadn't expected his father-in-law, who seemed so unassuming, to have connections with such a figure. He's got some real connections, huh?

"Very well. Since Father-in-law is so forthright, I'll do as you ask. However, I have one more request I hope you'll grant."

Han Zhang only paused for a moment's thought before agreeing with a smile.

Because even if Old Master Shen hadn't come to him, he had already planned to egg Shen Huaizhi on to compete for the position of Shen family heir.

Otherwise, why would he go to so much trouble cultivating this wife's older brother? If he only hoped the man would excel at his studies, it'd be such a waste.

Don't underestimate the Shen family's humble standing—the fact that Old Master Shen could be transferred up to the Office of Transmission proved not only his capability but also his network of connections and resources!

Han Zhang clasped his hands and said: "Lan'er is pure-hearted and simple. I hope Father-in-law will do a good job playing the doting father from now on. I don't want Lan Geer to have any regrets in life."

His husband was always complaining about Old Master Shen this and Old Master Shen that, acting all worldly-wise, like he didn't care whether his father loved him or not. But the very fact that he kept going on about it showed that deep down, he truly longed for his father's love.

It didn't matter that nothing in the world was perfect—he could build a perfect life for his husband.

His husband was so wonderful; he deserved nothing less than the best everything.

That's it?

Old Master Shen fell silent, studying Han Zhang for a long moment before asking: "What exactly do you love about my Lan Geer?"

He truly hadn't expected his son to possess such dangerous charm, charming this son-in-law so thoroughly that even his career and future came second.

Han Zhang said sincerely: "I love that he's a fool."

Old Master Shen: "..."

No need to be that blunt.

Meanwhile, Madam Shen, after listening to Shen Qinglan describe his life—sleeping in every day until he woke up on his own, going out whenever he pleased, doing whatever he wanted, with her son being the big boss of the whole house—fell silent as well.

She had assumed Han Zhang's doting on her son was just everyday attentiveness, but she hadn't expected him to let her son wrap him around his little finger and be delighted about it.

"My son truly is a lucky fool. Since your husband treats you so well, I can rest easy."

Madam Shen looked at her son, who was even more lively and free-spirited than when he was at home, and felt deeply comforted.

Shen Qinglan loved hearing this kind of praise more than anything. He hugged his mother's arm, smiling with both joy and shyness.

He thought his husband was the best too!

...

Han Zhang hadn't expected that using Shen Huaizhi as a guinea pig would also push Old Master Shen to firmly decide to switch heirs.

That was a pleasant surprise.

However, Old Master Shen's network and resources once again expanded Han Zhang's understanding.

He felt he had previously underestimated Old Master Shen—in a world with such rigid class distinctions, for Old Master Shen to claw his way up from a farm boy spoke volumes on its own.

Old Master Shen had served as a wake-up call. He could never again use modern thinking to size up the opponents of this era, or he would suffer a great loss sooner or later.

So when the plant-based spies at the Dingbei Marquis's residence finally relayed useful information.

Han Zhang became even more resolute in his plan to stir up trouble within the marquis's household from the shadows, never stepping into the light.

That's right!

Through his Plant Power, he had finally uncovered the old secrets of the Dingbei Marquis's household.

How to describe the affairs of the Dingbei Marquis's residence?

Han Zhang summed it up in one sentence: the struggle for the heir's position has always been brutal.

Many years ago.

The late Dingbei Marquis's wife gave birth to twin sons.

The eldest, First Master Kang, was exceptionally clever, while the second, Second Master Kang, was plain and unremarkable. And with the rule that the legitimate eldest son inherits, the one named heir was naturally the eldest, First Master Kang.

Second Master Kang was jealous of his elder brother. But luckily, the old madam favored her more vulnerable younger son and always spoiled him, so he buried that jealousy deep down.

But fate had other plans.

The two brothers ran into Miss Du from the Yubo Manor, and both were instantly smitten with her.

And Miss Du?

Actually, her meeting them was a calculated move from the start. With the Yubo Manor steadily declining, Miss Du had to land a good match so she could live well for the rest of her life and help her birth family keep up appearances.

Miss Du's main target was, of course, the heir, First Master Kang.

But although First Master Kang liked her, he felt a stronger duty to his family and ended up marrying a woman from a family of equal rank.

Miss Du had no choice and grudgingly married Second Master Kang.

After the wedding, everyone figured that was that.

But then disaster struck.

When the Kang brothers went out together on official business, they were waylaid by vicious bandits, and First Master Kang got unlucky and died in the incident.

That's right!

The one who died in that accident was actually First Master Kang—the true Dingbei Marquis!

Second Master Kang and Miss Du—one jealous of his elder brother for not inheriting the title, the other coveting wealth and glory—the couple were of one mind and came up with a switcheroo—

Because the twins looked remarkably alike, and with the old madam's biased protection, Second Master Kang successfully assumed his brother's identity.

Moreover, to keep their identities from being exposed later, the couple deliberately acted all lovey-dovey in front of First Madam Kang more than once, to provoke First Madam Kang, who was pregnant, hoping she'd die in childbirth.

First Madam Kang had no idea her husband had been swapped!

She only believed her husband and sister-in-law were truly having an affair. A pregnant woman worrying too much is bad for her health anyway, and with the marquis household deliberately letting her pregnancy balloon, she fell for it and died in childbirth... and no one could find any evidence.

With two deaths in a row and such sensitive relationships and identities, the Dingbei Marquis household became the talk of the town.

So.

As for the boy Kang Zhanxun, the couple couldn't make a move on him directly.

Otherwise, if anything else happened to the eldest branch's bloodline, even with no proof at all, the label of "killing his wife and brother to get his sister-in-law" would stick to Second Master Kang forever.

So the couple schemed again and came up with another trick—the magpie's nest takeover—

They let Kang Zhanxun grow up, but raised him to be a good-for-nothing; when the time was right, they'd pass Kang Zhanhong's kid off as Kang Zhanxun's.

In this way, they could legitimately let the second branch's bloodline inherit the marquis title and completely clear Second Master Kang's name of "killing his wife and brother"—a two-birds-one-stone move, scheming to the very end.

As for the old madam, since whoever inherited the marquis title was her own grandson, whether he came from the eldest or second branch didn't matter to her.

To be a good head of household, you have to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear. To keep the peace in her old age and live out her days comfortably—especially since the murderer was her own precious youngest son—she naturally turned a blind eye and a deaf ear.