Zhang Chen was taken aback upon hearing this, and after sizing up Shen Qiu from head to toe, he thought to himself, "So this kid is eyeing Jiang Nan. But coming to me to cause trouble means he sees me as an easy target."
"Oh?" Zhang Chen responded with a nonchalant "oh" and said nothing more, merely looking at the other person with a half-smiling, half-serious expression.
"Next time I hear you two have met, I’ll break your legs, cut out your tongue, and gouge out your eyes. This is Jinling City, my territory. A mere barbarian from the border thinking he can have a swan with his toad is just daydreaming. If you don’t want to die, go ahead and try me. Even with the Zhang Family in Kyoto, you could disappear here, and they wouldn’t be able to do anything about it." Shen Qiu coldly stared at Zhang Chen, murderous intent stirring within him.
Zhang Chen, being most sensitive to the qi mechanism, could sense that Shen Qiu genuinely had murderous intentions and wanted to kill him.
Shen Qiu was about to say more when he saw Shen Xu approaching. Quickly, Shen Qiu put on a cordial smile, patting Zhang Chen on the shoulder, pretending to convey familial concern. "Cousin Zhang Chen, feel free to stay here at the estate. If there’s anything you find lacking, just let me know. No need for formality between brothers."
Zhang Chen looked at the suddenly transformed expression on Shen Qiu’s face and couldn’t help but admire this kid’s talent for such quick changes.
At that moment, as Shen Xu approached, Shen Qiu quickly bowed, "Second Uncle."
"You little brat, instead of preparing for the matters related to entering Chongzheng Academy, why are you wandering around? Shen Family gave you the only spot to enter the Inner Courtyard, you must strive hard not to let everyone down, and stop running around all day," Shen Xu reprimanded with a discontent tone.
Zhang Chen was moved by Shen Xu’s words, turning his head to look at Shen Qiu: "Does the Shen Family have a spot to enter Chongzheng Academy’s Inner Courtyard? And the heir is Shen Qiu?"
Hearing this, Zhang Chen suddenly perked up, secretly having already devised a plan for revenge against Shen Qiu.
What kind of person is Zhang Chen? He’s never been one to swallow his anger. If he didn’t retaliate against such a threat, then what was the point of cultivating these divine techniques?
"Cause trouble! I have to cause trouble! I want to make Shen Qiu regret it!" Zhang Chen decided silently.
Upon hearing Shen Xu’s reprimand, Shen Qiu gave an embarrassed smile, bowed deeply to Shen Xu, apologized, and then slunk away.
Shen Xu looked at Zhang Chen and said, "Don’t worry about the loss of the treasure. With the Shen Family’s means, even if we have to search heaven and earth, we’ll find it and return it to you."
Zhang Chen looked at Shen Xu, asking, "When can it be found? If it’s a hundred years later, I’m afraid even my bones will have decayed to dust. Even if you find it, it would be of no use then."
Hearing this, Shen Xu’s smile froze, and he replied bitterly, "Young one, your tongue is sharp. The Shen Family would never renege on our promise. If the treasure can’t be found, we’ll compensate you for it; we won’t let you suffer a loss."
Zhang Chen gave Shen Xu a meaningful glance but didn’t continue the banter, only saying, "I hope so."
Shen Xu reassured Zhang Chen a few more times before leaving in a hurry.
Zhang Chen stood where he was, watching Shen Xu’s retreating figure for a while, then, after some thought, headed toward the residence of Madam Shen. Due to the previous fire, Madam Shen’s original residence was destroyed, and Zhang Chen was heading to her temporary abode.
After being announced by the stewardess, Zhang Chen entered the courtyard to see Madam Shen’s rosy face as she leisurely sipped tea.
Although the fire had destroyed much wealth, it did not affect Madam Shen’s life of luxury.
The Shen Family controls seventy percent of the nation’s canal transport, acting like a gold-devouring beast. Vast oceans of wealth from all over the world converge upon the Shen Family, and given time, they can recover quickly.
But will the Yellow Heaven Dao and Cao Bang give the Shen Family that time?
"Greetings, Madam Shen," Zhang Chen respectfully knelt and bowed in salute to her.
"So it’s you, little monkey; it’s been some time since you last came to see me. How come you have time to see me today?" Madam Shen signaled to the maid beside her to help Zhang Chen up.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen silently mocked, "With the grand fortune of the Shen Family, how could I see you without your summons?"
But outwardly, he feigned guilt, "It is my fault, Grandson has been busy adjusting to the new environment lately and forgot about Ancestor."
Madam Shen signaled for Zhang Chen to sit down and asked, "Are you adjusting well to life with the Shen Family? Is there any lack in food, clothing, or other essentials?"
"Thank you for your concern, Ancestor. I eat well and sleep comfortably. The Shen Family’s wealth is unparalleled, and I’ve never enjoyed such luxury before," Zhang Chen replied with a smile.
"That’s good to hear! If you have any problems, come directly to me, and I’ll solve them for you," Madam Shen said.
Inwardly, Zhang Chen was skeptical of Madam Shen’s words. Based on his observations over recent days, he doubted she was as kind to him as her words suggested.
As Zhang Chen’s mind flickered with various thoughts, Madam Shen yawned, showing a trace of fatigue on her face. The maid beside her said, "Madam, you didn’t rest at all last night due to the fire. Should you take a rest?"
Madam Shen didn’t speak but instead looked at Zhang Chen, her gaze questioning.
At this moment, Zhang Chen stood up and knelt down again on the ground: "Grandson has come today to ask Grandma to stand up for me. The item left to me by my mother, which was lost by the Shen Family, is the only memento of my mother. Please pity me for being without father or mother; I cannot let others bully me."
Madam Shen was somewhat troubled to hear Zhang Chen’s words. The treasure was lost under the eyes of the divine last night; how easy would it be to retrieve?
Yet, what Zhang Chen asked for was reasonable, and she could not refute or chastise him.
"Rest assured, the Shen Family will use every effort to retrieve your treasure; you need not worry." Madam Shen said.
"But when can it be found? Three years? Five years? Or ten, eight years? Fifty years or a hundred years?" Zhang Chen asked, aggressively pursuing the topic.
Madam Shen took a deep breath upon hearing his words, momentarily unable to respond. As the elder of the Shen Family, she couldn’t speak lightly and make promises casually.
"You need not worry. If the treasure cannot be found, our Shen Family will compensate you." Madam Shen said.
"What compensation?" Zhang Chen asked further.
Madam Shen paused at the words, not knowing how to reply. Only after a moment did she say, "Whatever your request, the Shen Family will do everything to satisfy it."
Zhang Chen was waiting for these words. Hearing Madam Shen’s statement, he no longer hid his intentions and said directly:
"Grandson never had the chance to study literature properly. I wish to attend Chongzheng Academy. Since the treasure has been lost, I do not wish to pursue its recovery. I heard that Chongzheng Academy plans to open the Inner Courtyard. I want the Shen Family to assist in sending me to study there. As for the lost relic, let the treasure suffice, and we will settle accounts that way."
Hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Madam Shen raised an eyebrow, pondering for a moment before saying, "Please call for Second Master; let him handle this matter as he understands the nuances involved."
With Madam Shen’s words, a servant quickly left, and soon Shen Xu arrived, bowing to Madam Shen, "Greetings, Mother."
"The Inner Courtyard selection at Chongzheng Academy is about to begin. How many spots does the Shen Family have?" Madam Shen asked.
Without hesitation, Shen Xu replied, "Only one spot, reserved for Shen Qiu."
"Only one spot?" Madam Shen was startled to hear.
Beside her, Zhang Chen also showed surprise on his face; the esteemed Jinling Shen Family only had a single spot?
Shen Xu explained, "Chongzheng Academy in Jinling City is the top academy under the academic palace, second only to Kyoto Academy. Many offspring of Kyoto nobility compete there after failing elsewhere. Kyoto gentry flock here like carp crossing a river, not to mention descendants of dukes from all over the world abandoning their own territories to compete in Jinling City. Just think: one duke has dozens, even hundreds of sons, while the academy’s Inner Courtyard has less than a hundred spots. Our Shen Family securing one spot already holds the local advantage."
Hearing this, Zhang Chen realized it was like the future Peking University, admitting not just Kyoto students, but everyone competing.
Madam Shen thought for a moment, then said, "Strip Shen Qiu of his spot and give it to this young monkey."
Shen Xu was stunned at the words, looking at Madam Shen full of disbelief. Despite leaning towards Zhang Chen personally, a resource so important couldn’t be allowed to outsiders. Was Mother losing her mind, giving such a crucial resource away?
Madam Shen glanced at Zhang Chen and sighed, "Don’t think I’m biased towards outsiders. You all have been worrisome, burdened with foreign debts."
Madam Shen explained the transaction, after which Shen Xu looked at Zhang Chen and chuckled bitterly, "Since there’s debt, it should be settled as such. But the spot was reserved for Shen Qiu; his mother is sure to cause a stir when she finds out."
Madam Shen shrugged indifferently at Shen Xu’s words, "The Shen Family’s affairs are still my decision."
Hearing Madam Shen’s response, Shen Xu couldn’t refute, only giving Zhang Chen a significant glance. He had just discussed compensation with Zhang Chen to keep him calm, yet Zhang Chen turned around and stirred such trouble?
"Go handle it; I’m exhausted and need to rest." Madam Shen waved them away, dismissing Zhang Chen and Shen Xu.
Then, Zhang Chen and Shen Xu were seen leaving the room, with Shen Xu watching Zhang Chen, a complicated and difficult-to-understand look in his eyes.
"You’ve caused a great disaster, young fellow!" Shen Xu looked at Zhang Chen, and sighed, "Such a big matter, why didn’t you discuss it with me?"
PS: An extra Chapter for alliance leader ’Feng Junshi Haoran’, the second update.