CH 103.2

Duchess Ningguo gave birth to only two sons and a daughter in her lifetime. Her eldest son died in battle, and Shen Luan was even more unfortunate. She had died at a young age, and now only her youngest, Second Master Shen, remained.

Thinking of the past, Duchess Ningguo began to cry. Duke Ningguo, who had yet to speak, frowned then glanced at her. With a rough voice, he said, “What are you crying for?” 

Then, he added, “Your eyes are already bad yet you’re still crying!” 

It was more accurate to say that Duchess Ningguo’s eyes were bad from crying too much instead of going dim from old age.

“Mother, don’t scare the child,” persuaded Second Madam Shen from the side.

Duchess Ningguo hurriedly wiped her tears with her handkerchief, and said, “Not crying, not crying. Don’t want to scare Xiaobao.” Seeing Xiaobao stretch out his little hand to touch her face, she smiled and coaxed him, “Xiaobao knows to feel sorry for his great-grandmother, and even knows to wipe her tears.”

Eldest Madam Shen sneered, stood up, then left without saying anything.

The atmosphere was suddenly awkward again. Duchess Ningguo was startled at first, then only let out a weak sigh.

Second Madam Shen said: “Mother, it’s time for you to take your medicine. Daughter-in-law will help you inside to take the medicine.”

Duchess Ningguo waved her hand. “It’s just taking medicine. I don’t need you to accompany me. You stay and talk with Yanru. Let Yaoniang accompany me inside, and bring Xiaobao, so as not to disturb you.”

Second Madam Shen knew that Duchess Ningguo had something to say to Yaoniang, so she didn’t say much. She simply turned around and took Consort Jin with her to talk in her own courtyard.

Consort Jin left with Second Madam Shen, while Yaoniang assisted Duchess Ningguo to the inner room. As for Duke Ningguo and Second Master Shen, they had their own matters to attend to.

Duchess Ningguo had a maid help her sit down on the red sandalwood bed, then pointed to a seat facing her, and asked Yaoniang to sit down.

There was a maid serving tea and fruits, while another maid in blue placed Duchess Ningguo’s leg on a footstool to make her feel more comfortable. As for Xiaobao, he was still sitting in Duchess Ningguo’s arms, holding a piece of pastry in his hand, nibbling it.

“This child is quite robust. You’ve raised him well. I also heard that Tang’er, that child, has treated you badly and left you, mother and son, to wander about for a long time.”

Yaoniang was a little embarrassed hearing this. She lowered her head and whispered, “That doesn’t count as treating us badly. Plus, His Highness didn’t mean to.”

“It’s good that you don’t blame him, that child hasn’t had it easy.” Duchess Ningguo sighed then said a few words about Consort De’s early death, while the Shen Family was stationed at the border, unable to take care of him. She also briefly mentioned how the young Jin Wang had grown up in the palace all alone.

“That place eats people alive. My Luan’er died there. But back then, the Shen Family was at the border, and we were indeed too weak. Fortunately, the child, Tang’er, is a good child.”

Yaoniang listened in silence. She didn’t know that Jin Wang’s past was so complicated. In her mind, the princes were above the masses and omnipotent. She never expected that there would be such a past.

“Your eldest aunt, don’t blame her. She holds resentment in her heart. Carrying so much resentment, it’s easy for her mind to be muddled. To be honest, she used to have a good personality, and was rarely like this.”

Yaoniang nodded repeatedly. She wasn’t someone that liked to keep a record of others’ wrongdoings. Besides, Eldest Madam Shen was also an elder, and wouldn’t have much interaction with her. Duke Ningguo Manor also wasn’t a place she would visit often, so she didn’t take this matter to heart at all.

Although Duchess Ningguo’s eyesight wasn’t good, she could see that Yaoniang had a demure temper, and patted her hand. “It’s good that you don’t blame her. She’s actually not targeting Tang’er, it’s just that…” 

As for the rest, Duchess Ningguo didn’t say. Although Yaoniang was curious, she didn’t dare to ask.

Actually, Xiaobao understood this matter. It was a long story.

Duke Ningguo was a veteran after living through two generations of monarchs. He had fought on the battlefield for many years, fought in the north and the south, and made numerous contributions to the court.

The entire Shen Family was loyal. Stationed at the border all year round, they fought to restrain the barbarians from the north.

Too much power and the master would feel threatened. This was inevitable no matter the dynasty. To reduce the current emperor’s unease, the Shen Family’s most beloved treasure was sent to the palace. The Shen Family also grew more cautious in their words and deeds, in fear of attracting suspicion.

But the suspicion still existed. If it weren’t for fear of the Shen Family rebelling and fear of turmoil at the borders, Emperor Hongjing would’ve long cleaned up the Shen Family.

This situation continued until Jin Wang grew up. After Jin Wang began to show his military talents, Emperor Hongjing made up his mind. This idea of his was in accordance with the Shen Family’s intentions and with Emperor Hongjing taking action, the plan was carried out step by step.

Jin Wang’s fief was deliberately chosen to be Jinzhou. The moment Jin Wang was given his vassal state was the moment that the Shen Family was stripped of their military powers and called back to the capital.

But at that time, the Shen Family was already almost finished. There were very few males remaining. Duke Ningguo’s older brother and his two sons died in battle, while Duke Ningguo’s younger brother and his only son also died in battle. Last but not least, Duke Ningguo’s eldest son, Shen Heng, died in battle as well.

Only Second Master Shen was left, and it was because Duchess Ningguo had forbidden him from learning martial arts when he was young.

The Shen Family exchanged their blood for this ducal title, Ningguo, but it was a title that could be passed down for endless generations. The former subordinates of the Shen Family who had served at the border for many years were all handed over to Jin Wang.

This was the main reason why Jin Wang was the strongest among all the vassal princes. It was also one of the reasons why Eldest Madam Shen was so full of resentment and always seeking fault.

In her eyes, the people surnamed Zhao were all bastards. The old one killed her husband, and the young one took what had belonged to her husband.

The reason why Xiaobao knew this was because he had seen Eldest Madam Shen run rampant in the palace in his previous life. She had even wished to give her niece to his Father Emperor to be the empress.