However, Shen Li nodded and gently curled her lips into a smile. "Second brother, it's just as you think!"
"No, this is absolutely not allowed! How could I do such a thing? Regardless of whether this is true or false, how could I treat my own father like this! Moreover, this is a great crime that could lead to the execution of the entire family!" Shen Zhang put the pamphlet back on the table. His emotions were in turmoil for a long time.
"Execution of the entire family?" Shen Li shook her head. "It doesn't quite reach that level. But exile is a possibility."
Shen Zhang's face was full of anger. He turned his head away and didn't look at Shen Li. He said coldly, "I'm afraid I can't join forces with Miss Shen. I won't do this no matter what!"
"I have other things to do today, so I'll take my leave first. I hope you can take good care of yourself, Li'er. Out of gratitude, I'll act as if we never met today." Shen Zhang actually stood up and was about to leave.
"Since there's this gratitude, why not let me finish what I have to say, second brother? The choice is still yours, and I won't force you." Shen Li said softly. Her voice seemed to have a charm that made Shen Zhang sit back down in his seat.
Shen Li gently tapped the table with one hand. She wasn't angry because of Shen Zhang's outburst. After thinking for a while, she said, "I know you're an upright person, second brother. But I hope you can think about yourself. Even if it's not for yourself, you'd better think about third sister and Concubine Su."
"Concubine Big Liu is pregnant. We don't know if it's a boy. If it is, your position will be threatened, second brother."
The threat to his position couldn't move Shen Zhang. He still had a cold face and remained silent.
"You know what happened with Lord Ji before. It can happen once, and it can happen a second time. Do you really think you can protect Shen Zhen?"
"I'll protect my own sister!" Shen Zhang argued.
Shen Li didn't say much more to Shen Zhang. She just presented the current situation to him and let him make the decision.
"Do you think with Uncle's personality and with Shen Miao and the Shen woman fanning the flames, you can still protect third sister? Maybe one day she'll be given away to further someone else's career. You're just a young second young master who hasn't officially inherited the family business. What can you do? You'll probably just get scolded by Uncle."
"Moreover, Concubine Big and Little Liu have already won Uncle's favor. I'm afraid Concubine Su is all alone now, with no status and no favor. With the Shen woman's jealousy, how long do you think Concubine Su can stay in the mansion? I'm afraid her days will be even harder than when she was in Wenxing Village."
Each word was like a thunderbolt in Shen Zhang's heart. His expression couldn't help but change. This had always been a thorn in Shen Zhang's heart that he couldn't pull out. His father valued his official position so much and regarded his daughters as stepping - stones for his career. Maybe one day the same thing would happen again.
Seeing Shen Zhang's expression, Shen Li knew this matter was going to succeed!
"I know you hate Uncle. You couldn't choose to be born into this family, but you can decide your future life." Shen Li pushed the pamphlet in front of Shen Zhang again. Her pair of dark eyes stared intently at Shen Zhang.
When Shen Zhang looked at Shen Li, their eyes met. Shen Zhang felt as if he was going to be sucked into Shen Li's eyes. Without thinking about anything else, he involuntarily said, "Okay..."
"Then it's a pleasure to cooperate, second brother! I believe it shouldn't be difficult for you to enter Uncle's study." Shen Li said with a smile.
Only then did Shen Zhang come to his senses. Facing Shen Li like this, he felt it was hard to figure her out. But the words had already been spoken. How could he go back on them?
"You..." Shen Zhang felt deceived, but he couldn't say anything harsh to Shen Li. After all, what Shen Li had said really had touched his heart. He had always been dissatisfied with Shen Junming and wanted to take his mother and sister out of the cage of the Shen family and no longer be controlled by Shen Junming. One thing after another had made Shen Zhang completely disappointed in his father.
He had even planted the seed of hatred in his heart!
A person like Shen Junming didn't deserve to be a father.
As the eldest son, he still had a little status, but his sister had none at all.
After thinking for a long time, Shen Zhang picked up the pamphlet again and carefully flipped through it. His face was solemn. "Let me think about it some more..."
Shen Li nodded and didn't force Shen Zhang to give her an answer.
"Then I'll wait for your reply, second brother. You have to make a decision quickly on this matter. After all, the emperor has always attached great importance to it."
Shen Zhang nodded, stood up, and put the pamphlet in his pocket. "Don't worry. I understand."
"Just..." Shen Zhang still seemed a bit hesitant. There should be some concerns in his heart. "Are you sure you can guarantee the safety of me, my sister, and my mother?"
After hearing this question, Shen Li replied with a smile. "You can rest assured on this point, second brother. I'll guarantee the safety of the three of you. After all, I'm not the kind of person who kicks someone away after using them. As long as this matter is successful, I'll arrange for people to take you away. From then on, you'll be far away from the troubles in the capital. And you don't have to worry. The emperor won't hold you accountable!"
These words were like a strong sedative to Shen Zhang. They reduced most of his concerns.
Shen Zhang's eyes gradually became firm. He took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled. He said slowly, "In that case, I'll agree to what you said, Li'er."
Since he was going to agree in the end, it was better to agree earlier and leave no way back for himself.
Shen Li stood up and saw Shen Zhang off from Feilaiju. Looking at his departing back, a trace of hatred flashed in her eyes. She clenched her fists and said secretly in her heart, "Shen Miao, Shen Junming, I won't let you have your way this lifetime! The suffering I've endured, I'll make you pay back ten times over."
With Shen Zhang's help, it would be much easier to deal with the second branch of the Shen family.
Ruyue stepped forward. "Miss, where shall we go now?"
Shen Li stretched and yawned lazily. "Of course, we're going back to Ye Yousi. Brother should be back by now. I'll have to listen to his nagging when I get back. It's so annoying."