Although Shen Feng was a junior, Shen Yuhang showed no respect for him. When referring to his uncle, he even called him by his name.
"To be precise, it's Shen Zhuo." Shen Li looked at the hatred in Shen Yuhang's eyes and couldn't help but sigh. This look was so much like her own in the past, or rather, like her when she first was reborn.
Shen Yuhang was stunned. Obviously, he didn't expect this matter to be related to his grandfather. But then he quickly came to terms with it.
After all, it made sense. People like Shen Feng were nothing but good-for-nothings. How could they have the guts to do such a daring thing?
"So, Miss Shen came here today just to tell me this?" Shen Yuhang stared at Shen Li. Everyone had their own ulterior motives. They both knew what the other was thinking but were reluctant to say it out loud.
Shen Li smiled. She didn't expect this young boy to seem so mature. But she forgot that she was only about the same age as Shen Yuhang.
"If this matter were to reach the emperor's ears, I think the entire Shen family would be exiled. After all, you are direct relatives, and according to the law of collective punishment, you should be punished. If you want to avoid this, you can only report Shen Zhuo to the emperor out of righteousness." Shen Li said.
Shen Yuhang sneered disdainfully. "He's my grandfather! Why do you think I would help you?"
Shen Li looked around and scanned the place with a scrutinizing look. "You regard him as your grandfather, but it doesn't mean he regards you as his grandson. Otherwise, you wouldn't be living in such a shabby place. After all, Young Master Shen is the only legitimate son of the Shen family. Is this really the treatment you deserve? And what about your father, whom you haven't seen for years? Don't you miss him?"
Shen Yuhang was momentarily stunned. Indeed, every word Shen Li said hit the mark. He and his sister were like outcasts from the Shen family, barely scraping by here. It was likely that Shen Zhuo had long forgotten that he had a grandson and a granddaughter.
"But why should I trust you? Just based on your empty words? You say my grandfather is involved in the private salt business. Is that really the truth? Without evidence, I won't believe you." Shen Yuhang turned his head and looked at his innocent younger sister sitting beside him. He couldn't help but be tempted by what Shen Li had just said because he couldn't bear to see his sister punished like that.
Shen Yuhang also wanted to protect his sister well and let the two of them live well in the Shen family. He didn't think about anything else.
Shen Li stood up and patted her clothes. She looked nonchalant and was about to leave.
It seemed that whether Shen Yuhang would cooperate with her or not didn't really matter to her. Shen Li came here today just to save these two people.
"Anyway, I've said what I need to say. Everything is up to you. You can just take a look at the fate of the second branch of the Shen family today. I can tell you that the Shen family will be the same tomorrow. I'm just showing you a way out because I think we're in the same boat. You can think it over, but you don't have much time." After saying this, Shen Li left the room.
She left Shen Yuhang sitting in his wheelchair, lost in thought.
"Brother... Is what Miss Shen just said true?" Shen Simin asked timidly.
Although Shen Simin was innocent, it didn't mean she couldn't understand what others were saying. The crimes that her brother and Miss Shen were discussing were serious enough to cost someone their head. This scared the inexperienced Shen Simin to death.
Shen Yuhang looked at his younger sister and said softly, "Simin, it's okay. Brother will protect you. You trust brother."
Shen Simin nodded heavily. After all, in this inner courtyard, the siblings were each other's support.
...
Shen Li climbed out from the same place as before and unexpectedly saw Hanyue's figure.
"Why are you here?"
"Mingyue told me." Hanyue said indifferently.
Shen Li nodded. She knew Mingyue would do something like this. "Okay, then come with me to the palace."
Hanyue pointed to the entrance of the alley. "The carriage is waiting there."
So Shen Li got into the carriage and it drove towards the palace.
The sound of the carriage was rather loud in the empty palace and seemed especially desolate.
The carriage hadn't traveled far when it was stopped. The commander of the imperial guards was wearing armor and carrying a silver sword. He looked extremely imposing.
Hanyue got out of the carriage and asked coldly, "What's the matter?"
The guard couldn't help but frown and thought to himself, "Whose maid is this? How dare she have such a bad temper? This maid really thinks she's the mistress."
So his tone of voice was also unfriendly. "His Majesty has decreed that carriages are not allowed to pass here."
It was still a long way from the emperor's palace. If they didn't take the carriage and had to walk there, it would really take a long time.
Shen Li lifted the curtain and slowly got out.
"Not even me?"
When the commander of the imperial guards saw it was Shen Li, his expression immediately softened. He bowed and said, "Miss Shen, you don't know. His Majesty recently issued an order that everyone must walk from here. There are really no exceptions! Please don't make things difficult for me."
Shen Li hadn't paid attention to the affairs of the court for a while and didn't know when such a rule had been established.
She approached the commander of the imperial guards, frowned, and whispered, "Why did His Majesty issue such an order? You know that if there's anything, it's better for us to be careful. We mustn't displease His Majesty."
These words were flawless and left no trace of trying to pry into the palace's secrets. The commander of the imperial guards had climbed to this position, so he was a smart person.
He just smiled. "Miss Shen is right. But all I know is that it's His Majesty's preference. He just likes everyone to walk from this place. So, Miss Shen, don't go against it, and you can be careful."
Shen Li just smiled. It seemed that the emperor had indeed become more suspicious recently. Hanyue accompanied Shen Li as they strolled in the palace. The pavilions and towers all showed great wealth.
But the sun was still shining brightly and scorchingly. Hanyue could only keep wiping the sweat off Shen Li's face.
"Miss, don't come here next time. It's really a pain."
Shen Li quickly looked around. When she found there was no one around, she breathed a sigh of relief. She tightly held Hanyue's hand. "Watch your words. We can't guess the emperor's mind."
Hanyue nodded. She kept her eyes on her nose and her nose on her heart and walked silently with her head down. They walked for a long time. Hanyue's clothes were slightly damp with sweat, but Shen Li was still relatively fresh because Hanyue had been helping her wipe the sweat.
Hanyue obediently waited at the door. Shen Li followed the eunuch into the imperial study alone.