Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1756 Will He Be Tempted? (Bonus Chapter for 296 Million Donation Points)

"Have you ever cared whether you were bullied by your classmates at school?"

"Have you asked about your aunt's health?"

"No."

"All his thoughts are on that..."

At this point, Shen Zhiqin gestured with his chin towards the main courtyard: "Because the unborn child in Mother's womb is a legitimate child!"

"What are you, me, and the third son? We're nothing but illegitimate sons born from a concubine's belly!"

Shen Zhijian's eyes also reddened after Shen Zhiqin's words.

He was younger and less thoughtful than his older brother, but his sense of loss from being neglected was just as real.

"But……"

Shen Zhijian whispered, "But Father hasn't mistreated us either..."

"Food, clothing, daily necessities, education, and tutors—nothing was lacking."

Shen Zhiqin scoffed, "Not a single one is missing."

"Does the Shen family need a few more mouths to feed or a few more clothes to wear? Father values ​​his reputation, so how could he possibly mistreat his illegitimate children?"

"But Father also hopes we'll behave ourselves and not embarrass him. But you see... every time Father tests our studies, we can't even manage not to embarrass him..."

Shen Zhijian was speechless.

Every word his brother said struck at the most painful spot for him.

Yes, they are mediocre, even dull-witted.

The capital city is teeming with talented people, but in their shrewd father's eyes, they're probably no different from rotten wood...

Shen Zhijian asked helplessly, "Big brother, what should we do?"

He was only thirteen years old, and his future was uncertain.

His father's disappointed gaze was like a mountain, suffocating him.

Seeing Shen Zhijian on the verge of tears, Shen Zhiqin's anger suddenly subsided.

How to do?

He didn't know either.

My aunt always says, "Wait until he grows up, wait for his chance."

But where are the opportunities?

My father was in his prime, and his career was going smoothly.

The stepmother is shrewd and capable, and is about to give birth to a legitimate son.

The second sister held a secure position in the palace and was the Shen family's biggest backer. However, this also meant that their father was even less likely to place his hopes on these good-for-nothing illegitimate sons.

What can we do?

Shen Zhiqin let out a long sigh, his shoulders slumping: "Study hard, at least don't annoy Father any more..."

But... even he himself didn't believe what he said.

The two remained silent.

……

The palace maid bowed her head and reported, "...Your Highness, the Master sent people to secretly investigate for a long time."

"The Xia family truly lives up to their reputation as imperial merchants. They manage such a large business with remarkable shrewdness. Since His Majesty issued the decree to strictly investigate border trade, the Xia family has gradually reduced many of their business routes outside the Great Wall."

"What we're still openly dealing in now are the safest goods like tea, silk, and porcelain. The accounts are crystal clear, and the old managers are the ones handling everything, so proper that you can't find a single mistake."

"As I see it, the Xia family is determined not to let anyone find any fault with them during this critical time."

"Finding ready-made loopholes in them will probably not be easy..."

Su Qing listened quietly, and only after the palace maid finished speaking did she slowly say, "Merchant families are driven by profit, and they are the most adaptable and know best when to advance and retreat."

"Xia Lingshu is no ordinary housewife who can marry into the Shen family and manage the household affairs. It is not surprising that the Xia family is so cautious."

The palace maid nodded and added, "However, things are a bit different with the Shen family."

"Oh?"

Su Qing raised her eyes and looked at the palace maid's face.

The palace maid said, "Minister Shen is strict in managing his household, his family has a clean and upright style, and his mansion has strict rules. This is known throughout the capital."

"However... just as Your Majesty said before, everyone in the capital knows that the three illegitimate sons of the Shen family are mediocre."

Su Qing's figure sneered, "Being born into such a family, you have an exceptionally talented older sister who is on par with the empress; and a shrewd and capable stepmother who is about to give birth to your legitimate son."

"But he himself is stuck with the awkward title of 'illegitimate child,' and his resentment and eagerness to prove himself are probably stronger than that of ordinary people, right?"

The palace maid's eyes lit up slightly: "Your Majesty is wise!"

"According to his subordinates, the eldest son of the Shen family has become increasingly silent at school lately, and he is working harder than ever, but with little success."

"The second young master was somewhat timid and often showed fear in his studies."

"Their concubines were all women confined to the inner quarters, with limited knowledge. Apart from urging their sons to study hard or complaining behind their backs about the master's favoritism, they couldn't come up with any other ideas."

"Those two young masters are neither too old nor too young. They are at a time when their minds are not yet settled and they are easily manipulated."

Su Qing's figure sneered, "He's unwilling, but powerless to do anything..."

"If someone offers a hand of olive branch to someone like that, they will definitely be unable to resist reaching out and grab it."

The palace maid said, "Your Highness is right."

Su Qing pondered for a moment and said, "We still shouldn't let our guard down with the Xia family."

“The imperial merchants are powerful and influential, and even if they have withdrawn their henchmen, it is hard to guarantee that there were no oversights in the past. Or that their subordinates may have done something behind the master’s back for their own selfish interests.”

"Continue to carefully examine their accounts, goods flow, business partners, and people involved. Don't overlook even the slightest abnormality."

The palace maid bowed and said, "Yes."

"As for the Shen family..."

Su Qing's eyes narrowed slightly: "The eldest son of the Shen family, a boy in his late teens, is ambitious but feels hopeless about his future. Such a person is the easiest to control."

"But don't have direct contact with him."

The palace maid chimed in, "This servant also thinks that among the people serving the eldest son of the Shen family, there are bound to be a few who are short-sighted and cunning."

"Or perhaps the bookstores and stationery shops he frequented, or the classmates and friends he made..."

“We’ll find reliable people and slowly infiltrate them, getting them familiar with us first. We’ll listen to their complaints, desires, or what they lack.”

Su Qing nodded: "Not bad."

“Shen Maoxue prides himself on being a man of integrity and is strict with his children, so he must not be well-off financially.”

"Young people always have things they want but can't get, or things they want to show off but don't have the means to do so."

"If there were one or two kind-hearted friends, or generous shopkeepers, who would help him when he was short of money, or patiently listen to him when he was distressed and had no one to confide in."

"They even introduced him to some connections, making him feel that he had a chance to accomplish one or two impressive things and show off in front of his father..."

Setting a trap requires patience.

Start with subtle temptations, gradually luring the prey into the trap.

The palace maid understood immediately and said, "This servant understands. I will find the most reliable person to do it and leave no trace."

"But... what kind of scheme should be devised to involve the north without seeming too abrupt?"

Su Qing said, "What can the eldest young master of the Shen family possibly know about the north? Nothing more than writing brushes, inkstones, books, antiques, or hearsay about the border regions."

"If one of his 'friends' happens to have some rare items from the North, or can do some profitable but legal small business."

Do you think he might be tempted?