Volume One, Chapter Eleven: My Excellent Son-in-law!
Emperor Xuanwu gazed at his radiant daughter, his spirits high, and asked, “Could it be the latest manuscript of ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’?”
“It is, but not quite,” Wang Caiwei replied with eager enthusiasm. “Guess again.”
Emperor Xuanwu shook his head. “You little rascal, don’t keep me in suspense.”
Wang Caiwei snorted, “Father, you’re no fun. Fine, I’ll tell you. This time, I’ve brought you one hundred thousand taels of silver.”
Surprise flashed across Emperor Xuanwu’s eyes. “Where did you get so much money? Did you rob someone?”
Wang Caiwei replied proudly, “Father, it’s all thanks to Qin Bao. He orchestrated everything.”
Emperor Xuanwu’s expression brightened at the mention of Qin Bao, his eyes thoughtful.
His daughter was already past twenty and still unmarried. Previously, he’d introduced several young men to her—sons of noble families and talented scholars from humble backgrounds—but none satisfied Wang Caiwei. Emperor Xuanwu cherished her and never forced the matter, so the marriage was delayed.
Now, there seemed to be a sign.
After a lengthy conversation with Qin Bao, Emperor Xuanwu had taken a liking to the young man. Qin Bao was a youth of great talent and ambition, destined to become a trusted aide. Such a man had every potential to become a good son-in-law, which was a pleasing prospect.
He didn’t mention this, but smiled and asked, “How did Qin Bao manage it? Tell me.”
Wang Caiwei quickly recounted how Qin Sheng had requested an audience, hoping she might show mercy to Qin Youde, and how Qin Bao devised a plan. She played the sympathetic role, while Qin Bao was stern, forcing Qin Sheng to pay one hundred thousand taels to avert disaster. She also described the Qin family’s silk and dye businesses, their pillar industries, which explained their wealth.
Between the lines, her praise for Qin Bao was boundless.
When she finished, Wang Caiwei smiled, “Father, the silver is all at my residence. You only need to send someone to collect it.”
Emperor Xuanwu nodded approvingly. “Qin Bao is indeed remarkable—talent and cunning.”
“Of course!” Wang Caiwei said with pride. “I am his mentor. I discovered him.”
Emperor Xuanwu smiled knowingly. Was she merely a mentor?
His gaze grew profound as he pondered Qin Sheng’s affairs. He continued, “Qin Bao’s plan is sound, but lacks force.”
Wang Caiwei asked, “What do you mean?”
Emperor Xuanwu replied, “Qin Bao is still too young, not ruthless enough. Qin Sheng gave the money today, but next he’ll try to manipulate both you and Qin Bao.”
Wang Caiwei was doubtful. “Surely not.”
Emperor Xuanwu explained, “Do you really think Qin Sheng handed over one hundred thousand taels so easily?”
“One reason is to save Qin Youde. Another is to give the money to you, easing tensions between him and Qin Bao.”
“Next, Qin Sheng will certainly try to exploit the relationship between you and Qin Bao.”
“For example, he might feign hardship and ask Qin Bao to help Qin Youde, urging you to mediate between the Qin and Sun families, hoping that Qin Youde and the Sun girl might rekindle their relationship.”
Wang Caiwei fumed, “That old scoundrel is shameless.”
Emperor Xuanwu stroked his beard and chuckled, “I’ll accept the silver. As for the Qin family’s affairs, I’ll handle them.”
Wang Caiwei asked, “How will you arrange it, Father?”
Emperor Xuanwu made no secret of it. “I’ll send someone to proclaim an edict: Marquis Changping, Qin Sheng, has devotedly served the nation and has generously donated one hundred thousand taels of silver to ease the treasury’s difficulties.”
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Wang Caiwei frowned, “You’re not helping me vent my anger at all; you’re clearly rewarding Qin Sheng.”
Emperor Xuanwu replied, “Go home and think it over.”
Wang Caiwei huffed indignantly, but trusted her father wouldn’t deceive her. She rose, saluted, and said, “I take my leave.”
“Wait, hand over the manuscript,” Emperor Xuanwu ordered.
Wang Caiwei had no choice but to pause, drawing a stack of papers from her sleeve and placing them before him.
Seeing Qin Bao’s handwriting, Emperor Xuanwu looked pleased. “Qin Bao’s script is still somewhat unrefined, but shows promise. Given time, he will surely establish his own school and become a master of his generation.”
Immersed in praise, Emperor Xuanwu soon became engrossed. He read about Zhang Fei’s furious whipping of the inspector and shook his head, lamenting that Liu Bei had talent but never the opportunity. He read about Cao Cao’s pretense of offering a sword, intending to assassinate Dong Zhuo, and admired Cao Cao’s boldness.
In the blink of an eye, he finished reading, then looked at the final page and said gravely, “Why is it unfinished again? That boy Qin Bao, this is his flaw—stingy with words, never writing enough.”
Wang Caiwei protested, “Father, Qin Bao wrote late into the night yesterday.”
Emperor Xuanwu glanced deeply at his precious daughter.
Never before had she shown such interest in a young man.
It was a good sign.
He returned the manuscript and instructed, “Tell the boy to hurry with his writing, or I’ll lock him in a little dark room and make him write there.”
Wang Caiwei didn’t take it seriously, saluted, and withdrew.
Emperor Xuanwu watched his daughter’s departing figure and called, “Huang Jing!”
“Your servant is here!” Chief Eunuch Huang Jing stepped forward and bowed.
Emperor Xuanwu said, “Go personally to Marquis Changping’s residence. Proclaim that Qin Sheng has considered the hardships of the treasury and donated one hundred thousand taels of silver. His loyalty is evident. Award him a pair of jade ruyi.”
“Your servant receives the order.” Huang Jing bowed and went to make arrangements.
Emperor Xuanwu watched Huang Jing’s retreating figure and muttered, “Trying to outwit my good son-in-law? It’s never that easy.”
“The news of one hundred thousand taels will spread—everyone will know the Qin family is wealthy. How will you cope?”
“Especially as a noble, refusing to donate to the crown prince’s temple, yet donating to me. Surely the crown prince will be angered. Let’s see how you choose.”
---
In the main hall of Marquis Changping’s residence.
Qin Sheng sat in the seat of honor.
Qin Youde stood nearby, while Madame Wu wept and searched him anxiously, fearful something was missing.
Qin Sheng’s face was dark as he said coldly, “I spent one hundred thousand taels to save you. You’d best behave yourself.”
Qin Youde replied, “I will remember today’s lesson. But is there truly no way to salvage the marriage with the Sun family?”
Madame Wu had already told him of Sun Jing’s visit to break off the engagement.
Qin Youde was furious with Qin Bao. If not for Qin Bao’s selfishness in exposing everything, Sun Jing would never have come to break the betrothal.
He blamed Qin Bao for everything.
Qin Sheng’s eyes were deep as he said slowly, “There is still hope for your marriage to the Sun girl. Otherwise, my one hundred thousand taels would have been wasted.”
Qin Youde asked, “What do you mean, Father?”
---
Qin Sheng replied, “I used one hundred thousand taels to pave the way, establishing a connection with the Princess and easing tensions with that scoundrel Qin Bao.”
“The Princess listens closely to Qin Bao. Next, I’ll appeal to emotion and reason, have Qin Bao intercede, and ask Princess Changle to mediate, claiming you were manipulated by Shen Meng.”
“If the Princess intervenes, Sun Jing will have to show some respect.”
Qin Sheng stroked his beard confidently. “Now that they’ve taken my money, they can’t just sever ties so easily.”
Qin Youde looked worried. “What if all the silver ends up with His Majesty and he accepts it?”
“Impossible, absolutely impossible,” Qin Sheng said with mysterious confidence. “Second son, if you received one hundred thousand taels, would you hand it to me?”
“Of course not—” Qin Youde stopped himself, quickly amending, “Of course I would, Father.”
Qin Sheng snorted, “I know you too well.”
“Put yourself in her position. The Princess won’t hand the money to the Emperor. In fact, it cannot be made public.”
“Recently, Duke Anguo came to me for a donation to the crown prince’s temple. I gave him five hundred taels to get rid of him.”
“Earlier, Duke Rongguo asked for a contribution for the crown prince’s birthday. I gave three hundred taels.”
“Our family has always kept a low profile, claiming we’re not wealthy. If word gets out that we’re rich but lack powerful backing, won’t we attract unwanted attention?”
Qin Sheng fixed his gaze on Qin Youde and warned, “Don’t flaunt your wealth—understand?”
“I understand!” Qin Youde replied cheerfully. With money in the family, Qin Bao gone, and hope for repairing the marriage, his prospects seemed bright.
Life was looking up.
Qin Sheng comforted Madame Wu, intending to listen to music to soothe his mood. At that moment, the steward rushed in, crying, “Marquis, there’s an imperial decree from the palace!”
Ah!
Qin Sheng was startled.
He couldn’t fathom why he, Marquis Changping, with only an empty title and no real position, would receive an imperial edict. He only entered the palace for banquets, always seated at the end like a mere attendant.
Why had the imperial edict arrived?
Puzzled, he straightened his clothes and, with Qin Youde, went to the gate to receive it.
Seeing Huang Jing, Qin Sheng smiled obsequiously, “Eunuch Huang.”
Huang Jing announced loudly, “By imperial decree: Marquis Changping, Qin Sheng, has considered the hardships of the treasury and donated one hundred thousand taels of silver. His loyalty is evident. He is granted a pair of jade ruyi.”
Boom!
Qin Sheng’s mind went completely blank.
He never cared about the court’s troubles, only his own comfort. Now, with the imperial decree pinning the donation on him, everyone would know the Qin family was wealthy.
How would the founding nobles react?
The crown prince needed funds for his temple, and Qin Sheng had claimed poverty. For the crown prince’s birthday, he only gave three hundred taels. The crown prince would surely be furious.
He was in serious trouble.
At that moment, Qin Sheng felt as if he had plunged into an abyss, his body cold and all his schemes reduced to mockery, leaving only a buzzing in his head.
Huang Jing smiled, “Marquis, please accept the decree.”