FHJ - 19

Chapter 19: Entrustment

The Ministry of Justice prison housed convicted officials. Despite his former status as Chancellor of Revenue, Shen Qian had fallen from grace and was now confined to the deepest cell. When Qi Ying went to visit him, he expected to find the man disheveled. To his surprise, however, Shen Qian sat calmly on the ground, meditating with closed eyes, appearing serene as if in deep contemplation. Only when he heard Qi Ying’s footsteps did he open his eyes and smile faintly, saying, “Jingchen has arrived?”

Qi Ying bowed respectfully. “Uncle specifically summoned me—I could hardly refuse.”

Shen Qian chuckled softly, slowly rising to his feet and brushing off a few stray pieces of straw from his clothes. “Even under these circumstances, you still address me as ‘uncle.’ It seems I haven’t gambled wrong—you are the only person I can turn to at this moment.”

Qi Ying frowned slightly.

Though the four great families often interacted, Qi Ying and Shen Qian had little personal rapport. Qi Ying’s impression of Shen Qian, the head of the Shen family, was limited to his perpetually mild smile—a stark contrast to Qi Ying’s own stern and unsmiling father, Qi Zhang. Now, with Shen Qian imprisoned, there was little even Qi Jingchen—or his father Qi Zhang—could do to help. Why, then, had Shen Qian specifically sought him out?

Frowning, Qi Ying asked, “May I ask what brings you to summon me, Uncle?”

Shen Qian’s gaze carried a trace of sorrow as he replied, “I beg of you—to save the lives of my wife and daughter.”

Qi Ying’s brow furrowed further. “Your honorable wife and your daughter?”

The request was preposterous. Regardless of whether Qi Ying and Shen Qian shared a close bond or whether Qi Ying had the authority to intervene, the reputations of Shen Qian’s wife and daughter were far too prominent for any covert rescue to be feasible.

The meditative calm that had enveloped Shen Qian began to fade, replaced by a growing urgency. “I do not refer to… but rather…”

His words trailed off, but Qi Ying understood immediately: Shen Qian was not speaking of his legitimate wife and daughter, but of his concubine and illegitimate child.

Such arrangements were not uncommon among the high-born families, and Qi Ying had indeed heard rumors of Shen Qian keeping a concubine. Yet he had never imagined that the head of a prestigious clan would harbor such deep affection for a mere concubine and her illegitimate daughter—especially under these dire circumstances, where Shen Qian did not plead for himself or his legitimate children but instead sought to secure their safety.

Qi Ying lowered his eyelids, concealing a flicker of disdain, and calmly declined. “Uncle flatters me, but given the current situation, I fear I must disappoint you.”

Shen Qian appeared unsurprised by the rejection. After a brief silence, his tone grew calm and relaxed as he asked, “Jingchen, in your opinion, what defines a ‘great family’?”

Qi Ying raised an eyebrow, puzzled by the sudden question. After a moment’s thought, he replied, “A lineage passed down through generations, a household of wealth and privilege.”

Shen Qian smiled faintly, exuding an unexpected air of detachment.

He continued, “The Left Chancellor grows older, and generational change is inevitable. Your elder brother, Jingyuan, is undoubtedly talented, but in this fiercely competitive era, he may not be suited to shoulder the burden of leading the Qi family. Ultimately, that responsibility will fall to you.”

Qi Ying frowned. “My father is still in his prime, and my elder brother possesses wisdom beyond measure. Uncle overestimates me.”

Though Qi Ying’s tone betrayed a hint of displeasure, Shen Qian remained composed. “Jingchen, to outsiders, great families appear glorious and untouchable. In my youth, I too believed this and took pride in my lineage. But as I grew older and came to understand it more deeply, I realized that so-called great families are nothing but gilded shells.”

Shen Qian’s gaze grew distant.

He went on, “You may strive to remain untainted, but your brothers and nephews within the clan each have their own schemes. They are insatiable, believing that the wealth and power accumulated by the family across generations are still insufficient. They hollow out the family, exploiting its prestige to deceive and oppress others. You may wish to stop them, but ultimately, you are powerless.”

Qi Ying gazed at Shen Qian, now a prisoner in tattered robes, yet still exuding a remarkable sense of grace and composure.

Shen Qian’s voice was heavy with resignation. “Jingchen, what is a great family? It is merely an empty shell, concealing endless greed and malice—and nothing more.”

Qi Ying looked at him, recalling his father’s countless late nights laboring under lamplight, the arguments between his uncles and father, and the bloodstained lawsuits implicating his cousins. He lowered his eyes, silent.

“The world calls me, Shen Qian, incompetent,” Shen Qian said with a bitter smile. “And I am indeed incompetent—unable to rein in the beast that is the Shen family. I could only watch as it charged recklessly forward, ultimately destroying itself and reducing a century-old legacy to ashes in an instant. But Jingchen, the Shen family is neither the first nor the last great family to fall into ruin.”

His expression turned grave as he sighed. “The imperial family of Liang is no longer the same as it once was. For too long, they have been weak before the great families. Now, more than thirty years after the southern migration, everything has changed. The Emperor will inevitably reclaim the power he was forced to cede to the great families. The downfall of the Shen family is but the beginning. Perhaps next will be the Fu family, or the Han family—or perhaps even the Qi family.”

Every word struck a chord deep within Qi Ying. These thoughts had lingered in his mind since the Shen family’s downfall, though he had never voiced them to anyone—until Shen Qian laid them bare.

Indeed, after the southern migration, the imperial family had relied heavily on the great families, with court affairs dominated by their influence. The young Emperor had long been constrained by the great families, making it nearly impossible for him to govern independently. The reasons behind the Shen family’s sudden collapse were complex: their overreach, their monopolization of wealth that drew envy, the Emperor’s tacit approval, and the power struggles among the great families themselves. The destruction of the Shen family had seen the Qi, Fu, and Han families all play their parts.

Qi Ying had harbored these concerns for some time. When his father targeted the Shen family, Qi Ying had attempted to dissuade him, urging caution against becoming a tool of the Emperor. Eliminating the Shen family might bring short-term gains, but if internal unity among the great families crumbled, they would be vulnerable to being picked off one by one. At that point, not only would they lose their influence over the court, but they might also face mortal peril.

Yet by then, the dismantling of the Shen family had become inevitable. Though his father saw clearly, he was powerless to stop it.

Now, with the Emperor having successfully destroyed the Shen family and reclaimed financial control, the imperial family emerged as the greatest beneficiary—even as the remaining wealth and interests were divided among the three families. More importantly, this conflict had shattered the trust among the great families. Could the Qi, Fu, and Han families continue to trust one another after collaborating to bring down the Shen family? If the Emperor’s successor proved adept at wielding power, the future of the Jiangzuo great families would hang by a thread.

The brilliance in Qi Ying’s phoenix-like eyes dimmed as he gazed at Shen Qian. The world dismissed the Shen patriarch as inept and incompetent, but a man with such insight could hardly be considered ordinary. The disdain Qi Ying had felt earlier faded, replaced by respectful deference. He said, “Uncle has hit the mark. Regarding the fall of the Shen family, the Qi family...”

Shen Qian waved his hand with a faint smile, interrupting Qi Ying. “There is no need for apologies, Jingchen. The world throngs with those seeking profit; survival of the fittest is the natural order. The three families simply followed the tide. If, at my age, I still failed to grasp this truth and harbored resentment, I would be truly foolish.”

Qi Ying was at a loss for words and could only bow deeply to Shen Qian.

Shen Qian reached out, pretending to steady him through the prison bars, and sighed. “My entire life has been shackled by the family. Though my teachers favored me and elevated me to head of the household, I have ultimately harmed both others and myself. My true wish was simple—to live in a humble dwelling with my wife and daughters, perhaps weaving a grasshopper for my youngest child—but alas...”

He did not continue.

After a moment of silence, Qi Ying asked, “I’ve only met you a few times, Uncle. Why do you share these thoughts with me?”

Shen Qian turned his head slightly, his eyes reflecting the clarity that comes with age. “Jingchen, though our acquaintance is brief, I know you are an extraordinary individual. Many possess talent and decisiveness, but few also uphold righteousness as steadfastly as you do. You are such a person.”

A man capable of ruthless decisions, yet filled with compassion.

Qi Ying remained silent, neither confirming nor denying the statement. Shen Qian paid it no mind and continued, “My wife, Lady Wei, and my daughter, Wenwen, are imprisoned in the imperial jail. They never enjoyed the wealth and status of the Shen family, yet now they are implicated in its downfall. This is unjust. I have arranged for their escape from prison and their departure from the city, heading north to Langya. However, fearing unforeseen complications, I seek your assistance. They bear the guilt of association with me, and I do not ask you to shelter or care for them—I only beg you to help them leave the city safely. If you would extend your aid, I would be eternally grateful.”

With that, Shen Qian attempted to kneel before Qi Ying.

Qi Ying quickly stepped forward to support him. “Uncle, please don’t!”

He gazed at Shen Qian, who in this moment was no longer the Minister of Revenue or the head of the Shen family, but simply a husband to a woman and a father to a child. His sincerity and earnestness stirred Qi Ying’s heart. After much deliberation, he replied, “I will do my utmost.”

Though Qi Ying’s tone was calm and devoid of any overt solemnity, Shen Qian seemed reassured, as if certain that once the young Lord Qi made a promise, he would honor it without fail.

Tears glistened faintly in Shen Qian’s eyes as he bowed deeply to Qi Ying. Unable to stop him, Qi Ying returned the gesture. Though separated by prison bars, the two men seemed like old friends who had known each other for years.

Shen Qian said, “Such great kindness cannot be repaid, so I offer you worldly goods instead. The Shen family, though fallen, anticipated this outcome long ago. I have prepared funds to save my wife and child. Once you leave this prison, someone will deliver them to you.”

Qi Ying frowned. “Uncle, there’s no need for this. I...”

“Jingchen, do not refuse,” Shen Qian interrupted. “Gold and silver may seem mundane, but in critical moments, they can be invaluable. I do not speak in riddles, but should the Qi family ever face calamity... this wealth may prove useful.”

Qi Ying was speechless. Shen Qian smiled at him and said, “It is my sincere wish. Do not hesitate—accept it graciously.”

After a pause, he added, “If you truly feel uneasy, might I trouble you to arrange an escort for them on their journey north? My in-laws are unaware of the situation, and having protection would ensure their safety.”

Qi Ying sighed deeply and replied, “Uncle, rest assured.”

Shen Qian’s features relaxed, as if he had finally laid down his last burden. A mixture of sorrow and peace lingered in his smile as he said, “Then, at last, I can depart in peace.”

---

Qi Ying remained lost in thought until Qi Zhang noticed his distraction and frowned. “Jingchen?”

Snapping back to reality, Qi Ying saw his father’s displeased expression and apologized. Qi Zhang waved it off with a sigh. “Enough. You’ve been overworked lately. With the New Year’s holiday upon us, take this opportunity to rest.”

Qi Ying replied, “Yes.”

Qi Zhang’s tone grew stern. “No matter how the Emperor schemes or what plans the new heir may have, the great families of Liang will always remain. To think the Qi family could be as easily toppled as the Shen family is a grave mistake. Jingchen, the duties of the Privy Council are difficult, but if managed well, control of the nation’s military and political affairs will fall into your hands. At that point, not only will the court of Liang bend to your will, but the entire realm, north and south, will be within your grasp. The Qi family will endure without worry.”

Qi Ying lowered his gaze, his expression unreadable. “Yes, Father.”

Qi Zhang nodded, weariness evident in his demeanor. “That is all. You may go.”

Qi Ying rose, bowed to his father, and turned to leave. Just as he was about to step out the door, Qi Zhang called after him.

“Jingchen.”

Qi Ying turned back. “Father?”

Qi Zhang was examining the potted plant again, glancing up casually. “The other day, I heard you apprehended someone at the city gates. What was that about?”

Qi Ying’s eyes flickered briefly before he composed himself and replied smoothly, “They were two runaway slaves from Fenghe Garden who had committed offenses. They were destined for hard labor on the estate when I happened to encounter them at the gate.”

Qi Zhang hummed nonchalantly, showing no signs of suspicion. “It’s not a significant matter, but I heard that two fugitives escaped from the imperial jail around the same time—Lady Wei and her illegitimate daughter from the Shen family. Coincidentally, those you detained bore a striking resemblance to them.”

Qi Ying’s expression remained impassive. “Indeed, quite the coincidence. However, I’ve since learned the real fugitives have been captured, sparing further complications.”

“Mm,” Qi Zhang nodded, then added, “These are turbulent times. It’s best to exercise caution in all matters. Should something similar arise again, avoid taking the lead.”

Qi Ying bowed. “I will remember, Father.”

Qi Zhang waved dismissively. “Go.”

Qi Ying bowed once more and exited the room.