Volume 1, Chapter 22: Prince Cheng (2)

Shen Jianheng spoke with such solemn vows and grandiloquence, yet his eyes flickered with the glint of calculation.

Shen Ran smiled. "Since that is the case, then I shall thank you in advance, Imperial Uncle."

"We are all family," Shen Jianheng replied. "What is there to thank me for? Just tell me, what matter could be pressing enough to make you sneak out of the palace in the dead of night and come begging to me?"

Having said this, a strange expression appeared on his face. He leaned in toward Shen Ran, whispering conspiratorially, "Could it be that you’ve taken a fancy to some young lady and want your uncle to play matchmaker? Don’t say a word—this is exactly what I excel at! No matter who you have your eyes on, as long as you name her, she shall be yours for the taking!"

The smile on Shen Ran’s face faded like dissipating mist. "Uncle, please do not tease me. I came out of the palace so late tonight for the sake of state affairs."

At the mention of "state affairs," the warmth on Shen Jianheng’s face cooled instantly.

"Is there some trouble in the court lately?" he asked. "How is it that I haven't heard?"

Shen Jianheng stroked the hand of the maidservant beside him, sighing with feigned regret. "It has been years since I last attended court; I suppose my information has become quite outdated."

Shen Ran sighed. "I will not hide it from you, Uncle. Half a month ago, the Prefect of Changzhou submitted a memorial stating that the region has been struck by disaster. For three full years, there has been no harvest, and countless commoners have starved to death. He requested that the imperial court allocate funds for relief. However, the Ministry of Revenue cries poverty to me every single day, claiming the national treasury is empty and they simply cannot spare much."

"Though I am deeply troubled by the suffering of the people, I find myself powerless to act. Thus, after much deliberation, I hoped to ask you for your counsel."

As soon as these words were spoken, the previously harmonious and lively atmosphere turned cold and stagnant.

Shen Jianheng lowered his head, remaining silent for a long time.

Shen Ran did not urge him, focusing instead on his tea.

Only when he had nearly finished the cup did he call out "Imperial Uncle" once more.

Shen Jianheng leaned back in his chair. "Xingci, you are putting me in a difficult position. It is certainly a virtue that you care for the commoners and worry about the state; I am truly pleased to see it. But if the Ministry of Revenue has no money, I cannot conjure it out of thin air, can I? Isn't that how it stands?"

"That is only natural."

Setting his teacup upon the table, Shen Ran smiled. "Therefore, after much thought, I have decided to increase revenue and reduce expenditure by cutting back on palace expenses to contribute to the relief efforts."

***

Since his ascension to the throne, Shen Ran had never shown any concern for disaster relief. This statement came as a great surprise, and Shen Jianheng was slightly taken aback. "Xingci, you are truly diligent and benevolent; this is a blessing for the people of the world."

Shen Ran continued, "But my efforts alone are merely a drop in the bucket. Hence, I have had to be thick-skinned and ask for your generous assistance, Imperial Uncle."

"I was wondering, if I were to borrow some silver from you in my private capacity, would you be willing to share my burden?"

"Between uncle and nephew, why speak of borrowing?"

"In theory, if I had the money, I would certainly support you with all my might. However..."

The crux of the matter lay in that "however."

Shen Jianheng covered his mouth with his hand and coughed twice. "My grand estate here has such exorbitant expenses, and I have always been a man who appreciates beauty. Day by day, the expenditures far exceed the income..."

He put on a look of distress. "Xingci, we are of the same flesh and blood, so I have no shame in telling you: your uncle has actually begun relying on pawning items to maintain the household. I had the heart to ask you for help, but I simply could not bring myself to open my mouth."

As he spoke, he reached out to dab at his eyes.

Li Jiuxiao, standing behind Shen Ran, was a man of upright character. While he dared not voice his thoughts, he cursed "shameless" in his heart.

A man who could drop one hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver without blinking an eye just to buy the first night of a courtesan had the nerve to claim he had "no money."

"Is that so?"

Shen Ran looked astonished. "Today at the Ministry of Rites’ Music Bureau, someone outbid everyone else with a price of one hundred and fifty thousand taels for the first night of the daughter of the convicted official Zhao Shoude. That person claimed to be from the Prince Cheng’s estate and even carried the estate’s token. Does this mean, Uncle, that you were entirely unaware of this?"

"My subordinate?"

Shen Jianheng was deeply shocked. "How would I know? I never ordered my people to do such a thing! And one hundred and fifty thousand taels? Even the most precious courtesan is not worth that much silver! Xingci, you must investigate this thoroughly. I fear some villain is trying to frame me!"

Shen Ran smiled. "To frame a member of the imperial family is a capital offense. Naturally, it must be investigated clearly to see who could be so audacious. Zhao Yuanzhuo, bring the man in."

A voice agreed from outside, and a moment later, a young man dragged in a middle-aged man who was bound hand and foot.

The middle-aged man looked as though he had just survived a violent brawl; his hair was disheveled, his clothes were in tatters, and his face was bruised and battered. Yet, it was not difficult to recognize him as the man who had bought Zhao Qinglan’s first night.

***

Upon seeing Shen Jianheng, the man’s face was filled with frantic joy. "Your Highness, save your servant! Your Highness, please save me!"

Having said this, he pointed at Zhao Yuanzhuo, his eyes flashing with spite. "This little bastard, I don't know where he crawled out from—"

"Silence!"

Shen Jianheng’s face changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. He strode over to the man and kicked him hard. "Shen Gang, what have you done? His Majesty says you went to the Music Bureau and spent one hundred and fifty thousand taels to buy a woman’s first night. I ask you, is this true? The estate’s expenses are already so tight, where did you find such a sum of money!"

Hearing the words "His Majesty," the man froze.

His complexion, originally flushed, began to turn a deep, bruised purple.

His original name was Sun Gang, a household servant of the Prince Cheng estate. Because he had trained since childhood and possessed great strength—enough to take on eight or nine ordinary men at once—he had won Shen Jianheng’s favor and changed his surname to Shen. Many of Shen Jianheng’s illicit affairs were handled by him.

Shen Gang’s face shifted through a spectrum of colors, from red to purple, then finally to an ashen black, as if a palette of spices had been overturned.

After a long silence, he stammered, "This... this..."

"Your Highness, please forgive me! Your Highness, spare me!"

"It was your servant... your servant saw that the woman was beautiful, and so... I was tempted. I sold two vases from the estate! I only thought to indulge myself for a moment."

Shen Jianheng let out a sharp cry of "Alas!"

He swayed, pointing at Shen Gang, unable to speak for a long while, until the two maidservants hurried forward to support him.