RPAGF Chapter 276 What does it have to do with you?
Chapter 276 What does it have to do with you?
"I know what's going on. You're still young and haven't thought things through. You may not care about your reputation, but what about that girl? Do you want the world to talk about her?" the Emperor countered.
Song Wenyang was conflicted. Yes, people are inherently harsh on women. If he only cared about having Xing'er and put her in the vortex, then it would be a loss.
"Don't worry, it's rare for you to ask me for anything, so I will definitely support you. No one will separate you two. Just wait a little longer," the Emperor coaxed Song Wenyang like a child.
Song Wenyang touched his nose somewhat awkwardly, wondering why he had goosebumps.
"By the way, do you know anything about that woman's background?" the Emperor asked, recalling the results of the secret guards' investigation.
"What, is there something wrong with her background?" Song Wenyang's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Xing'er's biological parents are not Shen Kun?
"Her father grew up in Shenjia Village outside the city, but according to my people's investigation, Shen Kun's maternal grandfather was a wealthy man named Hou in the capital," the Emperor said.
"Master Hou? Which Hou family? How could someone from Shenjia Village be related to someone from the capital?" Song Wenyang asked, puzzled.
"It's the Hou family, who sell medicinal herbs in the city. A few years ago, when there was war on the frontier, they donated tens of thousands of taels of medicinal herbs to our soldiers," the Emperor said.
This is why the emperor, despite his busy schedule, still remembered Master Hou.
"I've never heard Xing'er mention it," Song Wenyang said somewhat dejectedly.
"It's understandable that you haven't heard her mention it. After all, Shen Kun's mother and his maternal grandfather had a rather unsavory affair back then. Otherwise, with his mother's family being so powerful, how could he have ended up as a servant in the Minister's mansion?"
Then, the emperor told Song Wenyang all those old stories.
"What a twist of fate! I never imagined that Xing'er had such a relationship with them. I've never heard them mention it before, probably because they didn't want everyone to know," Song Wenyang sighed.
After all, this matter was somewhat disgraceful back then. Now that so many years have passed, I wonder if Master Hou regrets it?
"I intend to meet this Master Hou. Does he not know that he has a grandson? Otherwise, why would he adopt a godson? Is he really willing to hand over such a large estate to an outsider?" the Emperor said.
He was always thoughtful, and someone who could donate tens of thousands of taels of medicine in one go must be very wealthy. If he could take this opportunity to let Shen Kun recognize his relatives, it would be a way to elevate Shen Xing'er's status.
Song Wenyang quickly understood the emperor's intention. He was somewhat moved, but he quickly suppressed it.
“As the emperor, how can you be so casual with merchants? Why don’t you leave this matter to me?” Song Wenyang said modestly.
“If Shen Kun acknowledges his relatives, then Master Hou will be your elder in the future. What kind of person would you, a junior, be to tell him this so casually? Let me do it.”
The Emperor also had his own selfish motives. If Master Hou really didn't know about this, then they would most likely be in-laws. He wanted to see Master Hou's character, after all, Shen Xing'er also had his family's genes.
"Yes, thank you Your Majesty."
At this moment, Song Wenyang was truly grateful.
"Go back."
The Emperor rubbed his throbbing temples, wondering why he had been feeling dizzy and lightheaded lately, perhaps due to his advancing age.
Song Wenyang happily withdrew, but he still had some errands to finish, so he had to hurry back to the Ministry of Revenue.
He planned to tell Shen Xing'er the good news after he finished his work, but before he could tell her in person, Hou Yuanwai's servants found Jinxiufang.
What would you like to buy, sir?
Jin'er looked at the strange man standing in the shop. She had adapted to her new life these past few days. Her mistress and Miss Shantao had gone to the street again, and today was the first time she was alone in the shop.
The steward of the Marquis's residence mistook the woman before him for Shen Kun's daughter, and with a beaming smile, he asked enthusiastically...
"Miss, is Mr. Shen in the shop?"
This was the first time Jin'er had ever been called "Miss" in her life, and she was a little embarrassed. She then said...
"I'm not a young lady. Our master went shopping. Which household are you from?"
“I am the steward of a Marquis’s mansion in the capital who sells medicinal herbs. My master has some business to discuss with your master. Please inform him, young lady.”
The housekeeper was not embarrassed when he realized he had mistaken someone for someone else.
"Okay, please sit for a while, I'll be right back." Upon hearing that he was discussing business with her master, Jin'er didn't dare to delay even a moment and hurriedly went to the kitchen to call Shen Kun.
"I heard you want to discuss business with me?" Shen Kun asked as he came out.
The butler bowed to him, unable to hide his excitement. Is this the young lady's son? He truly is a handsome young man!
"Indeed, I wonder if Mr. Shen has some free time?"
"Doesn't your household sell medicinal herbs? I'm just a commoner, I'm afraid I can't do any business with your esteemed household," Shen Kun politely declined.
For some reason, he didn't want to get close to Master Hou. He didn't want to disrupt his peaceful life, nor did he want his own life to be disrupted.
"If Master Shen doesn't listen, how will he know if it's worth it or not?" the butler said with a smile.
"I have no interest in doing business, and I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you." Shen Kun remained unmoved.
"Mr. Shen, this matter concerns your descendants! May I speak with you in private?"
The butler was a little anxious. He was afraid that if Shen Kun didn't go with him, what would happen if his master's business fell into the hands of outsiders?
Shen Kun glanced at the girls who were standing outside the shop, hesitant to come in because there were men in the shop.
These days, Jinxiufang is so prosperous that it's no exaggeration to say it's making a fortune every day. Oh well, his business is the priority, not his. I'll just go with him and deal with whatever comes my way.
"Lead the way." Shen Kun gestured for them to proceed.
The steward breathed a sigh of relief. He invited Shen Kun into his carriage and then took him to a secluded teahouse on the outskirts of the city.
Shen Kun looked at the somewhat quiet teahouse and hesitated whether to go in.
"Don't worry, Mr. Shen. The matter we discussed today is quite important. I simply cleared the area," the butler explained.
Shen Kun nodded. Could it be that they were about to acknowledge their family? How should he respond?
He tried to calm himself down, then pretended to be nonchalant and followed the butler into the teahouse.
"Please speak frankly. I have nothing better to do than to avoid disturbing your business." Shen Kun had no patience for further negotiation and went straight to the point.
"The reason I've gone to such lengths today is to tell you about your background."
Shen Kun snorted inwardly; it was indeed about this matter.
His expression was stern, and he looked somewhat unhappy.
"You are extremely rude. You brought me to the edge of the city just to tell me about my background? And who are you? What's it to you?"