Chapter 4

After the banquet, Shen Gong Ao and Fu Jianzhi had a secret conversation.

At this moment, Shen Gong Ao no longer concealed his condition, his right leg slightly limping.

The Governor of Tianshui Province, Fu Jianzhi, was surprised and said, "Brother Shen Gong, are you injured?"

Shen Gong Ao replied, "Yes."

Fu Jianzhi said, "There's actually someone who can injure you?"

Shen Gong Ao said, "It was a monster."

Fu Jianzhi said, "A monster? There are actually monsters in the Dali Kingdom?"

Shen Gong Ao said, "Yao Li has risen rapidly. Although the Dali Kingdom is small, it is on a strong upward trend and cannot be underestimated."

The Dali Kingdom is located at the southern end of the Daxia Dynasty. The founding king, Yao Li, is wise and valiant, with the aura of a king. In just a few years, he destroyed the Nanzhan Dynasty, and the kingdom has only been established for three years.

Fu Jianzhi said, "Indeed, it cannot be underestimated. Three years ago, other generals could easily defeat the southern forces without Brother Shen Gong's intervention. After Yao Li established the kingdom, he launched campaigns in the south and north, and actually forced our ten-thousand-strong army to retreat, recapturing over a dozen of our cities. Fortunately, Brother Shen Gong took action, avenging the previous disgrace, not only reclaiming lost territories but also expanding our borders by hundreds of miles."

Shen Gong Ao said, "That's because the Dali Kingdom's main forces were suppressing rebellions in the south."

Fu Jianzhi said, "If we wait for Yao Li to eliminate the remaining forces of the Nanzhan Kingdom and unify the entire southern region, it will become a major threat to our dynasty."

Shen Gong Ao said, "Haven't we already made peace with the Manla tribe and the Lao Kingdom in the southwest? We should now focus on dealing with this newly risen Dali Kingdom."

Then, Shen Gong Ao asked, "How is Lady Mi?"

This question was crucial. At the victory celebration, Lady Mi did not come herself, and even her son did not attend.

This was a dangerous signal. Lady Mi was once the lord of the Shen Gong family, and the relationship between them was very close.

Fu Jianzhi said, "Lady Mi is well and misses Brother Shen Gong very much."

Shen Gong Ao said, "I will soon travel north to Yingzhou to visit Lady Mi."

Fu Jianzhi avoided answering this question and instead said, "I saw Wuque today. I haven't congratulated you on the reunion of your family! Wuque has been missing for eight years, hasn't he?"

Shen Gong Ao said, "Don't mention that disobedient son. It's better to have none!"

Fu Jianzhi said, "To be honest, Wuque's departure was mostly due to my daughter's fault."

Shen Gong Ao said, "What does Caiwei have to do with it? Caiwei is like a phoenix from heaven, and that disobedient son is mediocre and boastful. How could he possibly match even a finger of Caiwei? Unable to obtain her, he defied his parents, broke the engagement, and left the wedding ceremony, disappearing without a trace. What use is such a disobedient son? He is a disgrace to the Shen Gong family."

When Fu Jianzhi heard Shen Gong Ao repeatedly mention the Shen Gong family, his eyes twitched slightly.

Shen Gong Ao was of a different ethnicity. When he was very young, his entire family lost in the ethnic conflicts in the northwest. His father then led the entire clan to join the Daxia Empire, changing their surname from Shen Gong to Shen to show loyalty to the emperor, indicating a complete break with the Shen Gong family in the northwest.

Therefore, throughout the empire, they were known as the Shen family. Now that Shen Gong Ao has achieved great success and holds immense power, his repeated mention of the Shen Gong family is not well-received by imperial officials.

However, facing the rising star Shen Gong Ao, Governor Fu Jianzhi did not show his displeasure and instead comforted him, "The past is the past. Wuque was young and didn't know better. Now that he has returned, he must have come to his senses. Why not send someone to bring him back to the mansion?"

Shen Gong Ao said coldly, "Even if that disobedient son dies outside, I won't look at him. Want me to bring him back? Not a chance!"

With a loud crack, the jade ball in Shen Gong Ao's hand was crushed, revealing his intense anger.

It also showed the incredible strength of his hands.

"Don't be angry, don't be angry!" Fu Jianzhi said, "I won't mention him, I won't mention him."

Then Governor Fu Jianzhi said, "There's something I need to discuss with you."

Shen Gong Ao said, "Brother Fu, please speak."

Fu Jianzhi said, "You have been promoted to the rank of Marquis, the highest noble in the empire. Not having a designated heir is against propriety."

Speaking of designating an heir, Shen Gong Ao sighed.

It wasn't because his sons were not capable, but because both of his sons were too outstanding, and he didn't know which one to choose.

His eldest son, Shen Wuzhuo, and his second son, Shen Wuyu.

One is a martial genius, unmatched in military strategy.

The other is a literary genius, unparalleled in governance.

For other families, having one such outstanding son would be remarkable, but Shen Gong Ao has two.

Not only he, but even the retainers of the Shen family, didn't know who should inherit the family business.

Shen Gong Ao said, "Brother Fu, tell me, which one should I choose, the eldest or the second?"

Fu Jianzhi sighed, "No one in the world knows, how could I know? You are truly in a difficult position."

Shen Gong Ao gazed out the window, and the image of the young and adorable Wuque floated in his mind.

Wuque was his youngest son. When he was nearly forty, he had a son who was extremely beautiful, and he loved him the most.

Unconsciously, twenty years had passed. The relationship between father and son had become like fire and water.

The key was that this youngest son was too disappointing.

At this moment, Fu Jianzhi suddenly said, "Brother Shen Gong, there's something I don't know if I should ask."

A cold light appeared in Shen Gong Ao's eyes, as if he knew what the other person was going to ask. Then he said calmly, "Is there anything Brother Fu can't ask?"

Governor Fu Jianzhi said, "I heard that on the battlefield, Brother Shen Gong suddenly fainted and convulsed. Is it true or false?"

Shen Gong Ao laughed coldly, "Good news doesn't spread, but bad news travels far. It seems many people are hoping I will fall. Does Brother Fu believe it?"

Fu Jianzhi said, "I only believe what Brother Shen Gong says."

Shen Gong Ao said, "Of course it's false. It was just a ruse. I fainted and convulsed three times on the battlefield. After the third time, the enemy finally fell for it, thinking our army was leaderless. They launched a surprise attack, but I killed their commander and drove them back dozens of miles, leaving them in disarray."

Fu Jianzhi said, "I knew it. Brother Shen Gong is invincible. How could you possibly be ill, let alone faint and convulse? You are the pillar of the southern border of our empire, and we cannot do without you for a single day."

Looking at Fu Jianzhi's smiling face, Shen Gong Ao felt a chill inside.

The Shen Gong family is now too powerful, and he, Shen Gong Ao, is too powerful, causing many people to envy and fear, even to view him as an enemy.

Worse, he is of a different ethnicity. Although he is now shining brightly, if he shows even a hint of weakness, the wolves around him will pounce.

...

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Zhaixing Pavilion!

Almost the tallest building in Zhenhai City, it is magnificent and luxurious.

The owner of Zhaixing Pavilion, Zhi Fan!

She is almost the most legendary woman in the entire southern region.

Admired, revered, and adored.

At this moment, this beautiful woman was sitting in front of a mirror, drawing her eyebrows. Her tall and proud figure sat upright and graceful.

Her high nose and sharp eyebrows spoke of her strong personality.

Her lips were as red as fire, and her face was delicate.

Her chest was proud and her waist slender.

Her buttocks were round and firm, and her legs were long.

She was already beautiful, yet she still enjoyed makeup, spending a long time on it each time, but only for herself.

"Lady, Lady..."

A maid rushed in, excitedly saying, "Lady, good news, good news! Master Wuque has returned, Master Wuque has returned."

Zhi Fan's beautiful eyes trembled and turned cold.

The air around her seemed to chill.

The maid timidly said, "Lady, are you not happy? He, he is your husband, after all?"

Husband?

A husband who fled the wedding ceremony, leaving her to face countless mocking eyes?

She became a widow before even consummating the marriage.

Despite her beauty, she became the target of ridicule for many. Even when walking on the street, many people looked at her with strange, even lecherous eyes.

She did not let herself be defeated but bravely left the protection of the Shen Gong family and built a glorious career in a few years.

Now she has not only reclaimed all her dignity but also shines brightly, admired by many.

Who would dare to mention her being jilted by Shen Wuque now?

She has become her own person.

In everyone's eyes, she is the owner of Zhaixing Pavilion, not the daughter-in-law of the Shen Gong family.

Taking a deep breath, Zhi Fan said slowly, "Shen Wuque, you have finally returned? It's time to settle the humiliation you brought me with your elopement."

...

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