After being rejected, he emptied the mansion and went into exile

For the first time, Shen Maoshan discovered that Shen Jinyao was so smart that she could even guess what was happening in the court.

"From what we encountered along the way, all the way to Tingyao and the eldest prince being kidnapped, there are many forces involved."

"There are people from the imperial court, the Red Flame Gang, and the Qiang people. They are able to come together because they definitely have common interests."

"And there must be a leader among them, and the person who can be the leader is most likely someone in the imperial court."

"If our guess is correct, it's the Second Prince."

"The Second Prince wants to unite the Qiang people and the Red Flame Gang. He can't just be thinking of tying up the First Prince for fun, right?"

After listening to this, Shen Maoshan thought about it and felt that what Shen Jinyao said made sense.

"Among the four princes, the Second and Third Princes are indeed the most capable. Although the Third Prince is more gentle and has fewer enemies, he is also a suspect."

The eldest prince himself is not very ambitious and relies entirely on the support of the Empress and General Xiang's family.

The Fourth Prince is still young, and even if he has that ambition, he doesn't have that many connections.

The second prince's mother was a favorite concubine, and he had the Xue family behind him, so he had many people supporting him.

The third prince is a kind person and has many friends in the court, especially Xiang Hongxuan.

Shen Jinyao thought about it and it was indeed true. Xiang Hongxuan would exclude the third prince first, inevitably because of his own selfish motives.

Shen Jinyao suddenly thought of something she had forgotten.

She said, "There's another thing. Dingcheng Escort Agency might also be related to the Second Prince."

Shen Maoshan was puzzled. "Dingcheng Escort Agency? Is it the one from the Xue family?"

Shen Jinyao didn't know who was behind it, so she could only say, "I don't know if it was, but at the time the Zong brothers said that Dingcheng Escort Agency was the largest escort agency in Jiuzhou."

Shen Maoshan: "That's right. The Xue family is Concubine Xue's family. If they are really involved, then the Second Prince must have had his hand in this."

"As for the eldest and third princes, whether they were involved or aware of it still needs further consideration."

Shen Jinyao felt that what Shen Maoshan said made sense.

"Father, you are still an old hand after all. Jin Yao was indeed negligent."

Shen Maoshan was amused by Shen Jinyao's expression, and even remembered the time when Shen Jinyao was a child and he was holding Shen Jinyao in his arms.

"Hmph, flatterer."

Shen Maoshan burned the letter as he spoke.

Shen Maoshan continued, "Wait until I write back to the emperor and see what he says."

Shen Jinyao nodded, "If that's the case, then your mission is clear, father."

Shen Maoshan was puzzled, but Shen Jinyao said, "As long as we can find out which prince is making moves in Quzhou, and then stop the Qiang people at the critical moment, our family will be able to make a comeback."

Shen Maoshan nodded, "This is the only way. Keeping an eye on the princes is fine, but this Qiang tribe..."

Shen Jinyao: "Father, don't worry. Going to the Qiang tribe requires further planning. It requires money, military force, and wisdom."

Shen Maoshan: "Ah? Who said we were going to the Qiang tribe?"

Shen Jinyao: "Father, you can't catch a wolf without sacrificing your child. Fortune and wealth must be sought through risk. Since the emperor has said so, we must seize the opportunity."

"But now is not the right time. We have trouble even eating at home right now."

Shen Maoshan nodded, "Yes, you gave the power of the household to your mother, and divided the remaining sixty taels among each family."

"These days, it's a miracle to make it to the New Year."

Shen Jinyao said: "So, father, you must make it clear to uncle that this family must be divided, otherwise we won't be able to survive for a month."

Shen Maoshan: "I know all this, but your approach is indeed a bit radical. You didn't even tell me."

Ever since the family division happened, Shen Jinyao and Shen Maoshan have never sat down to discuss the matter.

Now that there is an opportunity, Shen Jinyao will take advantage of it.

"Father is teaching me that it was Jin Yao who was not thoughtful enough."

Shen Maoshan knew how difficult it was for Shen Jinyao and did not really mean to blame her for this matter.

Shen Maoshan: "Father knows that it's not easy for you. You will have to start a family in the future..."

Before Shen Jinyao could finish, she stopped him from saying, "Father, Jinyao is not in a hurry to get married. I still have a lot of things to do."

Shen Maoshan thought she was hurt by her marriage with Xiang Hongxuan, so he didn't mention it again.

Instead, he asked, “What do you have to do?”

Shen Jinyao said confidently: "Make money, make money with the Shen family. How can we make a comeback without money? Are we really waiting for the emperor to paint a pie in the sky?"

Shen Maoshan said helplessly: "I told you not to be disrespectful to the emperor."

Shen Jinyao: "Okay, okay. We can't talk about him until we have enough to eat. My brothers and sisters still have to study, right? What if they still have a chance to pass the imperial examination?"

Shen Maoshan nodded. What Shen Jinyao said was true, although it was rough.

He asked, "How do you make money? You've never run a business before."

Shen Jinyao said: "I have never done business, but I have people and I have potato seeds."

Shen Maoshan: "Who do you have?"

Shen Jinyao: "Of course it's Master Kang, and the people who followed me, my brothers and sisters, and my third uncle."

Shen Maoshan paused when he heard his uncle's words, "Mingshan?"

Shen Jinyao nodded. Otherwise, could she still rely on her uncle and her father?

Shen Maoshan looked at Shen Jinyao's expression and felt that she seemed to have made up her mind.

So he said, "Dad is not good at this. If you have an idea, go for it. But when you are out there, you still have to pay attention to your image as a girl."

Shen Jinyao knew that for a conservative father, being able to say such words was the greatest support.

Shen Jinyao laughed, "Then I'll trouble you, father, for the others."

Shen Maoshan waved his hand and said, "You are doing this for the Shen family. I understand you during the most difficult times."

"Don't worry, your mother and I are at home. You can do whatever you want. Your father doesn't understand these things."

Shen Jinyao: "Well, thank you, father. You have your own things to do, and you also have to help the emperor collect intelligence."

"By the way, father, when will you go to see the eldest prince?"

Shen Maoshan nodded. Shen Jinyao was right. If he wanted the Shen family to rise, the first step was to make the emperor think he was useful.

The eldest prince must be seen.

Shen Maoshan: "Tomorrow."

Shen Jinyao: "Then father, please take me with you."

Shen Maoshan put on a serious face and said, "Women are not allowed to enter the military camp casually. It's so embarrassing when there are only men here."

Shen Jinyao said with a smile on her face: "I can wear men's clothes, father."

"Jin'er, I hope you know that it's impossible for you and General Xiang to be together in the future."

"Father, what are you thinking about? I want to go see Master Kang."