You're the one who wants to marry a mistress, and I'm marrying someone else, yet you still

Shen Nianqing became anxious, "Second brother, how can you say that? Eldest brother is also our own brother! What will we do without eldest brother?"

The thought that Shen Cong'an would no longer live in the Shen family and that she would never have the chance to get close to His Highness the Crown Prince again filled Shen Nianqing with resentment.

Shen Nian'an couldn't help but sneer at her, "My own brother? If he really cared about family ties, why would he propose separating the family? Shen Nianqing, if you had any brains at all, you should understand that we are all doing this to save you. If you hadn't caused trouble, why would we be threatened by Shen Cong'an?"

"Hehe, I caused trouble? Second brother, haven't you caused enough trouble? If you hadn't insisted on bringing your mistress into the house, would Xie Wanru have left? If she hadn't left, those people outside wouldn't have dared to openly cause me trouble. Besides, Xie Wanru has money, more than eldest brother!"

As she listened to her children's argument, Old Madam Shen couldn't stop shaking her head.

How did it come to this?

Shen Zhan sighed heavily. He didn't like the capable Shen Cong'an, nor did he like the incompetent Shen Nian'an. In the past, he only felt that he could get by in life and didn't need to be outstanding.

But now that the Marquis's mansion is slowly declining, he is also distressed.

"Then let him split up. I want to see how successful he can be when he does."

The next day, Shen Zhan invited the elders of the Shen family and explained the matter of dividing the family property to them.

When the elders of the Shen family heard about this, they all looked surprised. It was extremely rare in the Great Zhou Dynasty for the family to split up while the father was still alive. They whispered among themselves and discussed the matter.

In their eyes, the Yong'an Marquis's Mansion had always been a prominent family in Xuancheng. Even the divorce from Xie Wanru did not make them feel that the Shen family had declined. It was unbelievable that the two sons were now splitting up the family property.

An elderly man with white hair and beard, representing the head of the Shen family, slowly spoke: "My lord, this matter is of utmost importance. You must think it through carefully. Once the family is divided, it will not only damage the harmony among the children, but also make us a laughing stock in the eyes of outsiders, which will greatly affect the reputation of the Shen family."

Shen Zhan smiled bitterly. What reputation did his Shen family have left? Moreover, he was well aware of the seriousness of the family division, but things had come to this point and there was no turning back.

“Clan leader, this matter was brought up by Shen Cong’an. His mind is made up, and there is nothing I can do to change it.”

With just one sentence, all the responsibility was shifted onto Shen Cong'an.

Another elder pondered and said, "Cong An has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood. He is the most promising child of our Shen family in this generation. Since he wants to separate the family, there is really nothing we can do. However, have you reached an agreement with him on the terms for the separation?"

Shen Zhan nodded and explained the conditions proposed by Shen Cong'an: he would assume the debt and sever all ties with the Yong'an Marquis's Mansion.

"I'm prepared to ask for fifty thousand taels."

The clan elders looked at each other in bewilderment after hearing this.

They knew that Shen Cong'an proposed dividing the family property because he knew the Hou family was short of money, but Shen Nianqing had asked for 30,000 taels, so how did it become 50,000?

"To be honest, the Hou family mansion is actually just an empty shell. The shops are losing more and more money. I only hope that the remaining 20,000 can help the Shen family get through the difficulties in the future."

“What if Cong’an doesn’t give us that much? My lord, if we really split up the family, we’ll have no choice but to rely on Nian’an.”

Everyone was against it, but they had no choice.

How can you hold onto someone who wants to leave? Keeping them around will only create more rifts. The primary problem is still the lack of money. If the family doesn't separate, Shen Cong'an won't provide the money, and the Shen family will fall into an even deeper abyss.

On the evening of the third day, Shen Zhan, carrying the clan elders' resolution, went to find Shen Cong'an again.

He looked at his son, who had always been a headache for him, and maintained the last bit of dignity. "Cong'an, the elders have agreed to divide the family, but I hope you can remember our past relationship and not be too ruthless."

Shen Cong'an smiled calmly, showing no surprise when he learned that Shen Zhan wanted 50,000 taels of silver.

If it weren't for this point, Shen Zhan probably wouldn't have agreed to let him separate from the Shen family for just this little bit of money.

Shen Cong'an remained silent. He even felt that if he uttered a single word, these people would think he was unwilling to share.

While Shen Cong'an was dealing with these trivial matters, Xiao Yan, who was supposed to continue his journey south, returned.

After wiping out a small mountain stronghold of about ten people, Xiao Yan led his small team back to Xuancheng. He couldn't miss the opportunity to make contact with the Simons.

Lou Li could be so arrogant in front of him because the Lou family could contact the Northern Barbarians, while he couldn't. If he could establish contact with the Simons secretly this time, he would have more options in the future and wouldn't be controlled by Lou Li.

However, he brought someone back with him this time.

A person who can influence the entire situation.

On the way back, the man gave Shen Cong'an a plan.

"Wouldn't doing this completely enrage Shen Cong'an? Can't we just arrest that kid named Shen Mo and use him to threaten Shen Cong'an?"

Xiao Yan was somewhat uneasy about that person's suggestion.

"Your Highness, those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. If you are to be the ruler of a country, you cannot be soft-hearted."

Atop a black steed, a man in white spoke in a detached tone.

Xiao Yan believed what this man said.

He didn't have many advisors, most of whom followed Lou Li's orders. This time, he finally had an advisor who obeyed him.

"Alright, you make the arrangements. Just don't let anyone else know that I had someone do it until Shen Cong'an gives his approval."

Xiao Yan gave a word of advice.

Because Emperor Qinyong trusts Shen Cong'an, if Shen Cong'an would rather abandon his son than submit to him, he must ensure that he will not get into trouble because of this.

The man in white nodded respectfully. He wore a white mask, so only his face below the nose could be seen, but his actual appearance could not be discerned.

At this moment, Shen Cong'an was still dealing with the matter of dividing the family property at the Shen residence. This was originally a family matter, but since it involved the inheritance of the title, he still had to send someone to inform the Diligent and Brave Emperor.

The title of Marquis of Yong'an was not very prestigious under Shen Zhan's generation, especially because of the recent actions of the Shen family, which were despicable. However, it was a title that could be inherited for generations, which many people sought but could not obtain, yet Shen Cong'an readily gave it up.

He listened quietly to the so-called advice from the elders of the Shen family, most of which advised him not to separate the family, and there was also Shen Zhan's final words in the name of his father.

Shen Cong'an remained silent throughout, his eyes showing no emotion whatsoever. "Rest assured, Marquis Yong'an, I will present the fifty thousand taels in full. I only hope that from now on, we will go our separate ways and not break our agreement today."