The Shadow of Emperor Qing

The Shadow of Emperor Qing

Yuan Shen had always thought Wang Yue was impossible to fault in an argument. At last, he'd found a flaw, and he immediately shook his head. "That would be unfair to the guard who died so tragically."

Seeing Yuan Shen's excitement, Wang Yue found it rather amusing. He smiled unconcernedly. "We study the arts of war and letters to serve the emperor. That's why we entered officialdom, and it's the same for the guards. It's only right. Are you saying the daughters of all the generals who've fought for the country over the years should marry His Majesty? Look at the women by His Majesty's side now—they're still the same women from back then. His Majesty has made it perfectly clear how we ought to handle such situations, so why should you agonize over it? Once the orphaned girl has died, find the guard's relatives and let them adopt an heir to carry on his name. Ensure that child enjoys a life of wealth and prosperity and continues the family line. That's more than enough."

Wang Yue left Yuan Shen speechless. Could he really say the current emperor was wrong? If he did, would he still be able to enter officialdom? Besides, this approach would give those who coveted wealth and status an opening. If the Imperial Family were unsettled, the country would be thrown into turmoil too.

Seeing that Yuan Shen had fallen silent, Cheng Shaoshang immediately added earnestly, "My husband is right. Leaving His Majesty aside, my father is a general too. Plenty of guards died protecting him on the battlefield, but I never saw any of them marry their sisters or daughters to my father. He's only ever had my mother."

Hearing both Wang Yue and Cheng Shaoshang say this, Huangpu Yi