Yuan Shao asked expressionlessly, "What did you want to ask me?"
His tone was mild, yet to Yuan Shang, it sounded like a thunderclap.
He dropped to his knees with a thud, his face pale and sweat pouring down like rain. He dared not utter another word.
Watching his youngest son tremble like chaff in a sieve, Yuan Shao's eyes flashed with frustration at iron that would not become steel. With a sigh, he turned and went back into his room.
"Take your mother home. Don't disturb my rest."
With that, the door slammed shut.
Yuan Shang kept his head bowed low, hiding the resentment and fury in his eyes from everyone.
Chapter 58: Blessed with the Phoenix Destiny! The Bearing of an Empress! (Double-length chapter)
Within the Yuan Family, Yuan Shao held absolute authority as its patriarch.
However favored Yuan Shang might be, he could not-and dared not-defy Yuan Shao's will. No matter how bitterly he resented it, he could only bury it deep in his heart.
Seeing Yuan Shang kneeling silently on the ground, Madam Liu felt her heart ache. She went over and helped him up, brushed the dust off him, then earnestly urged, "Your father is doing this for your own good. He loves you and wants to arrange a marriage with a family of deeper standing."
"You're a grown man now. You mustn't act willfully anymore. The family's interests must come first in everything."
Madam Liu certainly doted on her youngest son, Yuan Shang.
But she knew even better which matters carried greater weight.
As the Yuan Family's principal wife, she had to consider the interests of the entire family.
By then, Yuan Shang had composed himself, his expression returning to normal. He nodded and said, "I understand. I'll leave everything to Father's arrangements."
"Mother, I'll take my leave."
He bowed to Madam Liu, then turned and left.
Watching her youngest son's retreating figure, Madam Liu sighed.
How could she fail to see that Yuan Shang still harbored resentment? But there was nothing she could do. The family's interests always came first.
After leaving the side courtyard, Yuan Shang did not return to his own quarters. Instead, he left the Yuan Residence and took a carriage to his official residence.
Shen Pei and Feng Ji were handling affairs in the residence's main hall. When Yuan Shang arrived, they intended to report on administrative matters, but he ignored them and walked inside without a word.
The two exchanged bewildered looks.
"What's... happened to the third young master?"
Feng Ji turned to Shen Pei, his face full of puzzlement.
Normally, Yuan Shang chatted and laughed with them, treating them with great warmth. His reaction just now had been utterly different.
Shen Pei did not know the reason either, so he said, "Let's go and see."
He could tell that Yuan Shang was in an extremely foul mood.
What on earth had happened?
The two went to the rear hall together and found Yuan Shang sitting alone behind a desk, his chin propped on his hand as he stared into space. They had no idea what he was thinking.
Shen Pei and Feng Ji exchanged a glance. Shen Pei was about to ask, but Yuan Shang suddenly spoke first.
"Master Shen."
Yuan Shang turned his gaze toward Shen Pei, his eyes slightly reddened. "Tell me, am I really inferior to my second brother?"
Even a man as shrewd as Shen Pei was caught off guard by this sudden question. Unsure how to answer, he could only ask, "Why do you say that, third young master? What happened?"
Yuan Shang sighed and concealed nothing. "Today, I went to visit Father and happened to find Mother discussing marriage arrangements for my second brother and me with him."
"Father intends to marry my second brother to a daughter of the Zhongshan Zhen Family."
At this news, both Shen Pei and Feng Ji looked startled.
The Zhongshan Zhen Family was a renowned clan in Ji Province. Its standing and influence were both considerable, and most importantly, it controlled immense wealth. It was extravagantly rich.
Our lord actually intends to marry the second young master into the Zhen Clan?
"What about you, third young master? Which family's daughter does our lord intend for you to marry?"
Feng Ji pressed further. Since they were discussing marriages, surely they would not arrange one for Yuan Xi but none for Yuan Shang.
Yuan Shang gritted his teeth. "That's exactly why I'm angry! Father will let my second brother marry this Zhen girl, but not me!"
"He said I'm not steady enough and that he'll find a more suitable great family for my marriage. How am I not steady enough? Is the Zhen Clan's standing still not high enough?"
To Yuan Shang, all this talk of his lacking maturity and finding a better family for his marriage was nothing but excuses!
Excuses for his father and mother to favor his second brother, Yuan Xi!
After hearing him out, Shen Pei and Feng Ji finally understood why Yuan Shang was in such a foul mood. So this was the reason.
Shen Pei tried to soothe him. "Please calm your anger, third young master. Our lord has always favored you. Why would he favor one son and slight another? Surely he wishes to find you a family of even better standing..."
"But I want to marry the Zhen girl!"
Yuan Shang interrupted Shen Pei, his face full of irritation.
He was sick of hearing that same explanation.
Shen Pei was momentarily at a loss for words. He could see now that his young master did not truly want to marry the Zhen girl; he simply could not swallow this slight.
As the two considered how to persuade Yuan Shang, a voice suddenly rang out. "If the second young master marries into the Zhen Clan and gains such powerful support, I'm afraid he'll overshadow the third young master even more in the future."
The expressions of Shen Pei, Feng Ji, and Yuan Shang all changed.
They turned toward the doorway in unison.
The speaker was a scholar dressed in plain cloth.
Seeing him, Shen Pei frowned. "Chief Clerk Guo, what do you mean by that?"
He recognized the plainly dressed scholar, who was also one of their advisers.
The man usually kept a low profile and attracted little notice. Only recently had he volunteered to work at Yuan Shang's official residence, and they had had little contact with him.
This plainly dressed scholar was, of course, Guo Jia. At the question, he smiled faintly. "Administrator Shen, you should know very well what I mean."
"The Zhongshan Zhen Family's wealth and influence in Ji Province are beyond the reach of ordinary great families. It ranks foremost in the province. And Ji Province is our lord's foundation, the land he has cultivated longest and where his roots run deepest. Its importance goes without saying."
"If the second young master gains the support of a local great family like the Zhen Clan, may I ask what the third young master will have to contend with him for Ji Province?"
"I'm afraid our lord may have another purpose behind this marriage."
Yuan Shang's expression changed at once. Unable to suppress his nervousness, he asked Shen Pei and Feng Ji, "Gentlemen... is what Chief Clerk Guo said true?"
Whoever held Ji Province would, in effect, hold supreme power over Yuan Shao's branch of the family.
Whichever of the Yuan Family's three sons controlled Ji Province would be the rightful heir!
At first, Yuan Shang had thought this marriage was merely a matter of his father's favoritism. But after Guo Jia's words, he realized something was amiss.
Shen Pei's expression was complicated, and he remained silent;
Feng Ji, too, looked deeply awkward.
In truth, they shared the same concern, but dared not voice it. Such groundless speculation could easily sow discord between the brothers Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang, and thereby provoke Yuan Shao's wrath.
As household retainers, what are you trying to achieve by driving a wedge between the brothers?
The consequences were not something the two advisers could bear.
Seeing their reactions, how could Yuan Shang fail to understand?
"Father actually... actually..."
Yuan Shang clenched his teeth, an indescribable fury lurking in his eyes!
No wonder he wants my second brother, Yuan Xi, to marry the Zhen girl.
He has already secretly chosen him as his heir!
All that talk of finding me a more suitable marriage was nothing but excuses-excuses to deceive me!
At that moment, Yuan Shang felt the full fury of being deceived.
Then he abruptly rose and came out from behind the desk. Approaching Guo Jia, he clasped both his hands tightly and all but pleaded, "Please help me, sir!"
Shen Pei's knowing silence had left Yuan Shang deeply disappointed.
Yet this Chief Clerk Guo, who had only recently come to serve him, had spoken the words Shen Pei dared not say-and shown him a ray of hope!
"There's no need to panic, third young master. There is still room to turn things around."
Guo Jia smiled as he spoke, then glanced at Shen Pei and Feng Ji.
"Administrator Shen and Deputy Governor Feng were not unwilling to tell you, third young master. It is simply difficult for subjects to speak of such matters."
"Besides, this is only conjecture. Our lord may not truly harbor such intentions."
He took the initiative to offer an explanation on their behalf.
Yuan Shang nodded, then said to Shen Pei and Feng Ji, "Rest assured, gentlemen. I understand your predicament and won't blame you for it."
"Though this is only conjecture for now, we cannot rule out the possibility that Father has secretly chosen my second brother as his heir. Since you have chosen to support me, please see it through to the end!"
"I will never forget this kindness!"
As he spoke, Yuan Shang bowed deeply to them.
Both his words and his manner were utterly sincere.
"You're far too kind, third young master!"
Shen Pei and Feng Ji hurriedly returned his bow while helping Yuan Shang straighten up.
With Yuan Shang having gone this far, refusing to help would mean they did not know how to appreciate his goodwill.
Now that the matter had been laid bare, what they needed to discuss next was much simpler.
How to prevent Yuan Xi from marrying into the Zhen Clan!
Yuan Shang invited Guo Jia, Shen Pei, and Feng Ji into the study behind the hall, where they began discussing the matter.
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