"I'm afraid someone with ulterior motives poisoned and then framed the Lu Family... Anyway, the Lu Family isn't in Phoenix City, so they can blame it on them however they want."

Shen Cong sensed Shen Jianping's hostility, and said discontentedly: "I was just saying casually... We still need to find evidence to figure out who did it. Why are you angry at me?"

"Am I angry? I'm trying to reason with you... Until the murderer is found, anyone can be a suspect."

"What do you mean by anyone can be a suspect? Do we all have suspicions?"

"I didn't say that, it's you who put yourself in that position."

"What do you mean, Shen Jianping?"

"Whatever you think I mean, that's what it means."

Bang!

The sound of the tea cup striking the table was heard.

Shen Wuxiang glanced at Shen Cong and Shen Jianping, and scolded angrily: "What kind of talk is this, arguing and shouting?"

Neither Shen Cong nor Shen Jianping dared to speak.

Shen Wuxiang controls the Imperial Army, making him the actual ruler of this country.

He is not the King, yet he surpasses the King.

Even within the family, he is a figure of absolute authority.

Only Shen Boyu dares to voice different opinions in front of him, while others have no right to protest.

This includes Shen Jianping, the Vice Minister of the Empire.

Political power comes from the barrel of a gun. Whoever has the bigger fist is right.

Both in ancient and modern times.

Shen Wuxiang's gaze fell on Shen Jianping's face, and he said: "Le Wen's death has saddened us all deeply. Upon hearing the news, I returned immediately."

"Before this, I've already instructed National Security to investigate. Whatever the real truth is, I believe they will provide everyone with a satisfactory explanation."

"However, I must solemnly declare here, until the results are out, no one should suspect or doubt each other."

"I know, the atmosphere at home has been strange lately; many people have had thoughts they shouldn't. Forming alliances, attacking each other. The family doesn't feel like one, family members don't feel like family."

"Le Wen's death is clearly an attempt to create division within our family. Instead of achieving great things, we've turned against each other. Isn't it ridiculous?"

"So, from today onward, starting at this moment, keep those improper thoughts to yourself. We'll decide who will take that position among ourselves."

"If anyone dares to stir trouble and disrupt the peace at home, they will be considered an enemy of the Shen Family. We will remove them from the Shen Family genealogy and charge them with espionage."

"..."

Under current circumstances, espionage is a capital crime.

Shen Wuxiang means that anyone inciting conflict within the family, causing hostility, will inevitably face death.

"With a harmonious family, everything prospers." Shen Boyu swiftly stepped in to mediate after Shen Wuxiang played the heavy hand: "Wuxiang is right; we've yet to achieve anything significant, but we're fighting amongst ourselves. It's not only a laughing stock to outsiders but also a hindrance to our family's major endeavors."

"What is the point of fighting fiercely over things we haven't secured yet? If the prize escapes us, who is to blame?"

"Now is a crucial period; even Wuxiang is cautious every day, feeling anxious. Do you not have a shred of reverence?"

"Do you know how many eyes are watching us now? The remnants of the Tang Family may have fled the old land, but have they not set traps on New Star? There might be someone from them among us."

"As for the factional Qin Family and Lu Family, can we deal with them so easily? A slight misstep and they'll bite us."

"Family members, the road is long and treacherous. We must unite and strive together."

"What Second Grandpa said is right; we, the Shen Family, must think and act as one."

"Anyone causing damage at this moment is a family traitor."

"Everyone should value harmony... I never aimed for that position."

------

"Successful, with prosperity and luxury. Failed, a road to ruin." Shen Wuxiang added.

"..."

This statement left no one with anything to reply, nor did anyone dare to.

But, who could oppose Shen Wuxiang?

If a minor figure speaks harshly, it's low emotional intelligence.

If a major figure speaks harshly, it's a straightforward character.

Even if what he said was unpleasant, everyone present could only listen...

After making sure everyone understood, Shen Boyu spoke up: "It's been a while since we've all seen Xing Lan, hasn't it? Come, let him come out and chat with everyone, have some tea."

Everyone looked toward the courtyard, where a young man stood full of vigor, his white clothes cleaner than snow.

------

Yanqing Street, number eighteen.

Finance Minister Mansion.

Sheng Jing and his daughter Sheng Xinhua sat across from each other, Sheng Xinhua looking impatient as she said: "Mr. Sheng, why did you drag me back from so far away? I have classes early tomorrow morning and I need to go back to prepare."

Sheng Jing lowered his head to make tea, as if brewing tea was the most important thing.

He handed a cup of tea to Sheng Xinhua, saying: "Have some tea."

"What's so great about tea? It's bland and tasteless. If there was wine, I could sit with you for three days and nights."

Sheng Jing took a sip from his tea cup, glanced at Sheng Xinhua, and said: "Shen Lewen is dead."

"Huh?" Sheng Xinhua was shocked, looking at Sheng Jing and asking: "Dead? How did he die? Wasn't he alive and well yesterday?"

"He had just come to visit our Sheng Family, and then someone poisoned him." Sheng Jing briefly explained the situation.

"Who did it? Have they caught the killer?"

Sheng Jing raised an eyebrow and looked at Sheng Xinhua, asking: "You really don't know anything?"

"Mr. Sheng, what do you mean? What should I know?" She looked at Sheng Jing with wide eyes, a look of disbelief on her face: "You can't seriously think I killed Shen Lewen, can you? Am I crazy? Even if I didn't want to marry him, there's no need to kill the man..."

"It's very complicated."

"No matter how complicated, it has nothing to do with me." Sheng Xinhua said firmly: "When did he die? I'll find an alibi."

"..."

Sheng Jing considered Sheng Xinhua thoughtfully.

As if to prove her innocence and grievance, Sheng Xinhua stared back at her elder unflinchingly.

After a long time, Sheng Jing waved his hand, saying: "Go back and prepare for your classes. A teacher should act like a teacher."

"I know." Sheng Xinhua immediately got up from the ground, turned around, and was about to leave, saying: "I'm the most popular teacher at the school. Without a doubt."

"Is Tang Fei back?" Sheng Jing asked suddenly.

Sheng Xinhua paused her steps, turned to look at Sheng Jing, and said expressionlessly: "Back? How come I don't know about it?"

Sheng Jing stared at her face, then sighed softly.

After Sheng Xinhua walked away, a man with a red nose sat across from Sheng Jing, gulping down the tea that Sheng Xinhua hadn't touched, then frowned, saying: "Xinhua is right, this tea has no flavor, wine is better."

"You're reeking of alcohol, it's overpowering." Sheng Jing said disdainfully.

"Hahaha, a wine fanatic must have a hint of wine on them!" The red-nosed man laughed heartily.

Looking at Sheng Jing with interest, he said: "But you, who barely drinks at all, have a daughter who loves wine... doesn't that irritate you?"

"Isn't that your fault?" Sheng Jing said through gritted teeth at the mention of this: "Back when we were drawing lots, if it weren't for you throwing that wine gourd over, would she have crawled towards it just by smelling it?"

"It just proves she's destined for wine. You laid out so many delicious things and she wanted none of them. Once she spotted the wine gourd, her eyes lit up... can you blame me for that?"

"You should cut back on drinking. Look at how it's affected you." Sheng Jing reprimanded.

If anyone else dared to scold him like this, the wine fanatic would have snapped their neck right then and there.

But this was his own elder brother...

He could only put up with it.

"Alright, alright, I can't quit drinking, so just scold me about something else." The wine fanatic said with a cheerful laugh, not getting angry.

"..."

Seeing his brother silent, the wine fanatic asked: "Do you actually know Tang Fei is back, or were you just trying to trick your precious daughter with words?"

"I only suspected before, but now I can be sure." Sheng Jing said, his expression as calm as water.

"Why?"

"Because when I mentioned Tang Fei in front of her... she wasn't angry."

"..."

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