Engagement Canceled: I Can Extract Prefixes-Chapter 126 - 125: Doing My Part to Oppose the Shen Family

Chapter 126: Chapter 125: Doing My Part to Oppose the Shen Family
As for the Prefect of Yun’an City, the Shen Family has always had some dissatisfaction.
In Shen Qingshan’s view, this Prefect Xu was sent by the Imperial Family to monitor the Shen Family.
The senior members of the Shen Family once tried to win over Prefect Xu, only to find it completely ineffective.
This Prefect Xu was loyal only to the Imperial Family.
Despite the grievances against Prefect Xu, he was, after all, an official of the Imperial Court, so appearances had to be maintained.
The servants of the Shen Mansion invited Prefect Xu to sit in the reception hall, and then rushed to to the senior members of the Shen Family.
Since Shen Qingshan was in the mansion, it made sense for him to go to greet the guest.
However, upon hearing that it was Prefect Xu visiting, he claimed illness and let Madam Shen meet him instead.
Since attempting to win him over proved futile, Shen Qingshan couldn’t even be bothered to put on a facade.
Reception hall.
Madam Shen maintained the necessary courtesies.
Shen Qingshan was often in the military camp, but Madam Shen had to remain in Yun’an City.
The Shen Mansion would certainly have many dealings with Prefect Xu.
"Please forgive us, Prefect Xu. Our Lord is weary from traveling and feels unwell, so I came to receive you on his behalf."
"Madam Shen, what are you saying? It was my impromptu visit that disturbed your peace."
Prefect Xu did not believe any claims of illness. With Shen Qingshan’s strength, how could he be fatigued from travel?
As soon as these words fell, Prefect Xu handed over the letter he was holding.
"Allow me to congratulate you, Madam Shen. The Shen Family produced the illustrious Shen Ye, and now another genius, Shen Han.
The Tianyi Academy in the Capital City has heard that Shen Han took first place at the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering this year and wishes to recruit him.
This is the admission letter from Tianyi Academy, please take it, Madam Shen."
Upon hearing this news, Madam Shen’s face involuntarily twitched.
The Shen Family had just devised a way to deal with Shen Han, and now an admission letter had arrived.
Pausing for a moment, Madam Shen looked at Prefect Xu:
"Perhaps this letter should be taken back, Prefect Xu. Young Shen Han has little experience outside, and is inexperienced.
He has only just begun to show his talents. Our Lord wishes for him to cultivate in the mansion for a few more years before venturing out.
The young lad Shen Han likely doesn’t wish to leave his hometown either, as the unfamiliar place would be quite challenging."
Hearing this, Prefect Xu immediately put on a puzzled expression and looked at Madam Shen.
"Why has young Shen Han changed his mind suddenly? He clearly had written a letter to the academy agreeing to go.
How could he have changed his mind in just two days?"
Madam Shen’s lips twitched slightly, thinking it was only being notified today.
She intended to decline the invitation on Shen Han’s behalf.
Unexpectedly, Prefect Xu was already in contact with Shen Han.
In Great Wei, education for the youth was of utmost importance.
Even if a family member was bedridden, education took precedence, and the local government office would provide financial support for the sick elder’s care.
This illustrates how much Great Wei valued the education of the youth.
After all, it was the foundation of Great Wei’s strength, an essential pillar that must be secured.
As these principles are written into the laws and Ritual Records, they must be remembered by all.
Having lived in Great Wei for so many years, Madam Shen naturally understood this logic.
She originally wanted to conceal Shen Han, but now it seemed that things were becoming more complicated.
Seeing Madam Shen speechless, Prefect Xu stood up to add: "Please hand the admission letter to Shen Han, Madam Shen. If he truly does not wish to attend Tianyi Academy, he should come to the Prefect’s Mansion and inform us personally."
With that, Prefect Xu cupped his hands to Madam Shen before leaving.
Watching Prefect Xu’s departing figure, Madam Shen’s eyes immediately turned cold.
Clutching the letter, she hurried to find Shen Qingshan.
Seeing the letter, Shen Qingshan’s expression also turned somewhat grim.
"Tianyi Academy has always been close to Prince Qingyuan. Shen Han already feels estranged from the Shen Family, and if he enters Tianyi Academy, he will likely be even more incited to despise the Shen Family and oppose us at every turn."
With a hint of worry on his face, Shen Qingshan fell into contemplation.
The Shen Family was different from many other families.
No matter how outstanding the younger generation is, they are not enough to control the entire Shen Family.
The Shen Family’s greatest strength lies in its control of the Eastern Garrison.
In the military, the most crucial element is morale.
If morale falters, the army loses its strength.
The Shen Family, commanding so many soldiers, is marked by loyalty, filial piety, and compassion.
If Shen Han grows up and openly opposes the Shen Family,
the losses to the Shen Family might be more than they appear.
When this news reaches the army led by the Shen Family, what would the soldiers think if they see their own successors cannot even maintain family harmony and revolt against the family?
If used by opposing forces, it would be even more troublesome.
"I should go talk to Shen Han, persuade him," Shen Qingshan said.
But what he meant by persuasion was simply finding excuses to deceive Shen Han into not going.
There was still a quarter of an hour until noon.
Upon receiving the notification from Cai Xue, Shen Han arrived at the courtyard gate of the Patriarch.
"Come in, have a seat."
Hearing this, Shen Han saluted Shen Qingshan and Madam Shen but did not sit down.
"Tianyi Academy wishes for you to study there, but having lived in the Shen Mansion for so long, going to the Capital City may pose many inconveniences.
Moreover, Tianyi Academy, honestly, is somewhat inferior, with a considerable gap compared to the Mountain Sea Academy where your brother is located.
In my opinion, it would be better for you to deepen your understanding in the mansion for a few more years, then proceed to the Mountain Sea Academy."
Over the years, Shen Han felt it was the first time he heard Shen Qingshan speak to him so kindly.
However, there was no consideration for him in those words.
"In response to Old Duke, I know my talents are humble, even settling for a few years, I might still find it hard to enter the Mountain Sea Academy.
Today, Tianyi Academy wishes to recruit me, so I should seize this opportunity."
Shen Han’s attitude was beyond reproach, courteous and respectful.
Hearing this, Shen Qingshan frowned,
and after a while, opened his mouth again to try to persuade him further.
"Tianyi Academy was founded by Prince Qingyuan thirty years ago, with just over thirty years of history, it has no real foundation.
Going there, you may just waste your time.
Besides, do you really think Tianyi Academy wants you for your talents?
They’re just using you, using your identity as a descendant of the Shen Family to target us."
Shen Qingshan thought that by revealing these heartfelt words, he might close some distance between him and Shen Han.
Most people hate being used by others.
But Shen Han cupped his hands to Shen Qingshan: "Old Duke, rest assured, I am attending the academy merely for studies, and will not conspire with them."
Use?
What if I’m being used?
Didn’t the Shen Family want to cripple me, all to use me?
And the way they use is far more cruel than others.
If Tianyi Academy truly intends to use me against the Shen Family, then I have all the more reason to go.
I should contribute even more!