Engagement Canceled: I Can Extract Prefixes - Chapter 359 - 358: Great Wei Has Always Honored the Eldest
Chapter 359: Chapter 358: Great Wei Has Always Honored the Eldest
High above, the Great Wei Emperor remained as solemn as ever, standing in his high position.
Upon hearing this, Shen Han stepped forward and bowed to express his gratitude.
Unlike his treatment of others, the Great Wei Emperor had a smile on his face while conversing with Shen Han.
“This reward is well-deserved by you.
But this time, the reward you deserve is more than this.
After contemplating deeply, I still do not know what you desire in your heart.
In front of all the civil and military officials, do you have any requests? Feel free to speak them out.”
Hearing the words of the Great Wei Emperor, Shen Han hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth: “May His Holiness allow me to think about it carefully, as there is nothing lacking while at the Academy.”
Upon these words, the Great Wei Emperor nodded kindly.
“There is another matter to discuss with you, child. According to the rituals and laws of our Great Wei, the younger generation under the age of thirty is not allowed in the royal court, nor can they be promoted to nobility.
The conferred title will only be bestowed upon you when you come of age.”
“Do you have any objection to this? Do the officials have any objection?”
Upon these words, Shen Han knew it was his cue to respond to the Great Wei Emperor.
But before Shen Han could speak, on the side of the Shen Family, Shen Lingyong stepped forward.
Due to earlier incidents, Shen Lingyong had already been stripped of his official position.
However, considering he is the son of the Marquis, he was allowed to participate in this rewarding ceremony as an observer.
“Your Holiness, I, Shen Lingyong of the Shen Family, have words to say.”
Upon these words, everyone’s gaze fell upon him.
Hearing this, the expression of the Great Wei Emperor remained unchanged, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Then he looked up at Shen Qingshan.
“General Shen, is this your second son?”
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingshan also stepped forward: “As His Holiness said, he is the second son of this old man, Shen Lingyong.”
“Since he is the son of General Shen, whatever thoughts he has, let him voice them.
After all, Shen Han is also part of your Shen Family’s younger generation, and it seems he too wants to seize the opportunity to ask for some benefits.”
The Great Wei Emperor’s words were calm, but they clearly belittled Shen Lingyong somewhat.
After hesitating slightly, Shen Lingsheng organized his thoughts and started speaking.
“Your Holiness, our Great Wei governs the world with loyalty and filial piety.
Loyal to the country, filial to the family.
This time our Shen Family’s junior, honored and bestowed a title, brings glory to the Shen Family.
However, Shen Han is still young and not of age, so it is difficult to enjoy the title reward.
In our Great Wei’s army, it is common for soldiers to achieve military merit and yet sacrifice themselves in battle.
The military achievements of these soldiers are then claimed by their family elders.
Since the junior of our clan found it difficult to receive this reward, please permit His Holiness to have Shen Han’s father inherit the title on his behalf.
I believe Shen Han, as a son of the Shen Family, would concur.”
Upon these words from Shen Lingyong, everyone present couldn’t help frowning.
They had seen shameless people before, but never someone this shameless.
Everyone knew that Shen Han and the Shen Family were at odds.
Over the years, the Shen Family had supported and cultivated Shen Ye.
How could they have the audacity to expect Shen Han to yield the title to a member of the Shen Family?
High above, the expression of the Great Wei Emperor remained unchanged, and he even played along by saying: “These words do make sense. A son may inherit a father’s merits, and vice versa.”
As he spoke, he nodded.
“Shen Han, what do you think?”
At this moment, Shen Han finally understood why Shen Lingsheng had smiled at him before.
That smug smile was waiting for him here.
The surrounding gaze fell upon Shen Han, waiting for his response.
From the perspective of ritual and law, indeed there was no problem with these words.
If Shen Han were to disagree, he would be easily criticized for being unfilial.
Although many knew Shen Han did not get along with the Shen Family.
Publicly, Shen Han ultimately belonged to the Shen Family, and the word filial restricted him somewhat.
Upon hearing this, Shen Han again stepped forward.
“Replying to His Holiness, if my father wishes to inherit the title I have achieved, as a member of the Shen Family’s younger generation, it is indeed difficult for me to inherit a title under current circumstances, so I have no objection to this.
However, I think that the Shen Family already holds a Marquis title, which is the honor our Shen Family juniors cherish.
Even if another son receives a title in the Viscount rank, it would not surpass the achievements obtained by Old Duke.
So, I wonder if I could exchange my newly-conferred title for ensuring that our Shen Family’s hereditary title does not diminish.”
Shen Han’s sudden words left the Shen Family members dumbfounded.
Shen Qingshan, Shen Lingyong, Shen Lingsheng all paused in surprise, then frowned.
High above, the Great Wei Emperor smiled brightly.
“This child dreams beautifully, ensuring the hereditary title does not diminish, making your Shen Family the Hundred Generations Marquis.
Such a grand scheme.”
After pondering for a moment, the Great Wei Emperor continued: “Nevertheless, your merits this time are remarkable, so I shall grant these conditions.”
As he spoke, the Great Wei Emperor looked towards Shen Qingshan.
“General Shen, congratulations on having a worthy successor; the Shen Family’s Marquis title now has a fitting inheritor.
Shen Han, this child, is talented and exceptionally potential in our age.
Having him inherit the title from you, the future of the Shen Family is bound to flourish.”
The Great Wei Emperor smiled, congratulating Shen Qingshan with these words.
All the officials present couldn’t help but smirk upon hearing this.
The Shen Family tried to outsmart Shen Han, only to be countered.
Now that Shen Han upheld such great achievements and excelled at the Ten Nations Grand Competition by consistently winning against opponents.
Even Zhu Mingxiang from Yan Country was bested.
Simply judging from Shen Han’s qualifications to inherit the title, Shen Han undoubtedly had them.
Both his talent potential and his accolades entitled him.
But…
The tense relationship between Shen Han and the Shen Family…
Before Shen Qingshan could speak, Shen Lingyong could no longer hold back.
“Your Holiness, among the younger generation of the Shen Family, Shen Ye is the most gifted, and he shows the utmost dedication to family affairs.
The title inheritance in the Shen Family had been set long ago.”
Upon hearing Shen Lingyong’s words, the Great Wei Emperor’s expression suddenly turned cold.
“What are you implying, that Shen Han’s efforts trading for the Shen Family’s title preservation is not appreciated?
If the title was determined long ago, why wasn’t this memorialized to the heavens, written, and presented to me earlier?
Are you suggesting the title’s inheritance does not require a decree from me anymore?”
The Great Wei Emperor’s series of questions left Shen Lingyong flustered and confused.
“This subordinate did not intend thus, it is just that Great Wei has always followed the tradition of honoring the eldest.
Shen Ye is the eldest of this generation…”
This time, before Shen Lingyong could finish, the nearby Shen Qingshan hurriedly pulled him to stop further speaking.
Yet the words had been spoken, and everyone heard them…
The Great Wei Emperor now bore a look tinged with rage.
“Even when I was a Prince, I was not the eldest son.
According to your words, are you implying my position as ruler is illegitimate?”
