Engagement Canceled: I Can Extract Prefixes - Chapter 360 - 359: The Contest Between Shen Ye and Shen Han

Chapter 360: Chapter 359: The Contest Between Shen Ye and Shen Han

Just with this one sentence, the entire situation at the scene became serious.

Shen Qingshan almost wanted to give Shen Lingyong two slaps.

He thought that after suffering a great loss last time, he should have reflected and become more thoughtful, not speaking so recklessly anymore.

But now, saying such words only added chaos to the entire Shen Family!

“General Shen, tell me, are the words of your son this time what you truly think?

Is your Shen Family dissatisfied with me?”

The Great Wei Emperor’s words were cold, subtly carrying a trace of anger.

The people around were all cautious, fearing they would catch some bad luck.

But their eyes remained fixed on Shen Qingshan, eager to see his reaction.

At this moment, Shen Qingshan could only immediately step forward to admit his mistake.

“Please, Your Holiness, be discerning. My Shen Family has guarded the border for Great Wei for many years, never harboring disloyalty.

It’s just my son this time, always simple-minded, speaking recklessly without discretion.

In our Great Wei, we have always promoted the virtuous. Your Holiness, even as a Prince, had a reputation for virtue.

If not for Your Holiness’s wisdom, how could Great Wei have today’s prosperity?

Please, Your Holiness, calm your anger…”

Shen Qingshan, having served as an official for many years, was far more perceptive than Shen Lingyong.

After speaking to the Great Wei Emperor, he looked angrily at Shen Lingyong.

“Slap yourself, keep going until His Holiness grants forgiveness.”

With that, Shen Qingshan first gave Shen Lingyong a slap across the face.

At the age of forty, to be slapped in the face in front of so many people is indeed a bit of a blow to one’s dignity, hard to accept.

Shen Lingyong was stunned by the slap, even having the urge to fight back.

But seeing his father’s stern face, he hesitated for a moment, then began slapping himself one slap after another.

Though it was humiliating, seasoned political veterans could see clearly.

This was Shen Qingshan helping Shen Lingyong, blocking the Great Wei Emperor’s reproach.

Such disrespectful words could easily attract any charge from the Great Wei Emperor.

But by slapping himself like this, it made it a bit difficult for the Great Wei Emperor to impose further punishment.

“Enough, this is losing not only the Shen Family’s face but also ours in Great Wei.”

At this point, the Great Wei Emperor hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“General Shen, about what you said to me before, are you also dissatisfied with Shen Han?

This child previously went on a diplomatic mission to Yexuan Country and performed excellently.

This time in the Ten Nations Grand Competition, it was his astonishing performance that maintained Great Wei’s prestige.

Now acquiring the Hundred Generations Marquis inheritance, from any perspective, Shen Han is qualified to inherit this marquis position.

With his leadership, your Shen Family will surely reach new heights.”

Shen Qingshan’s expression was as before, giving no clue to his inner thoughts.

In reality, Shen Qingshan, although regretting not reconciling with Shen Han, did not support him as his successor.

Currently, most members of the Shen Family had poor relations with Shen Han.

Like Shen Lingyong, Shen Lingsheng, and including Shen Qingshan himself, they all used to suppress Shen Han.

If Shen Han were to inherit the title and rise to the position of Patriarch of the Shen Family,

it wouldn’t be surprising if they were held accountable then.

Shen Qingshan could accept befriending Shen Han, but to appoint him as the family’s successor,

that’s impossible, at least for now.

Unless in the future, Shen Han reconciles with the Shen Family, earning his trust.

Otherwise, he would never allow Shen Han to become the Patriarch of the Shen Family.

The Great Wei Emperor could surmise these thoughts, and so could Prince Qingyuan.

Indeed, this strategy itself was to pressure him.

“General Shen, in front of all the officials, feel free to speak your mind.”

The Great Wei Emperor and the surrounding crowd all turned to look at Shen Qingshan.

Actually, this was an open strategy; everyone knew Shen Han didn’t get along with them.

The Shen Family was just this unfortunate, an estranged descendant endowed with supreme talent and potential.

The fact that this open strategy was successfully executed was due to the Shen Family’s own shortsightedness.

They pushed Shen Han, such a descendant, away, forming grudges with him.

Many, seeing this, vaguely recalled another family from the past.

That family also mistreated its young generation, yet this descendant showed extraordinary potential and had extraordinary experiences during his travels.

Finally, the entire family was exterminated by this descendant.

How does the Shen Family now give off an ominous feeling of repeating that fate…

In front of the crowd, Shen Qingshan pondered for a moment, then saluted the Great Wei Emperor.”

“Your Holiness, although our Shen Family is not of noble rank, it is nonetheless a Marquis Mansion.

In the future, there will be abundant affairs to handle, and our family needs a wise and capable leader to guide them forward.

As Your Holiness has said, our descendant Shen Han performed astonishingly in the Ten Nations Grand Competition.

This Patriarch of the Shen Family himself heard of it and was joyful and grateful.

However, my grandson from the Shen Family, Shen Ye, is also quite outstanding.

This child didn’t attend this year’s Ten Nations Grand Competition, but four years ago,

Shen Ye also performed well, earning a reputation for Great Wei.

Now setting Shen Han to inherit the family title seems a bit unfair to Shen Ye.”

Compared to Shen Lingyong, Shen Qingshan was indeed far more adept.

His words were well-reasoned and logical.

The Great Wei Emperor mentioned Shen Han was excellent, but Shen Ye was also excellent.

Granted that Shen Han made contributions at the Ten Nations Grand Competition, don’t forget, four years ago, Shen Ye also made contributions.

Like a Taiji master, he managed to deflect all these points.

Hearing this, the Great Wei Emperor continued to speak in the same manner.”

“General Shen’s words indeed make sense, hastily deciding would certainly be unfair to another child.

In your view, how can we fairly determine which child should inherit the Shen Family title?”

Faced with this question, Shen Qingshan did not avoid it.

“In my humble opinion, both children are descendants of the Shen Family, sharing the same bloodline.

The Shen Family has no intention of favoritism.

Let the two children in the arena compete to determine the victor.

Whichever wins shall gain the qualification for inheritance.”

Claiming no bias, yet clearly showing favoritism.

Shen Ye is four years older, having practiced for four more years.

This advantage is immense.

Hearing this, the Great Wei Emperor straightforwardly said, “General Shen, your suggestion is quite unfair to Shen Han.

With the age difference, Shen Han is likely at a disadvantage in such a competition.

Everyone knows, in cultivation before the age of thirty, advancement is rapid.

A four-year gap…”

Hearing this, Shen Qingshan feigned a regretful expression.

“I too feel that such a competition may be slightly unfair.

Perhaps, the competition can wait a few more years.

When Shen Han reaches thirty, the two young men can have this competition then.”

The Great Wei Emperor did not respond directly, instead looking towards Shen Han.

Shen Qingshan’s words were clearly a delaying tactic.