Chapter 7: The Demon Clan's Assault—The Tax Silver Stolen!

At the same time, in the Duke Protectorate’s residence, Shen Lang had just risen from a medicinal bath. Nearby, the maid Lv Duo, eyes red from worry, tenderly said, “Young master just wanted to see his leg, how could Miss Ziyuan be so harsh?”

“Young master, does it still hurt?” she asked. “Do you want me to warm it for you?”

Looking at Lv Duo’s sincere expression, Shen Lang couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. When it came to life’s comforts, another world truly was incomparable! Just look at this maid—how vastly superior she was to those petty servants back in his previous life. No need to pay, she would willingly warm his leg. Life was looking up indeed.

As Shen Lang was about to let Lv Duo gently warm his leg, the sound of a martial arts attendant echoed outside the door.

“Young master, Huang Yiyi is outside requesting an audience!”

“Huang Yiyi?” Upon hearing the name, Shen Lang instantly grasped her intent and sneered coldly. “Tell her the young master is cultivating!”

“Also, don’t forget to gently remind her to focus on her own cultivation!” The martial arts attendant, loyal to the Shen family, showed a hint of excitement at the order. For him, any humiliation to the Shen family was his own disgrace. He had worried that Shen Lang might rekindle old feelings with Huang Yiyi, but now he felt the Shen family was truly about to soar.

Respectfully, he bowed to Shen Lang. “Your servant understands!”

Watching the attendant depart, Shen Lang turned his gaze back to Lv Duo and spoke softly, “My leg still aches badly, Duo Duo. Could you please warm it for me?”

Lv Duo’s cheeks flushed slightly as she looked at the bruises on Shen Lang’s thigh. Yet, hearing him call her “Duo Duo,” she suppressed her shyness and lowered her head slowly.

Before she could open her cherry-like lips to soothe him, a stern voice rang out above the Shen estate: “By imperial decree, First Duke Protector and Marshal Shen Laoyuan, please enter the Taiji Hall for urgent matters!”

“Mr. Shen Lang, please also enter the Taiji Hall for discussion!”

With these two commands, a figure clad in armor, a curved sword at his waist, suddenly appeared inside Shen Lang’s chamber. Startled, Lv Duo hurriedly stood and respectfully greeted, “Master, you have arrived!”

Seeing the moment of peace broken, Shen Lang was displeased. “Old man, don’t you know you’re supposed to knock before entering someone else’s room? What if you scared me? What will become of the Shen family’s future then?”

Shen Canghai, wise with age, noticed Lv Duo’s flushed face and the slight bulge beneath Shen Lang’s blanket. He immediately understood the situation but, recalling urgent news he had received that morning, his expression turned grave. “Quickly get ready and come with me to the Taiji Hall. Something has happened!”

“Hmm?” Shen Lang composed himself and squinted. “What’s going on?”

“Big trouble. If you can remain silent at court today, don’t say a word, understand?”

“What exactly happened?” Shen Lang was drawn into seriousness by Shen Canghai’s solemn demeanor.

“Though the Emperor slew the Qin ruler and seized the throne, the Zhao lineage has operated in Qin for centuries, their network intricately vast. They have begun to counter the Emperor’s rule with their own schemes. If you get involved…”

Shen Canghai left the threat unsaid, but Shen Lang understood perfectly: the imperial relatives of the old ruling family refused to accept Shen Xiao’s dominion. Unable to confront him openly, they resorted to treachery from the shadows.

For Shen Canghai, this was a grave danger. For Shen Lang, a great opportunity.

Narrowing his eyes, he said confidently, “Don’t worry, old man. Your grandson has it all figured out.”

…

Inside the imperial palace, within the Taiji Hall, Shen Lang found the assembly sparser than the day before. Yet those present exuded an aura of formidable strength—true pillars of the Qin Empire. Today’s affair was indeed momentous.

Still, Shen Lang’s gaze fixed on Shen Xiao, who wore a stunning crimson dragon robe. Her beauty this day was tinged with a seductive allure, especially with the pronounced curve of her chest beneath the embroidered five-clawed golden dragon, which seemed to have awakened eyes of its own.

[Beep: Resentment points from Nalan Yanran +30]

“Hm?” Hearing the prompt, Shen Lang instinctively glanced toward Nalan Yanran beside Shen Xiao. She glared at him fiercely, flames burning in her eyes. Undaunted, Shen Lang deliberately fixed his gaze upon her bosom.

[Beep: Resentment points from Nalan Yanran +50]

[Beep: Resentment points +70]

[Beep: Resentment points +90]

Feeling Nalan Yanran’s fury intensify, Shen Lang withdrew his eyes with a wry thought: “What a cold and stunning experience package!”

…

Irritated by this, Nalan Yanran clenched her back molars and whispered, “Master, everyone is here. That bastard Shen Lang has arrived too!”

At this, Shen Xiao slowly opened her eyes, locking eyes with Shen Lang. Yet she did not scold him for his unrestrained gaze. Instead, she calmly scanned the assembled officials and spoke softly, “Today, I have summoned you all to discuss the attacks by the demon clans on Guiyun City and Wanxiang City, where our Qin Empire’s tax silver was plundered.”

“Honored ministers, do you have any wise strategies to ensure the Qin Empire’s tax silver remains secure?”

Faced with her question, the crafty ministers each lowered their heads awkwardly. Some of the highest-ranking officials even closed their eyes, feigning meditation; others picked their noses, without a single person stepping forward.

Shen Xiao knew their thoughts all too well. Her gaze then fell upon Song Changhe. “Minister Song, you are a pillar of our Qin Empire and hold many posts. Do you have a solution?”

Song Changhe looked embarrassed to be the first questioned. Everyone knew this matter was deeply entangled; a misstep might drag them into a quagmire. Meeting Shen Xiao’s icy eyes, he took a deep breath and stepped forward.

“Your servant believes the tax silver is a small matter. The demon clan’s attacks have caused suffering to the people, which is a far graver concern. Therefore, I respectfully urge Your Majesty to first comfort the afflicted populace. As for the tax silver, that can be discussed later.”

A cold glint flashed in Shen Xiao’s eyes, but she did not expose Song Changhe’s evasive words. Instead, her gaze shifted to an elder holding a spear.

“General Xing, what is your opinion?”

Named, Xing Wenlong stepped forward. “I concur with Minister Song. The demon clan is notoriously ruthless; the people’s suffering is severe. We must prioritize appeasing the populace.”

Seeing the civil and military officials all trying to smooth things over, Shen Xiao’s anger quietly flared. She understood these men were waiting to see if the Zhao lineage could still turn the tide.

Feeling there was no one else to rely on, Shen Xiao slowly fixed her gaze on Shen Lang. “Shen Lang, do you have a wise plan?”

Adjusting his attire, Shen Lang stepped forward. “This humble subject believes Minister Song’s words are not without merit. Moreover, Your Majesty should allocate relief spirit stones to Guiyun City and Wanxiang City to aid the people in disaster recovery.”

“What did you say?!”