Forging Golden Hairpin Together
“So you knew I wouldn’t approve, yet you still went behind my back. This is your present for your busy sister who doesn’t have time for you? Has Shen Clan’s teachings been dumped, or do my words no longer hold weight?”
“... There is no rule in the family against participating in the imperial exams.”
“Shut up! If you truly believe you’re in the right, why did you hide it from me? You should’ve been prepared from the moment you decided to go behind my back. You think I’ll pretend it never happened because you can argue the semantics?” For every ounce of anger in Shen Yiren’s voice, there was disappointment, which was extremely rare when she spoke to her brother.
Shen Kuang lowered his head with grace. Silence filled the room again. Shen Yiren rushed back and summoned Shen Kuang to her room after the imperial exam results were released, but they hadn’t exchanged many words despite how long they had been there.
“Come with me into the imperial palace tomorrow to acknowledge your folly to His Majesty, and then plead him to give you an official post at Liu Shan Men.” When her brother raised his head, Shen Yiren raised her hand to stop him. “Begging won’t change my mind. Should you refuse, I’ll knock you out, shove you in a bag, and carry you into the palace. It’s a strategy that’s never failed me.”
“I have nothing to say about you treating me as a naughty child, but that will do Shen Clan’s reputations no favour. It would be best for you to think about that.”
“If a scion of a martial arts family abandons the martial world to become a civil servant and that does Shen Clan’s reputation a favour, I’ll start studying from tomorrow and take an exam.”
“If you are a serious, I will go shop for books.”
“I’ll clobber you with the books!” Shen Yiren was almost ready to break a table leg and then her brother’s skull to see what part up there made them different.
Shen Kuang scuttled back a few steps. “Calm down first. Aren’t you curious why I took the exam?”
Shen Yiren had somewhat cooled off after ranting, and her threat to knock Shen Kuang out was nothing more than an attempt to make him speak the truth. It just didn’t unfold how she wished.
“I have always obeyed you; however, I made a decision without your approval this time. Do you not think I have my reasonable reasons?”
“But you don’t intend to tell me.”
Shen Kuang’s surprise muted him.
Staring straight into her brother’s eyes, Shen Yiren sighed. “You plan to give me the same story you plan to give outsiders and then leave me with another to prevent me from digging deeper. If you have so much time on your hands, why don’t you help me sign some documents. His Majesty can’t tell apart our handwriting anyway. He’s always praised the documents you worked on. Kuang, I know you’re smart, but don’t waste it on me.”
Thinking about the saying how twins were connected in thoughts, Shen Kuang couldn’t help smiling. Although he had never felt as though they had shared thoughts or sensations before, she was always able to see through his fibs effortlessly. Since their parents’ passing, he hadn’t lied, so he thought she wouldn’t see through his lie if he finally told one after being honest all the time.
Shen Yiren sighed again. “I used to worry that you couldn’t form your own decision. This time, though, you went overboard. Do you realise Shen Clan’s future is in your hands? Why, then, would you sit the imperial exams? Dad excelled in both literacy and martial arts, yet not even he was able to pursue both simultaneously. Had it not been for his friendship with Uncle, we wouldn’t have the privileges we enjoy right now. Have you considered the ramifications of joining the imperial court’s employment?”
“I have and know. The imperial court is a battlefield of wits. Even with His Majesty’s protection, a misstep could result in Shen Clan’s demise.”
It would’ve been inconceivable for the siblings to have survived in the capital and maintained their family’s glory had it not been for His Majesty’s support. Because the three offices were considered independent entities of the imperial court, were limited, and had clear-set boundaries, they were never considered major threats. A number of civil servant factions had begun to view the three offices as enemies for various reasons. Liu Shan Men was unlikely to be dragged into their fighting. If a member of Shen Clan was to serve the imperial court, howbeit, then they were basically shouting that they planned to dominate both martial and civil servant roles. Wang Muren had to announce that he was an individual entity separate from Wang and Xie Clans – effectively saying that Dark Robe Brotherhood’s leader was one just for show. If Shen Kuang didn’t follow suit, then Shen Clan would’ve lost the ability to head Liu Shan Men.
“The fact that you know that shows that you have self-awareness. What makes you think you can step into the imperial court? Do you remember why I told you to feign weak, meek, and talentless when I know how smart you are? You’ve forgotten, haven’t you?”
“That’s what I want.” Shen Yiren had her back up against the proverbial wall because she never expected the conversation to take this turn. “Song Clan’s support is the best support we can obtain. More or less will backfire. Without them, we won’t even have a foothold in the capital.”
“What sort of support is worth sacrificing my sister? If our parents were still alive, they’d also oppose your decision, but we only have each other now, don’t we? Your goal isn’t to protect Liu Shan Men but to protect the best Liu Shan Men.”
“Kuang...”
“We are different in many ways, but there is one regard in which we are similar... similar to the point that it’s comical. You never considered yourself... Neither have I.”
***
General Manager Bai tried futilely to eavesdrop on the siblings’ conversation on the peaceful night, so she turned to ask me, “Aren’t you going to step in?”
“What for?”
Why would I when I heard their conversation? Honestly, I thought Shen Kuang was very much like his father after hearing his take.
Subsequent to thinking it through for herself, General Manager Bai bobbed her head. “You’re right. A man can’t be pulled back once he’s made up his mind no matter how meek he may look. The only way to stop him now is to behead him.”
I bobbed my head back. “So his neck is the problem.”
What a troublesome neck.
General Manager Bai stared at me for a long while before saying, “I haven’t congratulated you yet on your placing.”
“Eh, it’s just an empty reputation.” I meant that. “You haven’t been assaulting me anymore these days.”
General Manager Bai raised her fist at me. “Were it not for Lord Zi’s benefit, I would’ve laid you out.”
Recalling Zizi’s injuries and fatigue when he returned, General Manager Bai continued, “Brilliant Consort has always worried that Lord Zi is too soft, but her worries are unfounded. He is very energetic; he’s just kind, not soft. If he is ever bullied, I’d be worried for his bully instead.”
Of course, that included Zizi beating five big men.
“No wonder why you sound experienced.”
General Manager Bai smiled. “He’s changed quite considerably since he started learning from you, too.”
“A bit too much.”
“What do you mean?”
I touched my chin as I reflected on Zizi’s recent transformation. “What exactly happened when you went to Luoyang?”