Deep in the night, Hall of Prudent Virtue burned bright with lamplight.
Shen Heling wore an outer robe, sitting in the main seat.
His face looked darker than his garment.
Madam Liu stood to one side, barely holding onto her mask of benevolence.
Shen Yaozu had been dragged out of bed by servants; his hair was a mess.
As soon as he entered he complained: “Middle of the night!
Can a man get any sleep —‑‑”
Then he saw Shen Zhong kneeling in the hall, and Shen Xian standing beside him with folded arms cracking melon‑seeds.
Shen Yaozu’s voice died instantly.
“Father… what is going on…”
“What is going on?” Shen Heling slammed his teacup hard on the table.
“Look at the terrible thing you have done!”
Kneeling on the floor, Shen Zhong poured out the full truth amid sobs.
Eldest young master Shen Yaozu owed eighty taels gambling debt at Tongbao Gambling House.
He had been detained for two days; they threatened to cut off one of his legs if the money was not paid.
Desperate, Yaozu stole the birthday‑gift ginseng from the storehouse three days prior and sent a manservant to settle the debt.
The ginseng changed hands multiple times within the gambling house and ended up with Broken‑Finger Liu, who greedily pawned it off at Ruifeng Pawnshop.
When Madam Liu discovered the theft, she learned the full truth.
Instead of reporting the crime or reprimanding her son, she devised a wicked plot overnight: plant the ginseng in Shen Xian’s pillow, bribe Liu San to give false witness, and seal the case as “illegitimate son steals tribute”.
With witness and planted evidence perfect, the disposable illegitimate son would take all blame.
A deathly hush filled the hall.
Madam Liu dropped heavily to her knees, tears flowing instantly.
“Master!
Yaozu is your legitimate eldest son!
If he bears the crime of stealing official tribute, his whole life is destroyed!
“Let it rest?!” Shen Heling shook with rage, his goatee trembling.
“You and your son conspired to frame an innocent man and bribed servants to commit perjury!
If word leaks out —‑‑”
“It will never leak out.”
A voice cut in.
Every head turned toward Shen Xian, who brushed melon‑seed husks off his hands and stepped forward.
“Master, mother speaks rightly.
This affair cannot leak.
Disaster will fall on everyone if it does.
Eldest Brother’s future is finished, mother is ruined, the Shen family’s reputation collapses, and your standing before Magistrate Wang suffers.
We rise and fall together.
I understand that logic.”
Shen Heling stared in surprise, not expecting his illegitimate son to defend the household at this moment.
“But.” Shen Xian shifted his tone.
“I nearly got sent to Blackrock Mine.
Few prisoners survive three months there.
This ‘hush‑up of family shame’ was bought with my life.
There must be compensation.”
“What do you demand?”
“Three simple terms.” Shen Xian held up three fingers.
“First: my room was ransacked.
Replace bedding and chests at household expense.
Second: I endured fear and false accusation for a full day and night and need quiet recuperation.
From now on, my affairs are none of the manor’s concern.
Third —‑‑”
He glanced toward Madam Liu and smiled.
“Mother bears heavy household‑management duties and has fallen ill from exhaustion.
Let Second Aunt take over household administration for a time.
When recuperating, one ought to rest fully.”
Madam Liu’s face turned deathly pale.
“You dare —‑‑”
“Mother, do not agitate yourself.” Shen Xian said gently.
“If you fall ill from anger, who will bring food to Eldest Brother while he kneels in the ancestral shrine?”
“Why must Yaozu kneel in the shrine!” Madam Liu shrieked.
“Oh, I forgot to mention.” Shen Xian turned to Shen Heling and cupped his hands.
“Master, family rules ought not be mere carved words on plaques.
As legitimate eldest son, he stole official tribute and framed his brother.
Without punishment, everyone in the household will follow his bad example.
My proposal: one month kneeling in the ancestral shrine, copying the Family Precepts ten times.
He must find a way to repay his gambling debts himself.
After all, Tongbao Gambling House threatened to take his leg.”
Shen Yaozu collapsed onto the floor with a yelp.
Shen Heling closed his eyes, chest heaving.
At last, he forced a single word through gritted teeth.
“Granted.”