45: The Shen family has no other faults... except for being overly protective of their own.

The memorial in his hand fell to the floor. Zhang Jiayan's lips trembled a few times, and it took him a while to regain his voice: "Minister Shen, even though he is currently my unworthy son..."

"Let me correct you once more, Provincial Governor Zhang. The Consort now has nothing to do with you." Shen Xian's voice grew heavier, especially on the last four words. "My grandnieces favor him, so he will henceforth be someone the Shen Family protects. He is a member of the Shen Family, and even more so, a subject of The Emperor. The only thing he is not... is a member of your Zhang Family."

"Provincial Governor Zhang, don't forget, his surname is Mo, and yours is Zhang. Speaking of which, The Emperor's decree appointing me as governor-general of liangjiang included something extra. I hope Provincial Governor Zhang will sign it, to avoid difficulties for both sides."

Shen Xian clapped his hands. A guard walked up carrying a brocade box and presented it to Zhang Jiayan with both hands.

"The Severance Letter. If you sign it, I will immediately dispatch someone on an urgent 800-li mission to send it to the Princesss Residence." Shen Xian pointed his right index finger at the brocade box. "If you truly wish the Consort well and want to give him a wedding gift, then this is the best gift."

"Minister Shen, even The Emperor has no reason to interfere in my family's private affairs, does he?" Zhang Jiayan's voice began to tremble. "Since Minister Shen has said this, I presume you are also aware that Zhang Yingqi..."

"Mo Yingqi."

Shen Xian rudely interrupted him, then slowly stood up with his hands clasped behind his back: "Provincial Governor Zhang, you have also studied the Sages' writings. The old saying goes, 'A kind father raises a filial son'; the father must first be kind for the son to be filial. Not only were you not kind, but regarding the affairs of the Mo Family, forgive my bluntness, you weren't even acting like a human being."

"A dignified scion of a noble family, using his second wife's dowry to cover his own deficits and help his deceased wife's father bribe those Imperial Examination Candidates—if I were you... I would find three feet of white silk, retreat to a remote mountain forest, and end my own life!"

Shen Xian's words were like repeated slaps across Zhang Jiayan's face. Shen Xian waved his hand and continued, "Don't worry, the late Emperor's side couldn't find anything about these past events, let alone that you've practically destroyed all the evidence. Even if I know exactly what happened, I don't have enough proof to send you to the Pacification Bureau."

"If I could send you to the Imperial Prison, I would definitely have the Consort interrogate you personally. Provincial Governor Zhang should know that although the Consort is currently only a seventh-rank Captain, he is already famous. I really want to see how this 'Smiling Yaksha' deals with you, his biological father!"

A drop of cold sweat slowly trickled down Zhang Jiayan's forehead. Mo Yingqi hated him to the core. If he hadn't been fully prepared back then, Mo Yingqi might have killed him already.

Although a son killing his father is an act of great treason, what he himself had done was truly disgraceful. If it weren't for him, Mo Yingqi's mother wouldn't have died of depression.

"But rest assured, I won't do that. Firstly, as I mentioned, I don't have enough evidence, and your father-in-law will likely protect you. Secondly, the Consort shouldn't be dragged down by a father like you and risk the crime of being unfilial and rebellious later on. You are not worth it."

Shen Xian walked over to Zhang Jiayan. Although Shen Xian was older, he was not only taller but also completely overwhelming him with his imposing presence.

He then heavily patted the brocade box: "We will have more dealings in the future. The Emperor sent me here not just because Liangjiang is prosperous and a crucial priority for our Daxing Dynasty. More importantly... the officials throughout Liangjiang need to be rectified! Provincial Governor Zhang, I have no intention of telling you who you should side with and who you shouldn't. Even if you want to abandon the dark and embrace the light now, I wouldn't trust you, and The Emperor certainly won't. You should know this better than anyone."

"After doing so many inhuman things, you should act like a decent human being for once. This Severance Letter clearly states what should and shouldn't be done. Just sign and affix your seal. Perhaps The Two Princesses will take this into account and intercede with The Emperor, allowing you to retain some dignity in the future."

After Shen Xian finished speaking, he slowly exhaled a breath of stale air and turned back to his seat. Zhang Jiayan slowly opened the brocade box, his hands trembling as he unfolded the Severance Letter.

It clearly stated that Mo Yingqi's future marriage, funerals, and other life events would have no connection to the Zhang Family. It even specifically emphasized that Mo Yingqi had never received any upbringing or support from the Zhang Family; he was born but not raised. Furthermore, when Lady Mo and Zhang Jiayan divorced, the child left with his mother, and Zhang Jiayan had long since abandoned this son.

In the future, should either party commit a crime severe enough to implicate nine generations of their clan, it would not involve the other party. Even if the entire Zhang Family were exterminated, Mo Yingqi would not be implicated. Likewise, if Mo Yingqi committed a major crime, it would have nothing to do with the Zhang Family.

Zhang Jiayan felt only mockery in his heart. It looked quite beneficial, but now even this upright Minister Shen was openly favoring Mo Yingqi.

If anything happened to Mo Yingqi, he had the most favored The Two Legitimate Princesses of The Emperor, and the Duke's Shen Family protecting him. More importantly, if anything happened on Zhang Jiayan's side, Mo Yingqi wouldn't have to bear any responsibility, and accountability likely wouldn't even reach him!

This Severance Letter appeared to be protecting Mo Yingqi, but as veterans who had navigated officialdom for years, how could Zhang Jiayan not understand The Emperor's true intention?

This wasn't just a simple Severance Letter; this was a warning and a threat directed at him!

"Fine, this subordinate will sign!"

Zhang Jiayan practically spat out these words through gritted teeth. The guard nearby had already prepared the brush and ink and handed them to him. Zhang Jiayan trembled as he wrote his name and affixed his handprint, whereupon the guard collected the Severance Letter and placed it back into the brocade box.

"Good. Provincial Governor Zhang, this way you can fulfill your duty, and so can I." Shen Xian suddenly smiled. "Send it urgently to the Capital City! Ensure it is delivered to the Princesss Residence before the wedding!"

"Yes, Minister!"

The guard replied with extreme deference, then held the brocade box and turned to leave. Zhang Jiayan, feeling completely drained of strength, slumped onto a nearby chair.

"Provincial Governor Zhang, we are both old hands in officialdom. I am not incapable of guessing your intentions." Shen Xian looked at him calmly. "Writing to The Emperor, specifically mentioning your relationship with the Consort, was nothing more than trying to secure some protection for yourself in the future. You know clearly that this realm is ultimately surnamed Luo, not surnamed Zhou."

"However, Provincial Governor Zhang, you should be aware that regardless of the Consort's position, you and Grand Chancellor Zhou are destined to be inseparable. Leaving aside your terrible relationship with the Consort, even if you two were harmonious, The Emperor would still deal with you if necessary."

At this moment, Zhang Jiayan felt his heart was beating so fast it might explode. He had indeed harbored that faint hope, knowing The Emperor always valued filial piety. Even if he and Mo Yingqi were incompatible, the blood relationship remained.

He knew that if Grand Chancellor Zhou fell, he would be the first to be held accountable. But no one is willing to compromise so easily, especially after Mo Yingqi joined the Pacification Bureau and became the Consort—that sense of unease had amplified significantly.

Yet, The Emperor simply intervened personally. Firstly, to clear Mo Yingqi of any connection, and secondly, to completely sever Zhang Jiayan's hopes. The Emperor valued filial piety, but Zhang Jiayan knew better than anyone whether he was worthy of mentioning the word 'filial' to Mo Yingqi.

"If it were anyone else, perhaps I would discuss it with them. But you know better than anyone that from the day you married Grand Chancellor Zhou's daughter, you were stuck on this ship."

Shen Xian was not joking, because it was true. If Zhou Chutian were to fall, those of his Disciples who were useful would still be utilized, and those he promoted wouldn't be completely wiped out.

But for someone like Zhang Jiayan, Zhou Chutian's downfall meant his own downfall. Shen Xian didn't need to state this; Zhang Jiayan understood it better than anyone.

Therefore, Shen Xian never intended to extract anything from him from the start, and Zhang Jiayan also didn't expect to escape. It was merely about securing one last layer of protection for himself.

"Provincial Governor Zhang, I have said all I needed to say. I will only tell you one thing..."

Shen Xian's tone suddenly became extremely serious, and the threat and warning in his eyes were undisguised: "We members of the Shen Family have no other flaw—we are simply overly protective. As I just said, the Consort is now the husband of The Two Highnesses, which makes him a member of the Shen Family."

"For everything in the past, justice will prevail on its own. But if, starting today, you still scheme to involve yourself with the Consort, then you'll have to ask if I, Shen, will agree to it!"