‘…The best way out for Shen Da is to become the shadow of the next crown princess, which is why I have asked the crown princess for help overnight.‘
The teacup smashed heavily onto the nearby table, and the crown princess, her face full of severity, shouted
’How dare you!
‘ Underneath the mask, Jun Xu raised an eyebrow, but his body immediately knelt on the ground. The crown princess, Shen Qing, frowned, and snorted
’Shen Da, filial piety is the foremost of all virtues, so be careful what you say!’
‘Filial piety is the foremost of all virtues, except when it offends the Emperor. Since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety have been mutually exclusive.‘
’Are you going to turn against your own family in the name of righteousness?‘
’Under heaven, all is the Emperor’s land, and all who lead men are the Emperor’s ministers. Heaven, earth, the Emperor, one’s parents, and one’s teachers are called the five relationships. As a minister, I have studied the teachings of the sages since ancient times and dare not forget them for even a moment.‘
’Oh? How can someone who can betray their parents be trusted?‘
’Your Highness is absolutely right. However, Shen Yao is not my real mother.’
Once she said this, the room fell silent. The crown princess was deep in thought, and Feng Qin was shocked.
‘What did you say?’
“Your servant is not Shen Yao’s biological daughter. I am the daughter of one of Shen Yao’s servants. Shen Yao was older and had no daughter, so one day he saw my father and… forced him. But at that time, my father was already pregnant, and Shen Yao didn’t know that, so he thought she was his biological daughter. My father gave birth to me and, learning that my mother had been beaten to death, was overcome with grief. He dared not tell me about my real identity, but Shen Yao became suspicious. He tried to test the blood to see if I was his daughter, but my father tricked him. Later, my father hanged himself. Shen Yao, fearing that I might be his daughter, gave me an order to live in a separate mansion.
‘For ten years, I have been in the separate mansion for ten years, never taking a single step outside. I get up at five in the morning and go to bed at three in the morning. I am whipped and flogged, and taught both the arts of war and peace.‘
’Every year on the third day of the third month, Shen Yao would come to the separate mansion to inspect… I have done my best for this one face… for some slight praise…
There was a clear pain in her heart, and Junxu’s eyes became a little moist, her voice choking up. If Shen Da really wasn’t Shen Yao’s biological daughter, she might be able to let go.