Matriarch Rules, Scumbag Begs - Chapter 30

Chapter 30: A Dragon’s Son is Not a Dog

Upon hearing this, Shen Qiuci’s lips curled up slightly.

Her gaze fell imperceptibly on the imperial edict in Eunuch Feng’s hand, and a hint of mockery appeared in her eyes. Ah, this imperial edict came at just the right time.

“Your servant thanks the Emperor’s kindness.”

When Shen Qiuci was about to kneel, Eunuch Feng hurriedly stopped her, jokingly saying: “This servant hasn’t read the edict yet, how can I bear your kneeling?”

“After I finish paying respects to General Shen, I’ll go back to the mansion with you and read the edict in front of the Heir.”

He looked around and suddenly frowned: “Where’s the Heir? Today is General Shen’s memorial day, didn’t he come with you?”

Shen Qiuci lowered her eyes slightly, her voice soft: “The Heir… recently, my mother-in-law’s health hasn’t been well, and elderly people always have taboos. She can’t bear to see these things. So I didn’t let the Heir come.”

Eunuch Feng nodded and said: “The Heir often mentions your harmonious marriage and his thoughts of General Shen in his memorials to the Emperor. He even says he’s treated General Shen like a father.”

“On a day like today, I was curious why he didn’t come.”

He looked at Shen Qiuci and smiled: “It seems the Heir’s Madam is understanding and knows how to get along with her mother-in-law. You’re also considerate.”

With that, he stood up and walked towards General Shen’s spirit tablet. Shen Qiuci followed closely behind him, took the incense, lit it, and handed it to him.

As Eunuch Feng paid his respects to General Shen on behalf of the Emperor, he didn’t need to kneel. He just inserted the incense into the incense burner.

“Now that the Heir’s Madam is well, General Shen can rest in peace in the underworld.”

“The Shen family is full of loyalty and martyrdom. The Emperor will take care of your family, so you can rest assured.”

After burning incense and sitting down again, Eunuch Feng sighed: “Time flies like a white colt, and in the blink of an eye, it’s been three whole years since General Shen passed away.”

Shen Qiuci nodded sorrowfully, but then seemed to think of something, and a spark of light flashed in her eyes. She said: “Speaking of this, I have something to ask Eunuch Feng.”

“I remember it was also three years ago that the Emperor issued an edict to shut down all the shops selling opium in the capital city, and it was not allowed to circulate in the capital city anymore. Has the Emperor relaxed his rule now?”

“How is that possible?” Eunuch Feng’s expression suddenly turned serious. “That thing is very harmful to people. Not only in the capital city, but throughout the entire Qi dynasty, it has been strictly forbidden to sell. Why did the Heir’s Madam ask this question?”

“Then it seems I didn’t guess wrong.” Shen Qiuci looked at Eunuch Feng and said in a steady voice: “Someone is still selling it secretly.”

Eunuch Feng’s eyebrows jumped, “Someone dares to sell it secretly? Don’t they want their heads?”

He didn’t know about this, which was normal. After all, he was the chief eunuch by the Emperor’s side. If he knew about it, those dens would probably have been eliminated long ago.

Most of the people selling opium in the capital city had bribed officials, and now they sold it secretly, which naturally drove up the price. Only the rich and noble could afford it, such as Old Madam Pei.

These officials and nobles covered up for each other, and those in power wouldn’t think that someone would dare to break the law right under their noses. This was the truth of “the darkest place is under the candlestick”.

Shen Qiuci said: “Eunuch Feng, don’t be anxious. After I found out about this, I realized it wasn’t right, so I had the servants in the mansion secretly investigate. After a few days, we finally found some clues.”

She turned around, walked into the inner room, and took out a book, handing it to Eunuch Feng. “This book lists the locations of the dens that are still selling opium. Please take a look, Eunuch Feng.”

Eunuch Feng quickly browsed through the book, and his serious expression gradually disappeared. He nodded repeatedly and said: “Good! Good!”

He looked at Shen Qiuci, his eyes full of approval. “You’re truly the daughter of the Duke of Zhongyong! A dragon’s son is not a dog!”

“This book will be presented to the Emperor as soon as I return to the palace. Those people who sell these harmful things will be severely punished, which will demonstrate the strict laws of the Qi dynasty!”

Shen Qiuci replied: “Then I’ll have to trouble Eunuch Feng with this matter.”

As they chatted, Shen Qiuci would occasionally glance at the door. Now, she finally saw Xia Shang flash by outside the door, nodding at her vigorously.

This was the agreement between the two of them this morning. Seeing Xia Shang like this, Shen Qiuci knew that Pei Yuanzhou had already come to the mansion.

She made an excuse to Eunuch Feng, saying: “My mother knows that you like Lotus Dew tea, so she had the servants prepare it early. It’s probably ready by now. Please sit, I’ll go get it for you, and you can try it to see if it suits your taste.”

She walked out of the room slowly, heading towards the small kitchen. Xia Shang followed behind her, whispering: “As you predicted, the Heir indeed came to the mansion to look for you early in the morning.”

“According to your instructions, the servants blocked him and didn’t let him in. He’s currently getting angry outside the gate.”

Shen Qiuci glanced at the tightly closed mansion gate, smiled coldly, and said: “Go, let him in.”

After saying that, she turned around and entered the kitchen.