Quick, female general, I traveled through time to save my father

Chapter 351: The Mother of the Bomen Raises Her Stepson 18

When Wu Weibo returned to the capital this time, His Majesty specially allowed him to stay in the capital and command the Left Guard of the Imperial Guard.

Aunt Liu in the backyard is still the same as before, full of flaws, but she hasn't taken any real action.

She always stood in the corner with her head lowered and a half-embroidered handkerchief in her hand. When she occasionally looked up, her eyes were timid, like catkins that would be blown away by the wind at any time.

Ke Sirong had seen her more than once, effortlessly climbing over the courtyard wall in a deserted area, her figure as light as a falling leaf. That was definitely not something an ordinary woman could do.

She could write beautiful calligraphy, but she chose to scribble a few large characters on the account book, pretending to be shy and saying, "Don't blame me, Madam. I can't read well."

Shen Shigen's study was a very important place, and she never went near it, and even avoided it deliberately when passing by.

But whenever the palace entertained the generals of the Wuwei Marquis's Mansion, she would always "happen" to be pruning branches under the corridor, or "accidentally" wiping vases in the side hall. Her ears were slightly tilted, as if trying to catch something.

Sirong once tentatively mentioned the border defense in front of her, and Aunt Liu immediately looked bewildered: "I really don't understand what Madam said..." But her fingertips were unconsciously stroking the teacup, and her knuckles turned slightly white.

She neither stole nor made a fuss, but just lay dormant quietly, as if waiting for a specific opportunity.

In the end, it was Shen Junyao and Shen Tang who discovered the clues.

Under the pretext of auditing accounts, Shen Junyao and Shen Tang reviewed the secret letters sent by businesses across the country. These seemingly ordinary business newspapers contained secret codes that only the core members of the Shen family could understand.

"The newly arrived Shu brocade in Jiangnan has bright colors but slightly inferior quality" - meaning that the extravagant style of officials in Jiangnan is becoming more and more popular, but its foundation is unstable.

"The price of medicinal materials in the north has increased, especially the shortage of angelica" - this implies that the garrison in the north is frequently transferred and there may be vacancies in the general positions.

"The merchant caravan from Lingnan mentioned that there were few lychee fruits this year" - implying that the power of the King of Lingnan was shrinking and there might be internal strife.

"It's not just Aunt Liu..." she whispered, "it's a network."

Shen Junyao spread out the secret reports sent from various places, and each one pointed to the same shocking conclusion.

Any general who was still able to lead troops had a person like "Aunt Liu" by his side.

Some were newly-acquired concubines, some were distant cousins ​​who had come to seek refuge, and some were even orphans rescued from the battlefield... Their identities varied, but they all had several things in common:

The origin is vague and difficult to verify. The household registration documents are complete, but upon closer inspection, there is always something that doesn't match.

He possesses martial arts skills but deliberately hides them, occasionally revealing his flaws.

He doesn't touch secrets but is close to power. He never goes to the study and tries not to arouse suspicion, but he is very familiar with the terrain.

The timing for these women to enter the palace happened to be around the time when the generals went to Beijing to report on their work or to take turns to recuperate.

"They're not here to steal military intelligence..." Shen Tang suddenly looked up, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes, "They're here to mark their prey."

Wu Weibo returned to the capital to command the imperial guards, and these "Liu concubines" were like silent sentinels, keeping a close eye on the generals who were still able to fight.

Once a conflict breaks out there, who can mobilize the army and who will suddenly "die of illness" will probably have been recorded in a certain book.

Sirong took the secret reports and went to find Wuweibo Shen Shigen.

It has been more than half a month since Shen Shigen was summoned back to Beijing. This Lord Wuwei was favored by the emperor as soon as he arrived in Beijing.

He was in charge of important positions in the Imperial Guards and was busy with the handover of official duties. The various factions in the court competed to hold banquets, and for a time, the banquets were packed with people.

According to etiquette, when the uncle returns home, he should stay in the main house for a few days to show respect.

Sirong, however, moved all the bedding to the warm room under the pretext of preparing some medicine. The servants in the mansion thought the mistress was considerate, but they didn't know that she just didn't want to have sex with Shen Shigen.

The night was deep and the candlelight flickered in the study of the Wuwei Marquis' Mansion.

When Sirong pushed the door open and walked in, Shen Shigen was working at his desk reviewing military affairs. He looked up when he heard the noise, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but then he regained his composure.

"Madam, you came here so late at night, is there something important?" He put down his pen and spoke in a low voice.

Sirong did not answer, but walked slowly over and gently placed the stack of secret reports on the table.

"My Lord has been back in Beijing for half a month and is very busy with official duties. I dare not disturb him." She spoke calmly, but her fingertips tightened slightly. "But there are some things I must ask in person."

Shen Shigen glanced at the secret letters, his expression unchanged, but his fingers unconsciously stroked the corner of the table. That was his habit when thinking.

"How much do you know about Concubine Liu's affairs, Master?" Sirong looked straight into his eyes.

What can I say about Shen Shigen?

It cannot be said that he is not smart. His rise from a peasant to the position of Wu Wei Bo is definitely not something that can be explained by luck alone.

Perhaps in terms of knowledge, Shen Shigen is not as well-rounded as those rich young men who have been carefully trained by their families since childhood.

But the sharpness and decisiveness he honed on the battlefield are something those rich and well-off young men can never learn.

For example, his caution bordered on paranoia, and he would even watch a piece of waste paper burn to ashes.

Not even a fly could get into the study.

While other masters enjoy having beautiful concubines, he rarely allows his wife, Sirong, to enter his study. On the surface, this appears to be watertight precautions, but in reality...

His blind spot lies precisely in the area of ​​"disdain".

But do you think he is smart? Not really.

Shen Shigen has the arrogance of a military general in his bones, and always feels that "those who achieve great things do not care about trivial matters."

He didn't even bother to look at the maids who served tea, the inconspicuous nanny in the backyard, and even his wives and concubines who he considered "long-haired and short-sighted".

But the more ant-like a character is, the more likely he is to bite through the dam.

For example, Sirong. She appeared submissive, but in reality, she had already controlled all the servants in the mansion right under his nose.

This is because Sirong has no intention of letting go for the time being. If one day Sirong no longer wants to be the lady of the Earl's Mansion, I believe that the servants in this mansion will follow Sirong.

Even if he didn't leave, his mansion would become a sieve.

Sirong knows any movement.

The most humble maid in the mansion may be her ear, and the old servant who feeds grass in the stable may be her mouthpiece.

Shen Shigen could defend himself against the flash of swords and sabers, but he couldn't defend himself against a slight push from the fingertips of the person next to him, which could completely overturn the balance he had carefully maintained.

Moreover, Shen Shigen was too gullible and only cared about friendship rather than reason.

He values ​​loyalty and is particularly tolerant towards his old subordinates.

Whenever his brothers who had followed him into battle made a mistake, he would just curse them as "bastards" and then turn around to cover for them.

But the officialdom is like a battlefield, and favoritism is the most poisonous weakness.