Rebirth of Poisoned Empress, by 颜若优雅

Chapter 3

Shen Liang recalled clearly that when his eldest brother Shen Da left the Marquis Manor, he was able to accumulate outstanding battle achievements by the virtue of his own efforts and the War God, Huo Yelin's appreciation in just the short span of a few years. His reputation was prominent and he received the title of a third tier General. As Sheng Da's only younger brother from the same mother, Sheng Liang was also slowly being seen by others. As the saying goes, a family's ugliness cannot be publicized. As the imperial historian began to notice the inconsistencies within the Marquis Donglin Manor, the family had no choice but to have Shen Liang return as soon as possible to curb any potentials rumors that could arise. 

However, just as they approached the Imperial City, they encountered a burglary. Only Shen Liang was taken away. It was only almost half a month later when he was rescued from the bandit's den by Liu Shuhan's brother, the successor of Marquis Donglin Manor's heir from the second family. At that time, as a Ger, his reputation had already been ruined and became the laughing stock of the entire Imperial City. 

The Great Qin Dynasty did not only just have males and females. There was also an intersex population, in which they were called Gers. Their bodily physique and appearance resembled males but they had the reproductive systems of both men and women. They were able to bear children and be given to males as wives. Shen Liang was such a case. Although the number of Gers were less than that of males and females, they weren't considered rare. However, in aristocratic families, the Madam of the Manor would always be a woman, unless it was out of true love or the Ger was from a powerful family himself. 

For a Ger to be taken captive and held hostage at a bandit's den for over half a month, Shen Liang's reputation was entirely ruined. Even if his father was the emperor, there wouldn't be many who would still be willing to wed him, much less his father being only a mere Marquis. As distant relatives of the Imperial family, materials wealth was of no concern. What each and every aristocratic family were more concerned with was reputation and face.

"Jia, jia..." *Jia is simply what one would say to order the horse to proceed/run*

In the torrential rain, the sounds of the bandits calls drew closer and closer. 

Within the carriage, Shen Liang remained indifferent. Grandma Wei's expression gradually changed and Jin Zhi was frightened to the point her entire body trembled. Qi Yue and Qi Xuan were frozen stiff. They understood what would result if the bandits ever caught them. When the eldest master left, he had clearly ordered them to take good care of Shen Liang. During those years at the countryside, they were young and without authority, their Liangliang could only suffer in silence. Now that the eldest young master was able to achieve great achievements by the virtue of his own merits, the Marquis finally thought of Liangliang. Seeing that they were almost there and Liangliang would finally be able to enjoy the blessings, even if they had to die, they absolutely refused to push Liangliang out to ward off the disaster.

"Fifth young master, you..."

"What Grandma Wei said is right. We're almost at the Imperial City, and the bandits still dare to act so audaciously. I wonder whether they truly hold no fear for their lives or whether this was all orchestrated?"

Grandma Wei did not have time to listen to Shen Liang, but this time, before she had the chance, Shen Liang used a soft but authoritative tone to but her off. A pair of indifferent and calm eyes gazed and penetrated her. 

Grandma Wei's heart skipped a beat. She did not dare meet the fifth young master's gaze and her voice was deliberately raised a pitch, "What do you mean orchestrated? If it weren't for the fifth young master's constitution, how is it possible we would have encountered such an event?"