After Xie Yuan left, Shen Li turned to Ming Yue beside her and said, "I didn't expect that Concubine Su to be so ruthless. To return to the mansion, she could even use her own son!"
Ming Yue echoed her words, "It's for the better! Let the second - branch family fight among themselves. It'll save you a lot of trouble, Miss!"
"If only it could be so. All my efforts to send her the message won't be in vain!"
Originally, Shen Li didn't take Concubine Su and her two children seriously. However, when the news spread that the emperor was going to choose a consort for Xiao Hanzhi last time, she remembered that Concubine Su had also given birth to a daughter, Shen Zhen, for Shen Junming. Shen Zhen was only one year younger than her.
Then she also thought of Shen Junming's only son, Shen Zhang, a concubine - born son of Concubine Su.
Shen Li remembered that in her previous life, even though Shen Zhuo was Shen Junming's only son, he didn't receive much attention or affection from Shen Junming. The mother and her two children had always stayed in Wenxing Manor in the countryside.
In her previous life, because of Shen Miao, she didn't have a good impression of Concubine Su and her children. But then something happened that surprised everyone.
Shen Zhuo, a concubine - born son who had grown up in the countryside and studied with a poor rural scholar, passed the examinations to become a scholar and then a juren. Finally, he was personally named the second - place laureate in the emperor's golden hall.
At that time, she had just married into the Fourth Prince's Mansion. Consort Chen had constantly blamed and looked down on her. The maids and servants in the mansion all had their noses in the air. She hadn't even managed to gain a firm foothold in the mansion.
Unexpectedly, one day, Princess Yajing, who was extremely arrogant, suddenly became kind to her. At first, she thought that her long - suffering and submission had finally touched the proud princess. Later, she found that Princess Yajing had mentioned the newly - promoted second - place laureate Shen Zhang many times in her conversations.
She then gradually understood that Princess Yajing had accidentally seen Shen Zhang once and was attracted by his appearance and talent. In her words, she had even hinted many times that Shen Li could act as a matchmaker.
But at that time, she was really afraid that Consort Chen would blame her for "corrupting" Princess Yajing if she found out. So she always pretended to be stupid and didn't respond. This naturally annoyed Princess Yajing, and she got closer to Shen Miao instead.
Shen Zhuo was really outstanding. He could pass the imperial examinations without proper guidance in the countryside. After entering the court, his talent also won the emperor's favor. The handsome and talented young man, just nineteen years old, naturally caught the attention of many official ladies.
That chance encounter between Princess Yajing and Shen Zhang was actually arranged by the queen. The queen had summoned Shen Zhang into the palace to assess him for Princess Luoyao. The queen had secretly decided that he would be Princess Luoyao's husband.
But the result was not satisfactory.
"Ming Yue, send someone to convey a message to Second Master. Ask for his opinion. After all, this is a matter of the second branch. It's not appropriate for us to interfere!"
Hearing this, Ming Yue hesitated and said, "Miss! If we directly convey the message to Second Master, what if he doesn't take the person back? Then our plan won't work!"
"Don't worry. Let's just wait and see. Without our intervention, there will be others who will make things develop as we predicted."
Hearing this, Ming Yue felt relieved and went down to arrange for someone to go to the East Courtyard.
Naturally, Shen Junming still remembered that he had a son. Over the years, this was his only son, and he had once attached great importance to him. But Concubine Su's actions had disappointed him so much that he no longer cared about this son.
"If the person is injured, just invite a doctor. Why come to ask me?" Shen Junming said impatiently.
The little maid sent by Ming Yue to convey the message was named Chen Xiang. She was a second - rank maid beside Shen Li. After being trained by Jiao Yue and Ming Yue for some time, she had become quite smart.
Seeing Shen Junming like this, she said, "Second Master, the eldest miss said that according to the village head of Wenxing Manor, Second Young Master is seriously injured this time. Several doctors have been invited, but they can't cure him. If it's delayed like this, he may have some permanent ailments in the future."
Shen Junming frowned. Although he was hesitant in his heart, he still said impatiently, "It's just that the rural doctors are incompetent! Just invite a doctor from the capital to go and see him. We'll pay more consultation fees. There will always be a doctor willing to go!"
"Such a trivial matter also has to bother me! If she can't manage this family well, she'd better hand over the power of managing the household as soon as possible!"
Hearing Shen Junming say this, Chen Xiang didn't say anything more. She got up and left. But on the way back to the West Courtyard, she couldn't help complaining about Shen Junming in her heart. Others were afraid that something might go wrong with his own son, but he was so carefree. It was really a waste of the eldest miss's good intentions.
In the evening, the message sent by Shen Li made Shen Junming a little restless. He tossed and turned in bed and couldn't fall asleep at all.
Seeing him like this, Concubine Big - Liu, Liu Yiner, who shared the same bed with him, sat up. By the dim light in the room, she looked down at Shen Junming.
"Master! Do you have any worries? Why don't you tell me now? I can relieve your sorrows!"
Shen Junming turned over again. He still felt that both the bed under him and the quilt on him were so uncomfortable that he finally gave up the hope of falling asleep. He also sat up.
But after he sat up, he didn't say anything. He just kicked off the quilt impatiently and remained silent.
"Master, I've never seen you like this before! It seems that you must have encountered a difficult problem today! If you don't want to say it, let me guess!"
After saying that, Concubine Big - Liu glanced at Shen Junming's face. Seeing that he didn't object, she pondered for a while and then slowly said, "Master, are you upset because of Second Young Master's matter?"
Hearing this, Shen Junming neither said yes nor no. But Concubine Big - Liu smiled and said, "Master, not denying means I guessed right!"
"Looking at your appearance, you're extremely worried about Second Young Master's injury! It's not like you were so indifferent this afternoon!"
Hearing this, Shen Junming let out a long sigh, "After all, he is my son. I don't have many descendants, and he is my only concubine - born son!"
"In that case, why don't you take Second Young Master back to the mansion to recuperate? You can also enjoy the pleasure of father - son relationship!"
Shen Junming shook his head helplessly, "Yiner! You came to the mansion late. You don't know some things. Alas! They are all old things. Let's not mention them! Let's not mention them!"
"Master! Although I don't know the details, I can see that your concern for Second Young Master is genuine! Blood is thicker than water. You two are father and son. No one can break the blood - related affection between you. I'm sure that Second Young Master, who is now lying in bed injured, must miss you very much!"
Hearing this, Shen Junming's eyes lit up. He asked uncertainly, "You just said that because of the father - son bond, Zhang'er will also miss me, his father?"
Concubine Big - Liu nodded, "Of course, Master! You two are father and son. No one can stop the blood - related affection between you!"