Shen Junming was taken aback for a moment after hearing what Concubine Liuda said, but didn't continue speaking.
Seeing that his attitude was wavering, Concubine Liuda spared no effort to persuade him further. "Moreover, even if we send a doctor there, the countryside lacks medical resources and is far from the capital. It's extremely inconvenient! It won't do any good for Second Young Master's injury!"
"If we bring him back to the mansion! Not to mention that the doctors in the capital are highly skilled and Second Young Master's injury will heal faster. Just for the sake of the father - son bond between you and Second Young Master, it will be of great benefit."
Shen Junming was somewhat tempted by Concubine Liuda's words. Thinking about how he had left his own son in the countryside for nearly a decade without any care or concern, not fulfilling his responsibility as a father at all, a sense of guilt and anxiety welled up in his heart.
"Ye'er, do you think that after leaving them mother and sons in the manor for all these years without caring, will Zhang'er resent me as his father?"
Hearing Shen Junming's words, Concubine Liuda pondered for a moment and then said, "Second Young Master was still young when he left home and didn't know much about the affairs between adults. Now that he has grown up, he should be able to understand that you had your own difficulties back then!"
"If, at this time, you can take this opportunity to cultivate a relationship with Second Young Master and make up for your past neglect, he will surely have no more complaints."
After hearing her words, Shen Junming felt as if a huge rock had been lifted from his heart. His brows relaxed unconsciously. "Yes! You're right, Ye'er! After I bring Zhang'er back to the mansion, I'll teach him well and make up for my past mistakes. Our father - son relationship will surely be restored to what it used to be."
"Moreover, Zhang'er is already... seventeen years old, isn't he? It's the perfect time for a young man to study. I'm sure his studies have fallen behind during these years in the manor! I'll teach him personally. If he works harder, he might even pass the provincial examination and get an official position."
"By then, it will be a great blessing for us father and son to serve the emperor in the court together!"
There was a time when Shen Junming was envious of other families where father and son served in the court together. Now that he had the possibility of fulfilling this small wish, he was extremely delighted and had new goals for the future.
Seeing Shen Junming smiling again, Concubine Liuda also felt relieved. She said flattering words to amuse Shen Junming and make him feel happy.
"Tomorrow, I'll give the order to send someone to bring Zhang'er back to the mansion!"
"Your Excellency, I haven't been in the mansion for long, but I've heard that there's also a Concubine Su and the Third Miss living in the manor."
Hearing Concubine Liuda's words, Shen Junming only let out a soft "hmm" without saying anything else.
Concubine Liuda's heart skipped a beat, but she still wore a flattering smile and asked, "After we bring Second Young Master back to the mansion tomorrow, what about Concubine Su and the Third Miss? Should they stay in the manor?"
The smile on Shen Junming's face faded a bit. "She was so eager to go to the manor back then. Let her stay there forever."
Although Shen Junming didn't say it explicitly, Concubine Liuda could tell that the "she" he referred to was Concubine Su. She wondered what had happened back then that made Shen Junming dislike her so much.
"Your Excellency, I'm not sure if I should say this or not?" Concubine Liuda hugged Shen Junming's arm and asked hesitantly.
Shen Junming looked down at her and said gently, "Ye'er, just say whatever you want! Why are you still being so polite with me?"
Concubine Liuda gave a coquettish laugh. "Your Excellency! I'm just afraid that if I talk too much, others will think I'm a gossiping woman, whispering sweet nothings in your ear!"
"Haha! Ye'er, you're overthinking! Even if you want to whisper in my ear, it depends on whether your lord is willing to listen! I'm not someone who will listen to just any rumor!"
Shen Junming was still feeling proud, not knowing that he had already been influenced by Concubine Liuda's pillow talk and had lost his own judgment.
"Your Excellency, I'm just trying to relieve your worries. I can't bear to see you so troubled! Just now, I was thinking for you. I think this is a crucial moment for your official career!"
"Oh? What do you mean by that?" Hearing Concubine Liuda mention his official career, Shen Junming stopped smiling and asked in confusion.
"Recently, there have been rumors that the emperor is going to choose concubines for the three princes. I was thinking that the Third Miss is old enough. If she catches the eye of a noble person, it will be of great help to you, Your Excellency."
"Good!" Shen Junming slapped his thigh after hearing this. "I remember Zhenzhen was good - looking before. She must be as beautiful as Miao'er by now! She's only one year younger than Miao'er. Even if she doesn't get selected as a concubine, if we send her to a noble family as a concubine, it will still help my official career!"
Thinking of this, Shen Junming excitedly pulled Concubine Liuda beside him into his arms. "Ye'er, you're truly my 'understanding flower'! You always think for me! We should really bring her back to the mansion and teach her well."
Concubine Liuda nodded. "Now that Second Young Master and the Third Miss are both coming back to the mansion, what about Concubine Su?"
This time, without Concubine Liuda saying anything, Shen Junming said generously, "Bring her back as well!"
The next day, after getting Shen Junming's reply, Shen Li made the arrangements.
She found two doctors in the capital and sent four strong servants from the mansion. They all followed Xie Yuan in a carriage to the Wenxing Manor to pick up the people.
However, the Wenxing Manor of the Shen family was quite far from the capital. It would take them at least two days to go there and come back. In addition, they had to leave some time for Concubine Su and the others to pack up and consider Shen Zhang's injury.
So, when they left, Shen Li instructed them to prioritize Shen Zhuo's injury. If both doctors thought that Shen Zhuo was not fit to travel, they should make other arrangements.
If the doctors believed that he could lie in the carriage, they should bring the people back within five days at the latest.
Although Shen Li had made careful arrangements, she didn't expect that Concubine Su and the others would arrive one day earlier.
When the servant came to report, the carriage carrying Concubine Su and the others had already arrived at the gate of the Shen Mansion. Shen Li didn't go to the gate to greet them. She only sent Mingyue and Jiaoyue to welcome them at the gate, which was also a way to show outsiders that she valued Concubine Su to some extent.
On the other hand, Shen Junming also sent Concubine Liuda and Concubine Liuxiao to the gate to welcome them.
As for Shen Shi, no one knew whether she didn't get the news or didn't want to see the old acquaintance, but she didn't send anyone over.
At first, Shen Li only sent one carriage to pick them up. But when Concubine Su returned to the mansion, besides that carriage, she rented two more.
Shen Zhang was lying in the carriage sent by the Shen Mansion, with several thick layers of quilts under him. Concubine Su and Shen Zhen were sitting in the second carriage. In the last carriage, there was an old maid, a maid, and two small boxes.