Chapter 114 Reunion Dinner

Concubine Shen lay on Old Madam Shen's lap, sobbing softly and saying sorry in a hoarse voice, without any of her former nobility.

Old Madam Shen stroked her hair again and again, her eyes more kind and gentle than ever before, yet revealing a hint of sadness.

Shen Anan stood behind the screen, not moving for a moment, and heard her grandmother's caring voice say to Concubine Shen, "Just listen to mother this time, mother won't hurt you."

Concubine Shen choked up, "It's my daughter's fault for being unfilial. It's my daughter's fault that the Shen family has fallen into such a desperate situation. Mother, I was wrong. I was wrong."

"Don't cry, you finally got home." Old Madam Shen raised her hand to wipe her tears, "Don't let your brother and An An see anything."

"Mother."

Shen Anan's heart skipped a beat, and she walked around the screen and went in. She glanced at Concubine Shen who was half-kneeling on the ground, and said to Old Madam Shen, "Mother has prepared dinner in the front hall."

“Okay.” Madam Shen smiled, but her eyes did not look at Shen Anan, and Concubine Shen also lowered her head, deliberately avoiding Shen Anan’s sight.

Her intuition told her that the two were hiding something from her.

She looked up at Aunt Yang, who immediately bent down to support the old lady, "I'll help you."

"Let's go, your sister-in-law has prepared dinner. Let's have a reunion dinner together as a family."

Madam Shen held out her hand to Concubine Shen, who quickly took it, stood up and supported her, but kept her eyes on the ground.

Shen Anan's almond-shaped eyes darkened, and she followed the two out. Her eyes were fixed on Concubine Shen, and she did not move away until they reached the front hall.

"An An, what's wrong?" Shen Changhe walked behind her and asked in a low voice.

She shook her head. "Nothing. I just think my grandmother and aunt are a little strange. It seems like they are deliberately hiding something from us."

Her anxiety reached its peak, especially after Concubine Shen's heart-wrenching apology, which made her even more confused.

Madam Shen had received the news long ago and prepared an extra set of bowls and chopsticks. She knelt down and bowed to Concubine Shen.

"Sister-in-law." Concubine Shen helped her up. Her eyes were red and swollen. She wanted to say something, but her throat seemed to be blocked by a ball of cotton.

Madam Shen smiled and dissolved the tense atmosphere, "It's good that you're back. My husband has been talking about it for many years, and now he can finally come home."

Concubine Shen's tears instantly fell again and she sat down beside the old lady.

After a while, Shen Wen also came and sat on the other side of Old Madam Shen. The man was not good at speaking, he just nodded to Concubine Shen and ordered the servants to serve the dishes.

It was just like the imprisonment a few days ago, where there had never been a line between life and death.

"Sit down," Shen Changhe said softly, "This is the last time, so please be patient. After all, she is your grandmother's biological daughter and your father's sister."

Maybe the person is about to die, his words are good, and he suddenly feels guilty.

Shen Anan withdrew her gaze from the happy mother and her two children, and barely suppressed the confusion in her heart.

What the eldest brother said was right. After all, she was the closest relative of grandmother and father, and had been sentenced to death by the emperor. She couldn't spoil grandmother's fun at the last reunion dinner. No matter how much she hated her stupidity, she couldn't get angry at this time.

"Just consider it for my grandmother's sake," Shen Changhe said.

If we talk about disgust, Madam Shen, who had her family ruined by Concubine Shen and had no blood relationship with her, should be the person who hated Concubine Shen the most in the entire Shen family. But she didn't say a word, just sat quietly beside Shen Wen, listening to the conversation between the mother and son.

Looking at Madam Shen's long-lost smile, Shen Anan lowered her eyes and walked to the table and sat down.

Neither the brother nor the sister spoke, and today's dinner did not follow the rule of not talking while eating or sleeping. Old Madam Shen seemed to be particularly talkative today. After talking about Concubine Shen, she began to talk about Shen Wen, and finally even gave instructions to Madam Shen.

"The Shen family will only have a harder time in the future. I'm sorry to have to put you in such a difficult position."

Mrs. Shen's eyes were filled with tears. "What are you talking about, mother? Since I married into the Shen family, my husband has treated me very well, and you have never found fault with me. I am very lucky to have enjoyed the glory and prosperity of the Shen family for more than ten years." '

She has lived a worthwhile life.

"Okay," Old Madam Shen smiled and suddenly started coughing softly.

“Mo Xiang, go get the doctor,” Shen Anan ordered immediately, but Old Madam Shen quickly waved her hand to refuse.

She glared at Shen An'an and said, "Why would you ask for a doctor on such a good day? It's unlucky. Don't you know grandma's health best?"

It was precisely because of this that Shen Anan panicked, "It's still early, grandma has plenty of opportunities to say whatever she wants to say, it's more important to let the doctor take your pulse first."

Shen Wen also sensed something was wrong and frowned, "Is mother feeling unwell?"

"No, I'm just happy today and want to say a few more words." She waved her hand to let Shen Anan sit down, and comforted her softly, "Okay, don't wrinkle your little face. After dinner, grandma will listen to you and let the doctor take a look. There's no need to rush for a while."

"Okay, An'an, it's not easy for grandma to be happy today, so please be flexible."

Concubine Shen didn't say a word from beginning to end. She just lowered her head, tightly grasping Madam Shen's sleeve, looking sad and lonely.

Everyone acquiesced to Madam Shen's intention, and Shen Anan could only sit down, staring at Madam Shen.

“He’er.” The old lady’s eyes suddenly fixed on Shen Changhe and waved.

Shen Changhe immediately stood up and walked over, half squatting beside the old lady, "Grandma."

"Well, my good grandson, your father is getting older, and the future of the Shen family depends on you. You must take good care of your mother and your sister. Don't let setbacks wear down the pride and talents of our Shen family. Our Shen family has prospered before, and there will be a day when we can turn things around and turn the tide."

She never gave up in her life, and her descendants will be no worse off.

Shen Changhe did not speak, but stared at Old Madam Shen with cold eyes, "Grandma, my grandson is young and still needs your guidance and support."

Madam Shen poked his head with a smile, "You are already a man in his twenties. Children of ordinary families have already received enlightenment. You still have the nerve to say that you are young."

Speaking of marriage, Old Madam Shen sighed again, "An An said that the girl from the Lin family is very good. It's a pity that Grandmother didn't get to see her."

As soon as these words fell, Shen Anan stood up and told Mo Xiang to call a doctor in an unquestionable voice, and she walked towards the old lady.

“Grandma,” Shen Changhe’s face tightened, “When the Shen family gets through this difficult time, I will bring Miss Lin to see you.”

"No." The old lady shook her head. "The Shen family will have a difficult road ahead. He'er, don't trouble other girls. It's because our Shen family doesn't have that blessing."

Shen Changhe lowered his head and responded softly.

"I'm sorry for wronging you." The old lady reached out and stroked Shen Changhe's eyebrows, her eyes full of pity.

At this time, Mo Xiang rushed in with the doctor. Madam Shen glanced at Shen Anan helplessly, "You kid, you said you would see the doctor when you get back, why don't you keep your word?"

Shen Anan didn't respond and ordered the doctor to come forward to take her pulse. Concubine Shen looked flustered and immediately stood up to make room for the doctor.

Shen Anan had no time to pay attention to her, her eyes fixed on the doctor.

Everyone became extremely nervous because of Shen Anan, but Old Madam Shen smiled faintly and didn't take it too seriously.

After a while, the doctor collected his things and said, "Young lady, the old lady's pulse is the same as before, with no obvious changes. Just take good care of her."

"I told you it's okay, why are you making such a fuss?" The old lady withdrew her hand. Shen Anan looked at her, and the uneasiness in her heart was not relieved at all by the doctor's words.

Dinner was almost over. Madam Shen told the maid to take away the leftovers and served fruits and snacks. Outside, the wind was howling and snowflakes were flying. Inside, the family gathered around the table, talking in a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Shen Anan listened quietly until late at night, and finally couldn’t help but remind her, “Grandma, it’s late, it’s time to rest.”

Old Madam Shen looked out the window and muttered, "How come time goes by so fast."

“Aunt Yang, help grandma back.” Shen Anan ordered.

Madam Shen stood up reluctantly and patted Shen Wen on the shoulder, "Let's all go back."

"Yes." Shen Wen also stood up.

'