Chapter 68 Shen Rongzhi Returns Home!
It is 9:00 AM.
The main gate of the Shen family mansion.
Zhang and Shen Qingshu had been waiting for a long time...
The two rows of maids behind her stood with their heads bowed, and the last one, Greenie, secretly moved her stiff ankles.
Just then, a servant came running over, excitedly saying, "Master, Madam, the young master's carriage has arrived at the alley entrance."
Soon, a blue cloth carriage slowly drove up to the front of the Shen residence.
A maid jumped down from the carriage shaft, quickly set up an elm wood stool, and bowed to lift the carriage curtain: "Please, sir and lady, alight from the carriage."
The carriage curtain swayed slightly, and a slender, fair hand slowly emerged. The hand was exceptionally well-maintained, with rounded nails like shells and distinct knuckles like bamboo. There wasn't a single callus to be found even at the base of the thumb. Anyone who saw it would think it belonged to a pampered young nobleman, and would never have guessed that it was a merchant who had gone to sea to do business.
Then, Shen Rongzhi bent down and stepped out of the carriage, sunlight shining on his gentle and refined face.
He tilted his head slightly, looking at the two characters "Chen Zhai" in black ink on the lintel. A smile slowly appeared on his lips, as warm as the spring sun, yet it seemed that beneath that gentle appearance lay a deeper meaning.
He unfolded the folding fan in his hand with a "whoosh," releasing a burst of the refreshing scent of pine ink.
He exudes an air of refined elegance and nobility.
The maid went to help the person inside the carriage, and saw a honey-colored wrist gracefully placed on it, the shell bracelet on the wrist jingling crisply and melodiously.
Lin Yingyu ducked out of the carriage curtain, a simple yet elegant fishbone hairpin adorning her hair, exuding a touch of the lively spirit of a seaside fisherwoman.
She was petite as a swallow, and even with her round pregnant belly, she nimbly flipped off the carriage. When she landed, her feet were as steady as rocks. Her bright eyes were strikingly clear, unlike those of a delicate young lady. She was agile and nimble, with a free and unrestrained air like the sea breeze.
The whole family entered the house with great joy.
They completely forgot that the mistress of the west wing had already 'passed away'...
In the central hall, wisps of smoke curled from a sandalwood table.
The maids moved about quietly.
Several kinds of tea and snacks were already laid out on the table in front of Lin Yingyu.
She picked up a piece of snowflake cake, the seashell bracelet jingling softly with the movement. "This cake even has a plum fragrance?"
She took a bite and her eyes crinkled into a smile: "The pastries in this mansion are really delicious."
Madam Zhang sat upright in the chair at the head of the table, smiling as she looked at Lin Yingyu's swollen belly, and said gently, "Miss Lin, you must be tired from your journey, please eat more."
She indeed unceremoniously stuffed two pieces of pastry into her mouth, then glanced around the living room and asked, "Where is Sister Lu from home?"
Greenie's hand holding the teapot trembled, and the tea almost spilled.
Although she was officially married by the master outside, she was still a concubine in a strict sense. Even if her status was elevated, she was still a concubine and should be respectfully addressed as "Auntie" to the master. Why did he directly call her "Sister Lu"?
Zhang coughed and said, "He passed away last night."
Lin Yingyu knew from the letter that Lu Zhaoruo was seriously ill, but she was still surprised that she had passed away.
Why did that sickly man have to die right before she even entered the door? He didn't even give her a chance to fight back.
Feeling it was an unlucky day, Zhang quickly said, "Today is a joyous occasion for you and Rong-ge'er to return home, let's not mention her..."
After saying that, she added, "You can rest assured that although you can't become the principal wife, all the servants in the Shen family will still treat you as the head wife."
Lin Yingyu lowered her eyes and stroked her swollen belly, a nonchalant smile playing on her lips.
What does it matter if she lives or dies? If Lu Zhaoruo wants to be the legal wife, then let her be.
What title of legal wife? After years of wandering at sea, she had long seen through such empty titles. Only women trapped in the inner quarters would fight tooth and nail for such trivial things.
No matter what, Rong Lang's heart is filled with her.
She sighed, "If only Sister Lu hadn't passed away, the position of mistress would still be hers."
Zhang forced a stiff smile: "The bride is quite magnanimous."
Shen Qingshu had already gone to the ancestral hall with Shen Rongzhi.
Shen Qingshu took out the family genealogy and handed it to Shen Rongzhi, smiling as he said, "This records that your ancestor once donated four hundred taels of military funds to the founding emperor. Now, because of the merit of the imperial merchants in contributing to the military funds, the new emperor has specially issued the 'Edict to Reward Loyal Merchants of Three Dynasties' after paying homage at the ancestral temple, granting ten thousand strings of imperial copper and three thousand acres of land..."
His hands were trembling with excitement: "The most important thing is that Xu Yizi gets into the Imperial Academy..."
Shen Rongzhi took the genealogy book and looked at it.
Shen Qingshu's eyes gleamed: "In the future, once I get the Imperial Academy student certificate, I'll be exempt from the preliminary examination and go straight into the court, wearing red and purple robes!"
He became increasingly happy.
Those old eyes gleamed with a sharp light, as if they could already see the magnificent scene of the Shen family's grand mansions and their sons in official robes.
He said urgently, "Take a rest first. Before 5 pm, take the genealogy to the State Revenue Department for verification. Then, you only need to present the official document to the State Treasury to receive the reward. Sign and confirm it on the reward book, and our Shen family will become a prominent family in Jizhou City."
Shen Rongzhi's slender, well-defined fingers lightly traced the line of record on the family genealogy. When he looked up, his eyes were clear and bright: "Today is rushed, and the officials of the prefectural government are in a hurry to dismiss their staff. How about tomorrow at 1:45 PM, after they have had their afternoon tea and have sobered up, so that we can finish reading the pile of documents on our desks..."
A knowing smile curved his lips. "Then, presenting the family genealogy would have been the perfect opportunity."
His words were spoken with composure and calmness.
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingshu realized it was true and said, "I was too hasty. My son is much more thoughtful."
Just then.
Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the ancestral hall. Shi Tou respectfully said from outside the door, "Master, Lord, the Madam has sent me to invite you. Commander Xiao of the Navy has come to your residence and is waiting in the main hall."
Shen Rong asked in confusion, "Naval Commander Xiao?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingshu's face lit up with joy, and he hurriedly straightened his clothes: "Quickly, go and greet the guests!"
As Shen Rongzhi stepped across the threshold, Shi Tou stood with his head bowed, but couldn't help glancing at him out of the corner of his eye. He clenched his sleeves, thinking to himself, "The first thing this master does upon returning home is to come to the ancestral hall to look at the family genealogy, without even asking about the mistress..."
He stared at the worn-out toes of his shoes, his throat tightening.
Central Hall.
Xiao Yeming, dressed in an indigo-blue raccoon-sleeved outfit, sat upright in the guest seat. His waist, tightly bound by a leather belt, was as sharp as a drawn sword. Although he was not wearing armor, his murderous aura was chilling.
The tea on his desk was steaming, but he didn't touch it.
Zhang's face was all smiles, but there was a hint of fear hidden in her eyes.
Lin Yingyu gently stroked her swollen belly with her delicate hand, her bright eyes curiously observing this distinguished guest.
She secretly pondered, never imagining that there could be a man in the world even more handsome than her own husband…
It's a pity that not a single glance fell on me.
"General Xiao's presence is an honor to my humble abode."
Shen Qingshu stepped into the hall, quickly stepped forward, and bowed deeply.
Xiao Yeming's gaze, like an arrow tempered with ice, had already bypassed him and was fixed on Shen Rongzhi.
Those hands, which were used to holding knives for years, suddenly clenched, their knuckles turning a horrifying bluish-white, as if they were about to strangle the person in front of them with their white jade-like neck in the next second.
He had to admit that the wealthy merchant's son in front of him, dressed in fine clothes and jade belt, did indeed have a handsome appearance, but beneath that appearance lay a hypocrite.
Shen Rongzhi met Xiao Yeming's sharp gaze, his smile undiminished, and calmly bowed, saying, "General Xiao, I have long admired your reputation, and seeing you today, I can confirm that it is indeed well-deserved."
He naturally noticed that the general in front of him was sizing him up, his eyes filled with hostility.
Upon seeing this, Shen Qingshu's face was plastered with a fawning smile: "General Xiao, please forgive me, this is my son Rongzhi, who has just returned from doing business overseas."
Xiao Yeming withdrew his gaze. He disliked formalities and pleasantries, and went straight to the point: "I heard that the Shen family ancestors once donated four hundred taels of silver to the Emperor, truly a model of loyalty to the merchants. Today, on the occasion of your son's return home, I have come to offer my congratulations."
Both Zhang and Shen Qingshu were extremely excited after hearing this.
However, Shen Rongzhi had a vague feeling that the general's purpose in coming was not so simple.
Just then, the gatekeeper came to report: "Master, Lord, Madam, Master Gu has arrived, and says..."
Before he could finish speaking, a clear, smiling voice came from outside: "With the Shen family celebrating so joyously today, how could I, Gu, not come to share in the happiness?"
Gu Xian, holding a folding fan, stepped into the hall with a leisurely pace. When he saw Xiao Yeming sitting in the guest seat, his hand holding the fan paused almost imperceptibly, and his smile froze on his face. When did he start to like watching the excitement?
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