After Mrs. Shen's funeral was properly handled, Shen Wangqiu began to seriously consider how to deal with Shen Wanghong's affairs.
If we bring them back, it will be the same as before and there will be no point in dividing the family.
If they gave Shen Wanghong money every month, this amount of money would be a small matter for them, but Shen Wanghong was such an old man, and it was not a big deal after all for him to be supported by others.
If Shen Wanghong was still young, Shen Wangqiu would be willing to give him another chance, or ask him to learn a skill so that he wouldn't waste his time like this.
After all, Shen Wanghong had never done anything harmful to the world. Shen Wangqiu felt sorry for his misfortune and angry at his lack of fighting spirit.
Jiang also heard what Mrs. Shen said before she died, and she had nothing to say about Shen Wanghong.
Although her brother-in-law was a bit of a jerk, he didn't have any bad intentions. He was too lazy to care about some of the things He had done in the past, and he didn't even know about some of them.
But people often say that it is better to help in emergencies than to help the poor. Supporting him may not have much impact on the eldest wife, but for him, it may be a bad thing.
After much deliberation, Shen Wangqiu decided to ask Shen Wanghong to come over and talk.
When Shen Wanghong came to the Shen Mansion again, his former spirit and energy were all gone.
Shen Wanghong was wearing navy blue coarse cloth clothes, his beard had not been shaved for several days, and his face was gray.
As soon as Shen Wangqiu saw Shen Wanghong, he frowned and sighed.
He had never seen Shen Wanghong look so frustrated.
It seems that the death of Mrs. Shen was also a huge blow to him.
Chen Wangqiu felt somewhat helpless. He was very disappointed with his younger brother.
"Mother asked me to take care of you when she was dying. What are your plans now?" Chen Wangqiu thought for a long time before speaking.
Shen Wanghong twitched the corner of his mouth in self-mockery: "Now... what else can I plan?"
Chen Wangqiu said sternly, "A man walking in the world has responsibilities on his shoulders. I supported you before the family split, and now you should stand on your own two feet. When Mother was still around, even if you were a bit of a jerk, someone would have covered for you. But now that Mother is gone, it's really outrageous for you to continue living in this muddle-headed way."
Shen Wanghong didn't react at all after hearing what his elder brother said. He just sat there blankly, with no light in his eyes.
Chen Wangqiu felt a little unhappy. Even if he wanted to help, his second brother had to have this intention himself. But now looking at him, he didn't seem to have any intention of cheering up at all.
Chen Wangqiu's expression was stern. "Even if you don't consider yourself, you should at least consider your wife and children. Although He is gone now, you still have concubines and sons. How can you set an example for him by acting like this?"
When Shen Wanghong heard his elder brother mention his son, his eyes moved, but then disappeared.
"I've lost my official position and have no special skills. What can I do? Are you asking me to carry heavy bags at the dock?"
"So what if I have to carry heavy bags at the dock? I earn my living by my own ability, so why am I considered inferior to others?"
Shen Wanghong smiled bitterly and said, "With my body... no one would hire me to carry heavy bags at the docks."
What Shen Wanghong said was true. Over the years, he had been drained of his body by alcohol and sex, and he had all the bad habits that Fugui had.
Even if he lowered his status to do some rough work, I'm afraid he wouldn't have enough physical strength.
Chen Wangqiu thought about it, and then thought: "I remember that when you were studying, your handwriting was quite good, and you even received praise from your family teacher."
When Shen Wanghong was young, he was also a talented and romantic man in Wangjing City. He was young and energetic, and had a good family background. The He family was eager to marry He into the Shen family.
But later on, Shen Wanghong himself failed to live up to his expectations and spent his days in debauchery with his bad friends, which wore away his will.
General Shen passed away early. As the eldest brother, Shen Wangqiu wanted to teach Shen Wanghong a lesson, but he could not resist the pampering of Shen Wanghong by Mrs. Shen. Whenever Shen Wangqiu made up his mind to punish his younger brother, his mother would always come forward to protect him. Over time, Shen Wangqiu was unwilling to care about him anymore.
Shen Wanghong shook his head: "If I don't pursue a career in government, what's the point of having such good calligraphy? A scholar is useless."
Chen Wangqiu was a little disappointed. This younger brother was, after all, a hopeless person.
So he laid it all out, saying, "The area north of the city where you live is a mixed bag. Many peddlers and hawkers have never been to school and can't read. If they want to write a letter home, they'll have to find someone to write it for them. You could take this opportunity to be that ghostwriter."
"A ghostwriter doesn't need literary talent. You just write whatever others say. Don't you know how to do that?" Chen Wangqiu was really a little angry.
Upon hearing this, Shen Wanghong raised his head, a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes.
Chen Wangqiu sighed, "Although my mother asked me to take care of you, you still can't survive if you rely solely on my support. Your current situation is a lesson you deserve, but it's also an opportunity. If you can change your bad habits and turn over a new leaf this time, I'm willing to lend you a helping hand. Otherwise, I won't give you a penny."
Shen Wangqiu was forcing Shen Wanghong to stand on his own feet. If a person doesn't stand on his own feet, it's useless to rely on others.
After listening to Shen Wangqiu's words, Shen Wanghong thought seriously.
He has lived like this now, who still doesn't know about him? Now that he has lost all his dignity, he doesn't care about other people's opinions anymore.
What the eldest brother said is a way out. At least for him now, there is no better way than this.
Shen Wanghong clasped his fists towards Shen Wangqiu and said sincerely, "Thank you for your advice, big brother."
Shen Wangqiu looked at Shen Wanghong and felt a little relieved. It seemed that this second brother was not completely hopeless.
"In that case, I'm willing to help you. From now on, I'll have someone send you..."
Before Shen Wangqiu could finish his words, he was interrupted by Shen Wanghong with a wry smile.
"No need." A trace of shame appeared on Shen Wanghong's face. "My mother left some silver, and Zhao'er came to talk to me two days ago."
"Zhao'er?" Shen Wangqiu was a little surprised. His impression of this niece was just that of a timid and introverted girl. He usually never heard her speak. Moreover, she was a concubine's daughter. Why would she take the initiative to talk to Shen Wanghong?
Chen Wanghong smiled bitterly and said, "Zhao'er followed the princess to learn how to do business. I thought she was just fooling around, but I didn't expect her to take the initiative to find me two days ago. She said that since we have separated, there is no point in bothering me again. She can also make some money now, she...she is willing to support us."
Shen Wanghong's voice became lower and lower. No matter how foolish he was on weekdays, he never thought that there would be a day when he would be supported by a concubine's daughter.
Shen Lizhao told Shen Wanghong that the princess was willing to take her with her and let her learn how to do business, which was already a great care for them. Since she could earn some money now, she could no longer rely on the eldest wife as in the past.
Even if she never married, she would still support them till the end of their lives.
Shen Lizhao said it clearly. Even a teenage girl like her could see through these truths, but Shen Wanghong himself couldn't figure it out.
So Shen Wanghong felt ashamed and guilty.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
