Chapter 482: King Rui’s Neighbor (1)
Shen Xin and his wife returned to the capital with such fanfare, and Shen Miao also stole the show at Ming Qi's tribute banquet in front of the entire court of civil and military officials. While everyone was discussing it, they also turned their attention to the former mighty general's mansion.
The mighty generals were gone, and the plaques of the former General's Mansion had long since been removed, replaced by the Shen Mansion. When Shen Xin was demoted and exiled from the capital, the Shen family not only failed to offer assistance, but even at a crucial moment, they proposed a separation, severing ties with him. Now that Shen Xin was once again favored by Emperor Wenhui, no matter what his plans, outsiders always felt a certain gloating pleasure from the Shen family. As for the Shen family themselves, they naturally had to swallow the bitter fruit.
Inside Rongjing Hall, Old Lady Shen sat on the couch in the main room. The fur on the couch was a wolfskin hunted in the northwest when Chen Xin was still alive. Because of the long time, the edges were worn flat. In the past, every year when Chen Xin returned to the capital, he would bring Old Lady Shen some animal skins hunted in the northwest, which were precious things that could not be bought in Dingjing. Now that Chen Xin no longer sent animal skins, Old Lady Shen could only use the old ones.
Rongjing Hall was no longer as exquisite and luxurious as it once was, and even the decorations on the partitions were much less. Chen Xin had once lived comfortably thanks to the Emperor's constant gifts, and the entire Shen Mansion had also lived comfortably. Now that Chen Xin was gone and Chen Ruoqiu was in charge of the household, life was becoming somewhat difficult.
"The Third Elder's family has been going overboard lately." Old Madam Shen took a sip of ginseng tea, her face almost wrinkled. She said, "With winter approaching, I asked her to find a tailor to make me a fur cloak yesterday, but she kept pushing and pulling. She pocketed all the money from the pawnshop."
The maid behind her carefully rubbed Old Lady Shen's shoulders, lowering her head and not saying a word. Old Lady Shen's temper has become increasingly erratic. Ever since Shen Yuanbo died of smallpox a year ago, Old Lady Shen has often lost her temper.
Shen Yuanbo's untimely death is a pain the Shen family cannot even begin to describe. A year ago, a number of people in Dingjing City were reportedly infected with smallpox. Although the outbreak was eventually contained and its spread halted, preventing further damage, some people still died. Unfortunately, Shen Yuanbo was one of them.
Of the Shen family's second branch, Shen Gui originally had two sons. Shen Yuan had already died at the hands of the executioner, but Shen Yuanbo was still a supporter. Upon Shen Yuanbo's death, Shen Gui went completely insane. Ren Wanyun even hanged herself in the courtyard after Shen Yuanbo's death. After Ren Wanyun's death, Shen Yuanbo began frantically taking concubines and bringing women into the house, but nothing happened for a year or two. Finally, Mrs. Shen realized something was amiss and summoned a doctor to see Shen Gui. The doctor explained that Shen Gui had taken a sterilizing drug, damaging his fertility, and would never have children again.
Upon hearing this, Madam Shen fainted, and Shen Gui was also stunned. Shen Gui searched far and wide, only to find the deceased Ren Wanyun. Ren Wanyun had once given Shen Gui a sterilizing drug in order to preserve Shen Yuanbo's status as the legitimate son, but who knew Shen Yuanbo was destined for such a fate? With Ren Wanyun dead, Shen Gui naturally couldn't do anything to her. Of the original second wife, Shen Dongling was the only one left by Shen Gui. Shen Dongling's status rose, and Concubine Wan suddenly became the only one who had given birth to Shen Gui's child.
Ever since Chen Gui knew he would have no descendants, he had lost interest in his career. Without a family to carry on his family line, what was the point of earning a fortune? He spent his days in debauchery, living a life of luxury.
The second wife was no longer able to give birth to an heir, so Old Lady Shen had no choice but to turn her attention to the third wife, Shen Wan. Shen Wan had not been given the sterilizing drug, but Chen Ruoqiu had completely trapped Shen Wan's heart. Even the two concubines that Old Lady Shen had given Shen Wan in his early years were now just decorations in the third wife's house.
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