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Chapter 560: The End of the Farmer's Field

The matter of Hei Mu Country has been settled. Old Man and Aunt Lan were worried that the situation there was still unstable, so they planned to accompany their daughter back. Yue Yue did not go with them. Lan Lan planned to wait until the country was completely peaceful before taking her back. In the end, Yue Yue sent off Old Man and Aunt Lan and her newly found mother with tears in her eyes.

Little Rixing'er Liansheng played with Yueyue every day, and finally made her smile again.

Shen Zi'an and Su Zhi lived in the Marquis' Mansion, spending time with their parents and children every day, occasionally going to the Palace or the Prime Minister's Residence, and lived a very comfortable life.

Shen Ziju was having a hard time, because the couple from the third room lived in his house like the masters and made more and more demands. Shen Ziju's wife was very dissatisfied with this and went back to her parents' home several times. Then she talked to Su Zhi about this and told her that she finally understood the suffering she had endured in the past.

Su Zhi thought that the third wife was really going too far, otherwise Shen Ziju's wife would not have complained to her about these things. This woman was a lady from a wealthy family and was considered a virtuous person. She did not like to talk about her family's troubles with others, believing that it was a family disgrace. Now that she said so, it seemed that the third wife really made this lady from a wealthy family unbearable.

"Zi'an, how come they are so bold? Shouldn't they be afraid of my fifth brother? He is an official, and they are relying on him to live a good life. But it seems to me that this is not the case, as if they have something on him, otherwise how dare they be so arrogant?"

Su Zhi said to Shen Liaoan that she was really curious. She thought Shen Ziju had done something cruel before, but he had survived the crisis and told the emperor about it. No one could threaten him anymore. Why was Shen Ziping and his men making his family so miserable now? Did he do something shameful again? But Shen Ziping and Sun had been in Hebian Village, and Shen Ziju was in the capital. What could they do wrong to Shen Ziju?

Su Zhi really couldn't think of it.

Shen Zian said: "Fifth brother is very smart, he will solve it. We don't need to worry about him."

Su Zhi said: "The people in the third house are very hateful. The fifth brother's wife came to our house because she wanted us to drive them back to Hebian Village."

Last time, the people from the Third House were driven back by Shen Zian and his men. Now the Third House can control Shen Ziju, but they have no leverage over Shen Zian and his men. They are not afraid of this rogue couple, so it is quite easy to drive them back. However, the Fifth Brother's wife wanted to save face and did not say it directly. Su Zhi naturally would not bring it up either.

Shen Zian said, "Let Fifth Brother solve this matter himself. Even if we help, we can't solve the root cause. If they still hold a grudge and make things worse, it will be bad for Fifth Brother."

What Shen Zian didn't say was that he didn't want to get involved in Shen Ziju's affairs. This brother was a man with strong opinions and a ruthless heart, and he had such thoughts about his wife. He was also Shen Zhang's son, so no matter how much he admired him before, he didn't want to get closer to him now.

Su Zhi nodded, thinking that if the Third House really had something on Shen Ziju, it must be a big one, which would have made Shen Ziju so controlled. She thought of what happened with the Niu family before, and she believed that Shen Ziju could do something bad again. She thought that because the situation was unstable that time, he took the initiative to confess his crime, and the emperor did not punish him immediately. If he committed a crime again this time, he would be punished for two crimes at the same time.

Although I don't like the despicable behavior of the third room, this is also Shen Ziju's fault, let him solve it himself.

Shen Zian and Su Zhi ignored the affairs of the third room. Shen Ziju's family was still being tormented by the couple, and they were enjoying themselves and finally remembered their son.

When Chunhua came to visit, Shen Zian and his friends learned that Silang and Wulang had all been brought to the capital by Shen Ziping and his friends, and this time they also called Chunhua along.

Chunhua came to the Marquis of Loyalty’s Mansion on the second day after her arrival.

Shen Zian and Su Zhi were quite fond of this niece, so they had her served tea and snacks, and listened to her tell them the messages from the first and second wives and Li Shi and others. Then Su Zhi took her to the chrysanthemum garden for a visit.

"Chunhua, are you not happy to come to the capital? I see you are absent-minded."

Su Zhi asked, she had already seen it, she asked after Chunhua was distracted again, this girl had a hard life, born in the third room of the parents who favored boys over girls, she could only plan for herself. She had clearly promised her to live a good life, but she still missed Silang and Wulang who stayed in that family, they were good children, and she gradually fell in love with this girl.

Chunhua looked at Su Zhi. She knew that Fourth Auntie was good to her. When Su Zhi asked her, she thought about it and finally told her.

"My parents asked me to come to the capital just to let me marry a rich man or an official so that they can enjoy a good life. They are still the same as before. Whether I am a wife or a concubine, as long as they like me, they will send me away. I don't want to stay here."

Su Zhi frowned slightly, thinking that this was indeed the temper of the couple in the third room. She comforted Chunhua and said, "Don't worry, as long as you are in the capital, with us and your fifth uncle here, they won't dare to give you to others as a concubine, even as a good marriage."

Shen Ziju was an official, and he married the daughter of a minister, while Shen Zian married the daughter of a marquis. They had such a close relationship with the royal family, and their status was very high. How could such a niece be allowed to be a concubine? Even if she was allowed to be a concubine to a noble, it was not allowed!

Chunhua pursed her lips and said, "I believe what you four aunts say. As for the fifth uncle, my parents are not afraid of him now, but he is afraid of my parents!"

Su Zhi raised her eyebrows, pondered for a moment, and asked Chunhua: "Chunhua, can you tell Fourth Auntie what evidence your parents have against your Fifth Uncle?"

Chunhua glanced at Su Zhi and lowered her head.

Su Zhi said, "Is that incident bad only for your fifth uncle, or for all of us who are related to him? If it's the former, you don't have to say anything. If it's the latter, think about it carefully and tell me. You also know that if your parents continue to make trouble like this, the final result may not be good, and your fifth uncle is not someone who can be bullied easily."

Chunhua pursed her lips and whispered, "Grandpa is dead."

"What did you say?"

Su Zhi thought she had heard wrongly, her eyes widened slightly, and she looked at Chunhua, looking at Chunhua's expression. She was sure that she had not heard wrongly, and frowned slightly.

"Your fifth uncle is so confused!"

According to the laws of Liang State, if an official's eldest relative dies, he must observe mourning for three years. The only exception is if the eldest relative is a criminal.

When Shen Youfu died, Shen Ziju was supposed to report it to the court and then go to Ding You. However, he knew that his father had died, but he concealed it and did not report it. Instead, he said that Shen Youfu had left home to travel. This was unfilial and deceiving the emperor, which was a serious crime.

Su Zhi didn't expect Shen Ziju to choose to do this. Thinking of the young man who said with a firm look that he wanted to be an honest official for the country and the people, she sighed softly.

Chunhua said, "It was my parents who came up with this idea, and I heard it. I didn't know whether I should say it or not. It's my fault. Before my parents came to Beijing, they just casually said that they would take us to Beijing to enjoy a good life, and I didn't know what to do. I didn't hide it just to live a good life, but I thought my parents finally cared about me. I didn't expect that even if they lived a good life, they still wanted to sell me out. Fourth aunt, I have really given up."

Su Zhi looked at Chunhua with red eyes and thought that she was also pitiful.

Su Zhi let Chunhua stay in the Marquis' Mansion and told Shen Zian about this.

When Shen Zian heard that Shen Youfu had died a long time ago and was hastily buried by Shen Ziping and his men in the woods next to the village graveyard, he sat there for a long time without saying a word. Although he hated him, he was his biological father after all, and he died just like that. It would be a lie to say that Shen Zian wasn't sad.

Su Zhi sat with Shen Zian and comforted him.

Shen Zian said: "We can't keep this secret from them. Let's tell them whether they should take the initiative to ask the emperor for forgiveness or we should report it. Let them choose."

Shen Zian asked someone to invite Shen Ziju to his house and gave him these two choices. Shen Ziju didn't expect that this matter would be known to others, and Shen Zian and Su Zhi knew about it. He thought that he couldn't keep it secret. But he felt relieved all of a sudden. He was uneasy about hiding his father's death and letting his father's body be buried so carelessly. What his third brother and his wife did also made him resentful. He even knew that one day he would not be able to bear it anymore. At that time, the fate of his third brother and his family would be the same as that of the Niu family, which would be another crime.

Shen Ziju did not plead with Shen Zian and Su Zhi. With Su Zhi present, he could not open his mouth to beg for mercy, as that would make him feel even more humble.

The emperor was very angry about Shen Ziju's crime. Shen Ziju had harmed the Niu family, but because of the situation, he did not convict Shen Ziju. He had originally wanted to ban Shen Ziju from promotion for several years as a punishment. This was also due to many considerations, but now it seems that this is no longer necessary.

Shen Ziju eventually went to a desolate border area, and his entire family was exiled.

The emperor privately told Shen Zian and Su Zhi that he would let Shen Ziju serve there for three years as a period of mourning. If he performed well, he would be made the county magistrate after three years. He could use his ambitions to improve the lives of the people in the poor areas for the rest of his life!

Shen Zian and Su Zhi knew that the emperor did this for their sake, and of course because he valued Shen Ziju's talent. They felt that this was a very light punishment for Shen Ziju, and it was also a good result. Didn't he say that he wanted to be an honest official who served the people and the country? He still had a chance, and maybe in that desolate land, he could do what he wanted to do.

As for Shen Ziping and Sun, they were the ones who secretly buried Shen Youfu, and they also gave Shen Ziju such an idea, threatening Shen Ziju. The emperor was very angry with them and exiled them for 20 years. When they heard the result, they all collapsed on the ground, one was stunned and the other cried, but they could not change the result. They really reaped the consequences.

Su Zhi thought this was a good idea. Shen Ziping and Sun were too evil-minded. They deserved to be punished. It was good enough to save their lives. When they came back, Silang and Wulang would have grown up. As long as they were well educated, they would grow up well. Even if the couple came back, they would not be able to take care of the children.

Only Chunhua, Silang and Wulang were sent off by Shen Ziping and Sun Shi. They cried and begged the children to let Shen Zian and Su Zhi rescue them, but they were taken away by the officials.

Chunhua took the crying Silang and Wulang back home. She thought that she should educate her brothers well in the future and not let them become like their parents. Fortunately, after the incident with Sanlang, the two brothers became more sensible. Now their parents can't teach them bad things anymore, and they will definitely grow up to be good people in the future.

Shen Zian looked at the three children and told them to come to them if they had any problems in the future. Chunhua nodded vigorously. She knew that her fourth uncle and fourth aunt were all good people.

Shen Zian and Su Zhi went to see Shen Ziju off again. Compared with Shen Ziping and Sun Shi, Shen Ziju was more comfortable here, with a carriage, family, children, and some clothes and property.

Su Zhi went to talk to the fifth brother's wife. She felt sympathy for this virtuous woman. She admired her resolute expression despite her red and swollen eyes. She gave her a bottle of medicine and some silver bills. This was not for Shen Ziju, but for them, especially the little girl named Lianhua. Su Zhi, who loved children, was reluctant to let her child suffer. This was all she could do.

Shen Zian and Shen Ziju finished their conversation. Seeing his wife coming over, he walked up to her.

Shen Ziju and his wife held their child in their arms as they saluted them, then set off.

Shen Zian and Su Zhi stood there and watched them go away, wondering when they would meet again. Maybe when they met again, both of them would have changed so much that they didn't recognize each other. Just thinking about it, no matter how much they hated Shen Ziju for his stupidity and cruelty, their feelings faded, leaving only the sadness of separation.

Shen Ziju did not look back, for he was afraid that he would be reluctant to leave after looking. It was not until now that he realized that official position and wealth were not the most important things in his heart, and he would not feel so bad even if he gave them up. It was far less than one percent of the possibility that he would not see that slender figure like a lotus for a long time.

"Husband, don't be sad. My daughter and I are here with you. We will come back one day."

"Daddy, I'm not afraid. If I'm with you, you won't be afraid either."

Lianhua comforted Shen Ziju with her tender voice. Her big eyes were round and she stretched out her little hand to touch Shen Ziju's face.

Shen Ziju looked at them with a smile on his face, thinking that he still had his wife and daughter. At least he still had them. For them, he had to cheer up. From now on, he would bury that lotus-like figure and that elegant lotus fragrance in his heart. At least he had never done anything bad to her, and he could still bury her in his heart as the most beautiful memory.

"I'm not afraid. With Lotus here, Daddy is not afraid of anything."

Shen Ziju held Lianhua tightly, looking at his wife beside him, thinking that he should treat this woman well in the future, as he only had her and his daughter.

Shen Zian and Su Zhi returned to the mansion. They discussed going back to Hebian Village. Shen Youfu's body still needed to be dug out and then buried in the ancestral tomb. As a son, Shen Zian had to do this. Thinking of Shen Youfu, they thought of Shen Zhang, but Shen Zian and Su Zhi did not mention it. That person was no longer worth their efforts.

Shen Zian and his friends were going back to Hebian Village. Xiaori and his friends were reluctant to let them go. They were already grown up and had homework every day. Yueyue's status was different now. The Blackwood Kingdom was not completely peaceful yet. For her safety, she should stay in the palace. In the end, the three children could only bid farewell to Shen Zian and his friends.

Mrs. Mu Yongnian prepared a lot of things for them to take back. This time, Shen Zian and his friends had more carriages and also brought ten servants prepared by the Mu family.

On a sunny day, Shen Zian and his companions set off back to Hebian Village with everyone seeing them off.

"I'm finally going back. I really miss it. No matter how comfortable the capital is, it's still our home."

Su Zhi said happily. Looking at Shen Zian and Lian Sheng looking out the window together, she felt very happy. She thought that her greatest gain from coming to this world was this father and son.

Shen Zian held Su Zhi's hand and said, "Yes, we will stay here for a few more days this time. If we miss our parents and Xiao Ri, we can stay here from time to time."

Lian Sheng also snuggled into Su Zhi's arms and talked.

The family of three was laughing and talking happily in the carriage.

Su Zhi was a little tired. She leaned in Shen Zian's arms and closed her eyes. In her dreams, there were past lives and present lives. When she woke up, she was a little afraid that all this happiness was just a dream before she opened her eyes. However, when a light kiss fell on her forehead, she opened her eyes with a smile. As expected, she saw Shen Zian's handsome face. Her face was reflected in his eyes. She thought that having a husband and son, as well as spiritual springs and fairy lotus in this life was enough.

This is the last chapter. I kept revising it. I always feel like I forgot something. It took me several hours to write it. If there are details I forgot, please forgive me. This chapter has more than 4,600 words, which is quite rich. I will write a final comment tomorrow. I guess you are not interested in reading this final comment, so I will give this article a title here: "The Leisurely Rebirth of the Female Supporting Character". It is not too long and it is also a bizarre story, focusing on the life experience. If you are interested, you can take a look. There is a direct link at the bottom of this page. Thank you all for your tolerance along the way. I bow 90 degrees to thank you!

(Lishu Literature)