Volume 1 Chapter 104: Ahead of Schedule

  Reward for He Shi Bi, thank you for your reward and pink votes

  This younger brother, although lazy and idle, disdaining officialdom, was actually clever and astute. Looking at him with sparkling eyes, Shen Zhongge secretly sighed and said, "She has contracted a terminal illness."

  "It's terminal!" Shen Zhongxin sat up straight.

  "The doctor said...," Shen Zhongke's voice had a hint of sorrow that even he himself hadn't noticed, "She can live for at most two more years."

  "Big brother has softened." Facing such a fragile life, Shen Zhongxin couldn't help but feel moved.

  “…I just don't want her to take away too many regrets!” Shen Zhongjie shook his head vigorously, forcefully shaking off the sudden surge of emotions that had risen in his heart. He composed himself and looked at Shen Zhongxin with a serious expression, “...Mother doesn't like her, these past two years, I'm afraid it's hard to win Mother's heart again. Now that you're back, from now on, don't go anywhere else, just stay home and help me take care of Mother, make the old lady happy.”

  "How can this be!"

  Deeply immersed in a strange mood, Shen Zhongxin heard this and suddenly jumped up with a loud cry.

  As soon as Shen Zhongge entered, he had to answer every question, with a serious expression, thinking that his elder brother already considered him an adult and was willing to discuss his personal affairs with him, but it turned out that this was just a trap set for him!

  He saw Shen Zhong's gaze was stern, he shook his head again with great force and took two steps back, "......you don't have to look at me, Master's skills I only learned a tenth of it, even if you kill me I won't stay home!" His hand quietly reached for the door handle, preparing to pull the door open and run.

  Shen Zhong's hand lightly lifted, and without seeing how he moved, Shen Zhongxin was stiffly fixed in place. "Big brother!" he called out unwillingly.

  "I've already greeted Xiao Zhongtang, and temporarily arranged a clerk position for you at the Hanlin Academy. You can rest at home for now, and after the New Year, go to the Hanlin Academy to report to Cui Daren." Shen Zhongke lowered his head and pulled out a document from the drawer, tossing it to Shen Zhongxin.

  He suddenly felt his body could move, Shen Zhongxin caught the document but didn't open it to read. His eyes looked at Shen Zhongge with a resentful gaze, "Big brother promised me that I don't have to participate in the imperial examination, don't have to be an official, and can do what I like, you can support me for my whole life!" The complaining tone was like that of a wronged wife.

  Shen Zhong's face was frozen in a mixture of laughter and tears.

  Originally. Shen Zhong's repeated failures in the imperial examination were not because he was untalented, but rather because he had no interest in officialdom and disliked family affairs. He was born with a fondness for the strange and mysterious, and his heart's desire was to become a disciple of Guiguzi, who lived in seclusion at Baiquan. That was why he had come to his elder brother Shen Zhong, begging him to let him go out into the world to study under a master.

  Shen Zhongxin was born with a sweet tongue and knew his brother's temperament, so he coaxed Shen Zhongjie into submission with just a few words. Thinking that this younger brother was also his mother's darling, even if he spent his life idling away, he could still support himself. Shen Zhongjie readily agreed and covered for him in front of their mother, saying only that Chen Yu, the old master from Baichuan, was a superior being. Since two imperial tutors had emerged from their clan before, with his guidance, Shen Zhongxin would surely pass the imperial examination within three years.

  Shen Zhong's death made Shen Zhongxiao unwilling to seek a future for his younger son, and the only way for Shen Zhongxin to make a name for himself was through the imperial examination. It wasn't until then that Old Lady Shen reluctantly agreed to let Shen Zhongxin go out and study.

  "I promised to support you for life." Shen Zhongge nodded, "Letting you go to the Hanlin Academy as a servant is not just about making money to support your family, but also to let Mother see that you have a good future ahead of you and stop worrying." He changed the subject, "As the saying goes, 'Parents are not far away from traveling', now that Mother is old, her only concern is that you can have a good future and bring joy to her knees!"

  "But..." Shen Zhongxin was unwilling to accept it.

  It's easy to pay homage to a master, but the skills have only just begun to take shape. Now Shen Zhongge wants him to give up his studies with just one sentence, how is that possible?

  The words were cut off by Shen Zhongge's interruption, "It's settled then!" The voice was not loud, but it had a strong presence.

  Shen Zhongxin's heart wailed in sorrow.

  Also knew, big brother then used this tone, he couldn't be flexible again.

  Seeing his face fall, Shen Zhong's heart softened again. He sighed and said, "You're still young, you'll have the chance to learn those things later." After some thought, he continued, "Just stay home and take care of your mother for two years, then...". His voice paused, "If you still want to continue learning the art of escape, I'll think of a way to get you a nominal position in Baiquan."

  I thought all hope was lost, but after hearing this, Shen Zhongxin's eyes lit up, "Big brother has promised, just two years! I'll write a letter to Master to ask for leave, and...". He forced himself to swallow the words "after Big Sister dies", "...and when Big Brother marries a new sister-in-law, he must let me go!"

  "Uh-huh!" Shen Zhongge nodded, "And..." Shen Zhongxin's heart skipped a beat, just as he was about to speak, Shen Zhongge continued, "Mother has always been looking forward to having a grandson. Your sister-in-law... isn't in good health. Starting tomorrow, I'll arrange for someone to propose to you, and within the next two years, you're responsible for giving Mother a grandson!" His tone was resolute and left no room for doubt.

  Shen Zhongge finished speaking and shifted his head to one side with a guilty conscience.

  The old lady forced him, and he had no choice but to force his younger brother. After all, they were brothers who fought side by side, a father-son army. As brothers, when the older one was in trouble, the younger one naturally had to help without hesitation.

  "Big Brother!" Shen Zhongxin's face turned bright red, and his voice changed tone.

  It's not like he was born with a wooden horse carriage, this kid can't be that talented!

  "After a long and tiring journey, I suppose you're also exhausted. The house is all ready for you, why don't you go wash up and take a rest first?" Shen Zhong stood up from his seat, "I still need to head into the palace with your sister." He lifted his foot, about to slip away.

  "Big brother, don't go yet, let's make things clear!" Shen Zhongxin stepped forward and grabbed Shen Zhongjie's clothes, refusing to let go.

  Everything else can be agreed upon, but this matter of marrying a wife and having children is something he cannot let his elder brother decide arbitrarily.

  Just at this moment, Rong Sheng knocked on the door and came in, saying, "The eunuch from the palace has arrived."

  Shen Zhong's hands quickly opened Shen Zhongxin's and said, "Please."

  It was Fu Gonggong who came to deliver the imperial edict, "......the General is ordered to bring his wife, Shen Shi, to enter the palace and attend the evening banquet at dusk."

  The original plan was to watch the fireworks in the evening, but now they suddenly advanced, Shen Zhongshuo was surprised, looked at the leaky pot on the table, and walked towards Haoran House.

  Also knowing that Shen Zhongge had to enter the palace and couldn't be delayed, Shen Zhongxin stomped his foot and muttered, "I knew my brother would scheme against me like this, I'd rather die than come back!"

  ……

  What time will she set out to meet Her Highness? Should she dress up a bit? What is the temperament of Shen Fei's Highness like? What should be paid attention to when speaking to her?

  These sunken bells have not been accounted for!

  He was called away before he had finished his breakfast, and now that it was getting late and he still hadn't returned, although she was normally calm, Zhen Shiniang couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

  In her previous life, she was a doctor who treated illnesses and saved lives every day. Sometimes, in the middle of the night, an emergency call would take her away, leaving her almost no time to dress up. This life is the same; due to poverty and busyness, she has neither the time nor the money to dress up. As long as her clothes are clean and decent, it's fine. There's no need to be overly extravagant or pretentious. But when entering the palace, she can't compare with others. When watching fireworks with a group of noblewomen, if she doesn't dress up, won't she lose face in front of Shen Zhongshu?

  It's not just about wearing them, but also the hassle of putting on ancient clothes layer by layer. Just styling your hair into those intricate hairstyles takes a lot of time, you can't even leave the house in less than an hour!

  Doesn't she need to prepare all these things in advance?

  After some thought, she sent Autumn Chrysanthemum to find Hong Ju and bring her in, "......go ask General when he will leave, do I need to make some preparations first?"

  Hong Lian changed her expression from the nervous one she had in the morning, "Madam, why don't you just calm down for a bit? The general was just scolded by Old Madam in front of everyone and is not in a good mood." She also said, "You'll know when it's time to leave, the general will give instructions ahead of time on how to prepare. You don't need to worry about it randomly." With an expression of impatience on her face.

  The general has just been reprimanded, and it would be strange if he were to treat this woman well again. She doesn't need to show the same respect as she did in the morning, lest she provoke the old lady's anger.

  Zhen Shining furrowed her brow upon hearing this and took advantage of Hong Lian's absence to dispatch Qiu Ju to make inquiries.

  Qiu Ju was already likable, and with Shen Zhongjie's prestige, it didn't take long to find out. He came back and told Zhen Shiniang, "…the news has spread throughout the mansion, the general is alone in his study, reflecting on himself."

  Is this old lady really Shen Zhongjie's birth mother?

  After all, Shen Zhongge is also a great general, with a noble status, and yet he was humiliated by her like this. If word gets out, how can he show his face in public again?

  Zhen Shining sighed after listening, and ordered Qiuju, "You go find Rongsheng to get a book for me." She thought for a moment with her head down, "See if there's the Taiping Imperial Encyclopedia."

  Qiu Ju followed his voice and walked out.

  Shen Zhong's footsteps echoed as he hastily entered the house, where Zhen Shining was quietly sitting on a soft couch reading a book. The golden sunlight filtering through the window frame shone on the blue-and-white porcelain magpie perched on a branch, exuding an air of classical elegance and serenity, like a tranquil ancient painting.

  Shen Zhong's footsteps slowed down involuntarily, "... Hurry up and get ready, we're leaving at 4 o'clock." His calm tone had a hint of intense restraint.

  Facing Zhen Shiniang, he couldn't help but think of the humiliation he had just suffered. If it weren't for his haste to enter the palace, he really didn't want to see her again at this moment.

  Zhen Shiniang burst out laughing.

  As soon as he saw her, Shen Zhongge turned around and walked out. He was about to reach the door when he heard no movement behind him. He turned his head back, and Zhen Shiniang was still sitting quietly there, hastily turning over a page of her book.

  She was so absorbed in reading that she didn't even notice him coming in!

  Shen Zhong's eyebrows furrowed, and he was about to scold her, but when he saw her pale and delicate face, his heart softened. His gaze fell on the book in her hand, and he suddenly remembered that she had been reading a military strategy book last night when he came in, and also recalled the story of wolf disaster she told him that day, which sparked his curiosity.

  She reads books very quickly and can also memorize them, able to recite them back to him.

  She raised her head and glanced at the leaky pot, it was already three quarters of an hour. She still had more than an hour left, so she returned to sit back down on the soft couch, “...what book are you reading?” She reached out and took the book from him.