Volume 1 Chapter 75: Choice

  What is going on here?

  Shen Zhong's eyes widened in surprise, and the old lady was because he refused to divorce and starve himself to coerce him, but she didn't realize that she had a headache, and secretly thought, "It's just a small matter, I've forgotten it all, how can my mother be so unyielding?"

  It turned out that Fu Gonggong came that day to pass on the emperor's decree summoning him. Afterwards, he connected several secret edicts, and within two days, he quietly mobilized 20,000 troops to lie in ambush east and west of the capital city. Five thousand elite soldiers were secretly divided into small groups and infiltrated the capital city. Although not sensitive to politics, one could see that this deployment was a precaution against someone suddenly rebelling in the imperial court!

  Usurping the throne in the morning is a huge matter, how dare he be even slightly negligent?

  These two days his whole heart has been tightly strung, he had long forgotten the matter of him and his mother being at odds that day, and besides, at this time, how could he have the energy to deal with personal matters?

  Must tighten up defense, also must as if nothing is wrong walk among the officials, to numb the opponent, he has many things to do, but mother is here being stubborn!

  And even went on a hunger strike to threaten him!

  Under the strong pressure, a surge of anxiety rose in his heart, Shen Zhongjie patiently advised, "I just don't agree with the divorce, and I didn't want to bring her back." He smiled again, "Don't worry, mother, even if I brought her back, I wouldn't let her be in charge, it would anger you."

  "Don't worry!" The old lady's voice rose, "She was neglected by you for five years, not only did she not know how to restrain herself, but she also beat up Chu Niang like that. How can I be at ease?" She continued, "You say let her not anger me and she won't? She is that kind of person, a dog will always eat shit!" Her voice calmed down, "Five years ago, she didn't torment me to death. It was easy for you to get rid of her, letting me have a few comfortable days. Now...". Her voice paused, then firmly said, "If you want her, that's fine, but first find a rope and strangle me to death, so I won't fall into her hands and be tortured to death."

  Two days without eating, but still full of energy!

  Chen Zhong Xiao sighed inwardly and called out in a helpless tone, "Mother..."

  "If you want her, don't call me mother!" The old lady turned away.

  "Mother. It's not that I don't want to leave her, but... we've always been... husband and wife... " Shen Zhongge's voice was a little hoarse. "She is now seriously ill and has no home to return to. If she leaves me, she will only have one way to die..." The eyes filled with red threads rarely had a hint of pleading, "I am still a man who stands tall and upright, if I really drive her to death, my heart will be guilty for the rest of my life." If she were still the same arrogant and violent Zhen Shiniang as before, he would not have blinked an eye even if he had killed her, but now...

  Before his eyes flashed Zhen Shining's calm and peaceful eyes, devoid of desires or expectations, and his heart skipped a beat.

  The old lady bit her teeth and remained silent.

  The people kneeling on the ground, but the house was eerily quiet.

  Several bridesmaids looked at me, I looked at them, and everyone was unbelievable.

  She actually contracted a serious illness?

  Big Auntie winked at Little Auntie.

  Chu Xinyi shook her head dazedly.

  The old lady was silent for a moment. There seemed to be a compromise, Chun Hong secretly pulled Chu Xinyi and made a gesture with her right hand.

  Just worried that Old Lady's heart would soften, and the matter of divorce would fall through, Chu Xinyi thought anxiously about a countermeasure. Seeing this, her eyes lit up, "General, please don't blame Old Lady for being unreasonable. Old Lady is also frightened by the commotion, and in her heart, she doesn't dare to live under the same roof as Big Madam..." Seeing Shen Zhongge glare at her, she changed the subject, "How about this, General? You're just afraid that after the divorce, Big Madam will have no home to return to. We can give her a property, and allocate silver from the estate to support her regularly."

  To avoid disaster and financial loss, General Shen's household will not lack silver. What is important is to persuade Shen Zhongjie to agree to the divorce as soon as possible.

  "No way!" As soon as the words were out, before Shen Zhongjie could react, the old lady shook her head decisively. "It's not like we're in the wrong, what reason is there to give away our family business and money to support someone outside?" If Anqing Hou found out, how would he agree? "If it gets out, people will think you're sympathizing with her, or that you're seeking to save face by abandoning your wife and marrying another for fame and fortune. Your reputation will be ruined!" Thinking of Zhen Shiniang's marriage into the Shen family, she was a Shen from birth to death, even if they divorced, she couldn't tarnish the Shen family's name. "...Since she can't live like this, after the divorce, let her go to the ancestral temple to guard it, and have someone send incense money on time." Looking at Shen Zhongjie, "Also, to avoid being ridiculed outside, and damaging your reputation."

  Chu Xinyi let out a sigh, and glanced secretly at Shen Zhongjie's expression.

  Shen Zhong furrowed his brow, "This matter isn't urgent, Mother, let me think about it some more..." With a pile of important matters waiting outside, how could he have the energy to worry about these things?

  Shen Zhongjie had no choice but to use a delaying tactic.

  No rush?

  This is an extremely urgent matter!

  If it drags on any longer, the engagement with the Marquis of Ping'an will be called off immediately. Not being able to marry the tenth young lady of the Marquis of Ping'an is a small matter; there are not only her among the gentle and virtuous women in the world. Shen Zhongjie is a high-ranking general, and women who want to climb into his bed flock to him like bees; he won't have any trouble finding another good one.

  However, there is only one powerful and influential Marquis of Anqing!

  The most important thing is that Anqing had already promised Shen Zhongxin, his youngest son, a future in the Hanlin Academy.

  If this marriage fails, can this thing still work?

  Shen Zhongge, although also powerful and prestigious, has always been disdainful of these corrupt practices. When his younger brother fell from the ranks, he only knew how to scold him, forcing him to leave home and study abroad, but never thought of using his power to help him.

  At the thought of this cold-blooded and ruthless eldest son, the old lady turned her face away.

  The old lady glanced at herself, and Biyue understood, "...Madam has already agreed to keep the eldest lady in the family temple. What else can the general consider? Wutong Town is only 70 or 80 miles away from the capital. The general will arrive in two hours with a fast horse. Early disposal of the old lady will also be at ease." Looking at the cold dishes on the table, "Madam has not eaten for two days."

  The bell tolls in unison with my heart.

  Parting is just a small matter, five years have passed, what's the difference of these few days?

  Why is mother in such a hurry?

  He originally thought that the old lady had seen Chu Xinyi being beaten and was reminded of her unbearable past memories, so she forced him to go to Wutong Town to find Zhen Shiniang. He hadn't thought much about it until now, seeing himself kneeling for half a day, his anger should have dissipated, but his mother didn't move, and a hint of doubt arose in his heart.

  Compared to his second brother's cleverness and liveliness, he was too stubborn. The old lady had never liked him since childhood, only liking the second brother. However, no matter how much she disliked him, he was still her own flesh and blood. Seeing him disappointed and distressed, the old lady would still feel heartache and protect him, not allowing others to speak ill of him on ordinary days.

  But this time it's different.

  The unease in his heart grew stronger and stronger, and at this time Shen Zhongge dared not to hastily agree.

  However, the old lady has been fasting for two days now. If he doesn't agree, she's likely to continue, what can be done about it?

  In an instant, Shen Zhong's thoughts turned around several times, and the red threads at the bottom of his eyes became even denser.

  Zi Yue couldn't help but glance at Old Lady, "The general's complexion is so haggard, I suppose he hasn't slept for several nights?"

  Bixue glared at Ziyue, then saw the old lady turn her head and quickly asked, "Where has General gone these past two days? The old lady has been thinking about him."

  A servant girl actually dares to ask about his whereabouts!

  However, Biyue said that the old lady was asking on behalf of someone else, and Shen Zhongge couldn't help but answer, "The father of my former subordinate suddenly passed away, I went to guard his spirit." This was Shen Zhongge's prepared excuse to deceive others and his subordinates.

  A subordinate is still trying to curry favor with him!

  The old lady was both angry and anxious, she looked up to see Shen Zhong's pale face, his eyes were bloodshot, and her heart ached again. She knew that no matter what she said today, he wouldn't be able to go to Wutong Town. So she forced herself to speak in a light tone, "Get up, go back and get some rest, tomorrow morning hurry up and take care of things in Wutong Town." Her calm tone carried an air of finality.

  She was homeless and had only two years left in her life, he would never abandon her like that!

  Shen Zhong's heart sighed, and he didn't know how to answer. Suddenly, a little maid rushed in, "Lord Cao has arrived."

  Shen Zhong'e stood up upon hearing this, "......Mother, have your meal first, I'll be right back." He instructed the maid, "Serve mother's meal."

  Out of Yangxin Temple, Rong Sheng Zheng waited at the gate, "... Lord Cao has an urgent matter to see you immediately, I have arranged it in the study."

  "Go and investigate, who has the old lady been in contact with recently?" Shen Zhongge turned his head to look behind him, lowered his voice and instructed Rong Sheng, took two steps and then turned back, "Also, send a message to Second Master, let him set off immediately to return to the mansion!"

  The mother's unreasonable temper flared up again, and only Erniang could coax her.

  ……

  Just after a day of clearing, the big snowflakes fluttered down like cotton, and the pavilions and buildings in front of me were all submerged in a vast expanse.

  "Zhong Tang is just at Mei Ting, you can go up directly when you arrive." Seeing Guan Jia bringing Shen Zhongqiu over, Wen Qing, who was guarding the gate of Mei Garden, smiled and said to him.

  Xiao Yu is getting more and more unpredictable, he can even guess that he will come looking for him.

  Shen Zhong raised his head and looked at the crimson eight-sided pavilion looming in the wind and snow, then lifted his feet and walked towards the mountain top.

  This plum pavilion was the one that Zhen Shiyin had rushed into to avoid Chu Xingyi on that day. Zhen Shiyin had always sighed at the extravagance of wealthy families, spending a huge sum of money to build such a warm pavilion halfway up the mountain just to admire a few plum blossoms. However, she did not know that Xiao Ye had built this warm pavilion not for admiring plum blossoms, but for discussing secret matters.

  The glass partition on the pavilion wall is very soundproof. People sitting in the hall can see everything clearly, but people outside cannot see inside.

  He warmed up a pot of wine, set up a Go board in front of him, and Xiao Yu was sitting on the stone bench drinking and enjoying himself. When he heard the door sound, he smiled and stood up, "Younger brother is so slow, I thought you should have come yesterday."

  Yesterday?

  He wanted to come yesterday, but was messed around by his mother for a whole morning, and then overslept in the afternoon. When he woke up, it was already late at night, and he still had to go on patrol, where did he have the energy?

  Xiao Yu, you're getting more and more outrageous!

  He knew he was full of doubts and didn't bother to clear them up for him, but instead waited here to catch a rabbit in the open, and even dared to mock him for being late.

  Shen Zhong did not pay attention to Xiao Ye, turned his head and handed the cloak to Rong Sheng, "......You go down first, come back to pick me up after noon."