RWNEFE -Chapter 165 They Are My Family, Not My Enemies

As soon as the two returned home, they were warmly greeted by the family.

“Grandfather, Grandmother, these are brocade robes for you.”

Two sets of luxurious satin cotton jackets were taken from the bundles and handed to the elderly couple.

Ever since their exile, the old couple had worn only coarse cotton clothing. Seeing such bright, fine fabric now, they couldn’t bear to look away.

“Yuanjing, this fabric must be expensive, right?” Old Madam Shen looked longingly at the robes, her hand hovering over the satin, afraid of dirtying it or pulling a thread.

Shen Yuanjing smiled: “Not really. These days, the most valuable things are grain and firewood. Silk and satin hardly sell anymore; it’s only slightly more expensive than coarse cotton.”

It was true. With survival as the priority and the county’s situation uncertain, the silk shop owners were eager to sell silk at low prices and stock up on coarse cloth. Even wealthy households now economized, wearing coarse cotton, leaving no buyers for silk. Left too long, the colors would fade, and the material was far less durable than cotton. Ordinary people couldn’t afford it, and those who could were too practical to buy it.

Although Old Madam Shen was happy, living a hard life recently had made her habitually fret.

“Don’t waste money. These two sets of clothes could buy plenty of grain and firewood.”

Especially in this cursed cold of Dongchuan—satin cotton jackets were nowhere near as warm as coarse cotton ones!

Shen Yuanxu laughed: “Grandmother, no need to worry about money or food anymore. Our eldest sister has been promoted again!”

After saying this, an eerie silence fell; everyone’s expressions turned oddly tense.

Shen Yuanjing and Shen Yuanxu noticed it.

“Grandmother, what’s wrong with everyone?” Shen Yuanxu asked.

Just then, Shen Congwen snorted coldly, scowled, and pushed the door open to leave.

The icy wind blew in, making Old Madam Shen frown. Everyone else’s expressions also soured.

Reluctantly, Madam Liu ran over and closed the door, walking in tiny steps while mumbling: “Big brother really… even if he’s in a bad mood, he shouldn’t take it out on us! This cursed weather—don’t give us colds!”

Old Madam Shen’s face darkened further.

Shen Yuanjing’s eyes flicked. “Grandmother, is Father upset with eldest sister again?”

Old Madam Shen, still scowling, snapped: “Ignore him. He’s just full from eating too much!”

Madam Liu’s eyes sparkled as she urged: “Yuanjing, you said eldest sister got promoted again? What’s her position now?”

Shen Yuanjing glanced toward the door, then returned his gaze and smiled faintly: “Eldest sister is still the Commander of Six Counties. My second uncle manages recruitment and receives pay like a chief flag officer. Eldest sister is still taking care of our Shen family!”

This was exactly what Madam Liu wanted to hear; her face lit up.

“Really? I was wondering why your second uncle never came back. So he’s an official now? When your father managed the household affairs, he never promoted him—eldest sister really has the talent!”

Although Old Madam Shen didn’t like Madam Liu’s words, the thought that her second son had become a centurion pleased her.

“Yuanjing, Yuanxu, what are your official positions now?”

The two exchanged embarrassed smiles. Shen Yuanjing nudged Shen Yuanxu: “You answer, your mother.”

Shen Yuanxu cleared his throat deliberately and said clearly: “Mother, I am already a centurion. Yuanjing, Yuankun, and I each command over two hundred men.”

Madam Liu was even happier.

“Child, that’s wonderful! Who would have thought you weren’t good at studying—you just chose the wrong path. If I’d known, I would have had you enlist earlier!”

Shen Yuanxu twitched his mouth—classic mother.

“Mother, I wanted to enlist before, but our family had no connections.”

Madam Liu nodded repeatedly: “That’s true.”

Old Madam Shen rolled her eyes at Madam Liu’s chatter before she even asked anything.

The two then began taking out items from their bundles, distributing gifts to family members.

“Third and fourth uncles, these are jade pendants for you. Younger siblings, these are vermilion hairpins and inkstones…”

Old Madam Shen watched the family’s joyful scene, feeling immensely happy.

“Yuanjing, Yuanxu, what about gifts for your mother?” Madam Miao asked.

The two froze. Before they could answer, Madam Liu dashed forward.

“Yes! You can’t skip me—give me the vermilion hairpin you’re holding!”

Madam Miao’s smile stiffened as she tried to dodge.

“Second sister-in-law, your two children have done well. Gifts from them aren’t lacking for you. These are their tokens of respect; I can’t go against their intentions!” She promptly pinned the hairpin in her hair, daring Madam Liu to take it.

“Alright, the children have finally returned. If you cause trouble, see how I’ll deal with you!” Old Madam Shen scolded sternly.

Shen Congyi glanced at the jade pendant in hand and tucked it away casually.

“Yuanjing, I heard Fuchun and Wujin counties executed people yesterday?”

Shen Yuanjing paled. By now, he had become more accustomed; previously, he would have retched.

“They killed and quartered two, watched forty or fifty executed, and several were sent into slavery!”

The Shen family turned pale. Though they were at Hongliu Village, they had already heard about it.

“Quartered?” Shen Congyi asked gravely.

Shen Yuanjing nodded: “Yes. I personally supervised the execution in Fuchun County. The main executioners weren’t skilled, but after over three hundred cuts, the person was completely dead!”

Shen Congyi looked at his nephew, whose brows didn’t even furrow—a thought he had just had vanished.

Old Madam Shen felt it too gloomy and quickly changed the topic:

“When will your second uncle return?”

“These days, rest is scheduled in rotation. Second uncle manages recruitment, so his duties are critical. He might return later.”

Madam Liu laughed like she’d won a great prize: “Later is fine~” prompting another eye-roll from Old Madam Shen.

The Shen family tacitly avoided mentioning Shen Lanxi. Once back in their rooms, they closed doors and whispered.

“Yuanxu, hasn’t eldest sister treated you and Yuanjing differently?” Madam Liu asked.

“Master, should we have Yuanpeng and Yuanhao go too?” Madam Miao asked.

“Master, shouldn’t eldest sister also care for the fourth branch, not just the second?” Madam  Tian asked anxiously.

That night, the Shen family didn’t sleep well.

Early the next morning, several of them quietly took their bundles and waited outside Shen Yuanjing’s room.

…

“Eldest sister, Third Uncle brought Yuanpeng and Yuanhao, and Yuantang, Yuanxin, Yuanruan are here too!” Shen Yuanjing said, bracing himself.

Shen Lanxi, reading official documents, didn’t lift her head: “Go get Liu Yanhui to arrange it.”

Shen Yuanjing left, returning shortly after.

“Eldest sister…” he didn’t expect them to insist on coming.

Shen Lanxi set the documents down and looked at her lowered younger brother.

“As long as they behave and do their duties, I won’t stop them from coming!”

Shen Yuanjing had many things to say but didn’t know how to put them into words.

“Eldest sister, you really aren’t angry at them?”

Shen Lanxi relaxed and smiled: “They are my family, not my enemies. Why would I be angry?”