RWNEFE -Chapter 398 Shen Congwen’s Frustration and Anger

While everyone was curious about the Shen family’s attitude, Shen Lanxi once again excused herself, claiming illness and refusing to appear.

She even sent word to the palace, saying that family disgrace had been spread publicly and she had no face to show herself.

The Renxiao Emperor, already annoyed over matters in the Northwest, laughed in anger upon hearing Wang Bao relay this.

“What kind of ‘family disgrace’ is she talking about? The misdeeds of elders have nothing to do with a junior like her.”

Wang Bao, hiding his smile, chuckled quietly.

“You old thing, what are you laughing at?” the emperor asked, smiling irritably.

Wang Bao coquettishly held his fingers like an orchid and said, “Your Majesty, the entire capital knows now. Stories of Shen Elder’s romantic affairs have been turned into multiple versions by storytellers!” He laughed again as if recalling something funny.

The emperor, recently fatigued, took this as a brief distraction and a way to lift his spirits.

“What are the storytellers saying?”

Wang Bao replied, “They say Shen Elder is never satisfied. The household already has a wealthy, blooming princess and beautiful concubines, yet he still indulges in keeping a mistress. Either the mistress is exceptionally beautiful, or she is exceptionally clever.”

The emperor’s eyes darkened, his voice turning icy. “The Empress Dowager must see this for herself. Who is this person chosen for Xinrou after all this careful selection?”

Sensing the coldness in the emperor’s words, Wang Bao snorted. “That bastard Shen Congwen hides things well. Luckily, the mistress and her children didn’t suffer exile like the rest.”

The emperor’s gaze turned even colder.

He had secret agents and assassins monitoring officials; he knew exactly what they did in private.

The Shen family was under surveillance too, yet over all these years, not a single agent reported Shen Congwen keeping a mistress.

Could it be that Shen Congwen had some secret method that even he didn’t know about?

Considering that the Empress Dowager had insisted on marrying Zhou Xinrou to Shen Congwen, the emperor’s suspicions deepened.

“Keep an eye on Shen Congwen.”

Wang Bao was about to respond when the emperor added, “Let that mistress and her children enter the Shen household.”

Wang Bao was momentarily stunned, but concealed his doubts and hurried to carry out the order.

Juding Gong Mansion

Shen Lanxi had stayed in seclusion for two days, and the Shen family matter had already been settled.

The mistress was officially recognized as a concubine, and her children were elevated from “illegitimate children” to legitimate sons of the household.

Shen Yuanxu, worried, said, “Liang Xinyi resembles the eldest aunt by about sixty percent.”

Shen Lanxi sneered inwardly. Everyone said her mother was magnanimous—not only was she unassuming, she even allowed Shen Congwen to take concubines, never treating them or their children harshly.

Now, she wanted to see if her mother could truly remain magnanimous.

“What’s mother’s reaction?”

Shen Yuanxu frowned. “Every day, eldest uncle goes to eldest aunt’s residence carrying a thorned branch to ask for forgiveness. Grandmother and my mother frequently went to persuade her, but eldest aunt refuses to see him.”

Shen Lanxi asked, “What about Shen Yuantang?”

Shen Yuanxu replied, “Eldest aunt also initially refused to see her, but Yuantang is eloquent, so eldest aunt allowed her to come.”

Shen Lanxi’s eyes were full of sarcasm. “With her accompanying Mother, I can rest assured.”

Shen Yuanxu asked, “Are you really planning never to return to the Shen household?”

Shen Lanxi replied, “The time hasn’t come yet.”

Shen Yuanxu didn’t know when that “right time” would be. With the main branch already in turmoil, would she wait for it to get even worse?

“If you have nothing else to do, go back to the academy,” she said casually.

Hu Jinyu was about to give birth, and Shen Yuanxu had actually planned to wait until after her delivery to return.

“Tomorrow, eldest uncle will formally bring Liang Xinyi into the household. There won’t be a concubine-joining banquet. Eldest uncle’s plan is to simply have a meal and introduce Liang Xinyi and her three children to the family.”

Shen Lanxi said softly, “I’m curious… does he even still have money?”

Shen Yuanxu hesitated, then awkwardly replied, “It must be grandmother using funds from her private stash.”

Shen Lanxi implied, “The Shen household is practically consuming its inheritance. What you’re spending now is Hu Jinyu’s dowry. Once the child is born, there will be even more expenses.”

Shen Yuanxu understood her meaning perfectly. If he hadn’t, how could he have efficiently assisted Shen Lanxi during the war?

“I’m just a poor scholar now. I won’t do anything foolish.”

Shen Lanxi said, “Go back and give Yuanjun and the others a little lecture.”

Shen Yuanxu nodded. He talked with Shen Lanxi a little longer, and she didn’t tell him to return to the academy again.

From now on, he would no longer foolishly carry messages for the family.

Not only that, when Shen Yuanxu returned, he went straight to his parents’ room to speak for a while, then went to check on his brothers.

Shen Congwen never imagined that Zhou Xinrou would allow Liang Xinyi and her children into the household.

But upon hearing the news, he didn’t feel happy—only frustrated.

Did she really care so little about him? Even after such insults, she remained unmoved.

Shen Congwen felt both disappointed and angry.

All these years… why did she even marry him?

Liang Xinyi and her children were assigned to the courtyard originally occupied by Zhang Zifen. They had brought nothing with them, and once inside, they immediately began settling in.

The household had no extra money to provide for them. Shen Congwen, whether out of frustration or determination, went to check on Liang Xinyi after leaving Zhou Xinrou’s courtyard.

Before long, he also went to see Old Madam Shen.

“Mother, Liang Xinyi and her children don’t even have a change of clothes. I have no money on hand and want to take some from you.”

Previously, he had given his mother many valuable items; now he planned to take some back for temporary use and replenish them with his next month’s salary.

Hearing this, Old Madam Shen nearly fainted again.

“You scoundrel! Do you know how much money I’ve had to contribute? Because of Yuanxin and the princess’ marriage, I pawned the precious medicinal herbs Lanxi gave me!”

She was so furious she felt like she might vomit blood.

Shen Congwen’s face turned red. He had no idea the family was so impoverished.

“Mother, next time His Majesty gives any reward, I’ll give it all to you. From now on, I won’t keep a single coin of my salary—all for you.”

Hearing this, Old Madam Shen slightly softened, though still not much.

Zhou Xinrou was a princess favored by the royal family. With such an incident in the household, how would His Majesty perceive it?

If the princess saw Liang Xinyi’s face, what would she think?

Liang Xinyi could not be allowed to face the princess with that look.

“Go back and bring Liang Xinyi here. I’ll teach her the proper manners, so she won’t embarrass herself in front of the household.”

Shen Congwen’s eyes brightened. Was his mother accepting Liang Xinyi?

“Mother, the money?”

“Wait at home. I’ll have someone deliver it to you,” Old Madam Shen said sternly.

Shen Congwen didn’t dare to stay any longer and provoke his mother. Excited, he left.