Chapter 247
Chapter 247
Shen Si had already heard a general account from his attendant on returning. Now, listening to his fourth brother, he thought of Ji Hanyi’s gentle nature. How must she have felt on hearing such gossip in the residence?
The disaster had arisen because of him, yet she had suffered it without cause.
His expression darkened. Seeing the red in Shen Su’s eyes, he felt it improper to interfere in his brother’s inner household. Holding Shen Su’s hands, he said, “I only learned of this today. Please do not abase yourself, Fourth Brother. If the decision were mine alone, I would naturally agree.”
“But my wife is the one who was wronged. I cannot agree for her and risk chilling her heart. Please allow me to ask Hanyi what she wishes.”
Shen Su was startled. Women managed household affairs, but once a man spoke, they could only obey. Even in such a case, the man ordinarily decided. He had never expected Shen Si to ask his wife’s opinion.
Shen Su had watched him grow up. Beneath Shen Si’s aloof exterior lay pride and emotional distance. Brilliant from childhood, praised and flattered by all, he had grown accustomed to placing his own feelings first. Even Shen Su had subtly courted his favor to build a good reputation and please the Old Madam.
Shen Si never considered others’ moods or watched their faces. Even in official affairs, he arrested suspects and investigated cases without regard for the powerful connections behind them, offending many. Yet precisely for this reason, His Majesty the Emperor trusted him and often consulted him on affairs of state.
Such a man could have granted this request casually, yet he insisted on asking Ji Hanyi.
Though surprised, Shen Su nodded. “It is right that you discuss it with her. She is the one who suffered.”
He gripped Shen Si’s hands. “I leave this matter to you, Fifth Younger Brother.”
Shen Su truly could not bear to part with Concubine Luo. She had accompanied him for years, borne him a promising son and daughter, and always served him tenderly in accordance with his wishes.
Shen Si understood and merely nodded.
After a few more words, Shen Su left and Shen Si went inside.
A matron lifted the curtain. His mother sat upright in a broad chair by the window, the room empty of maids, waiting sternly for him.
Unlike usual, Old Madam Shen offered no solicitous greeting. “You went to suppress bandits?”
She had learned only the previous night. Shen Si’s absence had been spent attacking the entrenched bandits of Dawang Mountain near Shui County. They had even begun usurping titles and appointing officials. Shen Si had petitioned the palace for banners and tokens granting him discretionary authority, then marched overnight.
The Empress had written because she feared for his safety. Only from that letter had Old Madam Shen learned of such a dangerous undertaking, one her son had never mentioned to his family.
Shen Si sat and nodded. “I did.”
She frowned. “Why conceal something so serious? What if something had happened?”
He did not answer, asking instead about the day’s events. After recounting them, Old Madam Shen asked, “What do you think?”
Shen Si frowned. “What does Mother mean? The rumors hurt her. Naturally, my heart aches for her.”
His reaction left Old Madam Shen bitter. “I did not suspect her. I merely asked.”
His gaze darkened as he rose. “Mother has seen much in her lifetime. If you believed such talk, you merely allowed someone to lead you by the nose.”
“Who spread the rumor, and for what purpose? Hanyi is my newly wedded wife. When such words arise without cause, should Mother not investigate them thoroughly?”
Old Madam Shen stared speechlessly at his severe face.
He continued, “She suffered such injustice today. How distressed must she be? I will not remain. I must go see her.”
As he turned away, Old Madam Shen called, “Madam Luo said a servant carried bloodstained clothing. What was that?”
Her meaning was plain: Ji Hanyi claimed it was cinnabar, and she wanted Shen Si’s account.
He paused and looked back. “Must Mother quibble over something so ambiguous when cinnabar is also red?”
“Whatever else, she is my wife and your daughter-in-law. Would you rather believe a concubine than your son and Hanyi? Do you not fear estranging us?”
The steady force of his gaze stopped every word in Old Madam Shen’s throat.
She sighed. “Where has your mind gone? I only asked. How did this become estrangement?”
Shen Si bowed. “In the future, please do not interfere too much in my household.”
After a pause, he added, “I will also have everyone in the residence investigated over these rumors. I may bypass Eldest Sister-in-law. Please inform her.”
He turned and left.
Old Madam Shen watched his back, then supported her forehead. She did not truly suspect Ji Hanyi, who hardly looked as though anything had happened. It was Shen Si’s fierce protection that made her deeply uncomfortable.
Her aloof son had never been close to anyone, least of all her. Yet now he valued Ji Hanyi more than the mother who had accompanied him for decades.
She alone worried over every vexing affair in the Shen Residence, while her husband spent his days feasting with friends and rarely returned. Even when he did, he never visited her. They had lived in separate courtyards for years. Loneliness welled within her.
A matron consoled her. “The Marquis and Madam are close. If anything had truly happened to her, would he still protect her so?”
“Besides, the Marquis so rarely cares for anyone.”
“He cared only for Miss Ji before, and after all these years, she remains the only one he treats well. Such constancy is precious.”
Old Madam Shen closed her eyes and snorted. “He is not constant. He means to anger me to death.”