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Dividing the Family (2)
T/N: Translated by Jen on Broken Jinsei! Please do not repost my translations! All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Shen Lan Chi’s place was still relatively quiet, but the outside was already in a huge ruckus. From far away, one can already hear Shen second master’s violent anger coming from the door of the study, and also Xiao-shi’s crying sound.
“Divide the family? Divide what family?! Elder brother better think clearly, even if Tong’er has become disfigured, his Highness the Crown Prince won’t necessarily change to marry niece! If we divide the family now, won’t that be letting the Liu family laugh at us?” The blue veins on Shen second master’s neck were protruding, his face thoroughly red.
In contrast, Shen first master appeared much calmer. He wasn’t angered, just calmly saying, “Dividing the family is merely living separately, what does it have to do with his Highness the Crown Prince? You and I have already married and have children. To respectively live on our own, what’s not good about it?”
Shen second master was fully aware that this was merely his elder brother’s excuse.
He’d tried to dispose of the second prince many times, all ending in failure. His elder brother, seeing that the fire will soon burn onto him, promptly discarded the pawn to preserve the general, wanting to cut ties with him, so that he can continue being a loyal and benevolent subject before his Majesty.
“Alright, if elder brother insists on dividing the family, then let father come talk to me. You although are the head of the family, it’s father that’s the duke, the true master of this An Duke Manor!” Shen second master was unwilling to give in, angrily saying, “I refuse to believe that father will allow you to do this!”
After saying this, he flung his sleeve and stormed off.
Seeing the situation, Xiao-shi hurriedly followed after him in tears. As she lifted her eyes, the bottom of her eyes were filled with resentment.
Now that Shen Tong Ying has become disfigured, she locks herself away at home washing her face in tears all day. With her face ruined, how will she be able to become the crown princess? Because of this, Xiao-shi has been very distressed, hurriedly going to Cien Palace to implore Empress Shen to preserve Shen Tong Ying’s crown princess position. But, at such a critical time, Empress Shen instead remained vague, stalling and stammering, not giving a clear answer, making Xiao-shi increasingly anxious.
Shen Tong Ying was her beloved daughter. For her to end up in such a miserable state, how could she not be incredibly heartbroken?
All of this originally should’ve been shouldered by Shen Lan Chi. Who would’ve expected that in the end, Tong’er would take her place instead! That Shen Lan Chi caused Tong’er to become this miserable, yet now the first branch refuse to acknowledge, making a fuss about dividing the family, even fearing they’ll be implicated, really heartless to the extreme!
The second branch couple left the first branch each harboring their own thoughts.
Shen Xin Gu watched his younger brother and younger sister-in-law leave, faintly sighing as the past suddenly resurfaced before his eyes.
Prior to turning ten, he wasn’t even Shen Xin Gu.
The name ‘Shen Xin Gu’ belonged to the An Duke Manor’s first young master in the Chu capital. As for him, he merely got named by his foster parents as Shen Liang. Shen Liang’s foster parents although were kindhearted, their family situation was difficult. At a young age, Shen Liang had to collect firewood to sell, wash clothes, and cook, their days extremely tight but simple.
Even if like this, his foster parents still often say to Shen Liang, “You’re the descendant of a big official. One day, your father will come get you. When that time comes, that is when you will repay the two of us for raising you.” After saying this, they even showed him a small gold lock that had the word ‘Shen’ carved on it, saying that this was the proof.
Shen Liang originally thought that he would spend his whole life collecting firewood in the mountains. However, he didn’t expect that one day, a noble madam would come looking. This visit changed Shen Liang’s life forever.
This noble madam was the An Duke Shen Rui’s main wife, Wu-shi.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Wu-shi’s eldest son, Shen Xin Gu was also merely ten years old, having gotten kidnapped around six to seven years ago. Wu-shi had searched for several years, yet she was unable to find her eldest son. The people in the capital all say, it was all the An Duke Shen Rui’s fault for having an eccentric temper, accumulating too many grudges, even offending the people in jianghu[1], thus getting retaliated against, losing his eldest son.
Wu-shi had searched for many years without results, so when suddenly hearing that in this mountain, there was a small child that got adopted seven years ago, his age about the same as her eldest son, even carrying a little gold lock carved with the word ‘Shen’, she instantly became elated, certain that Shen Liang was her eldest son that had gotten kidnapped away many years ago, immediately wanting to go bring him back home.
Shen Liang still remember, that day, there was heavy snowfall in the mountain. A woman draped in a gray cloak led along an adorable little young master as they stepped into the house. This woman was dressed extremely wealthily and noble, causing the leaky and worn-out old shack to all light up. That little young master in her hand was also like the boy before the bodhisattva.
When Wu-shi entered, she smilingly said to that little young master, “Shu’er, this is your older brother, don’t know if you still remember? When your older brother got kidnapped, you were merely a year old, so perhaps don’t remember……..”
Wu-shi came in smiling, but when she saw Shen Liang’s face, her expression froze.
The reason was simple, purely because Shen Liang wasn’t her child.
Even if her child had been kidnapped for many years, and perhaps, had long changed in appearance and build, but as the mother, how could Wu-shi not be able to recognize her own child?
Shen Liang wasn’t the person she was looking for. She was extremely clear inside.
While feeling regretful, Wu-shi also had a bit of wariness. This Shen Liang somewhat resembled her husband, Shen Rui, also having the Shen family’s token. His foster parents also said that this Shen Liang was a descendant of the capital’s Shen family. Perhaps there was some mystery in this matter.
Out of intuition, Wu-shi ordered someone to carefully investigate Shen Liang’s background. And sure enough, she discovered something———
This matter was just this coincidental. Shen Liang was indeed Shen Rui’s child. Just, Shen Liang’s birth mother was a prostitute. After she secretly gave birth to the child, as with beautiful women that have tragic fate, she just passed away prematurely. The brothel keeper raised Shen Liang for a while out of kindness, but afterwards, she was unwilling to continue spending money on him, so threw him to a hunter’s family that were unable to have children to raise.
Wu-shi smiled and said on the spot that Shen Liang was also a child of the An Duke Manor, so naturally need to take him back home to return to his roots. Shen Liang’s foster parents were both deeply grateful. They accepted the one hundred taels of silver and reluctantly sent Shen Liang onto Wu-shi’s carriage.
This was Shen Liang’s first time traveling afar. He sat alone in a separate carriage, feeling somewhat anxious and uneasy inside. Especially seeing the heavy snowfall outside, the wind howling, the wolves in the mountain also howling, making him increasingly uneasy.
At night, the curtains of Shen Liang’s carriage got lifted open. An eight to nine year old little young master secretly crawled into his horse carriage. This little young master was dressed fancily, his face as smooth as jade. He said in a crisp voice, “Shen Liang, don’t stay here. This horse carriage will be left in the snowfield tonight. You will freeze to death. Even if you don’t freeze to death, you will still starve to death, or get eaten by the wolves. I’d heard my mother say this with my own ears.”
Shen Liang was slightly surprised.
He’d wandered about in destitution since childhood, so very quickly just understood what was going on here. Afraid that Wu-shi was narrow-minded by nature, unable to tolerate an illegitimate son like him, wanting to secretly abandon him in the snow. In this way, she can soundlessly get rid of him.
“The snow has sealed off the mountain. Without the horse carriage, I won’t have anywhere to go!” Shen Liang was extremely scared, starting to miss his foster parents. He said, “Shen family young master, can you explain to your mother? I don’t want to go to the capital anymore, just want to go back to my father and mother……..my foster father’s home.”
Shen Xin Shu propped up his chin, contemplating for a while with a frown. Afterwards, he said, “How about this, why don’t you secretly hide in my carriage. I’ll take you back home. On the way, the food and clothes, I’ll all share half with you. Once we get back home, with father’s backing, everything will be fine. Ever since I was little, I’ve heard my mother say that I originally should have an older brother. But, I’ve never seen my older brother before. You came at the right time, perfect to keep me company.”
The young Shen Liang blanked, not knowing whether or not he should agree.
At the time, he thought, this Shen family young master really was a kind-hearted person by nature. If in the future, he, Shen Liang, can make something of himself, then he will certainly remember this favor.
This was the first time Shen Xin Shu saved Shen Xin Gu.
Shen first master broke free from his thoughts. There was no longer the heavy snow-covered mountains and plains from his childhood before his eyes, only the An Duke Manor’s tall walls and winged eaves, glory and splendor filling the eyes.
The past affairs from several decades ago were still vivid in his mind, but while things have remained the same, people have changed.
Shen first master fell silent for a while before returning to the study.
• • •
A day later.
Cien Palace.
“This son greets imperial mother.”
Lu Zhao Ye cupped his hand and bowed, his voice indifferent as he greeted Empress Shen who was behind the plum blossom desk.
He was in a black robe, his cold and aloof appearance was like the frozen snow in winter, making one not dare to stare too much.
“Why don’t crown prince have a seat.” Empress Shen gestured with her hand, revealing a dignified smile.
The crystal curtains in the palace hall were half-hanging, clinking and clanking. The sandalwood incense swirled with faint smoke, like jade terrace and celestial clouds.
Empress Shen strolled before the incense burner and fiddled with the gold blue incense lid. Her scarlet fingertip landed among a patch of sapphire blue, appearing increasingly vivid. She played with the incense lid as she said, “Presumably, crown prince is also clear, what this empress wishes to discuss with you. Now that the Shen family’s eldest miss has gotten her face ruined, perhaps, the Shen family is willing to use another daughter to replace…….”
“No need.”
Without waiting for Empress Shen to finish, Lu Zhao Ye just interrupted her words, his eyes and brows entirely cold.
“Crown prince?” Empress Shen’s fingers loosened, and that incense lid landed back in place. She revealed a puzzled look, saying, “That Shen Tong Ying’s face is ruined. How can a disfigured woman be the wife of the heir apparent? His Majesty has also given special privilages already, saying that he will reconsider this marriage.”
“Who to marry, it’s all the same, so why care about the appearance?” Lu Zhao Ye indifferently replied, “Just reply to imperial father like this.”
“………..That isn’t necessarily not an option, but……….” Empress Shen bit her lip, somewhat uncertain, “Crown prince has already decided?”
“Just leave it like this.” Lu Zhao Ye said.
Since Shen Lan Chi was unwilling to marry him, then who he marries, it was all the same, so why care about which Shen?
Now that Lu Zi Xiang has increasingly gained more influence, afraid he will replace him soon. He must have the Shen family held tight in his hand, and marrying Shen Tong Ying was a good way.
At worst, it was just placing her aside after marrying, no longer touching.
Recalling how Lu Zi Xiang escaped unscathed during the national banquet, Lu Zhao Ye’s eyes darkened, his thin lips pressed into a line, his expression particularly sinister.
• • •
Using the excuse that Shen Lan Chi had just recovered, Shen first madam didn’t let her get involved in the Shen family first branch and second branch’s dispute over dividing the family. Three days later, when Shen Lan Chi slightly recovered a bit of spirit, she just got pushed by her mother to go next door to the Zhennan Wang Manor to give her thanks.
Prior to going, Shen first madam carefully instructed by her ear, “Remember to keep mother’s advice in mind, don’t let him get scared away by you. Mother already talked to the wangfei in advance, she certainly will look after you.”
Shen Lan Chi: ……
Her actual mother!
As soon as Shen Lan Chi stepped out of the An Duke Manor, she just saw a grand spectacle outside the Zhennan Wang Manor———-The vermillion gates were wide open. A file of servant boys stood neatly in a line. The wangfei, Xie Ying Luan, joyously stood at the doorway. Like celebrating the new year, her face was full of jubilation. Seeing Shen Lan Chi come out, her eyes and brows filled with smiles, immediately waving her hand at Shen Lan Chi and saying, “Quickly come, quickly come, Tiger is home!”
“Your Highness Wangfei, Lan Chi came today for the sake of thanking the heir…….” Shen Lan Chi said.
“What are you thanking for? It’s only natural!” Wangfei smiled valiantly, and without a second word, she just took her hand, pulling her through the gate, “Today, Tiger dressed up very handsomely! Lan Chi definitely need to have a good look!”
Shen Lan Chi: ……
?????
What’s wrong with her mother and Lu Qi Yang’s mother?
[1] Refers to the section of society operating independently from the imperial government.
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How is it Shen Lan Chi fault that her daughter got disfigured?? She’s so crazy 😒😒 both her and her daughter did everything they can to get that future crown princess position. And now because of the incident it sudden became Shen Lan Chi fault???!!!
the story between the 1st and 2nd branches was NOT what I was expecting. that is indeed a life saving grace, but my guy… the 2nd branch is literally a cancerous growth at this point. why did it take so long? also curious if attacking his daughter like this was truly the last straw – bc in the past life they didn’t break up, did they? did old master Shen die before this or am I misremembering? I love SLC’s and LQY’s moms in this. SLC’s mom is expecting her to “capture” LQY by any means necessary and LQY’s mom is just short of apparently personally sending him to SLC’s bed???? wdym “definitely need to have a good look” am I overreacting or is this truly not a scandalous thing to say?
They didn’t break up the family in the past life, but SLC also didn’t get attacked in the past life. SLC was the one engaged to the crown prince at that point.
It took so long because the life saving grace is dwarfed by the amount of leverage Shen Xin Shu has over him.
We don’t know how Shen Liang got to the point where he married a wife and had two kids, but now that he does he can’t break ties with Shen Xin Shu without massively affecting their prospects. Di children of the di eldest son of a Duke to di children of the Shu eldest son is a massive drop.
Granted I’m not sure if the author can fully pull this off? Not sure if at the end of this I’ll think “yeah, that makes sense.”