< Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter >
Noble Title Dispute (1)
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!
“That year, Gu’er was just about to return home, reuniting with his parents and brothers, but I just couldn’t hold it in, having this matter told to Shu’er……….Heh, now great, Gu’er really can’t come back anymore.”
Upon the sickbed, Shen Rui slowly spoke.
Shen Xin Gu knew that his father Shen Rui’s words weren’t false, all facts.
In his fifth year of coming to the An Duke Manor as Shen Liang, there was news from the outside, stating that the eldest young master Shen Xin Gu had been found. Madam Wu naturally was elated, going on and on all day about bringing her eldest son back home sooner.
The Shen family had offended quite a few people in jianghu. In order to prevent those jianghu people from seeking out the eldest young master who was wandering around outside to exact revenge, Shen Rui had this matter concealed extremely well. But, he ultimately was unable to keep it to himself, having this news told to his second son, Shen Xin Shu. Shen Xin Shu didn’t have any playmates, just having Shen Liang, this sole study companion, by his side. If there was some news, then it was also sharing with Shen Liang first thing. As such, Shen Liang also knew about this matter.
Shen Liang although didn’t have any good feelings towards Wu-shi, he was still happy for Shen Xin Shu, this younger brother, from the bottom of his heart——Shen Xin Shu has always said that he wanted an older brother. Shen Liang’s status was too low, so can’t be considered an actual brother. However, that Shen Xin Gu was his brother from the same mother, his genuine older brother. If Shen Xin Gu comes back, presumably Shen Xin Shu won’t be this lonely anymore.
“If the eldest young master really returns, then presumably the madam and master will both be very happy.” Shen Liang said to Shen Xin Shu.
“Is Ah Liang happy?” Shen Xin Shu asked his study companion.
“Naturally happy.” Shen Liang answered, “If young master can have your real older brother by your side, then you won’t be lonely in the future.”
“Is that so?” Shen Xin Shu stood before the window, the young boy’s face having a rare trace of melancholy, “Heard that this older brother of mine, even if having gotten sold to some other place, was still very fortunate. Now, he is well-read in the classics, just waiting to pass the imperial exams.”
“That is also good news!” Shen Liang said.
“Indeed.” The young Shen Xin Shu gazed upon the spring scenery outside the window, indifferently saying, “If he comes back, father certainly will have this An Duke Manor given to him, right?”
Shen Liang although didn’t answer, he still inwardly said ‘naturally’.
Shen Rui only has three sons. He, Shen Liang, had a lowly status, unable to step into the light for all his life. In front of Shen Xin Shu, Shen Liang was like the melted wax under the candle stand. Compared with Shen Xin Shu, their status was worlds apart, and it was impossible for him to inherit the noble title.
If Shen Xin Gu doesn’t return, then this An Duke Manor will just belong to Shen Xin Shu. But, if the well-educated eldest di son were to return, then it was hard to say.
At the time, Shen Liang actually didn’t understand Shen Xin Shu’s underlying meaning. In Shen Liang’s eyes, Shen Xin Shu was a wealthy family young master that lived in luxury, so what was he not satisfied with? Regardless of whether the An Duke Manor was inherited by Shen Xin Shu or not, this was already more than enough.
It was spring at the time, the flowers in full bloom. The winter ice in the north of Chu had melted, the river tides rising high. The Shen family sent a boat, going to welcome the eldest young master back to the capital.
But, who could’ve expected that the boat would encounter a group of pirates on the river, the entire boat getting robbed clean. Shen Xin Gu also went missing.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
After searching for more than a month, the Shen family finally found Shen Xin Gu in a nearby town. He’d gotten beaten by the pirates and thrown to the nearby town. Because he didn’t have money, in addition to a body full of injuries, Shen Xin Gu could only lie in a run-down temple and beg for food to survive. And as luck would have it, a plague had broken out that year too. Shen Xin Gu had also contracted the disease. So, even if finding him, the Shen family didn’t dare to let him enter the capital at the time.
Shen Xin Gu had suffered hardships since childhood, his body weak to begin with. Moreover, this plague didn’t have any good cure at the time, so in merely a month, he just passed away. When Madam Wu heard the news of his death, she immediately had a heart attack on the spot, also quickly passing away, leaving behind her daughter that had just started forming memories.
Shen Rui suddenly suffered two heavy blows, his entire state all somewhat not right. The illustrious family status that he coveted in the past suddenly became insignificant in his eyes, no longer important. Thinking back and forth, Shen Rui felt that those pirates truly deserved to die. Therefore, he was determined to have those pirates entirely eradicated.
In the end, the pirates on the river indeed got cleanly wiped out by him, but the pirates also spat out a shocking news——–The one that wanted them to do this was none other than the An Duke Manor’s second young master, Shen Xin Shu.
However, Shen Xin Shu wasn’t intentionally trying to kill Shen Xin Gu. He just ordered the pirates to pretend to have Shen Xin Gu beaten up, not allow to injure his bones, then have him kicked back to the countryside where he was raised.
Shen Xin Shu thought rather thoroughly, even specially preparing a sack of money for Shen Xin Gu to use on the road. Just, the pirates were malicious and untrustworthy, not only having the money Shen Xin Gu prepared swallowed, they even had Shen Xin Gu beaten half to death, to the extent that Shen Xin Gu couldn’t move, only able to lie in the run-down temple, even contracting the plague.
When Shen Rui learned of this matter, how he felt inside, it was naturally needless to say.
The servants back then were all unaware of the inside story, only knowing that the second young master had knelt in the courtyard for an entire day and night, not once getting up. The spring chill had yet to go away, the weather still cold at night. Shen Xin Shu nearly ruined his legs from kneeling, yet he was unable to get Shen Rui to show his face.
After Wu-shi’s funeral, the Shen family clansmen thought about finding a second wife for Shen Rui. However, Shen Rui was like as if suddenly becoming enlightened. He no longer wanted to take a wife, just saying that the official post in the capital got in the way of things, and that one day, he will definitely leave the capital, becoming a free person.
The people in the clan weren’t aware of Shen Xin Gu’s death, still thinking that the eldest young master hasn’t been found. As such, Shen Rui directly had Shen Liang called out, stating that he was Shen Xin Gu who had just been found, Shen Rui’s biological son, and in the future, will inherit the An Duke Manor.
When Shen Liang suddenly learned this, he was extremely shocked. He believed himself to be of lowly origins, not daring to have any delusions, so immediately voiced his objection to Shen Rui. But, Shen Rui already made up his mind, unable to be changed.
“Shu’er told me that he really isn’t a heartless person, and that he treats you with genuine feelings, having you viewed as his older brother. He was just afraid that if Gu’er returns, he will take your place, thus thought of having Gu’er driven away.” Shen Rui coldly sneered, “Since he has said this, then how can I not follow along his words? If he is being sincere, then he should be happy for you!”
For a time, Shen Liang didn’t know what to do.
He didn’t really believe Shen Xin Shu’s words, instead further feeling that he, Shen Liang, was merely an excuse for Shen Xin Shu.
Even if like this, what can he do? That young boy saved him twice, and indeed once treated him sincerely.
Oh Shen Liang, back then, you once swore that if you make something of yourself one day, you will certainly nicely repay Shen second young master’s kindness. Now is the time. To owe a favor, yet not repay it, one is unworthy of being a person!
Ever since then, Shen Liang changed his name to Shen Xin Gu. Shen Rui just said to the outside that his eldest son has already been found, precisely this young man whose appearance extremely resembled him. It just so happens that Shen Liang was also proficient in studying, matching with Shen Xin Gu’s reputation of being ‘well-read’, so the clansmen all didn’t doubt.
Shen Xin Gu was originally a child of lowly origins, yet suddenly shouldered the An Duke Manor’s future, so it was inevitable for him to feel terrified inside. There was only one thought left in his mind———He absolutely must repay his father’s kindness, letting this An Duke Manor become even better, and also properly protect his family, taking care of his younger brother that has saved his life many times.
As the stars shift in the sky, as the white steed flits past a crack[1], nearly thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye.
Before Shen Rui’s sickbed, Xiao-shi’s body was shaking nonstop.
She originally came prepared, just waiting to have Shen Xin Gu’s lowly origins announced to the public, seeking justice for her husband. Yet, she completely didn’t expect that she would actually hear such a story from Shen Rui’s mouth.
Even though Shen Xin Shu didn’t intend to kill back then, the real Shen family eldest young master indeed died because of him. With such an incident present, how could the duke not have any barriers in his heart? Looks like, there’s no hope to obtain this noble title.
Thinking to here, Xiao-shi had a defeated look.
“Originally, there all won’t be anyone asking about this matter in this life. I had the intention of leaving him some face, so as to let the two of you wealthily and smoothly live out your days. Who would’ve expected that he would be greedy and insatiable, ultimately producing thoughts that he shouldn’t have.” Shen Rui shook his head, saying with a sigh, “Old two’s wife, I’m unable to make excuses for this second son of mine, if you want to get a divorce, this old man will also agree.”
Xiao Yu Zhu blanked, not knowing what to say.
What divorce? How was this matter that serious?
In upper class large families, which family didn’t have deception and treachery, fighting amongst themselves? Her husband’s only mistake was merely not hiding it deep enough, letting the duke discover it. If back then, he’d nicely cleaned up after himself, then this noble title perhaps will have gone to their family!
“We’re husband and wife, how is this matter as serious as father say?” Xiao Yu Zhu forced a smile and said, “It was Yu Zhu that was muddled.”
“Go back then.” Shen Rui waved his hand and said, “Now that you all have divided the family, you should also stop coming here to make a fuss, letting the people of the capital see a joke for no reason.”
Xiao-shi was embarrassed and could only retreat out with weak legs. There were a few people standing outside, Shen Qing, Madam Wu’s old servant, and Shen Lan Chi, all sticking their head out for a look in the courtyard.
As soon as Xiao-shi saw the clan leader’s gaze, she just felt her face heating up in embarrassment, and hurriedly walked outwards. For the sake of persuading Shen Qing to come help back her, she’d spent a large sum of money. But, who knew that it would be such an outcome!
Thinking about how the noble title no longer has anything to do with their family, Xiao-shi felt increasingly upset, as if a few pieces of flesh had been cut from her body.
Seeing Xiao-shi leave, Shen Lan Chi walked towards Shen first master, asking, “Father, the matter has been resolved? How did you convince her to go back?”
Seeing his daughter curiously looking inside the room, Shen Xin Gu said, “Just mentioned a few old affairs. Your second aunt-in-law is also a reasonable person, thus went back.”
“What old affairs?”
“As the younger generation, why the need to ask this much? Quickly go back.” Shen Xin Gu started rushing his daughter.
Shen Lan Chi responded with a yes, and then headed towards her mother’s place.
[1] An idiom used to describe how fast time flies.
T/N: I feel the most ironic thing about this part is that Shen Xin Shu’s own children truly resemble him in this aspect. Although the reason and cause were different, but his second son and daughter also arranged to have his eldest son eliminated when he got in the way of their future prospects.
< Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter >
Birds of a feather truly flock together, Xiao shi’s first thought when the facts hit wasn’t that her husband’s act ruined his family but that he didn’t cover his tracks well enough 🙄 both of them are stupid and greedy.