Shen Zhonglei is a filial son, which is recognized by everyone from childhood to adulthood.
Mrs. Shen has three sons in total. The eldest son was born with a disease. Not only was he in poor health, he also had a disabled leg and was unable to pursue an official career.
So she placed all her hopes on her second son Shen Zhonglei.
Under the supervision of Mrs. Shen, Shen Zhonglei did not disappoint her and went very smoothly all the way.
Shen Zhonglei has always believed that what he is today is all due to his mother's strict discipline from childhood to adulthood, so he is extremely filial and respectful to Mrs. Shen.
Growing up, his only rebellion was to marry his first wife Liu Yaxuan.
After the marriage, the two played the piano and sang together, and they lived a wonderful life, which also made Shen Zhonglei understand that his wife and family were not all as rigid and devoid of warmth as his mother.
But it is a pity that Liu Yaxuan passed away soon after giving birth to her daughter.
Shen Zhonglei's resistance to his mother's arrangements came to an end with Liu Yaxuan's death.
He became the obedient and filial good son again. He followed Mrs. Shen's arrangements, married Mr. Xu, had children, and continued the same lifestyle as his parents.
He focused on his official duties and left the back house to Mrs. Xu. There was no other intersection between the couple's obligations and their concern for their children.
If Liu Yaxuan hadn't appeared, Shen Zhonglei wouldn't have felt there was any problem with such a life.
After all, he has seen his parents getting along like this since he was a child.
But once the sea was full of water, except for Wushan, it was not a cloud.
Every time he had a conflict or disagreement with Mr. Xu, he couldn't help but wonder if his life today would be completely different if Liu Yaxuan had not left.
However, even when he insisted on marrying Liu Yaxuan, Shen Zhonglei never wavered in his respect for his mother.
When she was in her hometown, Mrs. Xu had always been extremely filial to her mother-in-law.
That's because she knew that as long as Shen Zhonglei passed the Jinshi exam and was awarded an official position after these few years, she would be able to escape from the sea of suffering and become the master of the family.
After coming to Yongzhou Prefecture, Xu also prepared the birthday gifts for three festivals and two birthdays every year, never letting Shen Zhonglei worry about them.
So the words she just blurted out in desperation destroyed her disguise that she had kept for more than ten years and allowed Shen Zhonglei to see her heart clearly for the first time.
Shen Zhonglei walked away angrily and walked back to the study alone. He calmed down a little. Unexpectedly, he saw a light on outside the study and someone was waiting for him.
"Father." Shen Tianshu heard that Shen Zhonglei was back, so he came here in advance to wait, but he didn't expect that Shen Zhonglei would come so quickly.
Seeing that it was his eldest daughter, Shen Zhonglei's expression softened slightly and he said, "Shu'er, why didn't you go out to watch the lanterns?"
But Shen Tianshu suddenly knelt down in front of Shen Zhonglei and said, "Father, my daughter is here to apologize."
"It's so good, where did you start talking about this?" Shen Zhonglei was confused by her actions, "I was still praising you to your mother today. You are a good housekeeper for the first time!"
"My daughter is taking care of the house for the first time. She was afraid that she would make some omissions. Before leaving today, she asked her maid to give rewards to everyone on duty in the house, so that everyone could stay on duty.
"Unexpectedly, just because of the reward, several ladies and wives in the backyard gathered together to gamble and drink, leaving the backyard unguarded, which gave the second sister an opportunity to sneak out of the house.
"When my daughter came back, she found that the back door of the backyard where the second sister left home was still ajar, and no one noticed it. Fortunately, nothing happened, otherwise my daughter would have died.
"The few people who have left their posts without permission have been locked up and are waiting for their father to be punished. Such a big thing happened during the housekeeping period. The daughter really cannot explain to her father, and she has failed her father's painstaking efforts to train his daughter.
"Now that my mother is in good health, my daughter feels that it is better to leave this housekeeping matter to her mother."
Shen Zhonglei had just returned home, and before he had time to ask Shen Yunyao how he escaped from the house, he learned about it from Shen Tianshu.
"Shu'er, get up quickly." Shen Zhonglei stretched out his hand to help Shen Tianshu up and said, "How can I blame you for this? It's all the trouble caused by those unscrupulous slaves who were used to being indulged.
"After receiving the reward from the master, not only did they not work more seriously, they actually went to eat, drink and gamble! I think they all live so comfortably that they have forgotten who they are."
After Shen Zhonglei finished speaking, he called Mo Ze outside the door and said, "Pass this message to me. Those who left their posts without permission today will be given twenty slaps each and all will be kicked out of the house.
"If you buy it, send it to someone else's house to sell it. If it's a child born at home, send it home, and you won't be allowed to enter the house again."
Mo Ze took the order and left.
Shen Zhonglei comforted Shen Tianshu again and said: "You kid, you are good at everything, but your sense of responsibility is too heavy. It is not your problem at all, but you have to blame it on yourself. As long as Yun Yao can learn three points from you, it will not be a problem." He has become so naughty as he is now."
When Shen Tianshu heard Shen Yunyao's name, he immediately showed a look of hesitation.
"What's wrong? Is there anything else?"
Her expression was so obvious that even Shen Zhonglei, who was a little slow at first, could tell that something was wrong at a glance.
"Father, there is something else about my second sister. My daughter doesn't know whether to talk about it or not." Shen Tianshu looked complicated. After saying this, he tightened his lips and seemed to be particularly troubled.
"There are no outsiders here, is there anything else you can't talk to dad about?"
"I'm just afraid that my father will be even more angry after hearing this and punish the second sister." Shen Tianshu didn't wait for Shen Zhonglei to speak, and continued, "But this matter involves other people, and I'm afraid that I helped the second sister keep the secret, but instead It will make my father passive..."
"You kid, why are you so hesitant to talk?" Shen Zhonglei said, "Now that your mother's health is mostly recovered, I have already given instructions to send Yun Yao back to her hometown tomorrow, so don't worry, I won't punish you again before leaving. She is dead, let the old lady teach her the rules from now on!"
Shen Tianshu felt relieved after hearing this, and then told the story about the conflict between Shen Yunyao and Song Rongqian, which indirectly caused Song Rongqian to faint.
"Actually, the fundamental reason why Miss Song fainted was due to hunger and cold. But by chance, she fainted after being pushed by her second sister. There were also maids from the Song family who could see clearly at the scene. .
"Even though it was Minghui who helped Ms. Song moxibustion and revived her later, once this matter got out, it would be our fault no matter what.
"The Song family in Shuntian Prefecture is not a small family. If we really care about it, I'm afraid..."
Shen Zhonglei never expected that after Shen Yunyao ran away from home, she would actually create such a trap.
The Song family has many disciples, and its influence in the court cannot be underestimated. If he offends the Song family, it will inevitably have an impact on his future career.