Chapter 483 It doesn't matter what the mother does
Shen Zhonglei returned to his mansion and went straight to the old lady's residence.
As soon as he entered the house, he saw Shen Tianshu sitting in the main room drinking tea, and his footsteps suddenly stopped.
"Father." Shen Tianshu stood up and saluted. Seeing that his expression was not good, he asked cautiously, "What happened?"
Shen Zhonglei frowned and asked instead: "What are you doing here?"
"I heard people knocking on the cloud board outside the second door before. I was afraid that my grandmother would be worried, so I came over to take a look. I didn't expect to catch up with my grandmother worshiping Buddha, so I couldn't disturb her.
"But I thought, if something happens later, I might be able to help, so I stayed."
Shen Zhonglei's face brightened slightly when he heard this, and he nodded and said: "It's rare for you to have such filial piety. I have something to do with the old lady. You should go back first, and by the way, let someone know that today's morning and evening schedules are cancelled."
"Yes, my daughter will retire first." This was the first time Shen Tianshu saw Shen Zhonglei's face looking ugly, even worse than when he learned that he was a cuckold.
After Shen Tianshu left with the maid, Shen Zhonglei stood in the main room for a while, even stretched out his hand to straighten his appearance, and then walked into the back room.
This time, Aunt Jiang did not stop him. Instead, she helped him lift the curtain and said, "Second Master, please come in. The old lady has been waiting for you inside all morning."
The windows in the west room were closed tightly, and no light from the outside came in. Only the dim light from the two oil lamps in front of the Buddha came in.
Old Mrs. Shen knelt on the futon, closed her eyes, twirled a string of Buddhist beads in her hand, and moved her mouth silently.
Shen Zhonglei did not speak in a hurry and stood aside waiting.
Not long after, Mrs. Shen finished reciting the scriptures and then put down the hand holding the beads.
She opened her eyes, but did not look at Shen Zhonglei, but stared at the Buddhist tent, as if studying the exquisite embroidery on it.
There was an uncomfortable silence in the room.
In the end, Shen Zhonglei couldn't hold it in anymore and took the initiative to say: "Mom, just send me away far away, why bother..."
He was choked up and speechless.
Old Mrs. Shen continued: "You want to ask me why I have to be so cruel and kill everyone?"
"Son, I don't dare." Shen Zhonglei said he didn't dare, but lowered his head, obviously that was what he thought in his heart.
"Second brother, you saw how my mother came here back then.
"Your eldest brother is not in good health, and your third brother is too playful. You are my mother's only hope.
"Mom, I don't dare to take risks, I don't dare to let you make any mistakes..."
Old Mrs. Shen's voice was very soft, with a bit of old hoarseness, but it hit Shen Zhonglei's heart like a heavy hammer.
"Xu Yurou is the daughter-in-law chosen by my mother for you. I originally thought she would be obedient, sensible and easy to handle, and would be able to take good care of you and Shu'er.
"Who would have thought that my mother, who has been so smart for most of her life, would make such a mistake of knowing people but not their hearts.
"Ms. Xu is now saying that she will leave far away, but when her life becomes unsatisfactory or she runs out of money, who knows if she will come back to cause trouble?
"Besides, there is no airtight wall in the world. What if she accidentally spreads the matter to others one day?
"Son, remember, the only people in this world who can keep secrets are dead people.
"Mom knows that you are soft-hearted and value friendship, so I have to think first for you."
Shen Zhonglei fell to his knees with a plop, took a few steps forward, and choked with sobs: "Mom, this is all Mrs. Xu's fault. Mom plans everything for her son. My son has never blamed you!"
"Second brother, you are a good and filial boy. I know you won't blame me, but I can't bear it!
"Every time I think about this, I can't sleep all night long. It's all my fault that I can't forgive you..."
"Since it was my mother who made the mistake, it is natural that she must solve it."
Old Mrs. Shen said softly: "Second brother, don't be afraid, these things were all done by mother, you didn't know about it at all, God will not blame you.
"No matter whether we are struck by lightning or go to hell, my mother will bear it!
"From now on, my mother will recite sutras in front of the Buddha every day. Maybe she can alleviate some of her sins."
These few words made Shen Zhonglei's heart feel like a knife. He still remembered that he wanted to come and ask for punishment, so he threw himself on Old Mrs. Shen's lap and burst into tears.
"Mom, please stop talking. It's because my son failed to live up to expectations and caused so much trouble to my mother.
"From now on, my son will recite sutras and worship Buddha with his mother, donate money to build roads, and help his mother atone for her sins."
Mrs. Shen wrapped the beads around her hand, reached out and stroked Shen Zhonglei's head, as if he were still a young child, and said slowly: "As long as my son is well, it doesn't matter what happens to my mother..."
Shen Zhonglei came out in a rage, but was quickly calmed down by Mrs. Shen's few words. He even felt a little embarrassed when he got up after crying.
At such an old age, the daughter can get married, but she is still crying in her mother's arms.
Old Mrs. Shen took out her handkerchief and wiped the tears on Shen Zhonglei's face, saying, "You are my mother's child. My mother has never seen you, so why should you be embarrassed?"
After Shen Zhonglei calmed down, Mrs. Shen said: "This matter cannot be kept secret for too long. We must discuss how to tell the outside world and how to handle it in the future as soon as possible."
Shen Zhonglei just learned the news early in the morning. He didn't even think about what happened next, and said: "Mom always plans things first and then acts. I must have a perfect plan already, right?"
Mrs. Shen nodded when she heard this and said: "I asked you before, and you said that the situation on Lao Dao's side has been basically grasped, and we are just waiting for an opportunity to make arrangements to arrest people.
"So in my opinion, it's better to tell the outside world that something happened to Mrs. Xu's parents' family. She took her two children back to her parents' home. Unexpectedly, Lao Dao was driven to the point of jumping over the wall by you and actually attacked the women and children.
"When the time comes when you lead people to capture Lao Dao, don't show any mercy and directly avenge your wife and children. No one will be able to tell you anything, and no one will know the inside story about this matter in the future."
Mrs. Shen's idea was indeed a good idea, but Shen Zhonglei was stunned when he heard it and asked: "Two children?"
"In addition to that scoundrel, there is Yunyao. Do you still want to keep her by your side? That child has evil intentions. Be careful not to keep her as a little cotton-padded jacket, but to create hatred."
"No, mother..." Shen Zhonglei raised his hand and pinched the center of his eyebrows, "In the carriage, there were only the Xu family and the body of that scoundrel, and there was no Yun Yao."
"What?" Old Mrs. Shen was shocked when she heard this, then shook her head and said, "Impossible, I asked people to catch Shen Yunyao and put her in the car. She has no power to restrain a chicken, and it is impossible for her to escape...
"
"The only thing we can do is wait until the coachman wakes up and ask him if he knows."
Old Mrs. Shen said: "You go about your business and leave the coachman to me."
Shen Zhonglei naturally had no objection to this. The coachman was the one arranged by the old lady. She came to ask and it saved her the trouble of going around.
After sending Shen Zhonglei away, Mrs. Shen offered the prayer beads back to the Buddha, walked out of the inner room, her expression suddenly changed, and her eyes were filled with murderous intent.