Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 84 - 82: Cherish Your Own Child

Mr. Shen saw that his eldest son’s family had returned and could not help but feel anxious, "Why did you come back?"

"Didn’t you send for us to return? You said it was something important?"

"It was I that requested a message be sent for your Uncle to return home, Yun’er is back-- isn’t that important? Yun’er should properly thank her Aunt!" Mrs. Liu spoke out, but actually it was Xiao’er who reminded her to call back the main family as well.

"What’s there to thank me for? I didn’t find Yun’er!" Mrs. Lan awkwardly chuckled.

"Whether you found her is irrelevant-- you were the one to send her away as compensation!" Mrs. Li, who reveled in others’ misfortunes, was the most competent at pouring gasoline on fire.

"What is my sister-in-law talking about? Yun’er was lost due to my negligence, how is it that I ’let’ her be taken!" Mrs. Lan was wide-eyed at Mrs. Li after hearing her words.

"I’m just speaking the truth. Back then, we heard your discussion with your husband about giving Yun’er or Xiao’er to a couple as a compensation for their daughter’s life! Even saying ’100 taels is too much, the third branch has many children, giving away a girl or two is no big deal, unlike in your branch...’"

"Nonsense! When did we say such despicable words!" Shen Chengguang roared, his spit spraying far!

"Elder brother, you can’t deny it, I heard it with my own ears. I can swear on it, I also know..."

"Enough, all of you, shut up!" Old Mr. Shen threw out a cup, took a moment to catch his breath before continuing, "The second son must have heard wrong. At the time, Chengguang compensated a lot of silver to resolve that issue. I had to use my coffin savings."

Shen Chengyao looked at his elder brother, second brother, and father, heartbroken!

His elder brother, who had done such a thing as giving away his own niece to save a life, harbouring no regret and refusing to admit his wrongs!

His second brother, who clearly knew in advance yet did nothing to prevent it or even inform him, causing him to search for so many years! It’s as if Yun’er is not his niece, but a stranger to him. Even if she was just a stranger, people would still surely inform each other!

His father, always hindering the truth from being revealed. He understands what his father fears-- isn’t it the fear that revealing the truth will affect Wen’er’s future officialship, and the honour of the Shen family.

All these years, Yun’er has come back, yet not a single person feels sorry for her, not a single person has apologized to her. No one has really cared about her, wondered about the kind of life she has lived, or how she got through her years without her parents.

He never planned to seek justice for himself, all he wanted was their guilt towards Yun’er, an apology, at least that way Yun’er would know that this family eagerly awaits her return, she will not be sent away again, and that she can be at ease.

Even someone with the slightest bit of conscience would feel guilty!

Xiao’er saw the look on Shen Chengyao’s face and understood. She tugged at Shen Chengyao’s sleeve, "Father, let’s take Yun’er home!"

What meaning is there in pursuing the truth? This is not a court of law, the truth is not required here. Explaining it more clearly would only wound one’s own heart.

Shen Chengyao lowered his head, looked at Xiao’er and saw the concern in her eyes. He nodded his head, understanding that he just needs to cherish his own child!

This statement was like a bowl of icy water poured on Mrs. Liu, chilling her to the bone! Her heart ached, for her husband and her daughter.

"Father, we won’t delve into the past anymore. I know what I need to know. We will return to our rooms now. The house at the head of the village has been built, the furniture moved in these past few days. We will be moving in on the 20th, by then, we invite you and mother over for a celebration." Having said that, he led his family out of the room.

Mr. Shen looked at the disappointment on his third son’s face. He didn’t suggest for the eldest and second son to go, this was taken to heart. Sigh! Let him be for now, wait till his anger subsides before consoling him. In one’s lifetime, one should never sever ties with his father or brothers.

The main and second branches of the family were left stunned. Just like that? It’s over?

Upon seeing family of the third branch leaving, Mrs. Li responded, "Hmph, weak!"

Having said that, she wanted to leave too but was remembering the pearl Xiao’er had given.

"Mother, just now Xiao’er said that this pearl is for adding to the three daughters’ dowries. Tomorrow I go to town, why don’t I bring it along to sell? The silver we get from it can be split amongst us!"

"No need, the third branch has already added to Yuzhu’s dowry. You and the eldest branch haven’t given anything yet, so consider this pearl as the start of your contribution to their dowries."

Hearing those words, Mrs. Li was very dissatisfied. The favoritism was too blatant!

"What pearls?" Shen Bao’er heard about the added items, and she thought she should have a share since she’s also a girl in the family.

"It’s nothing!" Mrs. Shen lowered her eyes, face expressionless.

Shen Bao’er tactfully refrained from asking further.

Back in the west wing, Shen Chengyao gathered Yun’er and Brother Ri to his side, "Yun’er, you’ve been wronged; mother and father will compensate you. We’re not indifferent to your situation, it’s just that we..."

"Dad, I know, I do understand, just knowing that you would neither sell me nor give me away to someone else is enough!" As for others, she was not greedy; she felt satisfied having her own parents, brothers and sisters.

Shen Chengyao patted her head gently, "Good girl."

"Ri, don’t take grandma’s words to heart. Uncle Shen and Aunt Shen will certainly raise you well. Jingrui and Jinghao are going to start school next year and you’ll be joining them. We don’t demand you to achieve any specific academic success, but being literate and good at math will always come in handy. It’ll make supporting a family easier."

"Uncle Shen, I understand." He had heard harsher words than these. He knew clearly who treated him well, and who didn’t. He also knew that not everyone in this world would accept or like him.

"Dad, I will definitely become the top scorer! I will fetch a decree for mom!" Jinghao unashamedly declared.

"Dad, I will also strive for scholarly honor to repay you!" Jingrui pledged in a low voice; he wanted to see who would dare to sell his sister if he performed well!

"Fetching a decree for your mother, eh? You little brat, all you do is talk big! And look, you’ve even blown up the cows in our family to the sky!" Shen Chengyao lightly knocked Jinghao’s head with his knuckle.

"Our son said he would become the top scorer and fetch me a decree, aren’t you happy about it? What kind of father acts like this!" Mrs. Liu chastised with a laugh.

"Mom, Dad wanted to become a scholar himself and fetch you a decree! Who knew little brother beat him to the punch! Dad is just jealous now!"

Xiao’er joked.

"Good grief, even Dad has become something to laugh about!" Shen Chengyao feigned anger.

"Our daughter is right, Yun’er’s dad, maybe you should also try. Didn’t you tell me that during your school days, your teacher praised you for learning quickly?"

"Even you’re teasing me now, am I? I’m all grown up now! Are you suggesting I go to school with my son! Where do I put my face then!" The thought of sitting in school with his son sent a shiver down Shen Chengyao’s spine.

A thought occurred to Xiao’er. In this ancient society, those who became scholars in their twenties and thirties were not uncommon. Shen Chengyao was only in his twenties. If she cheated a bit and gave him some special items from another dimension, he might even become a scholar. Yes, she should do that.

"Dad!"

A sense of dread rose within Shen Chengyao as he saw Xiao’er’s calculating look, "Wha- what’s the matter?"

"I think you really should strive to become a scholar! Just think, if you become a scholar, mom will be a scholar’s wife! Who would dare to disrespect her then? And being a scholar means exemption from taxes and conscription, right? Scholars can also lead local schools, right? Look at all the benefits, right? Brothers and sisters, who agrees that dad should pursue being a scholar, please raise your hand." Xiao’er was the first to raise hers, and others quickly followed.

Mrs. Liu was too embarrassed to raise her hand and stood to the side, laughing as she watched the kids tease their father.

Shen Chengyao felt dizzy; isn’t it usually the parents who encourage their children to study? When did children start urging their father to go back to school?

"I just remembered, the cow hasn’t eaten yet. I need to go feed it!" Shen Chengyao escaped in a hurry.

"Dad, cows don’t eat meals, they eat grass! Don’t feed them the wrong thing!" Jinghao shouted at Shen Chengyao’s retreating figure.

Everyone in the room burst into laughter.

Shen Chengyao stumbled, nearly tripping over the doorstep.

Finally, the atmosphere at home lifted up.