CH 104.1

Jin Wang Dotes on His Concubine Ch 104 Pt. 1

Translated by gingercat

Edited by gingercat

Duke Ningguo and Second Master Shen left Jingxin Residence, and the father and son walked together along the corridor.

Rows of tall and straight sycamore trees stood along both sides of the corridor. Although they weren’t as green and leafy as they were in summer, they still reached up to the sky, covering the sun and providing shade.

“Tang’er entering the capital this time, the crown prince will definitely make a move. The emperor’s eldest grandson is not someone who is magnanimous and tolerant towards others, and then there is also that matter from before. Have Shen Jian watch over them carefully. If worst comes to worst, find something for them to occupy themselves with. I have a feeling that this time a great storm is on the horizon.”

Duke Ningguo had fought on the battlefield many years and brushed against death many times. He only survived, relying on his keen senses. With him saying these words, Second Master Shen would naturally not turn a deaf ear to it.

“This son will have him watch over them.” 

Duke Ningguo nodded. His gray eyebrows furrowed as he said, “Let your wife and the eldest’s wife have a talk. If she remains so stubborn and unreasonable and often makes your mother angry, I will send her back to the Wang Family.”

“Father…” Second Master Shen was a bit surprised.

Eldest Madam Shen hadn’t been like this for only a day or two. When she starts acting up, she doesn’t consider anyone’s face as she spouts rubbish. The only reason why she hasn’t stopped was because the Shen Family had thus far indulged her.

Because of Eldest Master Shen’s absence, leaving behind his orphans and a widow, Duke Ningguo felt sympathetic and usually turned a blind eye. Second Master Shen also cared about his elder brother’s face. Eldest Master Shen was about ten years older than him and acted as both his brother and father.

In his mind, everything in the Shen Family originally belonged to his eldest brother. Only if his eldest brother was gone, would it be his turn. He vowed in his heart that he would treat his sister-in-law well and treat the children of the main branch as if they were his own. This was why he also asked his wife to be more tolerant. Whenever there were good things in the manor, their parents had the first pick, followed by the main branch then finally the second branch.

His children often complained that the children of the main branch were too excessive. Although he understood, he still chose to reprimand and teach his own children first, but now the main branch was becoming too much. His eldest sister-in-law was becoming less and less decent.

It must be said that Second Master Shen was relieved to hear Duke Ningguo say this. For this behaviour of theirs to continue, he didn’t know how long he could endure.

“Tai’er, that child is getting more and more indecent. Starting tomorrow, have him come to my yard. I’ll watch him practise martial arts every day and explain to the gatekeeper that he’s not allowed to go out to play! You’re also not allowed to cover for him!”

“Father, I…”

“I know what you think. But back then, this position was given to you by His Majesty, so you should just accept it. If Tai’er becomes more sensible, your father wouldn’t let your eldest brother down. But the thing is, he simply isn’t cut out to be anything great. Back then, your eldest brother asked your sister-in-law to remain in the capital with the few children to avoid arousing His Majesty’s suspicions. But have you seen how she taught those two children?! One is a good for nothing, while the other is timid as a mouse and can’t even speak smoothly… Our Shen Family can’t withstand the wind and rain much longer with only these few seedlings left… “

Looking at his father’s sorrowful look and thinking about how he was already in his sixties yet still worrying about the family, Second Master Shen felt that he was useless. He wasn’t good at literature or martial arts and couldn’t shoulder anything. There used to be the eldest brother, but now that the eldest brother was no longer here, his father had to work hard every day.

“You are a sensible and a good man. I believe that you can carry the Shen family until…” the rest of the words, Duke Ningguo didn’t say.

Second Master Shen was silent. His head was lowered and it was unknown what he was thinking.

At noon, Eldest Madam Shen left in anger. Duke Ningguo personally ordered for no one to call her back, so no one dared to call her.

Once Eldest Madam Shen arrived at her yard, she cursed at the cat then at the bird. Only after she scolded a round of servants did she go inside angrily.

“They don’t even put us in their eyes anymore!”

Hearing this, Third Miss Shen who was sitting on the big Kang under the window raised her head helplessly and glanced at her.

The main branch had a total of five children, three daughters and two sons. The eldest miss and the second miss have long been married, and already have children of their own. The third child was the eldest son and the eldest grandson of the Shen Family. He was seventeen and his name was Shen Tai. Actually, there was a brother born before Shen Tai, but he died at a few months old.

After Shen Tai was Third Miss Shen, who was fourteen years old. There was still another son after her. He was born from a concubine of Eldest Master Shen and was twelve this year.

Third Miss Shen was fair and pure, like a budding magnolia. She didn’t look like Eldest Madam Shen but inherited the good looks of the Shen Family.

“Mother, don’t think too much. No one in the family dares to not take us seriously.” Third Miss Shen hadn’t wanted to speak up at all, but seeing her mother so angry, it was impossible not to coax her.

Eldest Madam Shen was about to say something, when Shen Tai, who was sitting on the armchair to the side interrupted. “They don’t put us in their eyes, and it hasn’t been for only a day or two.” 

These words couldn’t help but make Third Miss Shen frown. “Brother, don’t add fuel to the fire. I don’t think anyone looks down on us. Grandfather, grandmother, second uncle and second aunt all treat us very well. Even the younger brothers and sisters of the second branch treat us respectfully. You don’t feel guilty saying these words? Will you only be happy after stirring up trouble for the family?!”

Shen Tai raised his brows and spat at the ground. “You like contradicting your brother, don’t you? You dumb and ignorant pig! Everything was supposed to belong to our family. That title should’ve been mine, but now it has become the second uncle’s. His Majesty gave it to him, but should he just accept it like that? If he was sensible, he should’ve conceded it to me! But did he do that? No! He shamelessly accepted it. Grandfather has become muddled with old age, but my mind is clear. Don’t think that he can buy me off so easily!”

Third Miss Shen looked at her eldest brother spitting at the ground with disgust and felt a burst of sorrow in her heart.

Her father was a hero, yet his son became like this. But who was to blame for this? Her mother? She was raised next to her mother ever since she was young and understood how hard it was for Eldest Madam Shen to take care of them on her own in the capital.

To be honest, she didn’t blame her grandfather for not favouring the main branch. Her elder brother was too big of a disappointment and Tong Ge’er had been abandoned by her mother.

“Enough! What’s there to argue about! You rarely come home, and as soon as you get home, you quarrel with your sister. Get out of here! Don’t stay here obstructing your mother’s eyes!” Eldest Madam Shen suddenly yelled.

“You think I’m willing to argue with her?!” murmured Shen Tai. He then licked the corner of his mouth and smiled, “Mother, I have no money left. Give me some.”

For her son to come to her place all of a sudden, Eldest Madam Shen knew that there was nothing good. Just as expected.

“Where did you spend all your silver? Every day, you ask your mother for silver. Do you think your mother is made of money?!” Despite scolding him, Eldest Madam Shen still asked a maid to fetch some silver.

Seeing this, Third Miss Shen hurriedly said,  “Mother, don’t give him any more money. Eldest brother spends it gambling outside every day!”

Eldest Madam Shen frowned and looked at her son, “You’re using it to gamble outside?!”