Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 260 Guarantee Not to Cause Trouble

As the sun rises, the bright red "double happiness" characters that can be seen everywhere in the Grand Commandant's mansion still shine brightly in people's eyes.

Dressed in a brand-new brocade robe, Shen Bo sat upright in the main hall, glancing at the courtyard gate again and again. Finally, he couldn't help but ask Shen Zhui, who was sitting below him, "What time is it?"

Shen Zhui was also dressed in brand new clothes from head to toe. He replied, "It's just past Maozheng (5-7 AM)." After saying that, he glanced up and said, "It's still early. The two of them are already sharing the same pants and now they're even sleeping in the same bed. How can they come out so soon? Father can have breakfast first and then come back."

"What are you talking about?" Shen Bo glanced at him. After a pause, he couldn't contain his curiosity any longer: "Those two, I mean, your brother, are you really that concerned about your sister-in-law?"

He was quite surprised when the young man mentioned that the eldest son and his wife had actually met back in Tanzhou Prefecture. However, considering Shen Qingzhou's aloof and indifferent attitude towards everyone, he figured that even if Shen Qingzhou treated the Lu family girl differently, it would be very limited. So he didn't ask any further questions.

However, after two months of wedding preparations, and with his eldest son always personally inquiring about the progress of the wedding no matter how busy he was at the Ministry of Revenue, his thoughts began to waver.

Because of this marriage, Shen Zhui has been sighing and groaning for days, and hasn't been able to sleep soundly. Shen Bo's question just touched on his sore spot again!
He said listlessly, "Let me put it this way: if my sister-in-law ever dislikes me even the slightest bit, my eldest brother will definitely kill me for her. From now on, the Shen family will never have a second young master like me."

Shen Bo was stunned.

Before anyone could respond, a servant outside announced, "The eldest young master and the young mistress have arrived."

As soon as Shen Bo looked up, Shen Zhui sprang to his feet and even involuntarily stepped back from his seat, standing ramrod straight to the side like a door god.

"...It's a bit far to walk here from Bibo Pavilion. I'll have someone arrange a sedan chair for me later."

Before the person even showed up, the gentle voice had already entered. There was no doubt that it was Shen Qingzhou's voice, but Shen Bo had never heard him speak so tenderly before.
He was initially a little impatient, but at this moment he couldn't help but straighten his back, and then he saw Shen Qingzhou appear outside the door.

He turned around at the door, stopping to face the inside of the room. What was that expression on his face? The frost that had covered him year-round had all melted into a spring breeze. Where his gaze fell, another figure appeared—the new bride dressed in bright red. Her eyes and brows were full of smiles, but those smiles were directed solely at Shen Qingzhou!
In other words, this young couple only saw each other and didn't care at all about who was around them or whether there were people around at all!

"Father."

Before they knew it, the young couple had arrived at the front of the hall. Shen Qingzhou bowed respectfully first, then turned his head slightly and said, "Jiajia, this is your father."

Lu Jia looked up and glanced at him. This was the first time she had seen this Grand Commandant who had commanded the battlefield and pacified the Northwest. In a quick glance, she felt that Shen Qingzhou's features were somewhat similar to his, but their temperaments were completely different.

Shen Qingzhou is refined, elegant, pale, and fragile—at least on the surface.

Shen Boguang sat there quietly, exuding an aura of power. However, he was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) in his early years, so he still retained some of his refined manners. Compared with the generals from military families, he appeared domineering yet elegant.

Lu Jia felt a sense of awe. She lifted her skirt and bowed gracefully, saying, "Daughter-in-law greets Father." She then offered him a cup of tea.

Shen Bo accepted the tea and saw that the girl had clear eyes, a healthy complexion, a slightly plump figure, and agile movements. She was clearly very healthy. Although he was still somewhat bothered by her father being a treacherous official, he secretly began to approve of her.

Since returning to the capital, he has seen many daughters of officials, whether they came for him or for their two young children.

Almost all of them were reserved and elegant, as if they wouldn't even eat a single extra bite of food.

The Shen family consists of three men, father and sons. Since they came for the Shen family, the issue of having children is unavoidable. Fortunately, Lu Jie didn't raise his daughter to be a soft-hearted child, so even if the young couple is a bit clingy, he can tolerate it.

The stewardess brought over several trays one after another, filled with jade ruyi, jade cabbage, pearls, agate and other gifts that looked very generous.

They certainly didn't put in the effort.

But with the price set, what else can Lu Jia say?

She kowtowed to accept the gift, then sweetly said "Thank you, Father" before standing up.

Shen Bo had never raised a girl before. His two daughters were as cold as ice and as clingy as candy. Suddenly having a girl calling him "father" made him quite uncomfortable. He waved his hand, feigning composure, and said, "Yu'er is now in charge of the household. In the future, you will naturally be in charge of managing the family affairs. You will also be responsible for welcoming and seeing off the officials' wives and relatives. I hope you will act properly, have children as soon as possible, be a good wife and mother, and help Yu'er support the family."

"Father, rest assured, your daughter-in-law will definitely handle things well! She will absolutely not bring shame to the Shen family."

Lu Jia replied sweetly.

Shen Qingzhou glanced at her and even smiled.

Shen Bo felt a chill run down his spine. The two of them didn't seem to be trying to get things done; instead, they looked like they were ready to cause trouble at any moment.

However, since they had only just met, it wasn't appropriate to say much. He turned to Shen Zhui and gestured, "Don't just stand there, come and pay your respects to your sister-in-law."

Shen Zhui moved with heavy steps, as if his feet weighed a ton, and bowed deeply as he reached her, saying, "Zhui'er greets elder sister-in-law, and pays his respects!"

Lu Jia handed him a cup of tea, then turned around and gave him the gift she had brought, smiling as she said, "From now on, just call me 'sister,' it'll be more intimate!"

Shen Zhui looked up and saw a finely crafted saddle extended in front of him. What was more, it was engraved with his old nickname from his days on the battlefield. His heart warmed instantly, and he blurted out, "Thank you, 'sister'!"

Lu Jia smiled and looked at him: "From now on, we are family. Since Father has already instructed me to manage the household, if anything happens in the future and your brother is not here, you can come to me anytime."

Shen Zhui was still basking in the joy of receiving such a wonderful gift, and immediately nodded hastily, "Yes, sir!..."

Shen Bo stood up: "I still have to go to the yamen. There are only a few of us at home. Do as you please."

“But there’s one thing you must remember,” he looked down at him, “once you’ve joined the Shen family, you’re a member of the Shen family. From now on, everything you do must be based on protecting the Shen family.”

"If you violate the rules of my Shen family, or do anything that damages the reputation or interests of my Shen family, I will never let you off easily."

"And it's no use for anyone to plead for me."

At the end, he glanced at Shen Qingzhou, his gaze as cold as Shen Qingzhou's usual demeanor.

Even though Lu Jia was on guard, her smile couldn't help but shrink back for a moment.