Noble Son-in-Law - Chapter 64

Chapter 64: Elder Shen

Although Shen Qusheng was born in the countryside, he had extraordinary talents and an extraordinarily handsome appearance.

So when Mr. Song finally woke up from his coma and saw Shen Qushenge by his side, he felt like he was seeing a god.

Shen Qushenge was undeniably handsome, but not in a way that gave a playboy appearance. His attractiveness was more dignified and upright, making it clear from the start that he was a serious person.

In the past, Master Song didn’t hesitate to think of marrying his daughter to a poor scholar. Now, with Shen Qushenge being both handsome and mature, Master Song couldn’t be more pleased. Upon discovering that Shen Qushenge was still single, he quickly suggested marrying his cherished daughter to him to express his gratitude for saving his life.

Shen Qushenges was thrilled at the thought of finally marrying the young lady Song! However, to avoid any misunderstandings that he was merely repaying a debt or seeking the Song family’s wealth, he firmly declined, just as he had in his previous life.

Mr. Song admired Shen Qushenge even more and said with a grin, “Alright, I won’t pressure you, but since you saved my life and we’re not far from Tongzhou City, please honour me by coming back to my house for a short visit. I’d love to show my appreciation.”

Shen Qushenge couldn’t turn down such kindness.

Mr. Song looked at the handsome Shen Qushenge and thought that once his daughter met him, she would likely be the one to propose marriage.

The next afternoon, they arrived at the Song Mansion.

“Young Master, please head to the guest room to rest for a bit. I’ll host a banquet in your honour this evening,” Mr. Song said in the main hall, inviting his saviour to enjoy some tea first. He thought Shen Qushenges should take a bath and change before meeting his daughter.

Shen Qushenge followed the servant to the guest room.

Mr. Song took a quick bath, changed his clothes, and sent someone to call his daughter. He also had two sons; the older one managed a shop in another city and only returned home during holidays, while the younger, who was twelve, was still in school and wouldn’t be done until evening.

Song Lanzhi eagerly awaited the moment she could reunite with her father. In her past life, she had been a concubine to Shen Qushenge, which meant she couldn’t freely visit her family. Concubines didn’t have as many privileges as the wife; therefore, she didn’t have much connection with her family. Her father would send her two letters each year, always filled with good news but never mentioning anything bad. Her brothers, worried about causing her trouble, seldom visited her at the Shen household.

Song Lanzhi missed her father deeply but felt unable to express it. She longed for her son to grow up and marry soon, hoping her family could come to the Shen family for the wedding. Tragically, just three months before her eldest son’s wedding, she received a letter from her brother informing her that their father had passed away.

After reading it, she wept uncontrollably. She realised the farewell from over twenty years ago had turned out to be a final goodbye.

As she cried, feelings of resentment began to surface. She felt anger towards her father for placing too much value on scholars. He was right that Shen Qushenge had a promising future. But… Did Shen Qushenge ever visit her father during festivals? Did he ever invite her father as an honoured guest for celebrations? 

No, he did not.

Now after being reborn, Song Lanzhi also hated herself for not having a strong opinion when she was young in her previous life. First, she felt that her father’s wishes should not be violated, and then, after meeting Shen Qushenge, she was also bewitched by his appearance. If she had firmly disagreed with her father’s arrangement at that time, her father would never have forced her to be a concubine.

Song Lanzhi also hated Shen Qushenge and hated Shen Qushenge for turning her into a bird in a cage.

But all this hatred was caused by sadness. When the sadness passed, Song Lanzhi regained her sanity and calmness.

Why did she hate Shen Qushenge? It was her father’s idea to make her a concubine, and she agreed to it. Since she was a concubine, Shen Qushenge treated her as a concubine and asked her to abide by the rules of a concubine. What was wrong with that?

So Song Lanzhi no longer hated Shen Qushenge, but if she lived again, she would never jump into the Shen family’s pit again.

She was reluctant to give up the love she had with Shen Qushenge for many years and the sons and grandchildren she had with Shen Qushenge. But in her last life, she had been Shen Qushenge’s concubine for her whole life, and she had done her duty to him and to her descendants. In this life, Song Lanzhi wanted to live for herself. She wanted to spend two more years with her father and brothers. She wanted to be a legitimate wife and be able to visit her parents’ home openly after marriage.

“Daddy!”

After decades, a lifetime, and seeing her father again, Song Lanzhi burst into tears.

Mr. Song was stunned. When he came to his senses, he rushed to his daughter and asked anxiously, “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” ‘Did something happen at home while I was out?’

Song Lanzhi leaned in her father’s arms, choking with sobs for a long time before she whispered, “I dreamed that something happened to my father.”

‘It turned out to be because of a nightmare.’ Mr. Song laughed and suddenly felt a connection between father and daughter. ‘Didn’t I have an accident yesterday?’

Patting his daughter on the shoulder, Mr.Song old her about the misfortune he encountered yesterday in a tone that said those who survive a disaster will be blessed in the future. At the end, he said with emotion, “Luckily, I met Master Shen. If it weren’t for him, even if Daddy hadn’t been killed by the robbers, he would have been bitten to death by the wild dogs and poisonous snakes on the hillside.”

When talking about Shen Qushenge, Song Lanzhi wiped her tears and gradually calmed down.

“Is Dad hurt?” Song Lanzhi was only concerned about her father’s health.

Mr. Song smiled and shook his head. He had good news that he was eager to share with his daughter. He sent the maids away and took his daughter to a chair to sit down. Then he whispered, “Lanzhi, your father has been looking for a husband for you for the past two years, but he couldn’t find one that satisfied you. It’s a blessing from heaven that I met Mr.Shen this time…”

Song Lanzhi listened to these words again and lowered her head to complain. “Daddy has been away for so long. I miss you so much, but you are eager to marry me off as soon as you come back… And he is a stranger that you met on the road. If Daddy really doesn’t want me to stay with you, then I will go to Jinan to find my brother.”

“How could I ever dislike you? It’s just that you’re at an age suitable for your marriage. So I have to think about your future, even if I’m not thrilled about it. I heard that Mr. Shen is as gifted as a genius…” Mr. Song quickly reassured his daughter.

Song Lanzhi bit her lip, realising that even if she interrupted her father now, he would find another chance to bring it up later. So, she stayed quiet, bracing herself for the moment he would suggest she become Shen Qushenge’s concubine. When that time came, she would cry and no longer be the blindly obedient daughter she had been in her past life.

“Mr. Shen has passed the imperial exam at such a young age. He’s bound to become a Jinshi and make a name for himself. Plus, he saved my life. Lanzhi, I want to marry you to him. What do you think?”

[In Chinese, “jinshi” (进士, jìnshì) translates to a successful candidate in the highest imperial civil service examination.]

Tears were welling up in Song Lanzhi’s eyes listening to her father’s words, and just as she was about to break down, something clicked in her mind.

She looked up at her father, puzzled, and asked, “Betrothed? Dad, are you saying Mr.Shen is still single?”

Mr. Song grinned and replied, “Absolutely. If he were married, how could I possibly arrange this for you?”

Song Lanzhi: “…”

She couldn’t believe her ears. In her previous life, her father didn’t hesitate to have her become a concubine for Mr Shen, but now he said he wouldn’t marry her to Mr.Shen if she was a concubine.

‘How could he still be single? But Shen Qushenge would never lie.’ Song Lanzhi immediately fell into thought. ‘Since I have been reborn, has Shen Qushenge also been reborn? Did he never marry Feng Dujuan in this life, or did he divorce Feng Dujuan and want to marry me in order to fulfil his promise to me before his death?’

Song Lanzhi believed that Shen Qushenge would never divorce his wife without a valid reason. ‘He must have been reborn before marrying Feng Dujuan, which means he was reborn three years before me—exactly the year he tied the knot with Feng Dujuan. So, would I still want to marry someone like Shen Qushenge?’

Song Lanzhi felt confused.

Shen Qushenge genuinely loved her, but he was quite inflexible and adhered strictly to rules. In her past life, she was a concubine and had to suppress her feelings to maintain a stable life. She did her best to please her mother-in-law and Shen Qushenge, never daring to provoke his wife. Over time, she became accustomed to following Shen Qushenge’s lead, only standing up to him once about her Qingqing’s dress.

But now, if she had a taste for extravagant clothing and jewellery, would Shen Qushenge, who valued simplicity, be okay with that?

If Shen Qushenge could embrace her authentic self, she would still consider marrying him. After all, she also cared about her sons, grandchildren, and granddaughters from her previous life. But if he couldn’t accept who she really was, then the marriage was off the table.

“Dad says he has good character, so he must be a decent guy. But when it comes to picking a husband, character isn’t everything. Can you give me a few days to observe him before I make a decision?” Song Lanzhi said, pretending to think it over before making her request.

Mr. Song asked with interest, “How do you plan to observe?”

Song Lanzhi looked down and replied softly, “I have my own method.”

After thinking it over, Mr. Song decided to trust his daughter’s judgement. He smiled and said, “Alright, you can observe. By the way, I’m hosting a banquet for Mr. Shen tonight. You and Run’er are welcome to join.”

Since Shen Qushenge had saved him, it made sense for his children to show their gratitude alongside him, and it wouldn’t be against any rules.

In her past life, Song Lanzhi had skipped this banquet, feeling upset about her father’s plans for her to become a concubine. But now… 

She was eager to see what the reborn Lord Shen was like.

As evening approached, Mr. Song personally went to invite Shen Qushenge to the banquet.

Shen Qushenge felt a bit anxious. In his previous life, Song Lanzhi had stayed away for a long time due to her discontent with being a concubine. Now, he was not married, and he wondered if she would come out tonight to express her gratitude for saving her father.

Following Mr. Song, Shen Qushenge walked steadily toward the main courtyard. When they reached the entrance of the hall, he looked up and spotted a pair of siblings inside. The younger one was clearly his brother-in-law, Song Run, and the older sister…

Shen Qushenge hesitated to go inside, staring at Song Lanzhi across from him with a mix of surprise and complex emotions.

Song Lanzhi wore a light green dress. At the age of fifteen, she was like a lotus bud about to bloom, with fair skin and bright eyes. She looked up at the man curiously, then lowered her eyes and gently wrapped her right hand around the belt around her waist, not knowing what it meant.

Shen Qushenge couldn’t help but stare at Song Lanzhi’s hands. In her previous life, she had never made such lively and rude little gestures in front of him.

‘Was it because she was a concubine that she hid her true nature in her last life?’

It was just a small action, but Shen Qushenge suddenly felt very guilty.

Mr. Song, who was standing next to him, saw Shen Qushenge staring at his daughter. He was happy at first, thinking that his son-in-law would not be able to run away. But then he felt that Shen Qushenge was looking at his daughter too intently.

‘What if he scared my daughter?’

Mr. Song coughed a bit this time.

Realising what he was doing, Shen Qushenge quickly looked away.

“This is our youngest daughter Lanzhi and our youngest son Runger.” Mr. Song introduced them with a smile, then called the siblings over to greet them.

“Thank you, Mr. Shen, for saving my father.” Runger thanked him seriously.

Shen Qushenge said in a clear voice. “It’s just a small favour; you don’t have to be polite, Second Young Master.”

He turned the greeting to Runger, but his eyes couldn’t help but look at Song Lanzhi standing beside him.

Song Lanzhi knelt down and saluted without saying a word.

Shen Qushenge felt a little disappointed.

After the pleasantries, the four of them sat down one after another.

Song Lanzhi and her brother Runger were sitting off to the side.

Shen Qushenge kept glancing at her, but Song Lanzhi acted like she didn’t notice.

After a few minutes, a maid brought in a steamed sea bass. After taking a bite, Song Lanzhi frowned and said to Mr.Song with a hint of disdain, “Dad, this fish is a bit too salty. Can you ask the kitchen to make another one for me?”

She spoke as if it was the most normal thing in the world, but Mr. Song’s expression changed dramatically. If they were just having a family meal, her pickiness might have been fine, but with a guest present—especially the son-in-law he had chosen—it was a different story.

“Salty? I think it tastes just right,” Mr.Song replied, tasting the fish himself. He smiled at his daughter and added, “If you find it salty, just eat more of the other dishes.” Then, turning to Shen Qushenge, I said apologetically, “My daughter lost her mother when she was young, so I’ve spoilt her quite a bit. I hope you don’t mind.”

Shen Qushenge watched as Song Lanzhi pouted in dissatisfaction. He didn’t see anything wrong with her being picky about the fish; instead, he felt a wave of guilt. She had lived such a pampered life, even more so than her granddaughter Qingqing. In his past life, especially during tough times, Song Lanzhi had shared simple meals with him without a single complaint.

Stealing a glance, Song Lanzhi caught Shen Qushengeshenge’s eyes filled with guilt and sympathy. After years of sharing a bed, she could read his expressions perfectly.

‘The old man actually feels guilty…’

While helping her brother gather some food, Song Lanzhi couldn’t help but subtly smile.

Shen Qushenge, however, didn’t mind her being a bit wasteful; what he struggled with was the fact that she wasn’t as gentle and compliant as she had been in her past life.

*****

Two days later, Shen Qushenge found himself in the guest room of the Song family, fretting over the status of his upcoming wedding when he heard a knock at the door.

He quickly set aside the scroll he was reading and went to see who it was. He was surprised to find Song Lanzhi standing there instead. Today, she wore a striking red dress, and her proud phoenix-like eyes sparkled with a hint of arrogance.

Shen Qushenge was momentarily taken aback.

He gazed at her, with a bit of captivation.

Song Lanzhi lifted her chin, scrutinised him with disdain in her almond-shaped eyes, and scoffed, “What do you mean by being kind without wanting anything in return? You’re just after our family’s riches. Otherwise, why would a promising scholar like you agree to marry a merchant’s daughter like me?”

Shen Qushenge was caught off guard by her accusation. His face flushed, and he quickly tried to clarify, “Miss, you’ve got it all wrong. I, Shen Qushenge, have no interest in wealth. I agreed to marry you because, because…”

At that moment, he seemed far from the dignified former cabinet minister; his cheeks were red, and he stammered like a young man flustered in front of his crush.

It was the first time Song Lanzhi had seen Shen Qushenge like this. She held back a laugh and said with a smirk, “What’s wrong? Can’t you come up with an excuse?”

‘Why did I want to marry her? It is simple—I love her.’

But as he glanced at the maid standing next to Song Lanzhi, Shen Qushenge found himself at a loss for words.

“I, I…” 

His face flushed with embarrassment, and the maid couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Song Lanzhi joined in, her eyes sparkling like stars.

Unable to take it anymore, Shen Qushenge quickly retreated inside, shutting the door behind him in a flurry.

The playful glimmer in Song Lanzhi’s eyes faded, replaced by a sense of relief. She felt it was worth it to have spent her life with him. If Shen Qushenge dared to pull any of his old tricks again, she would really kick him out.

Satisfied with her thoughts, Song Lanzhi made a point to say some sharp words to the door, warning Shen Qushenge not to covet the Song family’s fortune, before she walked away.

Misunderstood by the one he cared for, Shen Qushenge couldn’t sleep a wink that night.

The following day, he approached Mr. Song to say his goodbyes.

Mr. Song looked surprised and asked, “Why the sudden departure?” 

Shen Qushenge replied earnestly, “Thank you, uncle, for considering me worthy of your daughter, Miss Lanzhi. But I’m currently in no position to marry her. I promise to work hard and aim to be the top scorer in the imperial exam next year. Once I achieve that, I’ll return to ask for her hand. I hope you can wait a few months and not marry her off to someone else.”

Although Mr. Song was taken aback by the young man’s words, he replied after a few seconds, “Alright, head to the capital without worry. Forget about just being the top scholar; as long as you pass the imperial exam, I’ll give my daughter Lanzhi to you!” 

Shen Qushenge understood just how much Mr. Song valued him, and he was determined to keep his word. After taking one last look at the Song family’s backyard, he set off with a serious expression.

In the backyard, when Song Lanzhi found out that Shen Qushenge had left, she simply smiled. She wasn’t worried at all because she was confident that he would return.

Sure enough, in April of the next year, Shen Qushenge, having topped the imperial examination, came to Tongzhou to ask for Mr.Song‘s daughter’s hand in marriage. This time, Song Lanzhi smiled and nodded at her father.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, they tied the knot.

On their wedding night, Shen Qushenge felt an unexpected wave of nerves as he saw his bride in red sitting next to the bed. However, he realized that Song Lanzhi, also a first-time bride, was likely even more anxious about what was to come. So, he took a deep breath, held her hand, and softly reassured her, “Don’t worry; I’ll take good care of you.”

Song Lanzhi looked at him and gently asked, “What’s your plan for this? Will you listen to me about everything at home from now on?” 

Shen Qushenge was taken aback… ‘Listen to her? Isn’t that going against the husband’s role?’

Just when he seemed to hesitate for a moment, the delicate little hand he was holding suddenly slipped away. Shen Qushenge snapped back to reality and noticed Song Lanzhi sitting there with a serious expression, with her stunning eyes fixed on him with discontent.

She looked absolutely breathtaking in her wedding dress.

‘As long as it’s her by my side, growing old together is all that matters.’ With that thought, Shen Qushenge said, taking Song Lanzhi’s hand again, “Alright, I’ll do what you say.”

Song Lanzhi smiled.

The red candles cast a warm glow, making her look as lovely as a blooming crabapple.

Unable to hold back, Shen Qushenge impulsively rushed toward her.

Song Lanzhi bit her lower lip, determined to embrace the role of a young bride on her wedding day.

Not just for tonight, but for her entire life, she would keep her rebirth a secret from Shen Qushenge so he wouldn’t flaunt his power as a minister again.

In her past life, he always had the upper hand; this time, things would be different!

End of chapter 64

Have a nice day!