REM • CH011

# Chapter 11

Wei Chenglin shook his head: “Not directly. It is only that I happened to learn of this matter and thought something about it was amiss. So I came to ask Mother about it.”

Shen Xinyan gave a small nod, but did not ask what he found amiss.

Wei Chenglin hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, though his voice grew quieter: “Mother, do you not think you should have informed Father beforehand? After all, those people were serving Father. If this causes friction between you and Father, would that not be counterproductive?”

Feeling it was unseemly for a son to comment too much on his parents’ affairs, the boy’s voice grew softer still, and his head lowered gradually.

Shen Xinyan was taken aback. She had never imagined he would speak to her this way, and certainly had not expected him to show such concern for her affairs. For some reason, her nose suddenly felt tight and sore. She hastily raised her teacup to hide it.

When his mother did not respond for a long time, Wei Chenglin grew increasingly uneasy, beginning to regret his own boldness.

“I, I apologize. This child overstepped. Mother need not…”

“No, Mother is very pleased. My son has shown that he holds Mother in his heart, and worries lest Mother anger your father over this. Such filial piety fills Mother’s heart with joy,” Shen Xinyan interrupted, smiling gently.

The boy, who habitually wore a stern expression, felt his face flush slightly. He glanced at her quickly, embarrassed, and continued in a small voice, his head still lowered: “You are my mother. Of course I hold you in my heart.”

Shen Xinyan did not miss these words. Her smile froze momentarily, then grew tinged with bitterness.

Was it so? Because she was his mother, she would be held in his heart. If that were true, what then of her fate in the previous life?

She knew she was being unreasonable, spiraling into thoughts she could not control, as if two little voices were quarreling loudly in her mind.

“He lied! He is lying! Words sound pretty now, but once Zhou Guanning appears, you will be nothing!”

“Nonsense! Chenglin would never stoop to lies. If he says this, then he truly means it!”

“Are you mad? Were the lessons of the previous life not deep enough? Do you wish to live through it all again in this life?”

“The previous life is the previous life, and this life is this life. No matter what, he is your son. You must fulfill your duty as his mother. How can you deny this child, still young in years, because of what might happen in the future?”

“This is mere feminine sentiment, feminine weakness!”

“I am a woman. What is wrong with having a woman’s feelings!”

…

Shen Xinyan steadied herself and locked those quarreling voices away in the deepest corner of her mind. She raised her hand to gently touch her son’s head, but the motion paused just before her fingers met his hair. Her eyes showed clear hesitation, yet finally, her soft palm came to rest on the boy’s head.

“That you can think this way… Mother is very happy.”

Though she did not know what had caused this son of this lifetime to differ somewhat from the son of her previous life, she was more than willing to see these differences. No parent would wish for their own flesh and blood to grow distant. She was no exception.

Her tone paused, and unbidden, thoughts of certain matters from the previous life surfaced. With lowered eyes for a moment, she gazed into the boy’s dark eyes, then spoke with utmost gentleness, enunciating each word carefully.

“However, Chenglin, you must remember: you are a man of integrity, destined to accomplish great deeds and uphold the Duke Ying household’s honor. Your world lies beyond these walls. The inner household is the battlefield of women. As the saying goes, ‘men govern without, women govern within.’ As a man, your thoughts and energy should not be spent on inner household affairs, and still less should you involve yourself in women’s disputes. Do you understand?”

Wei Chenglin blinked his dark eyes and nodded: “Yes, Mother. I understand!”

Shen Xinyan smiled faintly and gently stroked his soft hair, speaking tenderly: “Since ancient times, women have been a man’s most gentle and steadfast support. Consider your grandmother. Because the Duke Ying household has such a capable and discerning mistress, your grandfather could attend to his duties abroad with peace of mind. When Chenglin takes a wife in the future, beauty is secondary. But the qualities of being capable and discerning are absolutely essential. Do you hear?”

And Zhou Guanning could not claim even a shred of those qualities!

She admitted to herself that she had spoken with ulterior motives. But what of it? No one could say her words were wrong!

The young boy grew even more embarrassed, his lips pouting slightly, his tone carrying an unmistakable note of playfulness: “Mother—”

Shen Xinyan laughed softly, so much that Wei Chenglin’s young face flushed red and he even forgot to bow. He simply turned and fled from the room.

Watching her son reveal a side befitting his age for once, Shen Xinyan could not help but break into genuine laughter.

In that laughter, it was as if a wind had been stirred, scattering the thin mist that had long hung over her heart.

Yes, her son was only ten years old this year. Seven years still remained before he would meet Zhou Guanning. Though her son had always been thoughtful and resolute in his convictions, what of it? She was his mother, and as a mother, she had the duty to guide him. Who could say with certainty that in these seven years, he would not keep her teachings in his heart?

She did not dare hope he would fully absorb everything. If even one or two parts in ten took root, that would be enough!

“Madam, that Zhang woman has indeed gone to find Lianxiang,” Qiutang said, entering with slightly furrowed brows, offering her report.

Shen Xinyan nodded, her eyes lowering: “I understand. Have people watch, but there is no need to interfere further.”

Qiutang’s brow grew more troubled: “This servant does not understand. Madam must surely realize why that Zhang woman seeks out Lianxiang. So why allow it? Should the Young Master…”

“I understand all of it. Rest assured, do as I say. I shall handle everything!” Shen Xinyan clearly grasped what she was worried about, but offered only vague reassurance without explaining further.

Seeing Shen Xinyan’s resolve, though Qiutang wanted to offer further counsel, Shen Xinyan had already turned away, making it clear she wished to hear no more.

Qiutang could only sigh and withdraw helplessly.

After the sound of the curtain falling, Shen Xinyan absently twisted her handkerchief, though she had been mentally prepared, she could not hide her unease.

What if that person disappointed her? A wave of regret suddenly washed over her.

Perhaps she should not have tested him this way. If friction arose between husband and wife because of this, it truly would be counterproductive.

In her previous life, she had not involved herself much in Wei Junhang’s affairs, and she had let matters concerning those in his service go unchecked. But in this life, she intended to be on good terms with him, so naturally she needed to pay more attention.

The problem was, she did not know Wei Junhang well enough. So she had decided to test where his limits lay, so that in the future she could better judge how to act with discretion.

Thus, with her silent permission, Granny Wang had moved against several of Wei Junhang’s servants in one stroke, including Lianxiang’s own younger brother.

That Lianxiang’s mother, Zhang Granny, treasured her only son beyond measure. When her son fell into trouble, she naturally would go to her daughter and ask her to have the Young Master intercede on his behalf.

If Wei Junhang ultimately gave Lianxiang this favor, then Shen Xinyan would have to reassess the right distance for her and him to maintain.

***

“…Mother, Zhuzi was caught red-handed. His dismissal from service was unavoidable. Besides, Granny Wang serves the Young Madam. That Zhuzi was dismissed only with the Young Madam’s agreement. Now you ask me to find a way out. What way can there be?” Lianxiang said miserably, helpless.

Zhang Granny grew so angry she pinched her daughter’s arm: “Useless girl! If you cannot even manage this, what good are you? Granny Wang serves the Young Madam, but you serve the Young Master! Why do you not go and ask him to spare your brother this once?”

Lianxiang’s expression grew even more bitter: “Mother, what are you saying? The Young Master and Young Madam are husband and wife. How could the Young Master contradict his wife’s orders for the sake of a servant? Would that not damage their marital feelings?”

“Of course the Young Master and Madam have marital feelings, but surely after serving him all this time, do you not have some standing with him? Besides, Zhuzi was only playing foolishly. He is young, with weak ears, easily swayed by those with ill intent into gambling a couple of times. Who knew Granny Wang would happen to make her rounds right then?”

Lianxiang kept her head down, seemingly deaf to her mother’s words, which only angered Zhang Granny more. She raised her hand and struck Lianxiang on the shoulder: “I am speaking to you! Do you hear me?”

Lianxiang stumbled from the blow but caught herself, her expression a mix of anger and hurt as she glared at her mother: “Zhuzi is already twenty years old! You still speak as if he were a child? Boys his age in ordinary households are already married with families of their own.”

“You ungrateful girl! Dare you talk back to me?!”

“Then beat me! But if you hit me again, do not expect me to ask the Young Master for help!” Lianxiang thrust out her chest, standing her ground instead of backing down, her neck stiff with defiance.

Zhang Granny’s anger flared at first, then transformed into delight. She chuckled and patted the wrinkles from Lianxiang’s clothes: “No more hitting, no more. Everything depends on you regarding Zhuzi’s matter.”

Lianxiang pressed her lips together: “I will do my best, but whether I succeed or not is beyond my control.”

“What are you saying? You have served the Young Master all this time. Surely he would not deny you even this small favor.” Zhang Granny spoke carelessly, but seeing her daughter’s face darken, she quickly corrected herself: “Very well, very well. As long as you try your best, success or failure is the master’s business, not yours to worry about!”

That evening, Wei Junhang returned home from outside. He first accompanied his wife and children for the evening meal in the main hall, then retired to his own Embroidered Residence.

Though the Embroidered Residence was not the main hall of Funing Court, nor the most spacious, its scenery was not much inferior to the Ning’an Hall where the Great Princess dwelt. Three modest rooms in all, the eastern one served as the bedchamber, while the western one was Wei Junhang’s study.

After bathing, Wei Junhang did as he usually did: he carefully counted and recounted the contents of his treasure chest several times over, then let out a long sigh. For the countless time, he felt his finances were far too meager, making it impossible for him to purchase even the smallest fine things for his wife and daughter.

“Young Master!” Having finally put away his treasure chest and turned around, he saw Lianxiang kneeling directly in front of him.