frightfiction Chapter 321: Father Shen's Admonition
Chapter 321: Father Shen's Admonition
Chapter 321: Father Shen's Admonition
"Let me tell you, with your questionable background, stay away from my son!"
"I will find a suitable girl for my son, Li Ming."
"This little slut has you completely bewitched!"
Rouge felt aggrieved as she thought about what Li had said. Li Ming had been taken away by Li, and she didn't know when he would return or if this was the last time she would see him. The more she thought about it, the more upset she became. She squatted down alone, buried her head in her knees, and cried without wiping away her tears.
Li Ming reluctantly followed Li Shi home, but the image of Rouge standing alone, watching him leave, kept replaying in his mind. Her eyes were filled with helplessness, loneliness, and sadness. The thought made Li Ming feel distressed and guilty. How useless he was, unable to even protect Rouge.
When they got home, Li Ming said with a sullen face, "Mother, what exactly did Rouge do to displease you? Why did you hit her?"
Seeing that Li Ming obediently followed her home, Madam Li didn't hold it against him. She said to herself, "Ming'er, I've asked a matchmaker to find you a nice girl these past few days. Just wait to be the groom." As she spoke, she looked at the furnishings of the house and added, "Tomorrow I'll go to the market to buy some furniture. It's too shabby. It will be even better when I have a grandson."
Li Ming watched as Li Shi muttered to herself, and when she heard him say that he wanted to find a matchmaker to arrange a marriage for her, she became even more anxious and said, "Mother, I don't agree. I won't marry anyone but Rouge." Li Ming turned her head away and ignored Li Shi.
"Rouge, Rouge, all you know is Rouge. Have you been bewitched by her? That little slut has a questionable past. I'll find you a much better one, won't I?" Madam Li didn't get angry, but her tone was still laced with hostility. She got very angry whenever she heard Li Ming mention Rouge so often.
"Mother, I won't accept anyone but Rouge," Li Ming said stubbornly, looking at Li Shi. He then went to his room and locked himself inside.
Watching Li Ming leave without looking back, Madam Li felt a pang of disappointment. The son she had raised for over a decade had now defied her; her heart sank. Madam Li knew Li Ming loved Rouge, but he was her only son, and she didn't want him to ruin his life because of Rouge. She could only harden her heart and separate the lovers, regardless of how much Li Ming might hate her later.
A few days later, Shen Bin's injuries had healed. Li Meiqing and Lu Yu were very happy to see that he recovered so quickly, especially Zhao Ning'er, whose eyes were filled with undisguised joy when she looked at Shen Bin.
Shen Bin got out of bed and walked outside. Looking at the sunlight, he felt very relaxed. He hadn't seen the outside world for several days, nor had he enjoyed the sunshine. He even stood motionless in the sunlight with his eyes closed, somewhat reluctant to leave.
"Young Master Shen, what are you thinking about?" Zhao Ning'er had followed him out at some point and saw Shen Bin standing there with wide eyes.
"So warm," Shen Bin said softly. Zhao Ning'er stared at Shen Bin's profile, illuminated by the sunlight, his features sharp and defined, lost in thought. Shen Bin opened his eyes and looked at Zhao Ning'er beside him. Zhao Ning'er quickly lowered her head, her face flushed.
"Tomorrow, you'll start your new job tomorrow," Shen Bin said calmly, his eyes never leaving Zhao Ning'er. Zhao Ning'er looked up at Shen Bin, staring intently at him, trying to find some clue, hoping that Shen Bin was joking. But Shen Bin's eyes told her that he wasn't joking.
"Tomorrow... then be careful." Zhao Ning'er said softly, then realized that she seemed to be caring too much about him and had overstepped her bounds, so she quickly lowered her head and ran into the house.
Shen Bin watched Zhao Ning'er's departing figure with a sense of helplessness, his heart filled with unease. Meeting the Emperor tomorrow would surely incur the wrath of the crowd; he needed to devise a plan. Lost in thought, he returned to his room, finding a place to sit and ponder a solution.
When he returned home that evening, the candlelight was still on in the house. Shen's father was sitting alone in the living room, seemingly lost in thought, unaware that Shen Bin had entered the room. When Shen's father came to his senses, he saw Shen Bin kneeling on both knees, kowtowing. Startled, Shen's father quickly helped him up.
Shen Bin stubbornly remained kneeling on the ground, refusing to get up. He said, "Father, thank you for taking care of me all these years. I was ignorant before. Tomorrow I will go to the capital to meet the Emperor and serve the country."
Looking at Shen Bin kneeling on the ground, Shen's father spoke from the bottom of his heart, deeply moved. With tears streaming down his face, he helped Shen Bin up and said, "My son has become sensible. Your mother in heaven will be very happy."
And so, Shen Bin and his father had dinner together that evening. It was the first time the two had been so intimate, and they felt a step closer to each other.
The next morning, just as dawn broke, Shen Bin changed his clothes and called a carriage. As soon as he stepped out, his father followed him out, smoothed his collar, and said, "In the court, you must never lose your temper. You must refrain from arguing or fighting. Always keep this in mind." He then waved his hand.
Looking at his father's graying temples, Shen Bin felt an indescribable sadness. He didn't know whether he should leave or not. He had so much to say to his father, but it was stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word.
Upon arriving in the capital, amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, Shen Bin found the jolting in the carriage unbearable. His stomach churned, but he endured it. After getting off the carriage, he quickly found a grassy area and vomited up everything he had eaten the night before.
In the imperial court, Shen Bin, dressed in a red robe and wearing a black gauze hat, stood in the center of the court, looking at the emperor above him without any fear.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Shen Bin bowed and kowtowed to the Emperor. The Emperor waved his sleeve, signaling him to rise.
After a while, the morning court session began, and many officials rushed over. As Shen Bin watched people enter the court, he couldn't help but think of how much his father must have suffered and how wronged he must have felt, being bullied by so many people.