"Third brother, you don't know something." When Shen Zhonglei heard him ask this, he sighed and said, "Let's go to the study and talk slowly."
The two brothers came to the study, and Shen Zhonglei ordered Rongan to guard the door.
"Actually, I have long wanted to find an opportunity for us brothers to have a deep talk.
"But the government affairs have been a little busy recently. I thought you would go back after the next year, so I haven't been in a hurry.
"Since you asked today, I just wanted to tell you."
"Third brother, do you still remember my classmate Zhao Qu?"
"Brother Zhao, I know. When I was in my hometown, I heard my mother mention that he had already entered Beijing as an official."
"Exactly, the two of us have always had a good relationship, and his mother was critically ill on the way to Beijing, so he went to Yongzhou Prefecture to seek help from me, and I got to know Lady Tong.
"So after he came to Beijing, we have been exchanging letters. Judging from his intentions, it can be said that the situation in Beijing is not as good as before.
"The emperor now only favors Concubine Rong, and her natal Zhao family is even more domineering in the capital.
"Brother Zhao has the same surname as Concubine Rong, so although there is no relationship, he is often misunderstood.
"So he often confided in me his frustrations in his letters, saying that it was better to continue working as an official abroad and not return to Beijing to serve."
Mr. Shen San has always been in his hometown and is not even interested in pursuing an official career, and he knows very little about officialdom.
Hearing what Shen Zhonglei said at this time, he couldn't help but be surprised and said: "But I remember, second brother, you said before that the Holy Lord is a wise king?"
When he mentioned this, Shen Zhonglei couldn't help but shake his head and sighed: "When I was still studying, the Holy Father did manage the country diligently and implemented many benevolent policies that benefited the country and the people.
"But now the evil concubine is causing trouble to the country, and the relatives are interfering in the government, leaving pure ministers with empty ambitions but no place to use them, and finally causing the people to suffer.
"But look at Huguang today. Before you came here, did you ever think that this place would be so prosperous and peaceful?
"Prince Rui and the Crown Prince are both people who are dedicated to the welfare of the people. I have been an official in Huguang for more than seven years, and I have seen all the changes.
"When I was young, I felt that I was capable of anything with my knowledge.
"But only when you become an official do you realize the difficulties.
"Mom...she wants me to keep climbing up the ladder. She wishes that I could join the cabinet and become the prime minister in the future, and she doesn't even think about whether I have that ability.
"It's not easy for me to be able to protect a people and let them live and work in peace and contentment.
"And seeing the prosperity under my rule is growing day by day, this sense of accomplishment and satisfaction is also huge."
Speaking of this, Shen Zhonglei couldn't help but smile bitterly and said: "If she hears these words, she will definitely scold me for having no ambition and no future."
Mr. Shen San reached out and patted Shen Zhonglei on the shoulder and said, "Brother, don't think so much, it's all in the past.
"No one will interfere with your choices from now on. You can finally do what you really want to do according to your own heart."
Shen Zhonglei didn't want to mention Mrs. Shen anymore, so he quickly changed the subject and said, "By the way, Third Brother, have you ever thought about whether you should just move to Wuchang Mansion?
"If you want to help me with things, that's fine. If you want to do business, that's fine. Now that we are the only two brothers at home, it's good to have someone to take care of us together, right?"
Mr. Shen San has actually thought about this issue himself.
He knew that if he wanted to stay, his second brother would sincerely welcome him without any hesitation.
But when Shen Zhonglei actually asked, he hesitated and remained silent for a long time.
Shen Zhonglei was not in a hurry, as if he was quite sure that Mr. Shen San would agree.
He relaxed and leaned back on the chair, drinking tea leisurely, just waiting for him to nod.
Unexpectedly, Master Shen San thought for a long time, but finally shook his head and said, "Second brother, I think it's better for me to go back to my hometown."
"Why?" Shen Zhonglei was so surprised that he immediately put down the tea cup in his hand, sat up straight and asked, "I don't care what you want to do, you don't have to worry about this."
"Second brother, of course I know that you are different from mother.
"I also know that you really want me to stay.
"But I think it's because we are the only two brothers left to support each other now.
"You are an official outside, so I should also guard our home's rear area, right?
"Now that my eldest brother is gone and my mother is so ill, which one of the family members is more economical?
"If I don't go back and take charge, I'm afraid there won't be room for us brothers in my hometown in a few years."
Shen Zhonglei didn't expect that Master Shen San was thinking about this.
In fact, according to him, it doesn't matter whether he goes back to his hometown or not.
Although it held his childhood and youth there, not all it left him with good memories.
But just when he was about to open his mouth to persuade, he suddenly paused and swallowed his words.
Mr. Shen San is different from me. For the third brother, his hometown may be the foundation for him to settle down and live his life.
What's more, I just said that I would not interfere with Mr. Shen San like Mrs. Shen did, so naturally I should respect his choice.
So Shen Zhonglei nodded and said, "If you want to go back, I won't stop you.
"But remember, if you don't want to stay in my hometown anymore, you are always welcome to come here."
Mr. Shen San said: "Second brother, you are always welcome to go back to my hometown."
After saying that, the two brothers looked at each other and smiled.
Mr. Shen San stood up and patted Shen Zhonglei on the shoulder again and said, "Second brother, in my opinion, it would be wise for you to quickly find me a sister-in-law."
After hearing this, Shen Zhonglei's expression was a little strange.
I felt a little helpless, a little embarrassed, and a little shy.
Mr. Shen San suddenly became more energetic. He sat back and asked, "Second brother, what do you mean? You already have someone you like?"
"That's not true." Shen Zhonglei raised his hand and touched his nose, "But before Tianshu came back and told me that the concubine planned to help me personally as a matchmaker, and now she is helping me with my matchmaking!"
"That's great." Mr. Shen San said happily, "With the concubine as a guarantee, my character will definitely be good."
Thinking about it, after the marriage between the prince and Shen Tianshu is finalized, the two families will be married.
The Dowager Empress found Shen Zhonglei a wife who knew etiquette and was good at dealing with others, which could be regarded as helping Prince Rui's palace reduce trouble in advance.
"You haven't said anything about your birth date yet, so the concubine might just say it casually, and that kid Shu'er will take it seriously." Shen Zhonglei was a little embarrassed by his brother's remarks.
"Who is the concubine? Of course she always keeps her word." Mr. Shen San said with a smile, "I would like to congratulate my second brother on his double happiness.
"I hope that before I return to my hometown, I can not only have Shu'er's engagement banquet, but also drink my second brother's wedding wine."
