Shen Ling didn't wash his clothes today, but he came back wet. The servants at home knocked over the tub in front of him and mocked him. If it wasn't enough, they turned around and reported the matter to Uncle De, the housekeeper.
"Man in charge, I don't know what that kid did today. It's just that the clothes that should be washed were not washed. He even got wet before he came back. I don't know what dirty things he did outside. "
The servant was beaming as he spoke, with a look of disdain and inexplicable excitement on his face. Even Uncle De, who was dedicated to working for the Zhou family, felt a little bored when he saw it.
He is just a rough guy. Even if Shen Ling is not favored now, or even won the attention of the master in the future, he is still a young master who has entered the family tree.
Thinking of the young man's consideration and kindness to his servants, he couldn't help but shake his head.
No matter how good your intentions are, it is just a waste to feed a bunch of jackals.
"Let him go today and report to me if anything happens later." Uncle De didn't even look at the servant who asked for credit, turned around and left, causing the popular man to clenched his cheeks in anger.
But even though he said he didn't care about Shen Ling today, Uncle De told Zhou about it in the blink of an eye.
"Seriously? He came back soaked today?" Mrs. Zhou was worried about not being able to punish him, and then something came to her door.
The lady lying on the bamboo couch raised her slender eyes, her beautiful eyes moving. She was in a good mood now, and she actually showed some charm that was rarely seen in ordinary times.
Shen Huan, who was standing aside, was heartless. It had been hot recently. He couldn't stand the heat and couldn't go out to play. It was the time to make a fuss. When the housekeeper told him about it, he started to trouble him again. The thoughts of "big brother".
"Mom, I'm going to see how brother is doing?" He raised his legs and started to leave.
"Stop! Who allowed you to go!" Zhou shouted softly, which shocked Shen Huan.
Unexpectedly, the woman burst into laughter in an instant. She covered her mouth with a fan, looked up at the wet nurse Lin who was fanning behind her, and said, "Call him to the main room. I have something to ask him face to face."
After hearing what her mother said, Shen Huan knew that she was going to punish that person in front of her, and she felt relieved.
As soon as Uncle De got the word, he went out of the yard to call for someone.
At this time, Shen Ling was in his room. He hadn't had time to change out of his wet clothes, so he just fetched a basin of water and washed his palms that were scratched by stones in the water.
After being soaked in blisters for a long time, the flesh around the wound turned white, but the pain got worse. If I didn't clean it carefully and apply medicine, I'm afraid it would leave scars.
But he didn't care about that. This hand would never have the chance to hold a pen again. It didn't matter whether it was injured or scarred.
"My eldest son, Madam lets you go."
Uncle De stood at the door of the room and saw the young man in the center of the room at a glance. He had a straight figure and a clear temperament. Even if he collected firewood and washed clothes every day, his magnanimity was not compromised at all. Compared with him, Shen Huan , it’s like a huge difference.
He couldn't help but sigh. If it hadn't been for the appearance of the Taoist priest, Shen Ling would have been selected as a scholar early due to his talent and appearance. Now he might even be able to take the provincial examination. What a pity, what a pity!
But he is just a house slave. Even with the title of housekeeper, he is only slightly more respectable than those servants. If he wants to gain a foothold in the Shen family, how can he not hug the master tightly, especially the woman's lap?
Shen Ling had known for a long time that someone had come to his yard, and was not surprised when he heard Uncle De's message at this time. It seemed that he had expected it.
He slowly tied his palms with dry cloth strips, then turned around, raised his eyes, and said, "Mom, please wait a moment. My son will change his clothes now."
"Madam wants you to go right away. There is no need to change clothes."
With a mocking arc on his lips, Shen Ling stepped out of the room and followed Uncle De's footsteps.
Although the hundred days of summer are longer, after an afternoon of hard work, the sun now has little power.
"Kneel down!"
As soon as Shen Ling stood still on the patio of the main room, Zhou's wet nurse, Mrs. Lin, scolded her.
He still remembered that the last time he was punished to kneel here was because he accidentally touched Shen Huan's face. It rained for most of the day, and he was left cold for several days after that. He had to rely on a few pieces of tofu and dried tofu to survive. .
Thinking that he could save the girl today, he felt at ease and looked relaxed and relieved.
"Kneel down!" Ms. Lin shouted once but there was no response. She shouted again with a high pitched voice, which made Mr. Zhou frown.
"Mother, I don't know what I did wrong today, but you want me to kneel down?" Shen Ling stood in front of Mrs. Zhou and raised her head for the first time. Her dark eyes calmly looked at Ms. Zhou above her, and waited. With an answer.
Zhou had heard this word mother countless times when Shen Ling was a child. How much she liked it then, but how much she hates it now!
"Don't call me mother!" Mrs. Zhou turned her face away, avoiding the other person's piercing eyes, and said, "I just want to ask you, where were you today, and how did you come back like this?"
"Could it be that it caused trouble for my Shen family!"
Of course Shen Ling wouldn't say anything. He had promised Zhuang Keqing not to reveal anything. What's more, it was a matter of honor for the girl, so even without a guarantee, he wouldn't say a word.
He lowered his head and let the silence spread.
"Mom asked you in person, and you still won't tell me?" Shen Huan was just a naughty child. When she saw Shen Ling lowering his head and not speaking, and her mother's chest heaving with anger, her heart became furious and she actually grabbed the small table. The porcelain cup was thrown at the other person's face.
He threw it accurately and hard, and the porcelain cup hit Shen Ling's forehead. The sound of the cup hitting the bones and flesh was dull, but when it fell to the ground, it made a crisp cracking sound.
Shen Ling lowered his head.
This is fine celadon.
"Why don't you kneel down? What qualifications do you have to stand and talk to your mother!" Shen Huan was furious. He rushed over like a crazy chicken, went around Shen Ling's back, raised his foot and kicked the person's knee hard. , causing Shen Ling to kneel on the broken tea bowl.
Shen Ling's clothes were already wet, and the fragments tore his skin and penetrated into his muscles, and blood quickly spread on his wet pants.
Seeing the blood, Shen Huan was frightened again. He lost his previous momentum and actually shrank back behind Zhou.
Uncle De couldn't help but frowned secretly when he saw that the young master's behavior was really unlike that of a scholarly family.
Mrs. Zhou originally just wanted to let Shen Huan scream and let out the depression these days, but she didn't expect that the child would end up like this after his actions. She didn't know how to continue the interrogation.
"That's all! That's it for today."
The mistress stood up, supported by Mrs. Lin, and left the main room. Shen Huan followed behind, but she didn't even dare to look at the patio.
After everyone left, Uncle De stepped forward to help Shen Ling stand up. But the young man was not willing to ask for his help. He actually supported the ground with his hands, stood up with all his strength, and staggered away, leaving only a puddle. The blood stains and tiny pieces of the teacup were still in place, proving what had just happened here.