Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 92 Young Master Shen

When Shen Qingzhou arrived at the backyard of Xiaer Tower, he whistled and summoned two shadow guards, sending them inside to find out where Lu Jie was.

While waiting, he looked up at the two-story teahouse with its three courtyards and exquisite decorations, and the confident look on Lu Jia's face as she walked along came back to him.

From deciding on the location to find Lu Jie, to hiring a carriage to go to Xia Er Lou, and then facing such a magnificent teahouse, she was always at ease and composed, without the slightest bit of unease she would feel when she arrived in the capital, which she hadn't visited in a long time, and faced with all the powerful and wealthy people in the city.

In other words, walking the streets of Beijing, which she had left ten years ago, was no different from walking the streets of Shawan.

Could it be that even after ten years, her impression of the capital city still hasn't been erased?
"Young master, Lu Jie has booked a room at Xia'er Tower. He's hosting another banquet today. We haven't found out who he's inviting, but Lu family members are already waiting outside the room, and all the tableware and teaware are from the Lu family."

"In addition, Miss Xie has bribed the waiter inside to go downstairs disguised as a tea server, but I reckon she won't be able to get up there."

In a short while, the shadow guard returned.

Shen Qingzhou turned her gaze to the second floor again, and then said, "Go back and have Song En come over, and also bring my clothes."

……

Lu Jia put on the clothes of a waiter and squatted down the stairs with a tray in hand. There were countless waiters in the building, and as long as one could get in, there were still plenty of opportunities to do things.

But she didn't expect that she would be so lucky as to run into her father hosting a dinner party as soon as she arrived. But she was also unlucky because her father had invited a very important guest today, so much so that she couldn't even get upstairs, let alone get to her room.

"Hurry up, hurry up! Everyone, get to the back room!"

Just as they were hesitating and at a loss, the shop manager came running downstairs, shouting and beckoning them away. He looked at the young shop assistants and waved them away, saying, "What are you all standing there for? Get out of the way!"

The waiters were thrown into chaos, and one of the bolder ones asked, "May I ask, sir, what has happened?"

"Enough with the nonsense! A distinguished guest has arrived!"

While answering them, the manager was also calling on another group of experienced staff to come out and greet the guests.

Lu Jia was incredibly curious. She could count all the powerful and influential people in the capital on her fingers, but she couldn't guess who needed such a grand display.

Even if it were her father, he wouldn't go to such lengths!

Could it be someone from the Yan family?
Ah!
The Yan family members, what entertainment venue in the capital hasn't they worn down their doorsteps? They've been to this place countless times already, there's no need for them to be so eager.

Just as he was wondering, a voice came from the doorway: "Young Master, please wait a moment. The sedan chair is ready. This way, please!"

Upon hearing the title "Young Master," a chord was struck in Lu Jia's mind.

There are many noble young men in the capital, but very few deserve such careful treatment!

Of the few, there is only one that deserves such high attention from Xiaerlou!
"So it's Young Master Shen!..."

Just as Lu Jia's idea sparked, one of the staff members around her gasped in surprise!
"It's the eldest son of the Grand Commandant's family! No wonder! He rarely goes out..."

This soft exclamation drew countless gasps of amazement. Everyone couldn't help but crane their necks to look outside, their desire to catch a glimpse of the Grand Commandant's eldest son was palpable!
Lu Jia also unconsciously stood on tiptoe. She knew that this young master of the Grand Commandant's mansion had been attacked by enemies from the north more than ten years ago. The court sent several generals to deal with the situation, but they all failed for various reasons.

Since the founding emperor of this dynasty, there may have been some incompetent rulers, but there has never been a spineless one when it comes to foreign affairs. The current emperor refused to admit defeat in the face of the enemy, and upon the recommendation of the former Grand Secretary Xiao Yi, he appointed Shen Bo, then Vice Minister of War, to lead the army to fight.

For many years afterward, Shen Bo was away fighting wars, leaving only his wife, Madam Shen, and their only son at home.

Years ago, Madam Shen passed away due to illness, and the young eldest son of the Shen family took on the responsibility of managing the household.

Whether it was due to a congenital illness or excessive hard work in his youth, this young master Shen, despite his handsome appearance, was always in poor health and was rumored to be seriously ill several times.

However, perhaps what is meant to be a blessing in disguise is that after surviving a great calamity, he finally witnessed the triumphant return of Grand Commandant Shen after being ill for so many years.

During the years that Shen Bo had been fighting abroad, the emperor had taken good care of the Shen family so that he could focus on his battles. Moreover, as Shen Bo's only son at the time, the young master Shen held a unique position among the noble sons of the capital.

After Shen Bo returned, he was granted the title of Grand Commandant, Duke of Yingguo, and took charge of the Ministry of War, thus gaining real power. The status of the Shen family rose dramatically.

Shen Taiwei's eldest son, who had already been granted the title of Duke of Ying, became an even more godlike figure in people's eyes.

However, Lu Jia had never met him.

Since I had come across this opportunity, I was naturally curious and wanted to see it.

Even though she stood on her tiptoes and stretched her neck out, her view of the front was still blocked by the manager and his men very early on.

Someone quietly brought over a stool, and Lu Jia stepped onto it, only to catch a glimpse of a corner of a brocade robe embroidered with intricate patterns. The corner of the robe then disappeared from sight as the palanquin ascended the stairs.

"I heard that he suffered a lot when he fell into the water at the beginning of the year and has been recuperating in his residence ever since. It seems that he has finally recovered. However, the Grand Commandant's mansion now has a second young master..."

The people around them started talking all at once.

Lu Jia, the second young master of the Shen family, had also heard of him. He was said to be Shen Bo's illegitimate son, who had been brought back from the war zone.

Since no information about the Second Young Master Shen had ever been revealed before, she had heard in her previous life that the eldest and second young masters were not on good terms, so much so that a few years later, the Grand Commandant's Mansion, which was originally on par with the Yan family, was also embroiled in many troubles.

Lu Jia inexplicably thought of Qin Zhou.

This young master Shen's background is quite similar to Qin Zhou's. The only difference is that although Qin Zhou is ill, his illness is much milder than that of this young master Shen!
Even going out for tea requires support from both sides, and climbing stairs requires a soft palanquin. No wonder in my previous life, until Lu Jia died, I heard that the Grand Commandant's mansion did not have a young mistress. With such a physique, it would be a problem whether he could even consummate the marriage.
"Anyone quick and efficient? Bring up two people to serve tea."

Just as I was lost in thought, I suddenly heard voices coming from above on the stairs.

It was one of the attendants beside Young Master Shen earlier, a young man in his twenties, who, judging from his attire, should be an advisor.

Lu Jia looked up at the location of Young Master Shen's private room, then measured the location of Lu Jie's private room, and quickly raised her hand: "I—I am willing to serve!"

(End of this chapter)