Chapter 1611: Chapter 1618: Staying at Shen Mansion for a While (3)
“Capital, Mo Family?” County Magistrate Shen exclaimed, “Are you from Duke Li Guo’s Mansion?”
“Indeed!” Mo Zili said indifferently.
“Oh dear, it turns out you are the Young Master of the Mo Family, truly my apologies!”
County Magistrate Shen hurriedly stood up, politely and respectfully said to Mo Zili, “I did not know it was Young Master Li’s distinguished arrival earlier, I apologize for any negligence previously, and I hope Young Master Li won’t hold it against me!”
Having grown up in Duke Li Guo’s Mansion, Mo Zili was accustomed to others’ respect and flattery. Seeing County Magistrate Shen like this, he slightly nodded and said casually, “I am but a common man and do not dare receive Lord Shen’s politeness. Lord Shen is too courteous.”
Initially, County Magistrate Shen was unaware of Mo Zili’s identity and considered gifting him one hundred taels of silver to send him away. But now that he knows Mo Zili’s identity, he can’t simply gift one hundred taels of silver.
He was pondering on how to reward him when he suddenly remembered the bundle Mo Zili had on his back, and a thought flashed through his mind. He asked, “May I ask if Young Master Li just arrived in Qing County today? If you do not mind, you are welcome to stay at my humble home for a few days, so I can extend my hospitality as a host!”
Mo Zili did not refuse, and clasping his hands, he said, “In that case, I shall disturb Lord Shen!”
Madam Shen saw her husband bring Mo Zili home, and arrange him to stay in their own backyard. In front of Mo Zili, she did not say anything, but at night, she couldn’t help but complain to County Magistrate Shen, “We have a daughter waiting for marriage at home, and you brought a man back home to stay in the backyard. What will people think if they hear this?”
County Magistrate Shen replied, “Young Master Li is the legitimate son of Duke Li Guo’s Mansion, and his identity is noble. Since he has arrived in our domain, we must treat him well and fulfill our duties as hosts. Besides, Young Master Li saved our daughter, and we ought to repay his good deed, shouldn’t we?”
Madam Cui said, “Hmph, who knows what idea you have? I’m telling you, don’t even think about marrying my daughter off to this Young Master from the Marquis’s House. I only have this one child, and I can’t bear to let her marry away. I plan to bring in a son-in-law to take care of us in our old age!”
These words were from the bottom of Madam Shen’s heart. County Magistrate Shen had been drugged by Aunt Yan and lost the ability to conceive, so the couple only had Juhua as their daughter. They were counting on her to look after them in their old age!
When County Magistrate Shen heard his wife’s words, he quickly reassured her, “Madam, rest assured, what kind of family is Duke Li Guo’s Mansion? They wouldn’t look favorably upon our small household. Even if we proactively marry our daughter to them, they wouldn’t accept. I simply wish to entertain Young Master Li, to fulfill our host obligations and repay him for saving our daughter. Madam, don’t overthink it!”
Hearing County Magistrate Shen’s words, Madam Cui felt relieved but was still displeased with Shen’s self-deprecating remark that her daughter was unworthy of Mo Zili. She scoffed, “What lineage, what lineage; isn’t our Empress Dowager from a scholar’s home? Yet she still became the mother of our Great Jin Nation! Speaking of which, our daughter’s background is even higher than Empress Mu’s!”
“Yes, yes, yes, Madam is right, our daughter’s background is high; she is worthy of the Emperor himself…”
County Magistrate Shen dared not dispute with Madam, so he followed her words with pleasantries and coaxed her to sleep…
Mo Zili stayed at the Shen Mansion. Although he initially intended to travel the world and sightsee, once he settled at the Shen Mansion, he rarely went out. Most of the time, he stayed in the mansion, either reading books or practicing swordplay, and occasionally playing the qin and painting.
During this period, Juhua was kept at home by Madam Cui and not allowed to freely go out. Feeling bored, Juhua ran to her own back garden to play, and unexpectedly encountered Mo Zili there.