Shen Wenhe hurried the carriage all the way back to the Shen residence.
The once bustling Shen residence now had its gates tightly shut; it seemed everyone had already left.
“Whoa—” Shen Wenhe pulled the reins, stopping the carriage, then helped Bai Nianqing down.
“Wife, I’ll go knock on the door,” he said.
“Mm, go ahead.” Bai Nianqing nodded.
Shen Wenhe went up the steps and knocked on the gate.
After quite a while, noises finally came from inside.
“Who is it?” As the voice sounded, the gate creaked open.
“Uncle Shen, it’s me,” Shen Wenhe said in a low voice.
“Aiya, it’s the young master! Young master, why are you only back now? Master and the others left the day before yesterday. Before leaving, he was still thinking about you. Master even left something for you two, said that if you came looking, then he’d give it to you.” Uncle Shen rambled on.
The implication was clear—
If you didn’t come, he wouldn’t bother giving it to you, right?
“I was away these few days and just got back yesterday. Today I thought I’d come over to take a look,” Shen Wenhe explained.
“Young master, don’t blame this old servant for speaking too much. Though Master said he severed ties with you, that was also for your own good. Don’t resent him—Master has his own difficulties. Madam’s maiden family is powerful, Master truly had no choice. Here in Huai’an Prefecture, things are still easier—far from the capital, even if they’re unhappy, they can’t do anything to you. But going to the capital is different. Under their watchful eyes, even if Master wanted to favor you, he wouldn’t be able to. And Madam… with Master watching here, even if she had ill intentions, she would restrain herself, not dare to go too far. In the capital, that’s her home turf. If she truly hardened her heart and wanted to destroy you, Master would be powerless to stop her.” Uncle Shen spoke while leading him inside.
Shen Wenhe stayed silent.
He knew Old Master Shen did care— if he didn’t, Shen Wenhe probably wouldn’t still be alive.
But care came in degrees. Old Master Shen cared about him, yes, but he also cared about Shen Wenbo and the others.
Compared to Shen Wenbo and the legitimate daughter, his weight in the family simply couldn’t compare.
Of course, he himself was the same. He cared about his father, but how deep that affection truly was… that was hard to say.
“I understand, Uncle Shen. Everyone has left? You’re the only one watching the house?” Shen Wenhe looked at the empty courtyard and felt uneasy.
“Young master understands, that’s good. This is what Master left for you two. Master said that since they probably won’t return from this trip to the capital, keeping the residence serves no purpose—he left it to you. Once I hand over these things, I’ll retire back home. Here is the key to the residence. Please keep it safe.” Uncle Shen handed him a small wooden box and a string of keys.
“You’re going home to retire? Uncle Shen, you…?” Shen Wenhe asked in surprise.
His surprise came from the fact that Uncle Shen had no children.
Uncle Shen used to be Old Master Shen’s personal servant, later married, but had no children. His wife later passed away from unknown reasons, and he never remarried.
He had been Old Master Shen’s trusted aide and eventually became the household steward. Shen Wenhe didn’t understand why Uncle Shen didn’t follow them to the capital this time.
Now hearing that he was retiring, and with no children, who would care for him?
“I met a nephew from my hometown a few months ago on the street. He’s willing to care for me in old age. I’m already old, so I didn’t follow Master to the capital this time. Master was benevolent and returned my deed of servitude. Once I hand over these things, I’ll go to my nephew’s place.” Uncle Shen explained.
Shen Wenhe nodded slowly, finally understanding. But thinking about the current situation outside, he feared Uncle Shen might not have an easy life.
After thinking a moment, he spoke:
“Uncle Shen, where is your nephew from? What’s his family situation? The situation outside isn’t good. Many disaster victims have gathered outside the city. The price of grain has already risen, and it may rise even more. I heard many wells have dried up, and rivers outside the city are dry as well. If you return, please be extra cautious. Just yesterday I saw someone selling their granddaughter.” Shen Wenhe worried the nephew might have ulterior motives— that after taking Uncle Shen’s money, he would throw him out.
In a disaster year, even parents sold their children. A distant nephew with little affection might abandon an elderly man easily.
“Thank you, young master, for the reminder. This old servant understands. I already bought a small house of my own. After returning, I’ll live alone. I’ve also hired an old woman to look after me—no need for young master to worry. I just thought… at my age… if one day I pass, it’d be comforting to have at least a relative nearby.” Uncle Shen said, sounding a bit forlorn.
Since he had already thought things through, Shen Wenhe didn’t say more.
Still, Uncle Shen had served the family for a lifetime. Even though Old Master Shen surely gave him some money, Shen Wenhe felt he should contribute something as well.
He thought for a moment, then went to Bai Nianqing and whispered something.
Bai Nianqing glanced at Uncle Shen, then took out a banknote for one hundred taels.
Shen Wenhe accepted it and brought it to Uncle Shen.
“Uncle Shen, please take this. Once you leave the residence, take good care of yourself. As I said, keep your guard up—this drought is inevitable. If you have silver on hand, prepare more grain and drinking water.”
He couldn’t help but remind him again. He truly feared Uncle Shen would eventually be abandoned.
In a famine year, even one’s own children might abandon their parents. A nephew with distant ties… it was hard to trust.
“I understand, I understand. Then young master, I’ll take my leave.” Uncle Shen, having finished explaining everything, wanted to head back early.
“Alright. How will you get there? Shall I take you by carriage?” Shen Wenhe asked.
“No need, no need. My nephew lives on Tongda Street, not far from here. I already moved my belongings over long ago. I only have two sets of clothes left—walking is fine.” Uncle Shen said.
“Very well. I’ll walk you out. Uncle Shen, the drought signs are emerging—prepare early.” Shen Wenhe reminded once more as he saw him to the gate.
“Aye, I know. Young master, take care. This old servant is leaving.”
Uncle Shen looked one last time at the Shen residence he had spent most of his life in, then hunched his back and walked away.
Shen Wenhe watched until he disappeared from view, sighed, and went back in.
“Uncle Shen left?” Bai Nianqing asked from the gatehouse, her gaze falling onto the small wooden box on the table.