Time Is Slow - Chapter 27

Shao Mingyuan remained kneeling. His biological mother’s harsh words did not cause a change in his expression. 

With his head slightly lowered, he said, “It is my fault.”

Madam Shen couldn’t stand his demeanor. She slammed the teacup onto the high table beside her and said coldly, “Go change your clothes before coming to see me again!”

“Yes.” Shao Mingyuan rose and left calmly.

Marquis Jing’an’s expression darkened. In front of his eldest son and daughter-in-law, he didn’t want to embarrass Madam Shen, but he also felt his heart ache for his second son being treated this way. 

He coughed heavily and asked his daughter-in-law, Wang Shi, “Is the meal ready?”

Wang Shi quickly replied, “Please rest assured, Father. I have already made arrangements according to the customary feast for special occasions.”

Madam Shen snorted. 

“It’s neither a festival nor a celebration, so why follow those customs? No matter how capable he is, he is still just the second young master of this household. Does he think he can overturn the heavens?”

Wang Shi couldn’t find any words to respond, so she remained silent.

Marquis Jing’an finally couldn’t hold back.

“Madam, that’s enough! Erlang has just returned after much difficulty. Do you have to speak like this?”

Madam Shen immediately raised her voice. 

“What do you mean by ‘like this’? Tell me, Marquis, how am I speaking? What, now that Erlang has been granted a marquis title, does that mean the Marquis Jing’an Manor can no longer accommodate him? I can’t even speak anymore?”

Marquis Jing’an wanted to get angry, but something crossed his mind, and he suppressed his temper. Instead, he glared at his eldest son, Shao Jingyuan. 

“Go find your third brother immediately! Doesn’t he know his second brother has returned?”

Shao Jingyuan lowered his eyes. 

“I’ll go right away.”

Wang Shi watched this scene, feeling both heartache and frustration.

Her father-in-law was always like this. He couldn’t do anything about her mother-in-law’s dislike of Shao Mingyuan, so he took out his frustration on his eldest son instead.

For a moment, the room fell silent.

Shao Mingyuan’s return should have been a joyous occasion, yet each person in the Marquis Jing’an Manor harbored their own thoughts, creating an oddly tense atmosphere.

Footsteps sounded as Shao Mingyuan, who was now dressed in casual home attire, came back into the room.

He wore a plain white robe, devoid of any ornamentation except for a black jade pendant at his waist, which only accentuated the cold sharpness of his features.

Madam Shen was furious. 

A teacup flew toward him, shattering at his feet.

“You unfilial son! Are you wishing for my early death through dressing like this?”

Shao Mingyuan gazed at his enraged mother and sighed inwardly before explaining.

“Mother, you may have forgotten something. I am mourning for my wife.”

The room instantly fell silent.

At the founding of the Great Liang dynasty, there had been a tradition for a widowed husband to observe a year of mourning for his deceased wife. However, over the years, this rule had become a mere formality. Few men truly adhered to it. Instead, the unspoken rule among many was that the death of a wife often signaled an opportunity for career advancement and wealth.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from outside, and a young boy burst into the room.

The boy, around fourteen or fifteen years old, had delicate features. However, at this moment, his face was twisted with fury.

The instant he saw Shao Mingyuan standing in the center, he rushed forward and threw a punch while cursing. 

“Bastard! You killed Second Sister-in-law, and you still have the nerve to come back!”

The boy was none other than Shao Mingyuan’s youngest brother, Shao Xiyuan.

To Shao Mingyuan, his brother’s attack was as harmless as a toddler’s clumsy step.

He easily caught Shao Xiyuan’s wrist. His deep black eyes remained unreadable as he said flatly, “It is not your place to lecture me on whether I am a bastard or not.”

With a slight exertion of strength, he pushed Shao Xiyuan away. The boy stumbled and had to grab a pillar for support.

Madam Shen’s expression changed instantly. 

“Shao Mingyuan, how dare you lay a hand on your younger brother?”

She rushed over to support Shao Xiyuan, checking him over anxiously. 

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No!” Shao Xiyuan glared stubbornly at Shao Mingyuan.

Shao Mingyuan ignored him and turned to Marquis Jing’an. 

“Father, I met with His Majesty today and requested leave for a year.”

“A year-long leave?” Marquis Jing’an was surprised.

Shao Jingyuan was even more shocked, staring at his younger brother in disbelief.

Everyone knew that Shao Mingyuan was in a position of great favor at court. If he took advantage of his recent military victories through appearing frequently before the emperor, he was certain to rise even higher in rank and influence.

Yet he had chosen to take a year off… just to mourn his wife?

Shao Jingyuan looked at his brother, finding him more incomprehensible than ever.

“This is good,” Marquis Jing’an unexpectedly accepted the news quickly.

Shao Mingyuan continued, and for the first time, his composed expression wavered. 

“The coffin of Lady Qiao will arrive in the capital in a few days, along with the coffins of the fallen soldiers. I will leave the city tomorrow to receive her. After her funeral and burial, I plan to go to Jiafeng to beg for forgiveness from my in-laws.”

“The person is already dead. What’s the use of seeking forgiveness now? What, do you think they’ll kill you too?” Shao Xiyuan retorted, though his voice weakened.

Second Sister-in-law was such a good person, yet Second Brother actually had the heart to kill her. It was truly unforgivable!

Yes, he must not waver.  He would never forgive him!

Shao Mingyuan cast a calm glance at Shao Xiyuan and said in a deep voice, “If they wish to take my life, I would not hesitate to give it.”

After speaking, he turned to the Jing’an Marquis and Madam Shen and bowed. 

“Father, Mother, I would like to go rest for a while.”

He stepped out the door, and the two guards waiting outside immediately approached.

 “General.”

“Shaozhi, go inquire tomorrow about when the Champion Marquis Manor will be ready for move-in,” Shao Mingyuan instructed one of them.

Shaozhi was momentarily stunned but quickly responded.

“Yes, master.”

“Shaoliang, investigate the situation regarding the rebellion as soon as possible and report back.”

Shaoliang straightened and replied solemnly, “Understood!”

Facing his trusted men, who had accompanied him through life and death, Shao Mingyuan’s expression softened. He gave a slight nod and said, “Go have a drink. You don’t need to follow me tonight.”

Then, turning on his heel, he strode away.

Shaozhi and Shaoliang watched his figure disappear into the garden before finally walking off together.

The two of them had grown up alongside Shao Mingyuan. After years of battle, they had earned the title of generals themselves. They were now holding fifth-rank military positions.

After walking some distance, Shaoliang couldn’t help but grumble, “Why does the Marchioness dislike our general so much? I remember when we were kids, it was obviously the heir who was mischievous and got into trouble, yet the Marchioness beat our general’s back black and blue. It was my mother who applied medicine for him.”

“Who knows?” Shaozhi sighed and shook his head. 

“Not all fingers on a hand are the same length. Favoritism from parents is normal. At the very least, the Marquis treats him well.”

“I just don’t get it. Our general is outstanding in every way, yet no matter how poorly the Marchioness treats him, he never shows a trace of resentment.” Shaoliang suddenly lowered his voice and muttered. 

“Ahem, do you think the Marchioness might be blind?”

Shaozhi punched him lightly. 

“Watch what you say. If someone hears, it’ll put the general in a difficult position.”

“Yeah, yeah. But at least once the Champion Marquis Manor is renovated, we can move there. Then the general won’t have to endure this anymore.”

The two walked off together, their voices fading into the distance.

Shao Mingyuan returned to his residence, pushed the door open, and stepped inside. He stood in the courtyard and looked around. The surroundings felt unfamiliar.

He used to live in the front courtyard. However, after years of military campaigns, he rarely returned to the Marquis Jing’an Manor. This residence had been arranged for his wedding, and this was only the second time he had set foot in it.

The courtyard remained neat and well-kept, clearly maintained by someone. Yet, without its true owner, it felt lifeless.

Shao Mingyuan walked over to a corner of the yard, where he saw a cluster of lush green mint leaves.