Rebirth of Poisoned Empress, by 颜若优雅

Chapter 76

Lu Yang originally didn't want to involve herself in this matter at first, but with Shen Jing's pointed look, she opened her mouth as well: "Isn't it just an abandoned child. Why are you treating it like a priceless treasure. Is it worth it to sacrifice the latter half of your life for him?"

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law group of three each had their own methods of persuasion, all attempting to achieve the same means through different routes. Shen Ruiting, who sat by the side, looked at the three of them and then looked at Shen Liang. Afterwards, he closed his eyes and simply ignored them.

"I thank Grandmother and second and third aunt for your concerns," after a brief moment of silence, Shen Liang stood up and bowed. He then continued after seating himself again: "If the so called husband's family will disdain me because I adopted a child, then they are not worthy of being my husband's family. Allow me to say something blunt that may come to offend my elders here today. Since the day I was born, the only relative who have given me warmth was my elder brother. But now, for the Qing empire and the thousands of civilians he strives to protect, he is fighting with his life at the border against vicious enemies. How could he possibly have the time and energy to worry about his younger brother? Although You'er is not my child, he is the only person in the Marquis Donglin Manor who has given me the same kind of warmth. In my heart, he is no different from a child I birth myself. Please do not let me hear the words 'abandoned child' ever again," his meaning and intentions had been clearly voiced. 

What they refuse to give him, Shen Liang will no longer insist on nor enforce them to give him. But similarly, they cannot stop him from seeking warmth from another person.

Shen Liang's words were spoken far too bluntly. No one present was a fool. Their expressions immediately seemed unnatural. In this matter, they indeed had qualification to defend for themselves. After all, he had only just returned from the countryside.

"Fifth brother is..." Shen Qiang who had suffered through enough of the strange gazes thrown her away suddenly wanted to refute, but Shen Ruiting threw her a warning look, immediately frightening her to the point her face paled. She had no choice but to swallow down the rest of her words.

Seeing this, Shen Xiao quietly tugged on her sleeves, signaling for her to not cause any more trouble. Today, they were only here to watch the second and third family's performances.

"What does seventh sister want to say?" calmly adjusting his sleeves, Shen Liang looked up. His gaze was sufficient to freeze water three meters deep. Shen Qiang was immediately frightened and lowered her head again subconsciously. When he regained her senses and looked up again, Shen Liang was no longer paying her any attention anymore, leaving her feeling more annoyed and uncomfortable. The handkerchief in her hands were about to be torn apart.

"Forget about it. Forget about it. Since you are adamant about raising that child, then just raise him. Just take it as this old one caring too much," seeing that they held no advantage, the old madame threw Shen Liang's hand away. She was clearly not happy. 

After Shen Qiang, Shen Liang was the second person to receive Shen Ruiting's glare, but contrary to Shen Qiang's fear, Shen Liang met his gaze evenly on. He even gave Shen Ruiting a generous, bright smile, which instantly made Shen Ruiting's face stiffen. His heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys all seem to be suffering from an immense ache suddenly.

"Mother, Xiao Wu is benevolent and compassionate. He's doing a good deed. The people outside won't speak nonsense about it," unexpectedly, Zhao Lan took the initiative to speak up for Shen Liang. Shen Liang raised his head to look at her. He then looked at Shen Qiao who sat behind the husband-wife pair. A light of understanding dawned in his eyes. It seems like their purpose and intent today weren't the child. There should another matter awaiting him.