High-class maid

Chapter 278 Unexpected Wealth

"Push it out."

After a long while, an old voice came from behind the door. Shen Kun felt as if time had stood still. He stared at the door, wanting to see what his grandfather looked like.

The housekeeper bowed to him, then eagerly opened the door. Shen Kun could only vaguely see a person sitting in a wheelchair; he couldn't see anything else.

With a deep, resonant sound, an elderly man with a full head of white hair was pushed out. His eyes welled up with tears the moment he saw Shen Kun.

"So alike, so very alike! It's obviously my Zi'er's child!" Master Hou said excitedly.

"Master, the doctor said you shouldn't get emotionally agitated," the steward reminded him gently, feigning reproach.

"Yes, yes, I was just too happy. Child, sit down." Master Hou wiped his eyes, then pointed to the stool opposite him, gesturing for Shen Kun to sit down.

Shen Kun forced back the tears welling up in his eyes and sat down under his earnest gaze.

Whether it was his imagination or not, as soon as he sat down, the master and servant opposite him breathed a sigh of relief.

"Child, when did you learn the truth?" Master Hou asked cautiously.

"I found out six months ago." Shen Kun looked at the old man in front of him. Was he his grandfather? Did his mother resemble him?

"So you already knew. No wonder you weren't surprised by the congratulatory gift that day," said Master Hou.

When he learned that Shen Kun's daughter had opened a shop, he pondered what gift to send as a congratulatory present. After much deliberation, he finally decided on that gift, hoping to slowly get to know Shen Kun again. However, he waited and waited, but Shen Kun did not request an audience. Recently, feeling that his days were numbered, he had no choice but to send someone to find Shen Kun.

"I just want to live a simple, ordinary life with my wife and daughter," Shen Kun said with a wry smile.

"My child, the Emperor is about to bestow a marriage upon Xing'er and Scholar Song. Life won't be peaceful at all!" Master Hou said earnestly.

"How did you find out? Did you send someone to follow me?" Shen Kun asked in surprise.

At this time, not many people knew about it. Even I, who have been busy these past few days, almost forgot about the bestowal of marriage. How did Lord Hou, who rarely goes out, find out about it?

"No, no, this is no secret in the capital. People with connections have known about it for a long time. Otherwise, why do you think Jinxiufang's business is getting better and better? Everyone is just joining in the fun."

Master Hou hurriedly waved his hand to explain, fearing that Shen Kun might misunderstand that he had been following him.

"How I live my life from now on is up to my own destiny. I'll just take it one step at a time. Thinking too much will only ruin every step I take," Shen Kun said.

"Yes, I have no right to interfere. Now that my time is almost up, I just want to recognize my grandson so that I can face your mother when I go to the underworld," Master Hou said sadly.

Mentioning his mother brought tears to Shen Kun's eyes, but he stubbornly remained silent.

“The bond between us, father and daughter, is too shallow, and the bond between you and your son is even shallower. I have failed to take good care of Zi’er’s only son, causing him to suffer so many years of injustice. I have let you both down!”

After saying this, Master Hou could no longer hold back and burst into tears, burying his face in his hands.

Shen Kun could no longer remain stubborn and started crying too.

The housekeeper was also affected by the sad atmosphere and secretly wiped her eyes from behind.

"I came to see you not to be a burden to you, but simply to make amends," Master Hou finally revealed his purpose.

"Make amends? You don't owe me anything. Treating me like a stranger is the best outcome." Shen Kun still refused to forgive him, recalling his tragic childhood.

"No, I won't be at peace if I don't make amends to you in some way. I don't ask for your forgiveness, I just want to be able to put my mind at ease." As he spoke, Master Hou's tone became somewhat pleading.

“Young Master, Master has been unable to eat or sleep well since learning of your identity. He made many arrangements to be able to see you today. He dares not hope for your forgiveness, much less expect you to support him in his old age. Would you please give Master a chance to make amends?” Butler Cai interjected.

"To tell you the truth, I've had chest tightness and shortness of breath since the year before last. I always felt like I couldn't breathe properly. I always thought it was because I was getting old, but later I found out that my godson thought I was living too long and secretly poisoned me!"

"But he has replaced all the people in the Marquis's mansion. Now I only have Lao Cai as my confidant. If it weren't for Lao Cai's help, he would have found out the truth long ago."

Seeing that Shen Kun didn't speak, Master Hou continued talking about his own affairs.

"The Marquis's residence has opened six medical clinics and one medicine warehouse in the capital. It has opened four medical clinics in Tokyo, four each in Lin'an and Jinling, and one medicine warehouse in Luoyi."

"Bai Mo has taken over the six medical clinics in the capital, but he hasn't taken over the remaining twelve. He's wary of the medicine warehouse I have, which is why he hasn't completely wiped me out. He pretends to be a loving father and son with me every day, but little does he know that I've already seen through his true colors."

Master Hou chuckled self-deprecatingly. He had taken pity on Bai Mo, who was an orphan, and the boy was perceptive. Gradually, he became his right-hand man. Later, at a dinner party, a group of cronies dragged him to become their adopted son, and Bai Mo embarked on his path to a better life.

But it wasn't until two years ago that he learned that Bai Mo's biological parents were actually the managers of the largest clinic in his family's capital! He wasn't an orphan; it was all just a means to get close to him!

Ha, how ridiculous! I treated him like my own son, but he treated me like a sucker! It was bad enough that he swindled me out of my money, but now he wants to take my life!

He only regretted that his time was coming to an end and he could not take revenge himself.

"I no longer expect you to avenge me. This is just my retribution. You don't need to get involved in the businesses in the capital. While I'm still alive, let Lao Cai show you around the remaining businesses. From now on, you will be the new owner of Nanshan Hall."

"That's what Master Hou said."

His clinic is called Nanshan Hall, the same name Zi'er gave him back then.

Zi'er said: Nanshan symbolizes health and longevity, and she hopes that all her patients can be healthy and live as long as Nanshan.

"I'm just a lackey of the Minister's mansion, and all I want now is a peaceful life. Doing business is not my forte," Shen Kun politely declined.

Although he had already sensed the sincerity of Master Hou, he was still somewhat resistant to accepting such immense wealth. As the saying goes, one should not accept a reward without merit, so how could he accept it with peace of mind?

“You are my grandson, you have my genes in you! How come you can’t do business? Besides, you don’t need to do it yourself, you just need to manage your subordinates.” Master Hou’s stubborn temper flared up again.

"Child, take this. Here are the addresses. Tomorrow, I'll have Lao Cai show you each shop one by one." Master Hou softened his tone and then took a stack of documents out of his sleeve.

Clearly, he had made ample preparations for this trip.