In the main hall of the Shen Family, a group of elders gathered together, all anxiously watching Shen Yan, the young head of the family.
What exactly happened?
The one asking the question was Shen Qingfeng, the previous patriarch of the family and Shen Yan's grandfather. He was one of only two Above First Rank magicians in the Shen Family. Back then, it was he who overruled objections and concentrated resources on his two illegitimate grandsons, which is why Shen Yan has such a status today.
Shen Yan respected this old man even more than his own father, and quickly stood up, saying, "Grandpa, the situation is urgent."
"No matter how urgent the situation, this is something we shouldn't do. We've offended so many families. How are we going to arrange a good marriage for Yu'er now?"
Before Shen Yan could explain, an old man beside him began to reprimand him. Shen Yan frowned and looked over; it was his father, Shen Dongsheng. He didn't have a very pleasant expression towards his father, who was so eager for quick success and instant benefits.
If it weren't for the fact that the old master recognized his talent, he would probably have been tortured to death by the mistress long ago. Sorcerer families value talent more than birth, but what woman doesn't want her own child to rise in rank? If the family values are not upright, it is not uncommon for talented illegitimate sons and daughters to be tortured to death.
Now that he's the head of the family and his son is showing some promise, he has the nerve to boss people around.
Seeing no sign of progress, Shen Dongsheng continued his incessant chatter, " Yu'er is the most outstanding disciple of three generations. The Yin-Yang Academy only releases its list once every five years. Once on the list, even young ladies from ancient families can be approached for marriage. If she can bring some good techniques over, our Shen Family..."
"Alright!" Before Shen Yan could retort, the old master Shen Qingfeng interrupted him, "Let the patriarch finish speaking!"
Shen Dongsheng choked, and seeing Shen Yan's cold gaze, he immediately shrank back.
The old man looked down on him and refused to give him the position of family head, later passing it on directly to his grandson Shen Yan. This has led to him being so subservient to his good-for-nothing son. What kind of person is he?
"Grandpa." Shen Yan, too lazy to pay attention to his good-for-nothing father, bowed and said, "My eldest son Shen Yuan, went to take up a post in Jiangnan two years ago. Do you still remember him, Grandpa?"
"Hmm," the old man nodded, "I was in seclusion at the time. When I came out, I heard that he had already gone to Jiangnan to take up a post. I was actually quite happy, after all, it's not a bad thing for my Shen Family to have a promising scholar. But I never expected that such a thing would happen in Jiangnan."
These words slightly surprised Madam Zheng, who was following behind Shen Yan. The old master... was actually happy for Shen Yuan?
What's there to be happy about in something like that?
A strange sense of irritation rose in Madam Zheng's heart.
"He didn't die; in fact, he seems to have made a great career of himself!"
"What does 'great success' mean?" The group of people were taken aback.
According to Shen Yang's report, outside the post station in Wu'an Town, Shen Yuan got into a fight with the elders of the Huang, An, Yang, and Li families.
"What did you say?" A group of elderly people nearly choked on their tea upon hearing this. They coughed for a while before catching their breath, and then asked in unison with wide eyes.
If a junior were arrogant and ignorant and offended an elder, they would be angry but not lose their composure like this. However, it is clear that the patriarch did not mean that and fought with the elders of the four families.
This isn't just arrogance and ignorance; what gives the four elders the right to fight with a junior?
"And then?" Old Master Shen Qingfeng asked, his eyes wide.
"The elders of the four families were defeated and retreated!"
Everyone: "."
"This... this was said by Shen Yang?" Even the usually composed old man Shen Qingfeng, stammered. He remembered Shen Yang as a rather clever child; how could he utter such nonsense?
"It's not fake!" Shen Yan stepped forward and said, "The news of Shen Yuan's ability to Void Formation Drawing has already spread. If a banquet is held today, I'm afraid those women who are discussing marriage will not come, but elders from various families who have come to investigate!"
" Void Formation Drawing."
The elders' minds were buzzing; it seemed like this was getting more and more absurd.
Is that something a twenty-something-year-old could do?
"But is it related to that Chen Qing from Jiangnan?" After all, the old master had been through a lot and immediately grasped the key point.
Shen Yan nodded, thinking to himself: Sure enough, only the old master of the Shen Family can be consulted.
So he slowly and methodically recounted all the information.
The group listened to the story as if it were a tale, and it took them a long time to recover. Only Shen Qingfeng came to his senses, and his expression became extremely grave.
He finally understood. This good-for-nothing son of the Shen Family, who had been sent to serve as an official in another region, had sided with Chen Qing. This was not a big deal in itself; at worst, the family could simply disown him. But the key point was that Shen Yuan had been given an important position and seemed to have mastered some extraordinary secret technique.
A twenty-year-old can Void Formation Drawing, giving hundreds of soldiers the ability to fly. Such ability would probably make even the most powerful families with a thousand-year history scramble to acquire it!
That kid is now under Chen Qing's control, and no one can touch him, but things are going to be difficult for us.
Some people will surely wonder, how did a child who supposedly had no qualifications suddenly acquire such abilities?
Why did that child happen to take up a post in Jiangnan?
The Shen Family and the Shen Family of Jiangnan have some history. Chen Qing's ability to occupy Jiangnan and have access to the secret intelligence of the Dragon Palace must be closely related to the Shen Family of Jiangnan.
What about the Shen Family in the capital?
Could that be related?
Isn't it a bit too much of a coincidence?
Upon realizing this, Old Master Shen immediately stood up and said, "Close the doors to all visitors. Send someone to the Yin-Yang Academy immediately to bring the Shen Family members back. They shouldn't go to the academy for the next few days."
"Grandpa, what is this?" a group of people asked, bewildered.
Old Master Shen ignored them and looked at Shen Yan instead. "You did the right thing, but don't worry too much. Shen Yuan is still with Chen Qing. As long as he doesn't come back, the turmoil here won't be as big as you think. Our family has the merit of supporting the emperor. In a few days, go to court to check on the situation and explain it to everyone."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yan gave a wry smile, "I'm afraid it won't be as the old master wishes."
"Huh?" Shen Qingfeng was taken aback, then his expression changed. "You mean..."
"Yes," Shen Yan nodded with a wry smile and presented a letter sent via telegram.
"I have been serving in another province for two years, and due to the fog over Jiangnan, I have been unable to return home to pay respects to my ancestors. Despite all the reasons, it is ultimately my fault for being unfilial. Now that the fog has cleared, I will definitely return to the capital before the Double Ninth Festival. I hope my father will forgive me."
The old man's hand trembled as if he had been electrocuted when he read the last letter, and the letter fell to the ground.
"Grandpa, what is this?" The people around looked at the envelope with curiosity.
Shen Qingfeng ignored them and stared intently at Shen Yan: "Before the Double Ninth Festival? Tomorrow is the Double Ninth Festival, when did this letter arrive?"
"It arrived three days ago." Shen Yan's bitter smile deepened. He glanced at his wife behind him, who was bowing her head and not daring to speak, and took the blame upon himself. "Because I didn't value my eldest son, I never paid attention to his letters home. The housekeeper just subconsciously put them in Shen Yuan's own room."
Shen Qingfeng: "."
Seeing the old man's ashen face, Shen Yan knew that the old man must be furious. Not to mention him, he himself almost died of anger when he heard the steward say that Shen Yuan had received a letter from home three days ago.
"So that means it will arrive today?"
"Yes"
No wonder.
Old Master Shen slumped weakly into a chair. No wonder Shen Yan preferred to offend those powerful families rather than entertain guests. If he were to hold a banquet, it would likely attract more than just those friendly families. And once they arrived, it would be difficult to send them away!
But in this situation, would closing the door to visitors be of any use?
" Steward Zhou, what's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"
Outside the Yin-Yang Academy, Shen Yu, who had just gotten into the sedan chair, frowned and asked.
He'd just passed his exams and was feeling quite pleased with himself; some classmates had even made plans to drink together that evening. Why was he in such a hurry to take him home? He had classes that afternoon.
"Young Master, something has happened at home. Please don't say anything, just come back with us."
"Something happened?" Shen Yu was taken aback. "What happened?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he was shocked to find that the entire area around the academy had fallen silent. Everyone around him, from his classmates to the teachers, had stopped and were staring at him, making him feel a chill run down his spine!
I didn't get this much attention when I posted the list this morning, what's going on?
He could now sense that the housekeeper wasn't lying to him; something serious had probably really happened at home.
"Young Master, please enter the sedan chair first," Steward Zhou said in a low voice, his face grim as he glanced around.
Even in broad daylight, these people still dared not act recklessly. The patriarch's decision to bring back the Shen Family members was indeed the right one. This information had probably already spread, and everyone was keeping an eye on the Shen Family family members. If they were allowed to stay at the academy for one night, something might happen.
"Please take care, butler!"
Just as the butler was about to leave, a middle-aged man in white, who looked to be no more than thirty years old, walked over with a smile.
"Greetings, Mr. Fang!" Steward Zhou was in charge of the Shen Family's etiquette and reception, so he naturally recognized the important figures of each family. The person in front of him was the fourth master of the Fang Family, who was also a newly promoted teacher at the academy!
"This student's class isn't over yet, where is the housekeeper taking these students?"
Steward Zhou's heart sank, but he still forced a smile and said, "There are some things to take care of at home, young master, you need to go back as soon as possible."
"Is it about the family banquet?" The fourth master of the Fang Family said with a smile, "Oh dear, speaking of which, I am one of Shen Yu's teachers. It's really disheartening that they didn't send me, their teacher, an invitation to the celebration banquet."
"Sir, you jest." Steward Zhou grew increasingly uneasy. "If you would do me the honor of joining us, the Shen Family would certainly welcome you with open arms, but today..."
"Since the steward has said so, then I, Fang, will be so shameless as to accept." He then looked at Shen Yu in the sedan chair and asked, "Won't I be kicked out if I go to the banquet without an invitation?"
Shen Yu quickly stepped out of the sedan chair. "Sir, you flatter me. It would be my honor if you would grace us with your presence!"
Steward Zhou's eyes widened, wanting to speak in rebuttal, but he was immediately horrified to find that he couldn't utter a word!
"Hmm, quite a handsome young man," Fourth Master Fang chuckled. "To be on the list at such a young age, he has a promising future. My daughter is getting on in years, Shen Yu, would you be willing to meet her?"
Shen Yu was taken aback at first, then overjoyed. "I'll leave it to you, sir!"
The Fang Family, a thousand-year-old family that could easily rank among the top ten in the capital, and the daughter of Fourth Master Fang. Does he remember that Fourth Master Fang only had one direct descendant daughter?
She actually took a liking to me?
This morning I was added to the list, and by noon I received an offer from the Fang Family. What a lucky day!
Two updates in a row, more coming later, but it'll be very late, haha.