Chapter 13: Shen Family

The Shen Mansion was massive, even larger than Shen Qingci remembered.

Winding corridors and deep courtyards stretched out before her, adorned with rockeries and flowing water at every turn. The parrot resting beneath the eaves was the same one she had raised before her marriage. Seeing someone approach, it tilted its head and squawked.

"The Eldest Miss has returned!"

Watching this familiar scene, Shen Qingci felt a stinging at the corners of her eyes, but she quickly suppressed the emotion.

The maids and older servant women around her were all smiling, their mouths full of joyous chatter. They said things like how the Miss had finally returned, how dearly the family had missed her, and how handsome the young master was. However, what made Shen Qingci somewhat suspicious was that whenever these servants fell silent, their expressions briefly revealed anxiety and distraction.

Keeping this observation to herself, she maintained a composed facade and simply smiled as she replied to them.

An older servant woman led the way, guiding her through the festooned gate, past the spirit wall, and all the way to the main hall.

The doors to the main hall were left slightly ajar. Pushing them open, the guide whispered, "Mr. Shen, Mrs. Shen, the Eldest Miss has returned."

Shen Qingci stepped over the threshold and immediately saw Mr. Shen seated at the head of the room. He was in his early fifties now, with white hair visible at his temples and wrinkles much deeper than they had been in previous years. Yet, his posture remained as straight as ever, sitting there like an old pine tree.

Mrs. Shen sat beside him. She had lost quite a bit of weight compared to what Shen Qingci remembered, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes had multiplied.

Standing perfectly still, Shen Qingci called out softly, "Dad. Mom."

The hand Mr. Shen used to hold his teacup trembled slightly. He looked up at his daughter and remained silent for a moment before whispering, "You've suffered."

Mrs. Shen's reaction was far more direct. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes. She stood up and stumbled forward, pulling her daughter into a tight embrace and crying until she was out of breath.

"My child, my child... you've finally come back..."

Shen Qingci wept as well. She had held it in throughout the entire journey, not shedding a single tear. But now, held tightly in her mother's arms, all her pent-up grievances burst forth like a breached dam, entirely uncontrollable.

The mother and daughter embraced and cried bitterly for a long time before Mr. Shen finally spoke up.

"All right, what is there to cry about? Our daughter coming home is a joyous occasion. Don't frighten the child."

Mrs. Shen finally stopped her tears and took the swaddled baby from a maid. The child inside was looking around with big, dark eyes, neither crying nor fussing. Seeing her grandson, Mrs. Shen almost burst into tears again.

Mr. Shen also walked over. He stared down at the baby for a long time before reaching out to gently touch the little one's cheek, a faint smile finally appearing at the corners of his mouth.

Watching this, Shen Qingci felt a slight sense of relief.

A maid served tea, and the family took their seats. Mrs. Shen held her grandson tightly, refusing to let go, while Mr. Shen slowly sipped from his teacup.

Shen Qingci took a sip of hot tea to steady her nerves. Suddenly remembering something, her smile gradually faded.

"Dad."

"Hmm?"

"Has something happened at home?"

Mr. Shen stiffened slightly before quickly returning to normal. He glanced at his daughter and said calmly, "It's just a minor matter. You don't need to worry about it."

"Dad... is there something you can't tell your own daughter?" Shen Qingci shook her head with a bitter smile.

Mr. Shen's expression remained unchanged. He simply set down his teacup and said slowly, "I will handle these matters myself."

"Dad!"

"Enough." Mr. Shen's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable firmness. He stood up and walked over to the window with his hands behind his back. Facing away from his daughter, he spoke slowly.

"Since you have returned, just settle in and live here in peace.

"As for the grievances you suffered in the Liu family, I will arrange for someone to accompany you back there to clean up those filthy scoundrels once and for all.

"What those people owe the Liu family, and what they owe you, will be paid back tenfold."

Without looking at Shen Qingci, his tone grew much colder and harder. "I am a bit tired. Go and rest for now."

Shen Qingci opened her mouth to speak, but saw her mother frantically winking at her from the side. Ultimately, she stood up, took the baby from her mother's arms, excused herself, and turned to leave the main hall.

The doors closed behind her. Shen Qingci stood under the winding corridor, holding her child, her chest feeling overwhelmingly tight.

A maid came forward with her eyes lowered respectfully. "Eldest Miss, your courtyard has been prepared. Please allow me to lead the way."

Shen Qingci glanced back at the tightly shut doors, a deep sense of unease rising in her heart.

Inside the main hall, the moment the doors closed, the forced smile on Mrs. Shen's face instantly collapsed. She turned around and stared straight at Mr. Shen's back, her chest heaving violently.

"You can hide it for now, but do you think you can hide it forever?!"

Mr. Shen continued to gaze out the window. Out in the courtyard stood an old plum tree; its blooming season was still far off, and its gnarled branches looked as hard as iron.

"The girl has always been stubborn since she was young. She has suffered so much at her in-laws' home; let her get some proper rest."

"Qingci can rest, but what about Zheng'er?" Mrs. Shen said angrily. "Are you going to drag our entire family into the fire just for the sake of your rotten rules?"

Mr. Shen closed his eyes and remained silent.

"Say something!" Mrs. Shen took a few steps forward and grabbed his sleeve.

Mr. Shen slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calm and indifferent. "The Old Manor Master showed me immense kindness. This debt of gratitude must be repaid!"

"If you want to repay him, then do it! But why must you implicate our whole family? Zheng'er was taken away by that blasted Eldest Young Master, and who knows how he's being treated!" Mrs. Shen's voice suddenly dropped, carrying a pleading tone. "We've already helped them enough. What would happen if you just told him the information? Why must you hold out to the bitter end?"

A flash of impatience crossed Mr. Shen's face, but he forced his tone down to explain. "It's impossible to explain this to a woman like you. But don't worry, Zheng'er will be fine. Everything will be resolved."

The night in Qingzhou City remained as bustling as ever.

As evening fell, red lanterns lit up one after another along the streets, illuminating the long avenue until it was as bright as day. Wonton vendors knocked on their bamboo clappers, sugar-figure makers spun their rattle drums, and flower girls carrying bamboo baskets wove through the dense crowds. Up in the brothels, girls leaned against the railings and tossed their silk handkerchiefs down. Whenever one landed on a young nobleman, a chorus of laughter would follow.

Lin Yan led his ox cart through the lively scene, navigating the streets like a fish gliding through a coral reef.

He had quite a lot of money on him now. Aside from what Shen Qingci had given him, he also had Duan Laoqi's chest of valuables. However, to avoid unnecessary trouble, Lin Yan didn't go to any establishments that looked blatantly expensive.

Instead, he found a modest, run-of-the-mill inn in South City. He booked a room and tossed the inn worker a few copper coins to bring up a tub of hot water.

When the hot water arrived, the worker eagerly asked if he wanted a girl to massage his shoulders and pound his legs. He even added that for a little extra money, he could do whatever he wanted. The man flashed a highly sleazy smile as he said this.

Lin Yan decisively shook his head and refused.

Once the door closed, the outside clamor instantly faded away. He took off his clothes and folded them neatly to the side. During his recent travels, the garment had suffered numerous tears and was now completely unwearable. He planned to buy a new one the next day.

Stepping into the bathing tub, the hot water rose over his shoulders, sending up a thick cloud of white steam.

He closed his eyes, feeling the heat of the water slowly seep through his skin, into his muscles, and down to the very bones that had just been tempered by the Vajra Invulnerability Divine Skill.

The burning current from his cultivation had long since dissipated, but something residual within his body was continuing to transform. He couldn't articulate exactly what it was; he only felt that his senses were several times sharper than before.

Even the hushed conversations of people downstairs in the inn reached his ears with absolute clarity. His vision had also been vastly enhanced. Even in the dead of night, for Lin Yan, it was still as clear as day.