Chapter 24: Time to Take It Back

Yu Chenyu’s gaze swept across the room.

Toward this elder of the residence, there was not the slightest trace of respect. Her eyes grew sharp at that moment.

“Zhou’er is a piece of flesh that fell from my body. The reason he turned out like this over the years—you and everyone else in this residence know it perfectly well in your hearts.”

“And now, all of you want to play the good people? You think it was because I spoiled him that he became what he is?” she said coldly.

Shen Zhigao was momentarily at a loss for words.

Why Shen Yanzhou had turned into such a wastrel was something every elder in the mansion knew deep down. Yet many truths could not be spoken aloud—for the matter of that year must be made to look like an “accident.”

Otherwise, it would never pass before the one sitting in the imperial hall.

“You can speak with Jingxiao about this.”

He gave a cold snort and said no more, then took out from his robe a palm-sized jade talisman shaped like a crystalline prism.

The surface of the jade talisman shimmered with light, faint runes rippling and flowing across it.

With a low hum, a hazy radiance projected outward, casting an image in midair.

Within that indistinct glow, a scene gradually became clear.

“Chenyu, there’s no need to take your anger out on Third Uncle.”

A warm voice came from the other side of the light curtain.

That voice carried an inexplicable power—capable of soothing agitation, calming the heart, and settling everything into peace.

Within the light and shadow appeared a middle-aged man dressed in elegant brocade robes. His face wore a gentle smile; his bearing was scholarly and refined—nothing like a battle-hardened general, but more like a learned scholar of great erudition.

Only his temples showed a hint of gray. He held a cup of fragrant tea, sipping it leisurely.

His hands were peculiar—each finger white and flawless like jade, unstained by dust, as though they possessed boundless strength, capable of overturning heaven and earth with ease.

“Shen Jingxiao, are you going to play the good man as well?”

Yu Chenyu glanced lightly at the light curtain and asked indifferently.

“Chenyu, you are exceptionally perceptive. There’s no need for me to say much; you must already understand many things. As for this marriage alliance—since you could guess it, why use it to provoke me?”

Standing beyond the southern borders, the Demon Suppression King Shen Jingxiao smiled faintly through the projection.

Yu Chenyu replied neither agreeing nor denying, “So you’re blaming me?”

“How could I blame you? This matter, though not great, is not trivial either. The Divine Martial Marquis is my dear friend; his daughter, Zhao Qingchan, is a rare talent of both grace and ability—an extraordinary woman in all under heaven. Her marriage to Yanzhou is a fine match.”

“I know you think I rarely stayed by Yanzhou’s side, neglecting his upbringing and letting his temperament grow arrogant and unrestrained—but my love for him is no less than yours.”

“Zhao Qingchan is a woman even the Crown Prince covets. Without my discussion with the Marquis of Divine Might, how else could Yanzhou have such a fine wife?”

“This marriage is, in truth, a compensation for what I owe him over the years,” Shen Jingxiao sighed softly.

Yu Chenyu sneered inwardly.

How could she not see through the hidden meaning in Shen Jingxiao’s words?

“Those words—you can say them to Zhou’er yourself.” Her tone remained calm.

Shen Jingxiao did not pursue the topic further.

Although the news of the betrothal had spread early, stirring up waves in the imperial capital, to him it was nothing worth mentioning, and it would not affect his plans.

“Chenyu, I believe the elders of the residence have told you—take some time to meet Shen Tian.”

“I think you’ll like this child more. He’s steady, outstanding, kind and well-mannered; in both talent and temperament, he far surpasses ordinary men.” Shen Jingxiao smiled, a trace of warmth in his eyes.

He knew Yu Chenyu was sharp as ice and snow, driven by affection and intuition, and that she had already deduced many truths from the scattered clues.

That was why, lately, she had arranged for her personal maid Chunchao to stay beside Shen Yanzhou—to secretly protect him.

But in the end, Shen Yanzhou was not her true-born son.

There was no blood relation between them.

When her real, blood-related child stood before her, she would naturally understand that true feeling of blood kinship.

Shen Yanzhou… was merely the son of some unknown courtesan who should have drowned at the corner of Smoke Willow Alley.

How could such a one be fit to call himself the son of the Demon Suppression King?

All the wealth, glory, fine food, and lavish honors he had enjoyed over these years—it was time to take them all back.

At the Yuxian Pavilion, in the riverside upper chamber as before, the inner hall beyond the lifted curtain held a table full of food and wine, bamboo mats spread across the floor.

Shen Yanzhou sat with women on both sides, the scent of cosmetics thick around him.

The ones attending him were the same two from that night—one voluptuous and graceful, called Qiutang; the other cool and alluring, stage-named Ruanyu.

Several other young maidens of spring-like charm stood nearby.

Some peeled fruit for him, some poured wine, others kneaded his shoulders or beat his legs.

The bolder ones even tugged down their collars, exposing smooth pale skin and the swell of their chests—shimmering like polished jade under candlelight.

Outside, Chunchao stood quietly with her sword, leaning lightly against the pavilion’s railing.

From inside came Shen Yanzhou’s laughter and the girls’ coquettish giggles, making her face flush faintly red.

“Indulging in lust in broad daylight… shameless…”

Her small face grew hotter as she scolded softly in her heart.

Negative emotions from Chunchao +3 +3 +3 +3…

“Is the Young Lord Shen inside?”

Just as Chunchao was lost in thought, a slightly hoarse voice spoke up. Looking up, she saw the plain-robed ugly woman from that night approaching with a tray of tea, her head bowed.

Knowing the woman’s true identity, Chunchao did not dare slight her. Her brows knitted slightly as she prepared to answer.

But at that moment, the laughter inside stopped, and Shen Yanzhou’s smooth, magnetic voice called out, “Chunchao, let her in.”

“How did he know Miss Xiuer was coming?”

Chunchao was slightly startled, instinctively stepping aside to open the door.

The plain-robed woman, Chu Xiuer, lowered her head and entered. Shen Yanzhou waved a hand, signaling the courtesans to leave.

Only then did he slowly tidy his slightly disheveled hair and robe, his manner composed and noble, a faint smile on his refined face.

“Miss Xiuer, please sit. Did your lady send you to find me?”

Shen Yanzhou had long guessed her purpose and asked bluntly.

“Yes.”

Chu Xiuer was taken aback, feeling that Shen Yanzhou’s smiling eyes seemed to see right through her.

It made her unconsciously tighten her plain robe, feeling a little uneasy.

“The fire at Tianji Studio in Wufan Market last night—was it related to your lady?” Shen Yanzhou asked again, his tone utterly certain.

Chu Xiuer instinctively nodded, secretly marveling—how could he be so perceptive?

No wonder her mistress always spoke of him with an odd trace of admiration.

“So, you came because your lady wishes to discuss continuing our cooperation?” Shen Yanzhou smiled. Everything was exactly as he expected.

And conveniently, he also needed to make use of Fu Yuying, that particular chess piece.

“Clever men are so annoying.”

Chu Xiuer pouted slightly.

Negative emotions from Chu Xiuer +4 +5 +5 +5.

“……”

These inexplicable negative emotions—were they because of envy… or jealousy?

Shen Yanzhou didn’t care.

He only wished everyone in the world would provide him with negative emotions.

“My lady asks Young Lord Shen to meet at the old place tonight at midnight. She knows you surely have the same thought and sent me here to pass the message,” said Chu Xiuer.

“That’s perfectly fine.”

Shen Yanzhou smiled.

He had always liked dealing with smart people.

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