The once benevolent Shen Qingshan was no more; today, the Patriarch Shen was of utmost authority.

Faced with such questioning, Madam Xie's face stiffened, her lips parted slightly, but she didn't know how to defend herself.

Her two sons were truly worrisome; hearing the Patriarch would return tomorrow, today they both went out to enjoy themselves.

"I, the old man, will wait here. Hurry and call your two sons who are supposedly in earnest cultivation."

In a cold voice, the Patriarch Shen instructed, forcing Madam Xie, trembling, to run out of the mansion.

At that moment, those who had come to welcome the Patriarch Shen all felt a wave of relief, as if they had narrowly escaped a calamity.

After scolding Madam Xie, Shen Qingshan's eyes turned again towards the younger generation.

"Where is Shen Ao?"

Madam He was taken aback by the words; she thought this reprimand would not fall upon Shen Ao.

"Reporting to the Patriarch, Ao'Er is still in the Capital City studying diligently, his studies are demanding..."

Before she could finish speaking, Shen Qingshan glared at her angrily.

"I said all the Shen family children must return home for the assessment. What—Shen Ao is not a member of my Shen family?"

Even the usually favored Shen Ao was called out by name and questioned by Shen Qingshan.

It was evident how furious Shen Qingshan was.

Everyone was so frightened that they dared not speak; even the breaths of the surrounding servants were exceedingly restrained.

"I will immediately send a sound transmission to the Capital City, telling Ye'Er and Ao'Er to return home at once...

It is my fault for not informing the two children of the urgency; I beg the Patriarch not to blame them."

Upon hearing this, the expression of the Patriarch Shen softened slightly.

"No need to call Shen Ye back. I have always been assured of his cultivation; let him focus on his studies in the Capital City.

Moreover, he spoke with me a few days ago.

The format of this family assessment was his idea.

Even though he's in the Capital City, he knows what I'm worrying about."

Upon hearing this, the Shen family's younger generation felt a wave of dissatisfaction.

This differential treatment was just too significant...

But no matter how dissatisfied, they could only swallow it down.

After all, Shen Ye was a distinguished talent.

Besides, in the future, the position of the Shen family patriarch would fall to him.

Who would dare offend Shen Ye?

After speaking of Shen Ao, Shen Qingshan finally directed his attention to Shen Han.

"Where is that rebellious son, Shen Han? Does he not know about the family assessment?"

Criticizing Shen Han, the Old Dowager was not as tense as before.

"My lord, that rebellious son Shen Han replied that his injuries have not healed and would return two days later.

Last time I personally went to invite him back, but he refused to return.

Pushing him to return might be difficult."

The Patriarch Shen let out a light snort and said no more, leading his deputy general towards the mansion.

As he walked, he left behind some words: "If on the day of the family assessment he is still not back, I will personally fetch him."

As the Patriarch Shen walked past, the crowd finally relaxed, their breathing suddenly much easier.

The family assessment was scheduled for the eleventh of the twelfth lunar month.

By the tenth, the new year could be considered over.

With the family assessment imminent, Shen Han did not delay further, preparing to return to Yun'an City.

Shi Yuezhu had been waiting early at the Yun Mansion.

Previously, Madam Yun had informed Shi Yuezhu via sound transmission magical artifact; she also agreed to protect Shen Han during this family assessment.

Before leaving, Patriarch Yun handed over two pills to Shen Han.

This is the Piercing Mountain Sacred Bud, complemented by various herbs, refined into pills.

Patriarch Yun was indeed generous, using the best herbs and refining them personally.

The two pills were nearly the peak of his current capability.

Apart from this, the two guards by his side, as previously mentioned, accompanied Shen Han on the journey.

Shen Han found all sorts of reasons to decline, but couldn't resist his grandfather's good intentions.

Initially, it was just him and Shi Yuezhu traveling together, but now there were two more people...

Seeing guards at Shen Han's side, Shi Yuezhu's eyes slightly lowered, choosing to follow from the shadows as a reason.

She would not travel together with them.

Riding in the luxurious carriage provided by the Yun family, the journey was comfortable.

By the evening of the tenth, the three finally arrived at the Shen Mansion.

Walking into the Shen Mansion, the surroundings were just as they were when he left.

Some trees, however, had several more layers of snow hanging on them.

And at this moment, Shi Yuezhu appeared, entering the Shen family together with Shen Han.

The Shen family was a family of generals in Great Wei, wielding military power.

In such a grand noble family's estate, hiding in the shadows was inappropriate and could even be misinterpreted as hostility.

Shen Han walked in front.

Unlike before, now when Shen Han walked by, the servants of the Shen Mansion would bow and greet him.

The bolder ones would even call him Young Master Han.

When had such a courtesy been shown before?

But the more it was like this, the more Shen Han felt the coldness in the family.

Just as he used to, Shen Han naturally remembered those rituals.

Returning home, it was only natural to first pay respects to the Patriarch Shen and the Old Dowager.

Arriving at the Patriarch's courtyard, Shen Qingshan made Shen Han wait for a while before meeting with him.

"I thought a letter couldn't draw you back, and I was thinking of personally fetching you."

With a hint of coldness in his eyes, Shen Qingshan's dislike for Shen Han was palpable.

Facing Shen Qingshan, Shen Han, however, showed no sign of tension; he had already thought of his excuses.

"Patriarch, please discern clearly, your grandson's injuries have not yet healed, making travel difficult. I have no intention of defying the elders of the family..."

Courteous words, Shen Han knew them well.

His words would not give the Old Duke Shen a reason to scold him.

The incident of being attacked by an assassin during the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering was known to all.

Claiming unhealed injuries was unproblematic.

Shen Qingshan's eyes displayed a slight sternness, but Shen Han remained unperturbed.

In front of other Shen family members, Shen Qingshan's authority was unmatched.

After all, their resources were entirely dependent on Patriarch Shen Qingshan.

But not Shen Han; the Shen family had not poured resources into him.

"What do the three behind you mean?"

Upon hearing Shen Qingshan's words and before Shen Han could answer, Shi Yuezhu stepped forward.

"General Shen, this is Shi Yuezhu from Xiaoyao Peak. I apologize for the intrusion.

Before Shen Han wrote the annulment letter, I, as the Peak Master, promised to ensure his safety and smoothness.

Today, I have come to fulfill that promise."

Hearing these words, Shen family frowned slightly.

He had previously heard from the Su family that the annulment letter was demanded by Su Jinyu's master.

Unexpectedly, Shen Han had made such requests.

"This return is just for the family assessment; naturally, there's no danger.

There is no need for the Moon Bamboo Peak Master to follow with such effort."

"No worry; I, the Peak Master, am just taking the opportunity to see how the younger generation is with their cultivation."

Shi Yuezhu responded calmly.

As the Moon Bamboo Peak Master of Xiaoyao Peak, though she was young, her status and position were no lower than that of the Shen family patriarch.

Thus, she need not speak as a junior.

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