With Qingcao the maid here, it's likely her lady should be here as well.

He thought only Su Zhensheng would be present today, unexpectedly he brought along his daughter, the Su Family's Pride.

Upon hearing the door open, Su Zhensheng, the elder here, actually appeared somewhat eager.

He greeted Shen Han, inviting him into the courtyard.

Walking into the pavilion, Shen Han, as usual, extended his respects to Su Zhensheng.

After all, he is a teacher at Tianyi Academy.

As for Su Jinyu by his side, Shen Han directly ignored her.

They were of the same generation and had no mutual acquaintance.

Seeing this, Su Zhensheng felt slightly awkward, sighing a bit helplessly.

He invited everyone to sit down.

A while later, Su Hongrong finally arrived tardily and took his seat.

"Shen Han, my daughter, you should be familiar with her, so I won't bother with lengthy introductions.

It's all because of some political interests that the marriage alliance was proposed.

Everything is in the past now; there might have been some misunderstandings.

Today, they should be resolved."

Saying this, Su Zhensheng looked at Shen Han and then at his daughter.

Su Jinyu was possibly being deliberate, showing her discontent by not dressing up.

Her attire even seemed overly plain.

But undeniably, Su Jinyu had a significant advantage in appearance.

Even in simplicity, she remained attractive, carrying a unique charm.

Before this, Su Zhensheng had heard the rumors, claiming that Shen Han was deeply infatuated with his daughter.

Those rumors sounded incredibly genuine.

Yet after their meeting, something felt amiss with the situation...

Shen Han barely glanced at Su Jinyu. If it were shyness, occasionally he would glance at her, but with an expression of disgust...

Su Zhensheng started doubting the authenticity of the rumors.

On the table, dishes of exquisite cuisine were being served.

Though said to be a simple meal, the quality of the dishes was quite high.

At the table, Su Zhensheng continually signaled to Su Jinyu with his eyes.

Today's banquet was the Su Family's attempt to win over Shen Han, not Shen Han seeking favor with the Su Family.

Su Zhensheng and Su Hongrong were making small talk at the table, trying hard to keep the atmosphere from turning awkward.

After a while, Su Jinyu seemingly came to a realization and finally spoke.

"Young Master Shen, it is said that loyalty and filial piety are paramount to one's existence.

Do you agree with this principle?"

A sudden question with no intention of aligning with Shen Han.

Shen Han's expression remained unchanged; he merely glanced at her.

"The teachings of the virtuous are fundamental to one's being, and I naturally agree with them."

In Great Wei, loyalty and filial piety are the foundations of one's being.

Without loyalty and filial piety, no matter how powerful one is, they will be scorned by all and despised by the nation.

Of course, if one possesses overwhelming power to rival the strength of the nation,

then, despite being disloyal and unfilial, no one would dare to criticize.

Such a person, what they say, becomes the truth.

Hearing Shen Han's response, Su Jinyu's brows furrowed, her voice tinged with a hint of sharpness.

"Since Young Master Shen agrees with loyalty and filial piety, why is it that you do not follow?

Instead, you defy your family's elders at every turn.

Doesn't this make you unfilial?"

Shen Han remained calm; he was unafraid of debating these unfounded accusations.

He just hadn't anticipated being summoned here to hear such things.

Beside him, Su Zhensheng and Su Hongrong's faces turned somewhat unpleasant, continually signaling to Su Jinyu with their eyes.

Su Jinyu still refused to listen, with no intention of reconciliation in her words.

"I wonder where Miss Su heard news that I, Shen Han, defied my family's elders.

Could you specify what exactly was defied?

Was it that they wanted me to court death?

Or to end up crippled, and bring ruin upon myself?"

Shen Han's demeanor remained as composed as always, his words calm, without any hint of impatience.

Regarding Shen Han, the knowledge Su Jinyu had came from the words of Shen Ye and Shen Ao.

These words, heavily biased, she completely believed.

In her view, Shen Han was the culprit for the troubles with the broken engagement.

The price the Su Family paid should be attributed to him.

"While in Heyang City, I've already told you.

As a member of the Shen Family, with so much effort poured into you by the Shen Family, naturally, you should contribute to it.

This is a responsibility every clansman should bear.

The Shen Family is such, and so is the Su Family, as with any family.

But you?

Before the requests of the Shen Family elders, you turned a deaf ear.

Aren't these acts of defiance?"

A lengthy accusation filled with grand principles.

Hearing Su Jinyu's words, Shen Han did not immediately debate, instead turning his gaze to Su Zhensheng beside him.

"Mr. Su, today you called this student, hoping to ease the tensions between the Su Family and the student.

A wild guess mayhap, but possibly it's due to my connection with the Yun Family."

The Su Family's military roots and influence in the Northern Garrison are undeniably significant.

Currently, Su Family should have long sought ways to address the shift to middle-grade pills in the military."

Shen Han turned his gaze to Su Zhensheng, his words still devoid of any impatience.

Su Zhensheng and Su Hongrong beside him slightly averted their gaze.

As expected by the two, Shen Han must have already seen through their little schemes.

Being forthright might have been better.

At this point in the dialogue, Shen Han turned his words towards Su Jinyu.

"Miss Su claims that every family's offspring should contribute to the family's benefit,

just as the Shen Family does, and the Su Family as well.

Presently, the Su Family's interest is in befriending me to foster good relations with the Yun Family.

Yet, why not see Miss Su making any contributions for the Su Family's interest?

It's easy to speak grandly about dedication,

but in practice, she is unwilling to lower herself even a little."

Indeed, it is a case of using one's argument against oneself.

Within each phrase, Su Jinyu found herself unable to respond, her expression turning harsh, glaring at Shen Han with discontent.

Even more infuriating for her was that both her father and elder brother frowned at her,

seemingly agreeing with Shen Han's reasoning.

"What he said isn't wrong. If Jinyu were thinking of the Su Family, today at this banquet, she wouldn't speak in this manner."

Su Zhensheng said this, casting a glare at Su Jinyu, wanting her to stop at that.

But his daughter was determined today.

"Father, Jinyu is not unwilling to sacrifice for the Su Family.

It's just, for winning over someone who is disloyal and unfilial, I refuse."

In response, Shen Han, seated not far away, nodded.

"Well said, it aligns perfectly with my thoughts.

I, Shen Han, am also not unwilling to sacrifice for the Shen Family,

but I refuse to aid someone who is utterly cold-hearted."

Each word perfectly corresponded.

Su Jinyu was rendered speechless.

With her eyes twinkling with starlight, she glared at Shen Han with anger.

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