Mid-Autumn, moon worship.

In Yun'an City, colorful lanterns hung everywhere.

In the bustling East Market, many vendors were selling their homemade mooncakes and osmanthus wine.

Just walking through the East Market, one could smell a fragrant aroma.

This Mid-Autumn, the Shen Family was exceptionally lively.

In previous years, the generals of the Shen Family who were stationed outside would only return for the New Year.

This year, returning for the Mid-Autumn Festival naturally made it as festive as New Year's Eve.

The entire Shen Mansion was decorated with lanterns, and Wutong Villa was cleaned spotlessly.

At 3:00 PM, the sound of horse hooves reverberated outside the mansion.

The people of the Shen Family knew that this meant the return of the Old Duke of the Shen Family.

At the main gate of the Shen Mansion, the Old Dowager was already leading the Shen Family to wait there.

Upon seeing the Old Duke of the Shen Family ride in, the Old Dowager immediately went to greet him.

Shen Han stood among the crowd, gazing at the Old Duke of the Shen Family.

In terms of age, he was even older than the Old Dowager by quite a few years.

Yet the Old Duke remained tall and robust, showing few signs of aging.

This was the benefit brought by advancements along the Martial Path: physical strength and longevity that far exceeded ordinary people.

A group of people saluted the Old Duke of the Shen Family, fully aware of who truly wielded authority in the Shen Family.

Being favored by the Old Dowager could never compare to being favored by the Old Duke of the Shen Family.

The crowd parted to make way, and the Old Duke, donned in armor, returned to the mansion.

Following the Old Duke were a few deputy generals on the journey.

The Old Duke's three sons did not return with him; they were likely still stationed at the frontier on the eastern side.

Now that the most important person had arrived, the worship ceremony for today's Mid-Autumn Festival was about to begin.

In Wutong Villa, everyone took their seats as arranged.

This Wutong Villa is the most luxurious courtyard of the Shen Family; aside from the banquets all Shen Family members attend, Shen Han had no other chance to set foot in it.

Looking at his seat, unsurprisingly, it was still in the far corner of the courtyard.

Sitting in the corner of the courtyard, Shen Han was indifferent.

He was not favored by the higher-ups of the Shen Family anyway, thus avoiding their cold stares.

After a while, the Old Duke of the Shen Family changed into regular attire and then entered Wutong Villa.

High in position, looking at his younger clan members, the Old Duke of the Shen Family's expression was as usual, revealing nothing in particular.

Once the Old Duke of the Shen Family entered the courtyard, everyone fell silent.

The Old Duke waved his hand, signaling the servants to arrange seats for his deputy generals.

Once seated, he began to speak to the Shen Family members.

Shen Han gazed at the Old Marquis Shen Qingshan before him.

His expression was sharp, immediately evoking a sense of battlefield desolation.

Upon listening briefly, the words were much the same as in previous years.

Urging the youth of the Shen Family to study diligently, strive to improve, occasionally mentioning affairs of the battlefield.

The young members of the Shen Family found it somewhat dull, yet they feigned seriousness, striving to leave a good impression on the Old Duke of the Shen Family.

After a lengthy discourse, Shen Qingshan invited everyone to commence the feast.

Tasting a few bites of the dishes, then came the main event of the day.

Like every New Year's Eve, when the Old Duke of the Shen Family returned, he would check on the martial progress of the younger family members.

In the past, in preparation for the year-end assessments, the Shen Family's younger members would diligently train for two or three months.

Having the assessment during this Mid-Autumn would certainly startle many young masters and misses.

"Since Ao'Er is home for this Mid-Autumn, why not start the showcasing with you?"

A smile hung on Shen Qingshan's face as he saw Shen Ao not only adored by the Old Dowager but also greatly favored by the Old Duke of the Shen Family.

Hearing this, Madam He glanced at Shen Ao with a smile.

Shen Ao stood up and came forward, looking mature beyond his years, further winning Shen Qingshan's favor.

"Mountain Collapse!"

As Shen Ao's words fell, a spectral image of a mountain suddenly appeared.

Beneath the spectral image, an incense burner was crushed to dust.

This is the way scholar cultivators wound their enemies: words become law, using will to manipulate law.

Through verbal command, one could create a mountain-like spectral image to suppress an opponent.

Currently only an Eighth Grade, if Shen Ao's cultivation advanced further, he could create a massive spectral mountain.

By then, when the spectral image descended, it wouldn't be just an incense burner that was crushed; the entire courtyard would be under its weight.

"Splendid! The young master has talent!"

"Such capabilities at a young age, truly worthy of being the Marquise's cherished grandson."

The deputy generals seated on the right praised with full mouths.

Shen Qingshan's face beamed with pride; such skill at a young age was indeed remarkable.

Within the current generation of the Shen Family, there was already a Shen Ye, and now unexpectedly another Shen Ao emerged.

Thinking of these, Shen Qingshan felt much contentment.

"Not bad, this treasure sword from grandfather is yours to play with, Ao'Er. If you don't like it, go find your grandmother to exchange for something you want~"

Shen Qingshan's face was radiant, and the Old Dowager of the Shen Family was equally pleased.

Their fondness for Shen Ao was evident.

Of course, in their view, Shen Ao's performance deserved such favor.

After Shen Ao stepped down, Shen Qingshan began to call upon the other younger members to showcase.

Talent like this was rare; Shen Qingshan knew well in his heart.

With Shen Ye and Shen Ao already, other younger members merely needed to avoid causing trouble, honestly raise offspring, contributing to the Shen Family as such.

Succession of young lords from the Shen Family displayed poorly.

They seemed to possess Eighth Grade power, yet their executed force was leagues apart.

The deputy generals by his side, observing these performances, still voiced praises, though less sincerely than they did for Shen Ao.

Once others finished showcasing, the Old Duke of the Shen Family seemed to remember Shen Han.

"Is Shen Han present today?"

Hearing his name called, Shen Han stepped forward.

Presenting himself, Shen Han maintained decorum as usual, saluting the Shen Family elders flawlessly.

Yet the Old Duke before him frowned.

"You attend our Shen Family's Mid-Autumn feast in such attire?"

Shen Qingshan's question injected a dose of tension into the air.

Currently, Shen Han did have some money; Prefect Xu had previously given him a hundred taels of patterned silver, certainly enough to buy fine clothes.

But Shen Han was unwilling to buy them.

The money from Prefect Xu was meant for advancing his cultivation, not for personal pleasure.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Shen Han, waiting to see him embarrassed.

Madam Yun hesitated for a moment, then stood up and bowed to the Old Duke of the Shen Family.

"Replying to the Old Duke, the family requires Shen Han to be self-reliant, having to earn his own meals, leaving little extra for garments..."

Madam Yun's attempt to explain seemed futile.

"Self-reliance is the reason for your plain attire?

Your brother Shen Ye also sought his fortune in the Capital City independently.

Yet was he ever presented so plainly?"

Shen Qingshan's gaze upon Shen Han bore a hint of disdain.

"Learn from your brother properly; today shows that you lack capability!"

Without demonstrating any cultivation results, the Old Duke of the Shen Family first judged Shen Han.

Lacks capability.

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