Upon hearing Shen Lingsheng's words, Madam Yun was practically exploding with anger.

"Do you know how Han has lived all these years?

Everything he has, from food and clothing, was earned by himself.

Do you know how much dirty and tiring work he has done in the household?

You keep saying he has no achievement in the Martial Path, but has your Shen Family ever given Han a chance to practice?

Which of the other offspring in the mansion doesn't wear fine clothes and have daily guidance from a tutor?

Does Han have that?

Let alone those things, he's lucky if he can fill his stomach.

Shen Lingsheng, tell me, why should Han sacrifice for the Shen Family when treated like this?"

Madam Yun glared at him furiously, like a tigress protecting her cubs.

Her tirade left Shen Lingsheng momentarily at a loss for words.

After a pause, he responded in a slightly weaker tone, "I am his father, and no matter what, he must listen to me."

"If the father is kind, the son can be filial.

A father who wants to send his son to death expects the son to listen to him?"

Madam Yun countered every sentence precisely.

"Also, you're Han's father, but don't forget, I'm also his mother.

I do not agree for Han to sacrifice, absolutely not!"

Genetically speaking, Madam Yun indeed had no blood ties with Han.

But as the third wife's lady, she was Han's mother.

A mother naturally protects her son!

Shen Lingsheng's mouth twitched for a moment, and his eyes seemed to show more viciousness.

"The future foundation of the Shen Family is destined to be handed over to your cousin Shen Ye.

Su Jinyu and your cousin are fond of each other, and breaking off this engagement will earn you his gratitude.

By making this sacrifice, even if you end up crippled, your cousin will, out of sentiment, take care of you for life.

Your future life might be better than your present one."

If force won't do, then try persuasion.

If life is hard now, promise a brighter future, a vision to strive toward.

But alas, Han had grown weary of such empty promises day in and day out.

"And what if my cousin doesn't remember this debt? What will become of my life?"

Han's question left Shen Lingsheng speechless.

After much thought, he hesitantly replied, "How could he not remember...He promised me he would take good care of you."

"Promises are made to be broken, aren't they?

Back when Father married Third Madam, he made many promises. How many of them were kept?"

Trusting the Shen Family's promises is no different from courting death.

If I end up crippled, I'll have no strength to resist at all.

And if the Shen Family breaks its promises, what can I do?

How could a cripple overturn the heavens?

Shen Lingsheng sat down on a chair in the ancestral hall, his face carrying traces of anger.

"The person the Su Family's Pride originally wanted to marry wasn't you, and this engagement will inevitably be terminated, albeit in a different manner.

If you're this uncooperative, nothing good will come of it."

Han's expression remained unchanged: "Since the Su Family's Pride doesn't want to marry me, let her break her leg and pay the price.

Why should I be the one to pay the price?"

Shen Lingsheng snorted coldly, "Why you? Because you have no ability, you have no talent, what else?"

"Moreover, Su Hongyi of the Su Family has already spoken. If the engagement isn't resolved, he'll break it off in his way.

Find out who Su Hongyi is yourself.

Cooperating with the Shen Family to annul this engagement will ultimately be a lighter burden."

After these words, Han saw right through this father of his.

Others would do everything to protect their children, even risking it all to ensure their safety.

Hearing that Su Hongyi might come after his child, he would charge forward to fight for his child's chance of survival despite the odds.

But Shen Lingsheng was entirely different. He had not the slightest intention of protecting Han.

He even used the threat of Su Hongyi returning to coerce him.

Ha! Truly a good father.

Madam Yun seemed utterly disillusioned with him and did not say another word.

Beside them, Cailing, who had heard so much, could no longer hold back.

"Third Master, after all, the Fifth Young Master is your flesh and blood, surely you should protect him..."

Before Cailing could finish, Shen Lingsheng slapped her.

The slap was particularly heavy; had it landed on Cailing's face, it might have knocked her out cold.

Han, now with the Seventh Grade's strength, reacted swiftly beyond ordinary people.

He reached out to block, but his strength was still insufficient.

Using his other hand, he pushed Cailing aside, and the slap ultimately landed on him.

A burning pain spread across his back.

No mercy was spared.

"When the masters are speaking, does a maid have the right to interrupt?

If this happens again, you'll be beaten to death with rods in the mansion."

Shen Lingsheng's anger was palpable, and he struggled to find an outlet for his rage.

Madam Yun hastily shielded Cailing, pulling her behind her.

The Shen Lingsheng before her now seemed frighteningly unfamiliar.

He didn't seem like family; instead, he was more like an enemy.

"If I were more capable than Su Jinyu, if I had more talent, would she be the one to bear the cost of breaking the engagement?"

A hint of determination and pride flickered in Han's eyes as he looked at Shen Lingsheng.

"What? Trying to buy time?"

But in Shen Lingsheng's eyes, Han seemed merely to be stalling for time.

"The engagement is set for mid-December, less than three months away.

If within three months, you can prove yourself stronger than Su Jinyu, naturally, the annulment won't see you sacrificed.

But let me tell you, merely advancing to the Ninth Grade still sets you far from those geniuses."

Shen Lingsheng said his piece, looking at both Madam Yun and Han.

"At the end of the Winter Month, the Su Family's Pride will participate in the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering in Heyang City. If you genuinely believe you're stronger, join the gathering and surpass the Su Family's Pride.

If you lack the skill, then accept your fate obediently!"

With that said, he turned and left the ancestral hall without looking back.

In the ancestral hall, Han helped Madam Yun to sit down.

"Madam, what's wrong?"

Seeing the pale face of Madam Yun, Cailing anxiously asked about her concern.

Madam Yun shook her head slightly: "I'm just dead inside regarding him..."

"Madam, don't be upset. Third Master was just angry. Words spoken in anger are not to be trusted."

Though Cailing despised Shen Lingsheng, she still tried to console Madam Yun with kind words.

"For Han, he was so heartless, even to his flesh and blood, he could be so...

I am merely a woman he married for show; he'll only be more heartless to me..."

Madam Yun looked towards the direction Shen Lingsheng had left, feeling all ties severed in that moment.

Han knelt beside Madam Yun.

"Third Madam, you still have me, and Cailing.

Believe me, I will ensure you and Cailing live well in the future.

We'll leave this oppressive Shen Family."

His words were steadfast, like swearing an oath.

And at that moment, tears filled Madam Yun's eyes, finally falling.

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