"Where has Shen Han gone? Tell him to return to the mansion at once."

Madam Shen looked at Madam Yun and said in an unquestionable tone.

"Old Dowager, I really don't know where that child has gone.

Moreover... Han actually has quite a talent in the Martial Path. In just a short time, he's already stepped into the Ninth Grade.

Let him experience the world a bit more, and perhaps our Shen Family will produce another prodigy..."

Before Madam Yun could finish speaking, Madam Shen cut her off with a scold.

"Only stepping into the Ninth Grade at nearly eighteen, what meaning does such experience hold? He is far inferior to Ao'Er.

If such a rebellious son can be called a prodigy, then wouldn't all families be filled with gifted talents?"

Madam Shen genuinely looked down on Shen Han; in her eyes, reaching the Ninth Grade was mere luck.

Hearing Madam Shen belittle Shen Han so much, Madam Yun felt even more stifled.

Being part of the Shen Family, why must they be treated so differently?

"Old Dowager, since our Shen Family never wished for Han to marry that Su Family's Pride anyway.

Han has already left the Shen Family; we might as well use this opportunity to cancel the engagement."

Upon hearing this, Madam Shen shook her head and couldn't help but criticize:

"Foolish! If you use Shen Han's escape as an excuse to break off the engagement, do you know how much it will cost our Shen Family?"

"No cost can be more important than Shen Han's life, right?"

Madam Yun's words already carried a tone of questioning blame.

Madam Shen did not answer. As the head of the Shen Family, there were some things she could not say aloud.

But the coldness on her face conveyed all that she wanted to express.

While the two were speaking, Liu Xilan, who had received the news, had arrived.

These days, Liu Xilan had been staying in a guest room at the Shen Mansion.

She usually helped the younger generation of the Shen Family enhance their cultivation, but in truth, she was worried about the exposure of certain affairs.

If it happened, she would need to take responsibility.

"Fairy Liu, this is a family matter of the Shen Family, please do not intervene."

Before Liu Xilan could speak, Madam Shen preemptively spoke.

"Old Dowager, if there's punishment to be had, punish Xilan instead. It was I who helped Shen Han leave Yun'an City..."

Madam Shen was harboring anger in her belly; how could she punish a disciple from Xiaoyao Peak, especially when that disciple was Liu Xilan.

"Fairy Xilan must have been beguiled by that rebellious son, deceived into helping him."

Madam Shen offered Liu Xilan a way out and then turned her gaze back to Madam Yun and Cailing.

"This matter shall be handled as Saburo suggested; if Shen Han doesn't return before the wedding date, break this maid's legs for me."

After speaking, she waved her hand and let the maid Cai Xue assist her as she left.

Hearing Madam Shen's words, Madam Yun's face turned pale.

With Old Dowager's means, she was certainly capable of making good on her words.

Madam Yun couldn't help but hug Cailing beside her, feeling a pang of anguish in her heart.

The Yun Family, after all, is a well-known household; the Shen Family wouldn't dare act against her, at most just put her under house arrest.

But little Cailing was just a maid of the Shen Family; even bringing up the Yun Family would make it hard to protect her.

"Third Madam, don't worry. If my legs break, they break. As long as Madam and Young Master Han are well, that's all that matters.

If my legs break, then I might as well depend on Madam and Young Master in the future~"

The more carefree Cailing was, the more Madam Yun felt heartache.

This child is still young, should not have to bear such burdens...

Torn with emotions, Madam Yun hoped Shen Han wouldn't return. This cold-hearted Shen Family, there wasn't any point in staying here further.

But she also worried for Cailing...

If the Shen Family truly decided to act harshly against Cailing and Shen Han, Madam Yun resolved to seek help from her own family.

Even though she was married away, her family wasn't as cold-hearted as the Shen Family; her brothers would surely stand by her.

The Yun Family couldn't compare to the Shen Family but wasn't so easily bullied either.

...

In the forest, Shen Han and Shi Yuezhu had already been here for over twenty days.

With Shen Han's ability, the two managed quite well in the wilderness.

There was meat, fruits, and occasionally some wild vegetables.

Though Shi Yuezhu was merely one step away from entering the Immortal Realm outside, within this Immortal Extinction Array, she relied on Shen Han like an ordinary woman.

Occasionally, she attempted to cook some dishes, but they always turned out unpalatable.

However, the dishes Shen Han casually made were incredibly delicious.

Some even tasted better than those in the city restaurants.

With no worries about food or clothing, the two would take time to check on the Heart-Breaking Vine.

After days of waiting, the flowers had now borne fruit, which would soon ripen and yield these Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

After a busy day, Shen Han secured another animal hide.

Winter was approaching, and with the cold weather, more fur was needed for warmth.

The sky darkened, and the two returned to their small cabin.

After eating a bit, Shen Han couldn't help but gaze into the distance.

"What's wrong, missing your little wife back home?"

Seeing Shen Han's expression, Shi Yuezhu teased softly.

Having spent some days together, their relationship had grown more familiar.

Hearing Shi Yuezhu's teasing, Shen Han turned around and gave her a helpless look.

"I haven't married anyone, so where would I have a little wife...

I'm just worried about the elders at home, wondering if Third Madam and Cailing are doing well.

Whether they've been troubled by the family..."

The elders at home miss their wandering child, and the child, too, misses the family.

"Is little Cailing your sister?"

"She's the Third Madam's personal maid, but we are as close as siblings."

Hearing the term 'personal maid,' a hint of curiosity appeared in Shi Yuezhu's eyes: "A personal maid?"

"Wearing coarse linen clothes and can't even afford fifty taels for room rent, I really don't appear to come from a wealthy noble family..."

Shen Han pursed his lips, a touch of embarrassment surfacing on his face. From his living standards, he was essentially akin to those house servants.

"In truth, I'm just not favored within the clan..."

Hearing Shen Han's explanation, Shi Yuezhu furrowed her brows.

"Why are you not favored?

For days I've been giving you lessons, and your comprehension in martial cultivation is very high.

A little guidance, and you are sure to become a strong figure in the future. Is the clan truly uninterested in talented juniors?"

"The reasons are a bit complicated, and honestly, the clan does not lack juniors like me."

The Shen Family has Shen Ye and Shen Ao; at least in Madam Shen's eyes, there is no need to spend resources cultivating Shen Han.

"What do the elders in the clan want from you? A mundane marriage and children, living a plain life?

Or are the elders, seeing your good looks, wanting you to become a live-in son-in-law for some noble family?"

Shi Yuezhu spoke, raising her eyes to look at Shen Han by the faint light, and whispered:

"With your looks, the noble ladies might be quite willing to accept you as a live-in son-in-law."

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