At the Shen Mansion, the Old Dowager of the Shen Family noticed that Shen Qingshan hadn't responded to the Sound Transmission Magical Artifact for a while and couldn't help but remind him.

"Master..."

If Shen Han had only reached the fiftieth step of the Thousand-Autumn Stairs, the Shen Family might have thought about it and decided to let it go.

But now, Shen Han had directly stepped up to the eightieth.

The fiftieth step, the foundational level, was just passed.

Killing intent, insight, perseverance — all had been overcome...

"Master... Master..."

Seeing that Shen Qingshan hadn't replied for so long, the Old Dowager of the Shen Family realized she had made a big mistake this time.

"Are you sure that Shen Han reached the eightieth step?"

"Master…

Our confidants in Heyang City are watching the scene."

The achievements of the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering should soon spread.

The Old Dowager didn't dare to hide from Shen Qingshan, as everything she had depended on this master of hers.

Faintly through the Sound Transmission Magical Artifact, Shen Qingshan's voice already carried a hint of anger.

"I don't know how you managed the family; Shen Han can reach the eightieth step, hasn't he showed this at all during his ten-plus years living at the Shen Mansion?"

Shen Qingshan's words carried restraint; if not for the thought of the Old Dowager nurturing Shen Ye, he would have surely scolded her harshly.

"Master... It's really not the old body's fault; that rebellious son, due to his mother's reason, has always been solitary..."

The Old Dowager's defense, yet, Shen Qingshan did not want to hear at this moment.

"I don't wish to delve into the truth.

After the year-end, I'll return to the mansion to see if any other younger generations have been neglected like this."

After pondering for a moment, Shen Qingshan shifted the conversation back to Shen Han: "If he truly has such talent, then don't harm him for now, bring him back to the mansion, and we'll discuss it in detail when I come back."

Upon hearing Shen Qingshan's words, the Old Dowager of the Shen Family quickly replied: "During the Stepping into the Thousand Autumns, Shen Han was attacked, and it's still unknown if he's injured..."

"Attacked? Who dares to lay a hand on my Shen family?"

Shen Qingshan's words carried a certain majesty, also a bit of the ruthlessness of a General.

"The old body suspects perhaps it was the eldest house's arrangements..."

The eldest house, plainly speaking, was Madam He's arrangement.

Shen Qingshan instantly understood.

Madam He fears that, due to Shen Han's displayed potential, the Shen Family might start to protect him in the future.

Additionally, Shen Han still has a marital agreement with Su Jinyu.

If to protect Shen Han, this marital agreement isn't canceled, wouldn't it cause issues between her son and Su Jinyu?

After a moment, Shen Qingshan finally spoke: "This matter, I'll discuss with the third son."

In the encampment, Patriarch Shen sat on a long bench, silent for a long time.

His wife, from a young age, did not like Shen Han.

Toward Shen Han, she was always very harsh.

These Shen Qingshan actually knew well, but he didn't care.

In his eyes before, Shen Han was just an incompetent grandson; what's wrong with elders being a bit strict?

Moreover, Shen Han's mother fleeing the Shen Family made the whole mansion lose face, and Shen Qingshan himself also didn't quite like Shen Han.

Yet, as Patriarch, he couldn't have imagined that this rebellious son had been lying dormant and hidden for so many years.

Shen Qingshan thought about a lot in his mind.

Shen Han's outstanding performance at the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering, the Shen Family indeed should protect and cultivate him well.

But the Old Dowager's words just now made Shen Qingshan doubt.

Madam He's arrangement of assassins to attack Shen Han...

Clearly, Shen Ye's mother isn't willing to accept the Shen Family nurturing another descendant.

Shen Qingshan was somewhat hesitant.

After thinking for a long time in the encampment, he eventually mounted his Black-maned Horse again and headed to the valley.

Shen Lingsheng is still Shen Han's father, and he wants to hear what his third son thinks.

Deep in the valley.

Upon hearing the report from the soldiers, Shen Lingsheng furrowed his brow when informed his father was coming to him again.

Subconsciously, Shen Lingsheng felt that it was surely because Shen Han was unwilling to comply with the family's request to dissolve the engagement.

He had already sent five personal guards, must it require him personally returning home?

In the forward encampment, Shen Qingshan was already waiting.

"Father, is it that rebellious son Shen Han still won't listen to advice?"

Shen Lingsheng paid respects to his father and immediately asked.

Upon hearing the words, the Patriarch Shen shook his head.

"Your son is even better than you and I imagined, during the Stepping into the Thousand Autumns, he reached eighty steps."

Shen Lingsheng's brows furrowed even more: "Father, are you talking about... Shen Han?"

"You didn't hear wrong; your good son has always been hiding his talent.

In fact, among the Shen family's grandchildren, he ranks second only to Shen Ye."

Upon hearing these words, Shen Lingsheng was momentarily stunned, somewhat incredulous.

"Him, reaching the eightieth level?"

"Your mother just transmitted this, witnessed by our own confidants, not false words.

Father came to talk to you also about Shen Han, this child.

You're his biological father; with this kind of talent, how should the Shen family treat him, you should decide."

The two sat silently in the forward encampment.

As Shen Han's father, Shen Lingsheng had little affection for this son.

Instead, he had an excellent relationship with Shen Ye, quite close as uncle and nephew.

Unlike other fathers, who upon hearing their son reached the eightieth step of the Thousand-Autumn Stairs, would be elated.

Yet Shen Lingsheng, upon hearing of Shen Han's potential, felt not a bit of joy.

Shortly after, seeing that Shen Lingsheng had not spoken.

Shen Qingshan first spoke:

"Shen Han has hidden his strength for many years, specifically revealing it at the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering in front of everyone.

It only indicates that this child doesn't trust our Shen Family at all."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lingsheng understood his father's stance.

Though talent is supreme, insight is high, if it cannot contribute to the Shen Family...

Patriarch Shen Qingshan looked at Shen Lingsheng, noting that his expression didn't change, and continued:

"You, as a father, should know, Shen Han has grievances against the family, fearing that even if we begin to protect him today, he won't align with the Shen Family.

In the future, should he possess ambition, there may be contention between him and Shen Ye.

By then, the Shen Family might be plunged into some chaos."

Shen Qingshan spoke of his concerns.

Although he did not explicitly say what Shen Lingsheng should choose, his words clearly exhibited an inclination.

"Every word you said is correct; Shen Han, this troublemaker, has always been rebellious, frequently defying the elders' arrangements.

Even as his father, he rebuts me.

This rebellious son, even if the Shen Family invests resources in cultivating him, might not repay the family's nurturing kindness.

Instead, once his wings are strong, he might stand against the Shen Family."

Shen Lingsheng's words indicated his stance.

"Go ahead with the planned course, dissolve the engagement.

Though Shen Han is my son, for the sake of the Shen Family, I, Shen Lingsheng, will not show partiality to him.

The Shen Family's future ultimately rests on Shen Ye."

Upon hearing his son speak this way, Shen Qingshan nodded.

Looking at Shen Lingsheng, he felt somewhat guilty about the sacrifices his son made for the Shen Family.

"Though you're young, Father knows you have struggled to let go of the past events.

But this has passed many years, it should be put at ease slightly.

With your wife, have another child, raise them well, and don't let them become as rebellious as Shen Han.

If you don't favor your current wife, divorce and remarry, or take a concubine, Father supports you.

As long as you're willing, Father is ready to prepare as much bride price needed."

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