Chapter 9

Shen Juren, with a stern face, said, "A few days ago, he was still bedridden, unable to get up..." As he spoke, he also felt somewhat annoyed. Even if he had his own private thoughts, Shen Rui's illness over these few days was not a lie. On the day of Lady Sun's passing, Shen Rui was beaten by the family law, and in shame and anger, he fainted and has not recovered since. Even if he had the intention to register Shen Jin under Lady Sun's name, he would not have acted so hastily as to invite suspicion.

Over these few days, Shen Rui had woken up and started to take some rice water, but according to the old lady, he was still very weak. Shen Juren did not make him come to the memorial, genuinely out of concern and consideration. However, hearing Shen Li's words made it seem as if he had ulterior motives.

The people present, besides the Shen clan members, included other neighbors and gentry who were qualified to sit. They looked at Shen Juren with bright eyes, as if hoping for some family scandal of a father abusing his son to entertain them. Thinking of this, Shen Juren was full of resentment and instructed the steward, "Go and fetch Brother Rui. Even if he can't get out of bed, carry him over..."

The steward responded and left, and the atmosphere in the hall became somewhat heavy.

The Shen clan members also realized that Shen Li's words were inappropriate. With outsiders present, regardless of the internal situation, it was not proper to mention such matters in front of them. Rumors could easily spread, and if they did, it could damage the Shen clan's reputation.

Shen Li remained silent, occasionally glancing at the door, his concern evident. Although he was a descendant of the Shen family, his success did not rely on the clan's influence but rather on Lady Sun's care, which helped him in his studies. Regardless of how the other clan members felt, Shen Li was genuinely saddened by Lady Sun's death. If not for this, he would not have visited so frequently during the mourning period.

The gazes of the people present were complex. Some blamed him, thinking that as a fellow Shen, his actions were not in the best interest of the clan. Others understood, seeing that Lady Sun had supported Shen Li for over a decade, providing him with great assistance. Even if Shen Li was a junior, it was understandable for him to stand up for his benefactor at this time.

Shen Li had already made the worst-case scenario plan. If Shen Juren treated Shen Rui unfairly and the clan elders did nothing, he would do his best to intervene. If he couldn't stop it, he would seek help from the capital, asking the senior uncle of the second branch to intervene and uphold justice.

Although the second branch moved to the capital several decades ago when the old master entered the Hanlin Academy, and the old master and lady were buried there, the two lords were still in office. The senior lord was a minister, and even the clan elder would have to show some respect.

Shen Li had been in the capital for several years and observed the conduct of the two clan uncles, who were both upright and respectable. He held them in high regard. The two clan aunts, though from official families, were also virtuous and gentle. Although they had never met Lady Sun, they had heard about her kindness from Shen Li and his mother and spoke highly of her.

The people in the hall had various thoughts and occasionally glanced at Shen Jin.

Regardless of whether Shen Juren was biased, Shen Jin was no longer a child. His ability to occupy the position of the filial son without any shame made people think deeply. Those who had previously envied and resented Shen Juren for having a good son now sneered, viewing the handsome Shen Jin as a person with ulterior motives.

Shen Jin, being young, turned red and pale under everyone's gaze, wishing he could leave immediately. However, without Shen Juren's permission, he could only endure, holding the filial staff. His face showed only indignation at being misunderstood, not guilt or unease.

In the north room of the side courtyard, the steward was sweating. After two cups of tea, Shen Rui still refused to go to the front.

He thought it was a simple task and did not bring any force, only two servants, intending to have Shen Rui carried if he was too ill.

Shen Rui, lying in bed, looked at the steward coldly and said, "Steward, don't nag anymore. I cannot mourn for my mother, so I am an unfilial son. I cannot go to my mother's memorial. Please ask Father to forgive me. I would rather die than go to the front."

In his memory, the steward, though not a close confidant of Lady Sun, had been in his position and had received favors from her. The steward did not help him during his recent ordeal, showing that he was not a grateful person. Who could have thought that the old lady would treat her own grandson so harshly, confining him in this side courtyard? Who would believe that he had been tortured to death?

Shen Rui, thinking of the "family" he was about to see, felt restless and turned his head away, no longer listening to the steward's nagging.

Shen Rui, being in a period of rapid growth, had lost six or seven pounds over the past few days, his chin becoming sharp. He was not quite skin and bones, but close to it. His pale, bloodless face and cold, unchildlike eyes showed a significant change. Anyone would notice something was wrong, and the steward's heart trembled.

Seeing Shen Rui's resentment and the mention of "unfilial son," the steward knew that forcing him to the memorial could cause a commotion in front of everyone.

The steward stomped his foot and left with the two servants.

Wang Mama personally saw them off and returned with a worried expression, saying, "What can we do? What can we do? Why doesn't Second Brother go? If he angers the master, it will be difficult."

Shen Rui also looked regretful and said, "Perhaps Mother should go to the second gate and keep an eye out. If Father really comes, let me know so I can prepare."

Wang Mama nodded and said, "Good, good, I'll go to the second gate..." and left, worried.

Liu Ya, anxious, said, "Second Brother, defying the master like this, what if he punishes you again?"

Shen Rui sneered and said, "He won't hit me. After today, Father will only love me..."

In the front memorial hall, everyone was growing impatient, exchanging glances, each with their own suspicions. Shen Li's face was especially dark, and he was about to stand up.

Shen Juren, seeing this, became even more agitated and frowned, instructing a servant, "Why isn't that disobedient son here yet? Go and hurry him!"

The servant responded and left, meeting the steward at the door and stepping aside.

Seeing no one behind the steward, Shen Juren was shocked and said, "Where is Brother Rui? Is he really that ill?"

It was not surprising that he was worried. Besides his affection for his child, everyone was watching. If something happened to his second son now, he might be suspected of harming his son, and even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn't clear his name.

The steward, seeing this, quickly said, "Master, don't worry, Second Brother seems to be better."

Shen Juren frowned and said, "If so, why hasn't he come? I said to carry him if he's unwell. Is he being stubborn and refusing to get out of bed?"

The steward hesitated and said, "Master, I conveyed your words, but Second Brother said he can't come."

Shen Juren, hearing this, was furious and said, "The memorial is for his birth mother. He was ill a few days ago, and the old lady allowed him to rest. Now that he's better, he still refuses to come. This unfilial brat, bind him and bring him here to be beaten to death!"

Thinking of his eldest son being spoiled by his mother, usually任性 and unruly, and now losing face in front of everyone, Shen Juren was truly angry.

No one sympathized with Shen Juren's difficulties. Instead, their gazes became more complex, wondering if he would "go with the flow" and really beat his son in front of Lady Sun's memorial. The clan elder, seeing the situation, lightly coughed and said, "Teach the nephew slowly, no need to shout about beating and killing."

Shen Jin, seeing this, also came over and whispered, "Master, don't be angry. I heard Second Brother has been sleeping a lot and waking up little. Perhaps he's not fully recovered and can't get up. Should I go and check on him first?"

Shen Juren, still furious, coldly said, "Check on him? Quickly have someone bring that wicked child here!" He then ordered the steward to fetch Shen Rui.

At this moment, Shen Li said seriously, "Uncle, please wait. If I heard correctly, your steward said Brother Rui said he 'can't come,' not that he 'refuses to come.' If he said he can't, there must be a reason. It's better to hear Brother Rui's reason before judging him. If he's really too ill to get up, the elders would be merciful and wouldn't want to trouble Brother Rui."

Seeing the implications in Shen Li's words, Shen Juren glared at him, annoyed by his interference. However, the clan members' bright, suspicious gazes made him feel as if refusing would reveal some hidden, shameful secret. He could only say, "What reason could that disrespectful brat have?" but did not really stop the others from checking.

Thinking of his second son's unruly behavior, Shen Juren was very frustrated, but he did not try to cover for his son. He led the clan members to the back courtyard.

Several elders of the Shen clan wanted to investigate and followed. The outsiders, not wanting to leave, sat in the memorial hall waiting for the result. They thought that whether Shen Juren was "loving" or "harming" his son, the Shen family was about to have a commotion, and there would be something to see.

Shen Juren led the clan members, following the steward to the door of the west side courtyard, and was somewhat taken aback. He wanted to stop, but it would seem suspicious, so he gritted his teeth and entered the courtyard.

The small courtyard, about six or seven feet square, was immediately crowded with a dozen people. The house and door frame were old, and the paper on the windows was yellowed. Compared to the rest of Shen Juren's residence, this place was shabby and pitiful.

Even a favored concubine would not live here, let alone the only legitimate son.

Shen Juren's previous claim that the old lady "pitied" her grandson was now a joke.

Shen Li stood in the courtyard, looking around and frowning, "Did the old lady change the courtyard?"

The clan members' faces were also unpleased. If the Shen family had a "father abusing his son" scandal, it would damage the clan's reputation. Moreover, Shen Rui was Lady Sun's son. If he was mistreated, it would not just be a matter for the Shen family. Many commoners in Songjiang had received Lady Sun's kindness, and officials, regardless of their relationship, would not stand by for the sake of their reputation.

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