chapter 34

Chapter 34: Where's the male lead?

Shen Yan rested his hands on his grandmother's knees, looking up at her and then over at Lady Zheng, who stood at a distance, not daring to approach.

It seemed like he could understand what Lady Zheng was saying, yet he couldn't fully grasp it.

All Shen Yan felt was that he shouldn't cry and didn't want to speak at this moment.

He extended his hand, allowing the maid to lead him away.

Lady Zheng watched Shen Yan leave, almost opening her mouth to say something.

"This child, always so agreeable outside, always shedding tears, hardly acting like a young man. Now when he should cry, he doesn't."

She harbored resentment.

The elderly lady spoke calmly, "Lady Zheng, I'm old. I spent years with the general in the army, and I only had one son. He manages the household, and I have no energy left to interfere. But I'm neither deaf nor blind."

Lady Zheng was reprimanded by the elderly lady and driven out of the courtyard, her eyes cold as she left.

Shen He learned about the duke's illness the next day from Shen Yan.

"Huh?" Shen He's childish voice took on a surprised tone.

"How could he fall sick? The version 1.0 of my grandparents were robust, and even in the books, both the duke and the elderly lady had battled extensively in their younger days, possessing extraordinary physical strength."

This was the first time he'd seen his grandfather ill.

Shen Yan whispered, "Father argued with grandfather and made him sick with anger."

Shen He was furious, his anger boiling up instantly.

"What a terrible father!"

Failing as a father and even angering his own father as a son – he's incompetent in everything, a complete good-for-nothing!

His chubby hands clenched into fists, his cheeks puffed in anger, resembling an agitated little puppy ready to bite.

Liu Zheng held him, patting his back gently, "Calm down. Do you want to visit the duke's residence, Little He?"

Shen He nodded, "Yes, we're going!" How could he be at ease without seeing it with his own eyes?

Liu Zheng replied, "Then we'll head over after school."

He beckoned a nearby servant and instructed him to send a message to the Liu mansion, notifying them they would visit the Duke's residence after school.

Concerned about his grandfather's health, Shen He lacked the spirit to paint in the afternoon, postponing his plan to raise startup funds by half a day.

After school, the group of children made their way to the Duke's residence.

Zheng Xueze and Qi Yanbing also wanted to accompany them, but given their outsider status, it would be impolite to just show up. They reluctantly held back.

Arriving at the Duke's mansion, the elderly steward greeted Shen He with surprise and joy, "Ah, the young master has returned! Quick, notify the Lady and the Duke."

Shen He raised his chubby little hand, signaling, "Shh! We must be discreet!"

He wanted to secretly check on his grandparents.

And perhaps, he might even run into his despicable father.

If they were informed of his arrival in advance, they'd likely put on a façade, pretending all was well even if it wasn't.

The steward, left without a choice, nodded with a smile.

With his short legs, Shen He led the way, with little Shen Yan following closely. Liu Zheng jogged behind them.

Halfway there, while Shen Yan still had energy, Shen He began to tire.

Liu Zheng then picked up the young boy and continued running with him in his arms.

Shen He felt embarrassed for a brief moment.

But soon, he comfortably nestled in his cousin's embrace, holding onto his neck and letting him carry him.

As they neared the courtyard, Shen He kept signaling for quiet with his little hand.

This continued even inside the courtyard.

And to his surprise, Shen He did overhear something.

Inside a room.

After taking his medicine and regaining consciousness, the old Duke leaned against the bedhead.

His vitality seemed diminished; the once vibrant elderly gentleman now looked noticeably aged.

Holding the old Lady's hand, he whispered, "Li Zhi, I dreamt last night. I dreamt of our father and the Battle of Chongzhou. Before we left for the battle, Father held Chongyun and suggested we raise him alongside us. Back then, I thought the hardships of war were too much for a child. He should've grown up in the capital..."

The old Lady whispered, "I know. The general always wanted what's best for him."

In private, the old Lady still preferred to call the Duke 'the general.'

The Duke shook his head, "Last night, I dreamt of our father. He was holding Yan and Xiao He, asking me the very same question."

The Duke inquired, "Li Zhi, have I failed my son? If our father asked me this in the dream, does he think I've also failed my grandsons?"

Tears streamed down the old Lady's face, landing on her wrinkled hand.

It was an unattractive hand, covered in rough callouses from her younger years.

The Duke continued softly, "When Chongyun was young, I wanted him to grow up honorable. I hoped to impart all I knew. Though he wasn't fond of martial arts and preferred literature, I thought it acceptable... He wasn't particularly talented, I knew. I realized he wouldn't make it in the world of scholars. Before retiring from military service, the Emperor granted me a favor. I shamelessly requested an exception to pass on my title to Chongyun... I wanted to give him everything. Now I wonder, did one mistake lead to another?"

"Do the current Xiao He and Yan resemble a young Chongyun?"

The Duke said, "I can't discipline him anymore, it's too late. Li Zhi, when I'm better tomorrow, will you accompany me to the palace to seek an audience with the Emperor?"

More tears spilled from the old Lady's eyes. She knew the Duke's pain but couldn't help adding, "General, Chongyun, he..."

The Duke interjected, "He's no longer a child. He's a father of two now. We both know what kind of person the Crown Prince is. He probably thinks little of him because the Prince is young... Since I, as a father, couldn't raise him right, I won't intervene when outsiders try to."

The old Lady responded, "Alright, when you're better tomorrow, I'll accompany you to the palace to see the Emperor."

Outside the room.

Shen He had overheard part of the conversation and quickly covered Shen Yan's ears.

Shen Yan turned to look at him, and Shen He flashed a grin.

With a puzzled look, Little Bun-brother let Shen He keep his ears covered.

Shen He blinked, understanding their implication.

The successor of the Duke's mansion was likely to be determined sooner.

Much earlier than the original story.

Is the Crown Prince going to deal with their lousy father?

If he does, so be it, Shen He thought. He's been disliking him for a long time. If the old Shen could join him, he would've tried to get rid of the 2.0 trash version three years earlier.

Wait a minute, Shen He wondered, does the main character have time to deal with their lousy father now?

Isn't he busy with the previous dynasty's matters? Wouldn't it be troublesome to deal with their father now?

Hearing no voices from inside, Shen He scratched his cheek and entered with Shen Yan.

After inadvertently overhearing, Liu Zheng felt awkward, as if he'd eavesdropped. It was quite impolite.

Unsure if he should enter, he weighed his options. Not visiting the host after knocking would be even ruder, so he decided to pretend he heard nothing.

Seeing the weariness on his grandfather's face, Shen He leaned in, compassionately touching it with his chubby hand, "What's happened, Grandfather?"

The old Lady and the Duke stopped speaking upon hearing noises from outside.

Their faces brightened upon seeing Shen Yan and Shen He, and behind them, a young master from the Liu family, "Ah, Xiao He, it's been some days since we last saw you. Come here, let your grandmother hold you. Your grandfather is just tired; he'll be fine by tomorrow."

"Show your grandfather how well you've healed. You were sick a few days ago, weren't you? We found out a bit late, otherwise, we'd have visited you. Let grandmother feel your tummy."

Shen He snuggled in his grandmother's embrace for a moment before climbing onto the couch to sit beside the Duke.

Shen Yan also took a seat next to him.

The Duke gently ruffled the boys' hair, his spirits seemingly lifted by their presence.

Liu Zheng respectfully greeted the elders, displaying impeccable manners.

Shen He gently patted the Duke's wrinkled face, "Grandfather, you must take your medicine. It'll make you feel better."

The Duke chuckled, "Alright, I'll listen to our Xiao He. Speaking of which, how are you doing at the academy? What are you learning from the scholars there?"

Shen He, adept at pacifying elders, began counting on his fingers, listing all he's learned at the academy. Finally, he reassuringly patted his grandfather's hand, saying earnestly, "Don't be upset. Your health is the most important."

With his rosy, chubby cheeks and babyish voice, his attempts to play the wise elder seemed adorably comical.

The Duke was thoroughly entertained, and they all shared a hearty laugh.

They chatted away, and Shen He, not in a hurry to return to the Liu residence, enjoyed dinner at the Duke's mansion before bidding farewell to his grandparents and his 'cannon fodder' brother.

He waved goodbye with his plump little hand.

Surprisingly, throughout the visit, there was no sign of their good-for-nothing father.

Climbing into the carriage, Shen He felt a pang of resentment, "Such an unfortunate son, not even home when his father is ill."

His initial plan to kick his father, taking advantage of his childish innocence, had been thwarted.

His rosy cheeks puffed up in frustration, Liu Zheng, sitting beside him, whispered, "Don't be upset, Xiao He."

He opened his palm, revealing a cicada.

With a gentle nudge, the cicada's wings fluttered as if ready to fly.

"This is for you, Xiao He. I made it last night. You're the first to know." Though everything he created had only ever been witnessed by Shen He.

Shen He was captivated, his eyes sparkling, "Thank you, brother!"

How did he manage to do this?

Did the little cousin really invent a clockwork mechanism at such a young age?

Seeing his joy, Liu Zheng subtly curved his lips into a smile and bent down to instruct, "Here, twirl this and it will make the wings move."

It's not a clockwork mechanism. There's a small stick inserted that can be manually controlled to open and close the wings.

Still, it's quite impressive!

Such a tiny device, crafted so delicately by the little cousin. Shen He feels it's only a matter of time before he creates a true clockwork mechanism!

He can assist from the side, after all.

Hehe.

Speaking of which, why hasn't the male lead taken him back to the Eastern Palace yet?

By my calculations, he's been with the Liu family for almost a week now.

Back when he used to stay at the Duke's residence, every three to four days, the male lead would impatiently take him back to the Eastern Palace, fearing he'd stay too long at the Duke's.

It was like clocking in on a routine, hand him over, ding, the familial bond checked off, then whisking him away without delay.

Shen He chuckled at his own imagination, grinning to reveal his little teeth, his eyes curving up in mirth.

……

The Duke's residence.

After Shen He left, the old lady held Shen Yan's hand and led him back.

She said with a warm smile, "Little Yan, you must get along well with Little He. You are the elder brother. Study hard, and when Little He grows up, you can protect him."

Shen Yan nodded vigorously, "I can teach Little He to read, and I'll help with whatever he doesn’t understand!"

The old lady praised, "Our Little Yan is such a good boy, just like a big brother should be."

Shen Yan lowered his gaze, staring at his toes, biting his fingertip.

As they approached his courtyard, Shen Yan suddenly asked, "Grandma, was Grandpa a general?"

The old lady replied, "Yes, when your grandfather was young, he was a formidable general. But now he's old. Did your teacher talk about the general's stories at school today?"

Shen Yan tilted his head up, asking softly, "Grandma, can I become a general?"

He was a tad tentative.

His big eyes shimmered, reminiscent of a cautious, observant young animal.

He cautiously voiced, "Grandma, I don't want to be the top scholar. Can I be a general?"

Being a general means becoming a very powerful person, pleasing grandpa, and perhaps protecting Little He as well.

The old lady paused for a long moment.

She lowered her head and slowly crouched down, saying, "Of course, Shen Yan. You can be whatever you wish to be."

The old lady gently pinched his cheek, her voice tinged with regret, "You can tell your grandfather. He would surely be overjoyed upon hearing."

Shen Yan blinked, his lips pursed. Tiny dimples formed at the corners of his mouth, not from joy, but rather a heightened sense of wariness.

In a small voice full of doubt, he asked, "Will it make grandfather love me the most?"

The old lady observed the boy's expression and replied hesitantly, "... Grandfather, of course, loves Shen Yan."

Yet the boy had emphasized "most."

Shen Yan shook his head, "I won't tell grandfather then. He should love Shen He more."

He added, "I love Shen He even more."

The child's words were somewhat jumbled.

However, the old lady discerned his intended meaning.

He hoped the Duke would favor Shen He more, while his own affection for Shen He surpassed even the Duke's.

The old lady caressed Shen Yan's cheek, pulling him into an embrace, "That's good. Grandfather adores Shen He, just as he loves you."

She continued, "In the future, Shen Yan, you can ask grandfather to guide you, so when you grow up, you can become a general. Then, not only can you protect your younger brother Shen He, but also many other younger siblings, ensuring they get the same opportunity to learn and grow. Such a feat is reserved for the truly remarkable."

Shen Yan's misty eyes sparkled, "I can do it!"