chapter 71

Chapter 71: Paper-thin Man

Everyone in the room stood up.

Except for Shen He, who remained seated.

Initially, he wanted to emulate the protagonist's ability to sit with an air of superiority and dominance. However, seeing everyone else stand up, he felt compelled to rise as well.

His face taut with tension, a small flame of fury burning inside him, he wished nothing more than to throw down with that cur, Shen Congyun, right then and there!

He raised his voice, even louder than Shen Congyun's, "Dare you call me unfilial? You, the undutiful son! Anyone in this mansion could take charge, except for someone like you!"

Shen Congyun's face turned crimson with rage, his neck veins bulging, chest heaving violently. In a sudden move, he raised his hand, evidently intending to strike Shen He!

But Shen He was fearless. He immediately rolled up his sleeves, ready for a fight.

Afraid of this wretch? Hardly!

Today, he was determined to mar this trash's face, so he wouldn't disgrace the memory of old Shen by bearing a resemblance to him!

Shen Yan moved quicker than Shen He.

He pulled Shen He behind him and stepped forward, instantly positioning himself between Shen He and Shen Congyun.

As Shen Congyun's hand descended, Shen Yan effortlessly caught it.

Though Shen Yan appeared to be a slender youth, standing beside Shen Congyun and gripping his hand revealed something surprising: he was marginally taller than Shen Congyun.

Holding Shen Congyun's hand with ease, he didn't budge, no matter how much Shen Congyun struggled.

He fixed Shen Congyun with a gaze as dark and unfathomable as a deep pool, cold and devoid of emotion.

It wasn't the look one gives to a father.

Shen Congyun's anger intensified, "Move aside! This is insubordination..."

Before he could finish, the elder Duke roared, "It's you who's overstepping! Get out! I won't have you dictating matters in my mansion!"

This audacious man, daring to lay a hand on Shen He!?

Absent all this while, and now he wants to play the role of a father?

The elder Duke's chest heaved, breathing heavily, his eyes blazing as he took a swing.

The elder Duke had never raised a hand to his son before.

This was the first time.

He slapped Shen Congyun across the face, leaving a vivid handprint.

Although the elder Duke was advanced in age, he was a former warrior, and his slap sent Shen Congyun reeling, nearly causing him to stumble.

Recalling Shen Congyun's earlier remarks, Shen He still couldn't shake off his anger.

Grinding his teeth and glaring at Shen Congyun, he went to soothe his grandfather while sarcastically remarking, "Whether or not I ranked first has nothing to do with you. You've taken exams for years and never achieved top scholar yourself, have you?"

These words undoubtedly struck a nerve with Shen Congyun!

Being mocked for this was what he detested most in life!

Shen Congyun shouted, "You unfilial son! You..."

Shen He didn't pause for Shen Congyun's outburst but spoke even faster with a mocking tone, "The fact that I am talented and intelligent owes to my mother's genetics, the lineage of the Liu family, the teachings of the Crown Prince and Minister Song, the education of the Imperial Academy, the trust of my grandparents and brothers, the care of my attendants, maids, eunuchs, and all who surround me. It has nothing—absolutely nothing—to do with you. How presumptuous of you to take credit!"

Shen He continued, "Just wait, I'll issue notices everywhere tomorrow declaring you've never been involved in my upbringing. I achieved what I have without any contribution from you. You better not set foot here again. Stay comfortably in your separate residence. Weren't you bold enough to miss even our grandfather's birthday? Perhaps you aren't truly a Shen? Keep your distance and don't be an eyesore here!"

Shen He eyed the reddening imprint on Shen Congyun's face, which was starting to swell, feeling slightly appeased.

Examining Shen Congyun from head to toe, he remarked with a blank expression and a hint of arrogance, "Or perhaps, are you short on funds now? Struggling outside and needing to come beg for some silver?"

Shen Congyun exclaimed, "You!"

Shen He retorted, "You what? People say a gentleman speaks little but acts swiftly. You seem neither eloquent nor swift in action, hardly befitting a gentleman. It's no wonder you could only ever achieve the title of 'ju ren' (intermediate scholar)."

Then he loudly called out, "Steward! Why haven't you escorted him out yet?"

How could the steward dare to?

It was the first time he'd seen someone so audaciously quarrel with his own father. Even the Duke, in his impudence, would maintain some decorum when addressing the elder Duke, never openly being so confrontational.

The room was in chaos.

Shen Yan, typically quiet, remained silent during these confrontations, always acting rather than speaking.

The elder Duke, usually a booming presence, was left breathless and distressed by his ungrateful son. His words could easily agitate him to the point of fainting. The Duchess was occupied with calming him, exasperatedly asking Shen Congyun, "What did you come here for, to agitate your father like this? We've already told you, we can't control you. Choose a residence and live your life!"

Among everyone in the room, Shen He's voice was the loudest and most striking, flowing smoothly with impeccable articulation, his tone dripping with irritation that would irk anyone.

The steward dared not move. Shen Yan turned his head and coldly uttered a single name: "Wang Yan."

From behind the main hall, a figure who had been standing unnoticed for who knows how long, immediately sprung into action.

Working seamlessly together, the two effortlessly apprehended Shen Congyun, the unresisting scholar. Holding him between them as one would a young chick, they briskly escorted him out of the Duke's mansion. Once they reached the bottom of the steps, they unceremoniously dumped him, their faces devoid of emotion, warning, "Duke Shen, it's best you live out your luxurious days peacefully. If there's a next time, our young general might not simply have you thrown out."

A red hue tinted the whites of Duke Shen's eyes, his rage so intense that he felt as though he could taste blood in his throat.

He glared at Shen Yan's guards, but ultimately, pride kept him from making a scene at the mansion's entrance.

He swiftly climbed into his carriage and departed.

Inside the mansion, it was utter chaos.

The elder Duke was so agitated that he almost couldn't catch his breath.

Shen He circled around him, concerned, "Grandfather, don't be upset. Next time, we'll keep the doors locked and not let him in."

However, these words failed to comfort the elder Duke.

The elder Duke gripped Shen He's arm, struggling to speak. After a moment, he could only mutter, "Little He..."

It seemed he wanted to say more, but after a few gasping breaths, he left the sentence unfinished.

Shen He didn’t press.

He didn’t want to know.

The doctor was summoned, diagnosing it as a recurrence of a prior ailment exacerbated by stress.

Given the elder Duke's advanced age and his history as a military officer, while he was physically robust, he also had his share of injuries from years of battles.

At his age, he could ill-afford such emotional turmoil.

Shen He and Shen Yan together helped their grandfather to his bedroom to rest.

The Duchess remained by his side to care for him. Shen He gently embraced her and whispered, "Grandmother, you should rest soon too. We don’t want you to wear yourself out."

The Duchess patted his arm, her eyes moist, managing a weak smile, "Little He, lunch..."

Shen He said, "I'm returning to the Eastern Palace."

The old lady chuckled, "Very well, go back to the Eastern Palace. I'm sure the Crown Prince will be pleased knowing you've taken the top spot."

Shen He pursed his lips, softly replying, "Mm-hmm."

He watched as the old Duke drank his medicine and then covered himself with the blanket to sleep. Only then did he and Shen Yan leave the courtyard together.

Shen Yan raised his hand and gently patted his head, "Don't be upset."

Shen He puffed out his cheeks, then let them deflate, murmuring, "I'm not upset, I wouldn't get mad over such a jerk."

He said with discontent, "It's really unfair. Some people wish for good parents but don't have them, while others do and take them for granted."

Shen Yan paused slightly, taken aback.

Shen He glanced sideways at his 'minor character' elder brother, who had grown so tall, even taller than him now.

The plot became more and more blurry in his mind with each passing year.

Time fades memories.

Seeing the stunned look on his 'minor character' elder brother's face, Shen He moved closer and tightly hugged him. He patted his back, raising his tone in an attempt to lift the gloom, "Brother, we are fine. Even if we're stuck with such garbage, there are others worth cherishing, right?"

Shen Yan slowly hugged Shen He back, nodding and saying softly, "Yes, that's right."

Taking advantage of this brief embrace, a smile once again appeared on Shen He's face.

He took a step back, grinning, "Well, I'm off to the Eastern Palace! Oh, brother, tomorrow I'm meeting with my cousins to celebrate. If you're free, why not join us?"

Shen Yan smiled and responded, "Sure."

A faint dimple appeared near his lips.

……

Shen He mounted his horse, his high ponytail swinging behind his head.

He felt a heaviness in his chest.

The smile that had been painstakingly raised began to fade, bit by bit.

It just suddenly came to him.

Every time the male lead meets with the unworthy Emperor father, does he also feel this anger?

Each encounter is a struggle to suppress the nausea.

Shen He thinks he wouldn't be sad, he'd only be angry. Because he knows Shen Congyun, that waste, is not the same person as the elder Shen.

The elder Shen was such a good man, loving his mother and him, always putting in his best effort. He was a good father, as close to him as a brother would be.

Shen He feels he already experienced such profound love; he had loving parents. Shen Congyun was inconsequential.

Facing Shen Congyun, he only felt anger. Anger because Shen Congyun was despicable, because he harmed the old Duke and the old lady, and because he was less than human.

But it was only anger.

Shen He wouldn't feel even the slightest sorrow because of Shen Congyun.

And what about others?

Would Shen Yan be sad?

Beyond the disgust, does the male lead also have moments of feeling dejected?

Undoubtedly, yes.

Humans need love to grow properly.

Love to humans is like sunlight and rain to plants; without these, no young seedling can grow into a healthy tree.

Shen Yan still has his grandparents, but what about the male lead?

Shen He tried hard to recall the original text for any such descriptions.

Did the male lead have any other elders willing to shower him with love?

His maternal grandparents, his imperial grandmother...

Shen He thought to himself, it seems there isn't any.

None at all.

Not a single one.

His maternal grandparents didn't show him much affection. Before the grand finale, among those eliminated were not just the "Shen He" who betrayed and rebelled but also the kin who harbored ulterior motives and sought to gain power.

Just as he, standing on a platform, murmured "He He" with a hint of sorrow in his eyes, he also watched "Shen He" being torn apart.

He lamented, thinking, why couldn't the kin just stay in their place? They should have been spared for the sake of his mother.

But then they all perished in a mysterious great fire.

The unworthy Emperor was no exception.

The male lead personally poured the final dose of poison into the mouth of his imperial father right in front of the royal bed.

He fought his way through every obstacle, crushing all stones in his path, with unwavering determination to ascend to the supreme throne.

This is an exhilarating story.

But would the male lead himself think his life is an exhilarating tale?