Editor: Misty Cloud Translations
Shen Shiqi didn’t look at him but turned to Xiao Junyan instead. "Tonight’s incident was the Shen family’s fault. I’ll take this boy back and ensure the Xiao family receives a proper explanation."
Though several families had competing interests, none were outright enemies. Minor skirmishes were easily overlooked, but the Shen family’s young master had struck from the shadows with murderous intent—a clear violation of honor. If Xiao Junyan were to make this public on the street, the Shen family would find it difficult to maintain their standing in the city henceforth.
After all, striking from the shadows was the act of a petty villain, despised by all.
Xiao Junyan glanced at him and nodded. "Agreed." With that, he turned away without another look at the others. As he did so, he noticed Yun Qi, who had been standing among the crowd, had vanished without a trace.
His eyes flickered briefly as he discreetly scanned the surroundings. Finding no sign of her, he began to walk away.
Several young n and won from the Xiao family hurried after him. Behind them, not only did the younger generation of the Shen family lower their heads upon seeing Shen Shiqi bow his, but even the two young mbers of the Chen family bowed their heads at that mont. For beside Shen Shiqi stood their own Third Young Master Chen, his face cold and stern.
Late at night, in the Shen family hall, Shen Shiqi sat in the seat of honor sipping tea. The Patriarch of the Shen family’s collateral branch occupied the seat to his right, while the clan elders sat below.
In the center of the hall knelt the youth—the third young master of the Shen family’s second branch.
"Young Master Shen Shiqi, what is the aning of this?" an elder inquired, unsure why he had been summoned or why a junior was kneeling in the center.
"Let him speak for himself," Shen Shiqi replied without lifting his head, lightly scraping the tea lid against the surface of his cup.
"Speak! What exactly happened?" the Second Master of the Shen family demanded in a deep voice, his eyes fixed intently on his son kneeling before him.
"I... I went to the lantern festival with Chen Nan and the others. We... we ran into so people from the Xiao family. Words were exchanged, and a fight broke out. The Xiao family mbers were no match for us. Later, the Patriarch Xiao intervened and injured . Uncle Seventeen ca out and... and brought back." The youth kept his head bowed, his words coming out haltingly.
Listening to this, Shen Shiqi’s lips curved slightly, his expression unreadable, leaving others guessing at his thoughts.
The assembled crowd also froze upon hearing this. After exchanging glances, the Second Master of the Shen family turned to Shen Shiqi seated at the head and asked, "Young Master Shiqi, is this how it happened?"
Others also looked at Shen Shiqi, their minds filled with doubt. If things truly unfolded as he claid, then this should have been re youthful mischief. How did it escalate to the point where all the clan elders had to be summoned?
Shen Shiqi set down his teacup and looked at the youth kneeling on the floor. "I gave you a chance," he said.
Hearing this, the youth’s heart trembled, and his head drooped even lower.
The others felt a sinking sensation in their hearts upon hearing Shen Shiqi’s words, sensing vaguely that the matter was not as simple as Shen San had described.
Shen Shiqi rose to his feet, hands clasped behind his back as he paced the hall. "Our Shen family stands among the foremost century-old clans. The foundation of our clan is not to subdue others through force, but to win their respect through virtue."
Shen Shiqi swept a glance over them. "
"The Shen family has countless branches. Though not part of the main lineage, you should still understand this principle. Yet I never imagined that upon coming here, I would witness a young Shen heir, not yet of age, harboring such venomous intentions."
His voice paused as he slowly approached the youth. "Speak then. What reason compels you to insist on the death of that Xiao family heir?"
User Comments
0 comments from readers