Chapter 28: “Mother and Son” Reunion?
After the two finished a simple meal, Yu Chenyu seemingly mentioned, unintentionally or otherwise, the conversation she had yesterday with the Demon Suppression King.
“It seems your father has already sensed that something is amiss.”
Yu Chenyu said this casually.
“These past few days have indeed been a little too lively.” Shen Yanzhou replied with a smile.
Yu Chenyu reclined sideways against the couch, her gaze cast toward the bamboo courtyard not far away. Her tone carried a faint trace of complexity. “Today, your father will likely have Shen Tian come to the residence.”
Though her expression appeared complicated, her heart was calm and without ripples—she even felt an urge to laugh.
Whether Shen Tian was her biological son, she knew perfectly well.
However, at present… including the Demon Suppression King, many of the clan elders in the mansion firmly believed that Shen Tian was the true child between the two of them.
Of course, such a matter could not be easily revealed. Thus, even if a meeting was to take place, it could only happen in secret.
Looking at Yu Chenyu’s expression of troubled hesitation, Shen Yanzhou sneered inwardly. If he had not been thoroughly familiar with her true nature, even he might have been deceived by her performance.
Women truly were born actors.
“This day was bound to come. Deep down, Mother must also wish to see him, right? After all, blood is thicker than water.”
“In the end, I am not your biological child.”
Shen Yanzhou sighed softly, his tone carrying faint melancholy and bitterness.
He had long known that the Demon Suppression King would arrange a meeting between Shen Tian and Yu Chenyu, so none of this came as a surprise to him.
Upon hearing those words, Yu Chenyu slightly turned her eyes to him.
Seeing the sorrow on Shen Yanzhou’s handsome face, it did not seem feigned.
However, given the intelligence and sharpness Shen Yanzhou had shown lately, she found it difficult to tell whether his emotions were genuine or not.
The smarter a person was, the harder they were to control—because oftentimes, even their affection and trust could be part of an act.
“Zhou’er, are you afraid that Mother will abandon you?”
“No matter what, you are the child Mother raised from infancy—you will always be my son.”
Yu Chenyu smiled gently, extending her delicate hand to softly caress Shen Yanzhou’s face.
Shen Yanzhou’s eyes revealed a look of gratitude, as though he felt a trace of warmth.
Just as the two were performing this tender scene of mother and son, the sound of footsteps echoed from the corridor outside the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard.
The clan elder of the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion, Shen Zhigao, led Shen Tian—who was dressed in his finest, every strand of hair neatly combed—toward them, accompanied by a group of servants and maids.
Shen Tian wore a clean blue robe and carried a sword case on his back. His figure was tall and straight like bamboo, his features delicate yet resolute.
Though he tried hard to remain composed, his quickened breathing betrayed his turbulent emotions.
Today, he would finally meet his biological mother…
“Relax a little, child. Why so nervous? It’s not like you’re entering the palace to meet the Emperor.”
Seeing Shen Tian’s tense demeanor, Shen Zhigao couldn’t help but shake his head with a smile.
“Yes, Th—Third Granduncle.”
Shen Tian took a deep breath as he gazed at the grand residence before him, its pavilions rising magnificently.
The title still felt somewhat foreign on his tongue.
Originally, he should have been the rightful heir to this splendid mansion.
“That bamboo grove ahead—quiet and serene—is where your mother… your foster mother usually rests. The Emerald Bamboo Courtyard.”
Shen Zhigao explained as he led the way.
Shen Tian nodded.
Soon, the two passed through several corridors and archways before finally reaching a lush courtyard.
The rustling of bamboo leaves sounded like gentle waves, carrying a tranquil fragrance that seemed to calm the heart.
“The Consort’s order stands—no one may enter the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard without her permission.”
Just as Shen Zhigao was about to lead Shen Tian through the arched gate, a red-clad girl standing with her sword before the courtyard stopped them, her tone far from polite.
She had dark, glossy hair tied at the ends with a crimson cord. Her figure was slender like a reed, her eyes bright and clear, her complexion fair as snow—exquisite like a porcelain doll.
Shen Tian, whose emotions had surged moments ago, suddenly froze at her words.
He stiffened, his foot—already lifted to step forward—halted in place.
“This…”
For a moment, Shen Tian felt lost and awkward.
Glancing at Shen Zhigao’s darkened face beside him, he realized he hadn’t known of such a rule.
Shen Zhigao’s sleeve flicked as his temper flared; he felt humiliated. “What, is it so difficult now to meet Yu Chenyu?”
Chunchao had blocked the courtyard on Shen Yanzhou’s orders.
Frowning slightly, she glanced at Shen Tian. “He’s a stranger I’ve never seen before. I can’t allow him inside. What if he has ill intentions?”
“You little girl…”
Shen Zhigao’s expression turned gloomy.
He knew that Chunchao was someone Yu Chenyu had brought back from Qilin City’s Sword Lodge, so he dared not act against her.
Shen Tian’s mood instantly soured.
This was clearly meant to humiliate him!
She was his biological mother—how could she refuse to see her own son?
“Chunchao, there’s no need to trouble your Third Granduncle. Let them come in.”
At that moment, a gentle yet cool voice came from within the bamboo grove.
Hearing it, Shen Tian’s body trembled.
Instinctively, he followed the sound with his eyes.
Amid the layers of bamboo leaves, a graceful figure slowly descended the stone steps.
Though separated by distance, his martial cultivation allowed him to see her clearly—an extraordinarily beautiful woman with hair cascading like ink, draped in a slightly loose robe embroidered with cloud patterns. Her bearing was noble and refined.
Just one glance—and she was engraved into his heart.
The figure overlapped with the one he had long yearned for in his dreams, and his emotions surged uncontrollably.
“Mother…”
The word almost escaped his lips, but he forcibly swallowed it back.
Then, his eyes widened, and his fists clenched so tightly that anger nearly set him ablaze.
“That wastrel…”
Beside that elegant figure, another person followed—one step behind her.
That handsome face bore a faint, polite smile, yet it lacked any warmth.
And upon seeing him, that expression instantly darkened with irritation and resentment.
Who else could it be but that good-for-nothing, Shen Yanzhou?
“So it really was that wastrel trying to make things difficult for me—to humiliate me!”
“I won’t let him have his way.”
Shen Tian took several deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down.
Years of life-and-death tempering in the southern borderlands had already forged his unyielding will.
Shen Zhigao also sensed Shen Tian’s shifting emotions, which only deepened his appreciation.
As expected of the Shen bloodline—unlike that idle fop Shen Yanzhou, who knew nothing beyond abusing his privilege.
“Why must you be so petty? Can’t you two just get along…”
Yu Chenyu gave Shen Yanzhou a light, reproachful glance.
She naturally knew that Shen Yanzhou had ordered Chunchao to block the courtyard, yet she made no move to stop it—pretending not to notice.