Chapter 29: Illegitimate Son
Negative emotions from Shen Tian +27+28+31+33……
Negative emotions from Shen Zhigao +4+5+7+8……
Shen Yanzhou said innocently, “But Mother, this was your own order. I never told Chunchao to do this. If you don’t believe me, you can ask her.”
As he spoke, he deliberately stressed the word “Mother” and even glanced at Chunchao.
However, Chunchao merely lowered her head while holding her sword, pretending not to hear.
When the Princess Consort was no longer looking at her, she secretly glared at Shen Yanzhou with a look as if to remind him not to forget their agreement.
Shen Yanzhou likewise pretended not to see it.
Negative emotions from Chunchao +6+6+6……
This girl clearly wanted him to instruct her in the “Selfless Sword Heart.”
Naturally, he had verbally agreed—otherwise Chunchao would not have helped him make things difficult for Shen Tian.
Seeing Shen Yanzhou speaking so casually and comfortably with Yu Chenyu, Shen Tian’s fists under his sleeves clenched even tighter, wishing he could smash that hateful face with one punch.
“Mother” — was that a title he could call her? Who was his mother? Didn’t he feel disgusted himself?
Negative emotions from Shen Tian +33+37+41……
Yu Chenyu pretended not to notice the small gestures between Shen Yanzhou and Chunchao.
She stepped forward, examining Shen Tian before her. Her gaze was like flowing water, her expression gentle.
“You must be Shen Tian? I’ve heard Jingxiao mention you before. You do look like a steady and outstanding child.” She smiled as she spoke, her tone filled with admiration.
Of course, in her eyes, he was merely a little above average in martial cultivation. His appearance was ordinary, slightly delicate, and aside from that, nothing particularly striking.
In any case… certainly not as pleasing to the eye as Shen Yanzhou.
“Deputy Commander of the Firearms Battalion Shen Tian, pays respects to the Princess Consort.”
Seeing Yu Chenyu looking at him, Shen Tian straightened his back, acting calm and composed.
Even though there were many things he wanted to say at this moment, he could only suppress them in his heart and cupped his hands in salute.
“Good child, training and serving in the southern border must have been hard…” Yu Chenyu responded with a smile.
Shen Tian felt an indescribable warmth in her concern, his heart softening. He quickly shook his head and smiled. “To fight for the rivers and mountains, for the people of this land, to resist the demon race — how could that be called hardship? As long as I can see the people living in peace and prosperity, the four seas tranquil, I am content.”
As he spoke, he deliberately glanced at Shen Yanzhou, as if wanting Yu Chenyu to see the great difference between the two.
He fought for the country and the people, broad-minded and filled with righteousness.
Whereas Shen Yanzhou was a petty villain, bullying others with power and doing all manner of evil — how could he compare with himself?
“You are so ambitious and broad-minded; you are truly like Jingxiao.”
Hearing this, Yu Chenyu’s smile became even softer.
The look she gave Shen Tian seemed full of appreciation and satisfaction.
“Princess Consort flatters me.”
Receiving such praise, all the grievances Shen Tian had felt moments ago were instantly swept away.
Saying he resembled the Demon Suppression King, Shen Jingxiao — wasn’t that an indirect acknowledgment of his identity?
At the side, Shen Zhigao, who had been somewhat displeased with Yu Chenyu’s cold attitude earlier, now showed a gratified smile. He patted Shen Tian on the shoulder and said, “Child, didn’t you bring some gifts from the southern border especially?”
Hearing this, Shen Tian came back to his senses and hurriedly presented the gifts he had brought in his other hand — rare specialties from the southern border: Thousand-Flower Jade Brew, Frost-Marrow Honey Dates, and Preserved Dragon-Blood Snow Rabbits…
However, before Yu Chenyu could reach to take them—
Shen Yanzhou had already stepped forward from behind, frowning in disgust. “What are these shabby things? The Prince’s Mansion doesn’t lack such things. This rabbit meat is all black — can it even be eaten? I think you’re up to no good, probably poisoned it.”
“You…”
Shen Tian’s smile froze, his expression darkening. If not for propriety, he would almost have lashed out and taught Shen Yanzhou a lesson on the spot.
These specialties, though they seemed simple, were actually rare even in the southern border.
“What nonsense are you spouting? These are rare specialties Shen Tian specially selected from the southern border. Shen Yanzhou, if you keep fooling around, don’t blame me for punishing you by family law.” Shen Zhigao’s face hardened.
Yu Chenyu gave Shen Yanzhou a brief glance, then withdrew her gaze. Her lips still carried a gentle smile as she said to Shen Tian, “You are truly thoughtful, even bringing gifts. I accept your good intentions.”
“Zhou’er, stop fooling around. Shen Tian is someone your father values highly. How could he possibly poison such things?”
This last sentence was clearly directed at Shen Yanzhou.
Hearing this, Shen Tian’s expression relaxed. He secretly cast a mocking glance at Shen Yanzhou.
The more unruly and difficult Shen Yanzhou acted, the more the Princess Consort would dislike him — especially when contrasted with his own maturity and steadiness.
“How am I fooling around? Clearly it’s Mother who is favoring him…”
Shen Yanzhou’s face slowly flushed red, as if greatly displeased.
At this moment, he was like a stubborn child pestering his mother.
He first swept the gifts Shen Tian had brought to the ground, then with reddened eyes said, “He’s just a deputy commander of the Firearms Battalion, not even Seventh Rank. On what grounds can he freely come and go from the Prince’s Mansion? Not only does Father value him, but even the clan elders favor him, and now even you, Mother, admire him like this…”
“Are you hiding something from me? Is he Father’s illegitimate son, returning to the capital from afar to acknowledge his ancestry?”
That last sentence he nearly shouted in a furious roar.
With Shen Yanzhou’s brazen words spoken aloud—
Emerald Bamboo Courtyard instantly fell silent.
Whether Shen Tian or Shen Zhigao, both of their expressions changed.
The household servants and maids who had followed all turned pale with fright and knelt to the ground.
“Shen Yanzhou, what nonsense are you saying?”
Shen Zhigao, who had just recovered, looked grim and hurriedly rebuked him.
“You mustn’t speak such reckless words.” Shen Tian quickly added.
Having almost confirmed his own parentage, he knew well how grave the implications were.
Otherwise, why would the Demon Suppression King have not yet acknowledged him?
Shen Zhigao, on the other hand, was worried that if this matter spread, it would trigger enormous consequences.
The timing was not yet right.
A trace of astonishment also flashed across Yu Chenyu’s face.
In her heart she was quite surprised — Shen Yanzhou was sharp and intelligent, and his current display of unruly behavior was obviously just an act.
She did not believe Shen Yanzhou was merely jealous and vying for favor.
He had deliberately spoken aloud a truth that no one in the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion dared to voice… likely intending to use this as leverage to once again push the Mansion into the public spotlight.
And wasn’t this exactly what she wished for?
A trace of amusement flitted across her heart, and she decided simply to play along.
Yu Chenyu’s gentle smile quickly faded. Her expression grew more severe than ever as she scolded angrily, “Zhou’er, what nonsense are you talking about? How could your father have an illegitimate son outside? Have I spoiled you too much usually? How can such words be spoken so lightly? If you keep this up, don’t blame me for confining you to your room, not letting you take even half a step outside.”
The usually gentle and graceful Princess Consort was so furious that even Shen Zhigao was startled. Then, he glanced at Shen Yanzhou with a look of schadenfreude.
Normally, Shen Yanzhou relied on the Princess Consort’s affection to act recklessly and do whatever he pleased, and now, before Shen Tian’s eyes, he was still causing such a scene.
No matter how much the Princess Consort doted on him, there was a limit.
Once disappointment accumulated to a certain degree, she would certainly give up on him.
There was also hidden schadenfreude in Shen Tian’s eyes as he watched from the side.
That foppish Shen Yanzhou was truly foolish beyond saving, unable even to tell when and where to restrain himself…
“What…”
“Mother, you’re going to confine me… because of this Shen Tian?”
At that moment, Shen Yanzhou seemed as though he had heard something unbelievable.
His reddened eyes widened, and he stared fixedly at Yu Chenyu, his gaze flickering repeatedly between her and Shen Tian, as if trying to confirm something.
“Heh, I see…”
“I see, I understand now. I understand everything…”
Moments later, Shen Yanzhou suddenly let out a bitter laugh.
It was as if he had figured something out—light in his eyes dimmed and went out, leaving only despair.
Then, regardless of anything else, he shoved aside the servants and maids before him and ran straight out of Emerald Bamboo Courtyard.
His sudden action startled everyone, even Yu Chenyu, who had mentally prepared herself, was taken aback.
“Zhou’er…”
She subconsciously called out, but soon her brows furrowed.
She could tell Shen Yanzhou must have been acting, yet his expression and words just now—especially that despairing glance when he turned back—had somehow tugged faintly at her heart.
Could it be that after raising him for twenty years, she truly had developed feelings for him?
“Chunchao, go stop Zhou’er. Don’t let him do anything foolish.”
Yu Chenyu frowned and gave the order to Chunchao.
Even she herself wasn’t sure what Shen Yanzhou intended to do, and her tone unconsciously carried a trace of concern that she didn’t even notice.
“Yes.”
Chunchao acknowledged the command and hurried off in pursuit.
“This fellow really doesn’t know what’s important,” Shen Zhigao cursed under his breath, filled with dissatisfaction.
Today was supposed to be the day Shen Tian reunited with the Princess Consort.
As her biological son, Shen Tian should have been able to converse and bond properly with her, but Shen Yanzhou’s meddling had ruined everything.
Although Shen Tian’s face remained composed, he was inwardly displeased. His fists clenched slightly, filled with unexplainable jealousy and bitterness.
He could tell that the Princess Consort was worried and concerned about Shen Yanzhou.
Even though he knew it was because she was kind-hearted and sentimental, such emotions should not be wasted on that wastrel.
After such a disruption, no matter what Shen Tian said afterward, Yu Chenyu appeared distracted.
Shen Tian sighed softly in his heart and did not linger.
After a polite farewell, he left with Shen Zhigao, planning to visit again another day.
Since the Demon Suppression King had not acknowledged him, he naturally could not presumptuously address Yu Chenyu as “Mother.”
“Deal with these servants and women present today. Some words aren’t meant for their ears.”
“I’m only worried that wastrel will talk nonsense after leaving the mansion, drawing unwanted attention.”
“Shen San, go check on him. If he keeps causing trouble, bring him straight back to the mansion and confine him.”
“At such a critical time, we cannot afford his mischief.”
Back in his study, Shen Zhigao stood cold-faced and gave these orders.
“Yes, Third Master.”
A shadowed figure hidden in the darkness responded quietly.
Meanwhile, Shen Tian, having left the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion, couldn’t help but let his thoughts churn.
Shen Yanzhou might be foolish, but not utterly hopeless.
From his words earlier, it was clear he had guessed something.
“If only this fellow could disappear quietly.”
A murderous glint flashed in Shen Tian’s eyes.
……
“How did you go from so furious and heartbroken just now to suddenly fine again?”
Chunchao followed closely behind Shen Yanzhou as the two walked out of the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion, heading down the long street toward Yuxian Pavilion.
There was no trace of sadness left on Shen Yanzhou’s face — instead, he looked calm and at ease.
“Sad, yes, but once I realized it’s all a fact I can’t change, it’s better to just enjoy life while I can — drink and be merry.” He sighed as he spoke.
“You really weren’t pretending just now?”
Chunchao, though not very clever, vaguely sensed that Shen Yanzhou was probably deceiving her.
“Of course not. But there are some things that can only be said at a time like that.”
“Of course, you wouldn’t understand that.”
Shen Yanzhou stopped walking, turned around, and looked at Chunchao with his usual smile.
Chunchao froze for a moment.
She felt that there was something hidden in that smile — could it be that his seemingly petulant words earlier were actually from the heart?
Did the Heir truly fear being abandoned by the Princess Consort?
Shaking her head, Chunchao felt that the relationships within the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion were far too complicated.
Could that Shen Tian really be the Princess Consort’s biological son?
The smile on Shen Yanzhou’s lips faded.
Of course, he knew Chunchao was a pawn planted by Yu Chenyu at his side.
Everything that passed between them would certainly be reported to her afterward.
Lies were easy to detect — but lies mixed with truth?
Given Yu Chenyu’s cunning and depth, truly earning her trust wouldn’t be easy. But Shen Yanzhou had patience — enough to slowly erode her guard.
“Today, this young master is in a bad mood. Call out all the girls in Yuxian Pavilion for me.”
“Chunchao, you’ll drink with me too.”
As soon as they arrived at Yuxian Pavilion, Shen Yanzhou directly reserved the entire place.
With his infamous reputation in the capital, even if some patrons were displeased, they could only curse their bad luck and leave quietly, unwilling to offend him.
“I’m not drinking. I don’t know how to drink.”
“Master won’t allow me to drink.”
Chunchao straightened her small face and firmly refused.
“If you drink a little, I’ll teach you that nameless sword art.” Shen Yanzhou smiled, coaxing her gently.
“You promised me — I helped you trouble Shen Tian, and you said you’d teach me.” Chunchao felt tricked, her porcelain-doll face showing anger.
“I lied to you. You’re too stupid — you’d never learn it anyway.” Shen Yanzhou laughed heartily.
“……” Chunchao almost wanted to draw the sword from her chest and stab a few holes in him.
Negative emotions from Chunchao +6+6+6+6……
Before long, word spread that the Heir of the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion, Shen Yanzhou, had booked the entire Yuxian Pavilion.
Ordinarily, this wasn’t much of a noteworthy event — especially since it involved Shen Yanzhou, the notorious wastrel heir. Few paid it any mind.
However, as several serving girls poured wine for him, they heard from Shen Yanzhou’s incessant chatter some secrets concerning the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion.
That news quickly exploded — drawing the attention of spies and informants from many noble families across the capital.