Free Web NovelChapter 672: Chapter 254: Jianan Temple’s Schemes
Home?
Next to him, Shen Xiubai was gazing at his father in a daze, seemingly unsure of what this "home" referred to.
Isn’t this home?
As Shen Xiubai pondered inwardly, Shen Chongxu had already left the side room, heading towards the back mountain of the old house.
Watching his father’s figure receding, Shen Xiubai quickly turned around, bowed to Shen Yuan and the others, and then chased after him.
"Father..."
In the side room, Shen Wenxing looked at his father’s somewhat relieved face and said worriedly, "Aren’t you putting too much on Chongxu..."
This situation reminded him of his brother Shen Wenyan.
Back then, Shen Wenyan ended up in such a miserable state due to an arranged marriage.
And now... He’s worried that Shen Chongxu might experience some unforeseen changes after finally coming back.
"I just want him to reconsider..."
Shen Yuan sighed deeply and said, "We have to think about Xiubai as well."
"With his parents still alive, the child lives like an orphan. Doesn’t that make you all feel sad?"
Hearing these words, everyone in the side room looked complex.
"Don’t worry, I’m not forcing him. The final decision still rests in his own hands."
After a long silence, Shen Yuan slowly stood up and left the side room.
On the winding bluestone path in the back mountain, Shen Chongxu moved forward slowly.
Shen Xiubai followed behind, watching his father’s silhouette ahead, several times wanting to speak but ultimately holding back.
"If you want to ask something, just ask."
Having reached the Fetal Breathing Perfection Realm, Shen Chongxu could sense his son’s aura and emotional changes without even looking.
Shen Xiubai was taken aback and then bowed: "Father, Great-grandfather just said... said mother..."
At this point, he suddenly didn’t know how to continue.
For twenty years, the matters about his parents were buried deep within him, never asked of anyone in the family.
Smart from a young age, he understood that there was definitely some secret concerning his parents.
Upon suddenly seeing his father this time, he wanted to ask him everything clearly.
But ultimately, he was no longer a child and had many concerns.
His father had made a rare return, and he didn’t want to burden him.
Shen Chongxu stopped and sat on a large rock beside the bluestone path.
Shen Xiubai paused in slight surprise, then sat down beside him.
Shen Chongxu gazed at the bright moon overhead, a hint of reminiscence on his face, then gently patted his son’s shoulder.
"Hasn’t anyone at home ever spoken to you about your mother and me?"
Shen Xiubai turned his head and slightly lowered it at his father’s face.
"Actually... your mother has always been by your side."
After a long silence, Shen Chongxu suddenly turned to him and spoke.
At these words, Shen Xiubai was instantly stunned.
His expression changed for a long time, then he said in disbelief, "Father is saying... Lady Liu?"
His voice trembled slightly.
Shen Chongxu sighed and nodded, "This matter began with a mistake back then..."
On this return from the Southern Border, he had already contemplated this issue deep down.
Now that father and son were sharing openly, Shen Chongxu held no secrets, recounting the past with Liu Yiran.
Shen Xiubai listened quietly, unknowingly clenching his fists!
"Xiubai, the rights and wrongs of this matter no longer matter."
"Telling you these things is to help you understand the reasons behind it."
Shen Xiubai was silent for a long time, shaking his head with a bitter smile.
"Even if father’s words are true, I myself can’t discern the rights and wrongs."
"But..."
"Is father’s return this time intending to forgive mother?"
Changing the topic, Shen Xiubai looked at him with hope.
For twenty years, he had always thought his parents might have passed away.
Now, to suddenly learn both parents were alive and mother had accompanied his childhood.
This was immense happiness for him.
He only wished for his mother to gain family recognition, to have a rightful place.
Then he would be truly satisfied.
Facing his son’s hopeful gaze, Shen Chongxu smiled faintly and said, "Let’s go back and see first."
Patting his shoulder again, father and son continued along the winding path to the back mountain.
Over a hundred years of development, the Shen Family had constructed many individual residences in this mountain forest.
These residences were prepared for the descendants of the Shen Family.
The residence where Shen Xiubai and Liu Yiran once lived was in the back mountain, not far from where Hu Mei’Er lived.
As father and son passed Hu Mei’Er’s residence, they noticed the courtyard gates were open, and low, slightly mournful music emanated from within.
Upon hearing the music, Shen Chongxu paused slightly, his expression somewhat complex.
Beside him, Shen Xiubai hesitated to speak.
He didn’t know much about his parents but had read about his grandfather Shen Wenyan in the family history.
Naturally, he also knew Hu Mei’Er was his grandmother.
"Let’s go."
Standing at the courtyard entrance for a moment, Shen Chongxu ultimately said nothing more, turning towards another nearby residence.
"Mother should be resting now!"
"I will knock."
When father and son reached the residence, they found the courtyard gates closed and only faint light inside.
Shen Xiubai immediately went to the door and softly knocked.
"Who is it?"
A response came from within from an elderly woman’s voice.
Soon followed by the sounds of her faltering steps.
The courtyard door opened, revealing a slightly stooped, gray-haired woman standing within.
"Ah, it’s Young Master Xiubai."
"Coming back so late, is there a matter to discuss?"
