Free Web NovelChapter 673: Chapter 254: Jianan Temple’s Schemes
Shen Xiubai smiled and cupped his hands, "Madam, I’ve come to see my mother!"
The old woman was taken aback at these words, and suddenly emitted a sharp aura unique to a cultivator!
Her hunched body slowly straightened up.
"Who did the Young Master say... he’s come to see?"
This old woman was the person Shen Chongming had arranged to be by Liu Yiran’s side back in the day, assigned by the Clan Court.
Her hidden identity was meant to care for Liu Yiran, fearing that the Liu siblings might harbor ill intentions and secretly exploit Shen Xiubai’s identity.
"Madam is a cultivator!?"
Feeling the faint spiritual pressure emanating from the old woman, Shen Xiubai was clearly a bit surprised.
The old woman, hearing this, chuckled and retracted her aura, returning to her original state.
"I was also favored by the family, learning some immortal techniques in my early years..."
"Young Master Xiubai..."
She was preparing to inquire about the meaning of the earlier words, but caught a glimpse of Shen Chongxu behind Shen Xiubai.
Once she clearly saw Shen Chongxu’s face, her expression was suddenly startled!
As a former disciple of the Clan Court, she had naturally seen Shen Chongxu before and had some impression of his appearance.
However, it had been over twenty years since they last met, so she was somewhat in disbelief for a moment.
"Are you... Young Master Chongxu?"
The old woman’s voice trembled as she spoke.
Shen Chongxu approached and nodded slightly.
Seeing the old woman with a cultivation of the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, yet willingly playing the role of an old servant to care for Liu Yiran, he understood the reason behind it all.
"Take me inside."
The old woman was initially startled, but then understood that the Shen Family probably already knew of Shen Chongxu’s return.
She realized that she didn’t need to worry much anymore.
With this thought, she respectfully bowed and led the father and son into the courtyard.
"I’ll go fetch Miss Liu."
After leading the father and son into the courtyard, the old woman was about to head to the bedroom to invite Liu Yiran out, but the bedroom door unexpectedly opened from the inside.
Dressed in a simple gauze dress, her long black hair casually tied at the back, Liu Yiran stood barefoot in the doorway, staring blankly at the father and son in the courtyard.
Especially upon noticing Shen Chongxu, her expression suddenly became complicated.
There was excitement, grievance, as well as nervousness and shame.
Seeing the expression on his mother’s face, Shen Xiubai quickly stepped forward and grabbed her hands.
"The young master is back."
But just as Shen Xiubai was about to speak, Liu Yiran immediately pressed down her multitude of thoughts and interrupted him.
She guessed that Shen Xiubai already knew about her and Shen Chongxu, and knew about her identity.
But without Shen Chongxu’s personal acknowledgment, she still dared not let Shen Xiubai reveal it.
Shen Chongxu glanced at the old woman beside him and said calmly, "You may go now."
On hearing this, the old woman immediately bowed respectfully and left.
"Young Master..."
Liu Yiran looked at him, struggling internally for a long time, but finally spoke first.
Shen Chongxu nodded slightly, took a few steps closer, and glanced into her tidy room.
"Let’s sit inside."
"Alright..."
Liu Yiran responded, quickly leading the father and son inside and poured them tea.
"Young Master... when did you come back?"
Offering the tea, Liu Yiran gathered her courage to ask again.
Shen Chongxu took the teacup, noticing her timidity, and how she acted cautiously and servile, like a servant, leaving him unsettled.
"You don’t need to be like this."
"The past matters are over, and the Xingyang Liu Family has perished."
"Xiubai is now grown up, it’s time to give you a rightful status."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yiran was shaken and looked at Shen Chongxu incredulously.
It had been twenty years!
Throughout these twenty years, she’d lived in this small courtyard in an awkward position.
Though the Shen Family never forbade her from leaving, she didn’t dare step outside herself.
At the root of it, it was because she didn’t have an official status, afraid to face others outside not knowing how to behave.
Now hearing Shen Chongxu say he’ll give her a status, Liu Yiran suddenly felt an urge to cry.
But ultimately she held back.
From Shen Chongxu’s expression, she could tell that it was a compromise.
And it was likely Xiubai who prompted this compromise.
"Xiubai, you head to the courtyard first; I need to have a good talk with your mother."
Filled with excitement, Shen Xiubai immediately stood up upon his father’s words and cupped his hands, "Mother, I shall go out first."
"Father..."
During this moment, Shen Xiubai was undoubtedly very happy.
And hearing the long-awaited word "mother" for over twenty years stirred Liu Yiran’s heart.
"Alright... sure!"
After he left, Shen Chongxu gently waved his hand, closing the door, and then set up a sound insulation barrier.
"There are some things that aren’t suitable to discuss in front of Xiubai."
"You should understand, the reason I’m willing to give you status is out of consideration for Xiubai."
"In the future, Xiubai can call you ’mother,’ and you can assume the identity of the ’Young Madam’ of the Shen Family."
"I’ll inform Brother Ming of these tomorrow."
After a pause, Shen Chongxu continued calmly, "I won’t stay long during this visit."
"Xiubai’s matters will need your attention in the future."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yiran looked somewhat dejected.
This was an outcome she was psychologically prepared for.
That Shen Chongxu agreed to give her status and allow Shen Xiubai to call her mother did not mean he recognized her as his wife.
"Young Master, I..."
"Don’t address me like that in front of Xiubai."
Liu Yiran lightly nodded.
"I don’t dare hope for your forgiveness, just having today’s everything, I’m already content."
"Young Master, thank you."
Liu Yiran sincerely bowed with gratitude.
"Alright."
Shen Chongxu nodded, then with a flash of light, he took out some spirit crystals, elixirs, and a peak lower-grade magical artifact long sword and a jade bottle from his storage bag.
