Chapter 460 - 218: Punishment (Part 6)
"The Clan Court is strict, but if one always follows the clan rules, no good person will be wronged."
"The Liu Family must have done something unknown behind the scenes with such actions."
"Brother Chongming, should Li’Er take some people over to investigate the Liu Family thoroughly?"
Shen Li spoke coldly.
Due to her personality, she felt no affection towards the affiliated clans outside the Shen Family.
The actions of the Xingyang Liu Family didn’t seem to present any major problems at the moment.
But in the eyes of Shen Li, this strange behavior signified betrayal.
She wouldn’t care about too much.
"How long until that Liu Family woman in the back mountain can give birth?"
Shen Chongming suddenly asked.
"That woman of Brother Chongxu?"
"Li’Er will send someone to inquire."
Shen Chongming waved his hand and said, "This matter is not urgent."
"Do this, have someone keep an eye on the Liu Family first."
"It’s best to find out where they hid their clanspeople."
"If something is discovered later, handling them cannot leave any future troubles."
Shen Chongming was not one to show undue mercy either.
To eliminate everyone but leave roots is to create trouble for oneself.
Until they find where the Liu Family hid people, it’s best not to alert the enemy.
Shen Li nodded slightly.
After leaving the side room, she pondered for a long time before finally arriving at the Clan Court.
"Go to Xingyang City and find a way to capture two Liu Family disciples, then have them consume this."
"Avoid alerting the Liu Family members."
Inside the Clan Court, Shen Li took out two scarlet elixirs and handed them to a Clan Court cultivator.
The cultivator respectfully bowed, then flew towards Xingyang City with wind manipulation.
...
"Miss, push harder!"
"I can see the head!"
"Try a little harder!"
In a small courtyard at the back mountain of the Shen Family Manor, heart-wrenching cries came from inside the room.
In the courtyard, Hu Mei’Er, wearing a dark red cloak and with fluffy ears on her head, stood quietly.
"Aunt."
Wearing a Confucian robe, Shen Chongxuan walked slowly into the courtyard and respectfully saluted Hu Mei’Er.
Hu Mei’Er turned to look at him, a gentle smile appearing on her face.
"It should be coming out soon."
"Let’s wait here."
Shen Chongxuan nodded and stood respectfully to the side.
The two listened to the heart-wrenching cries and remained silent for a moment before Hu Mei’Er said softly, "I heard from Brother Ming that you’ve taken a liking to a woman from the mortal world?"
Shen Chongxuan was slightly shocked, then respectfully said, "To be honest, Aunt, I don’t even know if that woman is still in this world."
The woman Hu Mei’Er mentioned was Zhantai Yujing from Lincang County.
Before the Southern Border invasion, Shen Chongming intended to take him to meet the Zhantai family in Lincang.
But before the two brothers found time, the Lord of Fushan, Wushi Puppet, and the Celestial Fox Demon King arrived at Yangnao Land.
After a plunder, it was uncertain whether the Zhantai family in Lincang still existed, and even more uncertain was Zhantai Yujing’s fate.
"Just tell Aunt if you have feelings for that woman."
"If you do, then take a trip to Lincang, whether alive or dead, to fulfill a longing."
Shen Chongxuan’s expression was complex, seemingly unsure how to answer for a moment.
"Your father once said that a Literary Heart should be clear."
"With guilt in your heart, you can’t have a clear Literary Heart."
"Either way, just go have a look. Whether for personal desire or cultivation, it’s ultimately a good thing."
Shen Chongxuan hesitated slightly before slowly nodding, "Thank you for your advice, Aunt."
Hu Mei’Er smiled faintly, "I’m glad you listened, Aunt."
As soon as she finished speaking, a loud cry of a newborn came from inside the house.
At this moment, a few more figures arrived outside the courtyard.
It was Hu Yufen and Huang Lingxiu among others.
"Mother, Sister Lingxiu."
Hu Mei’Er bowed in greeting.
Having received the "Pill Qi", gained a Wood Attribute Spirit Root, and practiced the Cyan Emperor Longevity Technique, Hu Yufen looked radiant and healthy at this time.
She looked at Hu Mei’Er with a slight reproach, "You, you didn’t even inform me and your sister-in-law."
"Though that girl isn’t a bride formally married into our Shen Family, she carries Shen Family blood."
Hu Mei’Er gently held her mother’s hand, "Mei’Er was wrong; don’t be angry, Mother."
Hu Yufen wasn’t truly angry; after a slight reproach, a smile appeared on her face, "Let’s go, you sisters-in-law accompany Mother to take a look."
"Chongxuan, go and inform your elder brother and grandfather."
Shen Chongxuan bowed and then left the courtyard.
Inside the room, Liu Yiran, a bit disheveled, weakly looked at the child in her arms.
"Miss, it’s a boy."
The midwife in the house spoke with a smile.
Hearing the repeated "Miss", Liu Yiran felt a deep bitterness in her heart.
Having been persuaded by her elder brother and taking advantage of Shen Chongxu’s drunken state to offer herself, she ended up in such a miserable situation.
The child was born, but she had no status.
Thinking about her and her brother’s experiences in the Liu Family over the years, she couldn’t help but feel more heartbroken for her son in her arms.
She feared her child would face the same disdain and unfair treatment in the Shen Family as she and her brother did in the Liu Family, despite all their sacrifices.
"My poor child..."
Gently caressing the baby’s cheek, tears streamed from Liu Yiran’s eyes.
"Creak—"
At this moment, the door slowly opened.
Hu Yufen and the others walked in slowly.
Seeing this, Liu Yiran quickly stopped her tears, clutching her child more tightly.
Though she didn’t know Hu Yufen and others, she had a vague sense that they were here to take her child.
When the siblings were initially brought to the Shen Family, she understood that the Shen Family only meant to keep the bloodline from flowing elsewhere, confining her in this small courtyard as merely a tool for childbirth.
Now that the child was born, she seemed to be of no further use.
The more she thought about it, the scarier it felt.
Liu Yiran suddenly disregarded the pain and weakness from childbirth, struggling to kneel on the bed to plead, "I beg you, please don’t take my child away."
"I can be just his wet nurse, as long as you let me stay by his side!"
This sudden outburst left Hu Yufen and the others momentarily stunned.
Seeing this, Huang Lingxiu smiled and came forward to help her up.
"Girl, you’ve just given birth and your body is weak; try not to get too emotional."
"Come, lie down."
Supporting Liu Yiran to lie back, she then looked at the little one beside her, intending to hold him up for Hu Yufen and the others to see.
However, Liu Yiran clutched the child tightly in her arms, her face determined and pleading.
Seeing this, Huang Lingxiu withdrew her hands and let Hu Yufen and the others come closer to look instead.
Noticing the baby’s rosy appearance, Hu Yufen smiled lightly and said to Liu Yiran, "Girl, our Shen Family won’t take the child."
"You will continue to live here, and you will personally care for the child until he turns three."
"However, until you gain a status in the Shen Family, the child cannot call you ’Mother’."
"After the child turns three, he will be taught by a tutor or cultivator designated by the clan, but you can visit anytime."
"Do you understand?"
Having experienced so much, Hu Yufen was no longer the village woman she once was.
If other families were involved, they wouldn’t easily forgive the Liu siblings for their scheme against Shen Chongxu.
The day the child was born would have been their death day.
Hu Yufen simply didn’t want to be so merciless.
Upon hearing this, Liu Yiran was initially stunned but then cried tears of joy and nodded gratefully.
This was already enough for her.
"Madam, the Patriarch asked me to tell you that Young Master Chongxu named the young master Xiubai."
The door was pushed open, and a young girl respectfully approached, bringing the name for the little one.