In the next two days, Shen Han did not go out.
He nestled in his room to cultivate and train.
After extracting all the negative entries from the items around him, the originally simple room somehow became quite refined.
Though it was still a bit narrow, at least it was more comfortable to live in.
With each extraction of entries, Shen Han felt his Spiritual Power was increasing.
His mind became clearer, and extracting entries became more effortless and smooth.
The practice of the "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill" was not neglected either.
Every breath, every rise and fall of the chest and ribs, seemed to add a bit of strength to the body.
The body sturdy as a mountain, yet flowing like a river.
After practice, Shen Han could sense the benefits brought by the "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill" were far more than these.
Sight and hearing were also enhanced, improving rapidly.
Through the gap by the window, Shen Han could already see clearly the person hiding by the distant old tree.
The person looked somewhat old, and seemed to have a golden mark on their forehead.
This person was not from the Shen Mansion; at least Shen Han had never seen them before.
Frowning slightly, given the current situation, it was more likely this was an enemy rather than a friend, so he needed to be very vigilant.
Based on his current state, he considered himself to have stepped on the Martial Path, with strength of the Tenth Grade should have been reached.
As he pondered, a voice sounded from outside the house.
"Young Master Han, are you at home?"
Hearing this gentle tone, Shen Han immediately knew who it was.
Opening the door, it was Cailing delivering something to him.
She was Madam Yun's close servant girl, the only maid in the Shen Mansion who would address him as "You".
"Young Master Han, you haven't gone to the kitchen to eat for a few days, and Madam worries about it, so she sent me to bring you some meals."
Saying this, Cailing began to take out dish after dish from the food box.
Far more than last time Madam Yun came.
Madam Yun was really attentive, surely noticing last time that his appetite had increased.
This time, she brought so much more food.
"Young Master Han, come eat~"
Shen Han did not hesitate, picking up chopsticks and beginning to eat, remembering this kindness in his heart.
While Shen Han was eating, Cailing also took out a set of cotton clothes.
"Young Master Han, these are clothes Madam made for you.
Autumn is coming, and since you haven't cultivated Martial Path, your health is inherently weak.
The clothes from previous years are both thin and worn out, this year you simply must have a new set of clothes.
Just..."
Cailing unfolded the cotton clothes, beginning to speak hesitantly.
"These clothes were made from leftover materials from Madam's place, fabrics for women's dresses, so they may be somewhat ornate...
Young Master Han, you know, the Old Dowager forbids Madam from making clothes for you.
These fabrics were hard to come by.
Your health is more important, so please Young Master Han, don't mind the style of these clothes..."
Feeling a bit unsure, Cailing found it somewhat embarrassing to let a young man wear clothes with feminine patterns.
Madam Yun also let her bring them to try, and if Shen Han was unwilling to wear them, they could be turned into a bedsheet.
Use it at home for resting, Shen Han should accept it.
What Cailing didn't expect was, Shen Han smiled and straightforwardly put the clothes on himself.
"Very warm, thank you Third Madam and Cailing~"
Seeing Shen Han accept it so straightforwardly, Cailing smiled too.
This Young Master Han had finally grown up.
Indeed, with so many crises to face, Young Master Han had to grow up.
"How is Third Madam doing?"
Hearing Shen Han's question, Cailing revealed a troubled look.
After hesitating for quite some time, she said: "Not well..."
"Is it because Madam came to bring me food last time?"
Cailing nodded slightly.
"After delivering the food to Young Master Han last time, Madam was summoned to the ancestral hall by the Old Dowager.
She was scolded in front of the other two Madams.
Said that Madam didn't follow the rules, that Young Master Han should be self-reliant, and shouldn't be given those meals...
Madam was outraged and argued with the Old Dowager.
So many of the young masters and misses in the mansion are clothed and fed well, having plenty of time for cultivation and study, why should Young Master Han have to work a whole day just to eat something?
Even the rewards received are not as good as the lower house servants in the mansion..."
Shen Han knew the Old Dowager disliked him, but he did not expect her to despise him so much.
She went out of her way to prevent others from giving him any benefits.
"Was Madam punished by the Old Dowager?"
"Confined to her courtyard, not allowed to leave for three months.
Young Master Han, Cailing might not be able to bring you food for a while, you must take care of yourself."
Shen Han nodded, trying his best to maintain a good demeanor, not wanting Madam Yun and Cailing to worry.
After finishing the meal, Cailing tidied up, paid her respects to Shen Han, and left.
Shen Han sat at the stone table, pondering over the scenes in the Shen Mansion.
Among the younger generation of the Shen Family, the eldest and eighth young masters were studying in the Capital City.
The second, third, fourth, sixth young masters, seventh and ninth young misses in the mansion all lived leisurely lives.
Every day, the tutors would visit their compounds, giving them one-on-one instruction.
Every month, there were exams arranged by the family.
Those with excellent performance could earn rewards, and those a little behind only received a few words of reprimand, with the mansion arranging for tutors to strengthen their cultivation.
Clothed and fed with ease, even their cultivation path required no worry from them.
Everything was planned by the tutors, all they had to do was follow.
Only Shen Han had to come up with ways to ensure he had enough to eat and wear.
These injustices, Shen Han had endured in the past.
The Shen Family's wealth was fought for by the Marquis of the Shen Family, the upper echelons were not willing to provide him resources, so be it.
But now, Shen Han increasingly felt a sense of crisis.
How could the Old Dowager, who despised him so much, allow him to get together with Su Jinyu?
If he truly married Su Jinyu, given his relationship with the Shen Family.
This marriage alliance would not strengthen the ties between the two families but rather undermine them.
The marriage alliance could not possibly succeed.
The ancestral hall of the Shen Mansion.
The Old Dowager sat regally in the central chair.
Beside her were Madam He of the main house and Madam Xie of the second house.
A few close maids were busy around, serving tea and snacks.
"An envoy from the palace sent a letter the day before yesterday, suggesting we set a date, an auspicious day for the marriage...
Old Dowager, we cannot truly let Jinyu marry Shen Han.
You know better than anyone that Shen Ye and Jinyu are fond of each other, and the two are perfectly matched in both family background and talent.
We can't let Jinyu wed that unfilial Shen Han..."
Said Madam He from the main house, the biological mother of the eldest young master Shen Ye.
She had always thought Su Jinyu would be her daughter-in-law and never expected the Imperial Family to suddenly bestow a marriage.
Madam He's tone carried a hint of complaint, though it was unclear who it was directed at.
The high-standing Old Dowager glanced at Madam He, her face showing slight disappointment.
"To put it bluntly, didn't this trouble stem from you as a mother?
Talking everywhere about Ye'er and Jinyu, making the Shen and Su Family's marriage an open secret among the public.
The patriarch of the Su Family was once a leader in the military, highly respected.
To balance the military forces, do you think the Royal Family would let us easily form an alliance with the Su Family?"
The Old Dowager's reprimand left Madam He at a loss for words, forced to lower her head and reply softly.
"If only Shen Han had drowned in that pond years ago, today we wouldn't have all this trouble..."