Chapter 36: Chapter 36: It’s Just That You Lack Ability
Mid-Autumn, moon worship.
In Yun’an City, colorful lanterns hung everywhere.
In the bustling East Market, many vendors were selling their homade mooncakes and osmanthus wine.
Just walking through the East Market, one could sll a fragrant aroma.
This Mid-Autumn, the Shen Family was exceptionally lively.
In previous years, the generals of the Shen Family who were stationed outside would only return for the New Year.
This year, returning for the Mid-Autumn Festival naturally made it as festive as New Year’s Eve.
The entire Shen Mansion was decorated with lanterns, and Wutong Villa was cleaned spotlessly.
At 3:00 PM, the sound of horse hooves reverberated outside the mansion.
The people of the Shen Family knew that this ant the return of the Old Duke of the Shen Family.
At the main gate of the Shen Mansion, the Old Dowager was already leading the Shen Family to wait there.
Upon seeing the Old Duke of the Shen Family ride in, the Old Dowager imdiately went to greet him.
Shen Han stood among the crowd, gazing at the Old Duke of the Shen Family.
In terms of age, he was even older than the Old Dowager by quite a few years.
Yet the Old Duke remained tall and robust, showing few signs of aging.
This was the benefit brought by advancents along the Martial Path: physical strength and longevity that far exceeded ordinary people.
A group of people saluted the Old Duke of the Shen Family, fully aware of who truly wielded authority in the Shen Family.
Being favored by the Old Dowager could never compare to being favored by the Old Duke of the Shen Family.
The crowd parted to make way, and the Old Duke, donned in armor, returned to the mansion.
Following the Old Duke were a few deputy generals on the journey.
The Old Duke’s three sons did not return with him; they were likely still stationed at the frontier on the eastern side.
Now that the most important person had arrived, the worship ceremony for today’s Mid-Autumn Festival was about to begin.
In Wutong Villa, everyone took their seats as arranged.
This Wutong Villa is the most luxurious courtyard of the Shen Family; aside from the banquets all Shen Family mbers attend, Shen Han had no other chance to set foot in it.
Looking at his seat, unsurprisingly, it was still in the far corner of the courtyard.
Sitting in the corner of the courtyard, Shen Han was indifferent.
He was not favored by the higher-ups of the Shen Family anyway, thus avoiding their cold stares.
After a while, the Old Duke of the Shen Family changed into regular attire and then entered Wutong Villa.
High in position, looking at his younger clan mbers, the Old Duke of the Shen Family’s expression was as usual, revealing nothing in particular.
Once the Old Duke of the Shen Family entered the courtyard, everyone fell silent.
The Old Duke waved his hand, signaling the servants to arrange seats for his deputy generals.
Once seated, he began to speak to the Shen Family mbers.
Shen Han gazed at the Old Marquis Shen Qingshan before him.
His expression was sharp, imdiately evoking a sense of battlefield desolation.
Upon listening briefly, the words were much the sa as in previous years.
Urging the youth of the Shen Family to study diligently, strive to improve, occasionally ntioning affairs of the battlefield.
The young mbers of the Shen Family found it sowhat dull, yet they feigned seriousness, striving to leave a good impression on the Old Duke of the Shen Family.
After a lengthy discourse, Shen Qingshan invited everyone to comnce the feast.
Tasting a few bites of the dishes, then ca the main event of the day.
Like every New Year’s Eve, when the Old Duke of the Shen Family returned, he would check on the martial progress of the younger family mbers.
In the past, in preparation for the year-end assessnts, the Shen Family’s younger mbers would diligently train for two or three months.
Having the assessnt during this Mid-Autumn would certainly startle many young masters and misses.
"Since Ao’Er is ho for this Mid-Autumn, why not start the showcasing with you?"
A smile hung on Shen Qingshan’s face as he saw Shen Ao not only adored by the Old Dowager but also greatly favored by the Old Duke of the Shen Family.
Hearing this, Madam He glanced at Shen Ao with a smile.
Shen Ao stood up and ca forward, looking mature beyond his years, further winning Shen Qingshan’s favor.
"Mountain Collapse!"
As Shen Ao’s words fell, a spectral image of a mountain suddenly appeared.
Beneath the spectral image, an incense burner was crushed to dust.
This is the way scholar cultivators wound their enemies: words beco law, using will to manipulate law.
Through verbal command, one could create a mountain-like spectral image to suppress an opponent.
Currently only an Eighth Grade, if Shen Ao’s cultivation advanced further, he could create a massive spectral mountain.
By then, when the spectral image descended, it wouldn’t be just an incense burner that was crushed; the entire courtyard would be under its weight.
"Splendid! The young master has talent!"
"Such capabilities at a young age, truly worthy of being the Marquise’s cherished grandson."
The deputy generals seated on the right praised with full mouths.
Shen Qingshan’s face bead with pride; such skill at a young age was indeed remarkable.
Within the current generation of the Shen Family, there was already a Shen Ye, and now unexpectedly another Shen Ao erged.
Thinking of these, Shen Qingshan felt much contentnt.
"Not bad, this treasure sword from grandfather is yours to play with, Ao’Er. If you don’t like it, go find your grandmother to exchange for sothing you want~"
Shen Qingshan’s face was radiant, and the Old Dowager of the Shen Family was equally pleased.
Their fondness for Shen Ao was evident.
Of course, in their view, Shen Ao’s performance deserved such favor.
After Shen Ao stepped down, Shen Qingshan began to call upon the other younger mbers to showcase.
Talent like this was rare; Shen Qingshan knew well in his heart.
With Shen Ye and Shen Ao already, other younger mbers rely needed to avoid causing trouble, honestly raise offspring, contributing to the Shen Family as such.
Succession of young lords from the Shen Family displayed poorly.
They seed to possess Eighth Grade power, yet their executed force was leagues apart.
The deputy generals by his side, observing these performances, still voiced praises, though less sincerely than they did for Shen Ao.
Once others finished showcasing, the Old Duke of the Shen Family seed to rember Shen Han.
"Is Shen Han present today?"
Hearing his na called, Shen Han stepped forward.
Presenting himself, Shen Han maintained decorum as usual, saluting the Shen Family elders flawlessly.
Yet the Old Duke before him frowned.
"You attend our Shen Family’s Mid-Autumn feast in such attire?"
Shen Qingshan’s question injected a dose of tension into the air.
Currently, Shen Han did have so money; Prefect Xu had previously given him a hundred taels of patterned silver, certainly enough to buy fine clothes.
But Shen Han was unwilling to buy them.
The money from Prefect Xu was ant for advancing his cultivation, not for personal pleasure.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Shen Han, waiting to see him embarrassed.
Madam Yun hesitated for a mont, then stood up and bowed to the Old Duke of the Shen Family.
"Replying to the Old Duke, the family requires Shen Han to be self-reliant, having to earn his own als, leaving little extra for garnts..."
Madam Yun’s attempt to explain seed futile.
"Self-reliance is the reason for your plain attire?
Your brother Shen Ye also sought his fortune in the Capital City independently.
Yet was he ever presented so plainly?"
Shen Qingshan’s gaze upon Shen Han bore a hint of disdain.
"Learn from your brother properly; today shows that you lack capability!"
Without demonstrating any cultivation results, the Old Duke of the Shen Family first judged Shen Han.
Lacks capability.
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