Chapter 56: A Conversation Between Father-in-Law and Son-in-Law, Each With His Own Motive

Shen Residence, Crescent Pavilion.

Lu Jin entered the study and glanced around, noticing that the sheet of paper on the desk was gone.

"Caiyun, has anyone been in my study?" Lu Jin turned and asked.

"Miss came in."

So Shen Yanxi had ultimately learned of his farewell. Xiaobai only mentioned his own abduction and Shen Yanxi's illness; he was unaware of the details.

"When did she come?" Lu Jin asked again.

"The day after Master was kidnapped by river bandits. Miss visited the courtyard and then stayed in the study for a long time. When she left, her eyes were red," Caiyun replied, head bowed.

That explained it. Shen Yanxi always seemed so robust, a daughter of a distinguished family—how could she be so easily shaken? First, his farewell letter, then the belief he’d died in the fire—two heavy blows in succession had utterly crushed this devoted girl.

Shen Yanxi, so deeply affectionate, what am I to do with you?

"You may go now; I need a moment alone."

Lying back in his chair, Lu Jin felt an unprecedented sense of helplessness. He’d thought his return would be enough for Shen Yanxi to recover, yet after all his efforts, after speaking until his mouth was dry, she still showed no sign of improvement.

The Shen family had summoned every doctor they could; as for him, he knew nothing of medicine.

The worst was this feeling of powerlessness.

Lost in his thoughts, a knock sounded at the door. Hadn’t he said he wanted to be alone? What was Caiyun doing?

"Master, the head of the family is here!"

Lu Jin was startled—he had come to settle accounts, perhaps? Lu Jin quickly rose and opened the door to find Shen Hao already standing there. He hurriedly bowed, "Father!"

"I came to check on you," Shen Hao said.

This left Lu Jin momentarily unsure how to respond—what was there to check?

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" Shen Hao glanced at Lu Jin, who was blocking the doorway.

Lu Jin finally came to his senses and stepped aside, "Father, please come in!"

Shen Hao did not protest, entering and sitting in a chair. Lu Jin followed and stood ready to listen to his admonition.

"Not even any tea?" Shen Hao looked up at Lu Jin.

"What?" At a time like this, just start lecturing; I’m ready.

Lu Jin looked up, meeting Shen Hao’s gaze. The two stared at each other, father-in-law and son-in-law, awkwardly locked in silence.

In truth, Shen Hao didn’t really want tea—it was simply the discomfort of their current situation; he didn’t know how to begin.

Just as Lu Jin realized he should summon Caiyun for tea, Caiyun and another maid entered, carrying a tray of tea. Truly professional!

After Caiyun withdrew, Shen Hao took a sip and said, "Sit down, let’s talk."

Lu Jin pulled over a chair and sat opposite, head bowed, waiting for Shen Hao to speak.

Shen Hao looked him over, but could not see in him the cunning and ambition the river bandit had described.

"The bandits said you didn’t want to return?" Shen Hao asked.

Lu Jin shivered—how could he admit he’d not wanted to return? That would be suicidal. In a crisis, he was at his sharpest.

"Father, you don’t know. During their skirmish, I felt it was my only chance to survive, so I half-truthfully lied about my identity to their leader. When asked to write a ransom note, I played up my tragic circumstances and gained his sympathy, then claimed I wished to join the river bandits, turning the situation to my advantage. When they offered to send me home, I thought it was a test and refused. Ultimately, all I wanted was to survive and escape," Lu Jin improvised.

"A clever reversal, a retreat to advance!"

Shen Hao was now seeing Lu Jin’s ability to adapt in chaos. Indeed, right before him, the young man spun his tale convincingly. But perhaps he didn’t know that Shen Hao already knew the truth?

"Is your background really so tragic?" Shen Hao asked. If he intended to improve relations with his son-in-law, he needed to pay attention to such details.

"Ah? Father knows I have lost my memory—I don’t even know who my family is. It was just a lie to appease the bandits," Lu Jin replied.

"Hmm. Should I send someone to your home to inform them?" Shen Hao remembered Lu Jin’s amnesia; seeing his demeanor, it seemed genuine, otherwise he wouldn’t pretend not to know his own family.

"No need, Father. I already know where it is; I’ll go back myself in a few days," Lu Jin replied.

Now that he knew it was in Lower River Village, there was no need to trouble the Shen family further. Any more complications would only make things worse.

"Very well. I heard from the bandits who returned that you were quite active among them, talking about the Lanjiang River Gang, upholding justice, opposing corrupt officials and powerful landlords..."

Lu Jin nearly choked—who was responsible for that?

"Father, you don’t realize, though these bandits are rough, they aren’t stupid. I’m no genius nor strategist, but I knew that to convince them, I had to appear even more like a bandit than they were."

"As for all those stories—they were mostly made up on the spot. That's what they like to hear, and I spoke specifically of corrupt officials and greedy landlords. Our family, renowned for its scholarly tradition, is naturally not included. Besides, there’s no reason to destroy our own livelihood..."

"How were you kidnapped?" Shen Hao continued, no longer pressing the issue.

"I sent Xiaobai to buy plum juice, then stood at the street corner, only to be knocked out with a club..." Lu Jin did not believe Shen Hao knew he had actually tried to run away. If Shen Hao knew, his attitude would hardly be this mild.

"Is that so?" Shen Hao eyed Lu Jin.

"Yes, exactly," Lu Jin affirmed.

"Is this yours?" Shen Hao produced an object and placed it on the table.

What was this? Lu Jin, unfamiliar, opened the box out of curiosity—and was stunned. It was his jade pendant.

His face flushed—was Shen Hao toying with him? If the pendant had been found, his attempt to run away was surely exposed.

"How did it end up with you, Father?" Lu Jin asked.

"That pawnshop belongs to our family."

Lu Jin: "…"

Lu Jin lowered his head, saying nothing. Any explanation now was pointless.

"I didn't expect you to have such strong feelings against the Shen family, to forsake what others see as immense wealth rather than stay. After much consideration, it must be because of that day when you were made to kneel and fell ill," Shen Hao spoke slowly, his voice calm.

Lu Jin remained silent. Such matters were unimportant now. For Shen Yanxi’s sake, these questions of status meant nothing; what he cared for was genuine respect.

"When you first came to the Shen family, it was different from your recent departure. You were a top scholar in the preliminary exams, which may not mean much to our family, but for you, with effort, a bright future was possible. Yet you threw away your position and chose to become our son-in-law. How am I, as head of the family and as a father, supposed to see you?"

Lu Jin said nothing. Those were the original host's decisions; he was merely bearing the consequences.

Still, Lu Jin understood Shen Hao’s point—a promising young man choosing to become a son-in-law was hardly admirable.

"If you had behaved, it would have been fine. But you disregarded the rules, spoke carelessly. Why should I give you the chance to explain? The Shen family has dozens of sons-in-law; those who made similar mistakes—ask about their fate."

"But even so, however unworthy you may be, you are still my son-in-law. Aside from your feelings for Yanxi, have I ever treated you unjustly?" Shen Hao’s gaze sharpened.

"Since Father knows I have lost my memory, you should understand why I spoke so erratically. Yet on that day, Father did not even ask for the reason. I understand your thinking, but I cannot accept such a situation. That’s why I chose to leave the Shen family..."

Now that Shen Hao had spoken thus, Lu Jin had to clarify. Some burdens he would not bear. Besides, he had already run away; there was nothing left to hide.

"…That is the biggest difference between you now and before—you have a man’s ambition. In a way, this has been a good thing," Shen Hao withdrew his sharpness.

Lu Jin was speechless—was that even reasonable? His daughter was on the verge of dying, and he called it a good thing?

"At least it’s shown me I was blind. Whether it’s Yanxi’s devotion to you or your quick wit among the bandits, you are not entirely without merit. So, what now?"

"Should I kneel in the Hall of Righteousness for a day as well? Though I can't guarantee I’ll faint!"

"Pfft!" Lu Jin, in the midst of sipping his tea to hide his discomfort, sprayed it all over Shen Hao, right in his face.