Perhaps because Shi Yuezhu was Su Jinyu's master, after Shen Qingshan saw Shi Yuezhu accompanying Shen Han, he did not make any further difficulties.

However, there was still a trace of resentment in his eyes.

After bidding farewell to the elders of the Shen Family, Shen Han did not immediately return to his room.

Instead, he headed towards the Prefect's Mansion in Yun'an City.

One must repay kindness.

Shen Han remembered the grace of Prefect Xu towards him, so upon his return, he naturally should pay a visit.

At the Prefect's Mansion, in the back garden.

Shen Han waited for a while before Prefect Xu returned home.

"There were some matters to handle at the Government Office, have you waited long?"

Hearing Prefect Xu's voice, Shen Han quickly stood up to greet him.

"It's just that Shen Han arrived a bit early. Prefect Xu is diligent and has many affairs, which is expected."

These words were indeed pleasing to the ear.

As he spoke, Shen Han took out a few bottles of pills.

"These pills are high-grade pills made by my maternal grandfather's Yun Family. Please, Prefect Xu, do not disdain them.

If it weren't for Prefect Xu's protection, it would have been very difficult for me to withdraw from this marriage agreement unscathed."

Hearing this, Prefect Xu lightly waved his hand:

"You are a smart child—you should know that the reason I helped you was just to assist the Imperial Family in this strategic move.

These pills—I feel too ashamed to accept them."

"Prefect Xu, you are too modest. Regardless of your motives or reasons, you helped me, which makes you my benefactor.

Could those who harm me, using some inexplicable reason, suddenly become my benefactors?"

Shen Han thought this matter through very clearly. As long as someone intends to harm him, even if their reason is to save the world, they are still his enemy.

Prefect Xu frowned slightly, feeling that Shen Han's words were indeed reasonable.

"At the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering, I heard you reached the eightieth level."

"I was just a bit lucky..."

"There's no such thing as so much luck. Without skill, even the greatest fortune couldn't get you to the eightieth level.

Previous rumors said your cultivation talent was minimal. Now it seems they were all blind."

Prefect Xu chuckled self-deprecatingly, feeling like he was blind himself.

He used to think Shen Han was just smart but failed to see Shen Han's true talent.

After a brief chat, Shen Han mentioned the purpose of his visit today.

After the family examination this time, he wants to go to Tianyi Academy in the Capital City to cultivate.

Only through seeking knowledge can he justifiably leave the Shen Mansion.

Without being confined in the Shen Mansion.

Prefect Xu naturally supported Shen Han's idea.

Moreover, Prince Qingyuan had promised a few months ago that after this betrothal crisis was behind, he would find a way for Shen Han to enter Tianyi Academy to study.

"Within three days at most, the admission letter from Tianyi Academy will be sent to you.

Upon leaving the Shen Mansion, I believe that in the future of Great Wei, there will be a place for you."

Shen Han expressed his gratitude for Prefect Xu's praise.

Subsequently, Shen Han also interacted with the young master of the Xu Family.

After not seeing each other for a few months, the young master of the Xu Family had improved significantly in his forging skills.

After visiting the Prefect's Mansion, Shen Han headed towards the Shen Mansion.

Checking the time, it was already 9 p.m.

He headed to his courtyard.

Having left in the Winter Month, now nearly two months had passed.

The originally clean road and the yard in front of the courtyard had already grown moss.

The moss was incredibly resilient, managing to grow even in the cold winter.

Arriving in front of his house, he found his lock had been broken open, already damaged.

Inside was a bit of a mess, indicating someone had been there, seemingly more than one person.

Did someone actually want to steal something from this simple little house?

Unfortunately, any classics I had extracted entries from were either destroyed or reverted to inferior versions after I had memorized them.

All one could steal from my house were a table and a bed...

He casually lay down on the bed.

Compared to the bed at Yun Mansion, sleeping on this one was indeed less comfortable.

"Did you really used to live in this courtyard?"

The sudden voice almost startled Shen Han.

But the gentle tone revealed it was Shi Yuezhu.

"Yes, cold in winter, hot in summer—I don't know how I managed to endure it..."

Shen Han smiled, without unwillingly saying that living conditions didn't matter.

Before his cultivation strength improved, living in this courtyard was indeed suffering.

Shi Yuezhu furrowed her delicate brows slightly.

Regardless of whether Shen Han had invited her or not, she stepped into the house.

Observing the surroundings, they bore no resemblance to a Marquis' Mansion.

They seemed like two different worlds compared to other courtyards in the mansion.

"The Shen Family can't even spare some thick quilts and blankets?"

"Self-sufficiency, if you want them, you need to earn the money yourself.

But before, earning even meal money took a day, let alone affording blankets and beddings.

After starting my martial path cultivation, I could afford them, but it didn't seem necessary."

Hearing this, Shi Yuezhu couldn't help but glance at Shen Han.

Recalling her apprentice's complaints of ingratitude, she found it absurd.

What kindness has the Shen Family shown Shen Han?

This courtyard is worse than many servants' quarters!

He's not a fool; why should he help those who mistreat him?

Moreover, helping the Shen Family would require personal sacrifice.

As night deepened, Shen Han and Shi Yuezhu sat together in the small house, speaking softly.

They reflected on his past experiences and his happy times with Madam Yun and Cailing.

Compared to the days Shen Han endured, Shi Yuezhu's elder years were mostly spent cultivating, improving, and refining herself over the past thirty-some years...

They leisurely chatted through the memories.

...

The time just after the night watch during the hour of the dragon (辰时).

Today was the day for the Shen Family's clan examination.

The grandchildren of this generation of the Shen Family had already gathered early.

"May you all have good fortune for this year's clan examination is completely different from before.

Elder Brother Shen Ye has sent someone, claiming that he will evaluate our cultivation achievements..."

The few people nearby changed their expressions after hearing this.

"Isn't Old Duke testing us...?"

"All preparations were for naught..."

Past examinations were mostly formalities.

The Patriarch of the Shen Family would pose questions or let them showcase their cultivation achievements.

Generally, perfecting one move after rigorous practice was enough to demonstrate competency.

Yet this year, they are sending outsiders.

"I've heard that the examination involves sparring with the person sent by Elder Brother Shen Ye. Winning isn't expected, just maintaining the match long enough qualifies as passing."

This sounds somewhat reasonable.

But the person Shen Ye sent wasn't typically ordinary in strength.

...

Around 9 a.m., two young men in luxurious clothing visited the Shen Mansion.

After presenting a letter personally written by Shen Ye, they were immediately invited to meet the Patriarch of the Shen Family.

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