Chapter 19: Does He Look Injured to You?

“Not exactly. Otome games typically have several male protagonists,” Su Jinshi explained. “But this game only has one, and coincidentally, he’s just my type.”

Xiao Mai leaned in to see the character on Su Jinshi’s phone screen. “Wow, he’s really handsome! A beautiful, strong hero with a tragic, battle-worn look!”

Seeing Shen Shilang’s current state, Su Jinshi was too preoccupied to continue chatting with Xiao Mai.

She hadn’t expected to see Shen Shilang wielding a wooden stick, seemingly snatched from someone, pinning a Taoist priest under his foot.

The stick in Shen Shilang’s hand was mere inches from the Taoist priest face, ready to deliver a lethal blow at any moment.

In the Wei family’s garden, men lay scattered everywhere.

It seemed all the male members of the household were there, sprawled densely on the ground with barely any space to step.

Each bore injuries, their exposed skin showing bruises of varying shades.

Su Jinshi had only stepped out for a meal. What had transpired in her absence?

Shen Shilang had always maintained a low profile in the Wei mansion. What could have prompted him to reveal his martial skills and cause such havoc?

Su Jinshi noticed Shen Shilang’s hair was slightly disheveled.

His usually neatly tied hair now had a few strands falling across his forehead.

His simple yet typically tidy clothes were now somewhat wrinkled.

Under the moonlight, facing multiple attackers alone, he exuded an indescribable air of battle-worn beauty.

Su Jinshi examined him carefully and found that apart from his messy hair and clothes, Shen Shilang seemed uninjured.

She wondered if his body, hidden beneath his clothes, had sustained any injuries.

Su Jinshi gently poked Shen Shilang’s face.

Shen Shilang was startled; the touch was so light that he couldn’t be sure if it was Su Jinshi’s gentle poke or just a breeze passing by.

“Shilang!” A few steps away, Wei Jianlang stared at the scene in shock.

He had taken leave and returned home today without sending prior notice, intending to surprise Madam Wei.

Instead, he was the one who received a shock upon his return.

“What’s going on here?” Wei Jianlang asked, still confused. “Shilang, release him first.”

For Shen Shilang to be this angry, someone must have done something wrong. Shen Shilang was known for being very reasonable.

As Wei Jianlang spoke, Su Jinshi poked Shen Shilang’s face again.

This time, the touch was more noticeable. Shen Shilang paused, his eyes lighting up with joy.

He released Taoist priest Li and stepped back, ensuring Li couldn’t hear, he said softly, “Jinshi, is that you? If so, poke me twice.”

This was the first time Shen Shilang had actively asked Su Jinshi to poke him.

But Su Jinshi couldn’t feel happy about it.

Shen Shilang’s words made Su Jinshi realize that he had exposed his martial arts skills for her sake.

Su Jinshi poked the corner of Shen Shilang’s mouth twice more.

Shen Shilang finally relaxed completely, a fleeting smile of relief appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Wei Jianlang, thinking he had persuaded Shen Shilang, quickly made his way through the limited space in the garden to Shen Shilang’s side. “Shilang, what exactly happened? What did these people do to anger you?”

Madam wei: “……”

Wei Jianming: “……”

Wei Ruyan: “……”

Listen to what Wei Jianlang was saying!

Without even clarifying the situation, he had already assumed others had angered Shen Shilang.

Was there any justice in this?

Shen Shilang, still immersed in the relief that Su Jinshi was safe, didn’t respond immediately.

Wei Jianlang continued, “I know you must have your reasons for doing this.”

“Elder brother!” Wei Jianming couldn’t hold back anymore and spoke up, even sounding aggrieved. “Look clearly! He’s the one who went berserk and beat up all these people!”

Wei Jianlang, who had been focusing on Shen Shilang, suddenly heard a pained groan. Looking over, he saw Taoist priest Li struggling to his feet, and his brows immediately furrowed.

“Where did this Taoist Priest come from?” Wei Jianlang asked.

Wei Jianming scoffed, “There have been rumors of ghosts in our mansion, so we invited Taoist priest Li from Baiyun Temple to perform an exorcism.”

Wei Jianlang’s expression immediately darkened.

No wonder Shen Shilang was so angry!

The entire Shen family had been destroyed by such charlatans!

Of course, the Emperor had already wanted to eliminate Shen Liangyu.

But the harmful lies spread by those evil taoists were the most direct cause.

It led to the death of Shen Liangyu, a great talent and pillar of the nation, on such ridiculous charges.

Since then, not only Shen Shilang but also Wei Zhaoqian and Wei Jianlang became furious at the mere mention of such supernatural talk.

Now they had actually brought this Taoist priest into the mansion for some nonsense exorcism!

“Steward Zhou, escort Taoist priest Li out,” Wei Jianlang said coldly. “Also, give him the full amount of silver as agreed.”

“Yes, eldest young master.” Steward Zhou was so nervous in front of Wei Jianlang that he hardly dared to breathe, his voice trembling.

He quickly bowed and approached the Taoist priest, “Taoist Li, this way please.”

Taoist priest Li was visibly displeased, having come only to receive a beating.

But unable to retaliate, he could only leave with Steward Zhou, grimacing and holding his waist in pain.

Wei Jianlang then addressed the servants groaning on the ground, “All of you, return to your quarters and await punishment!”

The servants felt even worse, having been beaten and now facing punishment.

“Shilang, are you injured?” Wei Jianlang asked again.

“Elder brother, does he look injured to you?” Wei Ruyan said angrily.

“Shut up!” When Wei Jianlang turned to look at Wei Ruyan, he couldn’t hide the anger on his face.

“Waaah!” Wei Ruyan, who had always been pampered at home and by her big brother, had never been shouted at like this by Wei Jianlang before.

Shen Shilang sighed, “I was impulsive this time, but I’m fine.”

Wei Jianlang knew that Shen Shilang’s martial arts were personally taught by Wei Zhaoxian, and beating these untrained men would be no challenge for him. He probably wasn’t injured.

He nodded and said, “Then go rest first. I’ll come find you later.”

This suited Shen Shilang, as he had much to say to Su Jinshi. He nodded and left.

As soon as Shen Shilang left, Wei Jianlang’s face darkened.

Struggling to control his anger, he said, “Mother, I have some questions for you all.”

Madam wei both loved and feared this eldest son. Wei Jianlang rarely got angry, but when he became serious, even Madam wei would get nervous.

Everyone returned to Madam wei’s courtyard. After sending away the servants, Wei Jianlang asked, “Mother, whose idea was it to invite a Taoist priest to exorcise ghosts in our mansion?”

“It was my idea,” Madam wei sighed and explained, “I know you and your father dislike talk of ghosts and spirits, but there has been many strange occurrences in the mansion lately. We really had no other solution, so we had to invite a Taoist priest to take a look.”