Chapter 35: This Cup, I Toast to You All

“It must be so,” Wei Ruyan sneered. “Second Brother concealed his talents, but I never expected him to do the same.”

“Why did he hide his skills? Afraid we’d discover his martial abilities? Afraid we’d find out how well he studied? What was he trying to achieve?” Wei Ruyan continued, her voice filled with suspicion. “Who was he guarding against?”

“Obviously, he was guarding against me,” Wei Jianming gritted his teeth. “He feared that if I focused on studying, I might surpass him. So, he kept his martial skills a secret, afraid that if I know, I’ll learn them too. He even concealed his academic achievements, making me think he wasn’t doing well, lulling me into underestimating him.”

“Excellent! Simply excellent!” Wei Jianming was both impressed and infuriated by his own deductions.

Madam Wei gave Wei Jianming a look that was hard to describe.

Though there was no evidence, she had a strong feeling that Shen Shilang had never considered Wei Jianming as a serious rival.

The thought was naturally frustrating, but from what she could tell, Shen Shilang didn’t even regard Wei Jianming highly.

“Perhaps he was also guarding against me,” Madam Wei said, sparing Wei Jianming some face. “He likely knew I didn’t care for him, so he feared I might sabotage his chances at the imperial exams. That’s why he’s been lying low all these years, making me believe he was truly incompetent, so I wouldn’t pay him any mind, allowing him to develop without interference.”

Madam Wei laughed coldly, “I truly underestimated him, thinking he was some useless fool, not worth my attention. I believed that even if he passed, he wouldn’t be heavily relied upon. Who would’ve thought? But I never expected this ah, good one Shen Shilang!”

Wei Jianming’s face darkened. He couldn’t let Shen Shilang off the hook.

If he could cripple Shen Shilang, ruining his chances at the imperial exams, let’s see how Shen Shilang could ever compare to him again!

The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the Wei family’s main gate.

Everyone got off the carriage and entered the mansion, where the servants had already prepared for the celebration. Although the ranking wasn’t very high, it was still an achievement, and Madam Wei had instructed people to arrange the festivities.

As Madam Wei was selecting the menu for the evening, a servant hurriedly came in to report, “Madam, the General has returned!”

Madam Wei was taken aback for a moment, then realized that Wei Zhaoxian must have come back after hearing the news.

“Has Jianming gone to welcome him?” Madam Wei asked urgently.

The servant carefully lowered his head, stammering, “The General… he first went to Young Master Shen’s courtyard.”

“Slam!” Madam Wei forcefully slapped the menu on the table. “Again, it’s Shen Shilang! He might as well just have Shen Shilang as his only son!”

The servants in the room all shuddered.

What was Madam Wei saying?

What did she mean by having only Shen Shilang as his son?

Could it be that Shen Shilang is…

No one dared to think further.

Wei Zhaoxian, beaming with joy, strode into Shen Shilang’s small courtyard, calling out loudly, “Shilang! Hahaha!”

Shen Shilang hurriedly walked out of the house, standing before Wei Zhaoxian with a smile. “General, I haven’t disappointed you.”

“Good! Very good!” Wei Zhaoxian gripped Shen Shilang’s shoulders, and when Shen Shilang looked up again, he saw tears streaming down Wei Zhaoxian’s face.

“General…”

“I know you’re determined to avenge the Shen family. Passing as the top scholar this time means you’re sure to place highly in next year’s metropolitan exams as well,” Wei Zhaoxian said, his eyes red. “But no matter what, you must keep yourself safe. You know what you’re up against—be cautious in everything. As long as you live, there’s hope for the Shen family.”

“I understand,” Shen Shilang replied softly. “I was brought here at the cost of the guards’ lives, protected by my grandparents’ sacrifice, and you risked your entire clan to save me. I won’t let these sacrifices be in vain.”

Hearing this, Wei Zhaoxian nodded in relief.

“I came back today to properly celebrate with you!” Wei Zhaoxian declared.

Shen Shilang smiled slightly and said, “I heard that Madam Wei is preparing a banquet tonight to celebrate Wei Jianming’s success. Since you’ve returned today, it would be better if you join them for the celebration.”

“You’re not going?” Wei Zhaoxian asked.

“If I go, everyone will feel uncomfortable, including me, Madam Wei, and Wei Jianming.” Since the previous matter had been revealed, Shen Shilang didn’t plan to hide it, speaking directly, “I’ve already asked Manager Yue to order some wine and dishes from the restaurant to be sent over tonight. I’ll drink and dine alone in this small courtyard.”

Shen Shilang gazed in the direction of the capital. “Even though my family is no longer here, I believe they can see my achievement today.”

Wei Zhaoxian understood that Shen Shilang wanted to be alone tonight, to commemorate with his family in his own way.

“I understand,” Wei Zhaoxian nodded. “Although I can’t join you for your celebration, let me at least prepare the food and wine. You must allow me to do something.”

Shen Shilang bowed respectfully to Wei Zhaoxian. “General, you have already done so much for me. But I’m grateful for the food and wine you’re providing for tonight’s celebration.”

Wei Zhaoxian had expected Shen Shilang to decline, but hearing his acceptance, he smiled happily again.

Wei Zhaoxian understood that, aside from Shen Shilang’s desire to honor the Shen family’s spirits tonight, he also wished to avoid further conflict with Madam Wei and the others.

If Wei Zhaoxian were to join him tonight, even if it was after attending the banquet at Madam Wei’s, it would undoubtedly infuriate her.

As Wei Zhaoxian left Shen Shilang’s courtyard, Manager Yue was waiting at the door.

While walking, Wei Zhaoxian instructed, “Go to Huizhen Restaurant and order a table of their best dishes. Have them deliver all their signature dishes to Shilang’s courtyard. Charge it to my personal account, not the public one.”

“Yes, General,” Manager Yue replied, following behind Wei Zhaoxian.

“Steward Ning will arrive tomorrow. Please take a few more days to familiarize him with the mansion’s affairs, then you can return to the Northwest Trading Company,” Wei Zhaoxian said. “You’ve done very well these days.”

“Yes, General”

In the afternoon, Governor Cheng sent invitations—one for Shen Shilang and one for Wei Jianming.

It was an invitation to attend the Lu Ming Banquet^[1] a specific type of banquet in ancient times that would take place the day after results of the imperial examination were published, celebrating the scholars who had passed.

As per tradition, the day after the provincial examination results were announced, a Lu Ming Banquet would be held to entertain the successful candidates, examiners, and other dignitaries.

In the evening, Huizhen Restaurant delivered the food and wine Wei Zhaoxian had ordered for Shen Shilang, all laid out on the stone table in the courtyard.

As the moonlight gradually rose, only Shen Shilang remained in the courtyard.

Su Jinshi saw Shen Shilang standing by the stone table, pouring a cup of wine, holding it with both hands and looking towards the direction of the capital.

Under the moonlight, facing the starry sky, he said, “Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, Mother, I’ve achieved the top rank in the provincial exams. Next year, I’ll go to the capital for the metropolitan exams.”

“I haven’t disappointed you, and I’ll certainly live up to our ancestors’ expectations,” Shen Shilang said. “If you were here, you’d surely be proud of me.”

The direction Shen Shilang faced happened to be towards the main courtyard.

There, lights blazed brightly, and the sound of merriment could be heard, quite lively.

Shen Shilang knew they were celebrating for Wei Jianming there.

“If you were here, you would celebrate for me like that…” Shen Shilang murmured. “Now that you are in heaven, you must also be happy for me, celebrating for me.”

Shen Shilang poured the wine from his cup onto the ground. “Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, Mother – this cup, I offer to you.”