HBWMA -Chapter 239 Avoidance

The crystal-clear green beads scattered all over the ground. Shen Zhi bent down, picking them up one by one and placing them onto the tray in his hands. After scanning the area to make sure none were left behind, he slowly walked into the flower hall and lowered his head to report,

“Young Miss, there are 103 in total. The rest probably fell into the pond.”

Shen Jiao rubbed her aching knees and waved her hand. “Let them be.”

After all, the beating was already done.

Shen Zhi nodded, straightened up, and swept his gaze across the flower hall.

From the first branch to the third, from elders to the youngest, ten people were kneeling in perfect order. The harsher the beating had been earlier, the more proper their kneeling posture was now.

Fu Sui’er lowered her head, glanced around, and quietly leaned toward Jiang Huashan. Pressing her lips together, she whispered, “It’s over… this is the first time I’ve seen the whole family kneeling together. Grandpa must be furious.”

Jiang Huashan nodded and cast a sideways glance at Shen Lanxi beside her.

How could he not be angry?

At least she had kicked Shen Qingyu once, but Shen Lanxi hadn’t done anything—yet he still wasn’t spared.

“What’s going on here?”

The news that Shen Rang had mobilized the Dark Hall to surround Yucai had already spread through the upper circles. As soon as Shen Che heard it, he rushed back. But the moment he stepped into Qinyuan and saw everyone—young and old—kneeling on the ground, alarm bells rang in his head. He cautiously looked toward the side hall.

“Sir.” Shen Zhi stopped him and pointed to the empty spot beside Shen Rang. “The Old Master has ordered everyone to kneel for three hours before speaking.”

“…Wait, Steward Shen, I didn’t do anything.”

Shen Zhi replied calmly, “The Old Master said that inaction is also a fault.”

Left with no choice, Shen Che cleared his throat lightly and knelt down beside Shen Rang.

He had originally wanted to ask Shen Rang what possessed him to act so recklessly, but the moment he saw the blood marks covering his back, he immediately shut his mouth.

The atmosphere was extremely heavy. Shen E shot glares at Shen Rang from time to time, clearly unwilling to let the matter rest.

About half an hour later, another commotion came from outside the courtyard.

Shen Zhi quickly walked out of the flower hall to receive them. A few bodyguards carried a young man through the garden gate before withdrawing, while behind the boy stood a man in a sharp suit.

“Steward Shen, is the Old Master alright?”

It was Shen Qian’s voice.

Everyone in the flower hall reacted at once. Shen E and Shen Yuan both turned sideways, looking through the glass toward the outside.

On the other side, the expressions of the three members from the third branch immediately darkened. Wasn’t Shen Qian supposed to be busy in Nanwan with his re-election as council leader? Why had he come back now?

Shen E turned her eyes and exchanged a glance with Shen Yuan.

Within the Shen family, there were two factions: one in the open—led by Shen Zhuang, the decision-maker seated in power—and one in the shadows—controlled by Shen Rang, the force operating in the underworld.

The Dark Hall existed beneath the Shen family like an ancient iceberg, with its master ruling over all the rules of the underground world.

The previous master of the Dark Hall had been Shen Zhuang’s younger brother. After his death, the position remained vacant for six years. Only after many twists and turns did Shen Zhuang finally appoint Shen Rang—someone no one had been optimistic about.

Back when Shen Rang took over, the second branch had strongly opposed it. But the Old Master had insisted, and in the end, everyone could only accept it.

But today, Shen Rang had actually mobilized the Dark Guards for a personal grudge. That meant he had completely disregarded the family’s interests. If the second branch seized this opportunity, they might even be able to strip him of his position as Hall Master.

Jiang Huashan also heard the movement outside and craned her neck to look down the corridor.

Shen Qian and Shen Zhi walked in front, while Lei Xing pushed a wheelchair behind them. The young man seated in it wore a white shirt, his brows gentle and refined.

Shen Guiling!

Trying to get a better look, Jiang Huashan twisted her neck to its limit. As the wheelchair moved, her head followed bit by bit.

Shen Lanxi: “…”

Shen Zhi led Shen Qian into the flower hall and bowed slightly. “Sir, please.”

Shen Qian’s expression was somewhat unnatural as he walked to the front of the group and knelt down.

“Lei Xing.” Shen Guiling braced himself on the wheelchair, making as if to stand.

Shen Zhi immediately stepped forward to help him up. “Young Master A-Ling, the old master said your leg is injured, so you’re exempt from kneeling punishment. Just reflect sincerely.”

Shen Guiling nodded and pushed his wheelchair to stand behind Jiang Huashan.

“…”

Jiang Huashan scratched her head. She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but why did it feel like the top of her head was burning—like her scalp was being stared at so intensely it was almost scorching?

Look, look, look! What are you looking at?!

She felt like her head was about to catch fire. Refusing to back down, she turned around. Their gazes collided head-on. Narrowing her peach blossom eyes, a fierce glint flashing within them, she silently retorted: What are you looking at? Don’t forget who protected your innocence!

The warmth in Shen Guiling’s eyes faltered slightly. His pupils darkened, and he quietly looked away.

Yes!

Shen Guiling actually avoided her?

Jiang Huashan felt a bit curious and was just about to investigate further when Shen Lanxi spoke coldly.

“Kneel properly.”

“…”

Nothing was more annoying than having a discipline monitor sitting next to you when you were distracted.

Jiang Huashan shot Shen Lanxi a glare, then expressionlessly adjusted her posture and knelt properly again.

Now that even Shen Qian and Shen Guiling had returned, how would the plot unfold next?

In her previous life, Shen Mianzhi hadn’t awakened, and Shen Rang hadn’t humiliated Xiao Lanlan. So far, she hadn’t received any notification of deviation from the main storyline either—meaning the current events were still part of I’m Just Acting Mischievous, How Did I Become the White Moonlight?

Jiang Huashan glanced thoughtfully at Shen Mianzhi, who was kneeling opposite her.

Her head was lowered, and it was unclear what she was thinking. Above her, the three words 【Love-Brained】 stood out strikingly.

Even after trying so hard, she still hadn’t broken free from all her shackles.

How much had Shen Mianzhi sensed by now?

As if sharing a silent understanding, just as Jiang Huashan was thinking this, Shen Mianzhi suddenly raised her head. Her clear eyes, devoid of emotion, quietly fixed on her.

Her scrutiny was direct—as if she wanted to peer straight into Jiang Huashan’s heart through her gaze.

Jiang Huashan didn’t avoid it, letting her observe. In truth, she was also curious—what kind of understanding would someone have of this world when half of their “label” had already fallen away?

Click—

At that moment, the sound of a door opening came from the side hall.

Everyone in the flower hall perked up, instinctively straightening their backs.

Leaning on his cane, Shen Zhuang slowly entered with Shen Zhi supporting him. He first swept his gaze across the room, then turned and took his seat.

“Everyone, get up. Sit.”

They helped one another up and took their respective seats.

Shen Lanxi sat below Shen Zhuang, while the second and third branches of the family sat on either side, facing off.

The maids entered carrying porcelain cups of hot tea. As usual, each person was served their preferred tea. Shen Zhi checked Shen Zhuang’s tea, and only after confirming it was fine did he withdraw with the maids.

Since this was an unfamiliar turn of events, Jiang Huashan was especially cautious. She sat in the last row, planning to observe everyone here from an independent perspective.

Just now, when Shen Zhi was inspecting the tea, Shen Lanxi, Shen Che, Xiao Qi, Shen Yuan, and Shen Qingyu had all deliberately lingered their gazes on it. While that alone couldn’t prove they had poisoned it, it at least showed they were concerned about this point.

And then there was Shen Zhi.

Since everything the old master consumed passed through his hands, why hadn’t he filtered out the poison that day? Was the culprit too cunning and slipped past his inspection? Or was Shen Zhi himself the problem?

Jiang Huashan cast him a glance, then casually picked up the flower tea on the table as if nothing were amiss.

Once everyone else had withdrawn, Shen Zhuang tapped the red sandalwood table.

“Go on—what exactly are all of you trying to do?”