HBWMA -Chapter 24 Recognizing One’s Ancestry

Jiang Huashan raised an eyebrow and glanced sideways at Fu Sui’er. “Young master?”

Fu Sui’er turned with a dark face, about to leave, but Jiang Huashan calmly pulled her back, looking like a modest student asking for guidance. “Impressive. You even know this kind of news? Hey, where did you hear that from?”

Fu Sui’er looked proud. “I overheard my mom. The second branch started stirring up trouble after they heard that Brother Lanxi was coming back. But it’s all useless effort anyway. Do they really think any random nobody can compare to Brother Lanxi?”

Jiang Huashan clearly disagreed.

Fu Sui’er frowned. “What’s that expression? You don’t agree?”

Fang Mei finally recovered from her earlier embarrassment. When she looked over, she saw Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er whispering together in a corner. Since when had Jiang Huashan gotten so close to that idiot Fu Sui’er? She subconsciously looked toward Shen Jiao, but Shen Jiao wasn’t paying attention to them—she was talking with the Fourth Young Master.

The entire family looked harmonious and close-knit, making the three of them seem like outsiders instead. Fang Mei kept a polite smile on her face, trying her best to appear proper and composed.

On the other side, Fu Sui’er was still indignant. “So you don’t agree? Jiang Huashan, what status do you have to look down on Brother Lanxi?”

Jiang Huashan glanced at her sideways. In her previous life, Fu Sui’er hadn’t been like this. When she had once clung to Shen Lanxi, this little fool had chased after her every few days, warning her not to have any ideas about him.

“Old Master.”

At that moment, the servant’s voice rang out from outside the hall. The people whispering inside the flower hall immediately fell silent, all eyes turning toward the entrance.

Shen Zhuang entered slowly with a dragon-headed cane, wearing a deep blue Tang suit with gold-threaded embroidery at the hem. Following behind him were Shen Qian, then Shen Zhi, and finally Shen Guiling.

“Dad.”

Everyone present stood up at once, respectfully bowing slightly.

Shen Zhuang swept his gaze across the hall. “Mm. Is everyone here?”

“Grandfather.” At that moment, an out-of-place, bright voice rang out. Before anyone could react, Jiang Huashan flitted forward like a butterfly, throwing herself toward him. “We’ve been waiting for you for so long.”

“Shan—” Fang Mei’s expression changed slightly. She tried to stop her, but it was already too late.

Shen Zhuang, who had been stern-faced just moments ago, immediately broke into a kindly smile the moment he saw Jiang Huashan. “Is that so? It’s my fault. I practiced a bit of qigong this morning and delayed things. Have you eaten breakfast?”

The scene meant something entirely different to the rest of the Shen family. Even their gazes toward Jiang Huashan and Fang Mei subtly changed.

Fang Mei quietly wiped the sweat from her palms, unknowingly straightening her back.

Jiang Huashan shook her head. “No, I came straight over after getting up.”

Shen Zhuang turned to glance at Shen Zhi. Understanding immediately, Shen Zhi brought over a tray of tea snacks from the tea table. Shen Zhuang personally took it and handed it to Jiang Huashan. “Have something to fill your stomach first.”

Jiang Huashan obediently held the porcelain plate, smiling sweetly. “Thank you, Grandpa.”

“Go on then.” Shen Zhuang patted her head.

The tea table in the hall was square. The main seat belonged to the old master, the left side was the second branch, and the right side was the third branch. After Shen Zhuang sat down, the second and third branches followed.

Shen Yuan glanced casually at Shen Qian and stepped forward to pour tea. “Dad…”

Shen Zhuang raised a hand to stop him, his gaze skipping over everyone and landing on Fang Mei. “Come sit. We’re all family here—no need for formalities.”

Fang Mei had not expected Shen Zhuang to elevate her status so openly in front of everyone and felt somewhat flattered and overwhelmed. “Yes.”

She didn’t dare act too boldly and chose a seat at an angle. Although it was a somewhat marginal position, being able to sit inside the inner hall with the Shen family gentlemen and young ladies was already more than she could ask for.

The younger generation still remained standing. Jiang Huashan held a gray wolf plush under her arm, a porcelain cup in one hand, and ate with the other.

“Attention-seeker,” Fu Sui’er muttered again, clearly annoyed at Jiang Huashan.

Jiang Huashan didn’t mind at all. She casually picked up a piece of pastry and handed it over. “Here, have some.”

Fu Sui’er wore a look of disgust. She originally wanted to refuse, but for some reason, the moment she opened her mouth, she bit into the pastry anyway.

“……”

The two of them fumbled awkwardly with each other; anyone watching would think their relationship was unusually good. On the side, Jiang Wanyi watched with her eyes turning red with anger.

On the other side, the old master held his teacup, his eyes half-closed. “Eldest, you handle this.”

Shen Qian nodded slightly and turned back to look at Shen Guiling. “A-Ling, come here.”

Only then did everyone notice that there was a young man standing behind Shen Zhi.

Shen Guiling stepped forward.

Fu Sui’er was so shocked she spat out her pastry. “Call me ‘Old Ye’! What a hottie!”

Jiang Huashan lowered her head and wiped the pastry crumbs from her face. Looking at the scattered bits on the plate, she suddenly lost her appetite.

Shen Qian said, “Let me introduce everyone—this is my son, Shen Guiling.”

The moment those words landed, everyone was stunned. Even the Fourth Uncle couldn’t sit still and shot up from his chair. “Big Brother, what are you talking about?!”

Everyone present was an old fox in their own right. Shen Qian suddenly producing a son—there was clearly something questionable about his origins.

“Why are you making such a fuss?” the old master tapped his cane on the ground.

Only then did everyone come back to their senses. Despite their shock, they all instinctively turned their gaze toward Shen Zhuang. Although Shen Qian’s career was now thriving, in a matter like this, it ultimately depended on the old master’s attitude.

“A-Ling, come here.” Shen Zhuang waved Shen Guiling over.

Shen Guiling stepped forward obediently, his expression calm and gentle.

Shen Zhuang handed him a cup of tea. “Kneel, offer tea, and from this moment on, you are formally acknowledged back into the family.”

So the old master accepted him?

Everyone had different thoughts and began sizing up the young man.

One look, and it was hard to look away. The Shen family had plenty of outstanding young descendants, but none with such otherworldly bearing and appearance. In the entire Shen family, perhaps only the old master’s most cherished legitimate grandson could compare.

Shen Guiling took the tea with both hands, knelt, and bowed in one smooth motion. “Grandfather, please drink tea.”

Shen Zhuang smiled and accepted the hot tea, drinking it in one go.

“Good boy. Go greet your uncles and aunts.”

Shen Zhi held a tea tray with six cups of hot tea.

Following seniority, they started from the second branch, Shen Yuan.

With the old master present, even if everyone had their own thoughts, none dared show it. They were all clever people. Since the old master had gathered everyone and openly acknowledged the situation, it meant Shen Guiling had already been accepted by the family. This round of greetings was less an introduction and more a reminder—once they accepted the tea, they were taking on the responsibility of uncles and aunts.

Shen Zhi handed over the tea and introduced him. “Second Master Shen.”

Shen Guiling knelt, took the tea, and offered it forward. “Second Uncle, please have tea.”

“Alright.”

Shen Yuan nodded with a smile and was about to take it when suddenly a loud, out-of-place shout echoed through the hall.

“A bastard who can’t even make it onto the table has no right to step through the Shen family gate!”

Jiang Huashan casually brushed the crumbs off her porcelain plate, picked up a clean pastry, and stuffed it into her mouth.

Kept eating biscuits…