HBWMA -Chapter 28 Parting Gift

After not seeing each other for a long time, Shen Jiao and her two brothers finally reunited. Once they finished dealing with the “pig brain soup” incident, they agreed to return to Winter Garden for a chat. However, just as they stepped out of the restaurant, they saw Aunt Feng rushing in from the back courtyard in a panic.

Aunt Feng was an old servant of the Shen family and rarely behaved so improperly. Shen Jiao’s first reaction was that something had happened to Fu Sui’er.

She quickly stepped forward and supported Aunt Feng. “Don’t rush. Speak slowly.”

Aunt Feng gasped for breath and whispered a few words into Shen Jiao’s ear. Shen Jiao’s expression immediately changed as she turned to look back at the dining hall.

At that moment, Fang Mei was just stepping out of the dining hall, half-supporting herself on the wooden doorframe. It was not an exaggeration to say that the meal had nearly killed her. Barely clinging to life, she no longer had the energy to flatter the Shen family members; she just wanted to return to Chrysanthemum Garden and lie down. But the moment she stepped out, she felt an oppressive gaze on her.

Fang Mei looked up and met Shen Jiao’s eyes. She froze for a moment, swallowed, and forced a smile. “May I ask what’s wrong?”

Shen Jiao gave a cold laugh, scanning her from head to toe. “Mrs. Jiang really raised a good daughter.” After speaking, her gaze turned ice-cold to the bone as she turned and left the flower hall.

Shen Che and Shen Rang also guessed that something must have happened on Fu Sui’er’s side. After exchanging doubtful glances at Fang Mei, they followed Shen Jiao toward Winter Garden.

Fang Mei’s smile completely froze. Her fingers clenched tightly around the doorframe. “Yiyi wouldn’t be so thoughtless. It must be that damn girl causing trouble again.”

A servant in the dining hall glanced at her and stepped forward with a polite smile. “Mrs. Jiang, please be careful with your hand.”

Fang Mei’s twisted expression instantly stiffened. She quickly adjusted into a dignified, gentle smile. Before she could speak, the servant added, “This is centuries-old golden silk nan wood. If you damage it, we really can’t afford it.”

“……”

Fang Mei’s lips twitched as she forced a smile through clenched teeth.

Qin Garden Pavilion

“Old Master, have some chrysanthemum tea to calm your mind and ease your temper.”

As soon as Shen Zhi brought the tea set over, someone arrived outside the courtyard. He glanced at the visitor, then calmly finished pouring tea for Shen Zhuang before turning and leaving the courtyard. The visitor seemed to report something. Shen Zhi paused, thought for a moment, then returned to the pavilion.

Before he could speak, Shen Zhuang asked first, “Who came?”

“Miss Jiang,” Shen Zhi replied.

Shen Zhuang slightly froze. He had expected the third branch to come causing trouble, but he did not expect Jiang Huashan to be the first. He set down his teacup. “Here to plead for leniency, perhaps?”

“If it troubles you, Old Master, shall I ask Miss Jiang to return?” Shen Zhi asked.

“No.” Shen Zhuang shook his head. “Let her in.”

Shen Zhi looked slightly surprised but still nodded and left.

Shen Zhuang stared at the chrysanthemum petals in his hand, his thoughts drifting far away.

Last night, after receiving Shen Guiling’s promise, he immediately went to the ancestral hall again.

Over the past few years, the Yao family’s rise in political power had been supported by an unknown expert. Now the presidential election had reached its final stage, and Yao San of the Yao family was determined to win. Yet at this critical moment, Yao Ge committed arson and murder—something that did not make sense on the surface.

But upon closer inspection, the pattern was not hard to see. Most of the officials brought down by this arson case were political enemies of the Yao family. After the news broke, Yao San’s popularity surged far beyond other opponents.

Although the Shen and Yao families were in-laws, their political paths were not aligned. Yao Ge was clearly manipulated by the Yao family, using personal revenge as a pretext to bind the Shen family and Yao family onto the same ship. And Shen Guiling was the entry point—once the illegitimate child became leverage, Shen Qian and the Shen family would forever be under control.

Shen Zhuang gave a slight hint, and Shen Qian immediately understood the deeper implications. Fortunately, Shen Qian was not entirely foolish—he knew when to cut off a limb to save the body.

The Shen family had deep foundations. Losing the position of Speaker of the House was nothing more than spending a few extra years to regain it. But if they were controlled by others, they would forever be at a disadvantage.

In political rivalry, a single misstep could shatter an entire powerful family. Shen Zhuang bore the responsibility of the family’s prosperity, and he did not dare allow even the slightest carelessness.

Even after persuading his eldest son, he still couldn’t sleep. He kept feeling that something in all this still hadn’t been fully figured out. Until today, in the side hall, when he saw Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er fighting, the blocked thoughts suddenly became clear.

The Fu family!

Shen Jia had already brought Fu Sui’er back to the Shen residence for nearly a week, yet there had been no movement from the Fu family. No matter how he looked at it, that didn’t make sense.

Shen Zhuang suddenly realized something. In recent years, A Country’s economy had developed too quickly, and many powerful financial clans had risen. Meanwhile, the Shen family had stayed low-profile after Shen Xi’s fall from power. When a lion lies dormant too long, how could the growing young beasts be willing to remain beneath it?

So… someone was already unable to wait any longer.

“Grandfather…”

A clear, pleasant voice interrupted his thoughts. The chrysanthemums in his teacup slowly came back into focus, and when he looked up, he saw a girl with a bun hairstyle running toward him.

Warmth spread through Shen Zhuang’s heart as he hurried to stand. “Slow down! Slow down!”

Jiang Huashan was still holding a rather silly-looking gray wolf plush toy. “Grandfather, have you calmed down yet?”

Shen Zhuang hadn’t truly been angry. Because next, the Shen family was preparing to strike back. If he discovered that the Fu family was truly involved, he would show no mercy. But Fu Sui’er was still young—so to take care of her feelings, he had used this incident as an excuse to send her first to the old family residence in Xiangying.

As for Jiang Huashan, he had his own private considerations. Her mother, Fang Mei, was unreliable. If one day he was no longer around, Jiang Huashan would inevitably suffer. That was why he wanted Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er to be placed together.

Although Fu Sui’er seemed willful and arrogant, her nature wasn’t bad. If the two children could set aside their grudges, they would likely get along well. Moreover, Shen Jia doted on those she loved and was fiercely protective—she would be more than suitable as Jiang Huashan’s support.

But Shen Zhuang had no intention of telling any of this to a child.

He deliberately kept a stern face. “And you still know I’d be angry?”

Jiang Huashan looked a little embarrassed. Back then, she had acted on impulse and ended up getting bound together with Fu Sui’er. As for why she deliberately fought in the side hall—of course, she had her own plan.

“Grandfather, I know I was wrong. This time when I go to Xiangying, I’ll properly correct all my bad habits and reflect seriously.”

“You really think so?” Shen Zhuang was slightly surprised. He had assumed she came to plead for leniency or avoid punishment.

Jiang Huashan nodded. “Really. Not only me—I’ll also make sure Sui’er improves with me.”

Shen Zhuang couldn’t help but smile. “You two fight every time you meet. I was even worried you might tear down the Xiangying old residence.”

His tone carried unmistakable affection.

“Grandfather.” She sweetly handed the big gray wolf plush to him. “This is for you. When I’m not in the Shen residence, let it keep you company.”

Shen Zhuang looked at the ugly-cute plush in her hands and felt his mood brighten. “So you came just to give your grandfather a farewell gift?”

Jiang Huashan nodded.

A trace of reluctance suddenly rose in Shen Zhuang’s heart. He took the toy and patted her head. “Little Hua’er, will you blame grandfather for being cruel?”

Jiang Huashan shook her head. Although she was reluctant to part after just meeting him again, she understood that every decision he made had his reasons. As his granddaughter, she only needed to trust him.