HBWMA -Chapter 359 Shen Zhuang Returns to the Estate

Bamboo Garden

“How could sir strike so harshly without even figuring out right from wrong?”

Lei Xing crouched halfway down as he applied medicine to Shen Guiling. Shen Qian had been in a fit of anger earlier, and his kick had not been light—Shen Guiling’s entire lower abdomen was bruised.

“I’m fine. You can leave now.”

The young man lowered his head to straighten his clothes, his expression calm and indifferent.

It was precisely because the young master was too gentle in temperament that he was always bullied. Lei Xing hesitated as if he wanted to say more, but in the end, he obediently carried the medicine box and left the room.

Shen Guiling stood up and walked to the balcony.

He hadn’t returned in a long time. Yellowed leaves lay scattered all over the ground. He crouched down, picking them up one by one, his gaze gentle and composed.

Shen Qian must have already realized that he had been played. With his personality, he would never let it go so easily. Only when he understood that the Shen family was a treacherous den beyond his control would he urgently need a trustworthy assistant—and only then would a cunning power player truly delegate authority.

As for that statement, Shen Qian would never know that the very thing he dismissed as insignificant had delivered him such a grand “gift.”

The moment Shen Guiling obtained that statement, he had secretly investigated Wen Yonghe’s identity. So in truth, he had long known there was something wrong with the newspaper and had already prepared two contingency plans.

If Jiang Huashan lost the case, the newspaper’s statement would be hacked by a Trojan and vanish forever.

But if Jiang Huashan won, he would go along with the flow, pretend ignorance, and let Shen Qian take the blame.

Killing two birds with one stone.

Evening

Shen Qian returned to the estate once more. The Shen family had all gathered in the main hall, waiting for news. Because of the earlier unpleasant parting in the afternoon, the second and third branches were clearly divided, ignoring each other completely.

Fu Sui’er and Shen Mianzhi sat in a corner, hardly daring to breathe, heads lowered as they stared at their phones.

[Oye: No need to guess! Eldest Uncle must be the mole.]

[Zhizhi: Doesn’t seem like it from his reaction. If the mole could hide for so long, it shouldn’t be that simple.]

Shen Mianzhi looked up and subtly scanned the room, her gaze finally landing on Shen Lanxi.

She was more curious about him. For someone like him to gamble with his father’s honor—could it be that he had really formed an alliance with Aunt?

If even Shen Mianzhi could think of this, there was no need to mention the others present.

The reason Shen Qian kept pressing Shen Jiao about the sudden change in defense strategy was exactly this.

Although Shen Zhuang favored Shen Lanxi, he was still young. If the old master were to pass away one day, Shen Lanxi might not be able to suppress his troublesome uncles.

Among the third branch, only Shen Jiao had given birth to a daughter with a different surname. The position of family head would never fall to her, so an alliance between the two was not impossible.

Though everyone in the room remained silent, each harbored their own thoughts.

“Old Master has returned to the estate!” The steward from outside hurried into the main hall, his face filled with joy.

Everyone immediately stood up. Shen Qian, considering himself the senior, strode forward to lead the way.

Normally it would have been fine, but with the grudge over the privately issued statement still lingering, Shen Jiao had no intention of indulging him. She directly pushed Fu Sui’er’s wheelchair right over Shen Qian’s foot.

Fu Sui’er bounced in her seat, her backside aching, yet she carefree shouted at Shen Qian, “Eldest Uncle, your foot is stuck under my wheelchair!”

“…” Shen Qian’s facial muscles twitched in anger.

“What’s the point of explaining to him?” Shen Jiao said without even glancing sideways as she pushed the wheelchair out of the main hall.

“Shen Jiao!”

Shen Yuan, unable to hold back, pointed at Shen Jiao and was about to chase after her, but Shen Che stepped in front of him.

“Big brother, second brother, hurry and follow. Don’t keep the old master waiting.”

Shen Rang, with his large build, squeezed past Shen Yuan directly. Turning back, he beckoned, “Zhizhi, keep up.”

Shen Mianzhi smiled shyly, turned slightly to nod at Shen Yuan, and quickly followed Shen Rang.

The others in the room exchanged glances. Shen Che chuckled awkwardly and called for Shen Lanxi to go along.

Watching as everyone deliberately made things difficult for the second branch, Shen Yuan’s expression darkened.

“Big brother, what is the third branch trying to do? Bullying two old men who’ve lost their families?”

Shen Qian frowned and looked him up and down. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Each one of them teaming up with the younger generation to stir trouble—if this isn’t bullying us, what is?”

Who didn’t know that Shen Qingyu was the number one troublemaker when it came to going against his own father? If you wanted him to be on the same side as Shen Yuan, you’d have better luck waiting for the sun to rise in the west.

Only then did Shen Yuan realize someone was missing. “Big Brother, where’s A-Ling? Why haven’t I seen him? This statement issue won’t blow over anytime soon. The old master favors A-Ling—if he helps cover for you, you might get scolded a little less.”

Shen Qian thought of that kick earlier in the afternoon, his expression turning grave. “You also think that statement was issued on my behalf?”

Shen Yuan frowned. “Wasn’t it signed with your name?”

Shen Qian said nothing, instead looking Shen Yuan up and down.

Shen Yuan quickly caught on. “What do you mean? You’re not suspecting me, are you?”

Shen Qian withdrew his gaze, noncommittal. “Let’s see Father first.”

Watching Shen Qian’s retreating figure, Shen Yuan’s expression darkened instantly.

Suspicious since childhood… it seemed that even if Shen Qian became the head of the family, his own younger brother might not end well.

Night had already fallen. Rows of lanterns were lit outside Shen Garden, and car lights wound their way up the mountain road. The courtyard was filled with people.

As the cars came to a stop, Shen Qingyu got out first and was about to open the door when Shen Qian beat him to it. “Dad.”

Shen Zhuang glanced at him, waved a hand, and steadied himself against the doorframe as he stepped out of the car.

“Dad.”
“Grandpa.”
“Grandfather.”

Everyone greeted him in unison, respectfully.

Leaning on his cane, Shen Zhuang’s gaze swept across the crowd. “Where are Shanshan and A-Ling?”

Shen Qian’s expression shifted slightly. Just as he was about to explain, Shen Guiling walked out from the garden. “Grandpa, please forgive me. I was tending to the flowers in the courtyard just now and accidentally lost track of time.”

Shen Zhuang didn’t mind. At such a critical moment, being able to calmly tend to flowers showed composure.

He nodded. “It’s cold outside. Let’s talk inside.”

The crowd immediately parted to make way, and Shen Zhi gently supported Shen Zhuang as he led the way forward.

Shen Qingyu lazily trailed at the very back of the group. Shen Yuan glanced at him from across the crowd and deliberately slowed his pace.

“Qingyu…”

Before he could say more, Shen Qingyu shot him a sideways glance. “Stop fishing. I don’t know anything.”

“…” Shen Yuan nearly choked on his breath. As expected of the Shen family’s number one rebel.

Inside the main hall, the twelve Flower Deity wooden doors were fully opened. Only after everyone entered did they slowly close.

Hot tea had already been prepared in the tea room. Shen Zhi pushed in the tea cart and placed it in the main hall. Shen Zhuang sat at the head seat, with Shen Lanxi beside him in the nearest secondary seat, while the other two branches of the family took their places on either side.

Fu Sui’er wheeled herself forward. “Grandpa, look—I’m lively and kicking again!”

Shen Zhuang had always been lenient with the younger generation, especially girls. Hearing this, he smiled and took out a red envelope he had prepared in advance. “Grandpa was busy and couldn’t make it in time for your discharge. Take this as a small token to calm your nerves.”

“Thank you, Grandpa!” Fu Sui’er beamed, accepting it with both hands.

Shen Zhuang patted her head. “That letter… you wrote it well.”

Fu Sui’er’s eyes immediately lit up. “Grandpa, you read it?”

Shen Zhuang nodded. “Not just me—your teacher knows about it too. I heard you were injured; he’ll be coming to A Country this winter break to tutor you.”

“Thank you, Grandpa!”

Shen Zhuang smiled, then lifted his gaze toward Shen Zhi. “Where’s Shanshan? Still not here?”

Just as he spoke, Zhang Ru hurried in from outside. “Old Master.”

Shen Jiao glanced at Shen Zhuang and spoke up, “Xiao Zhang, where’s Shanshan? Is she too exhausted to recover yet?”

Zhang Ru looked embarrassed. “Miss Jiang heard that the Shen family doesn’t acknowledge her. She packed her things and said she’s returning to Huaicheng. I couldn’t stop her, so I came to inform you, Old Master.”