HBWMA -Chapter 397 Condensing! The Heart of Guardianship

As soon as those words were spoken, Shen Lanxi, Shen Guiling, and Shen Qingyu all stood up at the same time.

Shen Zhuang tapped the table coldly. “I told you to stand up?”

The three of them changed expressions slightly and, after a brief hesitation, knelt back down obediently.

Leaning on his cane, Shen Zhuang scanned them once before pointing at Shen Zhi. “One hundred lashes. Not a single one less. Afterward, send them to the ancestral hall to reflect on their mistakes.”

Shen Zhi did not dare disobey and nodded in agreement.

“Mianzhi, come with me.”

Shen Zhuang raised his arm slightly, and Shen Mianzhi immediately stepped forward to support him.

Just as the old man turned to leave, Shen Qingyu gritted his back teeth. “Grand—”

Shen Yuan’s brow twitched. Afraid this rebellious son would say something disrespectful again and anger Shen Zhuang, he quickly pressed down on Shen Qingyu’s shoulder and forced him back down.

Shen Zhuang turned back to look at Shen Qingyu. “You still have something to say?”

“No, no.” Shen Yuan hurriedly smiled apologetically. “Dad, we’ll keep an eye on things here. You should go see Shanshan and Sui’er first.”

Shen Zhuang glanced at Shen Yuan indifferently. Shen Yuan’s mouth twitched, and he awkwardly coughed into his fist.

Chrysanthemum Garden

Jiang Huashan stared blankly at the crystal chandelier on the ceiling, a smug, light smile appearing on her face from time to time.

Just a moment ago, a string of electronic tones had sounded in her mind.

【Ding—】

【Warning! Due to malicious tampering of the storyline by a current character, the main plot has deviated significantly. A new chapter is being regenerated.】

【Generation complete—】

【Original chapter—“Collapse! The Beginning of Disintegration” has been changed to “Condensing! The Heart of Guardianship.”】

【Loading current plot into the story world: Chapter 397—“Condensing! The Heart of Guardianship.”】

【Warning: Main storyline deviation is currently at 59%.】

【Warning: If deviation reaches 90%, the story world will collapse.】

【Warning: To preserve the integrity of the main plot, once deviation exceeds 60%, the Story Spirit Guardian Mode will be activated.】

It had been a long time since she heard such pleasant sounds.

An 8% increase in deviation—those three bullets hadn’t been fired in vain.

When Zhang Ru entered with a bowl of white porridge, she saw the girl grinning foolishly with a satisfied expression.

“Miss…”

From the moment Jiang Huashan was carried into Chrysanthemum Garden six hours ago, Zhang Ru had not closed her eyes. Although professional doctors were taking care of her, Zhang Ru still worried deeply but didn’t dare ask too much. She could only secretly wipe her tears. When she finally heard that Miss Jiang had awakened and porridge should be prepared, she immediately rushed in.

Jiang Huashan turned toward the familiar voice. “Nanny Zhang? I’m back?”

Her face was full of joy, with no trace of post-injury gloom.

Zhang Ru lowered her head to wipe her tears and forced a smile as she walked to the bedside.
“You’re back, you’re home. Miss, are you uncomfortable anywhere? Does it hurt?”

Only then did Jiang Huashan realize something was wrong. She lifted the blanket and discovered both legs were fixed in steel braces, one arm in a splint. Only about a quarter of her body could move freely.

“……”

Her smile froze instantly. She looked at Zhang Ru in shock. “I can’t feel any pain… Did I become disabled?”

“Nonsense.”

Shen Zhuang’s stern voice rang out as he walked in with a cane.

“Grandpa!” Jiang Huashan’s eyes lit up immediately. “Did you save me?”

Shen Zhuang had originally been suppressing his anger, but seeing her bright, smiling peach-blossom eyes, his heart inexplicably softened.

“I’ll do it.” He took the bowl of porridge from Zhang Ru. She immediately stepped aside and quietly left the room.

Sitting by the bed, Shen Zhuang scooped a spoonful of porridge. “You just woke up. Eat something easy to digest first. I’ll have Xiao Zhang make you something good in a few days.”

Jiang Huashan studied his expression carefully, then swallowed a spoonful in one gulp and muttered, “Grandpa… those three people… did you beat them to death?”

Clink.

The spoon hit the edge of the bowl.

Shen Zhuang looked up. The bright peach-blossom eyes were now filled with mischievous curiosity.

“Little Hua’er… you were involved in this too?”

Jiang Huashan thought for a moment, nodded, then shook her head.

“At first I didn’t know what Brother Lanxi and the others were planning. Later, while I was escaping, I ran into Shen Guiling—he told me.”

“You met A-Ling… then why didn’t A-Ling—” Shen Zhuang’s expression changed slightly. “You sacrificed yourself?”

“Me? I’m not that noble.” She shrugged. “I just know that when the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. Many great families fall because of internal conflict. Grandpa, you trained them to be the sharpest spear and shield of the Shen family—I couldn’t just watch them destroy each other.”

In her previous life, it was exactly like this: Shen Lanxi distanced himself due to resentment, Shen Guiling was expelled abroad after a serious crime, Shen Qingyu left the family, Fu Sui’er turned away, Shen Mianzhi jumped off a building… and the once lively Shen residence withered overnight.

In the end, Grandpa was poisoned and killed in his own room.

Every time she thought of it, she wanted to tear apart that “story gate.”

Shen Zhuang studied her silently, then lowered his head and fed her another spoon of porridge.

After a few bites, the bowl was empty.

Standing up with the bowl, he suddenly asked, “Little Hua’er… do you think Grandpa is a failure as a patriarch?”

Jiang Huashan froze and grabbed his sleeve. “Of course not! Grandpa, how could you think that?”

“Because you gave a grain of dust a bit of light… she became a star. And because she became a star, she gained the ability to cross time. A star chasing light—how could it ever think the light is wrong?”

Shen Zhuang’s hand trembled slightly.

His eyes turned slightly red, but as an elder, he forced a smile. “Good child. Grandpa understands.”

Jiang Huashan still worried. “You really understand? Don’t overthink it. If you’re unhappy, just drag Shen Lanxi out and beat him again—don’t trouble yourself.”

Shen Zhuang chuckled. “Alright, I understand.”

After reassuring her, he patted her shoulder. “Rest well. Grandpa will give you an explanation for this matter.”

Jiang Huashan didn’t fully understand his meaning, but he had already turned and left.

Meanwhile

Shen Lanxi, Shen Guiling, and Shen Qingyu had already endured one hundred lashes.

Without Shen Zhuang present, Shen Zhi had held back in his strikes, but a hundred lashes were still no small matter. Their backs were a bloody mess, crisscrossed with whip marks.

Exhausted, Shen Zhi placed the bloodied cane back on the rack and said reluctantly, “Young Master Lanxi, Young Master A-Ling, Young Master Qingyu… please follow me.”

Shen Yuan finally couldn’t hold back anymore and slammed the table as he stood up. “The old man has gone mad! He’s beaten them into this state for no reason! Qingyu, come! We’re going back.”

Shen Zhi frowned, his expression serious. “Sir, watch your words.”

“I’ve already been cautious enough! How much more careful am I supposed to be?” Shen Yuan turned and snapped angrily at Shen Zhi, “Fine, you go tell the old man—tell him I’m taking Qingyu back with me. From now on, he won’t need to bother looking after him anymore.”

With that, he grabbed Shen Qingyu’s arm and tried to leave.

“A-Yuan!” Shen Qian frowned slightly, his expression cold. “What nonsense are you spouting? Have you lost your mind?”

Shen Yuan’s words clearly meant he was trying to separate Shen Qingyu from the Shen estate. If things truly escalated to that point, the Shen financial empire would change hands tomorrow. The second branch shared deep interests with the family business—Shen Qian naturally could not allow that to happen.

Shen Yuan didn’t care whose face he was slapping. He shouted, “I’m not crazy. I’m perfectly clear-headed. Qingyu—”

Shen Qingyu coldly shook off Shen Yuan’s hand. “Don’t touch me.”

Shen Yuan: “……”

Shen Zhi coughed lightly. “Three young masters, please.”

The three stood up and followed him out of the flower hall with indifferent expressions.

After a moment’s hesitation, Shen Yuan still couldn’t hold back and chased after them. “You’re just going to kneel like that? Shouldn’t we at least apply some medicine first?”

Shen Qingyu, however, walked forward with his cane at full speed.

“……”

The last shred of Shen Yuan’s paternal concern finally shattered.

“Useless son!” he cursed, then stormed back into the flower hall. “If the old man asks, just tell him I don’t want this son anymore—he can beat him to death if he wants!”

Shen Qian frowned, setting down his teacup. “What nonsense are you talking now?”

Shen Yuan adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. “I’m very clear-headed right now, big brother. Just pass the message along. I’m leaving.”

With that, he stormed out of Qinyuan without waiting for Shen Qian’s response.

Shen Qian’s face darkened. Two years ago, because of the incident with Xiao Lanlan, Shen E had already lost influence in front of Shen Zhuang. Now Shen Yuan was causing trouble again—wasn’t this just handing an advantage to the third branch?

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Shen Che smiled and eased the tension. “Don’t be fooled by how unreliable Second Brother seems. Qingyu is like his own eyes to him. He never even laid a heavy hand on him since childhood. Now seeing his son beaten like this, it’s only natural he’s upset.”

Shen Qian glanced at Shen Che coolly. On the surface, it sounded like he was defending Shen Yuan—but in reality, it was a jab at him for being indifferent as a father.

Shen Lanxi had no time to care because Shen Xi wasn’t around, but he, as a father, had shown no reaction even after seeing Shen Guiling beaten.

Compared to Shen Yuan’s emotional outburst, he, as a father, looked cold and unfeeling.

Shen Che felt the unkind gaze and chuckled awkwardly. “I’ll go check on Sui’er. Big Brother, take your time.”

Shen Qian smiled faintly.

Meanwhile, after leaving Chrysanthemum Garden, Shen Zhuang went alone to the rear courtyard’s wellness pavilion.

A small tea table and bamboo chair were still placed in the courtyard.

Leaning on his cane, Shen Zhuang slowly walked toward the bamboo chair. His steps were unsteady, his back looked desolate.

He lay quietly in the chair, silently scanning the courtyard with deep eyes.

“…Grandpa, why am I always the last one again? Did you cheat for those two?”

“Grandpa, next time can I leave earlier?”

“Shen Lanxi, what do you mean by that?”

“Grandpa, can I bring a book next time?”

“Shen Guiling, show-off gets struck by lightning!”

Night fell.

Cicadas whispered softly, stars dotted the sky.

The ancestral hall was brightly lit. Shen Lanxi, Shen Guiling, and Shen Qingyu knelt upright inside, bare-chested, their backs wrapped in white bandages.

Creak—

The carved floral wooden doors slowly opened behind them. A summer breeze swept in, and red candlelight flickered gently.

The three turned back simultaneously.

Shen Zhi and Zheng Song entered carrying a Ming-style circular chair. They placed it beneath the main seat, laid down a dark indigo cushion embroidered with gold thread, then silently withdrew. Soon after, Shen Zhuang slowly walked in carrying a small red wooden box and sat down.

Their expressions changed slightly as they all turned to face him.

Shen Zhi stood outside the hall, gripping the bronze ring, and slowly closed the doors.

Click—

The lock fell.

Shen Zhuang calmly opened the copper lock on the box and took out a stack of documents. His voice was cold.

“This is evidence that the eldest and second sons bribed the hospital to falsely accuse Lanxi of mental instability.”

The three were visibly shaken—especially Shen Lanxi, whose usually calm eyes were filled with disbelief.

“This is evidence that the second son, together with Yao Laosan, bribed officials in Jinshan to illegally sell state land.”

“This is evidence that the third son collaborated with the Fu family in drug trafficking.”

“This is evidence that the eldest son conspired with a congressional member to misuse military supplies.”

“This is evidence that the eldest son hired assassins to kill Lanxi.”

“And this… is evidence of the Yao family’s arson case in Nanwan.”

Shen Guiling looked up at him in disbelief.

When Shu Mu died years ago, he was still young. He had always believed all traces of the case had been erased. He never expected evidence still existed—carefully preserved in secret.

Perhaps listing them one by one was too troublesome, so Shen Zhuang simply threw the wooden box in front of them.

“Anything else you want evidence for? Say it all at once.”

The three were now beyond shock—words could no longer describe their expressions.

Shen Lanxi picked up a stack of documents and flipped through them. His fingers slowly tightened.

“…You knew all of this?”

Shen Zhuang replied coldly, “Not deaf, not blind—no need to act the ignorant head of the household.”

Shen Lanxi shook his head. At that moment, he felt an unprecedented sense of humiliation and despair.

He had thought the old man knew nothing, which was why he tried so hard to gather evidence.

But the truth was—his grandfather knew far more than he did. In other words, he had nearly cost Jiang Huashan her life for a truth the old man never even cared about.

Shen Qingyu snapped back to his senses, anger blazing in his eyes.

“What kind of bullshit is ‘not deaf, not blind’? If you knew everything, why did you let them do it? And if you already let it happen, why tell us now at this point? Watching us get played—does that make you happy?!”

Unlike the other two, he never approved of Shen Zhuang’s way of handling things.

Back when his mother died from depression due to his father’s reckless lifestyle, he had begged his grandfather to discipline Shen Yuan. But for the sake of the bigger picture, the old man had only given a mild reprimand.

Shen Qingyu’s disrespect and impulsiveness did not anger Shen Zhuang.

The old man said coldly, “Why? Because the three of you are one more useless than the other.”