Chapter 5. The New Guest at Haitang Doesn’t Know Why the Young Master is Looking for Su…

“Father, when have I ever acted recklessly?”

Shen Yuan mumbled softly, his fingers tapping on the table intermittently.

Almost half of the students at Qingshan Academy were recommended by their own mothers to study there. Many children of noble families had gone to great lengths to present gifts and gold, yet hadn’t even received a dish or soup from the household.

But when it came to Su Jin, not only was she allowed to live in the outer courtyard, but now she was also being invited to dine with the family.

Shen Yuan’s right eyelid twitched. If he had known his mother valued this poor scholar so much, he wouldn’t have teased her in the hall yesterday.

Last time, he had just snapped at Xu Wei a few times and was reported. His mother was so angry that she punished him by making him copy the Thousand Character Classic twenty times.

If Su Jin were to report him now…

Shen Yuan looked at his wrist with concern, sighing deeply, and was even more relieved that he hadn’t also confessed about climbing the wall earlier.

His father was good in every way, except that he had almost no secrets from his mother.

If he accidentally let something slip, his father would probably tell his mother.

Given his mother’s rigid personality, forget the Thousand Character Classic, she might make him copy that long and thick Clear Mind Sutra ten more times.

Adding up the days before and after, it would be at least three or four months before he could go out.

The more Shen Yuan thought about it, the more scared he became. He carefully observed Wen Rong’s expression and said cautiously, “Father, Miss Su is not a member of our household after all. I’d better eat lunch in my own room today.”

Rather than being confronted and losing face in public, he’d rather take the initiative to copy the Thousand Character Classic a few times now to prepare for any contingency.

“Don’t let your mother hear you say that.” Wen Rong lowered his voice, “From now on, Miss Su will no longer be an outsider.”

“…Eh?”

Shen Yuan was stunned. It felt as if there were needles on his chair, making him restless. His face gradually turned as red as a blooming lotus, “Father, what… what are you saying?”

He hadn’t thought about getting married yet, especially not to Su Jin.

Her personality really didn’t suit him. It was barely tolerable as friends, let alone as his wife-master.

Just imagining that scenario made Shen Yuan feel bitter inside.

He hung his head, silently dejected.

A father knows his son best.

Wen Rong could tell what he was thinking with one look. He reached out to tuck the loose hair at Shen Yuan’s temples, smiling, “Your mother’s intention is to adopt Miss Su as her goddaughter. This child has had a hard life, with no relatives. It’s rare that she has caught your mother’s eye.”

“If she proves capable, you’ll have someone to rely on after you’re married, preventing others from bullying you for lack of sisters to support you.”

Wen Rong’s face showed some melancholy. His long illness had weakened his body, and in over ten years in the household, he had no other children besides Yuan.

Although Shen Meng often comforted him, saying she didn’t mind that the Shen family had no daughters.

But he couldn’t help but consider Shen Yuan’s future.

Especially since it was already difficult for men to conceive, and they were most vulnerable during childbirth. If Yuan were to encounter a cruel and fickle wife-master, she might divorce him and marry another, or abandon him but keep the child.

Wen Rong dared not think further.

“Father, what if she doesn’t prove capable?”

Shen Yuan remembered Su Jin’s dull and red face, and couldn’t help but doubt.

There were many cunning foxes in the imperial court. She didn’t look very smart, and even if she truly had brilliant writings in her belly, she might still struggle against others’ schemes.

At that time, let alone being capable, it would be good if she didn’t drag down the Shen family.

This deal seemed rather unprofitable.

“Silly child, your mother won’t misjudge people.” Wen Rong ruffled his hair, “Actually, your mother did indeed originally plan to entrust you to her.”

“Wh-what?” Shen Yuan’s eyes widened.

Tsk tsk, it seems mother really does favor Su Jin.

It’s terrible, as long as she reports him, forget about copying books, even house arrest is possible.

Shen Yuan shuddered violently. Wen Rong soothingly held his hand, comforting him, “Don’t worry, you’re the child I gave birth to. I naturally know you wouldn’t like someone with such a reserved personality as Miss Su. So when your mother brought it up, I had already declined on your behalf.”

Shen Yuan nodded blankly, then suddenly remembered something, “Father, does Miss Su know about mother’s original plan?”

“From what your mother said, this seems to be her own idea. Moreover, when Miss Su’s parents were alive, they had arranged a marriage for her.”