Engagement Canceled: I Can Extract Prefixes

Patriarch's Courtyard.

After entering his courtyard, Shen Qingshan sat heavily on the grand master's chair.

He waved his deputy generals away to rest.

Madam He, Madam Xie, and others also sensed that Old Duke of the Shen Family was not in a good mood.

They found an excuse not to follow him and returned to their own quarters first.

In the entire courtyard, only Shen Qingshan, the Old Dowager of the Shen Family, and his personal maid remained.

Seeing no outsiders, Shen Qingshan grabbed the purple clay teapot on the table and hurled it violently.

The sound of shattering rang out, and fragments of the teapot scattered all over the floor.

The maid beside him immediately knelt down, burying her head deeply.

"A junior in the clan, one who can surpass Qianmu Fan, can't you see his talent for cultivation at all?!"

For the first time in over ten years, Shen Qingshan used such a reproachful tone with the Old Dowager of the Shen Family.

"Living in the Shen Mansion for so many years, can you really see nothing at all?"

Another questioning statement, leaving the Old Dowager of the Shen Family hesitant: "Master, it's all because Shen Han that scoundrel has been hiding his abilities, he just doesn't want us to discover..."

Upon hearing this explanation, Shen Qingshan merely snorted coldly.

"Why does he need to hide his talents?

Just so you can assign him a remote and shabby yard?

Just so he can strive to earn his own meals?

Just so he can avoid receiving the Shen Family's support?"

These four consecutive questions left the Old Dowager of the Shen Family speechless.

"Let me tell you why he hides his talents."

Seeing no response from the Old Dowager, Shen Qingshan continued his reprimand, still not venting all his anger.

"Because he believes that if he doesn't hide his abilities, you, this Old Dowager, will suppress him further, perhaps even endanger his life."

At this, the Old Dowager of the Shen Family hurriedly denied it.

"Master, how is that possible? Although I dislike that rebellious child, considering his Shen surname, I would never harm his life..."

"Why is it impossible?

Years ago, you and Madam He brought in a charlatan to divine, claiming that Shen Han was a curse to the family.

Under such circumstances, do you think he dared to show his strength and talent?"

As Shen Qingshan spoke of these matters, the Old Dowager became increasingly anxious.

She had always assumed that Shen Qingshan, being away for years, was unaware of these things.

But now it seemed, it was only because Shen Qingshan hadn't bothered to consider them.

If Shen Han were mediocre and untalented, she could treat him however she wished without consequence.

But from today's perspective, Shen Han's strength and talent are second only to that of Shen Ye, the prodigy in the clan.

"Qianmu Fan's current strength is at the Sixth Grade in the First Snow Realm.

His chess skill is remarkable, and among young people cultivating the Chess Path, he is somewhat renowned for his talent.

If he lost to Shen Han, it was likely because Shen Han coincidentally broke his chess strategy.

But merely by defeating Qianmu Fan, it sufficiently proves his strength and talent.

If nothing unexpected happens, he will soon reach the Sixth Grade!"

At this point, a trace of anger appeared on Shen Qingshan's face.

"Right now, Shen Han holds considerable resentment towards our Shen Family, making it as difficult as climbing the heavens to have him lean towards us.

How exactly have you managed the house, to have the juniors in the family harbor such animosity toward the clan?"

Shen Qingshan's grievances were something the Old Dowager of the Shen Family could only endure in silence, not daring to speak much.

Though she internally objected, she dared not voice it.

At last year's Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering, he had clearly recognized Shen Han's talent.

Continued suppression of Shen Han was the instruction passed from this Patriarch.....

Not daring to voice her contradictions, the Old Dowager of the Shen Family could only keep her head bowed, feeling a faint grievance.

"If it weren't for your having nurtured that Shen Ye child, I would pursue this issue with Shen Han's case to the end."

After speaking, Shen Qingshan leaned back on the chair, letting himself recline completely.

"For now, think carefully about how to handle Shen Han, that calamity."

Shen Qingshan frowned, turning his head to look at the Old Dowager of the Shen Family.

He glanced around at the servants and maids, waving them away.

In the entire courtyard, only Shen Qingshan and the Old Dowager of the Shen Family remained.

"He doesn't heed the clan's arrangements and has some cultivation talent. If he really grows in the future, I'm afraid it will only bring more trouble to our Shen Family."

Upon hearing this, the Old Dowager of the Shen Family also furrowed her brow deeply.

"Years ago, the Qi Family had a rebellious junior who happened to have some talent.

Now, being targeted and retaliated against by that junior, they are barely even considered a third-rate family....."

This example the Old Dowager of the Shen Family gave, was something Shen Qingshan was all too aware of.

Raising a junior with grievances against the clan would only plant troubles for the family's future.

However, Shen Qingshan wasn't as pessimistic.

The Qi Family's downfall was ultimately because that rebellious junior was the most talented in the clan.

After he defected, those who took over the family lacked both his wit and prowess.

The Qi Family's decline was all but inevitable.

But the Shen Family is different, with Shen Ye, the prodigy, it won't collapse.

Even if Shen Han truly grows, in the eyes of the Patriarch of the Shen Family, it would merely be a bit more trouble.

Shen Han doesn't have the capability to suppress the Shen Family.

"Master, after much contemplation, I feel we should find an excuse to keep Shen Han in the mansion to cultivate.

Show him some goodwill, let him think the Shen Family is nurturing him.

Take this opportunity to waste a few years of his cultivation time."

Shen Qingshan reclined in the chair, seemingly unresponsive to the Old Dowager's suggestion.

After hesitating for quite a while, he finally nodded: "Let's do it this way, tomorrow go have a talk with him."

...

Eastern Courtyard of the Shen Mansion.

The clan's evaluation ended just like that.

For others, it was an assessment, an evaluation.

But Shen Han knew, the Shen Family had him participate not for the evaluation but to assert dominance.

However, they underestimated his strength.

Moreover, given his current state, Shen Han doesn't seek resources from the Shen Family and has Shi Yuezhu ensuring his safety.

Furthermore, Madam Yun and Cailing have both escaped the Shen Family.

He no longer needs to be as cautious as before.

If today Shen Ao dared to confront him, no matter what, he would "accidentally" severely injure him.

As dusk slightly set in, the servants in the Shen Mansion surprisingly brought a plethora of dishes.

It's important to know, previously in the Shen Mansion, Shen Han had to fend for himself, without work there was no meal.

Unexpectedly today, his treatment changed.

After finishing dinner, Shen Han invited the two guards to rest in the guest room, as with Moon Bamboo Peak Master around, there was no need for constant guarding.

In the courtyard, only Shen Han and Shi Yuezhu were left.

"Moon Bamboo Peak Master...is there something you'd like to ask me?"

Not knowing how to address Shi Yuezhu, he simply followed others and called her Moon Bamboo Peak Master.

Shi Yuezhu could accept this title, as it was preferable to being called a senior.

"The sword technique you used in the match was rather mysterious, I've perused countless Sword Dao classics, yet never seen such a Sword Shadow.

Seems..... it might be a Sword Momentum technique?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Han was about to answer when Shi Yuezhu waved her hand.

"No need to reveal the mysteries of this sword technique, just keep it hidden in your heart.

I just mean to say, if it's a Sword Momentum technique, it demands high levels of spiritual power and body strength.

If your strength is insufficient, overuse can harm your body."