National Division

Chapter 6 Do you want to call off the engagement?
Shen Residence, Six Horses Hall
Shen Bin picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and listened to Lin Jing's words with a bitter smile in his heart.

In fact, this was a marriage agreement made between Shen Bin's father, who was also the head of the Shen family, and the Meili Yu family when Shen Bin was still alive.

In its heyday, the Yu family was very powerful. The patriarch, Yu Xiang, even served as the Vice Minister of Rites in the Ministry of Rites. Two of his family members also held official positions such as governor and county magistrate.

Actually, the Shen family was somewhat above their station.

Later, Yu Xiang, the head of the Yu family, passed away, and the Yu family's fortunes declined. Then, Yu Xiang's two sons were involved in the Prince Qing's rebellion.

Of course, if that's the case, Shen Bin is not a snobbish person, and aristocratic families value integrity and loyalty, so he wouldn't have any intention of going back on his word.

The key issue is that the Yu family girl was born with an eye disease, which worsened after she turned ten. Now, at the age of thirteen or fourteen, the age when she should be getting married, she can hardly see at all.

In other words, Shen Xian's fiancée is blind.

How can we prevent Shen Bin, as a father, from feeling anxious?

Want to back out? Have some shame.

But if he didn't go back on his word, Shen Bin only had this one son, who would eventually take the imperial examinations to become an official. How could he marry a blind woman, let alone the daughter of a disgraced official?

It can be said that this has put them in a dilemma, and they can only resort to delaying tactics for the time being.

"My son is unruly and doesn't know any better. He's impetuous and not very steady. If he marries so early, I'm afraid it will be a disgrace to my niece, who is of such noble birth." Under Lin Jing's expectant gaze, Shen Bin gave a neither good nor bad answer.

After all, he came from a scholarly family. Although he had fallen into a low-ranking official position, he used such euphemistic delaying language naturally, leaving no room for criticism.

But Lin Jing wasn't stupid, or rather, he had known Shen Bin for many years and knew his character. How could he be fooled by such words?

"Shen Bin, what do you mean by this?" Lin Jing asked, addressing him by his full name.

Being addressed by his given name made Shen Bin somewhat uncomfortable, and he said awkwardly, "Brother Lin, what I mean is, let's stay at the manor for now, firstly to observe the situation in the capital, and secondly..."

Lin Jing's refined demeanor vanished instantly, his gaze fixed intently on Shen Bin, and he asked, "Do you want to call off the engagement?"

Shen Bin: "..."

Did he say that?
Lin Jing said sarcastically, "Shen Bin was a man of his word back then, and his heroic spirit filled the capital. I never thought he would deny the marriage contract now."

Shen Bin looked embarrassed and explained, "Brother Lin, you misunderstand. I was just saying that my son is still young and doesn't know anything yet. He needs to be tempered for another two years. It won't be too late for him to get married when he is more mature."

"It's nothing more than the fact that the Yu family has declined and they're afraid it will implicate your Shen family," Lin Jing interrupted Shen Bin, speaking coldly.

Upon hearing this, Shen Bin became extremely anxious: "Brother Lin, what brings you to these words?"

Lin Jing said coldly, "Fine, since the Shen family is untrustworthy, we'll go somewhere else!"

Shen Bin stood up and said, "Brother Lin, what are you saying? I never had such a thought."

If word gets out that he is untrustworthy, the reputation of the Shen family of Lanxi will be ruined.

Yu Qingchan, who was sitting quietly not far away, clenched a handkerchief in her hand and said softly, "Uncle."

Like the gentle murmur of a mountain spring, a refreshing breeze seemed to blow through the hall where the argument was escalating, easing the tense atmosphere somewhat.

Shen Xian, who had been listening behind the magnificent screen for a while, couldn't help but secretly praise her. Just from that voice, one could tell she was a beauty.

The saying goes, "Sound, physique, appearance, and character." If one's voice is unpleasant, even the most beautiful appearance will ultimately fall short.

It's just a pity that, judging from what my father just said, this girl seems to have an eye disease.
Yu Qingchan's gentle voice carried a hint of determination: "Since the Shen family makes promises lightly and breaks them easily, Uncle, there's no need to persist. We'll leave."

“Miss, how can they just renege on the marriage agreement that Master Shen made back then?” said Green Pearl, a maid standing to the side, indignantly.

Yu Qingchan's voice suddenly turned cold as she said, "Green Pearl, give me the marriage contract."

Upon hearing this, Green Pearl was somewhat unsure of Yu Qingchan's intentions, but out of respect for her usual dignified demeanor, she took the marriage contract and handed it over.

Yu Qingchan took the marriage contract, her soft voice filled with determination: "Let this marriage contract be null and void from now on."

As she spoke, she grasped the marriage contract with her two slender hands, intending to tear it in half.

Shen Bin stood there, stunned, and opened his mouth.

He thought to himself, "This Yu family girl has quite a fiery temper!"

Just as Yu Qingchan was about to tear up the engagement, a calm voice came from behind the screen: "Wait!"

Shen Bin and Lin Jing, who were still in shock, looked in the direction of the sound and saw a person walking out from behind the screen. It was none other than Shen Xian.

Shen Bin looked at the person who came in and asked, "Xian'er, didn't you go to Qingyang Temple for class? Did you skip class again?"

Shen Xian's expression remained unchanged as he smiled and said, "The students at the temple finished their studies early today. Father, who are these gentlemen?"

Shen Bin forced a smile and introduced, "This is your Uncle Lin, and this is Miss Yu."

Shen Xian nodded and asked, "Father, it seems you were discussing the marriage agreement with the Yu family earlier?" It used to be men who were rejected in marriages, but I never thought that women would also have their engagements broken off, and he was the one who got caught up in it.

Will Yu Qingchan offer him another three-year agreement?

Shen Bin glared at Shen Xian and explained, "The Yu family had previously arranged a marriage between our Shen family and you. I thought you were still young and your studies should be your priority, so I decided to put it on hold for now."

Just as Lin Jing was about to speak up in defense, a voice stopped him from the side: "Uncle."

Lin Jing remembered that his niece was always opinionated, so upon hearing this, he remained silent and observed the situation.

“Father, I have just heard the whole story. The Yu family has suffered a calamity in the capital and is in dire straits. My Shen family and the Yu family have a marriage agreement.” Shen Xian’s voice was as firm as metal and stone, and his words were resounding: “Since we have promised them, we should keep our word and keep our promises.”

Shen Bin frowned, his expression slightly taken aback.

Do you know what this means?
This means you will marry a blind woman in this lifetime.

At this moment, Yu Qingchan was also stunned as she listened to the boy's voice.

Yu Qingchan turned around, looked at the young man, and said, "My Yu family has been implicated in the treason case, and our family has fallen into decline since then."

Shen Xian said dismissively, "So what?"

Um, so what happened?
Yu Qingchan's voice was slightly choked as she said, "I have an eye ailment and can only barely make out the figures in front of me now. Are you really not bothered by that?"

"So what?" Shen Xian said.

Although Taoism governs the world in this era, it also values ​​character and reputation. If he breaks off the engagement, his reputation will be ruined.

Moreover, he couldn't bear to treat a blind girl with a tragic past like that. As a person from the future, he didn't care much about marriage; it was just a matter of having more chopsticks in the house.

Yu Qingchan's steady voice trembled slightly as she said, "People say that children resemble their parents, and if such a child is born, he may also have... an eye disease."

Shen Xian said, "Okay, then I won't let you have children."

Hmm, shouldn't this era allow concubines to be kept?
At this moment, sweat was already seeping from Shen Bin's forehead as he looked at Shen Xian with great alarm.

Does he even know what nonsense he's spouting?
They're not even having children anymore?
"You bastard!" Shen Bin was furious, his voice like a thunderclap, almost causing the roof tiles above his head to fall in a flurry of dust.

After all, he was a second-realm martial artist, and in his haste, his voice even contained some true energy.

Shen Xian's head was buzzing a little. He turned to look at his father and said, "Please grant my request, Father."

Shen Xian calmed himself down and thought to himself, "It seems my father's martial arts skills are quite extraordinary."

"Marriage is a major life event, how dare you, a mere child, make decisions on your own? This is utterly outrageous!" Shen Bin roared.

Lin Jing sighed, "Shen Sanlang, who was loyal and righteous in the capital and won the heart of a beauty, has become like this after more than ten years."

Shen Bin looked embarrassed and said, "Shut up!"

Taking the opportunity, Shen Xian advised, "Father, if the situation were reversed, and our Shen family was jilted because of a family crisis, how would you view it?"

He wasn't being overly kind or hot-blooded; rather, he was thinking about all the injustices he had witnessed in his past life, and now that they were happening to him, how could he possibly become that kind of person?
Everyone hates Nalan Yanran for breaking off the engagement, but how many people go against their own human nature of seeking advantage and avoiding harm?
He didn't want to become the kind of person he hated when he was young.

As for the eye ailment, recalling the Yin-Yang millstone that emitted endless light, he thought to himself, "This is ultimately a world of immortals, so there might still be hope!"
Shen Bin seemed to remember something, and his imposing manner subsided. He said, "When did I ever say I wouldn't marry her? It's just that this matter needs to be considered carefully. Don't be ignorant of the consequences and make a hasty promise."

Shen Xian sighed, his eyes filled with sincerity, and asked, "Does Father truly intend to do so?"

Staring into that sincere gaze, Shen Bin felt a chill run down his spine, but then, looking at his son who vaguely resembled his younger self, he felt a sense of relief.

Xian'er has really grown up.

They've taken responsibility!

Shen Bin sighed, seemingly disheartened: "Fine, go ahead."

Seeing this, Shen Xian felt relieved and turned to Lin Jing and Yu Qingchan beside him, saying, "You two can rest in the manor for now. The wedding can be held on an auspicious day after we have settled in."

Yu Qingchan gave a soft "hmm," but being a shy woman, she didn't say much.

Within the girl's spiritual realm, in the boundless and mysterious void, a faint sigh seemed to echo.

Lin Jing smiled and looked at Shen Xian, praising, "My dear nephew, you have a strong sense of justice and your promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Your future is limitless."

Shen Xian instructed Zhiyun, who had come with concern, "Send Miss Yu and Uncle Lin to live in the West Courtyard."

Zhiyun responded with an "Ah," and then led the uncle and nephew away.

　Sorry, I originally planned to post it around 5 or 6 pm, but I accidentally clicked "post" in a daze this morning. It's fixed now.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)