Chapter 60: A Visitor Arrives

The visitor was a girl dressed in a blue long dress, followed closely by an elderly man, stooped in stature yet brimming with energy—clearly a master and her attendant. The girl was strikingly beautiful, with a graceful figure and fair skin, radiating an air of nobility that hinted at a distinguished family background.

“Well, if it isn’t my niece Zhao Lan! What brings you here today? Please, have a seat,” Shen Chengde greeted her with genuine respect, his demeanor suggesting the girl’s status was far from ordinary.

“Greetings, Uncle Shen. I apologize for arriving uninvited; please forgive my intrusion,” Zhao Lan replied sweetly, offering a charming smile as she addressed him. She waved at the elderly man behind her, who stepped forward and presented an ornate brocade box. Opening it, Zhao Lan smiled radiantly at Shen Chengde. “Forgive my impudence in coming without notice; I’ve brought a small token of my respect.”

Shen Chengde glanced inside and saw a renowned ancient painting, worth a considerable sum. His face lit up with delight. “Ah, niece, you’re too considerate! There’s no need to bring gifts just to visit!” Despite his words, his hands had already accepted it.

Zhao Lan smiled gracefully, then turned her gaze to Chen Yuyi. “And who might this be?”

Shen Chengde, distracted by his delight, had forgotten to introduce Chen Yuyi. “This is my son-in-law!” he announced.

Zhao Lan was momentarily taken aback. “Zhuyun is married? How come I haven’t heard the news?”

“The wedding happened rather quickly, so we didn’t have time to invite friends and family. But rest assured, our family will be making the announcement soon,” Shen Chengde explained with a laugh.

Zhao Lan didn’t take it to heart, but she observed Chen Yuyi closely. He remained indifferent even in the presence of such a valuable painting, which puzzled her. Could it be that the new son-in-law of the Shen family couldn’t recognize such a treasure?

Given the Shen family’s current predicament, receiving such a lavish gift was no small thing. She wondered privately if this new son-in-law was perhaps expressionless by nature, or simply too inexperienced to appreciate the painting’s true worth.

Her guess was spot on; Chen Yuyi truly couldn’t tell the value of the scroll. In his eyes, it was no different from a trinket bought at a street stall.

“May I ask, niece Zhao Lan, what brings you here today?” Shen Chengde asked as he admired the painting.

Zhao Lan smiled gently. “I must confess, Uncle Shen, I have come today to ask a favor of you.”

She stood up from the sofa. “Would you be willing to lend the Shen family’s jade disc for a few days?”

“The jade disc?” Shen Chengde’s eyes flickered. “What do you need that for, niece?”

Chen Yuyi was also slightly surprised—did the Shen family possess some hidden treasure? Judging by Shen Chengde’s reaction, the jade disc seemed quite precious.

Zhao Lan’s expression turned somber. “My grandfather’s health has been failing; he’s been coughing up blood repeatedly at home. I’ve long heard that your family has a jade disc of extraordinary benefit to the human body, said to calm the mind and replenish vitality. I hope you might lend it to us for a few days, just until my grandfather’s health improves. I promise we will return it to you in full.”

Shen Chengde’s expression shifted as he listened. He glanced at Chen Yuyi. “Now that my son-in-law is the master of our household, you should speak with him. Besides, the jade disc isn’t in my possession. Niece, you’d best take your painting back.” He handed the painting back to her, reluctant as he was to part with it, for the jade disc was their family’s heirloom and not something to be lent lightly.

Zhao Lan was surprised to hear that the Shen family now deferred to their new son-in-law. She looked at Chen Yuyi, waiting for his response.

Though Chen Yuyi didn’t know exactly what the jade disc was, Shen Chengde’s attitude made it clear that it was a treasured heirloom, not to be casually loaned out. Since he’d promised the old matriarch to look after the family, it was his duty to protect their possessions.

He didn’t know Zhao Lan, so he replied coldly and directly, “No.”

The old man behind Zhao Lan twitched as if about to step forward, but Zhao Lan stopped him with a glance.

“Uncle Shen, it’s only for a few days. If you can grant this favor, I shall return with another generous gift,” Zhao Lan tried again.

Shen Chengde spread his hands with a helpless smile. “Niece Zhao, as I said, I’m no longer in charge. Since my son-in-law has spoken, you must respect his decision. I suggest you take your leave.”

Zhao Lan hesitated, glancing at Chen Yuyi. His frosty demeanor irked her—rude and curt, what kind of son-in-law was this? But she held her temper and turned to the old man. “He Lao, let’s go.”

The old man shot a sharp, challenging look at Chen Yuyi before following Zhao Lan out.

“Who were they?” Chen Yuyi asked, not particularly concerned but mildly curious. If that old man dared act up again, he wouldn’t hesitate to teach him a lesson.

“They’re from the Zhao family of Shangdu—your grandfather was an old friend of theirs, but after his passing, we’ve had little contact. I never expected them to show up today for the jade disc.” Shen Chengde shook his head, lamenting the coldness of human relations.

“What exactly is this jade disc?” Chen Yuyi pressed, recalling Zhao Lan’s words about its remarkable powers.

“It’s a magical artifact my great-grandfather stumbled upon by chance. It’s said to prolong life, and has always been our family’s heirloom, though we’ve never truly unlocked its secrets. Otherwise, your grandfather wouldn’t have passed so soon. Still, keeping it nearby does seem to have some beneficial effect—just look at how energetic your grandmother remains.”

“So it’s with Grandmother?” Chen Yuyi asked.

“Of course. And don’t mention this to her—she’s especially wary of anyone coveting that jade disc.”

Chen Yuyi nodded, but his curiosity was piqued. Perhaps he could find an opportunity to borrow it from Grandma Shen; it might even aid his own cultivation.

“By the way, son-in-law, do you still have contact with that wealthy younger brother of yours?” Shen Chengde asked, narrowing his eyes.

Chen Yuyi shook his head, unsure what scheme his father-in-law was plotting this time.

Meanwhile, after leaving the Shen household, Zhao Lan did not immediately depart from Jiangcheng.

He Lao couldn’t help but ask, “Miss, the jade disc concerns the master’s very life. Are you really going to give up so easily?”

Zhao Lan’s demeanor changed, her earlier sweetness vanishing. “When Old Master Shen was alive, I might have respected his feelings. But now the Shen family is a shadow of its former self—why should I hesitate? I thought Shen Chengde’s greed would be swayed by the painting, that if he couldn’t hand over the disc himself, he’d find a way to trick it from the old matriarch. But I didn’t expect a son-in-law to appear out of nowhere!”

“He seems an ignorant fool, completely lacking in manners. I can’t fathom why Shen Zhuyun would marry such a man!” she fumed. As the Zhao family’s eldest daughter, she’d never been treated with such coldness by a young man—usually, she was the one looking down on others.

“So what now?” He Lao asked.

“We’ll remain in Jiangcheng for the time being. I’ll try my luck with Shen Zhuyun. If all else fails, I’ll get that jade disc even if it means the Shen family is ruined!” A cold glint flashed in Zhao Lan’s eyes.

She picked up her phone and called Shen Zhuyun.

“Zhao Lan? Is that you? Are you in Jiangcheng?” Shen Zhuyun’s voice was filled with surprise.

“Yes, I am! Have you missed me?” Zhao Lan replied playfully, her voice sweet again. “By the way, I heard you got married. Why so secretive? Not even your childhood friend gets an invitation!”

“You’ve been to my house?”

“Yes, and I met your husband. Handsome fellow! Do you have time to meet up? I’ll explain everything when we see each other.”

Shen Zhuyun hesitated. “I’m quite busy with work right now…”

“No worries, I can wait. Just call me when you’re free.”

“All right, sorry for keeping you waiting.”

“Oh, come now, no need for apologies between sisters. Just let me know when you’re done.”

After hanging up, Zhao Lan’s expression turned cold once more. Childhood friendship meant nothing—her grandfather’s life was what mattered most.

Having satisfied his father-in-law’s requests, Chen Yuyi felt somewhat helpless. He couldn’t understand what schemes the old man was up to, squandering money like water. He’d have to get to the bottom of it eventually—he couldn’t just let him run wild forever.

Just then, his phone rang—it was Zhang Tianyou calling...