When Shen Wenxing was mentioned, a slight smile appeared on Huang Qingzhou's face.
"That young lad has quite the talent. After just two or three months of practicing posture, his internal Qi has noticeably improved."
"I estimate that if he continues, he should be able to break through to the Postnatal Realm before reaching adulthood."
As martial artists, they all understood that if a practitioner could reach the Postnatal Realm by the age of twenty, there was hope for entering the Innate Realm in the future.
And martial artists in the Innate Realm could generally secure a good position in the army.
Such a person would truly be valuable to the Huang Family.
"Hmm, just keep an eye on him. Use your judgment regarding relations with the Shen Family."
"This time, due to my merit of defeating the enemy, my rank should be raised by one or two levels. This is an opportunity; when the time comes, I might arrange for a transfer or promotion elsewhere."
...
On the streets of Yunshui Town, Shen Yuan was currently with his son Shen Wenxing, purchasing some New Year's goods.
Though life was somewhat tight now, one must still prepare some necessities for the New Year.
"Oh! I thought it was someone else, but isn't this Brother Shi Tou?"
As the father and son were walking, a mocking voice suddenly came from behind.
Upon hearing the voice, Shen Wenxing's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly pulled his father's sleeve, trying to walk forward.
Shen Yuan turned around and saw a boy about twelve or thirteen years old, wearing luxurious mink fur, followed by two servants in gray.
"Shi Tou, do you know them?"
Shen Wenxing stopped reluctantly, feeling a bit fearful, and said, "A senior brother from the Martial Arts Hall, named Su Chang, a very annoying fellow."
As he spoke, the boy Su Chang had already approached the father and son.
By rights, being both disciples of the Martial Arts Hall, he should have at least politely greeted the father of a junior brother.
However, Su Chang ignored Shen Yuan entirely, looking at Shen Wenxing with a face full of mockery and said:
"Why are you hiding?"
"Meeting your senior brother and you don't know how to greet?"
"No wonder you're such a bumpkin from the village."
Shen Wenxing's face turned red with anger, yet he didn't know how to retort.
Shen Yuan, standing to the side, didn't speak up to help, merely watching his son's reaction quietly.
"Junior brother, one should know their place. Stay away from Junior Sister Lingxiu in the future, otherwise, I might have to teach you a lesson for our masters."
After saying this, he smugly led his two servants away into the distance.
Shen Wenxing gazed at his retreating figure full of indignation, slowly clenching his fists.
Shen Yuan did not speak throughout.
His son was being bullied, and as a father, he should step up to help, but Su Chang was only twelve or thirteen, still a child. As an adult, it would be undignified to bully the young.
More importantly, he wanted to cultivate Shen Wenxing's ability to handle matters independently.
Clearly, his son's current performance was somewhat disappointing.
Gently placing his hand on Shen Wenxing's shoulder, Shen Yuan asked solemnly, "Tell me what's going on?"
With his head lowered, Shen Wenxing hesitated and stammered, "Senior Brother Su Chang's uncle is the County Magistrate of Anyang County, and Senior Sister Lingxiu is Uncle Huang's daughter."
"They've had a verbal engagement since they were little, planning to discuss marriage once Senior Sister Lingxiu reaches maturity."
"But Senior Sister Huang dislikes him very much. She's kind to other senior brothers and junior brothers in the Martial Arts Hall, except she never shows a kind face to Senior Brother Su Chang."
"Other senior brothers and junior brothers are all afraid of him, not daring to speak much to Senior Sister Huang..."
Hearing this, Shen Yuan couldn't help but smile and shake his head. A bunch of immature kids actually know how to compete for a girl?
This person they're vying for happens to be the daughter of Huang Qingzhou.
According to his son's account, this Su Chang's uncle is the County Magistrate of Anyang County, and the Su Family is quite prestigious in the county.
An alliance through marriage between the two families is well-matched in social status.
"How old is Huang Lingxiu this year?"
"Ten... Senior Sister Huang has the same birthday as me, both in January, and she'll be eleven soon."
The little fellow replied instantly.
Shen Yuan laughed again.
This brat even remembers her birthday so clearly, he must be smitten.
Eleven...
The New Year festival is approaching, and after that, his son would be eight years old.
The saying goes, if the woman is three years older, she'll bring prosperity.
That seems quite nice.
"Shi Tou, be honest with dad, do you like Lingxiu?"
This question made Shen Wenxing's face turn completely red.
In this era, women could marry once they reached adulthood, and many families would even find a child bride for their sons at a young age. Children matured quite early.
Shen Wenxing was at an age of innocent admiration. Though he didn't fully understand what "liking" meant, his feelings were genuine.
"Speak boldly," encouraged Shen Yuan.
Shen Wenxing shyly and hesitantly mumbled, "I just... just like talking to Senior Sister Lingxiu, she... she has a nice voice."
Shen Yuan nodded slightly. "Does Lingxiu like you?"
Now Shen Wenxing's face reddened even further, and he murmured in a mosquito-like voice, "I don't know, but every time after practicing posture, she... she likes to sit next to me and talk."
He wasn't sure if that amounted to liking.
"You brat..." Shen Yuan chuckled, ruffling his hair. "So what do you plan to do about what happened today?"
"According to Su Chang, will you avoid your Senior Sister Lingxiu next year?"
Shen Wenxing quickly shook his head but then his expression turned gloomy. "Senior Brother Su Chang has been at the Martial Arts Hall for five years, he's quite skilled. I... I can't beat him."
"The masters don't mind friendly sparring between senior and junior brothers, so when the time comes..."
Seeing the fear on his face, Shen Yuan slowly squatted down and said earnestly, "Shi Tou, look at me."
Shen Wenxing slightly raised his head, looking into his eyes.
"Dad is going to tell you two things today, you must remember them."
"A gentleman strives not to compete for the start but for the essence, seeking a clear conscience in all things."
"As a man, it's alright to endure, but never lose your spirit. A heart full of thunder, yet a face as calm as a placid lake, can achieve great things."
"Fear should not enter the heart, and anger should not be visible. If you can't win, then work harder yourself, understand?"
Gazing at his father's serious demeanor, Shen Wenxing internally noted every word in his heart.
After a long while, he suddenly muttered, "Dad, that's three things..."
Shen Yuan suddenly laughed with both amusement and exasperation, giving him a playful slap on the backside.
"Alright, we need to hurry back, we still have to pick up your younger brother."
The father and son didn't linger, placing the purchased items onto the ox cart and heading back to Jinliu Village.
At home, Shen Wenxing, as always, eagerly took over chores like chopping grass and feeding the pigs and cattle.
After unloading the items from the cart, Shen Yuan carried the remaining silver taels into the house.
"Husband, what's all this..."
Seeing the heavy package, Hu Yufen was somewhat surprised.
Shen Yuan said nothing, directly opening the package to reveal the shining silver inside.
"Where did you get so much silver!?" Hu Yufen was very surprised.
"A few days ago, while chopping wood in the mountains, I discovered some unfamiliar footprints. I suspected that scouts from the Barbarian Race had passed through."
"I reported this to the Mountain Patrol Captain Camp. They sent people to check, and indeed caught several scouts from the Barbarian Race."
"This money is a reward from the government."
Shen Yuan tried to speak in a flat tone, not wanting Hu Yufen to worry.
"So the other day you went to town early to report it to the Mountain Patrol Captain Camp?"
Shen Yuan nodded, "Wife, I didn't want to worry you, but it's fine now."
Hu Yufen glared at him with feigned annoyance, "I'm not unreasonable; don't hide things from me in the future!"
Shen Yuan replied with a smile, "Of course, of course."
"Alright, take the silver and put it away. I'm going to pick up Ah Nu."
With that, Shen Yuan left the house, heading towards Lu Zhiyuan's little courtyard.