Old Master Shen's Study
"Your actions before the New Year have involved Fuyun Island." Old Master Shen spoke to Gu Nanyan without any pretense or reservation, making no attempt to hide anything.
Gu Nanyan sat down as Old Master Shen gestured, and personally made tea for him. "The Elders' Council should have taken action long ago. The Meng family protected people they shouldn't have, and they should pay the price for it."
Her tone was flat and gentle, without revealing any emotion.
"You're doing this for that girl from the Wei family?" Old Master Shen sat opposite Gu Nanyan, his cloudy yet exceptionally clear eyes watching the smooth, flowing movements of the tea-making process.
The way Nan Yan brews tea looks so comfortable.
The young man wore a round-necked robe of Jinyun color, embroidered with elegant bamboo leaves, while auspicious cloud patterns adorned his waist. The Song Dynasty tea set, held in his flawless hands, was like a poem or a painting; brewing tea with it was a truly delightful experience.
"Dad, please." Gu Nanyan only spoke slowly after handing the brewed tea to Old Master Shen with both hands. "She is not a member of the Weisheng family. Her surname is now Yu."
Those deep, abyss-like yet calm, phoenix eyes met Old Master Shen's, and her lips curved into a gentle smile.
"Alright, that young lady Yu." Old Master Shen took the tea. The tea soup was clear and fragrant, with a slightly bitter taste followed by a mellow sweetness and a smooth texture.
This Wuyi rock tea has the fragrance of green tea and the mellow sweetness of black tea.
It's difficult to brew and even more difficult to appreciate.
"It's not just for her; it's just that those who should pay the price are suffering the consequences." Gu Nanyan said calmly. "But I think Dad has already planned to retire from public life, so he shouldn't care about these things. Could it be that my elder brother cares?"
With just a few words, Gu Nanyan seized the initiative.
Grandpa Shen remained calm. "You came back on the second day of the Lunar New Year. When do you plan to come back again?"
This statement was tantamount to an admission.
"It depends on what An'an wants." Gu Nan'an didn't mention that he would resume business on the eighth day of the month, handing over all the initiative to Shen Bei'an, or rather, the Shen family.
"That's fine, let An'er stay at home for a while." Old Master Shen didn't stand on ceremony. "I expect we'll have quite a few guests coming over during this time. You were the one who entertained the Gu family's guests last year, weren't you?"
Gu Nanyan had already taken power last year.
“That is certainly the case,” Gu Nanyan said without changing his expression. “However, this year’s situation is a bit special. Not only the elders in the family, but also some younger relatives and collateral relatives need to see An’an. Of course, whether or not they do so depends on An’an’s plans.”
"Do you think An'er listens to me, his father, or to you?" Old Master Shen felt that the tea in his hand no longer tasted good. He had finally raised such a spoiled and unrestrained child, how could he be bound by these worldly rules?
Gu Nanyan took a small sip of tea. "Dad, the Wuyi rock tea here is excellent. I wonder if you could give me a few ounces when I leave?"
"Bring it if you want. What, does the Gu family need you for tea?"
The annual output of Wuyi rock tea is not high, but Mr. Shen gets some every year.
Gu Nanyan didn't answer, but just smiled and said, "I'll leave it to An'an's arrangements. If An'an wants to stay here, I'll naturally shamelessly go with her. If An'an plans to accompany me back to Yunding Mountain, I'm sure Dad won't say anything more."
"Of course." Old Master Shen said this without thinking, but then felt something was off.
Gu Nanyan got the answer he wanted, reached up and adjusted his glasses, his smile widening.
At this moment, Grandpa Shen nodded at Gu Nanyan. Good girl, as expected of Gu Xiuhuang's daughter, she is even better.
Back then, Old Master Shen and Old Master Gu were evenly matched, and their methods of pursuing Madam were also back and forth.
But in the next generation
Although his own son was exceptionally talented, he could not compare to the "rebellious" young master of the Gu family, as described by the world.
By the third generation, there's even less to say.
Fortunately, the leader of this third generation fell into the trap set by his own son.
The bad thing is that, if you really think about it, I'm inexplicably a generation younger than that "younger brother"!
"What did you say to the old man? Why do I feel like the old man is looking at you with a rather unfriendly gaze?" At lunchtime, there were only four people present: Old Master Shen, Old Madam Shen, and the young couple Gu Nanyan and Shen Beian.
Everyone else went out to visit relatives.
"Really?" Gu Nanyan seemed oblivious as he served food to Shen Beian. "These wontons are made with meat swallow slices as the wrapper and filled with Chinese shrimp. You've always liked Aunt Yu's cooking, so you should like these wontons too. Give them a try."
Shen Bei'an didn't understand. Was he mistaken in his decision to switch between Gu Nan'an and Old Master Shen?
"Delicious!" Shen Bei'an's eyes lit up after taking a bite of a small wonton. "It's so delicious! Both the wrapper and the filling are wonderful, and the broth is amazing too!"
"If you like it, I'll have someone add this dish to the menu when we get back." Shen Bei'an's three meals a day are strictly based on nutritious and healthy meals, and there is a special meal schedule every week, with no repetition.
"good!"
"Eat more if you like. Is the Gu family starving you?" Old Master Shen said coldly.
"No way! Old man, you've changed your target today?" Shen Beian quickly shielded his wife from the attack. In the past, the old man's attacks were always aimed at him, so why was it his wife today?
Could it be that when the two were playing chess in the study, his wife captured too many of the old man's pieces?
That can't be right, the old man shouldn't hold a grudge like that, right?
Moreover, his wife is very measured when playing chess.
Madam Shen even scooped a small wonton for Grandpa Shen, saying, "Never mind him, eat. These Chinese shrimp were just delivered this morning, they're very fresh. The ingredients for these meat swallow slices were also just delivered today. If you like them, eat more. Aunt Yu made quite a lot, and I see there's still some left. Take it with you when you go back."
"Mmm!" Shen Beian ate another one with a loud "Wow!" and proudly strode towards Grandpa Shen, "Mommy's the best!"
When Madam Shen saw Shen Beian, whose childlike nature remained undiminished, her smile deepened.
I didn't misjudge Nan Yan.
Old Master Shen was somewhat dissatisfied, but he didn't show it and ate the wontons that Old Madam Shen had scooped up.
"Aren't you planning to stay at home a little longer?" Before the dinner was even over, Old Master Shen couldn't help but ask.
Without hesitation, Shen Bei'an picked up a piece of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and stuffed it into his mouth while replying to Old Master Shen, "Next time, I've finally managed to get to know all the members of the Gu family. I'll take this opportunity to go back and get to know them more often, just in case I forget!"
Old Master Shen: ...
Treason!
He can't even recognize all his own family members, yet he tries to recognize other people's!
——
Fifth Master Shen: No, I have to go back to Yunding Mountain. I've finally managed to recognize almost everyone; I can't forget them.
Old Master Shen: You unfilial son!
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