As Shen Yanzhou was dragged out of the Spring Blossom Pavilion by his ear, his face gradually turned red with embarrassment.
He was the young master of the Shen Family, a man who should have been treated with respect wherever he went. Yet here he was, being dragged through the streets like a disobedient child.
How humiliating!
The surrounding pedestrians couldn't help turning their heads. Some covered their mouths to suppress their laughter, while others openly snickered at the sight.
“Isn't that the young master of the Shen Family?”
“Hahaha! It really is him!”
“Good heavens, why is his father dragging him by the ear in the middle of the street?”
“Perhaps he got into trouble again.”
Their comments reached Shen Yanzhou's ears one after another.
His face grew even redder.
Damn it! Do these people have nothing better to do than watch me make a fool of myself?
He tried to lower his head to hide his face, but his father showed no intention of letting go.
“Father! Can you at least let go of my ear? Everyone is watching!”
“Good! Let them watch!” his father snapped. “Perhaps you'll finally learn some shame!”
Shen Yanzhou nearly choked on his own words.
Learn some shame? Father, I'm already losing every last bit of my dignity!
Unfortunately, no matter how much he complained, his father continued dragging him forward.
For someone who valued his dignity as a young master, this was practically a public execution.
By the time they reached the main gate of the Shen Family residence, Shen Yanzhou was so embarrassed that he wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole.
Two guards stood on either side of the imposing gate. Both wore dark uniforms and carried swords at their waists. The moment they saw the father and son approaching, their expressions changed.
The guards quickly lowered their heads, pretending to be serious.
However, the corners of their mouths twitched uncontrollably.
One of them leaned toward the other and whispered, “Young Master must have been visiting women again.”
“Shh! Keep your voice down!” the other guard whispered back, though he was clearly struggling not to laugh. “But honestly, hasn't he learned his lesson yet? He was beaten by the family head before, and he's still doing this.”
“Exactly! I don't understand what goes through his head. He already has a fiancée as beautiful as Chang-xiaojie. She's said to be the most beautiful woman in the entire Qinghe Prefecture, and she comes from the respected Chang Family.”
The first guard shook his head.
“Yet Young Master would rather spend his time with those women at entertainment houses. What a strange fellow.”
“Keep your voice down! Do you want Young Master to hear you?”
The two guards exchanged glances and continued whispering.
“Still, it's hard to understand. With a fiancée like Chang-xiaojie, most young men would be overjoyed. But our Young Master seems determined to make trouble for himself.”
“Perhaps he really is a different breed.”
They continued muttering under their breath, finding one reason after another to criticize their young master. Although their words were disrespectful, neither dared to speak loudly enough for him to hear.
Unfortunately for them, Shen Yanzhou had excellent hearing.
As he passed through the gate, he caught fragments of their conversation.
His expression darkened.
You two little rascals! Just wait until I have the chance to deal with you!
However, with his father still gripping his ear, he could do nothing but endure the humiliation.
He couldn't even turn around to glare at the guards properly.
Remember this, you two! One day, I'll make sure you regret laughing at me!
Of course, he had no intention of doing anything that would require actual effort. Once he was free, he would probably forget about the matter after a good meal and a comfortable night's sleep.
For now, surviving his father's anger was his only priority.
After entering the Shen Family residence, Shen Yanzhou was dragged through several courtyards before finally arriving at his own room.
His father shoved him inside and finally released his ear.
“Ow!”
Shen Yanzhou immediately covered his ear and rubbed it several times. It had turned red from being pinched for so long.
He glared at his father with a mixture of grievance and indignation.
“Father, do you have to be so cruel? My ear almost came off!”
His father turned around and stared at him.
“Are you stupid?”
Shen Yanzhou froze.
“Father, why are you insulting me as soon as we get home?”
“Insulting you? Do you even understand what you've done?”
His father pointed a finger at him, his expression growing darker with every word.
“You are already engaged, and you will eventually marry Chang Shiyue. She is the daughter of a respected family and the fiancée chosen for you through an arrangement between our two families. Yet instead of behaving like a proper young master, you spend your evenings at entertainment houses, fooling around with women!”
He took a deep breath, clearly trying to restrain his anger.
“Do you have any idea what people would think if word of this spread? What would the Chang Family think of our Shen Family? How am I supposed to explain your behavior to them?”
Shen Yanzhou lowered his hand from his ear.
“Father, I'm already grown up. I need some freedom. I can't spend every day doing what other people tell me to do. I have my own life, and I should be allowed to enjoy it—”
Before he could finish, his father struck him on the head.
THWACK!
“Ugh! Ah! That hurts, Father!”
Shen Yanzhou clutched his head and staggered backward.
“Are you trying to kill your own son?! Help! Someone save me! My own father is trying to beat me to death!”
His father's face, which had already been dark with anger, turned an alarming shade of green.
“Shut up!”
Shen Yanzhou immediately stopped shouting.
The room fell silent.
His father stared at him for several moments before speaking again.
“From today until the Seed Opening Ceremony, you will be confined to your quarters. You will not be allowed to visit entertainment houses, wander around the city, or waste your time doing useless things.”
Shen Yanzhou's eyes widened.
“Father!”
“Don't interrupt me!”
“But Father, didn't I already tell you? I'm not talented when it comes to cultivation! Cultivation is boring. Sitting in meditation all day, practicing the same techniques over and over again, and trying to absorb spiritual energy—what's enjoyable about any of that?”
He sighed dramatically, as though the entire world had conspired against him.
“My talents lie elsewhere, Father. I excel at enjoying life, sleeping comfortably, and spending time with beautiful women. Surely a person should be allowed to pursue what he's good at?”
His father stared at him in disbelief.
Then he struck him on the head again.
THWACK!
“Ughhh! Ah! Father, you hit me again!”
“Silence!”
Shen Yanzhou immediately covered his head with both hands.
His father took a slow breath, then suddenly smiled.
It was not a comforting smile.
In fact, it was the sort of smile that made Shen Yanzhou instinctively take a step backward.
“Very well,” his father said calmly. “If you refuse to cultivate, perhaps I should find another use for you.”
Shen Yanzhou blinked.
“Another use?”
His father glanced pointedly toward the space between his son's legs.
“Hehehe. Have you heard that the imperial palace is currently in need of more eunuchs? Apparently, they are short of people to serve within the palace.”
Shen Yanzhou's expression changed instantly.
“F-Father... what are you talking about?”
His father continued smiling.
“Since you have no interest in cultivating and would rather spend your days chasing women, perhaps you would be more suited to serving the imperial household. You could spend the rest of your life attending to the emperor and his concubines.”
He paused deliberately before adding, “After all, you wouldn't need to worry about marriage or cultivation anymore.”
Shen Yanzhou stared at him in horror.
“Father! What are you planning to do?!”
He instinctively crossed his legs and covered himself with both hands.
“This is my pride as a man! It's what will carry on your bloodline! How can you even think about doing something so terrible to your own son?”
His father raised an eyebrow.
“Then why don't you cultivate?”
“Why me?!” Shen Yanzhou protested. “There are plenty of other people in the family! Why can't you make them cultivate instead?”
“If someone else can do it, why must it be me?”
His father looked at him for a long moment.
Then he sighed.
“Judging from your attitude, it seems you really do want to become a eunuch.”
Shen Yanzhou's face turned pale.
His father turned toward the door as though he had already made up his mind.
“Very well. I won't force you to cultivate anymore. Perhaps I'll ask your grandfather to personally escort you to the imperial palace.”
He let out another sigh, then shook his head.
“What a pity. I had hoped my son would amount to something, but if this is what he wants, I suppose I should respect his wishes.”
“F-Father...”
Shen Yanzhou's voice trembled.
His father continued toward the door.
“Father! Father, wait!”
The middle-aged man stopped but did not turn around.
“What is it?”
Shen Yanzhou swallowed hard.
“Father... I'll cultivate.”
His father slowly turned his head.
“What did you say? I couldn't hear you.”
“I said I'll cultivate!”
Shen Yanzhou nearly shouted the words, his face filled with desperation.
“I'll cultivate properly! I'll attend the Seed Opening Ceremony, and I'll do whatever you tell me! Please don't send me to the imperial palace!”
His father studied him for a moment.
Then he nodded with satisfaction.
“Good. Remember your promise.”
Shen Yanzhou stood stiffly, his hands still protecting his most precious possession.
His father gave him one last warning before leaving.
“From tomorrow onward, you will begin preparing for the Seed Opening Ceremony. If I discover that you've been slacking off, we will have this conversation again.”
The door closed.
Silence returned to the room.
Shen Yanzhou remained motionless for several seconds before finally collapsing onto his bed.
“Ugh... what kind of life is this?”
He stared at the ceiling with a miserable expression.
“I just wanted to enjoy life. Why must cultivating be so troublesome?”
He turned onto his side and pulled a pillow over his head.
“Damn it. First, I was dragged through the streets. Then those guards laughed at me. Now Father is threatening to turn me into a eunuch.”
He groaned into the pillow.
“This world truly has no mercy for a handsome, innocent young master like me...”