Third Great‑Uncle paid a visit one afternoon.
Seventy‑three years old, white‑haired and white‑bearded, leaning on a dragon‑head walking‑stick older than himself.
He marched straight to the main hall and slammed the blue‑cloth‑bound Shen Clan Genealogy down upon the table.
“Shen Xian!” His voice boomed.
“Do you know your crime?!”
Shen Xian was in the yard teaching Wangcai arithmetic.
He poked his head out.
“Third Great‑Uncle!
Please sit, I will brew tea.”
“No need for tea!” The old man’s beard shook with rage.
“I ask you: whose property is this separate residence on Willow‑Branch Lane?”
“Clan‑owned property.” Shen Xian wiped his hands and came inside.
“Left by the Third Elder of a collateral branch.
It is recorded in the genealogy.”
“Knowing it is clan‑owned property, how dare you occupy it alone!” The walking‑stick thudded against the floor.
“Clan property exists for all clansmen!
Your Sixth Uncle’s household has seven sons crammed into two rooms, yet you dwell alone in a two‑compound courtyard!
I have come today to urge you to see reason — either yield the west side‑yard for clansmen to live in, or pay ten taels monthly ‘occupancy fee’ for the clan public fund!”
In the yard, Wangcai and Lai Fu exchanged glances, hardly daring to breathe.
Shen Xian remained unflustered.
He pulled a stool to sit opposite the elder and nudged the genealogy closer.
“Which article?”
“‘For clansmen to reside in clan‑owned real estate, three clan elders must sign written consent.
The resident must volunteer, and the occupancy shall not exceed one year.’ That was set by our founding ancestor.” Shen Xian spoke unhurriedly.
“My father personally granted me this residence, there is written documentation.
Now you demand ten taels silver or for me to surrender rooms — where are the three signatures of the clan‑elder council?”
Third Great‑Uncle was stuck for words.
“I‑I myself am a clan elder!”
“You are one elder, but the council requires three.” Shen Xian counted off on his fingers.
“You, plus Second Uncle, plus…” He paused and smiled.
“…plus Liu‑shi?
But she has been stripped of household‑management powers; she would hardly dare attend such a meeting.”
The old man’s face flushed crimson.
“You‑you are insolent!
I am your elder!”
“Precisely because you are my elder that I reason with you.” Shen Xian stood and fetched a wooden casket from the inner chamber and opened it on the table.
Inside lay documents and copied papers.
“This is Father’s official document granting me this residence.
These are witness transcripts from the ginseng case: statements from Liu San, Shen Zhong, Duanzhi‑Liu’s signed confession.
And these are records of gifts and bribes Liu‑shi paid Shen Zhong.” Shen Xian pointed them out one‑by‑one.
“Third Great‑Uncle, these materials would bring shame upon every member of the Shen household, from Father to Liu‑shi to Eldest Brother, should they be presented before the clan‑elder assembly.
I have not shown them to a soul.
Do you suppose that is because I fear them?”
Third Great‑Uncle stared fixedly at the casket, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
“I want nothing.” Shen Xian closed the casket and pushed it toward him.
“I merely wish to sun myself peacefully in this courtyard.
This visit was instigated by Liu‑shi, was it not?
She told you that this bastard son has seized clan property and broken the rules.”
The old man stayed silent, tacitly admitting it.
“Then allow me to give you a reply to carry back.” Shen Xian poured tea and offered it respectfully with both hands.
“True rules are not made to bully honest folk.
Go tell whoever sent you: I, Shen Xian.
I do not provoke others if they leave me in peace.
If others provoke me…” He smiled faintly.
“I rarely fight people directly.
I fight their ledgers.”
Third Great‑Uncle held the teacup and sat for a long time.
At last he sighed heavily, rose and leaned on his cane.
“Boy… you are nothing like your father in his youth.”
“It would have been bad luck if I were.” Shen Xian saw him to the gate.
“If my father had been more like me back then, outsiders would never have gained sway over the Shen household.”
At the doorway the old man turned back and squinted at Shen Xian for a long moment.
“Tonight at the clan assembly, I shall inform the other elders: no‑one is to lay claim to the Willow‑Branch Lane residence ever again.”
“Thank you, Third Great‑Uncle.” Shen Xian bowed deeply.
“This cup of tea counts as my gift to you.”