Chapter 6: Family Background

Oh dear

Oh, what was the name of that guy who asked me to run earlier? Go and bring him here.

The three servants were all summoned from the Shen residence in Yongcheng, which is the family home of his father. They were very familiar with the Shen family. Each of them spoke in turn, and if one of them misspoke, the other two would immediately provide clarification. Soon, Shen Yujia had a general understanding of the relationship network between the Shen family and the Yan family

"It is twenty down," said Huan'er softly

Shen Yujia took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, revealing a charming smile on his handsome face. He reached out and patted Xu Gaocai's shoulder, laughing, "Xu Gaocai, you truly are exceptionally talented. Let's go take the provincial examination tomorrow."

Ah, if the second young master were to revert to his former self, I wonder whether it would be our misfortune or his misfortune" said Bao Fei with a bitter smile

In addition to Shen Fu and Shen Yuhan, there are quite a few relatives of the Shen family who hold official positions, but they are mostly minor officials from local areas, and some are even distant relatives who have already severed ties with the current Shen family

It’s nothing, as you all know, this young master has some issues with his memory and has forgotten many things. Now I would like to ask you about my family background and that of Xiao Ming, or rather, the young lady. Please provide me with more specific details.

Hehe, Second Young Master, you jest. In fact, what I just said is a lesson that the Eldest Young Master once imparted to you. I am merely recalling some insightful points.

Yan Zhiqing said, rising and addressing the two servants, "Take him back to his room. Huan'er, go to my room and prepare the ointment. Today, for the sake of my father-in-law, I will spare him this once. If he dares to offend again, it will not be as simple as twenty strokes."

Ah, indeed, the young lady is quite formidable. If the second young master dares to visit the brothels again, he might very well have his legs broken

"Second Young Master, do you really not remember?" Xu Gaocai asked cautiously

After another servant was brought to the hall by Yang Mao, Shen Yujia asked for his name. This young man, despite being under the pressure of the star quality of Xiao Ming, still dared to openly remind himself, which can be considered as a sign of loyalty.

Yes, yes, yes

Since the Shen family is predominantly composed of officials, why does Shen Yujia live alone in this small courtyard? He was very curious, so he inquired, but as a result, he noticed the unusual gazes of the three servants.

Upon seeing Shen Yujia faint, the family servant was so frightened that he quickly stopped his actions and turned to look at the young mistress Yan Zhi and Tu Shuqi.

Little Yang Mao

The Shen family is a prominent official family of the Great Qi, having been passed down through six generations. Each head of the family has held an official position of at least the fourth rank. By the time of Shen Fu, he was even appointed as the Governor of Yongzhou, overseeing both military and political affairs in the region. This clearly demonstrates the formidable strength of the Shen family.

Xu Gaocai swallowed hard, contemplated his words for a moment, and then gave a thumbs up, saying: "The second young master is exceptionally talented; to become an official is naturally an easy task. Passing the imperial examination will surely lead to victory. However, second young master, you prefer freedom and independence, distancing yourself from worldly constraints, disregarding mundane emotions. Truly, you are a remarkable person of your time!"

Fart

One stick after another, it was a relentless beating, nearly tearing apart Shen Yujia's backside, causing him to wail in agony without cease, until he ultimately fainted from the pain

Not to mention that the other two servants were skeptical, even Shen Qian Cai, who did not truly understand Shen Yu Jia's character, could tell that this young man was merely boasting

"It is the second young master," the two servants said, and immediately untied Shen Yujia.

A piercing scream echoed from the main hall of the Shen residence, startling the nearby servants who fled in panic, each one retreating to a safe distance.

Each of the two servants reported their names

Two servants, trembling with their sticks in hand, truly dared not to strike the second young master. However, with a more terrifying young mistress gazing down from the high position of the *Tu* *Shu*, the servants had no choice but to obey.

"How many have fallen?" Yan Zhiqing asked Huan'er beside her after taking a sip of tea

Yan Zhiqing and Huan Er had just left, and the two servants wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads, exchanging a glance and sharing a bitter smile

Shen Yujia got up from the ground, rubbed her somewhat sore and numb backside, and looked at the two servants, saying: "Very well, what are your names?"

Shen Yujia opened his eyes, looked around to the east and west, and after confirming that he did not see the figure of the little star Ming, he said to the two servants: "Why aren't you quickly untying this young master?"

Shen Yujia laughed heartily a few times, and under the bewildered gazes of the three servants, strode out of the main hall

"Second Young Master, the Young Mistress has left; it is time to get up." One of the servants leaned close to Shen Yujia's ear and whispered.

He fainted after just twenty strikes, and this is merely a regular wooden stick. If it were a lethal weapon, given his physique, he would likely be done for. How could such a man be worthy of being my husband? I truly do not understand what my father is thinking.

Regarding the Shen family, in addition to Shen Yujia, he has an elder brother named Shen Yuhan, who is currently serving as an official in the capital, holding the position of Assistant Censor, ranked at the sixth grade

"Stop wasting words, just say what you need to say," Shen Yujia urged impatiently.

After Xu Gaocai's remarks, the room fell silent, with everyone staring at Shen Yujia, who wore a look of astonishment. Yang Mao and Bao Fei quietly wiped the sweat from their foreheads, inwardly cursing Xu Gaocai's foolishness. How could he say such a thing without fearing being thrown out of the Shen residence by the second young master

"Oh dear! You really dare to take action!" Shen Yujia cried out with tears in her eyes.

"Do you think the second young master was provoked by your words, causing him to lose his mind again?" Yang Mao whispered

"Little Bao Fei, I do not know when the Second Young Master is looking for me?" Bao Fei said respectfully

Hiss—call!

Shen Yujia was somewhat perplexed. He knew the rank of the Governor of Yongzhou, but when he calculated the years of this era using the methods from his previous life, it should be the late Song Dynasty. However, the people here, in their speech and behavior, seemed to have crossed over to the Ming Dynasty, while the official ranks still resembled those of the Tang Dynasty, or even the Han Dynasty. Terms like Governor of Yongzhou and Inspector of Luoyang left Shen Yujia feeling utterly confused.

Shen Yujia could not help but bend her knee and give Xu Gaocai a light tap on the backside, saying: "You shouldn't speak like that; don't be insincere with me."

A little bit of talent is enough.

You still remember, very good, your memory is quite impressive, very impressive, hahaha

Shen Yujia now understands that, on his own, he is absolutely no match for the star Xiaoming. He must form alliances and gather information from them about the details of the two families before making further plans

Xu Gaocai shook his head and said, "It should be fine. The words spoken by the eldest son in the past were far more excessive than this, and the second son merely smiled and left. I believe that just now, the second son must have recalled something, which is why he reverted to his former self"

As for the Yan family, it is even more remarkable. The ancestor of the Yan family, Yan Taihe, was a founding hero who fought alongside Pang Hong to establish this territory. The Yan family has been a lineage of generals, unwaveringly loyal to the Great Qi. Countless sons of the Yan family have died in battle, ensuring over two hundred years of peace and prosperity for the Great Qi.

However, no matter how powerful an empire may be, it will eventually fade into the dust of history. What more can be said of the Yan family? By the time of Yan Zhiqi's father, the Yan family had already become thin in numbers. Now, apart from Yan Zhiqi, their eldest daughter, she also has a pair of half-siblings: the boy named Yan Xiangrong and the girl named Yan Zhirui, both of whom are still under sixteen years old.

Xu Gaocai let out a bitter laugh, sighed, and said solemnly: "Second Young Master, you are uneducated, cynical, unruly, and indulgent in pleasures. You are also incorrigibly lecherous, spending your days in the company of a group of debauched friends, lingering in places of ill repute. You openly tease respectable women in the streets of Yong City and lost three thousand taels in bets to various wealthy young masters in the capital. Truly, you are the epitome of a wastrel, a lecher, and a good-for-nothing in this world"