Chapter 32: Reforged from Scratch

The two invited elders were initially filled with bewilderment. They exchanged a glance, unable to fathom what kind of farce was unfolding within the Marquis’s estate. In all of the capital, who was unaware that Shen Yishu had passed away suddenly years ago, leaving behind only the child in Lady Dou’s womb? Over these years, it had been Lady Dou alone who held the estate together. Could it be that during his years away, Shen Yishu’s mind had grown muddled? Was he now refusing to acknowledge the wife who had toiled for over a decade, or the child he had left behind as an orphan?

Alas... The two old men shook their heads, hearts heavy with disappointment. They chose to hold their tongues, watching with shrewd, aged eyes as Shen Yishu broke down and raved, showing none of the poise expected of a nobleman, but rather the coarse manners of the streets. Truly, one’s environment shapes one’s character.

"Give me an explanation!" Feeling mocked once more, Shen Yishu saw the entire estate as his enemy. He looked around in confusion and pointedly questioned the Old Madam: "Mother! Mother, have you also conspired with Lady Dou?"

"I am your own flesh and blood!"

The Old Madam avoided his gaze, feigning a calm composure: "It seems to be a misunderstanding. Very well, I prepared these items myself; how could they possibly be false?"

...Forgive me, my son.

Though you are my own flesh and blood, I have more than one child! She could only wrong Shen Yishu to secure a legitimate status for Hongyu. The two elders from the clan stepped in to smooth things over: "Indeed, Yishu! We have witnessed Lady Dou’s conduct throughout all the years you were gone. Do you think our judgment is so easily clouded?"

"Since you have returned and been restored to the family line, you should focus on living a good life. Stop this nonsense!"

The two men spoke in somber tones of admonition. They had received no small amount of money from Dou Hongyan over the years. Even if they had harbored occasional doubts about Shen Yuheng in the past, the money had been spent, and today’s blood test had proven the truth. Their hearts felt at ease, and they magnanimously urged Shen Yishu: "This is your own son!"

"Look at how much you resemble one another. Heng’er has surpassed his father; only our Marquis’s estate could produce such an exceptional child."

The others chimed in one after another, making Shen Yishu appear unhinged and irrational. Dou Hongyan watched the commotion with cold eyes, carefully wiping Shen Yuheng’s fingertip with a handkerchief, and whispered, "Does it hurt?"

"It does not, Mother. As long as you are well, I would prick my finger a hundred times more."

"Shut up, all of you!" Shen Yishu felt the sight of their display of motherly love and filial piety was an eyesore. He raged at the Old Madam: "Mother, you have all been deceived by her! This is simply not my child. I... I... how could I not know!"

The Old Madam’s face darkened with displeasure: "Silly child, it seems that after spending so many years with that woman, Lady Liu, you have forgotten your own roots!"

Seeing Shen Yishu’s agitation, she gestured: "Someone, bring another bowl of water. Let the eldest master see clearly who his legitimate son is!"

This time, the bowl and water were replaced. Under Shen Yishu’s tense gaze, the blood droplets merged once more.

"See? This is your son!"

The two elders breathed a sigh of relief, shaking their heads in lamentation: "It is unbecoming for a young man to be so forgetful of his roots. This is the wife who lived as a widow for half her life and the son you left behind—how can you refuse to acknowledge them?"

"Sigh... True enough. You must have let your heart grow wild during your years away."

The very allies he had invited were now turning to rebuke him. Shen Yishu was so choked with rage he could barely catch his breath, clutching his chest with grievances he could not voice. He stammered for a long moment, pointing at Dou Hongyan and Shen Yuheng, his voice trembling: "I... I will prepare it myself!"

"I do not believe you can pull the wool over my eyes forever!"