Chapter 48: The Art of Raising a Child
The young attendant let out a startled cry, like a heavy boulder crashing into the teahouse—and shattering Shen Yishu’s pride. Not long ago, he had confidently assured Dou Hongyan that his child would surpass Shen Yuheng! Yet now, the stern Master Wang—who had once been friendly with his father—was disregarding old ties, disciplining not only him as a child but now his own son as well.
His face shifted from pale to flushed as he urged the attendant to keep quiet. “Let’s go, let’s go back and see.”
Upon returning to the Marquis residence, the study was unusually lively; it was rare for so many family members to gather in one place.
“Make way, make way! The young master has returned!”
The attendant pushed through the crowd, revealing a stiff expression. Even after all these years, seeing the once-strict Master Wang, who had been so harsh on him as a child, still filled him with dread.
Summoning his courage, he stepped forward and noticed not only the three sons but also Liu Xiner were present.
Even Dou Hongyan stood aside, hands tucked behind her back.
Shen Yishu’s anger flared instantly. Seeing that Shen Yuheng was absent, he struck first, demanding, “Where is Brother Heng? His elder and younger brothers are being punished—why isn’t he here to share their hardships?”
He spoke harshly, desperate to salvage his rapidly deteriorating dignity.
He especially resented that Dou Hongyan’s child was spared punishment, refusing to admit that Shun was truly no match for Shen Yuheng.
His anger only grew: “Is this how you teach your son? Where is his fraternal respect and courtesy?”
“Young master...” the attendant tugged subtly at Shen Yishu’s sleeve.
After a sharp glance, he withdrew silently, shrinking back.
Dou Hongyan then spoke calmly, unaffected by Shen Yishu’s accusations: “Brother Heng had lessons at the National Academy today and did not attend class with Shun.”
“That... that’s your excuse?”
Shen Yishu was momentarily speechless, then retorted bitterly: “Or perhaps he simply refused to come. Could the affairs of the world be less important than one’s own brothers?”
Fearing further embarrassment, he quickly turned his face away and glared at his three sons lined up before him.
With a somewhat crestfallen expression, he carefully inquired of Master Wang: “It’s not just today that you disciplined them. What mischief did my sons cause to displease you? Please tell me—I will ensure they are properly taught.”
Master Wang’s full name was Wang Yanpei.
In his youth, he was a renowned Confucian scholar, respected across the literary world. He had some acquaintance with Shen Yishu’s late father and had once taught Shen Yishu as a boy.
But after a short period, he had shaken his head and left.
Shen Yishu refused to admit his own shortcomings, considering himself a talented gentleman. In his mind, he had always deceived himself into believing Master Wang was too rigid and old-fashioned.
Yet now, standing before the very master he had feared since childhood, his head bowed low, his demeanor cautious.
Master Wang said nothing but cast a cold glance at Shen Yishu, then at Liu Xiner wiping away tears nearby.
He shook his head in deep disappointment and spoke sternly: “Each generation of the Marquis family grows worse than the last, and you are to blame. When your father was alive, did the Marquis family ever descend into such chaos? You are unworthy of the foundation your father laid!”
Over the years, there had been the overindulgence of the matriarch and Liu Xiner’s constant flattery.
When had Shen Yishu ever faced such a scathing rebuke?
He clenched his teeth, the smile on his face stiffening into a cold, forced chuckle.
His heart burned with resentment.
It was all Dou Hongyan’s foolish idea—why invite anyone else but this self-righteous relic?
Yet when his eyes fell on his three sons standing there, on the brink of manhood, he swallowed his anger and forced himself to laugh dryly as he changed the subject: “Master, you’ve done your duty. I wonder, who caused trouble for you today?”