Encountering a Snake - Chapter 30

Shen Qingxuan’s ability to walk had recovered, which was a good thing. However, when he walked in front of his father, he keenly noticed that there was joy and excitement in his father’s eyes, but no surprise. Indeed, none at all. Shen Qingxuan was certain that no one besides him and Yi Mo knew about this. He was puzzled. After a moment, he glanced at Yi Mo beside him. Yi Mo’s face was as expressionless as ever, indifferent and calm, his gaze fixed on Father Shen. With just that glance, Shen Qingxuan understood everything. Although the details were still unclear, the information he had was sufficient. After spending a long time closely with Yi Mo, he had learned how to read Yi Mo’s emotions from his expressions. This was a skill possessed only by those closest to him.

 

Lowering his eyes, Shen Qingxuan remained silent. His father did not show any unusual expression and soon began a celebratory feast, inviting relatives and friends to their home just as he had done when Shen Qingxuan’s ability to speak had returned. They drank and celebrated until they were all drunk.

 

Three days later, the feast was cleared away. Shen Qingxuan rested for a moment and then went to his father’s study in the night, kneeling quietly without saying a word.

 

Father Shen sat behind the desk, looking intently at his son who had come to apologize. He felt somewhat relieved, glad that his son had come to seek forgiveness and was not unrepentant.

 

As a father, he always hoped for the best for his son. No parent desires their child to go astray, and he was no exception. While he was willing to adopt a child from a human-demon union as a grandson, it did not mean he agreed with his son marrying a demon, especially a male demon. Father Shen knew without asking that his son had to submit in the bedroom. Just this one matter was enough to make him feel humiliated and lose face.

 

Now that his son was willing to come and apologize, as long as he was willing to repent, a father should not be narrow-minded and could certainly forgive.

 

Father Shen picked up his teacup, took a sip to moisten his throat, and said gently, “Since you are here, get up and speak.”

 

Shen Qingxuan bowed his head and remained unmoved.

 

Father Shen’s eyelid twitched. “Could it be that I was mistaken?”

 

Shen Qingxuan then raised his head, his face showing no emotion, and asked, “What did you think, Father?”

 

From this question, Father Shen realized that things were not as simple as he had thought. He had forgotten that when his son was five years old, he had stayed in the courtyard of a martial artist’s house all day, lying in wait to catch a sparrow for a designed trap. He had been like this since childhood; how could he be quick to give up now?

 

After a pause, Father Shen said, “What I thought was that since you’re better now, you should give me a grandson.”

 

“Father has forgotten,” Shen Qingxuan said calmly, “You already have a grandson. He can crawl at three months, walk at five months, and by June, he was already running fast and speaking clearly. With proper guidance, his future prospects are limitless.”

 

“He is not a biological grandson, there’s a difference,” Father Shen said.

 

“Father has never taught me that. I only remember you saying that people are divided into good and bad, not into internal and external distinctions. Perhaps I remember incorrectly?” Shen Qingxuan replied smoothly.

 

Father Shen was taken aback and choked up. He was angry and said, “Now that your voice is better, you’ve learned to argue with your father? Have I ever taught you this?”

 

“Son dares not,” Shen Qingxuan said, bowing and respectfully kowtowing, “Please punish me, Father.”

 

Seeing his appearance, Father Shen was momentarily at a loss for words. He stared at him in silence.

 

Shen Qingxuan remained silent for a moment and bowed again, kowtowing with increased emphasis. “Please punish me, Father!” This time, he was pushing for it.

 

Their father-son relationship had always been harmonious. Hearing this, Father Shen was shocked and could not believe it. “Really?”

 

“Really,” Shen Qingxuan affirmed.

 

Father Shen summoned the housekeeper and requested the family rules be enacted, not allowing anyone to plead or reason. The only thing permitted was to beat him. Severely beat him!

 

The cane struck his back, and Shen Qingxuan said nothing.

 

The tighter he clenched his teeth and remained calm, the colder Father Shen felt inside. Although they had not made things explicit, their attitudes had been clearly conveyed. Father Shen had encountered stubborn people in his travels, and he knew that beating him to death would be futile. His heart grew colder, feeling as if he were falling into an ice cave. This was his son! For a demon, he was willing to defy his family and even seek punishment, all to show his father that for that demon, he did not care about life or family!

 

Finally, the cane stopped. Shen Qingxuan’s back was covered in bloodstains, his face pale, sweat dripping constantly onto the floor, forming small puddles.

 

Father Shen dismissed the others and took the cane himself, holding it above Shen Qingxuan’s head. In a cold voice, he asked, “I ask you again, have you changed?”

 

“Father,” Shen Qingxuan paused, then smiled, “You once said that my temperament is very much like yours.” Having been in business for months, he understood negotiation tactics and how to manage people’s hearts. A soft-spoken comment was enough to silence Father Shen. Sometimes, a seemingly insignificant remark, when directed at the right person, could leave them dazed. Even if it did not achieve its goal, it could soften the heart.

 

Father Shen was stunned, overwhelmed by a mix of emotions: sourness, relief, anger, and affection. The black cane he held could no longer descend.

 

Shen Qingxuan kept his head lowered, as if awaiting judgment, without any defiant posture, knowing that would only provoke his father. Thus, he remained respectful and bowed.

 

His forehead heavily hit the hard stone floor, making dull thuds.

 

This was his request to his father, solely within the bounds of their familial hierarchy, with no other considerations. There was not a trace of hesitation.

 

Father Shen dropped the cane and walked to the window, not knowing how long he stood there before his mood finally calmed. Looking at the stars outside, he finally spoke, “If you can persuade your mother, I will no longer interfere.”

 

Shen Qingxuan, lying on the ground, raised his head upon hearing this, looking at his father’s back, and replied, “Thank you, Father.” He bowed again before rising and leaving.

 

That night, the Shen household was in turmoil. Everyone knew that the eldest son had been beaten, but no one knew the reason why.

 

Madam Shen already knew about the punishment but was shocked at how badly he had been beaten. His back was covered with blood and flesh stuck to the cloth, impossible to peel off. Madam Shen sat in her room, reflecting on her long life, having never made any mistakes in managing her family and raising her children. Although her son had been withdrawn in the past, she had agreed to let him live in the mountains, and they had been separated for years. Now that he had returned, he had been subjected to such a severe beating. There was no explanation before or after the beating, which made her extremely angry.

 

She had always been gentle on the outside but strong-willed inside. After returning from Shen Qingxuan’s room, she summoned a maid, had her change out of her plain dress into ornate attire, and put on the ceremonial jewelry reserved for important rites. Once she was ready, she went to the study, performed her duties as a wife respectfully, and then knelt silently.

 

Father Shen was already troubled and frustrated. Seeing his wife come in and kneel just like his son had, without saying a word, was a silent form of pressure. Father Shen, moved by this display, stood up and approached her, pointing at the woman who had come with his son. In a mix of rage and irony, he said, “He said his temperament was like mine; it turns out he was lying. You and your son are truly alike. Both of you have come today to force me.”

 

Madam Shen raised her head and said, “The master of the family is the head. Who would dare to force you? If a mother fails to teach her child properly, it is her responsibility. Since Qingxuan has been beaten, it is only right that the mother also receives her due punishment.” Her tone was slow but firm, revealing a stubborn pride. This was the first time in their years of marriage that Madam Shen had confronted him, leaving Father Shen momentarily at a loss. He stared at her and said, “What nonsense are you talking about!”

 

“No nonsense,” Madam Shen said, lifting her well-maintained, fair chin and coldly added, “I am here to accept the family rules.”

 

Father Shen stamped his foot and said, “Very well!” He picked up the bloodstained black cane, preparing to strike.

 

Madam Shen, however, took out a piece of paper. “Please sign this after the beating.”

 

“What is that?” Father Shen, sensing something was amiss, began to calm down a bit.

 

“A letter of divorce,” Madam Shen said, spreading the paper on the floor. “As an unworthy wife who has failed to properly teach her child, I am willing to be divorced and expelled from the Shen family.”

 

Father Shen was choked up, unable to speak, his face flushed red. The cane fell to the ground with a clang.

 

Madam Shen, also extremely angry, raised her voice and repeated firmly, “Please punish me!” Her tone was resolute and full of determination.

 

Her voice carried a decisive edge. Father Shen was shocked and, after a moment of silence, finally sighed. He approached her, squatted down, and said, “I know you feel wronged.”

 

Madam Shen raised her eyes to look at him, then lowered her head again, clearly still angry.

 

Father Shen, putting his hand on her shoulder, forced a smile and said, “After so many years of marriage, is this the time to hold a grudge against me? Why bother?”

 

Madam Shen did not back down and replied firmly, “Indeed, after so many years of marriage, is this the time to start beating me?”

 

Father Shen, both amused and exasperated, shook his head. “Fine, I know you’re dissatisfied. You need to know about this matter… but you’re someone who can’t tolerate any injustice. If you knew, you might be even harsher than I am.”

 

Madam Shen, being a smart woman, understood there was more to it but could not believe it. “Is it about Qingxuan?”

 

“Get up…” Father Shen helped her to her feet, and they walked to the table and sat down. Father Shen said, “Have some water first, and I will explain everything slowly.”

 

After an hour, Madam Shen left the study and returned to her own room with a stern face, her anger still evident.

 

The next morning, a maid hurried to the southern courtyard to deliver a message to Shen Qingxuan: Madam Shen requests to speak with the eldest young master.

 

Shen Qingxuan, who was lying in bed with freshly dressed wounds, heard the maid’s message. He opened his eyes and stared at the intricately carved jade pillow, sighing inwardly at the continuing physical suffering. He wished he could rest for a few days, but he was, after all, just a frail scholar.

 

He got dressed with the help of the maids and made his way to his mother’s quarters.

 

The pain in his back made him sweat profusely along the way. The sweat soaked through the wound, causing more blood to stain the white cloth, and by the time he reached his mother’s courtyard, his pale blue outer robe was also stained red.

 

As the maids helped him, one of them gasped when she saw the blood dripping from his back. “Young Master, the wound is bleeding again!”

 

Madam Shen walked over and, seeing the blood, was naturally heartbroken, but her anger was even greater. She dismissed everyone, sat back down, and asked sternly, “Is what your father said true? Was there no injustice done to you?”

 

Shen Qingxuan paused for a moment before answering, “I am not wronged.”

 

“So you admit it?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Disgraceful!” Madam Shen furrowed her brows and scolded, “You have dishonored the family traditions!”

 

Shen Qingxuan remained kneeling, his demeanor calm as he replied, “Yes.”

 

Madam Shen, furious at his demeanor, threw the teacup down, “Will you change your ways or not?!”

 

Shen Qingxuan did not answer.

 

“If you change, I might overlook this matter, arrange a marriage for you tomorrow, and you can manage the family affairs and live harmoniously with your wife, having one or two children…”

 

“Mother,” Shen Qingxuan interrupted her, his words cold, “What if I do not change?”

 

“If you stubbornly refuse to repent, I will expel you from the family. From now on, Shen family will have no eldest son!”

 

“Though my mother is strong-willed, the head of the Shen family is still my father. Even he has not considered expulsion. As a woman, my mother should follow her husband’s lead, and when he is dead, follow his son. How can you have such rebellious thoughts?” Shen Qingxuan raised his eyes and spoke harshly, “Has my father died?”

 

Madam Shen was stunned and shouted, “Rebellious son!”

 

Shen Qingxuan looked at her and suddenly began to laugh, “I am unfilial. Please punish me, Mother.”

 

“Fine,” Madam Shen said, clutching her chest, “If I cannot drive you out, I can still beat you. Today, I will beat you to death, and tomorrow I will apologize to the ancestors of the Shen family!” She then called in the servants with a club.

 

The servants, holding the wooden club, came in. Looking at her kneeling son, Madam Shen asked, “Will you change, or should I beat you to death?”

 

“Does Mother not know,” Shen Qingxuan replied without lifting his head, “I have already died many times. How can I fear death?”

 

Madam Shen also laughed, though her usually noble face twisted slightly, “Good, very good. I must be truly fortunate to have such a good son!” With that command, the servant, not daring to disobey, brought the club down heavily.

 

Shen Qingxuan closed his eyes and knelt there, enduring the blows. After ten strikes, he could no longer maintain his position and collapsed, supporting himself on the ground, biting his teeth until they bled.

 

He did not feel the suffering much but thought of it as what he deserved. However, he was choked with an unsatisfied breath. This feeling, when faced with his father, was not felt, but in front of his mother, it surged into his chest. Knowing his mother’s temper, he could only wear her down gradually, not confront her head-on. Yet he could not suppress this feeling, so he braced himself, confronting her with the same fierce determination. Since he started, he had to continue, understanding well that only by pushing things to the extreme would someone relent. He wanted her to lose, to admit that her life was not flawless. It was not about disrespecting his mother, but about having too much respect, which led to resentment, and this was the only way he could express it.

 

After twenty blows, Shen Qingxuan lay on the ground, vaguely hearing the sound of a door. The door was pushed open from the outside, letting light in, but the room was eerily silent.

 

Shen Qingxuan sensed something was wrong and turned his head, seeing Yi Mo standing at the door, dressed in black robes with long hair, standing in the backlight like a divine figure.

 

Yi Mo extended his hand, and the servant suddenly dropped the club, struggling as if his throat was being squeezed. His eyes rolled back, and he fell, dead.

 

“Yi Mo,” Shen Qingxuan called softly, “Let him go.”

 

Yi Mo released his grip, tossing the man aside like trash, and walked over. He knelt beside Shen Qingxuan, supporting him and said in a deep voice, “Is this your strategy?”

 

Shen Qingxuan, struggling to stand, smiled faintly, “That was my intention.”

 

Yi Mo understood immediately, looked at him for a moment, and said, “You are truly ruthless.” Ruthless to others and to yourself, such a person is rare in the world. Shen Qingxuan simply smiled, with a hint of shyness, as if he was embarrassed by Yi Mo’s comment.

 

Madam Shen, seeing her son nearly beaten to death and feeling her resolve soften, could not bring herself to admit it. With Yi Mo’s arrival and the servant’s cessation of beating, she wanted to take this opportunity to step down but found herself at odds with Yi Mo, and could not back down.

 

“Kneel!” Madam Shen shouted angrily, and Shen Qingxuan immediately knelt again, his posture calm and natural. The fire in Madam Shen’s heart slightly subsided as she looked at Yi Mo. Their eyes met, and Yi Mo’s expression was consistently indifferent, which made Madam Shen feel a chill and a sense of fear. She was the daughter of a noble family, married into a merchant family, and was naturally proud. At this moment, she could not tolerate being intimidated and, turning her gaze back to Shen Qingxuan, she said each word with emphasis:

 

“I gave birth to a son, not a daughter!”

 

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Qingxuan’s face turned even paler, looking as white as paper. Kneeling on the ground, he allowed the servant to stand up, take the cudgel, and continue beating him.

 

“Beat him!” Shen Qingxuan said淡淡地, “The old lady ordered you to beat him to death, so beat him to death. If he doesn’t die, I’ll have someone skin you alive tomorrow.”

 

The servant, already terrified by Yi Mo’s earlier intimidation, was now faced with Shen Qingxuan’s coercion, and was in a dilemma, his face filled with anguish, wishing he could disappear into the ground.

 

Seeing the servant hesitate, Yi Mo remained silent but cast a glance at him, causing the servant to turn pale and tremble as he took two steps back.

 

Noticing this, Shen Qingxuan whispered, “Yi Mo, you can leave now.”

 

Yi Mo responded with a displeased “Hmm?” his tone rising with irritation.

 

“This is my family matter; you don’t have to interfere,” Shen Qingxuan said with a smile. “Go back to your room. If I’m not dead, I’ll come find you later.”

 

Yi Mo crouched down again, facing Shen Qingxuan. After a moment of silence, Yi Mo said, “Alright, I’ll marry you, then?”

 

Shen Qingxuan smiled and replied, “Didn’t you hear my mother? She gave birth to a son, not a daughter. I can only marry you.”

 

“You did all this just to marry me?” Yi Mo asked. “You know I won’t agree.”

 

“It doesn’t matter.” Shen Qingxuan remained calm. “I’ve paved the way for you. Whether you come or not is up to you. Anyway, I still have some years left to live. I’ll wait. The path is paved; you can come whenever you decide.”

 

Looking at his somewhat dazed mother sitting on the chair, Shen Qingxuan said quietly, “I’ve cleared all obstacles for you. Marrying you is what I should do.”

 

Yi Mo understood his resolve and was at a loss for words. After a moment, he said, “Have you really thought it through?”

 

“Already decided,” Shen Qingxuan smiled.

 

“If you’re beaten to death, how can you still marry me?”

 

“If I’m beaten to death, I won’t pester you. You should be happy,” Shen Qingxuan said, his gaze distant and melancholic. “If I live, my mother will be ashamed. If I die, you’ll be free. If I really die, you all can be relieved. You should celebrate with drums and gongs, and the whole family should rejoice!”

 

Yi Mo listened and observed, realizing that Shen Qingxuan truly felt this way. He was indeed like this—living was a disgrace to his family, yet he still wished to live, and if he died, he would give Yi Mo freedom. He cared so little for his life; he lived each day just to fulfill his responsibilities, so he willingly endured the beatings. This was his only personal will. Everything he did was just what he ought to do. Beaten to death, he was willing. If he could survive, he was willing.

 

There was, in fact, no real hope.

 

Yi Mo placed his hand on Shen Qingxuan’s shoulder, feeling the protruding bones under his thin, weak frame. Despite his frailty, Shen Qingxuan’s stubbornness was unyielding, never willing to admit defeat. Even at this point, he was willing to fight to the end, even if it meant total destruction.

 

This was his nature: knowing there was no hope, yet never giving up.

 

Shen Qingxuan didn’t know what Yi Mo was thinking. He leaned forward, his bloodied lips touching Yi Mo’s face, and firmly said, “You know, I want to marry you.” For the first time, Yi Mo heard the hidden apprehension and vulnerability in these words. It was not just a declaration but a question: “Can I marry you?” It was a plea: “Will you marry me?” All the hidden uncertainty and fragility that had been concealed before were now clearly understood by Yi Mo.

 

It was as if Shen Qingxuan, despite his despair and stubbornness, was constantly hiding his fears, clinging desperately to the only hope he had, afraid that it might shatter or disappear.

 

Because once it was gone, the only reason to live would no longer exist.

 

Despite his despair and determination, Shen Qingxuan always pretended. Yi Mo closed his eyes briefly, a strange sorrow swelling in his chest. He wanted to hold Shen Qingxuan, embrace him, crush him, and consume him along with his blood and flesh. This way, he wouldn’t have to be afraid anymore.

 

The door to the room was pushed open again, and Father Shen stood at the threshold, observing the scene inside. The room was silent, with only the two men staring at each other, the woman in the chair looking defeated, and the servant quietly crying while holding the cudgel.

 

Father Shen sighed lightly and said, “That’s enough. Madam, please return to your room to rest.” He gestured for the servant to help Shen Qingxuan back to his room and then said to Yi Mo, “This year’s new tea has just arrived. Join me in tasting it.”

 

Yi Mo followed him to the study, while Shen Qingxuan stepped out of the room and squinted up at the bright sky.

 

The sunlight was just right.