Chapter 600: Chapter 598: The Transmigrated Woman Who Self-Destructed 18 Times (Part 29)

On this day, Shen Zhengjie was taking a break. He thought Daoist Bai Hong should come by, especially since a lot had happened recently, so he decided not to go out, lest unexpected problems arise.

The atmosphere in the Marquis Mansion wasn’t great recently. The reason was that Shen Jun had gone to see Shen Zheng’an, intending to bring him back and reinstate him into the family records, but Shen Zheng’an had actually refused.

Upon returning, Shen Jun spent quite a while cursing in the courtyard, making the entire Marquis Mansion aware of the situation.

Knowing Shen Zheng’an’s character, choosing not to return was something he could really do.

Everyone in the Marquis Mansion knew that the father and son were always at odds.

To be honest, Shen Zhengjie thought it was better if Shen Zheng’an didn’t return. Since he wasn’t officially part of the Shen Family, even if he worked beside Jiang Zhi, he was still a lone wolf. In the future, if he works in the court, it won’t be easy at all. Shen Zheng’an’s choice seemed somewhat foolish.

The person who expelled him from the family records was Shen Jun, not anyone else in the Shen Family. By acting this way, it seemed as if he was blaming the Shen Family members, which would surely cause dissatisfaction among them and might lead to them setting traps for him someday.

"Anyway, I’m not going. That boy doesn’t even regard me as his father," Shen Jun said at the dining table, visibly displeased. "If he doesn’t want to come back, then fine. I don’t much care for having a son who doesn’t respect his father. He never listens to my discipline."

"From childhood to now, that boy hasn’t been very obedient. If he thinks he’s grown strong enough, let’s see how high he can fly."

"He’s originally from the Shen Family, but to let him roam outside like this is not good. It invites ridicule," Shen Hong advised, frowning thoughtfully before continuing with an opened expression, "Since Second Brother doesn’t want to go, I’ll go. That matter was a grievance for him."

"Even if he was wronged, what kind of attitude does he show?" Shen Jun was still not satisfied. "Only eldest brother would tolerate this boy. He thinks he’s got some ability, and his tail is up in the air. With such a character, what could he accomplish in the future? Bringing trouble is the best we can hope to avoid. Last time, he was calculated against just because he was too ostentatious."

He silently added in his heart, why didn’t he have a son like Shen Zhengjie, who was obedient, promising, and adept at managing his advances and retreats?

Shen Zheng’an might actually be smart, after all, last time he was able to score the top scorer, but that temperament of his was really infuriating. He wasn’t the child Shen Jun expected, liked to provoke his anger, so it’s no wonder he couldn’t like him.

"Let’s settle it this way then. Eldest brother, you make a trip later. After all, he’s someone from our Marquis Mansion, and bringing him back prevents outside ridicule." The old madam from the Yun Family spoke.

After breakfast, everyone went back to their places.

Shen Hong set out with people to bring back Shen Zheng’an, not considering that he might fail.

Shortly after he left, a Daoist appeared at the gate of the Marquis Mansion, specifically asking to see Shen Zhengjie.

When Shen Zhengjie heard a servant report this, he was delighted; it should indeed be Daoist Bai Hong. Upon meeting the person, it was confirmed. He had prepared for this day long ago, appearing quite composed, though a puzzled look remained unsure why Daoist Bai Hong had come.

"I am Bai Hong."

"This visit is to thank Prince Shen. Thanks to your help, my young son’s life was saved. If the Prince does not find it disdainful, I am willing to assist to the best of my ability." Daoist Bai Hong spoke sincerely. Though he wasn’t a saintly person, he had his principles—debts should be repaid.

He was not one indifferent to fame and fortune. Even without this rescue, upon emerging from seclusion, he intended to find someone powerful to work under.

Shen Zhengjie’s status might not be the ideal choice, but it was decent. The current Emperor was not young; soon, it would be the princes’ world. The Marquis Mansion should make a choice. Ostensibly, Prince Shen was part of the Fourth Prince faction.

Shen Zhengjie had been waiting for this day, but he wasn’t too hurried, appearing somewhat hesitant instead.

Seeing his concerns, Daoist Bai Hong showed off his abilities a little.

In his past life, Shen Zhengjie hadn’t seen much but had witnessed enough. He didn’t expect that such a figure as Daoist Bai Hong was now willing to serve him.

Just wait until he fully committed to the Sixth Prince, then introduced Daoist Bai Hong to the Sixth Prince. Just imagine what status he could achieve.

"Daoist, such skill!" Shen Zhengjie praised.

Daoist Bai Hong looked indifferent, accustomed to such praise.

"Actually, there is something troubling me recently," Shen Zhengjie spoke hesitantly, seeming very uncertain, as if questioning Daoist Bai Hong’s trustworthiness.

"Speak freely, Prince. I’m not a person of high virtue, yet since you saved my young son, to pledge my service to you, I won’t refuse." Daoist Bai Hong said, just as he could use Prince Shen to forge a path to the centers of power.

During the prior conversations, Shen Zhengjie wasn’t someone indifferent to fame and fortune, which suited Daoist Bai Hong well.

Shen Zhengjie hesitated for a long time, gritted his teeth, and said, "To speak frankly, my younger sister is troubled by the marriage engagement with the Fourth Prince, and is distressed not knowing what to do. I wonder if you have a solution?"

Daoist Bai Hong was surprised. Before coming, he’d inquired about the Marquis Mansion’s situation, knowing that Miss Shen was initially quite satisfied with her engagement to the Fourth Prince.

Now she was troubled by this matter, which was rather strange.

At that moment, Daoist Bai Hong carefully observed Shen Zhengjie, the latter’s heart skipped a beat, remembering that he was a reincarnator, worried about being discovered. If identified, Daoist Bai Hong would surely think his rescue of Zheng Qi was insincere.

Daoist Bai Hong quickly withdrew his gaze. Shen Zhengjie was certain he hadn’t seen through him, else he wouldn’t have this attitude.

If it weren’t for knowing Daoist Bai Hong possessed some abilities, and that he couldn’t even identify him as a reincarnator, Shen Zhengjie might suspect him of being a fraud.

Perhaps, it was just that he wasn’t skilled in reading faces? Shen Zhengjie quickly realized.

If Ah Chen were here, Shen Zhengjie’s confusion could be resolved.

The matter of reincarnation is not something any cultivator could uncover. If Daoist Bai Hong was skilled in calculation and fate causes, he wouldn’t have gotten involved in power centers.

Besides, this world is different from other small worlds; it’s a newly born small world. Before it fully evolved, what hadn’t happened but was known were merely plot narratives, not alive. The so-called reincarnation was just an anomaly occurring after eighteen resets, letting Shen Zhengjie and his sister know some plot narratives.

To them, it was reincarnation.

Yet even an adept diviner and face-reader from this world may not clearly understand what’s happening.

The saying goes, "not seeing Lushan’s true face only because within this mountain itself," for someone within the circle to see through and grasp the world’s entirety, is not easy.

Shen Zheng’an and Jiang Zhi could speculate on many things through detailed observation, not merely by reading faces. Therefore, even as a cultivator, don’t underestimate ordinary people; they can be terrifyingly clever.

"Actually, my preference is also the Sixth Prince," Shen Zhengjie stated his idea, "I wonder if the Daoist has any means of change?"

The Sixth Prince Jiang Zhi?

Daoist Bai Hong fell into contemplation. From the current situation, the Sixth Prince’s odds were indeed high. If Shen Zhengjie chose this one, things would certainly proceed more smoothly. As for why the Shen siblings had changed their minds, he wasn’t curious nor cared.

His aim was to repay Shen Zhengjie for saving his son, then leverage it to climb, hoping to become a State Preceptor eventually.