Black Magic Rose Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Renewed Turmoil

The subtle ripple that had stirred in Shu Yijin’s heart while reading the poem that day was calmly categorized as a “phenomenon requiring observation.” He was an Ancient Existence; human familial ethics were like dust to him. The Shu Family, so-called, was merely a group of ants gathered around shared interests. He had possessed this body and inherited its karma, but he had never viewed himself as a son of the Shu Family. The constraints and demands based on blood ties were, in his eyes, both absurd and tedious.

However, the tree desired stillness, but the wind would not cease. He had no intention of dealing with the Shu Family, but the Shu Family would not let go of any chess piece that still held value.

That afternoon, he had just placed Wen Jingheng’s hand back under the thin quilt, his thumb brushing unintentionally against the other man’s warm wrist, when the old butler’s stiff announcement came from outside the door: “Young Master Yijin, Mr. Shu Mingyuan and Madam are here to visit. They are waiting in the side parlor.”

Shu Mingyuan, Madam Liu. The biological father and the legitimate mother of this body. A nearly imperceptible cold smile curved Shu Yijin’s lips. Visit? More like a weasel paying respects to a chicken.

His face instantly switched to an expression of appropriate bewilderment mixed with a hint of undetectable panic. He responded softly, “…Thank you, Butler. I will go immediately.” He carefully smoothed a stray lock of black hair from Wen Jingheng’s forehead, his movements gentle, as if this were the only important task at the moment. This posture was for the benefit of potential observers—that he, Shu Yijin, was simple-minded and entirely devoted to his “husband.”

The Wen Family’s side parlor was less lavish than the main drawing room but felt more private, suitable for discussing domestic matters that shouldn’t be publicized. Shu Mingyuan sat in the main seat, his expression stern, the natural pressure of a long-time superior emanating from him. Madam Liu sat beside him, her well-maintained face exquisitely made up, but her gaze, like a searchlight, swept over Shu Yijin from head to toe the moment he entered, the scrutiny and distaste undisguised.

“Father, Mother.” Shu Yijin walked into the room and bowed slightly, adopting a very humble posture. His voice carried the respect due from a junior, yet sounded slightly lacking in confidence due to a hint of timidity.

“Hmph,” Madam Liu squeezed out a cold snort from her nostrils, launching the attack first. “It seems the Wen Family’s environment agrees with you. It’s only been a few days, yet your complexion is much better than when you were at home. I wonder, is this ‘good complexion’ due to the benefit of Young Master Wen, or have you forgotten your place and become overly complacent?” Her words were sharp, implying he was enjoying himself too much and had forgotten his maternal family.

Shu Yijin lowered his gaze, his hands nervously clasped in front of him, as if startled by the sudden accusation. His voice was even softer: “Mother, you exaggerate… I, I am merely following instructions and doing my best to care for Jingheng…”

“Care?” Shu Mingyuan finally spoke, his voice low and carrying an undeniable sense of oppression. “We are here today precisely because of your ‘care.’ We heard that a few days ago, Shu Qing kindly came to see you, but you made him look foolish in public and return in distress? Shu Yijin, how do you explain yourself?”

As expected, they were sticking up for that idiot. Shu Yijin felt no ripple in his heart, but on his face, he appropriately lifted his head. His crimson eyes were filled with incredulous grievance, and his eye sockets were slightly red. “Father! How can you believe only one side of the story? That day, it was clearly my brother who accidentally slipped and knocked over the vase… The butler and several maids were present at the time; they can all testify for me! I… I am walking on thin ice here, only striving not to make any mistakes. How could I, how dare I, show any disrespect to my brother?” His tone was agitated, carrying the tremor of someone wrongly accused, perfectly portraying the image of an abused illegitimate son.

“Accidentally slipped? How could it be such a coincidence?” Madam Liu raised her voice, her well-maintained finger nearly poking Shu Yijin’s nose. “It must be those ill-omened eyes of yours that clashed with him! I knew letting you come to the Wen Family wouldn’t lead to anything good! Not only did the Auspicious Marriage fail, but you brought disaster instead!”

“Mother!” Shu Yijin suddenly looked up, tears finally streaming down his cheeks, but his eyes held a stubbornness born of being pushed to the brink. “If you believe I am ill-omened, why did you make me marry in his stead in the first place? Now that I am behaving myself and fulfilling my duty, why must you still slander me like this? The Wen Family is not a place where people can run wild. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the Wen Family elders to preside over justice!” His words, seemingly an emotional and uncontrolled defense, were in fact full of hidden barbs. He exposed the truth of the substitute marriage, hinting at the Shu Family’s culpability; he emphasized the Wen Family’s rules, shifting the conflict toward the Wen Family’s authority and forcing the Shu Family to exercise caution.

Shu Mingyuan’s face darkened. He understood the boundaries better than Madam Liu; escalating a family scandal on Wen Family territory was definitely not wise. He raised a hand to stop Madam Liu, his gaze sharply fixed on Shu Yijin. He switched to a seemingly earnest and heartfelt tone: “Yijin, we are not trying to make things difficult for you. It’s just that the Wen Family is of noble status, and Jingheng’s situation is special. You are here, without anyone to rely on. Your father is worried that you will be bullied and find it difficult to establish yourself here in the future. The talk of an Auspicious Marriage is ultimately remote; you need to make plans for yourself early.”

The dagger was revealed. The so-called “worry” was just a prelude. The real purpose was to exert pressure: either make him secure benefits for the Shu Family from the Wen Family, or imply that if he was “disobedient,” the Shu Family would not back him up and might even kick him while he was down.

Shu Yijin sneered inwardly at the performance of the “loving father.” He lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly, as if struck in his weak spot by these “heart-to-heart” words. His voice was choked with despair: “I appreciate Father’s ‘kindness’… But with Jingheng in this state, if I were to leave him, what would that make me but a beast? How the Wen Family treats me is their business. Since I married into the Wen Family, I am a Wen Family person. Whether it is good or bad, I accept it. As for the future… if it truly comes to that, I will simply follow him to the grave…” With this statement, he retreated to advance, shaping himself into the image of a deeply devoted “widow” who sought nothing else. This both silenced Shu Mingyuan’s demands for benefits and reaffirmed his loyalty to the Wen Family.

“You!” Madam Liu was shaking with anger but was stopped by a look from Shu Mingyuan.

Shu Mingyuan gave Shu Yijin a deep look. This son seemed somewhat different from before. He still looked weak and easily bullied, but his words carried a certain resilience that was difficult to control. He knew he could not achieve his goal today.

“In that case, take care of yourself,” Shu Mingyuan stood up, his tone cold and devoid of warmth. “Remember what you said today, and do not regret it.” With that, he flicked his sleeve and left. Madam Liu glared fiercely at Shu Yijin and followed close behind.

Only Shu Yijin remained in the side parlor. He slowly straightened up, using his fingertip to gently wipe away the tear tracks on his face. The grievance, despair, and agitation instantly vanished from his expression, replaced by a cold indifference that saw through everything. A hint of mockery flashed in his crimson eyes.

The trouble had temporarily receded, but the vortex would only deepen. He turned and left the side parlor, walking steadily toward the “cage” that belonged to him and Wen Jingheng. For some reason, at this moment, he felt that only by returning to the room permeated with the faint scent of medicine and Wen Jingheng’s presence, and facing that silent nemesis, could his mood, tainted by those hypocritical faces, regain its composure.

Perhaps, without realizing it, that small, confined space had become his only… Energy Anchor Point in this world of falsehood.