236: Shen Xinrong's emotional outburst...

Night had fallen deep, and Li Shengyuan returned to the Grand Secretarys Courtyard, which was magnificent yet elegant.

His father, mother, and second uncle were not present; having rarely returned to the capital, they were all visiting old friends.

His second uncle might take up a post in the capital in the future, so naturally, he needed to cultivate connections and meet old friends, bringing Li Xinghe and Li Ruotang along to meet various uncles.

However, by rights, given their current influence and that of the Li family, others should be visiting the Li family, but these two brothers were actively going to others' homes.

This was actually done to prevent gossip. The Li family's power was already immense; if high-ranking officials from all sides visited their home daily, it would inevitably lead to accusations of forming factions for personal gain.

Although Li Shengyuan had a close and trusted relationship with the current Empress, he might still be incited by others to cause discord with the Mu imperial family of Daqian, provoking dissatisfaction and wariness among the various second-rank princes.

For this reason, even when seeing long-time friends, Li Mu and his brother would actively visit others' homes and decline other visitors; it was better to keep a low profile.

These past few days had exhausted Li Xinghe and Li Ruotang, and with the bright moon hanging high above their heads, they had yet to return...

It was his grandfather, the Chief Assistant, who seemed somewhat at leisure, sitting alone in the front courtyard, sipping tea.

After having a cup of tea and chatting with his grandfather, he went to his own back courtyard.

Actually, his father and second uncle, and Li Shengyuan, did not object to his grandfather finding another step-grandmother. Li Shengyuan would not mind having another young uncle either, as the Li family was vast and prosperous.

But his grandfather always smiled and shook his head, saying that one person, his deceased grandmother, was enough for this life, and he would often reminisce while holding his grandmother's keepsakes.

His father and second uncle stopped trying to persuade him, because if they were in the same situation, they would certainly make the same choice.

The infatuation of the family's men made Li Shengyuan feel a bit out of place; he was the only one with many confidantes...

However, everyone in the Li family was quite pleased about this, hoping to expand the family line through Li Shengyuan.

After all, male descendants were scarce in the Li family; the total of three generations did not even reach ten, which was a miracle for a prominent and influential family like the Li family!

As soon as he stepped into his back courtyard, several gazes simultaneously turned towards him.

Princess Pingyang was talking with Shen Xinrong and Yue Xiyan, while Yue Qingmeng sat obediently beside them, holding her face in her hands, a slight smile on her lips.

These past few days, Princess Pingyang had stayed at Li Shengyuan's home, not even going to her own residence, completely unafraid of any rumors that might spread.

After all, even her sister, who was the Emperor, openly flirted with Shengyuan, so she had even less to fear.

Even when her mother sent a message for her to be careful, Princess Pingyang paid no mind, acting as if she hadn't heard it after returning from paying her respects.

Seeing Li Shengyuan return, Princess Pingyang and Shen Xinrong immediately showed playful smiles, while Yue Xiyan and Yue Qingmeng, the master and disciple, looked at him with calm expressions.

"Oh, our busy Lord Li and Marquis is back?"

Shen Xinrong spoke first, her tone drawn out and clearly teasing, "Where did you go to observe the people's conditions in which confidante's boudoir? Looking at the time, you even finished dinner before returning?"

Princess Pingyang covered her mouth and chuckled, her beautiful eyes sweeping over Li Shengyuan, echoing, "Sister is right, the Marquis seems to carry the scent of smoke and... a faint fragrance of bamboo leaves? This doesn't smell like the wine and meat of a social engagement."

Yue Xiyan and her disciple said nothing, only smiled gently.

Li Shengyuan was teased by them but remained unperturbed. He casually untied his long robe and handed it to Xiaoqian, revealing the demeanor of a Marquis, and chuckled, scolding them:

"Go on, go on, all of you are so impudent. Does this Marquis have to report to you even when he goes to a friend's house for a simple meal?"

"Friend?" Princess Pingyang raised an eyebrow, clearly disbelieving, "What kind of friend could make our Marquis Li personally cook? I heard that someone specifically went to the market to buy fresh vegetables before returning."

Li Shengyuan was slightly startled by her words, then chuckled, "Your information is quite well-informed."

He did not deny it, which further confirmed Princess Pingyang's guess, making their laughter even louder.

After a few playful exchanges, Li Shengyuan's gaze turned to the quietly smiling Shen Xinrong beside him, his expression becoming a little more serious as he said to her:

"Aunt Rong, please come with me for a moment; there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Shen Xinrong was a little surprised, but she still nodded gently, stood up, and followed him towards the study.

Princess Pingyang and Yue Xiyan exchanged a look, their smiles deepening, but they did not follow to disturb them.

Li Shengyuan looked at the gentle and beautiful woman before him, pondered for a moment, and then spoke in a low, clear voice:

"Aunt Rong, I plan to go to Jiangnan soon."

Shen Xinrong was slightly startled. Jiangnan... that was her homeland, a place she yearned for yet also caused her immense pain.

She seemed to have a premonition, and her heart involuntarily quickened. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with inquiry.

Li Shengyuan's gaze became sharp and resolute as he continued, "This trip is primarily for your Shen family's affairs. It's time to reclaim those blood debts, with interest. I promise you, I will not let a single culprit escape justice!"

Despite having a premonition, hearing these words directly from Li Shengyuan's mouth still struck Shen Xinrong like a bolt of lightning, and her whole body trembled violently.

She widened her eyes, looking at Li Shengyuan with bloodshot gaze, a surge of bitterness rising in her heart.

The tragic change in her family was the deepest and most painful scar in her heart, gnawing at her day and night.

Although she knew Li Shengyuan possessed immense power and vaguely hoped he could help, and she had investigated herself, albeit without results.

She hadn't expected that after his trip to the Northern Border, the first thing Li Shengyuan would do was help her seek revenge, and even go in person...

Although the sadness in her heart had faded a lot, when Li Shengyuan spoke it aloud, Shen Xinrong was deeply moved.

After a moment of astonishment, an overwhelming wave of emotion and bitterness instantly broke through her defenses.

Tears gushed out without warning, quickly blurring Shen Xinrong's vision.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but her throat felt as if something was tightly blocking it, only able to produce extremely faint, broken gasps.

The next moment, all restraint, all composure, vanished.

The grievances, pain, hatred accumulated over countless days and nights, as well as the inexpressible gratitude towards the man before her, erupted like a breaching flood.

"Shengyuan..."

Shen Xinrong choked out a sob, no longer able to stand. She took a sudden step forward and threw herself into Li Shengyuan's embrace, her hands tightly clutching the front of his robe, as if grasping the only driftwood in a vast ocean.

At first, there were only silent tears, her shoulders trembling violently.

Then, the suppressed whimpers turned into uncontrollable wails.

Shen Xinrong buried her face deep in Li Shengyuan's chest, her scalding tears quickly soaking his robe.

Li Shengyuan was momentarily stunned by her sudden and intense reaction, then a deep sense of pity welled up in his heart.

Having known each other for many years, he was well aware of the pain in Shen Xinrong's heart. Before, he did not have enough strength, and the Li family faced many constraints. Now, he could finally personally avenge her!

Blood debts would not disappear with the passage of time; they needed to be washed away with endless blood!

An icy, bone-chilling glint appeared in Li Shengyuan's eyes!