Villain Path

Chapter 77.1. Night 4

If it were up to him, Shen would gladly stay there till evening and meet Al's stepfather, but after that unfortunate conversation about the pendant with his disciple the latter was in a really bad mood which affected the overall atmosphere. Moreover, his mother was a little tired after entertaining guests all that time, even though she was delighted to meet her son's teacher and his "future wife" Annis. Apparently, Al's protests that they were just friends went unheard by her.

All in all, by the evening Shen and his disciples returned to the Ir family's estate. But once he passed the main building and turned to his pavilion, to the side he heard swearing so loud that it was hard to miss.

In doubt, Shen stood there for a moment and then slowly approached the shouting match.

In the gallery passage between pavilions there was Sheetan with his son. The former was screaming his lungs out:

"I do not want to hear any more! Don't you dare bring up Venti ever again!!"

"But father, we…"

"You are getting married in three weeks, Shaol! You are marrying the high official Gan's daughter, as I said! This union will grant our family future, while your nonsense will only dishonor us!"

"But Venti isn't rootless either!"

"Her father was a deputy commander, my father's friend, nothing more! There is nothing left of her kin! And now she even joined our family as my stepmother's daughter! Your bond is out of question! I won't let it be known outside this household!"

He caught his breath as he turned away from his son, who was looking at him with disparition, and met Shen's eyes.

"What are you doing here?!" he yelled, burning with fury.

Shen stayed silent, studying his face in a surprised, arrogant manner.
In a moment, Sheetan realized who he had raised his voice at, and his demeanor immediately changed.

"Uncle! I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you right away!"

Shen could understand that kind of treatment, it still jarred him too that people looking significantly older than him treated him so courteously. Appearance-wise he was closest to Shaol, and the latter's father had to bow to him and call him uncle. 

On the other hand, though, that were this Shen's personal issues, the real one might look young but he could call both Shaol and Sheetan "kids".

"No, I'm sorry," Shen replied coldly. "I didn't want to interrupt your lively conversation."

With those words he turned around and walked away. Al and Annis had been playing "invisible bodyguards" for quite some time now, so they went unnoticed.

That evening, Shen found Shuer to have some wine and chat. Although they had spent quite a lot of time together, he had not learned much about the original Shen's past. For the most part, it was hindered by the fact that he did not ask directly, wary of exposing himself as a completely different person, and his older brother did not talk much about the past without a reason. However, Shen decided to ask one thing.

They sat on the terrace of the main building in the light of lanterns. It was rather cold outside but both of them wrapped themselves in fur cloaks, and wine heated their blood as well. After the first jar of wine was finished Shen decided it was a good time to ask.

"Brother, I've remembered something from the distant past… Who is Taso?"

"Taso?" Shuer said blankly, looking genuinely confused.

"I think, as children, I, Shian and Ruret used to hang out with this boy."

"Ahh," Shuer frowned, apparently realizing who he was talking about.