Shen Feng issued a statement that day, clarifying the truth about his illegitimate son, Shen Bowen. The statement declared that Shen Bowen's identity as his son was false, though there were hidden circumstances.
"When I was in the island nation, I took in a godson, a foster son. However, I couldn't bring him back because I was still facing battles. Taking an infant with me was clearly not suitable. So, I entrusted the child to the Fujino family for care and forgot about it. It wasn't until the child met me and brought it up that I realized he was my godson. He had misunderstood and thought I was his biological father..." Shen Feng explained the situation to the media.
Many people understood after hearing this explanation. It turned out the child was merely the city lord's godson who had been mistaken. However, many others remained unconvinced, believing such a statement was unnecessary. For those in positions of power, a mere statement was enough to be believed without question.
Chang Jianyi, hearing about Shen Feng's handling of the matter while in another region, was in a state of doubt. He neither fully believed Shen Feng's statement nor dared to completely dismiss it. Therefore, he called Shen Feng's sister, Shen Yu, to seek clarification.
Shen Yu, considering her brother's family, uncharacteristically began to lie and made a false assurance: "Yes, this child has undergone a paternity test with Shen Feng, and they have no blood relation. You can rest assured!"
"Since you, sister, have said so, I have nothing more to say. I can only let Shen Feng take care of himself and not hide anything from me!" Chang Jianyi was relieved by this answer. It seemed the newly appeared youth would not pose a threat to his son's status.
However, since this matter had been exposed, public discussion was intense. The youth bore a strong resemblance to Shen Feng. It was hard for many to believe that two people who looked so alike had no blood relation, finding the story preposterous.
"When falsehood is taken as truth, truth also becomes falsehood; when truth is taken as falsehood, falsehood also becomes truth!" someone commented.
Shen Bowen still needed to return to his hometown. Despite the grievances he suffered there, he could not be accommodated in Yuzhou and had no choice but to go back.
A week later, Chu Chaoyan hosted a banquet, inviting children from numerous affluent families in Yuzhou. The purpose was for them to showcase their talents in poetry, music, and art, or even their physical abilities. It was important for the children to interact.
Chu Chaoyan specifically instructed Shen Yishi, "You must attend this banquet. During the event, observe the young men present and see if any catch your eye. Then, make your selection. I will pave the way for you! Even if you are not yet of marriageable age, I will privately instruct their families to have their children refrain from marrying for the time being. Do you understand?"
Shen Yishi, now nine years old, protested, "Are you hosting this banquet just for me to choose a future husband? How is this different from an arranged marriage? I'm not going because, look at Brother, didn't he marry someone he didn't like?"
Chu Chaoyan explained, "How can you say this is an arranged marriage? I'm just drawing a circle for you, and you only need to choose someone you like within this circle. I don't want you to choose someone outside the circle. Those within the circle generally have similar power and status, while those outside are often inferior to us. That's the difference between being inside and outside the circle."
Upon hearing her mother's words, Shen Yishi said, "I don't want to choose anyone now. Let's talk about it later. Isn't my elder brother already fifteen? Let him pick a sister-in-law first!"
Shen Yishi was dismissive of her mother's words. She had no desire to marry or choose a liked person so hastily, and therefore, she did not like her mother's arrangements.
"Alright, alright, we won't arrange your marriage. Just take a look! As long as you see if any young men leave a deep impression on you!" Chu Chaoyan immediately changed her tone, insisting that her daughter at least take a look.
Hearing her mother's words, Shen Yishi nodded and agreed.
Seeing her daughter's agreement, Chu Chaoyan finally breathed a sigh of relief and went to prepare for the banquet. Such banquets were generally not reported, and outsiders would not even hear about them, as they were unrelated to ordinary people. Even if the media wanted to report on it, they would be prevented.
A single word from the City Lord's mansion was enough to deter anyone from reporting. Those in the upper circles began their preparations, understanding what the banquet represented, and thus ensuring their children would perform perfectly at the event.
The banquet proceeded as scheduled, held on a sandbar in the Yangtze River. Due to the onset of the great ice age, the Yangtze River's flow had significantly decreased. Many sandbars, previously submerged, were now exposed. Some of these sandbars had regrown with vegetation, though these plants would freeze to death every winter, leaving primarily shrubs and herbaceous plants.
With adequate security measures in the surrounding areas, no one could reach the sandbar, making it incredibly safe and free from any unusual occurrences.
However, countless young men and women had already arrived on the sandbar. A luxurious building stood on the sandbar, and everyone moved freely within it. Whatever they did, someone would record it. Shen Feng's children had also arrived, except for his youngest daughter. Even his godson was present.
It was unavoidable. His youngest daughter's resistance was low and she couldn't withstand the external climate, so she had to remain in a sealed isolation room. Moreover, she was too young to attend such a banquet.
Shen Feng had also agreed to this. The cost of hosting the banquet was not high; they had simply hired many people specifically responsible for the banquet's security, ensuring that these young children would not be threatened, as they were the future of Yuzhou.
Yue Hengyi's two children also attended the banquet. However, according to their maternal uncle's words: "You just need to eat and drink at this banquet. No one will pay much attention to you there, as you will eventually leave."
Thus, Yue Cangshan and Yue Bitao set off. They initially wanted to have a meal and witness how people in high society lived. Now that the opportunity presented itself, they naturally wouldn't miss the banquet.
"We are guests. Don't anger anyone here, or we might be kicked out!" Yue Cangshan told his sister.
Yue Bitao nodded, indicating she understood. The siblings then proceeded to attend the banquet. They held an invitation; upon reaching the Yangtze River, they would present it, and dedicated personnel would escort them to the sandbar in the river.
Upon entering the sandbar area, the two saw many young men and women. They were all dressed in clean and tidy clothes, some in suits and formal attire, looking very noble. Their gait was not casual skipping but very proper, clearly indicating they had practiced their deportment at home to avoid embarrassment.
"These people walk as if they've practiced. It's amazing!" Yue Bitao whispered.
"It's okay, no need to feel inferior. We'll practice these things later. Besides, our ultimate home is in the north. Once the world is peaceful, we'll return. For now, we are just guests here!" Yue Cangshan appeared more confident.
The two soon encountered the banquet's attendants. These attendants were clearly trained, possessing robust physiques and maintaining a courteous demeanor towards everyone.
Soon, someone led the siblings to the banquet hall, where an abundance of fruits and meats were laid out. In the distance, chefs were grilling, and one could simply tell a chef what they wanted, and the dishes would be prepared immediately.
As the Yue siblings were about to take their seats in the banquet hall to feast, they spotted two suspicious figures. Upon closer inspection, they realized they were their former enemies.
It turned out that Shen Hongxiu and Shen Yishi were tiptoeing out of the main hall and had approached them. The siblings recognized them as Shen Feng's daughters who had insulted them before.
Upon seeing the two detestable girls, Yue Cangshan immediately extended his hand to shield his sister and said, "Are you trying to bully us again? Let me tell you, we are not to be trifled with. If you insult me again, I will hit you. Although I don't hit women, I will make an exception in this case!"
Shen Hongxiu quickly replied, "I have no intention of causing trouble. Besides, you snatched my sister's toy back then, which is why I scolded you. We are even now! We are going out to play. Do you want to join us?"
Shen Hongxiu asked this question as a mere courtesy, but she did not expect them to actually agree.
Yue Cangshan thought to himself, "If I refuse now, won't I lose face? No, I can't let her look down on me!"
So, Yue Cangshan directly said, "We'll go out! No matter where you go to play, we'll accompany you to the end!"
After speaking, Yue Cangshan casually picked up two steamed buns from a nearby table, handed one to his sister, and began eating one himself.
Shen Yishi couldn't help but say, "Sister, it was already difficult for the two of us to sneak out. Now, bringing these two along will make it even harder, won't it? We'll be too conspicuous, and we probably won't be able to escape!"
Shen Hongxiu whispered, "Don't worry! I have the best way to leave here without being discovered by our family. By the time they realize, we'll be playing outside with plenty of food coupons. I'll buy you whatever you want to eat!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yishi said, "Alright! But I still want to explore the surrounding wilderness. As long as we disguise ourselves well, no one will recognize us!"
Shen Hongxiu thought for a moment and said, "Then follow me. I've already inquired. There are frequent boat sailings on this sandbar. These boats are used to transport food. As far as I know, this boat will be returning to the dock. We'll hide in the ship's cabin, and when we reach the dock, we'll quietly leave!"
Next, the four young people slipped into the ship's cabin. Inside, they each found a basket and covered themselves with it, making them invisible to others. The ship, unaware of any anomaly, sailed directly towards the dock, where it would then transport food back to the sandbar.