The "Hengyang Ironing Training Manual", Shen Han had read it several times.
The last time, according to the methods described in this manual, he forged an inner armor for himself.
Although the finished product was quite poor, after extracting the negative attributes, it was still wearable.
Thinking of this, Shen Han went to pick up some discarded items again.
He threw them into the smelter, mixed with some animal skins, and still managed to forge an inner armor.
This time, his craftsmanship was much better than before.
But compared to those inner armors sold outside, it was still quite lacking.
Shen Han focused his eyes, and a line of small gray words, "Crude Inner Armor", floated above the armor.
He thought his skills had improved somewhat, but unexpectedly, the quality was still inferior...
He extracted the "Crude" attribute and applied a "Superior" one in its place.
The inner armor in his hand was now renewed, looking rather exquisite.
With this gift prepared, Shen Han lay on the bed.
In his mind, he visualized the "Celestial Dao Sword Momentum", beginning to rest and rejuvenate.
At 5:00 AM, the rooster crowed three times outside the courtyard, and Shen Han immediately got up.
Today, as a guest at Prefect Xu's mansion, he should at least tidy himself up a bit.
After having breakfast at home, Shen Han chose to set off at 7:00 AM.
Prefect Xu's mansion was still a distance away from the Shen Family.
Shen Han carried the inner armor he crafted and walked quickly.
Having experienced some turmoil at the government office that day, Shen Han could sense that Prefect Xu had goodwill towards him.
These past few days, he has been contemplating the reasons in his mind.
Shen Han also reached a conclusion in his heart.
If things were as he suspected, then he must strive to build a good relationship with Prefect Xu for protection.
Prefect Xu's mansion was much smaller compared to the Shen Family's.
After all, the Shen Family held a marquis title, and its three sons all held positions in the military.
A larger mansion was only to be expected.
"Young Master Han, this way please, the master has been waiting for you in the garden for a while~"
Upon his arrival, a servant from Prefect Xu's house warmly invited him in.
Compared to the Shen family's servants, he was treated with much more respect.
Turning a corner inside, passing through a corridor, they arrived at the garden within the mansion.
At the center of the garden was a shallow pond with clear water.
It seemed that some aquatic plants and small fish had been deliberately added.
This courtyard scene appeared quite lively.
"How does it compare to the scenery at the Shen Family Mansion? I fear it's lacking a bit, isn't it?"
Seeing Shen Han arrive, Prefect Xu smiled and invited him to sit in the courtyard.
"The garden at the Shen Mansion is indeed larger, with a more luxurious decor.
But compared to your residence, Lord Prefect, it lacks a certain vitality and warmth."
Shen Han's words had a deeper meaning, one that Prefect Xu understood.
Still smiling, he instructed the servant to bring freshly brewed tea.
The two sat by the shallow pond. Prefect Xu, looking at the fish, began to speak.
"Do you know why I've invited you over today?"
Prefect Xu wore a constant smile, appearing approachable.
"Feel free to speak openly, I wish to hear your thoughts."
Shen Han hesitated for a moment, then shared some of his speculations.
"His Holiness has decreed a royal marriage, but it seems he doesn't truly wish for our families to unite.
Otherwise, I wouldn't be the one, an unloved grandson, chosen to marry the Su Family's pride."
As Shen Han spoke, Prefect Xu's smile grew even broader.
"You truly see things clearly, young man, continue."
"Neither the Shen nor Su families wish for an unpopular grandson like me to marry the Su family's pride. Yet if they request His Holiness to annul the marriage, both families would have to pay a price.
Thus, they thought to create some irresistible conditions, making the Imperial Family reluctant to proceed and leaving no choice but to retract the marriage decree.
The simplest method would be to make me, a despised descendant, crippled.
The esteemed Su Family's pride wouldn't marry a cripple."
Shen Han analyzed his situation with a calm demeanor.
"And from His Holiness's standpoint, he'd prefer the Shen and Su families to request the Imperial Family to cancel the marriage, so in exchange, he could attain benefits for the Imperial Family,
not through sacrificing a family member to nullify the marriage."
When Shen Han arrived at this point, Prefect Xu gestured for him to stop.
"Three years ago, His Holiness employed a similar tactic against the Prime Minister's Mansion. The two families went to His Holiness earnestly, paid certain costs, and had the marriage canceled.
Perhaps His Holiness didn't expect the Shen Family's heart to be so ruthless, willing to sacrifice their descendant rather than pay any price."
Prefect Xu gazed at Shen Han with a hint of sympathy.
Seeing the determination in Shen Han's eyes, his sympathy turned into admiration.
"Your visit to my mansion today will be known, and henceforth, in the Shen Family Mansion, they won't dare use excessively dirty tricks against you.
If any elder in your family blatantly oppresses you, feel free to inform my office.
Without respect from above, without compassion from below, my office will have grounds to protect you."
Shen Han bowed to Prefect Xu in gratitude.
He knew Prefect Xu's protection was due to supporting His Holiness's side.
Nevertheless, Prefect Xu's protection was invaluable, regardless of the motives behind it.
Speaking of which, Shen Han hurriedly presented the gift he had brought.
An exquisitely crafted inner armor was unveiled.
"Did you make this yourself?"
"In my life, I'm somewhat struggling, and this inner armor was made from old materials. I hope Lord Prefect won't mind."
Prefect Xu picked up the inner armor, examining it carefully.
"Your craftsmanship is much better than my son's.
My son spends his days in the side courtyard forging iron, barely reads, and doesn't practice the martial path...
The problem is, his skills haven't improved much..."
Talking about his son, Prefect Xu slipped into his role as a caring father.
"I've heard that Young Master Xu loves forging craftsmanship; would it be possible to exchange ideas today?"
"My son's quite reclusive, doesn't speak much even with us... well, let's go and take a look..."
Walking to the west side of the mansion, taking a few more steps, the sound of clanging could be heard.
Crossing a door, they saw a spacious courtyard scattered with forging tools.
Young Master Xu glanced at the two men, then continued hammering away.
Shen Han remained silent, picking up a piece of scrap iron and a hammer, and began to strike.
With the rhythmic clanging, Young Master Xu couldn't help but glance over, and gradually began to talk and converse.
Forming friendships among men isn't too difficult, at least compared to women, it's much easier.
For instance, right now, Shen Han and Young Master Xu, not even knowing each other's names, were already engaged in lively conversation.
Shen Han had long memorized the "Hengyang Ironing Training Manual," and chatting about crafting techniques with Young Master Xu was more than adequate.
On the other hand, Young Master Xu's theoretical knowledge was surprisingly lacking.
Loving crafting, he began forging without even thinking of studying some classical texts.