Shen Yi picked up a grain husk and bounced it on the bird's head: "Shut up, flat-peak hairy animal."

The bird was very angry at being beaten, it screamed and scolded: "Little hairless animal! You are the Sang Men star* hairless animal!"

*丧门星，refers to people who brought disasters and misfortune

Shen Yi was stunned, handing the reins of his horse to his family servant. He had not heard the words 'Sang Men star' for a long time. He could not help turning his head and asking, "Who is visiting our family?"

The servant answered, "General, Third Madam came with Young Master Hui, they are talking to Old Master inside."

Shen Yi's heart suddenly had an ominous foreboding. Third Madam was his Third Uncle's wife. Because of him, his uncle had died young, leaving only an orphan child and a widow mother at home. His cousin Shen Hui grew up weak and sick, along with his loose lifestyle as an adult, not doing anything from day to night, always mixing up with women. His face bore the appearance of kidney deficiency from excessive indulgence.

Although Master Shen had always felt ashamed towards his sister-in-law, his aunt placed the early death of his Third Uncle on Shen Yi's head. The two families had not interacted for a long time. Shen Yi still remembered the woman in mourning attire pointing at him and scolding that he was a 'Sang Men star'. He asked with curiosity: "Why is Aunt coming here?"

Servant: "This... this servant does not know either, but I saw that Third Madam brought forward a lot of gifts, even acted with much politeness after entering the doors. Perhaps she only wants to visit relatives, there is nothing bad."

Shen Yi responded with an 'Ah' and went in with a heavy heart, he could see his Third Aunt and cousin were both here. The beautiful widow from that year had grown old. Third Madam had prominent cheekbones, jaw sharp as a knife. Shen Hui was in worse condition, with black circles and eye bags that could droop to his feet. His whole body was an empty shell of pointed-mouths and a monkey's cheek. He gave a flattering smile as soon as he saw Shen Yi, making one feel uncomfortable.

Before Shen Yi could finish greeting, Third Madam had already stood up, the handkerchief in her hands rolled up into a ball. She laughed and said, "I haven't seen Ji Ping for many years, you have made such a great success. The governor of the Southwest, a big official in the frontier, your future and career is sure to be limitless.

"As a mother myself, I'm not as hard-hearted as your father. If I had known better, I would have kicked this good-for-nothing brother of yours out of the house and let him wander wherever, so it wouldn't have to come to this."

Shen Yi did not know what she meant, he stayed politely silent.