Chapter 76: Entering the Game

"Who are you?" Lady Yue collapsed in the courtyard, her gaze filled with utter despair.

In just a few days, she had endured torment beyond imagination. Life in prison was something a pampered woman like her could never bear. She was locked up with several other inmates, bullied, harassed, mocked, and even beaten daily. The food was pitifully scarce; steamed buns and spoiled vegetables shoved together, and whatever little edible there was would be snatched away in moments, leaving her hungry even for the rotten scraps. At night, she could only curl up in a corner, the ground strewn with dry straw, mixed with filth—mud or dung, she could not tell. Sometimes, as she tried to sleep, she felt rats gnawing at her feet.

Just as she was on the verge of madness, the guards informed her that someone had paid her ransom, and she was to be released. Even then, she had to endure their lewd jokes, flatter and ingratiate herself merely to be let go.

She returned home, filthy and foul-smelling like a beggar, her feet worn and bleeding. She had hoped that Shen Zhifeng had a pang of conscience, or perhaps Shen Minglei paid for her release, but the house was empty. All valuables had been taken, and Ling'er, her maid, had died in prison, abandoned by everyone.

Alone, she reminisced about her former life: draped in gold and silver, bathing in water strewn with petals, dining on exquisite delicacies, picking only what pleased her from an abundant table, leaving the rest simply for the pleasure of seeing it. Except for serving Shen Zhifeng, everything else was handled by Ling'er or other maids and matrons.

It felt like a lifetime ago.

As she sat in a daze, a black-clad figure suddenly appeared and stabbed her thigh with a sword. The agony made her cry out, tears streaming down her face. "Why? Why won't you let me go, even now!"

Once, her delicate tears might have aroused a man's pity, but now, filthy and reeking, the assassin showed no compassion, thrusting his blade straight for her chest.

A metallic clang rang out.

Han Feng leapt down from the eaves, intercepting the fatal blow. The other masked men joined the fray, but Han Feng held off several attackers with ease. After dozens of exchanges, many were wounded, and realizing defeat, the assassins fled.

Back at the Duke's residence, Shen Zhifeng paced anxiously. When his men returned, he pressed them eagerly, "Well? Was it handled smoothly?"

The leader knelt, "Forgive us, Master. Someone intervened and saved Lady Yue. We couldn't match him."

"Useless fools!" Shen Zhifeng kicked the man over. "Go investigate, find her, and kill her at once!"

Who could have rescued Lady Yue? Was it her former lover, that Chen Yan? How infuriating.

Helpless, Shen Zhifeng headed for the Warm Jade Pavilion.

Inside, Madam Han and Shen Qingyun were chatting over dinner. Madam Han smiled, picking up a piece of Dongpo pork. "Qingyun, you must eat more. Why are you still so slender?"

Shen Qingyun smiled wryly. "Mother, how can I look good if I gain weight?"

"Nonsense! No matter what, my Qingyun is always beautiful." Madam Han beamed with pride, utterly adorable.

"Why didn't you wait for me to eat?"

Again.

Hearing the familiar voice, Shen Qingyun felt a surge of impatience, her earlier ease vanishing.

Madam Han, however, was delighted, immediately ordering another place setting. "The meal hour came and you hadn't arrived, so I thought, as usual, you wouldn't join us. Qingyun was hungry, so we started."

Lately, Shen Zhifeng had shed his usual indifference, becoming unusually attentive, even coming to the Warm Jade Pavilion for meals and rest every day. Madam Han found it bewildering.

Shen Qingyun knew all too well—he was waiting for news of Lady Yue's death. Judging by his expression, Han Feng must have succeeded.

Unable to vent his frustration elsewhere, Shen Zhifeng, unable to bear Shen Qingyun's happiness, began to lecture Madam Han. "You should discipline Qingyun. She's been back so long, yet she still behaves like a country girl, lacking manners. Can she eat before her father returns?"

Madam Han seemed a little aggrieved at his words; Shen Zhifeng, realizing he'd gone too far, offered a few words of comfort.

Shen Qingyun rolled her eyes inwardly, hastily ate a couple of bites, and left.

Seeing Madam Han so easily commanded by Shen Zhifeng, still wearing a blissful expression, Shen Qingyun resolved to let her mother see his true nature.

She would let Madam Han meet Lady Yue.

Back at the Reed Pavilion, Shen Qingyun reclined on her chaise, rubbing her forehead. She summoned Han Yu. "How is everything progressing?"

Han Yu stepped forward quietly, as if savoring the faint fragrance emanating from Shen Qingyun. He bowed his head. "The Princess of Heshou has discreetly arranged the marriage of Lady Jing'an."

"So soon?" Shen Qingyun was surprised.

Though Lady Jing'an's mind had become confused, surely the wedding should await an auspicious day.

Han Yu considered for a moment. "It seems they've embraced the notion of a wedding to dispel misfortune."

Shen Qingyun raised her brows; this was interesting—perhaps Lian Rufeng had suggested it?

According to Li Wang's sources, Lian Rufeng was sent to treat Lady Jing'an, and the Princess of Heshou was quite grateful, since summoning a divine physician was no small feat.

Lady Jing'an had taken medicine, and her clarity was slowly returning, though most of the time she was still incoherent.

Shen Minglei had endured much humiliation, yet accepted the idea of a wedding to restore fortune.

It made sense—after Lady Yue's imprisonment, turmoil must have filled his heart. Seeing his own helplessness, he would naturally grasp at anything to climb higher.

"What about Han Feng?"

"He has found a place to settle Lady Yue, awaiting your instructions, Miss."

Shen Qingyun nodded.

With no further orders, Han Yu suppressed the turmoil in his gaze, fading into the shadows. He felt pain, but Han Feng had warned him that such emotions, if carelessly revealed, would only bring trouble for Miss Shen.

He had to endure. He needed to find ways to keep busy, or he would become greedy, wanting to draw closer, speak more, even touch her—just once.

Han Yu sighed inwardly and went to investigate the Princess's residence.

After all, Lady Jing'an was now deranged, sometimes calling out for Si Mo Li, sometimes demanding Shen Qingyun's death. The Princess of Heshou, alarmed by her outbursts, held a subdued wedding banquet.

Two maids restrained Lady Jing'an, but at least the rites to Heaven and Earth were performed.

Shen Minglei, clad in red wedding robes, sat on the bridal couch, surrounded by peanuts and dates.

Lady Jing'an sat beside him, her head covered by a red veil, muttering incessantly.

Suppressing his displeasure, Shen Minglei lowered his voice, striving for gentleness. "My lady, it is time for our wedding night."

He picked up the bridal scale, lifted the red veil, and revealed Lady Jing'an's face.