Chapter Ten: Every Family Has Its Own Rules

He harbored a decade’s worth of hatred in his heart. Outwardly obedient, no one could guess what thoughts truly occupied his mind. The male lead had always been inscrutable; even the heroine in the original novel could not fathom him. She feared people with such hidden depths the most, but now that she was here, she had no choice.

Shen Nanyuan’s gaze fell upon him, studying him carefully. Yesterday, his complexion had been deathly pale; today, some color had returned to his cheeks. With proper care, he should recover soon enough. After a moment’s thought, she suddenly said, “Once you’re well, would you like to learn martial arts from my elder brother?”

The moment those words left her lips, not only Xiao Yan but also Qingrui and Uncle Li turned to her in astonishment. Though they knew their young lady was kind-hearted, this suggestion truly surprised them.

For someone as young as Shen Sinian to already be a commandant—allowing a servant to learn martial arts from him was an extraordinary opportunity. And since their young lady had made the offer, the young master was sure to agree. It might not be proper, but everyone knew how much Shen Sinian doted on his sister.

Seeing Xiao Yan’s stunned expression, Shen Nanyuan cleared her throat softly and continued, “From now on, you’ll be a guard for my Shaohua Court. With some martial skills, you’ll be able to protect yourself. If you’re willing, I’ll speak to my brother; you need only learn from him.”

For the first time in two days, she saw a look on Xiao Yan’s face other than indifference. Unable to help herself, she let her eyes crinkle with a slight smile. “Would you like to learn?”

Her clear, bright gaze seemed even more dazzling than the sun outside, making Xiao Yan’s heart suddenly tighten. He quickly lowered his eyes. “Thank you, Miss.”

Shen Nanyuan nodded. “Rest now and focus on healing your wounds. We’ll speak of this again when you’re better. I’ll be going back.”

She turned to leave, her eyes falling on the untouched pastries. After a moment’s hesitation, she added, “I bought these myself. The servants of Shaohua Court all have some; these are yours. Eat them if you like, or, if you don’t want them, give them to Uncle Li to share with others.”

Xiao Yan watched as Shen Nanyuan’s figure disappeared from sight, his gaze then falling on the pastries Uncle Li had just brought in. Truth be told, even if she hadn’t said so, he had already guessed they were from her.

Uncle Li chuckled. “Now you know why all the servants of the Duke of Zhenguo’s household want to work in Shaohua Court, don’t you?”

He went on, “Miss was afraid you wouldn’t eat them if you knew she’d bought them, so she told me not to mention it. She means well. All of us in Shaohua Court have them—Qingrui just ate several pieces herself.” As he spoke, Uncle Li made his way out. “Eat up now—I need to get back to the kitchens.”

Xiao Yan opened his mouth to call after him, but Uncle Li walked so quickly that he was already gone before Xiao Yan could get a word out.

After a pause, Xiao Yan picked up a piece of pastry, took a bite, and found it overly sweet and rich—nothing to his taste. Frowning, he finished the piece he’d bitten, wrapped up the rest, then poured himself a cup of tea to wash away the cloying flavor. Only then did his tightly knit brows finally ease a little.

But this young lady… she truly was a peculiar person. So different from the other members of the Shen family he’d encountered—she left him at a loss.

Yet, after all, she was still a Shen.

Lowering his eyes, he set his teacup on the table. Shen Jinyu’s words echoed relentlessly in his mind, and he curled his lips in a cold, mocking smile.

—

“Tell me about those outrageous things Shen Jinyu has done outside,” Shen Nanyuan said, sitting down on the couch in her inner chamber, her brows lightly knit and her expression tinged with gravity.

In the original novel, little was written of his exploits—most of the focus was on how he tormented Xiao Yan. Yet from the scattered hints, it was clear he was a spoiled young master, arrogant and overbearing.

“I haven’t heard much, Miss,” Qingrui replied softly after some thought. “I only know that recently, Young Master got into a fight because someone took his private room at Mingyue Restaurant. He beat the man black and blue. Still unsatisfied after returning home, he even sent people to beat the man again, until he couldn’t even crawl.”

“That man’s family is a wealthy merchant household in the capital. He’s their only son, an honest man who often helps the poor and runs his business properly. When he learned that the young master was from the Duke of Zhenguo’s household, he dared not report it to the authorities and swallowed the loss in silence. It’s said he lost all heart for business and his affairs have since fallen into ruin.”

The matter had been well concealed, with Concubine Meng cleaning up Shen Jinyu’s mess behind the scenes, so only a few select servants knew of it, and word had never reached Shen Yi’s ears.

Shen Yi, who commanded troops to protect the people’s peace and security, would be furious to learn his own son was running amok under the Duke’s name. That was why Concubine Meng worked so hard to keep it from him.

Shen Jinyu had never suffered any consequences, which only made him more brazen by the day.

Shen Nanyuan’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, and she beckoned Qingrui over. “Send someone to that merchant’s house. Tell them to come to the Duke of Zhenguo’s estate tomorrow morning at the time I specify. My father will have just returned from court, and I’ll be there to help them. Tell them not to worry; the Duke’s household will see justice done.”

“If they’re worried about retaliation from Shen Jinyu, tell them I will protect them. They need only speak the truth about what he’s done.”

Qingrui was stunned. “Miss… you mean to…”

A cold smile curved Shen Nanyuan’s lips. “The nation has its laws, and the family its rules. If Concubine Meng won’t discipline him, then I, as his elder sister, will teach him a lesson.”

The aura and demeanor Qingrui saw in that moment were unlike anything she’d witnessed before. Startled for a moment, she quickly regained her composure, bowed deeply, and said, “I’ll see to it at once, Miss.”

The next day.

Shen Nanyuan rose especially early and, upon seeing Shen Yi step down from his carriage, greeted him with a bright, cheerful smile.

“Father,” she said, affectionately taking his arm, “let me join you for breakfast.”

A smile broke out on Shen Yi’s face, tinged with emotion. Ever since his daughter had stopped caring for that Jun Ci, she had become more obedient and close to him. He was delighted, and resolved all the more to break off that engagement as soon as possible.

He smiled and said to the servants by his side, “Tell the kitchens to prepare Miss’s favorite dishes.”

“Yes, General.”

Shen Nanyuan glanced back without betraying any emotion. At that moment, a voice rang out from not far away, choked with tears: “General! Please, you must give justice to a humble soul like me!”

The guards on either side immediately stepped in front of Shen Yi, shouting sternly, “Who dares to cause a disturbance at the Duke of Zhenguo’s estate!”

The imposing manner of the guards made the woman falter in fear. She fell to her knees, disheveled and wretched, kowtowing repeatedly. “General, please give justice to a humble soul like me!”