Chapter Eleven: Why

Shen Yi’s brow furrowed slightly as he gestured for the guards on either side to withdraw. His innate authority, even without anger, made Shen Nanyuan release her hold on him, obediently following behind as he slowly approached the woman.

“Who are you, and what matter requires my judgment?”

“General,” the woman replied, kowtowing with reddened eyes, “I am a humble merchant in the capital, always conducting my business honestly, never once doing harm. A few days ago, my son got into a conflict with a young master from the Duke of Zhen’s household and was beaten so severely that he was covered in blood. He only just woke up today. My husband has been so worried he’s taken to his bed, and our business has suffered terribly...”

Her words dissolved into sobs. The surrounding silence was almost suffocating. Shen Nanyuan sneaked a glance at Shen Yi. His face was dark with anger, the storm in his expression making her heart pound. She stood quietly at his side, while the servants hardly dared to breathe.

Shen Yi was nearly beside himself with rage, the veins at his temple standing out as he spoke in a voice as cold as death: “You said—a young master from the Duke of Zhen’s household?”

The woman wept, “Yes, many people saw it. Those men said themselves they were from the Duke of Zhen’s house. They said anyone who crossed their young master would end up like this.”

It couldn’t have been Shen Sinian; it could only have been Shen Jinyu.

Shen Yi’s fury reached its peak. He turned slightly, and a guard immediately stepped forward. In a low voice, he ordered, “Investigate.”

“Yes, General.”

Suppressing his wrath, Shen Yi said, “You may rise. If this is true, the Duke of Zhen’s household will see justice done for you.”

The woman’s eyes brightened instantly. Overcome with gratitude, she kowtowed repeatedly. “Thank you, General! Thank you!”

Shen Nanyuan watched her father’s face, then went to help the woman to her feet. “Come now, get up.”

She took a handkerchief and gently wiped the dust from the woman’s brow, whispering, “Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, you’ll be safe.”

The woman looked at Shen Nanyuan with heartfelt gratitude, wiping her tears with her sleeve. She was about to speak in thanks when she saw the young lady frown ever so slightly and shake her head in warning. The woman was perceptive, and immediately lowered her gaze, silently dabbing at her tears.

Shen Yi had someone escort the woman home. He had no appetite for breakfast, but still ordered the kitchens to prepare Shen Nanyuan’s favorite dishes and send them to the Hall of Radiant Grace. Very soon, Lady Meng heard what had occurred that morning. She took Shen Jinyu to Shen Yi’s study, where she wailed and pleaded her innocence for a long time. Shen Nanyuan only curled her lips in silent mockery when she heard the news.

Lady Meng’s spies were everywhere, as expected.

To prevent her from taking revenge on the woman’s family, Shen Nanyuan had asked her father to send some men ostensibly to investigate, but in truth to deter Lady Meng, keeping her from meddling further.

Those who served at Shen Yi’s side had all followed him to the battlefield; their methods were swift and decisive. Soon, the facts were uncovered. The woman had spoken the truth, and even more: they discovered that Shen Jinyu had committed other outrages under the Duke of Zhen’s name.

Shen Yi was furious beyond measure. He had gone to war to protect the people, yet his own son had committed such acts—an utter disgrace. It was a betrayal of his deepest wish to see his people safe and at peace.

Were it not for the woman’s courage in coming to the Duke of Zhen’s household today, he might never have known of his son’s misdeeds. Clearly, someone had been helping Shen Jinyu keep his secrets.

He had devoted himself to the war, trusting that since Shen Sinian had pledged himself to the court’s service, his younger son could live freely, untainted by court intrigue. Never had he imagined that his younger son had already gone astray to such a degree.

“The General ordered thirty strokes of the rod for the young master, but in truth only twenty were delivered. The second madam rushed in to shield him, so the last ten were spared,” Qing Ruo reported everything she had heard to Shen Nanyuan. “Just now, a doctor was called to Clear Breeze Pavilion. The young master has never been punished so harshly before—he’s badly hurt.”

“The General showed no mercy. He even summoned a renowned physician from the capital to treat the woman’s son, and personally visited them in the afternoon. Upon his return, he confined the second madam to her chambers for a month, and the young master for three. But his injuries will take far longer to heal.”

Seated in the pavilion, Shen Nanyuan acknowledged this with a quiet hum, lifting her tea cup for a sip. Her voice remained calm. “With her son so grievously wounded, Lady Meng will not take this lying down. I’ll have to ask my eldest brother to send men to protect that family.”

She tapped her finger lightly on the table, then continued, “Later, we’ll go to Clear Breeze Pavilion.”

“Yes, miss.”

Word of what had happened in the Duke of Zhen’s household had already spread among the staff. Steward Li brought in a bowl of freshly brewed medicine to the side chamber, set it before Xiao Yan, and watched as he drank it down in one gulp before speaking.

“Something happened today,” Steward Li said.

Xiao Yan lifted his gaze, expression calm.

“The young master was punished with thirty strokes by the General’s order,” Li continued. “And now he’s confined for three months—word is, the General discovered what he’d done outside the house. Frankly, with the young master’s behavior, it was only a matter of time. After today, he won’t dare act as before. To tell the truth, apart from the General, the young master fears the eldest miss most of all.”

Xiao Yan frowned slightly, finally speaking, “Why?”

Steward Li was taken aback. “Why what?”

Patiently, Xiao Yan repeated, “Why does he fear the eldest miss?”

“Oh, that.” Li chuckled. “The eldest miss is the most favored. The old madam and the General both dote on her, agreeing to whatever she asks. That’s why the young master is afraid of her.”

“But today’s events were rather coincidental,” Li went on. “Yesterday the young master made a scene here at the Hall of Radiant Grace, and today he was beaten and confined. I shouldn’t say this, but perhaps it’s retribution.”

Xiao Yan’s eyes were as dark and fathomless as a midnight pool, a flash of irony passing through them.

After a moment, he spoke, cool and indifferent: “Perhaps so.”

—

That night, Shen Nanyuan and Qing Ruo walked to Clear Breeze Pavilion. On both sides, guards stationed by Shen Yi stood watch. Upon seeing her, they immediately stepped forward and bowed. “Eldest miss.”

“I want to go in,” Shen Nanyuan said, shifting aside to reveal Qing Ruo carrying a food box behind her. “I’ve brought something for Jinyu.”

The two guards hesitated, looking troubled. “The General ordered that no one is to enter, miss…”

“I’ll leave right after I deliver it. Father will never know,” Shen Nanyuan replied.