Chapter 115: Quite Self-Aware

“If Miss Lin is simply looking for someone easy to bully to vent your frustrations, then I think you’ve found the wrong person.”

Shen Nanyuan spoke indifferently, “I am no longer the person who endured everything for Jun Ci.”

Lin Yan seemed to have been caught off guard, as if Shen Nanyuan’s words pierced a secret thought buried deep in her heart. Her lashes quivered violently.

She truly had nowhere left to vent.

In her heart, she still harbored a faint hope for Jun Ci, wishing that one day he might return to seek her out. So when she saw him for the last time, she only spoke words meant to hurt him, but did not show absolute ruthlessness.

In the past, no matter what Jun Ci said, Shen Nanyuan would always swallow her anger, never uttering a single complaint. But today, it was clear her character was not as submissive as that.

Lin Yan’s gaze flickered evasively, and as she pressed her lips together, her complexion gradually turned pale.

“Since we’ve come to this point, I advise you, Miss Lin, that someone like Jun Ci isn’t worth your devotion. I liked him since I was young and managed to move on; I believe you can too.”

Lin Yan couldn’t help but let a bitter smile slip across her lips.

“It’s not as easy as you say. My reputation is already ruined. Whenever people mention me, they inevitably bring up Jun Ci. What good future could I possibly have?”

“Look at me,” Shen Nanyuan’s clear eyes held no trace of a smile, and she appeared earnest. “Just after breaking off the engagement with Jun Ci, the entire capital was abuzz with rumors about me, as you surely know. Am I ruined now?”

“Miss Lin, as the daughter of the Grand Tutor, you’re bound to have a good future ahead—just not yet.”

Lin Yan shook her head bitterly.

She did not know why, but her eyes gradually reddened and tears began to gather.

Shen Nanyuan was speechless.

She was doomed; she’d made her cry.

She glanced helplessly around at the people nearby and clicked her tongue.

Was anyone going to think she had bullied Lin Yan to tears? Would they assume she was using her status to oppress others? She’d never be able to explain herself.

Shen Nanyuan pressed her lips together. “...Why are you crying?”

“The county princess is rather domineering,” Lin Yan’s eyes dropped and the tears finally fell. “Is it the county princess’s business if others cry?”

“I don’t want to meddle, but if you cry like this, people will think I’m bullying you. What am I supposed to do?” Shen Nanyuan took a step back. “I did nothing, and you came looking for trouble! I only said a few words, and you immediately cried. Am I not allowed to speak at all? Should I just let you berate me forever?”

Lin Yan sniffled. “...I’m not stopping you from speaking.”

She wiped her tears with a handkerchief and continued, “I simply couldn’t hold back all of a sudden. I’m not so malicious as to deliberately make others misunderstand you.”

She had suddenly realized everything she had clung to was like a handful of sand—gone in the blink of an eye.

This emptiness made her feel as though a cold wind was blowing through a hollow in her heart, chilling her to the bone.

Shen Nanyuan said, “Though these words may sound harsh now, you’re not like me. You and Jun Ci never had an engagement. Even when he said he’d propose, nothing came of it. Honestly, there’s really nothing between you and Jun Ci.”

She continued, “Outsiders may gossip for a while, but in time, they’ll forget. Unless you foolishly blurt out everything yourself, as you did at the Gao family, things aren’t as bad as you imagine.”

Lin Yan wiped her tears, fingers tightening around her handkerchief. She glanced at Shen Nanyuan’s slightly furrowed brow and let out a bitter smile. “If it were as you say, that would be wonderful, but reality is what it is. I brought this upon myself.”

Like Jun Ci, she was suffering the consequences of her own actions.

Their karma had finally arrived.

The wheel of fate turns; both Jun Ci and Lin Yan were caught in its whirl, unable to escape.

Her nose stung, and tears fell once more.

Shen Nanyuan kept a straight face. “If you keep crying, I really will leave.”

More and more people were approaching, and seeing someone sobbing in front of her, she truly couldn’t explain what had happened.

Lin Yan’s tears, pent up for so long, streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls, seemingly endless. She forced herself to calm down, wiping her tears for a long while before her emotions settled.

“Today was my fault. I disturbed the county princess. I know this matter has nothing to do with you,” her voice was low and her eyes downcast, her whole demeanor lost and defeated. “I apologize for the offense and ask for your forgiveness.”

Shen Nanyuan replied, “Good that you know, but I won’t forgive you.”

She waved her hand. “Not only will I not forgive you, I also think you’re not a very admirable person.”

Lin Yan’s expression froze, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to respond, but somehow, her mood eased a little because of Shen Nanyuan’s words. “The county princess is noble; I am just the daughter of the Grand Tutor. Naturally, whatever you say is right. I admit I am prone to jealousy and have many flaws. You are not wrong.”

Shen Nanyuan said, “Well, at least you’re self-aware.”

Lin Yan swallowed all her words, unable to say anything more.

Shen Nanyuan, feeling lazy, said, “Enough. I have nothing more to say to you, and you probably don’t either. You should leave now.”

Lin Yan pressed her lips together and lowered her eyes. “As you wish, county princess. I’ll take my leave.”

As Shen Nanyuan watched her go, she clicked her tongue.

Jun Ci really was despicable!

Even worse than in the original story! A textbook scoundrel, drifting between two women. Before transmigrating into this story, a man like him would have been completely disgraced if exposed!

But after today, Lin Yan probably wouldn’t trouble her again.

Peace at last.

Everything concerning Jun Ci should now have nothing to do with her.

Not long after, Meng Chuyue finished collecting her paper kite and walked over, glancing at Shen Nanyuan with a curious look in her eyes.

“I saw someone talking to you while I was flying the kite. I was too far away to see clearly. Who was that?”

“Lin Yan,” Shen Nanyuan replied. “She said a few words and started crying, then left.”

She spoke lightly, but Meng Chuyue could sense that things were not as simple as she made them sound; Lin Yan must have come to make trouble for her.