Chapter 124: Learning to Take Care of Sister

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Speaking of which, Shen Siyian was indeed more familiar with the Duke of Zhen’s mansion. The paths he led them along never repeated, and they finally arrived at the courtyard where Shen Nanyuan lived. He smiled and said, “We’ve finally reached the largest and finest courtyard in the Duke’s mansion, aside from Grandmother’s. Father and Mother are clearly biased.”

Wu Miaofu couldn’t help but grow curious.

Having just toured the entire mansion, she was already amazed by the other courtyards. She had always known the Duke’s mansion was vast, but only today did she realize it was far more magnificent than the ornate beams and painted rafters, vermilion eaves, and jade-green tiles that common folk spoke of. It was beyond anything she had dared to imagine in all her years.

Shen Nanyuan said, “...If you have any complaints, just tell Father and Mother directly.”

“You’re the apple of their eye. Who would dare criticize you?”

Shen Siyian stepped into the Shaohua Courtyard. “Come, cousin, take a look. This is the treasured courtyard of the entire Duke of Zhen’s household.”

Wu Miaofu followed closely inside. Staring at the courtyard before her, she widened her eyes in quiet astonishment.

Delicate pavilions and towers, winding corridors, serene and exquisite—though grand in scale, the architecture was refined. The entire courtyard was resplendent, easily twice the size of the one she lived in. No wonder even Shen Siyian spoke this way.

“There’s a backyard too. I’ll take you there later,” Shen Siyian said, seating himself on a stone chair in the courtyard. “It’s been a long time since I’ve walked around inside the mansion like today. It’s quite tiring.”

He continued, “This is the last courtyard. I brought you here especially. We’ll have lunch here with Yuanyuan. Let me tell you, the cooks here make better food than the ones in my place.”

Shen Nanyuan couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “So everything here is better than at your place?”

“Yes,” Shen Siyian laughed, “Otherwise, why would I always come here to eat?”

“...”

Shen Nanyuan had no retort.

She turned to Qing Suo. “Tell Li Bo to prepare extra for lunch.”

Then, casting a glance at Shen Siyian, she added, “There’s a pig here; if you don’t make enough, it won’t be enough.”

Shen Siyian: “...”

Revenge is swift and on the spot—no wonder she’s my sister.

“By the way, the royal hunt is in a few days. Don’t forget to bring some silver coins. When we get there, head straight for the persimmon tree. More and more people know about it now; if we’re late, there won’t be any left.”

Shen Siyian thought for a moment and added, “Pick plenty, and save some for the Third Prince as well.”

The Third Prince?

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Wu Miaofu’s eyelashes fluttered slightly.

From their tone, it seemed they were quite familiar with the Third Prince.

...But then again, the Duke of Zhen’s family was a prestigious and powerful household. It was only natural they would be familiar with the princes. Still, this was somewhat shocking to her.

People who were rarely heard of, or never encountered at all, were easily seen by the young masters and misses of the Duke’s mansion.

Shen Nanyuan responded, “Will Xiao Yan be joining the hunt this year?”

“Yes. He wants to prove the doubters wrong. Otherwise, those ministers will have no idea what to say behind his back.”

Shen Siyian said leisurely, “This kind of hunt is a trivial matter for the Third Prince. His martial skills are far superior to the other princes, after all, he was trained by me.”

A faint smile appeared on Shen Nanyuan’s features. “That much is true.”

Wu Miaofu sat quietly beside them, acutely aware of the vast gap between herself and them.

Back in Yunzhou, she was a celebrated talented woman. It was precisely because of this that her father refused to let her be confined to that small place and sent her to the capital.

But after arriving here, she realized she was nothing.

Her pride from Yunzhou shattered instantly upon arriving in the capital. A wave of inferiority engulfed her heart, lingering without dissipating. She pressed her lips together, her nails digging slightly into her flesh.

The new clothes were delivered three days later.

A few days after that came the royal hunt.

Shen Nanyuan’s belongings had been packed early by Qing Suo. She wore the new clothes: a light yellow gauze skirt embroidered with lotus flowers at the cuffs, the hem veiled by a thin layer of sheer fabric. Her hair was adorned with a matching yellow cinnabar hairpin, making her appear lively and striking.

Qing Suo draped a cloak over her and cautioned, “It’s been cold recently, Miss. You must take care.”

“I know,” Shen Nanyuan said with a smile. “Let’s go.”

Thinking about it...

It felt like ages since she last saw Xiao Yan. Although she would undoubtedly encounter the irritating Second Prince at the royal hunt, she could tolerate it.

Wu Miaofu and Shen Jinyu were already waiting at the gate.

Wu Miaofu also wore new clothes today—a pink dress embroidered with delicate butterflies, highlighting her slender figure and lending her a fragile charm. Shen Nanyuan couldn’t help but ask in surprise, “Where’s Big Brother?”

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“Big Brother went to the palace first. He told us to go ahead; he’ll join us soon.”

Shen Jinyu had been grounded last year and missed the royal hunt. Today, even his eyes showed excitement. “Big Brother said you ate lots of persimmons last year. I’ve been craving them ever since. This year, I’m going to stay right under that persimmon tree.”

Shen Nanyuan was helped into the carriage by Qing Suo and smiled upon hearing that. “If you like persimmons, just have the servants buy some outside the mansion.”

“That wouldn’t be the same. It’s the freshness that counts.”

Indeed.

She had eaten some at the royal hunt last year and found them delicious, but hadn’t had any since.

It was all about the freshness.

The three boarded the carriage. Shen Jinyu mysteriously pulled out a food box, which he opened to reveal an assortment of pastries, each different. It was clear they had been thoughtfully bought in advance.

“Sis, I know you like pastries, so I prepared these,” he said with a smile. “You can eat them on the road.”

This felt just like those times they went on spring outings when he would specially buy snacks for the journey.

Shen Nanyuan felt a warm sense of comfort in her heart.

She had never imagined Shen Jinyu could be so considerate.

It proved that early education really mattered; he was a good child.

She smiled broadly. “Jinyu has really grown up. He knows how to take care of his sister now.”

“You treat me so well, I have to treat you well too.”

Pleased by the compliment, Shen Jinyu pointed to an almond pastry in the box. “Sis, try this. It’s the most popular pastry in the capital right now. You have to queue to buy it.”

Shen Nanyuan reached out to pinch one, surprised. “You queued?”

“...” Shen Jinyu’s smile stiffened. “No, they knew I was the young master of the Duke of Zhen’s mansion. As soon as they saw me, they brought it out first.”