Chapter Thirty-Three: Words Mean Nothing

"Dealt with some people?" Jin Zhu watched Shen Nanyuan hurriedly stride into the house and, puzzled, tugged at Qing Rui's arm. "What happened? Who did the young lady deal with?"

"Just a few gossipy servants," Qing Rui replied as they walked. "While Miss was away, they bullied Xiao Yan and talked behind his back. Miss happened to overhear them, taught them a lesson, and ordered that they be locked in the woodshed without food."

"A lot of people saw it," Qing Rui added. "Miss was really standing up for Xiao Yan, making it clear to everyone in the Duke of Zhen's residence that no one is allowed to bully him."

They had all heard bits about Xiao Yan's life before coming to Shaohua Court—never enough to eat, and always in danger of a beating. Now, even after moving here, those people still whispered behind his back, looking down on him. Shen Nanyuan had chastised them in front of everyone today, sending a clear message: Xiao Yan was under her protection.

Jin Zhu couldn't help but sigh, "Miss is so kind."

"Isn't she though," Qing Rui agreed. "Miss treats everyone in our courtyard the best."

Their conversation faded as they walked away.

Inside, Xiao Yan stood with his eyes lowered, his expression shadowed and unreadable.

The dishes were indeed cold, but still edible. Shen Nanyuan ate halfway, then seemed to remember something and told Qing Rui, "Later, take some food to the woodshed and throw it on the ground. Let’s see if they’ll eat it."

"Yes, Miss," Qing Rui said, then hesitated. "If Madam asks..."

"Just tell her the truth," Shen Nanyuan replied. "My mother won't say anything."

She continued, "Oh, and don’t let Xiao Yan know about this."

He was a man of pride; if he found out what had happened, it would surely trouble him. Besides, whether it was Shen Jinyu or those servants, they all belonged to the Duke of Zhen’s household.

Lately, his hatred toward the Shen family had finally eased a bit. If it flared up again, all her previous efforts would be wasted.

Outside, the sky had fallen completely dark.

After eating her fill and bathing, Shen Nanyuan sat by the window on the soft couch, reading a storybook. Here, this was the one pleasure she allowed herself, and even then she read in secret. Only Qing Rui knew; if Madam Shen found out, she would surely scold her. So she only dared to sneak a glance each night at this hour.

But she had barely turned a few pages when a commotion sounded outside. She and Qing Rui exchanged a glance, then quickly hid the book and sat upright on the couch, her gaze narrowing as she peered out the window.

Jin Zhu hurried in, head bowed. "Miss, Second Madam is here."

Her words had barely left her lips when a woman entered from outside. Though dressed in fine clothes, her face was haggard, gone was her usual pride. At the sight of Shen Nanyuan, she rushed forward, tears streaming, and gripped her hand.

"Yu’er, please help Jinyu. He’s been confined for over a month now. Your father is determined to punish him this time, and won’t let me visit him in Qingfeng Pavilion..."

Her eyes brimmed with tears, full of hope. "I know you’ve always cared for Jinyu. Your father loves you most—if you speak up, he’ll surely listen."

Madam Meng had been confined for over a month and hadn’t seen her son in all that time. Shen Yi had forbidden her from entering Qingfeng Pavilion. Now desperate, it was understandable that she came seeking help.

But she had asked the wrong person.

It was Shen Nanyuan who had specifically asked Shen Yi not to let Madam Meng visit Qingfeng Pavilion, fearing that once her confinement ended, she would fill Shen Jinyu’s head with misguided ideas, making him even less likely to understand his father and more arrogant. Much of Shen Jinyu’s current temperament could be traced back to Madam Meng’s indulgence.

She sobbed uncontrollably. Shen Nanyuan and the maid helped her to the couch. Shen Nanyuan spoke calmly, "Aunt, it’s not that I don’t want to help Jinyu. This time, Father is truly angry. Even if I plead for him, Father won’t agree."

"Your father loves you so much, he’ll surely listen. Yu’er, I only have this one son. Please, help your aunt, won’t you?" Madam Meng cried, eyes red, clutching Shen Nanyuan’s hands in despair. "Jinyu is just a bit mischievous, but he’s still a good child."

Shen Nanyuan was silent.

She couldn’t help but frown. "Aunt, what he did can’t just be dismissed as childish mischief."

"Jinyu is still young..."

"He’s not," Shen Nanyuan’s eyes were clear and full of helplessness. "When my eldest brother was his age, he was already discussing state affairs with Father."

She withdrew her hand from Madam Meng’s grasp, her wrist red from the pressure, and gently rubbed it. "Aunt, I know Jinyu is your only son and you adore him, but blind indulgence will only teach him to disregard consequences. Today he can hit someone; tomorrow he might kill. He’ll never understand the gravity of his actions. Surely you don’t want to see him end up like that?"

Qing Rui poured two cups of hot tea, the steam rising and softening Shen Nanyuan’s features, making her appear distant and ethereal.

Madam Meng had never seen her like this before. She had come expecting to persuade Shen Nanyuan to plead for Jinyu, but found her words full of refusal. Anger rose within her, and she let out a cold laugh. "So this is your way of saying you refuse to help."

"Jinyu has always respected you, but now, when he needs you most, his beloved sister won’t even speak a word for him."

Shen Nanyuan was astonished at Madam Meng’s sudden change of attitude. With such indulgence, it was little wonder Shen Jinyu had become so arrogant.

She raised her eyes, her expression devoid of any smile. "Aunt, precisely because Jinyu is my brother, I want what’s best for him. If he keeps going down this path, do you know what will happen?"

Madam Meng’s gaze was mocking, and she said nothing.

Seeing this, Shen Nanyuan understood that no matter what she said, Madam Meng wouldn’t listen. Her mind was fixed only on her own disappointment, and once Jinyu’s confinement was lifted, she would surely speak ill of Shen Nanyuan to him.

So, there was no point in saying more.

"In that case, Aunt, please go back. But let me urge you, if you want Jinyu to live well, don’t spoil him any further, and don’t fill his head with your petty views. Otherwise, you’ll be the one who ruins his life."