Chapter Five: With the Young Lady Present

Shen Jinyu nodded frantically. "Yes, yes, yes, I will remember what you said, Sister."

He asked cautiously, "Then I'll head back now."

Shen Nanyuan nodded, and he immediately turned and ran off without even glancing back.

Fortunately, she had a younger brother at home as well, so dealing with Shen Jinyu was a breeze.

Shen Nanyuan poured herself a cup of tea, then walked over and sat by the bedside. She dipped her finger into the water, and with her moist fingertip, she gently touched the boy’s parched, cracked lips.

It seemed to her that the protagonist’s body stiffened slightly, though perhaps she imagined it.

Jinzhu was startled and rushed over, reaching out to take the cup from Shen Nanyuan’s hand, her voice trembling with panic. “Miss, you shouldn’t do such things. Let me…”

“It’s all right,” Shen Nanyuan replied firmly.

She was stubborn, so Jinzhu had no choice but to give up, standing nearby, tilting her head to watch, anxious and uneasy.

Their young mistress had never done anything like this before…

Jinzhu’s gaze couldn’t help but fall on the boy lying pale as paper on the bed, though his striking features could not be concealed. He was a servant in the household, yet she had never noticed him before. To think that such looks had gone unnoticed—this was the first time she had seen such a handsome servant.

What a pity he’d been beaten so badly.

In truth, Xiao Yan had regained some consciousness even before Shen Nanyuan arrived. It wasn’t until he felt her damp fingertip upon his lips that he finally awoke fully.

Her delicate finger, soft and boneless, was like a feather; each touch made him unconsciously tense up. The softness of the bedding beneath him only added to his confusion.

He was used to waking up in a cold, dim room, alone. He was used to ten years of daily beatings and scolding. This new situation left him at a loss for the first time.

But everyone in the Duke Protector’s household was rotten to the core.

What did this young lady want from him now?

He was numb. The only thing keeping him alive was the thought that one day, he would repay every humiliation he had suffered these past ten years—tenfold.

He would make them beg for life and be unable to die.

—

Shen Nanyuan waited until the boy’s lips regained their moisture before setting the cup down.

“Jinzhu, from now on, let him work in our courtyard. Treat him well.”

Jinzhu glanced at the boy’s battered arm and nodded solemnly. “Yes, Miss.”

She and Qingrui had both followed Shen Nanyuan from a young age, so she spoke without reservation. She sneaked a look at her mistress, her tone teasing. “Miss, with such a handsome boy at your side, Young Master Jun will surely be jealous.”

Normally, her mistress would have blushed and scolded her playfully, but this time, though she laughed, there was a note of relief in her voice. “Don’t mention Jun Ci in front of me again.”

She continued, “I’ve already told Father I want to break the engagement. He’ll probably tell His Majesty at court tomorrow.”

“From then on, Jun Ci and I will have nothing to do with each other. I’m so happy.”

Jinzhu was dumbfounded, her eyes nearly popping out.

The midday meal was sumptuous, most of the dishes favorites of the original mistress, prepared under Qingrui’s instructions. Luckily, she and the original owner shared similar tastes. She devoured two large bowls of rice, leaving Qingrui and Jinzhu staring in astonishment, exchanging a glance.

“Miss, since you’ve come to your senses… your appetite has grown so much.”

Shen Nanyuan replied innocently, “Right? Then bring me half a bowl more!”

Qingrui and Jinzhu were speechless.

Just then, the only other man in Shaohua Courtyard besides the protagonist—namely, the cook—came running in. He was probably around forty, and the original mistress affectionately called him Uncle Li. Shen Nanyuan had sent him to look after the protagonist, since they were all women and it was inconvenient in some respects. Sometimes, it was better to have a man help.

Uncle Li, a bit plump, came in panting, “Miss, he’s awake.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Nanyuan immediately stood up, leaving the rest of her rice untouched, and hurried to the side room.

As soon as she entered, she saw the boy sitting on the edge of the bed, pale and trying to rise. The moment he saw her, his expression unchanged, he was about to kneel in greeting, but Shen Nanyuan dashed over, grasped his arm, her eyes glinting slightly. “...You don’t need to kneel to me anymore. Your back is still hurt—go back and rest.”

Have the protagonist kneel to her?

She feared for her own life if that happened.

Xiao Yan lowered his eyes. Even through a layer of cloth, he could feel how soft her hand was. Yet he stepped back. “I dare not, Miss. I’m only a servant.”

“Not here,” Shen Nanyuan stood before him, her voice gentle. “From now on, you’re part of Shaohua Courtyard. No need for all that formality.”

She added, “You’ve just woken up and your back is still badly injured. Get back into bed.”

“I dare not,” he repeated.

It was as if that was the only phrase he knew.

With his head down, Shen Nanyuan couldn’t see his expression. He was truly frail, and it made her sigh inwardly. The novel had said the protagonist spent ten years in the Duke Protector’s residence, used by Shen Jinyu as a punching bag, barely getting enough to eat. If he weren’t the child of destiny, he’d have perished long ago from beatings and starvation.

At that moment, Uncle Li and Qingrui arrived, carrying steaming food from the kitchen. After setting it on the table, Uncle Li beckoned the boy over. “Come, you must be hungry.”

He smiled kindly. “Miss specially ordered this for you. It’s still hot.”

Shen Nanyuan knew the protagonist would not eat with her there, so she exchanged a look with Uncle Li, then said to the boy, “Go ahead and eat. If you need anything, come find me.”

The boy kept his head down, silent.

After Shen Nanyuan left, Uncle Li pushed the hot food toward the boy, smiling. “Just call me Uncle Li. I hear from Qingrui you’ll be working here in Shaohua Courtyard from now on?”

“You’re in luck. Every servant in the Duke’s household wants to come to Shaohua Courtyard. The young miss is gentle and kind. You won’t have to worry about going hungry or being bullied anymore.”

Xiao Yan was already starving and ate quickly, much more reserved compared to the talkative Uncle Li.

“There’s no need to worry about your injuries either,” Uncle Li sighed. “The medicine’s been prepared; you’ll recover soon. The young master was really ruthless.”

“But with the young miss here, the young master won’t dare trouble you again.”

Xiao Yan lowered his eyes, his grip on the chopsticks tightening, a cold and mocking look flickering in their depths.