Chapter Fifty-Four: Everyone Looks Down on Us

“Otherwise, he’ll only grow more brazen, living as a pampered young master in the Duke Protector’s household, never wanting for food or drink. True, the Duke Protector’s estate can shield him for a time, but I don’t wish to see him rely on it for his whole life.”

Xiao Yan followed closely behind her, listening as her voice remained calm and gentle.

“And besides, after all these years of how he’s treated you,” Shen Nanyuan continued, “it’s only right that he apologizes. You are one of Shaohua Courtyard’s people, and I wish to help you get some justice as well.”

She paused briefly after speaking, then stopped in her tracks and turned to face Xiao Yan. Her eyes were so bright and clear, it made one’s heart tremble.

“It’s just that this justice comes far too late—I know it can never truly make amends. Still, even so, I wish to offer an apology on his behalf. In the past, the Duke Protector’s household failed in its responsibility, leading him to make so many mistakes. I hope you can forgive us.”

Her voice was soft and gentle, her gaze utterly sincere—like the warmest ray of winter sunlight, making one want to lose themselves in her clear eyes.

Xiao Yan hurriedly lowered his gaze, his heart pounding in his chest.

“My lady, you overstate it. I have long since forgotten those things.”

Again, the same words.

Shen Nanyuan sighed inwardly, thinking to herself that asking him to let go of his resentment was not so easily done.

But then she heard his voice continue, “My lady treats the young master so well.”

He had never said such words before, which made Shen Nanyuan a little surprised. After a moment’s thought, she replied, “He is my younger brother; of course I treat him well.”

Then, smiling, she added, “And you are one of Shaohua Courtyard’s people. I will treat you well too.”

There were already so many people by her side.

Xiao Yan’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “That is too great an honor for me.”

Indeed, she was good to everyone.

Somewhere in his heart, a selfish thought had begun to grow, one that even startled himself—he dared not let it show, only bury it deep within. But ever since he learned the truth, this selfish longing had grown like a creeping vine, winding tighter and tighter in his heart, until it was nearly beyond his control.

He continued to follow behind Shen Nanyuan, watching her light, lively figure and the way her silken hair danced in the breeze. His gaze grew ever darker.

—

Shen Jinyu’s three months of confinement had ended. Upon his release, his first stop was to pay his respects to Old Madam Shen and Madam Shen. Afterward, beaming with excitement, he hurried to Lady Meng’s quarters.

Mother and son, not having seen each other for three months, fell into each other’s arms and wept, refusing to be consoled by any onlookers.

Lady Meng, tears streaming down her face, looked her son up and down with infinite concern. “My dear child, you suffered such grave injuries, and yet I couldn’t go to care for you myself. I worried day and night—have your wounds healed? Are there any lingering ailments?”

Shen Jinyu shook his head. “No, Mother, I’ve recovered well. Father may have been angry and kept me confined, but he never mistreated me. The medicine I used was of the finest quality, and that’s why I healed so quickly.”

Lady Meng nodded.

She urged Shen Jinyu to eat the pastries she’d made herself, then sighed softly. “I should have steeled my heart and put an end to things once and for all. Then you wouldn't have been punished. Twenty lashes… just thinking of it pains me.”

Shen Jinyu’s hand paused as he held a pastry, his gaze turning to Lady Meng.

“Mother… this isn’t something we could have hidden forever. Sooner or later, Father would have found out. You needn’t blame yourself so much.”

Lady Meng was taken aback. In the past, he would have nodded in agreement, but now his words were so different that she could not help but frown. “I have ways to keep things secret for a lifetime.”

She poured a cup of hot tea for Shen Jinyu, lest he choke. “Frankly, your father was truly harsh this time. In these three months of confinement, he only came to see you once before he set out on campaign. The rest of the time, he was with your elder brother and sister. Even though you’re a concubine’s son, you’re still his flesh and blood. The other day, I wanted to ask your sister to speak well of you before your father—if she had, you’d have been released early. But your sister refused.”

She covered her face and wept. “We are such a pitiful pair, you and I. In this Duke Protector’s estate, no one cares about us.”

Shen Jinyu frowned slightly as he watched her dab her tears with a handkerchief. He shook his head. “Mother, you’re overthinking it. No one looks down on us. Sister refused because if I were released early, it would only provoke others’ resentment and make people doubt Father’s authority. I wouldn’t learn my lesson either, so she did not agree.”

He thought for a moment, then added, “Besides, during my confinement, Sister visited me often. Thanks to her, my days in Qingfeng Pavilion were not so dull. You misunderstand her.”

Lady Meng was stunned, forgetting to wipe her tears. Her tone grew a little sharp. “Why are you always speaking up for your sister today?”

“I’m not making excuses for her, just telling the truth,” he replied. “In the past, I was like you, always misunderstanding her. But during these months of confinement, I realized she’s a very good person.”

Shen Jinyu’s face was full of sincerity. “Mother, the more you come to know her, the more you’ll see how good she is.”

This time, Lady Meng was truly annoyed. Normally, what she disliked most was how Madam Shen and the others always put her down. Even Shen Yi favored his legitimate son and daughter over her own child. Shen Jinyu would have always sided with her before, but now he was speaking for Shen Nanyuan, which infuriated her.

Her tone was sharper, more cutting. “If you mention your sister again, don’t bother coming back here!”

Shen Jinyu sighed. “Mother…”

He compromised, nodding. “Alright, I won’t mention her again. Is that enough?”

The maid beside them quickly came over to soothe Lady Meng, but she was still upset. “It seems these three months were enough for you to forget who your mother is!”

“How could I ever forget?” Shen Jinyu replied with a placating smile. “You raised me all these years, Mother. I could never forget you.”

Lady Meng glared at him, but knowing his confinement had just ended and he’d suffered much, she gradually calmed down.

“Tomorrow, you’re to dine with the Old Madam. Apart from me, she adores you most in this household. At times, even your father listens to her. If you visit her often, she’ll protect you when trouble comes.”

“Tomorrow…” Shen Jinyu’s face showed some hesitation. “I have something to do tomorrow, I’m afraid I can’t go.”

Lady Meng frowned. “What is it?”

“Father has asked Sister to accompany me to visit the Liu family. I’ll go to Grandmother’s the day after tomorrow, I promise.”

“You’re the noble young master of the Duke Protector’s estate, and your father wants you to go visit someone else’s home?” Lady Meng was aghast, her fists clenching tightly. “What is your father thinking?”

“But Sister is going with me, and didn’t Father visit in person last time, too?”

He didn’t mention that Shen Yi had only sent Shen Nanyuan as a chaperone, lest his mother become even more upset.