Chapter Four: It's Impossible to Simply Stop Liking Someone

His hand clenched into a fist, his brows knit tightly together. Only when Shen Nanyuan’s figure disappeared from sight did he finally avert his gaze and walk in the opposite direction. Shen Nanyuan had adored him since childhood; it was impossible for her to simply stop liking him just because she said so. Now, she’d even learned to play hard to get. He didn’t want to be entangled with Shen Nanyuan for another moment, yet there were unexpectedly many who stood in the way of breaking off the engagement. His father, for instance, and Shen Yi.

Jun Ci’s jaw tensed, the lines of his face sharp and clear. His gaze fell, recalling his earlier conversation with Shen Yi in the main hall, and his expression darkened. It was the first time Shen Yi had lost his temper; the excuses Jun Ci had used before had long been seen through, and Shen Yi likely wouldn’t wait much longer. But he couldn’t betray Yan’er. If not for Shen Nanyuan, he would have been with Lin Yan long ago, without needing to sneak around as they did now.

Jun Ci pressed his lips together, his steps unconsciously quickening. He could only go back and plead with his father again. There was absolutely no way he would marry Shen Nanyuan!

—

After pouring her heart out before Jun Ci, Shen Nanyuan finally felt some relief. Qingrui’s expression was bright with excitement. “Miss, you spoke so well just now!” she exclaimed. “I never dared say it before for fear of upsetting you, but I’ve always thought Master Jun was never worthy of you. There are so many men in the world, and you’ve finally come to your senses!”

A faint smile touched Shen Nanyuan’s lips. “Yes, that’s right.” Once she had shown her face enough before the male lead, she intended to become a wealthy, carefree, and single woman here. Nothing was more delightful than being rich. Then she would journey the world, going wherever she pleased; perhaps along the way, she might even meet her true love.

Though she longed to return home and missed her parents dearly, staying alive was the first priority—and who knew, perhaps one day she would wake up and find herself back home.

As she was lost in thought, the servants waiting outside the main hall caught sight of her, their faces lighting up as they hurried inside. Bowing low to Shen Yi, who sat silently sipping tea, one of them announced, “General, the young lady has arrived.”

Shen Nanyuan followed with a cheerful skip to Shen Yi’s side, affectionately clinging to his arm and whining, “Father, you’re having tea.”

Shen Yi snorted, clearly pleased but feigning a gruff tone. “You’re late. That boy Jun Ci just left.” There was a hint of jealousy in his voice.

Shen Nanyuan nodded, her expression unruffled. “I know.” She had just run into him—his face was dark as though someone owed him money. If she didn’t have to maintain her predecessor’s image, she would have scolded him already. That superior air of his—what on earth did he have to be so proud about?

Seeing his beloved daughter unaffected, Shen Yi was surprised, though he said nothing. He merely sipped his tea again and sighed heavily. “Yuan’er, must you really marry Jun Ci?”

Jun Ci’s heart clearly wasn’t set on his daughter. The engagement had been delayed again and again, each excuse more infuriating than the last. If Jun Ci was like this even before marriage, wouldn’t his daughter suffer daily once she was wed? That was something he absolutely could not tolerate! Yet Shen Nanyuan’s infatuation with Jun Ci was unyielding. She had hit so many walls, yet she never turned back, which left Shen Yi both helpless and troubled. And the answer to this question was always the same, no matter how many times he asked.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Shen Yi continued, “Enough. In a few days, I’ll go straight to the Minister of Revenue…”

“Don’t, Father,” Shen Nanyuan cut in. “When have I ever insisted on Jun Ci?”

She looked up at him earnestly. “I came to you precisely because I want you to dissolve my engagement with Jun Ci.”

With a clatter, the cup in Shen Yi’s hand dropped to the floor, shattering. Seeing his trembling hands in shock, Shen Nanyuan helplessly reached out to steady him. “I don’t like Jun Ci anymore, Father,” she said.

Back in Shaohua Courtyard, Shen Nanyuan finally let out a soft laugh, recalling how Shen Yi had been so delighted he nearly threw a banquet to celebrate her finally giving up on Jun Ci. She couldn't help but giggle aloud. Just how deep did the Shen family’s prejudice against Jun Ci run?

Her elder brother, Shen Sinian, had hurriedly left the house as soon as he heard Jun Ci was coming, changing out of his court robes and vanishing who knew where. Her father, upon learning she no longer liked Jun Ci, was instantly ecstatic, ready to host a feast. Jun Ci had truly incurred the wrath of the entire Shen family.

Qingrui happily went to the kitchen to instruct the cook to prepare extra dishes for lunch. The maid now accompanying Shen Nanyuan was Jin Zhu; only when Qingrui was absent did Jin Zhu serve her closely. By now, Shen Nanyuan was well acquainted with Shaohua Courtyard and made her way easily to the side room.

Only Shen Jinyu was sitting there, sipping tea with his legs crossed in a leisurely fashion. At the sight of Shen Nanyuan, he immediately stood, nervous and uneasy, and greeted her in a low voice, “Sister.”

“Mm.” Shen Nanyuan’s tone was calm as she walked past him to the bed. Seeing the male lead lying there with a bloodless face, his lips cracked and bleeding, she frowned and asked, “How is he now?”

Shen Jinyu answered anxiously, “The physician said… he fainted from exhaustion, injured and starving for days. The wound on his back has been treated, and I’ve sent someone to fetch the prescribed medicine.”

He fidgeted, uneasy. “Sister, I know I was wrong. Could you not tell Father?”

Shen Nanyuan turned to look at him, her dark eyes seeming to see straight through him, causing Shen Jinyu to drop his gaze, his eyes darting about nervously.

“It’s not that you know you were wrong—it’s that you’re afraid I’ll tell Father, so you have no choice but to act this way,” she said, voice even but each word striking true. “Isn’t that so?”

Shen Jinyu hesitated. “Sister, he’s just a servant from the Duke Protector’s household—his status is low, so naturally I can do as I please. Why are you suddenly siding with a servant? I’m your brother!” As he spoke, his voice grew louder.

“…If you say one more word, I’ll go to Father right now and have him see for himself just what you’ve been up to,” Shen Nanyuan replied, her gaze sidelong, a faint smile on her lips.

Shen Jinyu immediately wilted, hanging his head and standing silently by her side. Not until the servant he’d sent to fetch the medicine returned did he perk up, snatching the medicine pouch like an offering and placing it on the table. Glancing at his actions, Shen Nanyuan finally relented.

“This time I’ll let you off, but never do such a thing again. Or next time, I’ll be sure to tell Father and have him drive you out!”