Chapter Seven: I Was the One Who Begged My Father to Break Off the Engagement

To live for oneself. These words are easy to say, but in such an era, for a woman, it was difficult. Yet in the Duke of Zhen’s household, Shen Nanyuan could do just that.

As the only daughter of the Shen family, both General Shen and Lady Shen had but one desire: for their daughter to live joyfully and well. Lady Shen’s eyes reddened with emotion as she gently stroked Shen Nanyuan’s hand, full of relief and comfort. "That’s good, that’s very good," she murmured.

It was not just relief, but a deeper tenderness and heartache for her daughter.

"You should have thought this way long ago," Shen Sinian, her elder brother, remarked from beside her. "I’ve felt aggrieved on your behalf all these years, but today I finally feel at ease. You are the eldest young lady of the Duke of Zhen’s household—what kind of husband could you not find? I’m afraid none of them are worthy of you." He turned to the servants with a smile. "Tell the kitchen to prepare all the dishes my sister likes tonight."

"Yes, young master."

Fortunately, neither Lady Shen nor Shen Sinian pressed her about the broken engagement, and Shen Nanyuan finally felt a weight lift from her heart. From their words and actions, she realized how dearly the original Nanyuan was cherished in the Duke’s household.

Perhaps that was why many things that otherwise seemed impossible were, for her, so easily done.

This was truly a blessing.

After dining with Lady Shen, Shen Nanyuan returned to Shining Years Pavilion. The courtyard was quiet, and Steward Li was already waiting for her. She made a shushing gesture, beckoning him to follow her. Only once they stepped into the main hall did she speak. "How is he?"

"Miss," Steward Li replied, "he ate well at supper and finished all his medicine. His complexion is still poor, but with time and proper care, he should recover."

Hearing that Xiao Yan had eaten and taken his medicine, Shen Nanyuan let out a breath of relief and nodded. "That’s good. Thank you, Uncle Li."

"This is only my duty," he responded.

Watching Uncle Li leave, Qingrui softly urged, "Miss, you should bathe and rest early. It’s getting late."

Shen Nanyuan nodded slightly. Perhaps because she had finally dealt with all those troubling matters, she slept deeply and peacefully that night.

By morning, both General Shen and Shen Sinian had already left for court. Shen Nanyuan hurried through her breakfast and made her way to the study, calling out in anticipation, "Father."

Shen Sinian was there as well, but unlike yesterday, his brow was furrowed, his expression hesitant. "Yuanyuan..."

A sense of foreboding rose in Shen Nanyuan’s heart.

"Father, brother, what’s wrong?"

"The Minister of Revenue refuses to annul your engagement with the Jun family," General Shen’s face was tinged with anger. "Jun Ci was present in the Hall of Grand Rites, but he didn’t say a word. His Majesty ordered our families to come to an agreement, but the more I deal with that father and son, the angrier I become."

General Shen had spent years on the battlefield, and he was always decisive. He despised this kind of drawn-out, evasive situation. What infuriated him even more was that when his daughter had wished with all her heart to marry Jun Ci, the Jun family had been dismissive. Now that she wished to break off the engagement, they refused to allow it.

"After court, that old man from the Jun family came to tell me they had been neglectful toward you. In a few days, he’ll bring Jun Ci to visit us personally to discuss the wedding date."

General Shen’s eyes burned with fury, but when he looked at Shen Nanyuan, his gaze softened. "Yuan’er, tell your father honestly—do you truly wish to break off your engagement to Jun Ci?"

"Father, I do," Shen Nanyuan replied solemnly. "I truly want to end the engagement with Jun Ci."

"Good!" General Shen’s hand clenched into a fist. "Then the engagement shall be broken!"

His deep, steady voice gave Shen Nanyuan great peace of mind. "A mere Minister of Revenue, already reaching above his station by allying with our house. How could we possibly endure such disrespect now?"

A gentle smile lit Shen Nanyuan’s eyes, warmth flooding her heart as she felt herself cherished and protected. She went to embrace her father’s arm, just as she had before in her own world, when she would act spoiled beside her own father. "Thank you, Father."

All trace of General Shen’s anger seemed to melt away. He stroked her soft, dark hair with affection. "There’s no need for thanks between us."

Shen Sinian watched them, his eyes crinkling with laughter. "You truly are the most beloved among us."

—

Returning from the study, Shen Nanyuan meant to check on Xiao Yan’s injuries, but as she stepped into Shining Years Pavilion, urgent footsteps sounded from outside.

She turned, puzzled. Qingrui went to look and returned with a smile. "Miss Gao is here."

Shen Nanyuan paused, then realized who it was. Miss Gao must be Gao Xueluo, the third daughter of the Censorate Minister’s family. She was about the same age as the original Nanyuan, and they had grown up together. Outspoken, lively, and forthright, Gao Xueluo’s arrival was always heralded by her voice before her presence.

"Yuanyuan!"

Shen Nanyuan could only reply helplessly from the courtyard, "I’m here."

The footsteps came faster. Gao Xueluo hurried over, her bright, beautiful face full of anxiety and shock.

"I heard from my father that Uncle Shen petitioned His Majesty today about breaking off your engagement!"

Her eyebrows arched in concern and surprise. "What happened? Did you know about this?"

"I did."

This answer cut off Gao Xueluo’s next words. She stared, wide-eyed, as if stunned. "What? You knew? You’re not going to marry Jun Ci?"

"That’s right. I won’t marry him."

Gao Xueluo’s expression froze, her mouth slightly open in disbelief.

Shen Nanyuan couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s reaction. She took her by the wrist and led her inside. "I asked my father to help annul the engagement."

She glanced sideways, meeting Gao Xueluo’s astonished gaze, and continued with a smile, "Luoluo, look at me—I’m not sad at all, and I’m not pretending."

They had grown up together. Since Shen Nanyuan had first developed feelings for Jun Ci, Gao Xueluo had never seen her look so at ease. She had seen her force a smile, seen her cry her heart out. To see her like this now, Gao Xueluo was genuinely happy.

She let out a gentle sigh. "Good... very good. I don’t know what happened to make you finally understand, but seeing you this happy makes me happy too."

Shen Nanyuan paused, then her lips curved in a soft smile.

The original Nanyuan truly was fortunate.

Everyone around her wanted the best for her, always stood by her side.

A few plates of pastries were brought in. Gao Xueluo picked one up and popped it into her mouth, nudging Shen Nanyuan with her elbow, her eyes full of mirth. "Let’s go out. I heard there’s a new restaurant in the capital—let’s go see it."

Shen Nanyuan had little interest in the new restaurant, but she did want to see more of the city, so she nodded and smiled. "All right."