Chapter Nine: The Young Master Arrives

To trample upon the sincere affection that Shen Nanwan once gave, to belittle it until it is worth nothing at all. Thus, in the story, Shen Nanwan is merely a pitiful, innocent pawn. From her perspective, the person she loves speaks harshly to her; no matter what she does, it is all in vain. She can only carefully follow him, gazing up at the star that is so bright and distant for her, only to be dragged into ruin at the age of nineteen.

Seeing that Shen Nanwan had not spoken for a while, Gao Xueluo nudged her arm. “Wanwan?”

Shen Nanwan returned to herself. “He didn’t do anything this time.”

She smiled faintly. “I just suddenly figured things out, that’s all.”

Once the engagement is dissolved, she and Jun Ci will have nothing more to do with each other. Jun Ci can do as he pleases with his beloved; all she wants is to stay far away from him. Whatever he does in the future, whether he immediately marries his beloved after ending the engagement, none of it will concern her anymore.

Gao Xueluo slapped Shen Nanwan’s hand in delight. “Good! That’s my Wanwan!”

Shen Nanwan winced in pain, her delicate face wrinkling as she quietly withdrew her hand.

It was clear Gao Xueluo had always had doubts about Shen Nanwan’s lack of affection for Jun Ci. Only after seeing her attitude just now did she finally believe it. Considering how much Shen Nanwan once loved Jun Ci, it was only natural that others would be shocked by her change.

The carriage slowly stopped before the gates of the Duke of Zhen’s mansion.

She bid farewell to Gao Xueluo with a smile, and then was helped down from the carriage by Qingrui. Shen Nanwan asked softly, “Did you bring the pastries I bought?”

“I have them, miss,” Qingrui replied. “You specially ordered me to buy them—I wouldn’t forget.”

She had Qingrui buy two portions: a larger one for the other servants in Shaohua Courtyard, and a smaller one she had bought especially for Xiao Yan.

Shen Nanwan said, “Later, give the pastries to Uncle Li and have him take them to the side room. Don’t let Xiao Yan know they’re from me.”

Given how wary the male lead was of the Shen family, if she brought them over herself, he might refuse to eat them, claiming it was because he was a servant. He would be less suspicious of Uncle Li.

Qingrui responded, “Yes, miss.”

Shaohua Courtyard was as quiet and serene as ever, but today there was something strange in the air. Shen Nanwan thought nothing of it and sat in the pavilion in the back garden, sprinkling some fish food onto the water and watching the koi scramble for it with amusement. Jin Zhu brought over tea, setting it gently on the table. She pursed her lips, as if she wanted to speak but hesitated.

Shen Nanwan took a sip of tea to soothe her throat, then looked up. “Did you give the pastries I brought back to Uncle Li so he could deliver them?”

“Qingrui already gave them to Uncle Li.”

“That’s good.” Shen Nanwan smiled at her. “I brought a portion for you as well. Go and try some.”

She had shared some pastries with Qingrui and Jin Zhu before. She noticed Jin Zhu enjoyed them very much, but rarely had the chance to eat such things, so she ate them in tiny bites, treasuring each morsel.

Unexpectedly, Jin Zhu showed no sign of delight. She hesitated, then said, “Miss…”

Shen Nanwan immediately sensed something had happened in Shaohua Courtyard while she was away.

She set down her tea cup, frowning. “What happened?”

“Miss,” Jin Zhu could hold back no longer, “after you left, Young Master came.”

At those words, Shen Nanwan’s heart gave a sudden jolt.

“Young Master ignored the servants’ attempts to stop him, went to the side room. Uncle Li and Xiao Yan were having a meal together. Young Master overturned the table and… said many things to Xiao Yan.”

Her hand clenched involuntarily, her face darkening. “What did he say?”

Jin Zhu lowered her head. “He said Xiao Yan was just a lowly servant; if not for the Duke of Zhen’s mansion, he would have starved to death outside. He said you were only interested in him for a short time, treating him well out of novelty. Now he has your protection, but when you tire of him and drive him out of Shaohua Courtyard, that will be his end. Young Master also said he is the young lord here, and killing a servant is nothing; no one would dare say a word.”

“Young Master forbade us to tell you he’d been to Shaohua Courtyard. He said if you found out, there would be consequences for us…”

The more she spoke, the darker Shen Nanwan’s expression became.

No wonder the atmosphere in the courtyard was strange when she returned, and no one dared mention the incident; everyone knew Shen Jinyu’s reputation.

The ease in her heart was replaced by anger. She stood up, biting her lip fiercely. “Let’s go see Xiao Yan.”

His injuries were not yet healed—who knew what had happened?

She had underestimated Shen Jinyu’s capacity for troublemaking.

She had thought that after she had frightened Shen Jinyu before, he would be more cautious, but it turned out he only pretended to behave in front of her. The moment she left, he revealed his true colors.

Shen Jinyu had been spoiled by Concubine Meng since childhood, and was thoroughly ruined.

What infuriated her more was Shen Jinyu’s repeated mention of the Duke of Zhen’s mansion, as if he feared death would not come quickly enough, or as if he worried that, when Xiao Yan sought revenge, he would not drag the mansion into it.

Recalling how, in the original story, he implicated hundreds of people in the household, Shen Nanwan’s teeth ached with anger.

Yet, as she reached the side room, her steps unconsciously grew lighter.

The room had already been tidied; there were no signs Shen Jinyu had been there. Uncle Li was the first to see her and hurried over, bowing. “Miss.”

Shen Nanwan saw the pastries she had bought for Xiao Yan on the table, untouched.

She strode inside and saw Xiao Yan. His expression showed no sign of anything unusual as he bowed. “Miss.”

If Jin Zhu had not told her Shen Jinyu had been here, she would never have guessed what had happened before her arrival.

Shen Nanwan frowned, scrutinizing him carefully. “Did Shen Jinyu lay hands on you?”

Uncle Li seemed to know Jin Zhu would tell her and showed no surprise. Xiao Yan’s expression shifted slightly in astonishment, but it quickly vanished.

“Miss, Young Master did not hurt me.”

That seemed to be true.

He appeared to have no visible injuries.

After all, Shen Jinyu had sneaked over while she was away, probably fearing that if she saw wounds on Xiao Yan and asked questions, he would be exposed.

Shen Nanwan pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly. “Rest assured, he won’t come again. I won’t let him enter my courtyard.”

Xiao Yan lowered his eyes and said nothing, his long lashes casting a shadow beneath them, giving him an obedient air.

But Shen Nanwan knew this was only his mask in front of others.