Chapter 14

Meeting Shen Jun's gaze, Shen Rang sighed and said, "I don't want anything, I just want to ask Father not to bother planning for me anymore. Now that I have entered the court, I want to do something that I really want to do."

Let's take this opportunity to speak frankly.

However, upon hearing his words, Shen Jun's eyebrows immediately furrowed: "What do you mean? Are you upset that I'm bossing you around?"

“I didn’t mean that,” Shen Rang hurriedly said. “I just think that when you first enter the court, instead of focusing on making so-called connections, it’s better to familiarize yourself with court affairs as soon as possible. Doing your job well in the future is the most important thing.”

"Naive!" Shen Jun looked at him with dissatisfaction. "Zirong, as an elder, I have seen far more than you. There are many intricacies in the court that you don't understand. These connections are essential; otherwise, you don't know how many wrong turns you would take!"

"I'm your father! Would I ever harm you?!"

At this point, Shen Jun gritted his teeth: "If I had your conditions back then, I'd be laughing in my sleep! Now I'm practically serving you food, and look what you're doing!"

Shen Rang pursed his lips, a familiar feeling of suffocation spreading through his heart.

He passed the imperial examinations in three consecutive rounds, which seemed incredibly prestigious and promising to outsiders. However, in front of Shen Jun, he was still just a greenhorn who needed to be arranged for everything.

But as the little maid said, he was able to get to this point thanks in no small part to the famous teacher that Shen Jun had invited to teach him.

Therefore, he was unable to resist.

Shen Rang could only take a deep breath: "...Yes, I understand."

Shen Jun was finally satisfied: "It's good that you really know! I've gone to great lengths for you, all for your own good, so you can't let me down!"

"yes."

Thinking that Shen Rang would have to go to the Hanlin Academy tomorrow, Shen Jun waved his hand and said, "Alright, go back and get some rest."

Shen Rang was finally able to get up and leave.

As soon as he stepped out of the house, Shen Rang let out a heavy sigh.

Shen Jun had this attitude, Zheng Shi didn't care, and neither did Yun Wan...

He was in his own home, yet he felt as if he had nowhere to belong.

At this moment, Jingyuan came forward: "Young Master, where are we going?"

Shen Rang pursed his lips: "Let's take a walk in the backyard."

He remained outwardly calm, but secretly harbored a hint of anticipation in his heart.

I wish I could meet someone who understands me.

Jing Yuan didn't notice, responded, and followed behind him, seemingly wandering aimlessly in the backyard.

Meanwhile, Yunxi, whom Shen Rang was thinking about, had already returned to the back room.

She took out a twenty-tael silver note from the box and gave it to Jixiang: "Go out and ask the escort agency if the things I asked them to deliver last time have been delivered. Also, buy me some writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones."

Writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones are all precious items, so the twenty taels of silver she gave was really not much.

Jixiang exclaimed in surprise, "Young lady, you can read and write!"

Yunxi nodded.

Her adoptive parents ran a private school in the countryside, so she learned to read and write from a young age.

“That’s wonderful,” Jixiang said, taking the silver. “Then this servant will go over right away.”

After saying that, Jixiang turned and left.

After Jixiang left, Yunxi had nothing to do in the house, so she went out and walked around in the yard.

This Liuyun Garden was personally arranged by Madam Yun, and its exquisite details are even more numerous than those in the outer gardens.

Yunxi walked around the courtyard and finally stood at the spot where she had hung her handkerchief that day.

How could it have been lost...?

That handkerchief was made of material bought by Duan Huaichuan, and she embroidered the pattern herself. She always carried it close to her body and cherished it dearly.

Although she used the material Duan Huaichuan bought to make a square handkerchief, that one wasn't unique. She didn't feel anything special when she lost it, but these past few days, she's been thinking about that lost handkerchief from time to time.

Yunxi sighed.

So many days have passed, it seems that the handkerchief is gone forever.

Yunxi stared blankly at the tree branch, completely unaware that a gaze had fallen upon her.

As soon as Shen Rang returned, he saw the maid standing by the tree branch in a daze, and subconsciously took a step towards her.

But just then, a voice suddenly rang out: "Husband?"

Shen Rang paused, turning to look at the person who had spoken: "...Madam."

Yun Wan smiled and walked towards him with light steps: "I was just about to have dinner. Did you come back especially to keep me company, my husband?"

Shen Rang glanced around and saw that the little maid was gone. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "I came back to get something. I need to go to the study in a little while."

Upon hearing this, a hint of regret flashed in Yun Wan's eyes: "...I see."

Shen Rang nodded slightly, then slipped and brushed past her.

Yun Wan stood there, frowning as she watched his retreating figure.

Pearl followed her gaze and asked, "What's wrong, Madam? Is something the problem?"

“…It’s nothing,” Yun Wan said, “I just feel a little strange. The young master was clearly quite happy just now, so why did he…”

Pearl twitched the corner of her mouth: "Happy? Hasn't the young master always been like that?"

Even though he was exceptionally handsome, he always had a cold face and his eyes were extremely indifferent, as if he had no emotions.

Yun Wan glanced at her, a hint of sweetness in her eyes: "There are subtle differences that only the person next to you can understand."

She subtly displayed her affection for Shen Rang, and Pearl instantly understood her meaning, smiling as she said, "Yes, the young master and his wife have such a good relationship, they are truly a match made in heaven!"

Yun Wan blushed: "You little brat, you're not allowed to talk nonsense in broad daylight!"

“I’m not talking nonsense,” Pearl giggled. “It’s getting late, let’s hurry up and have dinner.”

Yun Wan nodded, turned around, and went to the dining room.

Inside the main room, listening to the departing footsteps of the master and servant, Shen Rang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Jing Yuan followed behind him, noticing that his master had clearly said he was back to find something, but hadn't made a move since entering, and asked in confusion, "Young Master, what are you looking for?"

Shen Rang glanced at him: "Where's the handkerchief I told you to put away last time?"

Just now I saw that little maid standing there looking lost and dejected, probably because of that handkerchief.

"Oh dear, I had almost forgotten if you hadn't mentioned it." Jing Yuan quickly took out a handkerchief from his sleeve.

The plain white handkerchief was crumpled into a ball, and even the little flowers embroidered on it looked wilted and pitiful.

Shen Rang took a deep breath: "This is something a young lady wears intimately, how can you treat it so casually?"

As he spoke, he took out his handkerchief.

His handkerchief was a size larger and much thicker than the plain white handkerchief, and it could completely wrap the plain white handkerchief inside.

Shen Rang carefully folded the handkerchief and put it away neatly before heading to the study in the front yard.

Jing Yuan followed, still feeling very puzzled.

Why is our young master acting so tenderly towards a handkerchief?