Chapter 48 Mid-Autumn Festival What if I force it?
Shen Yun didn't speak. No one knew how much of the document he had actually read. When they heard his reply, it was just a faint "Get out."
Ji Huaiyi had anticipated this outcome, but he was still seething with anger.
He gritted his teeth, his tone becoming somewhat sarcastic, "Ha. I think Lu Zheng did you a big favor, didn't he? You didn't want to go to Jiangnan anyway. It's too far from the capital, and you wouldn't be able to see Lin Shutang."
"What? She's right here in the manor. Could she have flown away?"
Meeting Shen Yun's cool gaze, Ji Huaiyi, who had been so arrogant just moments before, couldn't help but lower his voice.
He touched the tip of his nose, as if he had thought of something, and chuckled, "Yes, I've seen how fast she can run."
Back then, countless people from Xiyue mingled in Yujing City, committing arson, murder, looting, and all sorts of atrocities.
The entire capital was engulfed in the flames of war, blood flowed like rivers on the streets, and people stayed indoors.
Shen Yun had clearly secured the villa with impregnable defenses, yet Lin Shutang still managed to escape in the chaos. If they had been just a step slower, Lin Shutang would have been able to escape the city.
Even now, he still remembers that day when the smoke of battle filled the entire city gate, and Lin Shutang's resolute eyes shone even brighter than the flames. Even though Shen Yun had already drawn his bow and arrow, and sparks flew with every step she took, she still ran towards the city gate without hesitation.
Her violet dress billowed in the wind; she was like a fluttering butterfly, or a moth drawn to a flame.
It was so close... so very close...
He even felt a pang of pity at that moment.
But Shen Yun still captured her and brought her back, breaking her wings and crushing her pride, turning her into what she is now.
Ji Huaiyi sighed, recalling Shen Yun's crazy behavior back then, and realized that nothing he said now would make a difference.
If I could persuade them, I would have stopped them long ago.
"Fine, I won't interfere. I'll go out." Ji Huaiyi scratched his head and walked out of the duty room.
Shen Yun stared at the words on the official document for a long time, his lowered eyelids concealing all the emotions in his eyes. After a long while, he leaned back in his chair, the veins on the back of his hands bulging and turning pale.
-
Lin Shutang didn't know exactly what had happened yesterday, but he could roughly guess some of it from the gossip among his subordinates.
I went to the Lu residence yesterday on the instructions of my senior brother.
The person who led her away at the banquet was also sent by her senior brother.
Her senior brother did not see her, but instead kept her confined in the Lu residence.
Recalling what happened on the pleasure boat, Lin Shutang could easily guess that this was a repeat of the same old trick.
A fire broke out at the Chen residence, and the mansion was completely destroyed.
This is certainly not a coincidence, but a deliberate act.
Although this time it was not her intention, she still seems to have harmed Shen Yun.
But why did Senior Brother want to eliminate the Chen family? What exactly is Shen Yun investigating? And what price did he pay to take her away yesterday?
Lin Shutang was completely unaware of all this.
But Shen Yun didn't need to do that at all, because her senior brother would never hurt her.
Even if Shen Yun disagrees with everything, nothing will happen to her.
Lin Shutang went to the silk shop with a belly full of questions.
As usual, the innkeeper led him into a side room, and then sent someone to inform Song Ying.
Lin Shutang waited in the room, expecting Song Ying to refuse to see him. Lin Shutang was already thinking about how to force him to show himself when Song Ying pushed open the door.
He didn't seem very happy; there were dark circles under his eyes, as if he had stayed up all night.
Lin Shutang asked in surprise, "Senior brother, what's wrong?"
After all, they had grown up together since childhood, and although Lin Shutang disliked his taking advantage of her, she couldn't help but care.
Song Ying shook her head. "Shu Tang, what brings you here?"
He sat down at the pear wood table, poured himself a cup of cold tea, and swallowed it.
"Shouldn't you give me an explanation for what happened yesterday, Senior Brother?" Lin Shutang said, somewhat annoyed.
He clearly knew why he had come to see him, so how could he pretend to be completely ignorant?
"You disagree with what your senior brother is doing, and your senior brother doesn't want to put you in a difficult position, so this is the only way," he said casually. It was as if this was a trivial matter.
"So you didn't tell me anything, and just made me a blade in your hand?" Lin Shutang's tone also turned cold and hard.
"If I tell you, what will you do?" Song Ying turned to look at her, her tone becoming urgent, her gaze falling on the back of her neck and shoulders, "Will you hurt yourself again and trick Chen Yun into going back?"
He stood up. "Shutang, since you can't bring yourself to be ruthless towards Shen Jun, your senior brother won't make things difficult for you. You don't need to know anything. Once this is over, your senior brother will take you away from Yujing."
"And Shen Yun, Senior Brother will make him pay the price."
Lin Shutang knew he wouldn't get anything out of Song Ying. His senior brother hated Shen Yun to the core, and Lin Shutang knew that any advice he could offer would be useless.
He left the room.
Song Ying's straight back collapsed, and she slumped back onto the stool.
Song Ying couldn't understand why Shen Yun would go to such lengths for Lin Shutang, giving up something so easily within his grasp, even if this move would expose him to countless risks and leave him vulnerable on all sides.
Does he care that much about Lin Shutang? Does he care that much about his... junior sister?
Song Ying's fingers clenched tightly. If it weren't for Shen Yun, Lin Shutang should have been his wife!
his!
Isn't he the one who ruined them like this?
Isn't it Shen Yun who drove them to this point?
Why is he pretending to be a good person now, making Shutang soften her heart towards him?
But it was Shen Yun who caused the current situation. He was just trying to avenge his fellow disciples. Why should Lin Shutang look down on him like this, but protect Shen Yun in every way?
So what if his methods were despicable? Does that mean Shen Yun is upright and honorable? Why is he the one who is considered repulsive?
Song Ying couldn't understand it; he wasn't wrong.
He did not do anything wrong in eliminating Shen Yun. He did not do anything wrong in helping the Third Prince ascend to the top.
He did nothing wrong...
No……
Song Ying walked out of the room, dejected, bathed in the sunlight streaming through the open door. He would eliminate Shen Yun, at any cost...
-
Shen Yun seems to have a lot of free time lately, and often stays in Jingyuan Residence.
Knowing that she shouldn't disturb him, Zhao Mingzhu reduced the number of times she visited his residence.
Lin Shutang sat at the desk, twirling a small knife in his hand, and glanced at Shen Yun sitting in the distance.
He removed the door between the study and the cabin, and only placed a curtain between them.
As long as he is in the mansion, the curtain cannot be drawn.
He sat at his desk, and could see Lin Shutang in the distance with just a glance.
I noticed that she had her head lowered and her black hair fell in front of her. Her profile showed a delicate nose, and she would unconsciously bite her lower lip when she was struggling with her seal carving.
She turned her head to look at Luwu with a bright smile on her lips, but immediately looked away when she caught his gaze out of the corner of her eye.
Later on, they simply had Green Willow stand on the other side, and she wouldn't turn her head for an entire afternoon.
Shen Yun smiled slightly, took a leisurely sip of tea, and didn't seem to care.
Every night, he would tease her repeatedly, making Lin Shutang open her eyes, sometimes to look at him, sometimes to look down at her.
If she closes her eyes, she will be punished and have to endure it again.
In such matters, Shen Yun was strict to the point of being almost inhuman.
Lin Shutang has always been someone who responds better to gentleness than force. Because of this, the next day he turned his back to Shen Yun, wishing he could change the direction of the desk.
She had been angry with Shen Jun for several days, and if it weren't for the Mid-Autumn Festival, she probably would have given him the cold shoulder.
The moon was exceptionally round tonight, and the Duke's mansion was able to enjoy a rare reunion feast together.
Shen Yan was also held in the arms of his wet nurse, who set up a small table for him, on which were placed all the soft foods that he could eat at his age.
Shen Yan is very well-behaved; she never needs anyone to worry about her meals.
Unlike typical children who grab things with their hands and make a mess on the table, they don't.
Shen Yan simply sat obediently at the table, being fed bite by bite by his wet nurse. He blinked his big eyes as he chewed, occasionally glancing at his wet nurse and laughing, which melted her heart.
With such an obedient young master and so little to do in the household, this was a rare opportunity, so the wet nurse took extra care of him.
At the banquet, Lin Shutang was never one to talk much.
Shen Yun wasn't a talkative person, so most of the conversation focused on Shen Xiuyan, such as what official position the Emperor had given him, how likely he was to be promoted next year, what kind of woman he wanted to marry in the future, and how he should take advantage of this free time to go and meet her, and so on.
Shen Xiuyan kept nodding and agreeing, his attitude respectful but also revealing his perfunctory attitude.
It wasn't until the topic of marriage was brought up that he raised his head with interest, slowly glanced at Lin Shutang, and smiled, "Naturally, it would be a virtuous woman like your sister-in-law."
Shen Yun paused in her hand holding the jade chopsticks, then slowly raised her eyes to look at Shen Xiuyan, "Then I'm afraid my elder brother will never be found in this lifetime."
"Oh? What if I force you?" Shen Xiuyan remained unmoved and looked back with a smile.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense, and even the rustling sounds around seemed to subside.
Lin Shutang glanced between the two men and spoke softly, “The women in the capital are all gentle and virtuous, so what the eldest young master asks for is not difficult. Grandmother has always been worried about the eldest young master’s marriage. If the eldest young master is truly interested in a noble lady, he can ask Grandmother for help. There is no need to test him with a concubine.”
Lin Shutang smiled, his words carrying a hidden sharpness, but his voice was warm and not unpleasant to listen to.
As the saying goes, one shouldn't hit a smiling face. Lin Shutang's intention to smooth things over and give Shen Xiuyan a way out was naturally accepted by Shen Xiuyan.
He was just trying to make Shen Yun uncomfortable, not himself. Now that he'd achieved his goal, there was no reason for him to keep bothering her.
He smiled and replied, "Grandmother's worries will be remembered by your grandson."
The old lady nodded kindly, not wanting to be the spoilsport, and comforted her, "It's good that you take it to heart."
He glanced at Lin Shutang and nodded in satisfaction.
After this incident, the originally harmonious atmosphere at the banquet dissipated considerably, and everyone had their own thoughts, making them increasingly uncomfortable as the meal progressed.
The silence of the room was suddenly broken by a soft, childish voice calling "Mother..." which drew everyone's attention.
Lin Shutang turned her head in disbelief. It was Shen Yan, who had finished eating. She waved her hands and looked at Lin Shutang, wanting a hug. She blinked and kept calling out, "Mother... dear."
Seeing Lin Shutang turn around, he grinned even wider, making some babbling sounds, and staring at Lin Shutang with bright eyes.
Even the wet nurse was shocked by this scene. She had served Shen Yan for so long, and this was the first time she had ever heard him speak.
"Mother, hug me..."
"My great-grandson! He can talk now!" The old lady was the first to react, her eyes crinkling with laughter. She exclaimed excitedly, "Quick, give the child to Shutang!"
The wet nurse quickly stood up and took Shen Yan into Lin Shutang's arms.
Lin Shutang still didn't know how to hold a child, and awkwardly held Chen Yan in her arms.
Shen Yan grabbed her sleeve, giggling incessantly, "Mother."
He snuggled into her arms with all his might.
"Ayan is just as smart as his father. I remember that the young master was also able to speak when he was eleven months old." The old lady looked at this scene with great satisfaction.
His gaze fell on the young couple on his left. They were truly a perfect match, a match made in heaven, and he nodded in satisfaction.
Even Shen Jingshi couldn't help but laugh, raising his head with a smug look.
The servants, who were best at reading their masters' expressions, knelt down and chorused, "Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness's Wife!"
Shen Yun kept his eyes down, observing Lin Shutang's reaction. He unconsciously licked his lips, and his brows furrowed slightly.
More than the applause, he cared about what Lin Shutang was thinking right now.
She didn't hug him, but just supported him lightly.
He called her "Mother," but she didn't respond.
He's becoming more and more like a person; he's started to talk and walk. As he gradually learns more, will she also grow to dislike him even more?
Grandmother said the child looks like him. How can he look like him? Didn't he say he wanted the child to look like his mother?
Shen Yun's gaze fell on the child's face, his eyes darkening. The child was truly disobedient.
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Author's note: Shen Yan: My mother's embrace is so warm, why is my back still so cold?
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