Chapter 25: It Seems Miss Shen Is Crying

"This is merely an accident. Today is Shiying’s birthday; let us not spoil the harmony."

Seeing that the victim no longer spoke, everyone treated the matter as settled. However, when Shen Xianyue turned to thank Xiao Tuyu, he turned and left with a cold expression. Shen Xianyue was baffled; had she offended him with something she said? That shouldn't be—it was said that a woman's heart is hard to guess, but why was a man's heart just as inscrutable?

The onlookers gradually dispersed, leaving only Princess Changning, who stood with her arms crossed, looking at her as if she were a fool. The intensity of the gaze made Shen Xianyue feel uneasy. "P-Princess, is there something on my face?"

"Nothing. I was just observing what kind of fool would return evil with kindness. Even when others bully you to your face, you can still forgive them so nonchalantly. I've seen plenty of fools, but I've never seen one as foolish as you."

The repeated use of the word "fool" made even Shen Xianyue feel embarrassed. "Actually..."

"Enough, I don't want to hear it. I saw everything that happened just now. I thought you would make a scene, but you let such a heavy matter go with a light touch. It's truly weak."

Shen Xianyue silently agreed with the Princess; thinking about it, she was indeed very weak. She gave a bitter smile. "I have no choice."

Princess Changning had the Empress as her backing and could walk sideways through the entire capital; wherever she went, she was held in high esteem, so she could naturally lash back at unfairness without restraint. But she was different. She had no one behind her, and there were people lurking in the shadows, waiting to take her life. So, being a little softer was fine. Death by a thousand cuts would eventually claim her one day anyway.

Her mood dampened, and the rest of the banquet felt tedious. Unable to endure it any longer, she returned to the manor early.

"Yingxia, why do you think the Marquis was angry today?"

Yingxia looked at Shen Xianyue’s troubled expression, not knowing what to say. He had been so supportive of her earlier; why had he suddenly changed? She pondered for a moment before suggesting, "It’s still early. Why don't we go find the Marquis and ask him, perhaps under the guise of thanking him?"

"That could work. Do we still have some of the lychees Master Bai brought? Let’s make something else for the Marquis to taste."

Yingxia agreed and went to the small kitchen to prepare a chilled lychee dessert, placing it in a bowl to take to Xiao Tuyu. Unexpectedly, at a fork in the garden paths, she bumped into Xiao Liyang, who had just returned.

He caught sight of Shen Xianyue, quickly hid the pouch he was holding behind his back, and greeted her with an unnatural expression. "Yueyue, what are you doing here?"

Shen Xianyue calmly retracted her gaze. Xiao Liyang had probably forgotten that she had been close friends with Qu Shiying for years; the patterns she liked never changed, and that pouch was clearly Qu Shiying's. She truly could not comprehend how thick-skinned one had to be to beg for forgiveness from one person while accepting a pouch from another on the same day. Or perhaps, Xiao Liyang was simply a fickle hypocrite.

"I am going to see the Marquis."

Xiao Liyang’s face darkened instantly as he glanced at the food in Yingxia’s hands. Yueyue had grown up and never once made food for him by hand! "Yueyue, even though you are betrothed, you must still be mindful of propriety."

"I know. I am merely delivering some food to thank him for saving me today."

"Saving you? What happened? Are you hurt?"

Looking at Xiao Liyang’s concerned expression, Shen Xianyue felt not a single ripple in her heart. "It was nothing important. You’ve been drinking, brother; you should go back and rest."

Even as dull as Xiao Liyang was, he sensed that Shen Xianyue did not want to speak to him, and he grew annoyed. "I am not drunk." He stepped forward, his expression pained, and grabbed her wrist. "Are you truly determined to marry him?"

"..."

Shen Xianyue’s silence ignited a nameless rage in Xiao Liyang. "Answer me! Are you really going to marry him?"

The servant behind Xiao Liyang saw that the situation was turning bad and tried to help him away. The garden was busy, and if word reached the Eldest Madam, he didn't know if the Young Master would be punished, but the Young Lady certainly would, and it would only bring more pain to the Young Master. It was good for no one.

"Don't touch me! Let go, you dog of a servant!" Xiao Liyang struggled, but his body was weak from drink, and he could not break free despite his efforts.

"Brother," Shen Xianyue spoke up. "Then tell me, who else could I possibly marry?"

Shen Xianyue’s voice was as faint as a breeze that dissipates the moment it is exhaled. Yet, it left the frantic Xiao Liyang frozen, as if struck by a lightning bolt. The servant seized the moment of his shock to help him away.

When only the two of them remained in the garden, Yingxia walked over carefully and said with heartache, "If our Master were still here, you would certainly not have to suffer such grievances."

As she spoke, two lines of tears ran down Shen Xianyue’s cheeks. She quickly wiped them away with a handkerchief and returned to her composed self. "It’s alright. The road ahead is long; we will surely get better and better." Yingxia nodded heavily and followed closely behind her.

When they arrived, Xuanqing was guarding outside the room, hugging his sword. Seeing Shen Xianyue approach, he waved happily from afar. "Miss Shen, why have you come? To see our Master? The Master and Master Bai are inside; I shall go announce your arrival."

Before Shen Xianyue could speak, Xuanqing knocked on the door and entered. When he came back out, he looked troubled and embarrassed as he approached her. "I am sorry, Miss Shen. The Master and Master Bai are discussing business."

"It’s fine, I can wait outside."

"Well... it might take a very long time. Perhaps you could tell me what you need, and I can relay it for you?"

Shen Xianyue looked at the tightly shut door. Though confused, she said, "Is the Marquis very busy? I will be quick; I won't take much of his time."

Xuanqing glanced back at the silent room, feeling a headache coming on. What was wrong with his Master? He usually loved seeing Miss Shen; why, when she finally came to see him of her own accord, would he refuse to even see her? There was no sense in it.

"Then... let me ask again. Please wait a moment, Miss Shen."

Xuanqing had to steel himself and knock on the door again. This time, Shen Xianyue clearly heard Xiao Tuyu’s voice—two words, cold as ice: "Not available."

Shen Xianyue did not know if it was the lingering anger from earlier or the shock of being rebuffed by Xiao Tuyu, but hearing those words of rejection sent a sour sting to her nose, and her eyes welled up with tears.

"I understand."

She told Yingxia to put the things down, then turned and walked out of the courtyard with long, swift strides.

Xuanqing looked at her retreating figure with worry. "Master, Miss Shen seems to have been crying."