Volume One, Chapter 15: Forced Apology

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Zhao Linyu’s eyes reddened as she pressed her lips tightly, stubbornly lifting her head to glance at Shen Qiyuan. Seeing that he remained unmoved, she could only grit her teeth and say to Song Shujun, “Today’s matter was my fault. I shouldn’t have pestered Miss Song, nor should I have faked a fall and caused Sister Song to be misunderstood.”

Lu Shiyan stiffened at these words and involuntarily stepped closer to Song Shujun.

But Song Shujun didn’t look at him.

Song Shuning watched the awkward scene unfold before her, her eyes twitching slightly. Indeed, power was a wonderful thing!

She had spoken so much earlier and it was all useless, but once Shen Qiyuan arrived, just a few words brought Zhao Linyu to defeat, forcing her to admit her fault!

After Zhao Linyu finished speaking, she stood up, cast a fierce glance at the Song sisters, then strode out. The maid carrying her headpiece hurriedly followed.

Lu Shiyan also wanted to leave, but he was blocked by Mo Feng, who had pushed Shen Qiyuan inside. Frowning, he turned his head toward Song Shujun.

She wouldn’t be wanting him to apologize, would she?

Shen Qiyuan’s tone was indifferent. “You’re Lu Shiyan, nephew of the Lu family? Didn’t your Lu family’s upbringing teach you that when you’re wrong, you apologize? Zhao Linyu already apologized. Must your pride be so high that you can’t even say sorry?”

The Lu family was a prominent Jiangnan clan, having produced several great scholars. Although they had no officials in the capital now, they dominated the Jiangnan region. Lu Shiyan was the outstanding heir of his generation, having gone to Longjiang to apprentice in martial arts, making him a well-rounded talent in both literature and martial arts.

He was the family’s favored son and had never endured any hardship.

From childhood onward, even when he was at fault, others apologized to him.

When had he ever apologized to anyone? Shen Qiyuan forcing him now was a heavy blow to his face and trampled on his pride.

Lu Shiyan turned to Song Shujun with a heavy tone, “You want me to apologize too?”

Song Shujun didn’t look at Lu Shiyan but instead asked Song Shuning, “Ning’er, he pushed you. You decide.”

Looking at Lu Shiyan’s expression, which seemed as if he’d swallowed something bitter, then at Shen Qiyuan’s stern face, Song Shuning suddenly felt a surge of satisfaction. Was this what it meant to have powerful backing?

She lifted her chin and sneered at Lu Shiyan, feeling quite smug.

She curled her lips. “Earlier, Young Master Lu demanded my sister apologize to Miss Zhao without any justification. Now that it’s Young Master Lu’s turn to apologize to me, he can’t lower himself?”

When reading novels, she hated nothing more than male leads who acted high and mighty. Today, she finally had the chance to crush his pride.

Lu Shiyan clenched his fists tightly, glanced once more at Shen Qiyuan sitting in his wheelchair still watching him, then cupped his hands toward Song Shuning. “I was rude earlier. Please forgive me, Miss Song, and don’t take offense.”

Song Shuning snorted, “You misunderstood my sister, didn’t you?”

Lu Shiyan took a deep breath, then turned to Song Shujun. “Today’s matter was my misunderstanding. I...”

“Young Master Lu, no need to say more. I only hope that in the future, when you see me, you take a detour,” Song Shujun said, then turned away without looking at Lu Shiyan again.

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Lu Shiyan faltered for a moment before Shen Qiyuan asked, “Is that enough?”

Shen Qiyuan tilted his head slightly, and Mo Feng stepped aside to let Lu Shiyan leave.

Lu Shiyan strode out.

After Lu Shiyan left, Song Shuning smiled brightly and cupped her hands toward Shen Qiyuan in a formal gesture. “Thank you, Your Grace, for standing up for us today. Otherwise, even if we were in the right, we wouldn’t have been able to explain ourselves.”

Shen Qiyuan found her attempt to mimic a gentleman’s bow amusing. Was she doing it on purpose or did she really not know how a lady should greet?

Song Shujun naturally knew Song Shuning’s way of bowing was incorrect and quickly tugged at her, explaining to Shen Qiyuan, “My younger sister did not grow up at home and is used to less restraint. She is not very familiar with formal etiquette. Please forgive her, Your Grace.”

“No matter,” Shen Qiyuan withdrew his gaze from Song Shuning and said to Mo Feng, “Today’s trouble was caused by Zhao Linyu. Pay the bill for the headpieces these two ladies picked out. Consider it an apology on behalf of the Princess Dowager’s Mansion.”

Song Shujun hurriedly refused, “Your Grace, you are too kind. Miss Zhao has already apologized to us. We cannot accept your gift.”

But Shen Qiyuan ignored her and left the Wan Jin Pavilion, pushed by Mo Feng.

Watching Shen Qiyuan’s retreating figure, Song Shuning couldn’t help but ask, “Can we really choose anything?”

Shen Qiyuan smiled at her words and glanced back at Song Shuning. “Of course.”

Song Shuning seemed to understand the meaning behind Shen Qiyuan’s gaze. She smiled and pulled Song Shujun to start choosing jewelry.

Song Shujun saw Song Shuning really starting to pick and hurriedly pulled her aside. “I didn’t know Zhao Linyu was the Princess Dowager’s granddaughter. Would this be offending the Princess Dowager’s Mansion? Now you want to accept a gift from the Prince of Rui. Won’t he think we’re ungrateful?”

“If we don’t accept, that would be ungrateful,” Song Shuning replied with a smile, wandering among the various jewels. Finding nothing she liked downstairs, she went upstairs.

The maid who had attended them earlier hurried after them. These two were now important customers!

The prince said he would pay for them!

When Mo Feng returned, Song Shuning had chosen two sets of headpieces, both simple styles suitable for everyday wear. Song Shujun hadn’t chosen any, saying she hadn’t found anything she liked.

Song Shuning knew Song Shujun was worried about offending both Shen Qiyuan, who had defended them, and the Princess Dowager’s Mansion, so she didn’t press her to buy.

Mo Feng didn’t say much and paid the bill for Song Shuning before leaving.

Song Shuning happily held the two headpieces and boarded the carriage with Song Shujun.

Song Shujun pressed her lips. “What happened today, I’m afraid I have to tell Father.”

Song Shuning was indifferent. Whether they told him or not, it had already happened, and the grudge between Song Shujun and Zhao Linyu was already sealed with Lu Shiyan.

It certainly wouldn’t be resolved anytime soon.

So she was too lazy to worry about it.

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The Prince of Rui had already offended Zhao Linyu on her behalf. Was she going to shrink back now?

It was just the Princess Dowager’s Mansion, after all.

Her powerful ally would be the future emperor!

Back home, Song Shuning happily embraced her headpieces and went to her room to try them on. After playing with them for a while, she began leafing through medical books...

Seeing that this major antagonist had helped her father leap two ranks and had also helped her personally, she couldn’t afford to slack off. She needed to seriously study the antidote formula.

That night.

As usual, Song Shuning arrived at the Prince of Rui’s mansion.

Shen Qiyuan, bare-chested, leaned against a soft couch waiting for her. Seeing Song Shuning approach, he raised an eyebrow. “I heard the emperor rewarded your father today?”

Song Shuning smiled and stepped forward, kneeling at the footstool in front of Shen Qiyuan’s couch. “It’s all thanks to Your Grace. I know it’s because of your mediation.”

Shen Qiyuan watched as Song Shuning began acupuncture treatment on him. He raised a hand to rub his throbbing brow. “You know who I am, yet still call me Your Grace?”

“I’m just used to it,” Song Shuning pressed her lips together. She had wanted to show she was different from others, but hadn’t expected him to challenge her so quickly.

“If you don’t like being called that, I can call you Prince,” she said as she inserted the needles.

Shen Qiyuan closed his eyes in pain, his hand slowly tightening. “I heard from Mo Feng you only picked two sets of headpieces? Why not choose more? Consider it a congratulatory gift from me.”

“That’s why I chose two,” she replied.

“Hm?” Shen Qiyuan slightly opened his eyes and looked at her.

Song Shuning smiled. “One is an apology gift on behalf of Miss Zhao, and the other is your congratulatory gift to me.”

“You sure know how to talk,” Shen Qiyuan smirked. “But you’re definitely much smarter than your sister.”

Song Shuning said nothing, focusing on the acupuncture.

When she stood up, sweat drenched her and her complexion was pale. She said, “I’ll take my leave now.”

“Tomorrow, go to the Star-Picking Tower,” Shen Qiyuan said with his eyes closed.