Chapter 7: Mr. Yan's Grudge

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Shen Liqin returned to her courtyard with Shen He and instructed Yurou to prepare a bowl of fragrant noodles for her.

Seated opposite, Shen Liqin gazed at Shen He with affection. “Take your time eating. You’ve been through a lot.”

Shen He savored the noodles, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “Fortunately, Aunt arrived just in time. I haven’t suffered much. Yurou’s noodles are still as delicious as ever.”

“A He, I heard that today at the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, you proposed to the Sixth Prince. Is it true?”

Without pausing her eating, Shen He replied as if it were trivial: “Aunt’s Qin Shadow guards have quite reliable sources.”

“So it’s true then?”

“Of course.”

Shen Liqin reached out to tuck the stray strands of hair behind Shen He’s ear. “Putting aside the Sixth Prince’s intellect for a moment, a few days ago you told me you were deeply attached to the Third Prince and would marry no one else. What made you change your mind so suddenly?”

A faint smile curved Shen He’s lips, though her eyes were devoid of mirth. “Aunt, feelings are the most unreliable things. To stay with someone, it’s not feelings you ultimately depend on, but character. Affection fades with time, but a person of pure virtue is one you can count on for life.”

Shen Liqin was momentarily taken aback. She wondered why Shen He seemed so different today.

Previously, she had been utterly captivated by Xiao Jingren, as if the outside world no longer concerned her and her heart belonged only to him.

Yet now, she had seemingly let go.

“The Sixth Prince may be simple-minded, but he is gentle and would never treat me harshly. Compared to marrying someone shrewd and scheming, such a man is the better choice.”

Shen He lifted the bowl and drank the last of the broth with a satisfied slurp.

“Ah... so delicious.” She set the bowl down and met Shen Liqin’s probing gaze.

A wry smile touched Shen He’s heart. Her aunt knew her too well. Such words might convince others, but not her.

Taking a handkerchief from Yurou, Shen He wiped her mouth. “Aunt, do you still remember the first time I met the Third Prince?”

Shen Liqin nodded. “That day at the Spring Banquet, you met the Third Prince amid the plum grove. The lanterns set the mood, and your heart was captured.”

“I only recently learned it was all arranged by him,” Shen He’s eyes flickered with a chill. “I ‘happened’ to pass the plum grove; he ‘just so happened’ to be there playing the zither. The music, the falling plum blossoms, the poetry—it was all so perfectly orchestrated. I was young and naive, utterly bewitched by his performance. Looking back now, it’s utterly laughable.”

Shen Liqin pondered for a moment, then spoke gently, “It’s better to discover this before marriage than to realize your partner is a monster after the fact.”

Shen He clasped Shen Liqin’s hand, moving closer to kneel beside her and embrace her. “Aunt, you’ve raised me since I was little, like a mother to me. Rest assured, I will protect you and never let history repeat itself.”

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Shen Liqin stroked Shen He’s back, gripping her hand tenderly, her eyes filled with compassion. “Good child.”

She then produced a small brown box and placed it on the table, withdrawing a dark token intricately carved with floral patterns.

“This is a Qin Shadow guard’s token. You’re grown now and soon to marry. The path beyond the Shen estate will ultimately be yours to walk alone.”

Shen He held the token, warmth flooding her heart.

Her aunt had never married, instead taking in lonely women to train as guards, giving them skills to survive.

Those who wished to leave received money to support themselves; those who stayed were paid well. Over time, more and more followed Shen Liqin loyally.

In her previous life, it was at this time that her aunt entrusted these guards to Shen He, who used them to carry out many secret tasks for Xiao Jingren.

“Thank you, Aunt.”

Shen Liqin patted the back of Shen He’s hand. “No matter what happens, remember, I will always be your strongest support.”

Shen He clenched the token tightly, determination shining in her eyes.

At that moment, a knock came at the door. “Liqin, A He.”

It was Shen Huaian.

Yurou hurried to open and ushered him in.

Shen Liqin and Shen He rose to greet him.

“Brother.”

“Father.”

Shen Huaian gestured for them to sit. Seeing the noodles on the table, he said, “Are there any more of these noodles? After a whole day, I’m starving.”

Shen Liqin smiled. “Yurou, quickly prepare another bowl.”

Noticing the exhaustion on Shen Huaian’s face, Shen Liqin asked, “Brother, did you just return from the Yan family? How are things there?”

Shen Huaian sighed as he sat. “What can I say? The funeral scheduled for today was postponed to a later date because it conflicted with the Empress Dowager’s birthday. I didn’t see Zheng Qin; Qing Yu was busy attending to matters. Qing Yu said Zheng Qin is bedridden from grief, so I didn’t want to disturb him.”

Yan Zheng Qin was the former head of Yunshan Academy.

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Yunshan Academy was the premier institution for educating nobles and aristocrats. The scions of great families vied fiercely to send their children there.

Graduating smoothly meant mastery in arts and letters, and guaranteed a higher social standing. Even future marriages gained an advantage.

Yan Zheng Qin had three sons. The eldest, Yan Qingxiu, succeeded him as head of Yunshan Academy. Learned and beloved by students.

The second son, Yan Qingyu, was an adopted son. Shen He disliked him, sensing a cunning darkness behind his eyes. His intentions were inscrutable, unlike a true Yan family member—lacking their distinctive aura of righteous integrity.

The youngest, Yan Qingyi, was a magistrate in Jinling’s security bureau. Known as the “Cold-faced Judge” for his ruthless dedication to justice. But Shen He believed beneath his stern exterior lay a warm heart, obedient only to his eldest brother since childhood.

Yan Qingxiu was seven years older than Shen He. Because of the longstanding friendship between the Shen and Yan families, Yan Qingxiu had personally mentored her since childhood.

A few days prior, Yan Qingxiu and his younger brother Yan Qingyi had attended the Sixth Prince Xiao Jingchi’s birthday celebration, only to be ambushed by assassins.

Whether the intended target was Yan Qingxiu, the Sixth Prince, or Yan Qingyi—now a magistrate—remained unclear.

In the end, Yan Qingxiu was killed protecting Yan Qingyi and Xiao Jingchi. His body was found in the river; Xiao Jingchi was shocked into unconsciousness, and Yan Qingyi disappeared.

Shen He had mourned Yan Qingxiu’s death for an entire day and night.

The rebirth had come too suddenly; she hadn’t had time to process much. Mention of Yan Qingxiu’s death made her hands tremble, fists clenching slowly.

In her previous life, she had unwittingly learned that Yan Qingxiu’s death was also orchestrated by Xiao Jingren.

Since Heaven granted her this second chance, why not let her be reborn before Yan Qingxiu was murdered? Perhaps she could have prevented this tragedy.

Yan Qingxiu’s image flashed through her mind.

Within Yunshan Academy, he wore a pale blue robe, his sleeves billowing gently in the breeze, exuding a scholarly aura. His eyes shone with wisdom and strategy. The scroll in his hand seemed less a book than a symbol of the confidence he held within.

His handsome face framed by ink-black brows, eyes like cold stars, his steps measured and resolute. Pupils around him paused their studies, bowing respectfully, their eyes filled with admiration and reverence.

Beside him, one always felt safe. He could arrange everything flawlessly.

Such a good man, such an excellent teacher, such a beloved elder brother.

Shen He vowed silently, “Xiao Jingren, this time, along with avenging Mr. Yan, we’ll settle the score together!”