Hua Sui stood at the doorway, giving Shen Mingzhou a strange look.
"Did no one inform you, Young Master? This courtyard is now occupied by Second Daughter. Eldest Daughter currently resides with Zhou Yiniang."
"What?" Shen Mingzhou showed surprise.
Without another word, he strode directly through the gate, ignoring Hua Sui's attempts to stop him, and came to a halt in the courtyard.
Most of the courtyard's layout remained as before, but upon closer inspection, one could indeed notice subtle changes in some details.
For instance, an elegant screen had been added inside the room's entrance.
This wouldn't be a color Mingyue would prefer.
"Is Shen Mingtang really living here?" Shen Mingzhou's face had already begun to darken. "She seized Mingyue's courtyard, and Mother even made excuses for her."
Using the Imperial Order to curry favor with Mother, to get close to Mother—wasn't it all just to snatch Mingyue's belongings?
And now, she had even taken the courtyard.
Shen Mingtang, hearing the commotion outside, had already guessed that Shen Mingzhou had arrived.
She had witnessed Shen Mingzhou's extreme protectiveness toward Shen Mingyue before. He would undoubtedly be displeased to find her living here.
Just then, Shen Mingzhou's angry shout came from outside the room, "Shen Mingtang!"
"Young Lady." Hua Rong called out with concern.
Dealing with the Eldest Young Master couldn't be the same as dealing with Zhou Yiniang, could it? They couldn't just have people physically throw him out, right?
"Let's go out and see." Shen Mingtang rose to her feet.
In this life, having decided to resist, she couldn't afford to harbor any feelings of grievance. Once grievance took hold, a person would be at a disadvantage.
When facing challenges, one must confront them directly to have a chance at becoming the master of their own fate.
Soon, Shen Mingtang stood at the doorway of the room.
"Eldest Brother." She addressed him unhurriedly. "If Eldest Brother has matters to discuss with me, your younger sister, I am at your service. But if you're looking for our Eldest Sister, you'll need to go to Zhou Yiniang's place."
Shen Mingzhou snorted coldly. "At such a young age, you've managed to completely fool my mother and even swindle Mingyue's courtyard out of her. Shen Mingtang, Mother might be easily deceived, but I am not. Move out now!"
"Otherwise, I'll…" He raised his hand, pointing at Shen Mingtang, "I'll smash up this Jinxiu Courtyard!"
If Mingyue couldn't live here, she shouldn't even think about it either!
Shen Mingtang stood on the higher ground, meeting his gaze. The moment a trace of fear toward him arose in her heart, she forcefully suppressed it.
Her expression cooled. "Someone, escort the Young Master out."
As soon as the order was given, several sturdy maids in the courtyard immediately stepped forward, seized Shen Mingzhou's arms, and without another word, began dragging him out.
"Shen Mingtang, you…" Shen Mingzhou shouted while struggling.
However, he was well-read but lacked physical strength. Moreover, the maids in Jinxiu Courtyard were robust and outnumbered him, making resistance impossible.
Thus, he was dragged all the way out of Jinxiu Courtyard.
The maids dumped him on the open ground outside the courtyard gate and returned to stand behind Shen Mingtang, awaiting her next instructions.
Shen Mingtang looked at her somewhat disheveled eldest brother on the ground and was about to speak when she heard a cry of "Eldest Brother!" from not far away.
She looked up.
Shen Mingyue, accompanied by two maids, was hurriedly approaching.
"Eldest Brother!" Shen Mingyue rushed toward Shen Mingzhou and threw her arms around him. "Eldest Brother!Her eyes were even reddening with grievance.
Shen Mingzhou had always doted on this younger sister since childhood. Seeing her holding him with such grievance now only fueled the fire of his anger further.
"These days you've suffered injustice," Shen Mingzhou said.
Shen Mingyue sobbed uncontrollably, first shooting a resentful glance at Shen Mingtang before beginning her complaint, "Elder brother, these past few days, because of Shen Mingtang's instigation, Mother has slapped me several times."
Upon hearing that Qin Shi had struck her, Shen Mingzhou indeed grew more distressed. "What!"
"She also has a formidable matron by her side. Relying on that matron's support, she struts about the house putting on airs, even Father shows her consideration." Shen Mingyue continued weeping.
As for Shen Mingtang striking Zhou Yiniang, after some thought she decided not to mention it.
Yet these incidents alone had already infuriated Shen Mingzhou to the extreme.
Releasing Shen Mingyue, Shen Mingzhou strode purposefully toward where Shen Mingtang stood.
Today, no matter what, he would vent his younger sister's grievances!
He would seize this courtyard back for his sister.
"Close the gates," Shen Mingtang suddenly ordered when she saw him striding over.
The matrons chorused their assent and swiftly swung the double doors shut with a sharp bang, not forgetting to bolt them securely.
Shen Mingzhou, charging forward outside, nearly got hit by the closing doors.
He began kicking the door repeatedly.
"Young mistress, should we tell the young master about that incident where Eldest Daughter framed you?" Hua Sui asked softly.
She only knew about her mistress being falsely accused of theft recently, but was unaware of the Liu family matter.
"The framing incident is too trivial—it could easily be brushed aside by her," Shen Mingtang shook her head, her thoughts occupied with the Liu family affair.
Hua Sui was right—unless certain truths were laid bare before Shen Mingzhou's eyes, he would likely only believe Shen Mingyue's tears.
Listening to the siblings outside—one weeping, the other stomping in fury—Shen Mingtang thought for a moment before speaking up.
She raised her voice, "Elder brother, why not ask your legitimate sister where she's currently residing? Was it she who moved out of Jinxiu Courtyard first, or I who moved in?"
At these words, the kicking at the door indeed ceased.
Then Shen Mingzhou's voice was heard, "Where are you living now?"
After a moment of silence outside, Shen Mingyue's hesitant voice emerged, "She seized my Jinxiu Courtyard, leaving me with nowhere to go. I could only take up residence in Xiaoxiang Courtyard."
"Xiaoxiang Courtyard?" Shen Mingzhou suddenly recalled the maidservant's earlier words about Eldest Daughter living near Zhou Yiniang's quarters.
"Isn't Xiaoxiang Courtyard the one adjacent to Zhou Yiniang's residence?" Shen Mingzhou vaguely sensed something amiss. "Have you been keeping close company with Zhou Yiniang again, angering Mother?"
"Elder brother!" Shen Mingyue stamped her foot in frustration. "Zhou Yiniang isn't a bad person! She treats me very well."
"Doesn't Mother treat you well?" Shen Mingzhou's heart grew heavy.
"Mother is always restricting me," Shen Mingyue muttered under her breath. "The concubine indulges my every whim."
Shen Mingzhou opened his mouth, but the words caught in his throat. Unconsciously, a trace of disappointment flickered in his eyes.
This younger sister had never enjoyed studying since childhood, showing extreme laziness toward music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He hadn't minded this before, yet somehow, when she said Zhou Shi indulged her completely, he felt an inexplicable irritation.
"Move back to Jinxiu Courtyard. Mother is ill—you should go see her," Shen Mingzhou's tone brooked no refusal.
"I won't," Shen Mingyue turned away stubbornly.
"Then I'll have your belongings moved back," Shen Mingzhou persisted.
Shen Mingyue looked at him, "Elder brother, Zhou Yiniang truly isn't a bad person. She cares for me deeply. Isn't it good to have one more person who cherishes me?"
With that, she turned and ran.
"Mingyue!" Shen Mingzhou instinctively moved to chase after her.
But he had barely taken two steps when someone emerged from beside the wall, reaching out to stop him.
"Young master, there are some matters this humble servant would like to discuss with you," Qiuyue curtsied to him. "They concern the two young ladies and the Madam."