Yun Ni hit the bullseye three times in a row. Her skill was even better than that of some of the army’s finest archers.
With that one performance, Yun Ni made a name for herself, leaving all the aristocratic youths who had mocked her earlier speechless.
Fourth Miss Shen should have been happy after winning the prize, but seeing Yun Ni steal the spotlight left her feeling rather sour.
Shen Bao Lu whispered to Wang Ruo Dan, “She said she couldn’t shoot earlier, but the two of us were completely fooled by her! She’s not just capable—she’s an expert! She was clearly waiting to make fools of us!”
Wang Ruo Dan was unhappy as well.
She had befriended Yun Ni for two reasons. First, she wanted Shen Ting Lan to see how gracious and magnanimous she was—how well she could get along with the woman who had once been close to him. Second, she wanted Yun Ni to embarrass herself in front of everyone, so that she could see how the children of aristocratic families conducted themselves and realize the vast difference between them.
But instead, all Wang Ruo Dan’s careful arrangements had ended up benefiting Yun Ni.
Seeing that several young aristocrats were beginning to take an interest in Yun Ni, Wang Ruo Dan quickly said, “Since the competition is over and we have a winner, why don’t we play another game?”
She called over her maid and ordered her to bring some green-plum wine, a favorite among young ladies.
“Let’s play Passing the Flower to the Drum!”
Wang Ruo Dan figured that Yun Ni, having grown up in a humble household, was probably poorly educated. This would be her chance to regain some dignity.
Yun Ni finished putting away the bow and arrows and was about to excuse herself.
But Shen Si Niang grabbed her. “Why are you leaving so quickly? We’re not done playing yet!”
Yun Ni answered seriously, “I don’t know how to play Passing the Flower to the Drum…”
“It’s very simple.” Wang Ruo Dan took out a small cowhide drum and explained with a smile, “One person sits with her back to everyone else and beats the drum while the flower is passed around. When the drum stops, whoever is holding the flower has to compose a poem. If she can’t, she has to drink as punishment.”
Yun Ni estimated how much alcohol she could handle.
She certainly wasn’t a good drinker. Back when she had drunk mountain peach wine with Shen Ting Lan, two cups had been enough to leave her thoroughly tipsy. She had even needed Shen Ting Lan to help remove her shoes and socks before putting her to bed.
Yun Ni didn’t want to drink with people she barely knew. She was afraid that if she became drunk, she might make a fool of herself in public.
She had no desire to make trouble for herself. Besides, there was no one here she particularly wished to befriend. In another six months, she would be leaving Longzhou and returning home anyway. She didn’t care what these aristocratic young masters and ladies thought of her.
So she said gently, “I’m sorry. I can’t read or write, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to play with you.”
Yun Ni openly admitted her weakness. Yet the simple statement that she was illiterate landed like a thunderbolt, leaving everyone present staring at her in shock.
Yun Ni actually admitted that she couldn’t read?
Did she not want to find herself a good husband someday?
Besides, who among the children of great families was illiterate? An aristocratic young master who couldn’t even recite a few lines of poetry would be too ashamed to show his face outside.
Shen Si Niang was nearly furious enough to cry.
Feeling that Yun Ni had embarrassed her, she stamped her foot angrily. “How can there still be people who can’t read? You must have been too lazy to listen to your tutor’s lessons! Playing with you is absolutely humiliating!”
Shen Si Niang had been raised far too comfortably and had no understanding of the hardships of ordinary people. She thought every household had servants waiting on them, that everyone had enough food and clothing, and that everyone could afford paper, ink, brushes, and inkstones.
Yun Ni racked her brain, not knowing how to explain to these wealthy young masters and ladies that when someone could barely afford enough food to survive, being able to study and learn to read was an unimaginable luxury.
Being illiterate was nothing to be ashamed of. Yun Ni had managed to grow up safely and stay healthy despite her circumstances. That alone was already remarkable.
From Yun Ni’s words, Shen Ji Chuan sensed a kind of stubborn courage—the attitude of someone who had nothing left to lose. Rather than thinking her foolish or ignorant, he found her somewhat endearing.
Before Shen Ji Chuan could speak up for her, a clear yet stern voice suddenly came from behind Yun Ni.
“Shen Bao Lu! Members of an aristocratic family should treat others with kindness, not look down on them because of their status. With such a narrow and spiteful heart, how can you call yourself a daughter of the Shen family?”
Shen Si Niang froze when she heard her given name.
She looked up and found herself facing Shen Ting Lan’s imposing figure, his presence as steady and solemn as a mountain.
Her entire back went cold.
Of everyone in the family, Shen Ting Lan was the person she feared most. Because she was a girl, she had rarely been scolded by her eldest cousin, but both her second and third brothers had experienced the sting of his discipline.
Shen Ting Lan had been exceptionally intelligent since childhood. He could memorize books after reading them only once, and because of that, he had always demanded a great deal from his younger brothers.
If they couldn’t explain a passage from the classics, the ruler would immediately come down.
Smack!
Their palms would swell like little hills, and their mother, Madam Ye, would burst into tears at the sight.
Shen Si Niang had never expected Shen Ting Lan to reprimand her publicly.
Her eyes immediately filled with tears, and she felt terribly wronged.
She glared at the innocent-looking Yun Ni and snapped, “It’s all your fault! You actually got Big Brother to stand up for you! You little vixen!”
After saying that, Shen Si Niang turned around and ran off angrily.
Which aristocratic young master or lady present wasn’t afraid of Shen Ting Lan?
He was a man so powerful that even their fathers had to bow and flatter him.
The others exchanged glances, then quickly found excuses to leave, each one politely bowing before departing.
Even Wang Ruo Dan didn’t dare stay much longer. After giving a brief explanation, she followed the servants back to the tents.
The night grew deeper.
The moon hung high overhead, bathing the earth in silver light. Frost and moonlight covered the tender blades of spring grass.
The vast meadow was now empty except for Yun Ni and Shen Ting Lan.
A cool breeze swept through Shen Ting Lan’s wide sleeves, carrying the faint, refreshing fragrance of spring orchids and lingering around them.
It was a scent Yun Ni knew better than anyone.
Yet she could no longer draw close to it.
She had to maintain at least an arm’s length between them, lest she provoke his disgust.
They had agreed to go their separate ways.
Yet whenever the strange looks from everyone around made it difficult for her to breathe, Shen Ting Lan would still step forward and help her out.
“Why did you defend me?” Yun Ni looked up at him.
Her voice trembled faintly, carrying a trace of happiness that she herself failed to notice.
Perhaps Yun Ni still hadn’t completely given up on Shen Ting Lan.
Perhaps her distant attitude was merely an expression of resentment. Perhaps she was only pretending to be carefree while secretly waiting for Shen Ting Lan to change his ways.
But Shen Ting Lan clearly had no idea what she was hoping for.
He looked at her coldly and said without mercy, “Si Niang embarrassed herself before His Majesty and brought shame upon the aristocracy. As the senior member of the clan, it was my duty to correct her misconduct and uphold proper conduct.”
Yun Ni understood.
So the young emperor had witnessed the entire scene.
No wonder Shen Ting Lan had been so furious and publicly reprimanded Shen Si Niang.
She had simply been imagining things.
Yun Ni forced a smile, pretending everything was fine.
There was nothing left for her to say to Shen Ting Lan. She bowed politely and turned as though she were about to return to her tent.
Before she could leave, Shen Ting Lan slightly pursed his lips and suddenly said, “Children of aristocratic families pride themselves on their status and rarely associate with those from humble backgrounds. When those noble ladies approach you, they have their own motives…”
His voice was blunt.
“Miss Yun, let me make this clear. They merely want to watch you make a fool of yourself in public.”
Shen Ting Lan was warning her.
He was telling Yun Ni to be careful with her words and actions, and not to humiliate herself. No one in aristocratic society would truly welcome her.
Yun Ni stared at him blankly, then softly replied, “Mm.”
She knew how to conduct herself with dignity.
She also knew how to avoid embarrassing herself.
But knowing something and being able to do it were two different things.
For some inexplicable reason, Yun Ni’s nose suddenly stung, and her throat felt as though it were stuffed with bitter plums. When she opened her mouth, her voice came out choked with emotion, and the ache was almost unbearable.
So Shen Ting Lan hadn’t been completely oblivious to everything around him.
He knew no one here liked her.
He knew no one welcomed her.
He knew she was an outsider among these aristocrats, isolated and helpless, with no one she could even confide in.
Shen Ting Lan knew everything.
And yet, he had simply stood by and watched her struggle.
“Shen Ting Lan, I don’t understand…” Yun Ni’s voice trembled. “Is the effect of the love poison really so powerful that it can turn someone who once treated me so well into someone so cold and heartless?”
“You once told me you loved me. You promised we would spend the rest of our lives together.”
“If you truly want to sever ties with me, then can’t you make it more final? Don’t give me even the slightest hope. Don’t show me kindness, not even for a moment. Don’t make me remember what we once had.”
“Shen Ting Lan, you should be harsher with me. Be crueler. Be worse!”
After venting her anger, Yun Ni suddenly felt that it was pointless.
She still had to stay in the Shen household for another six months. She wanted those months to be easier, at least a little less painful than this.
Yun Ni finally gave in.
Defeated, she said helplessly, “Young Master Shen, you don’t have to treat me so coldly, as though I were some terrifying beast. I won’t be foolish anymore. I won’t rush toward you just because you show me the slightest kindness.”
“I know you dislike me, resent me, and find me unpleasant…”
“Shen Ting Lan, I really am slowly letting you go.”
Yun Ni had accepted her fate.
She was convinced that Shen Ting Lan no longer had any feelings for her. She was truly willing to let him go and stop hurting herself by holding on.
If she occasionally lost herself in memories, it was only because, in this imposing Shen household, she had no family or friends. The only person she was familiar with was Shen Ting Lan.
Yun Ni didn’t know whether Shen Ting Lan had taken her words to heart.
She stood there for a long time before finally hearing his calm, emotionless voice.
“It’s late. I’ll escort you back to your tent.”
Yun Ni felt as though she had punched a pillow.
There was no response—only a hollow, powerless feeling.
She said nothing more and obediently followed behind him toward the tent glowing with firelight.
Back inside, Yun Ni reclined on the wooden couch and closed her eyes to rest.
Not long afterward, the servants brought in steaming bathwater.
Yun Ni removed her dirty clothes, stepped into the tub, and hugged her knees.
She was utterly exhausted from the day. Leaning against the edge of the tub, she nearly fell asleep.
In her hazy state, she dreamed again.
This time, Yun Ni saw Shen Ting Lan dressed in a simple white robe.
The man bent down and gathered his drunken wife into his arms, gently settling her onto his lap.
Her embroidered shoes had been removed, and the ties of her socks loosened. Now and then, she felt a cool, soft touch brush against her ankle.
It was Shen Ting Lan, using his long fingers to gently massage the ankle that had ached all day.
Even though Yun Ni had been drunk, she could still feel the kisses he placed on her and hear the helpless yet affectionate sigh that escaped his lips.
“Your tolerance is so poor, yet you still insist on drinking until you’re drunk and then cling to someone for a hug…”
“Don’t drink with other people in the future. If I’m not there, you never know who might take advantage of you.”