A’Yuan was placed under confinement.
It was Wei Xun himself who gave the order.
The gate of Yuqing Courtyard was tightly shut, leaving only a bamboo-basket-sized opening for delivering meals.
Chun Tao placed the food box on the table and glanced at her mistress, who was leaning on the daybed doing embroidery. She curled her lips and said, “In the past, the kitchen always mistreated us, giving us leftovers and scraps. Now that we’re confined, they don’t dare anymore.”
Previously, it was she who went to fetch meals from the kitchen. The old women there, following the Second Madam’s orders, bullied them the most. Now, it was Granny Zheng who went to get the food. Those people, judging by the situation, gave them their full rations.
Chun Tao said this to find some joy in their hardship. She didn’t understand why the young master had suddenly turned hostile when everything had been fine just a few days ago.
Could it be because of the ruffian they encountered on the way to the temple?
Chun Tao looked at A’Yuan with concern in her eyes.
At that moment, A’Yuan’s gaze was fixed outside the window, her expression somewhat dazed. The image of the man interrogating her that night still felt vivid before her eyes.
She naturally knew that Wei Xun did not love her. His interrogation was merely driven by a man’s possessiveness.
Now, locked in Yuqing Courtyard, she felt even more like a caged canary in Wei Xun’s palm, unable to escape his grasp.
Suddenly, a kite drifted into view outside the window, soaring higher and higher against the wind. It flew over the walls of the Marquis Manor, seemingly heading toward the horizon, only for its string to get tangled in a branch, causing it to plummet abruptly.
The light in A’Yuan’s eyes also faded, shifting from bright to dim, as if the spark within her had vanished in an instant.
“Thud!”
The kite fell from the tree. Hearing the noise, Chun Tao pushed the door open and went outside. Soon, her delighted exclamation echoed from the courtyard.
“Hey, how did a kite end up in our courtyard? Who flew it?”
The young maid, still a child at heart, lifted the kite high above her head and ran around the courtyard.
Watching her, A’Yuan gradually curved her lips into a faint smile.
But before the mistress and maid could fully enjoy themselves, the courtyard gate was knocked.
Granny Zheng entered with two maids and an old woman, pushing the door open and asking immediately, “Did Madam Shen’s kite fall into your courtyard?”
Before Chun Tao could answer, the other old woman stepped forward and snatched the kite away, glaring at her fiercely. “Sister Zheng, no need to search—it’s right here!”
This old woman was Shen Qiuyu’s wet nurse, who had always disliked A’Yuan and her maid. Seeing Chun Tao playing so happily, she looked at her as if she were a thief.
Chun Tao’s face flushed with anger, and she sneered back, “Who wants this shabby kite? Falling into our courtyard, I find it nothing but bad luck!”
“You! Who do you think you’re talking to, you little wretch?”
The wet nurse glared furiously, hands on her hips, ready to strike.
Granny Zheng stopped her, pushing her toward the exit. “Since the kite has been found, hurry back and let the ladies play with it. There’s no need to argue with a little maid.”
The wet nurse still wanted to curse, but this was the Marquis Manor, and she didn’t dare act too boldly. Swallowing her anger, she stormed out.
“Neener neener!” Chun Tao stuck out her tongue at her, making her even angrier.
“You little wretch, just you wait!”
“Hmph! I’ll wait—it’s not like I’m afraid of you!”
Chun Tao had never been one to be intimidated!
She lifted her chin proudly, like a victorious rooster.
A’Yuan chuckled helplessly and tapped her forehead. “You really ought to change that temper of yours. If one day I’m no longer here…”
“Pah, pah, pah! How could Mistress not be here? Chun Tao will follow you forever!”
The little maid’s eyes reddened with urgency. A’Yuan gazed at the courtyard gate, her smile tinged with melancholy. “There will come a day when I can no longer protect you.”
Wei Xun was well aware that Shen Qiuyu had made things difficult for her, yet he still allowed her to visit. It was clear that she meant nothing to him.
Chun Tao’s temperament was manageable if someone protected her, but without protection, she would be devoured in this inner courtyard, not even a bone left.
“The Young Master may soon have good news. Once the mistress enters the household, you must be cautious in your words and actions. Do not anger the master and cause me to be punished as well.”
A’Yuan deliberately spoke gravely. Though Chun Tao was impulsive, she was also fiercely loyal. By bringing herself into it, A’Yuan ensured Chun Tao would take it seriously.
Sure enough, as soon as A’Yuan finished speaking, Chun Tao’s face paled, and she nodded repeatedly. “This servant knows she was wrong. I will never speak out of turn again.”
“Good that you understand. Hurry inside to eat; the food is getting cold.”
How could A’Yuan truly blame her? If the two of them could just stay in this courtyard without dealing with the outside world, it would be a blessing.
……
Front courtyard of the Marquis Manor.
Wei Jin had spent half the day flying kites with Shen Qiuyu before finally waiting for Wei Xun to return from his duties.
“Third Brother, come quickly! A Yu’s kite string broke. Help her untangle it.”
Wei Xun paused his steps, glanced at Shen Qiuyu standing beside Wei Jin with her head bowed in shyness, but his cold eyes showed no flicker of emotion.
“Where are the servants of the manor? If they cannot do their jobs, sell them off!”
“Third Brother…”
Wei Jin had not expected her third brother to refuse even such a small request. Hadn’t he been quite fond of A Yu before? Could it be because of the scandal involving the Shen family’s concubine?
“Third Brother, how could you believe the words of outsiders? I know Uncle Shen’s character best. It must be that concubine who seduced and deceived him. Besides, A Yu is innocent. If you don’t feel for her, that’s one thing, but to cold-shoulder her like this…”
“Wei Jin!”
Wei Xun pinched the bridge of his nose, never having felt his younger sister to be so foolish before.
“There is no matchmaker or betrothal between me and Miss Shen. How can there be talk of feeling for her or cold-shouldering her? Such words would only damage Miss Shen’s reputation. If you cannot speak properly, I will have Mother hire two etiquette matrons to teach you!”
“Third Brother…”
Only when Wei Xun’s expression turned icy did Wei Jin realize she had gone too far. Beside her, Shen Qiuyu’s face also paled.
Last time, Wei Xun had treated her with warmth, nothing like this cold indifference.
Shen Qiuyu still did not know that her mistreatment of A’Yuan had been exposed. After all, A’Yuan had just been placed under house arrest by Wei Xun, and no one could see any favor the man held for this bedchamber maid.
Thus, she instinctively attributed Wei Xun’s coldness to Shen Yaozu. With Master Shen having taken a concubine and fathered an illegitimate child, the Shen family’s reputation was no longer spotless, and even Wei Xun had begun to look down on her.
Shen Qiuyu tightened her grip on her handkerchief, pulled Wei Jin aside, and forced a smile. “A’Jin, there’s no need to explain on my behalf. What kind of person I am, the Young Master will surely come to understand in time. Do not let me affect the bond between you siblings.”
She spoke magnanimously, making Wei Jin feel even more sympathy for her. As for Wei Xun, he gave her a profound, inscrutable look.
This woman was so cunning—no wonder he had almost been deceived.
Thinking of the suffering A’Yuan had endured, Wei Xun’s eyes grew even colder.
Shen Qiuyu’s heart tightened, but to maintain her good impression, she still offered Wei Xun a gentle, graceful smile.
Wei Xun coldly averted his gaze and walked past her with Chang Yuan.
Shen Qiuyu’s smile froze on her face.
“A Yu, don’t be sad. My third brother is just like this—cold to everyone. He has simply misunderstood you. Once the misunderstanding is cleared, he will surely remember your goodness.”
Wei Jin felt sorry for her friend, and since Li Huai’s promotion relied on the Shen family, she naturally tried to comfort Shen Qiuyu whenever possible.
Shen Qiuyu forced a smile. “I know.”
She would never give up on Wei Xun.
In the past, as the only daughter of the Shen family, she had many options for marriage, but now Shen Yaozu had appeared, and the Shen family’s wealth would not all be left to her.
She had lost the support of her family and could not miss Wei Xun again.
So even if Wei Xun treated her coldly, she would endure it.