Recalling the way the girl had sprinted toward him, knowing full well how dangerous it was, yet still recklessly grabbing hold of him— A warm thought had just surfaced in his mind when Shen Xiaoxing ruthlessly suppressed it. He didn’t believe a woman he’d only known for a few days would risk herself like that for him. She saved him only because she was afraid something would happen to him and she couldn’t explain it to the old man. She married into the Shen family in place of An Qing for that fifty-thousand-yuan dowry, so her care and protection of him were merely about keeping the agreement with the old man. In plain terms, they were just using each other. With that thought, the gratitude he’d felt for her reckless rescue faded bit by bit, and the tenderness in his eyes gradually turned cold. An Ruo, behind him, didn’t notice the change in his expression. Anyway, his nature was gloomy and aloof—he’d say a few words when pleased and turn cold when annoyed. She was used to it.
By the time they reached the Yage Hall, they were already past the Shen family’s designated mealtime. The old man’s face was stern, unreadable in its mood. Just as she stepped through the door, she heard the sharp, sarcastic voice of Second Madam Fang Yingxue: “Miss An really knows how to put on airs. She’s only been married in a few days and already has no manners, keeping the elders waiting this long. Absolutely no upbringing at all.” Was she born living in a gossip trap? Why was she so snide and twisted? With a mother like that, no wonder she’d raised a piece of work like Shen Tingfeng. An Ruo kept her composure, bending slightly out of respect for the elders: “I’m sorry, Grandfather. It’s my first time at the Shen residence, and I’m not familiar with the layout, so I got delayed on the way.” Before the old man could respond, Fang Yingxue struck again with a sneer: “Ha, the An family daughter sure knows how to spin a tale. Are you telling me there wasn’t a single person to guide you when you came to the Shen residence?” An Ruo simmered with anger. She’d just been toyed with and humiliated in the garden by that woman’s son, and now she had to endure her venomous words. What kind of nest of vipers was this Shen family? The older the fox, the sharper. Fang Yingxue saw An Ruo’s expression shift from her few jabs and continued smoothly: “According to tradition, a new bride is supposed to serve tea to the elders. But here you are, casually missing the auspicious time.” Was she the lead in some palace drama, so good at stirring the pot? Wasn’t she tired of putting on this solo act? An Ruo had every reason to suspect that the housekeeper who’d suddenly claimed to have something to do and left midway was definitely orchestrated by this wicked mother-in-law, Fang Yingxue, just to make her lose face. Just as the standoff dragged on, her soon-to-be mother-in-law, Lin Zhao, stepped in to smooth things over. “Dad, An Qing just married into the Shen family and doesn’t know many rules yet. Her failure to come in time to serve you tea today is my fault too.” Lin Zhao glanced at An Ruo. “I didn’t warn her beforehand. Considering she’s a junior and newly arrived, ignorance should be excused. Let’s let it go this time.” The old man naturally wouldn’t bother with a junior over such a trivial matter. “Precisely because she’s a junior that she must adhere to the rules. Without rules, nothing stands. This is the Shen family now, not her An family.” An Ruo: “…” “If everyone shared Sister-in-law’s mindset, wouldn’t the Shen family be in chaos?” Lin Zhao, constantly suppressed by her in the Shen household, had long harbored resentment: “What do you want?” “Sister-in-law, what kind of talk is that? It sounds like you think I’m deliberately picking a fight.” Fang Yingxue’s smile hid a knife. “The Shen family has rules. Since she’s a Shen now and has made a mistake, naturally, she must be dealt with according to family law.” Family law? What kind of ridiculous rules did the Shen family have? Showing up late and not serving tea on time—such a petty thing, and she had to cling to it. “Steward Shen, what are you standing there for? The eldest young mistress doesn’t know the rules. Go get the family law and teach her a lesson.” “…” Shen Xiaoxing’s hand on the wheelchair tightened slightly. Fang Yingxue was deliberately picking a fight to test whether he would defend An Ruo. If he pleaded for the girl, her situation in the Shen family would become even more dangerous. But if he showed no reaction and watched her be punished, he’d betray his own conscience. Whatever her motive for saving him earlier, he’d remember that debt. The steward glanced at the old man, who neither spoke nor stopped him. Just as she was about to fetch the family law rod, a lazy male voice rang out from the doorway. “Oh, so lively today?” An Ruo froze. Seeing Shen Tingfeng appear made her whole body bristle. He was the one who’d caused their delay, and also the son of Fang Yingxue, who was now relentlessly pushing to punish her. “Grandfather, Mom, why get so worked up? Big brother and sister-in-law were just chatting with me earlier. Haven’t seen big brother in a while, so we got a bit carried away and forgot about the new bride’s tea ceremony.” Fang Yingxue glared at her son. What was he playing at, turning good at a critical moment? An Ruo frowned. Was Shen Tingfeng, after failing to set her up, now playing the good guy? “Enough!” The old man slammed his cane hard on the ground, his face stern and unyielding, his voice carrying authority: “As long as I’m alive, the Shen family won’t fall apart. I set these rules, and I decide what happens.” His cold, sharp gaze swept over Fang Yingxue. “Mind your own branch’s affairs and stop meddling!” Fang Yingxue rolled her eyes coldly but smiled and said, “Yes, Dad. Whatever you say is right. I won’t upset you.” With this scene, the old man had completely lost his mood for tea. The step of the new bride serving tea was skipped, and the steward invited everyone to move to the dining hall for the meal. An Ruo took a deep breath. If she had a choice, she’d rather die than eat this meal at the Shen residence. She pushed the man along behind the others when a figure brushed past her. Shen Tingfeng shot her a lecherous grin and winked. An Ruo: “…” She just wanted to get out of this place of trouble!