"Still not leaving?" Shen Fei said angrily.
The man, startled, scrambled away. "Miss Fan, are you alright?" Shen Fei stepped forward to help Fan Yun Xiu.
Fan Yun Xiu trembled and took a step back. "A man and a woman should not touch. Thank you, young master."
Shen Fei was taken aback and felt his action was inappropriate, so he withdrew.
Fan Yun Xiu stood up on her own and approached Shen Yun Xuan, who was riding a tall horse. She curtsied and said, "Thank you, cousin-in-law."
Shen Yun Xuan nodded faintly. "Do not go out alone in the future. If you must go out, have your cousin arrange for maids to accompany you."
Fan Yun Xiu said, "Thank you, cousin-in-law. I was actually out with my cousin. She is in the jewelry shop opposite. I just didn't want to stay there and thought I'd get some fresh air, but I didn't expect..."
She bit her lower lip, her hands clenching the handkerchief tightly.
"Shen Fei, accompany Miss Fan and wait for Madam to come out," Shen Yun Xuan commanded.
Shen Fei watched as all eyes turned to his master and couldn't help but sigh. Master, Master, she has her heart set on you, why leave him here?
Shen Yun Xuan rode away.
Fan Yun Xiu watched his retreating back with a hint of reluctance.
Madam Zhou walked out after selecting her jewelry and saw Shen Fei standing beside Fan Yun Xiu. She walked over. "Shen Fei, why are you here?"
Before Shen Fei could answer, Fan Yun Xiu interjected, "Cousin-in-law drove away a scoundrel for me and sent Shen Fei to protect me."
Madam Zhou said, "Yun Xiu, are you hurt?"
Fan Yun Xiu shook her head. "Cousin, I'm fine. It's just my cousin-in-law who had to exert himself."
"You are my cousin, it is only right." Madam Zhou said.
Fan Yun Xiu nodded. "In that case, I would still like to express my gratitude to cousin-in-law."
Madam Zhou glanced at Fan Yun Xiu and said, "There is no need to thank him. You are my cousin, my family. It was a simple matter for him to save my family. Cousin, please do not be so insistent."
Fan Yun Xiu nodded. "Cousin speaks wisely."
Upon returning to the Shen residence, Madam Zhou called for Madam Fan. Madam Fan, seeing Madam Zhou's displeased expression, asked, "My child, what is wrong?"
"Mother, you have been staying in the manor for two days. You should return tomorrow!"
Madam Fan, who was quite comfortable, was surprised to hear she had to leave. "My child, what is wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong. I just feel that if you stay here, aren't you worried about your father's side? You know there are many who wish to be your father's concubines..."
"You... you are spouting nonsense..." Madam Fan did not believe her.
"Has Father sent anyone to invite you back? Has he even inquired about you?"
Madam Fan was stunned. "How did you know?"
"Father is probably having a wonderful time at the manor, isn't he?"
Madam Fan trembled. "How, how is that possible?"
"Is that so? Mother Sun is so confident, then continue to stay here. Consider what I said as if I hadn't said it."
With that, Madam Zhou was about to leave.
Madam Fan thought for a moment. "My child, don't go. I plan to return tomorrow."
"Very well. Cousin has not yet met Father. Let Cousin return with us to meet the family."
Madam Fan nodded. "Alright, tomorrow, my cousin and I will leave."
The next day, Fan Yun Xiu heard that she was to leave the Shen residence. She was resistant. She did not want to leave the Shen residence, for she knew that once she left, she might never be able to return.
"Aunt, I..."
Madam Fan looked at Fan Yun Xiu, took a sip of tea, and then looked up. "What? You don't want to leave?"
Fan Yun Xiu suddenly knelt on the ground. "Aunt, Yun Xiu does not want to leave. I beg Aunt to grant me my wish."
Upon hearing this, Madam Fan sighed. "Do you know that your cousin's own sister begged me in the same way..."
"Aunt, please grant my wish." Fan Yun Xiu said through gritted teeth.
"Do you know that your cousin sent her home, and she is now mentally unsound?"
Fan Yun Xiu trembled. "But, perhaps I am the same as her?"
"Yun Xiu, must you walk this path?" Madam Fan asked.
Fan Yun Xiu nodded. "Yes, I must walk this path."
How could she not know that this path was difficult? But if she didn't try, how would she know it was impossible?
"Since you are determined, Aunt will not stop you. Think carefully, and do not blame Aunt for not reminding you that your cousin is not as weak as you perceive her to be."
"Thank you, Aunt, for granting my wish." Fan Yun Xiu kowtowed.
Madam Fan left, not taking Fan Yun Xiu with her. She merely sent word through the servants that she would be back in a few days.
"Madam, what is the meaning of this from the Old Madam?" Hong Yan somewhat understood Madam Fan's actions.
Madam Zhou sighed. "It seems Mother has forgotten my advice."
"Madam, that Miss Fan?"
"Don't bother with her. Just have someone keep a close eye on her, so she doesn't take advantage of anything."
"Yes, Madam. This servant will go and give the orders."
Madam Zhou gazed at the moon obscured by dark clouds outside the window and a smile touched her lips.
Fan Yun Xiu discovered that no matter what she did, it seemed someone was following her, yet she could not catch them.
Every time she had a chance to get close to Shen Yun Xuan, it was ruined.
Fan Yun Xiu knew that if she didn't try harder, it would truly be too late.
One day, she heard that Shen Yun Xuan was returning from court early. She made a sweet soup in the small kitchen and prepared to take it to the study. Little did she know that the study was already guarded, and she couldn't get close to Shen Yun Xuan.
Later, she planned to wait at the entrance of the Shen residence for Shen Yun Xuan's return. She didn't see him, and she was driven away by the servants sweeping the entrance.
After repeated attempts, Fan Yun Xiu realized this situation was untenable. One day, she left the Shen residence, intending to intercept Shen Yun Xuan on the road.
The carriage Shen Yun Xuan was in suddenly stopped. "What's happening?"
Shen Fei whispered, "Master, it's the young miss."
Shen Yun Xuan frowned. "Go and ask her what it is."
Shen Fei returned and said, "Master, Miss Fan wishes to speak with you alone."
"Go to the nearest teahouse," Shen Yun Xuan said faintly.
Fan Yun Xiu never expected to be able to meet Shen Yun Xuan so easily. If she had known, she would have done this earlier, saving herself the delay.
In a fine private room at the teahouse, Fan Yun Xiu looked at Shen Yun Xuan, who was close at hand, and couldn't help but say, "Sir, I wish to stay."
Shen Yun Xuan glanced at Fan Yun Xiu. "Miss Fan can speak to Madam if she wishes to continue staying."
"Sir, cousin does not agree. She does not wish for me to stay." Fan Yun Xiu cried, her face a picture of pitiable sorrow.
"Since Madam disagrees, I am powerless to help," Shen Yun Xuan said faintly.
"Sir, why do you let your cousin decide? With your high position, you should not be controlled by anyone."
Shen Yun Xuan looked at Fan Yun Xiu. Fan Yun Xiu felt Shen Yun Xuan's gaze was dark, like a bottomless abyss.