Chapter 24: She Must Not Go Back!

Seeing that Luying remained silent for a long time, Shen Ningyuan raised an eyebrow and asked, "What is it? Are you unwilling to stay by my side?"

Luying shook her head hurriedly. "Of course not. How could I be unwilling?"

Her voice grew quieter. "It is just that, Miss, you are of noble birth, and I am unskilled. I fear I may not serve you well... and I worry that I might make a mistake and incur your displeasure."

It was evident that she truly wished to remain with Shen Ningyuan.

Hearing this, Shen Ningyuan merely smiled and asked, "You do not need to know much. I only ask you one thing: will you ever betray me?"

Upon hearing this, Luying shook her head in a panic, looking at Shen Ningyuan nervously. "Miss, how could I ever betray you?"

Shen Ningyuan did not speak.

Thinking that she was not believed, Luying immediately raised four fingers and swore to the heavens. "Miss, I swear to the heavens, if I ever dare to betray you in the future, may I meet a wretched end!"

Seeing Luying so flustered by her vow, Shen Ningyuan said lightly, "There is no need for such a harsh oath. I believe you will not betray me."

Shen Ningyuan then asked, "So, have you thought it through? Are you willing to stay by my side?"

"Of course I am!" Luying nodded vigorously. "Thank you, Miss, for being willing to keep me by your side!"

She was not a servant born into the household, and having been sold to the Shen family not long ago, it was no easy feat to get ahead. Yet, unexpectedly, in just one day, she had won the favor of Shen Ningyuan! She had gone from a menial maid to a personal attendant to the young mistress. When she was first sold to the General’s Mansion, she never imagined such an opportunity would come her way. The more Luying thought about it, the more excited she became, silently vowing to herself that she must serve Shen Ningyuan well.

Compared to her excitement, Shen Ningyuan appeared quite calm. She reminded her softly, "You must consider this carefully. I am a married woman; although my husband died on the battlefield, I must eventually return to the Ji family. When that time comes, you will follow me to live there. Life there will not be as comfortable as it is in the General’s Mansion..."

Hearing this, Luying’s expression became even more resolute. "The fact that you are willing to promote me means you already think highly of me, Miss. What is a little hardship compared to that?"

"Rest assured, Miss, I do not fear hardship; I only fear causing you trouble," Luying added.

Seeing her determined expression, Shen Ningyuan did not say anything more, simply nodding in satisfaction. This girl had good character. She felt at ease keeping her by her side.

Just then, two young servants reminded them from outside that it was time for dinner. Shen Ningyuan stood up. "Let us go. It is time to eat."

Luying followed behind Shen Ningyuan as they exited the courtyard.

***

Upon arriving at the side hall, her father and mother were already seated, and her eldest brother and sister-in-law were sitting together.

"Yuan'er is here! Come, come, sit by your parents!"

As soon as Shen Ningyuan walked in, Shen Potian gestured to her. After she took her seat, her second brother arrived fashionably late, taking a seat beside her on his own accord.

"Yuan'er, did you rest well this afternoon?" Shen Haoyue asked with concern as soon as he sat down.

Shen Ningyuan nodded. "I rested quite well. Thank you for your concern, Second Brother."

No sooner had she finished speaking than Luying, standing behind her, muttered in a low voice, "Miss didn't rest well at all. In fact, she didn't rest a wink."

Upon hearing this, the complexions of Shen Potian, Shen Haobai, and Shen Haoyue changed simultaneously.

"Yuan'er, why did you not rest well? Is it because you haven't lived at home for a long time and are not used to it? Should Father have your bed changed?"

"That’s right, Yuan'er. If there is anything you are not accustomed to, just tell your eldest brother; I will find a way for you!"

Compared to the earnest concern of Shen Potian and Shen Haobai, Shen Haoyue remarked dryly, "Could it be that you are still thinking about that short-lived ghost?"

The group fell into a stunned silence, staring at Shen Haoyue in disbelief. Was this really the right time to bring that up?

Cui Jin was the first to react, warning Shen Haoyue with a stern expression, "Second son, do not poke at a sore spot!"

Shen Haoyue snorted coldly. "Hmph, a sore spot is exactly where I choose to poke!"

With that, he looked at Shen Ningyuan and asked, "Little sister, tell me, did your second brother offend you just now?"

Shen Ningyuan shook her head. "Do not worry, Second Brother, you did not offend me. There was another reason I did not rest well."

"What reason?" Shen Haobai asked urgently.

But before he could finish, Song Yan'er interrupted him. "Enough. Whatever the reason, if Yuan'er didn't rest well, she can go rest after eating. In any case, Yuan'er can stay at home as long as she likes, and there will be plenty of time for her to rest!"

Cui Jin gave Song Yan'er a grateful look. She knew her eldest daughter-in-law was helping her cover up the events of the afternoon. After speaking, Song Yan'er stood up and placed some food into Shen Ningyuan's bowl. "Yuan'er, eat more. These are all your favorites!"

***

"Thank you, Sister-in-law."

The two sisters-in-law exchanged a glance, both seeing a silent understanding in the other's eyes. Seeing this, Cui Jin breathed a sigh of relief. She did not want the three Shen men to know about the friction between Shen Ningyuan and Cui Mingzhu.

Just then, Shen Haoyue scanned the room and suddenly asked in a deep voice, "Where is Cui Mingzhu?"

Everyone was taken aback. They looked around in confusion, only then noticing that Cui Mingzhu had not come. Cui Jin’s expression turned tense. As she turned back, she met Shen Potian’s puzzled gaze.

"A-Jin, why hasn't Mingzhu come to eat? Is she feeling unwell?" Shen Potian asked with concern.

Cui Jin nodded along with his words, finding a random excuse to brush it off. "Yes, Mingzhu isn't feeling well and is resting in her room. We don't need to worry about her; let's eat, or the food will get cold!"

Hearing this, everyone felt relieved and began to eat. During the meal, Shen Ningyuan's bowl was piled high with various dishes, almost forming a small mountain. However, she had to bite the bullet and finish it all, for this was the love of her family. It had been a very, very long time since she had enjoyed a proper meal with her family.

Halfway through, Song Yan'er suddenly thought of something and asked, "Father, Mother, my sister-in-law just passed away for the country, and we have already brought our sister back. Will this not be bad for her reputation?"

As she spoke, Song Yan'er looked at Shen Ningyuan with concern. Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent. They all knew that what Song Yan'er said was the truth. Gossip is the most ruthless of things. Who knew what terrible things the common people might say about Shen Ningyuan?

As everyone remained silent, Shen Haoyue gritted his teeth and said, "If we are to push our sister back into that den of wolves just because of some idle gossip, I will not allow it!"

Shen Haoyue raised his head, staring firmly at everyone. He shouted, unable to contain himself, "If any of you dare to force my sister to return, I will sever ties with you, take my sister, and fly far away from this place of trouble!"