“I don’t loathe you. Didn’t I promise not to punish you anymore?” Shen Ruoyu clearly misinterpreted his meaning, mistakenly believing Shen Xinghuai was afraid she would reprimand him for this matter.

The tree shadows swayed. In the night, Shen Ruoyu’s voice softened. She comforted Shen Xinghuai, “Don’t be afraid. I won’t go back on my word.” Although she was slightly displeased that he questioned her whereabouts, it wasn’t serious enough to warrant a beating or scolding.

Hearing this, Shen Xinghuai subconsciously curled his lips into a smile. “I naturally trust you. Then, will you come to my room to play with me often?”

His clear, black and white eyes held a hint of anticipation as he looked at Shen Ruoyu. This left her puzzled. From the first dream, where he pushed her into the river to drown, it was clear that Shen Xinghuai certainly hated her. Anyone oppressed for over a decade would naturally harbor resentment.

But why did Shen Xinghuai seem so strange? She had only recently changed her attitude towards him, yet he acted as if he was fond of her as his elder sister.

“Alright, you’re also busy with your studies. I’ll visit more when you’re free.” Shen Ruoyu casually agreed. Exhausted, she bypassed Shen Xinghuai and returned directly to her room.

Back in her room, Shen Ruoyu immediately removed her restrictive clothing. She unwound the layers of white cloth wrapped around her chest, revealing the red marks left by the binding. Her tender n1pples were swollen and sensitive, too painful to touch.

“Miss, I’ll fetch water for you to wash up!” Xiao Chun, not yet asleep, hurried to attend to her upon hearing the commotion in Shen Ruoyu’s room.

Lying on the sofa, Shen Ruoyu nodded. “Alright, Xiao Chun, be quick.” Any later and she feared she would fall asleep.

“I’ll be right back… Oh, Miss, Master Rong sent a food box today while you were out. It contains your favorite poria cake. Shall I bring it for you to try first?”

Xiao Chun was still unaware of the truth, believing Rong Yan’s frequent homemade treats were a sign of his affection for Shen Ruoyu. She secretly envied her mistress’s beautiful relationship with Master Rong.

Shen Ruoyu, who had been drowsy, suddenly felt irritated upon hearing Xiao Chun’s words. “Really? Let me guess, my brother also received some pastries? Xiao Chun, just throw those pastries away. From now on, you don’t need to bring his things to my room. Just discard them directly.”

Shen Ruoyu had eaten fuling cake for a long time, solely because they were a gift from Rong Yan. He always included a portion for her brother whenever he sent them. Shen Ruoyu, unwilling to slight Rong Yan, always ate all the poria cake, even though she didn’t particularly enjoy pastries.

However, having been married to Rong Yan in her past life, Shen Ruoyu now knew that it wasn’t her, but her brother, Shen Xinghuai, who enjoyed poria cake. Rong Yan’s frequent gifts of pastries weren’t intended for her; his true purpose was to give them to Shen Xinghuai.

“Our Master Rong must be overjoyed to make pastries for his beloved.”

Rong Yan wasn’t a restrained and proper man; his coldness stemmed solely from his dislike for her, Shen Ruoyu. Yet, he maintained such a perfect facade, leaving no flaws to expose. Now, breaking off the engagement would only enhance his reputation.

Shen Ruoyu grew increasingly sleepy as she pondered these thoughts, and she drifted off to sleep again, her head resting on the sandalwood pillow. Her dreams had become more frequent and increasingly bizarre. She knew her dreams held a special power, making her hesitant even to sleep.

This time, she dreamt of the first time she gifted Rong Yan her embroidery. At the stone bridge by the eastern gate of the capital, she was still a shy maiden with a budding affection. Blushing, Shen Ruoyu pulled a square handkerchief from her sleeve. Gifting a handkerchief was a favored method of expressing love among noblewomen in the capital at that time. In her dream, she stammered as she presented the handkerchief to Rong Yan, “Master… Master Rong…”

Rong Yan politely nodded upon seeing it. “Thank you.” He extended his long, pale fingers and accepted the gift.

At the time, Shen Ruoyu was overjoyed, believing he reciprocated her feelings.

Unfortunately, the latter half of the dream shattered this beautiful illusion, revealing what happened after she left.

As Rong Yan returned home alone, a gust of wind blew the handkerchief, which Shen Ruoyu had painstakingly embroidered, from his embrace and onto the ground. Rong Yan glanced at it, briefly bending down, but ultimately did not pick it up.

“It’s nothing valuable. Let it be.”

Rong Yan turned and left with an air of indifference. Not long after his departure, another young man picked up the handkerchief. He seemed to murmur to himself, “Hmm… Isn’t this sister’s?”

Shen Ruoyu hadn’t realized she could witness events that occurred after her departure in her dreams.

The dream didn't end there. Shen Ruoyu saw Shen Xinghuai curled up on his somewhat dilapidated wooden bed. His upper body was fully clothed, but his trousers were pulled down to his knees. He held the soft handkerchief in his palm, wrapped around his engorged member, stroking himself.

With his dark hair damp with perspiration, Shen Xinghuai moaned in a voice thick with lust as he m4sturbated, “Ah… sister… Mmm…”