“If you’re tired, rest. I have other matters to attend to.”

She intended to confront Qi Ziyi. This was her younger brother; he couldn't be subjected to such unwarranted humiliation.

Shen Xinghuai seemed to see right through her. He sat up in bed and anxiously clutched her sleeve. “Sister! Are you going to find Qi Ziyi? If you're thinking of avenging me, please don't. I don't want you to trouble yourself over this.”

This time, Shen Xinghuai wasn't lying. He genuinely didn't want to see his sister confront someone like Qi Ziyi on his behalf. Qi Ziyi wasn't worthy of his sister's personal intervention.

“Shen Xinghuai, put some clothes on! What are you doing?” Pulled back by his grip, Shen Ruoyu instinctively turned. Shen Xinghuai's thin undergarment had slipped open, revealing toned abdominal muscles and the prominent red mole on his chest.

At her words, Shen Xinghuai looked down with feigned chagrin. “Ah… how did this happen? When did my clothes come undone…?” He mumbled, quickly grabbing a clean robe from a nearby chair and slipping it on.

“How did you know I was going to see Qi Ziyi? He may have appeared to be bullying you, but he was actually insulting our entire Shen family. The Marquis of Qi and the Shen family have been at odds for a long time. If we tolerate this, they'll only see the Grand Tutor's household as an easy target.”

This was a perfect opportunity to teach Qi Ziyi a lesson and serve as a warning to the Marquis of Qi’s entire household. The Marquis of Qi’s house was all surface glitter and no substance. She wondered what gave them the audacity to act so recklessly.

Since Shen Ruoyu had put it this way, Shen Xinghuai had no further grounds to stop her.

Just as she was leaving, however, he suddenly asked about Rong Yan. “Sister, I heard at the academy today that Rong Yan came to our house to propose marriage? Did you accept…?”

The young man’s clear, black eyes gazed at her intently, seemingly anxious for her answer. No one knew how nervous Shen Xinghuai truly was. His hands, clenched around the hem of his robe, were sweating. He was terrified of hearing the answer he dreaded from his sister's lips.

Shen Ruoyu felt a strange unease. She looked at her brother and shook her head. “No. We’ll discuss that later. It seems you’re quite concerned about Rong Yan.”

“Not at all, Sister. You misunderstand. I simply think you and Rong Yan are well-suited. It's a pity you're not yet married.” Shen Xinghuai’s expression was filled with regret, but Shen Ruoyu still detected a distinct lightness in his tone.

Knowing that Rong Yan's proposal hadn't been successful, why did he seem relieved?

“Alright, I’m going. Rest. I’ll have the steward send some servants to your courtyard later.” The more she thought about it, the stranger her brother’s behavior seemed. He was growing up, and his thoughts were becoming harder to decipher.

“Goodbye, Sister.” Shen Xinghuai watched her retreating figure, his inner turmoil evident. Finally, he called out, stopping her once more. “Wait, Sister! It’s so cold outside. Would you like some warm wine from my quarters before you go?”

What was he doing? He was so happy that Rong Yan hadn’t successfully proposed. In truth, he wished Rong Yan would simply disappear. If it weren’t for his sister's affection for Rong Yan, he would never have feigned admiration. Shen Xinghuai was simply afraid that his dislike for Rong Yan would be discovered by his sister, that she would see his contempt and find him even more repulsive.

Shen Ruoyu declined his offer. “I’ll have some warm wine when I return. Drinking clouds one’s judgment.”

She admitted she enjoyed drinking, but it was clearly not a wise choice at this moment.

“Sister, have a cup with me, please? Just a small one, alright?” Shen Xinghuai persisted, his voice a plea despite his sore throat. “Please, Sister, I beg you. Just a small cup to warm up. You won’t get drunk.”

Shen Ruoyu paused. Shen Xinghuai had just been bullied. Granting him a small request didn’t seem unreasonable. How long had it been since her brother had asked her for anything?

“Alright, just one cup.”