Chapter 5: You're Better Suited to Becoming a Nun

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Shen Yuan’s eyes suddenly chilled, her presence commanding without a word: “Do I need your permission for you to hit me? Or should I report this to Father and Mother? Or even to the court?”

“You!”

“You knew very well I would pass the stone bridge on my way back to Autumn Water Garden, so you hid here early with the cuju ball, just waiting for me, didn’t you? You deliberately aimed at me!”

As if her thoughts had been read, Shen Yu’s eyes flickered with unease, vehemently denying it.

Last night, he had heard that Sister Wan Ning fainted in distress trying to calm Shen Yuan, so today he planned to teach her a lesson.

“No answer? Then I’ll take that as your admission.”

Shen Yuan fixed him with a piercing gaze, then hefted the cuju ball and hurled it heavily into the river.

“No!”

Shen Yu leaned over the bridge, watching the ball float on the water, drifting farther with the ripples.

He turned back with a look of disgust at Shen Yuan. “I’m going to tell Father and have him drive you out of the mansion!”

“Yu’er! How can you talk to Sister Yuan like that?”

A clear voice sounded nearby—Shen Yi, the elder brother who had just finished his official duties, arrived and witnessed the siblings’ dispute.

Seeing him, Shen Yu seemed to find a pillar of support. In a few words, he painted Shen Yuan as a cruel sister who bullied him.

Shen Yi smiled, ruffling Shen Yu’s hair gently. “You say Sister Yuan bullied you, so why is she the one injured?”

“I…” Shen Yu couldn’t argue and lowered his head.

Shen Yuan then recalled that although the cuju ball was light, the bamboo leaves stuck in the seams had scratched her forehead.

Shen Yi took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the blood from her wound.

“Shen Yu is immature. It’s one thing to hit or scold him, but why would you throw away his favorite cuju ball?”

Though his words carried a hint of reproach, his tone was soft enough that Shen Yuan detected no real blame.

She turned to watch the cuju ball drifting away, answering lightly, “He hurt my maid and didn’t apologize.”

Shen Yi glanced at Liu Yan but said nothing, continuing, “Yu’er is still young and bound to be thoughtless. As his sister, don’t take it to heart.”

“She’s not my sister! Shen Wan Ning is my sister!” Shen Yu quickly explained and gave Shen Yuan a fierce glare.

Shen Yi, trying to ease the tension, pretended to scold them both briefly before hurrying away.

“Autumn Water Garden is rather remote. Should I ask Father to let you move to another courtyard?”

He looked at Shen Yuan again, his clear and refined face always carrying a trace of indifference, as if nothing in the mansion really concerned her.

Since birth, Shen Yuan had lived in Splendid Garden, surrounded by blooming flowers and picturesque scenery—the most beautiful part of the Shen estate.

Now it was the residence of Shen Wan Ning. Shen Yuan was only assigned to the secluded Autumn Water Garden, small, old-fashioned, and plain.

“No need, big brother. Autumn Water Garden is fine. If there’sI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.