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Her eyes flashed with a cold glint—but it vanished too quickly for anyone to notice.
With a flutter of her lashes, Shen Yuhan slowly raised her red-rimmed eyes to look at Madam Su. Her voice was low, trembling with pain and self-reproach.
"Mother is right," she said softly. "I've never been as gentle or considerate as Second Sister. I've always caused trouble for Father… that's why he doesn't love me as much."
She paused, her throat tightening as she choked on her next words. Her slender fingers gripped her sleeve, knuckles turning pale as she forced herself to go on.
"If only I could be as good as Second Sister… maybe then Father would love me too."
A whimper escaped her lips—delicate, broken—like the soft cry of a rabbit abandoned in the snow. Her shoulders trembled faintly, and her tear-streaked face reflected a sorrow that seemed far too raw to be feigned.
In that moment, Shen Yuhan looked heartbreakingly pitiful—an unloved daughter, desperate for affection even as her father lay on the brink of death.
Seeing the shift in the servants' expressions, Shen Yulan clenched her teeth in frustration, silently cursing them.
How could these lowly fools be so gullible? she thought. A few tears and a pitiful voice, and they're ready to switch sides?
She conveniently forgot that it was their gullibility that had allowed her to manipulate them so easily before. And now that Shen Yuhan was using the same method, their lack of intelligence became intolerable.
Forcing down her irritation, Shen Yulan adjusted the trembling of her shoulders, and opened her mouth to speak—
—but just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor. A young servant girl rushed in with message from the front gate. She knelt quickly and bowed.
"Reporting to Madam," she said, her voice soft and respectful. "Young Master Lin and Young Master Qi have arrived at the front gate. They've heard of Master Shen's injury and have come to see him."
At the mention of Lin Zhixuan and Qi Yanzhou's arrival, Shen Yulan's eyes lit up instantly. It had been nearly a month since she'd seen either Lin Zhixuan or Qi Yanzhou. After the Lotus Pond incident, both young men had returned to their academy. And once the ghost bride rumors had taken root within the manor, Madam Su had strictly refused all visitors—afraid that whispers of Shen Yulan's 'possession' might reach outside ears.
But now, with those rumors quelled and Shen Zhirui's injury offering the perfect excuse, its only right to let them to visit Shen residence.
Thinking about the gentle and handsome Lin Zhixuan, Shen Yulan's heart skipped. She quickly lowered her eyes again, feigning composed grief—but the brightness in her gaze could not be fully hidden.
Su Wanning exchanged a brief glance with her daughter, her thoughts mirroring her own. A favorable impression must be maintained—especially now. She gave a gracious nod.
"Don't keep the two young masters waiting at the gate," she said softly. "Since they've come to visit my lord, bring them directly into the chamber."
Her voice, though fragile and laced with sorrow, carried a quiet authority. Hearing her words, the physician grew even more cautious in treating Shen Zhirui's injuries. He dared not be careless—afraid that if anything went wrong and Shen Zhirui's condition worsened, Madam Su might truly lose the will to live.
"Yes, Madam!" the servant responded and hurried away.
As the room settled again, Shen Yuhan's eyes remained lowered, but a sharp light flickered within them.
Lin Zhixuan and Qi Yanzhou? Her lips curved slightly—just enough to vanish as quickly as it appeared.
She straightened subtly, wiping her eyes with her sleeve one final time, just as the heavy curtain at the entrance lifted.
Two young men stepped inside.
Lin Zhixuan walked ahead, his expression tight with concern. He wore an ink-blue scholar's robe, his brows furrowed in an elegant frown. Behind him came Qi Yanzhou, more relaxed in posture but equally solemn, a folded fan clasped in his hands, his dark eyes scanning the room quickly.
Their gazes landed first on Shen Zhirui's unconscious form, then drifted to the two kneeling sisters beside the bed.
Lin Zhixuan's eyes paused on Shen Yulan.
She bit her lip, lowering her head just slightly as if she had only now noticed them, tears glimmering at the corners of her lashes. She looked like a painting of sorrow: fragile, quiet, full of silent agony.
Qi Yanzhou's gaze, however, lingered on Shen Yuhan.
Her posture was still, her face pale and damp with tears, but there was no theatrical sobbing—just a haunting calm, like someone clinging to dignity in the midst of heartbreak.
Qi Yanzhou raised an eyebrow at the scene, an amused smirk briefly tugging at his lips—only to vanish just as quickly as it appeared, replaced by a more appropriate expression for the solemn occasion.
"Madam Su," Lin Zhixuan said politely, stepping forward. "We came as soon as we heard. How is Master Shen?"
Su Wanning stood to greet them, her tone appropriately somber. "The physician is doing all he can. My husband is stable for now, but…" She sighed, letting her voice trail off with practiced grief. "His injuries were severe."
Lin Zhixuan nodded. "If there is anything we can do…"
"Your presence is already a great comfort," Su Wanning said gently. "Thank you, Young Master Lin, Young Master Qi."
At her side, Shen Yulan glanced up with perfect timing. Her voice was soft, just enough to be heard.
"Elder Brother Zhixuan, Elder Brother Yanzhou… thank you… for coming." She gave a trembling smile, her tears shimmering like dew.
Lin Zhixuan's expression softened. He took a step forward and bent slightly, his hand lifting as if to rest comfortingly on her shoulder—but halfway there, he hesitated. Realizing it might be inappropriate, his fingers curled into a loose fist before falling back to his side.
"Don't worry," he said gently. "Uncle Shen will recover. You must take care of yourself too, Second Young Miss Shen."
Shen Yuhan remained silent, her eyes downcast as if the man who is comforting her younger sister isn't her so-called fiance.
Qi Yanzhou studied her a moment longer, then spoke, his tone faintly probing. "And Eldest Miss Shen? You've been… quiet."