Chapter 530: Feel Free to Try

Chapter 530: Feel Free to Try

Shen Yuanyang was completely confused and had no idea what was going on.

Shen Yuanzhen was terrified, almost in tears. He darted over from beside Madam Fang and hugged Su Youyue's leg, crying, "No punishment!"

"Yuanzhen, come back!" Madam Fang was secretly pleased, but her expression changed when her youngest son ran to protect that "little wretch." "Nurse Liang, bring the Fifth Young Master over," she ordered.

Nurse Liang also harbored resentment toward Su Youyue. In her eyes, a concubine-born daughter who wasn’t even a proper illegitimate daughter had the nerve to steal the spotlight from the legitimate Zhuyu Miss. She deserved a lesson.

Truth be told, ever since this eldest miss entered the estate, her perceptions had been turned upside down.

Who ever heard of an unloved miss causing such chaos that the entire family was thrown into disarray...

Nurse Liang moved to carry Shen Yuanzhen away, but the boy kicked and screamed, "Get away! Go away!"

Shen Yuanyang also stepped in front of Su Youyue. "Father, Mother, what did Shen Nan do wrong today? You don't know, but when Jin Wenwu humiliated us in the Duke's estate, she was the one who helped us!"

After his impassioned speech, Shen Yuanyang hoped his parents and Second Brother would forgive Su Youyue, given her help that day. However, Shen Yuanfeng sneered, "A wolf in sheep's clothing—who knows what she's plotting? In just a few days, she's coaxed Little Five into calling her sister and even got you to defend her. I think she just wants to take Zhuyu Miss's place!"

Shen Yuansong's eyes turned icy. "Yuanyang, do you think this woman is more important than Zhuyu Miss now?"

At these words, Shen Yuanyang froze, unable to understand his family. He looked at Shen Zhuyu. "Sister, I don't think that… it's just..."

Anxious and tongue-tied, Shen Yuanyang paced, struggling to explain himself.

Su Youyue watched the Shen family's farce with amused irony in her eyes.

"Whether Shen Second Young Master wants to be good or bad, I can't control that. After all, I'm a human, not some animal. But since you claim I disrupted Second Sister's performance today, I beg to differ. Second Sister, was it because of me that you didn’t perform in front of everyone today?"

The Shen family’s rules were lax, and by now, servants had gathered, eager to see the eldest miss, Shen Nan, embarrass herself.

Shen Zhuyu's expression stiffened when Su Youyue called her out.

After Shen Nan's performance, no one dared to perform music, fearing they wouldn’t surpass the impression she left on the crowd. So, Shen Zhuyu canceled her performance to avoid being unfavorably compared to Shen Nan.

But to admit this publicly would be to confess that after years of studying music in the Holy City, she couldn’t even compare to a country girl.

With a quick glance, Shen Zhuyu pondered her response. When she looked up, she shook her head. "Big Sister, you’re overthinking. My decision had nothing to do with that. Yuanfeng, you shouldn't blame Big Sister over something baseless."

Su Youyue's lips curled in sarcasm.

Just moments ago, Shen Zhuyu had been watching from the sidelines. Now that the heat was on her, she stepped forward to explain.

What a master at reaping benefits without effort.

Shen Yuanfeng's expression darkened further. "Shen Nan, stop being glib. If it weren't for you, how could so many people have given up performing music today? You've been in the estate long enough to know my second sister was preparing to perform!"

He was holding in a massive amount of anger. He couldn’t reveal his private search for the veiled beauty without becoming a bigger joke, but he needed to vent his frustrations somehow.

"What does it matter if I knew or not? Should they blame me for being too talented just because they can’t keep up? From now on, if I'm not as good as someone else, should I just smash their instrument because they played too well? Should scholars who fail the imperial exams tear up the papers of those who did better? Is that how it works?"

The voice from behind Shen Yuanyang made him want to cheer.

Well said! That’s exactly what I meant! This is what I wanted to say!

He had felt Second Brother was being unreasonable but couldn’t articulate it. Now, hearing Su Youyue’s sharp tongue, he wished he had her eloquence.

"You're just trying to win an argument with force!" Shen Yuanyang was furious beyond words.

"Arguing without reason!" Su Youyue also felt a fire igniting in her heart, a strong flame appearing in her bright eyes. "Today, if any of you dare to be unreasonable and lay a finger on me, go ahead and try!"

How arrogant!

Shen Yuanyang couldn't help but turn around, his eyes filled with a hint of admiration.

Madam Fang trembled with rage at her audacious tone. This was her domain; when did this little bitch ever have the right to be so arrogant!

Zhuyu was of such high status, and what was her status? It was already a tremendous blessing to allow her to return to the Shen family as a young miss. Yet, she dared to ruin Zhuyu's plans—she was practically asking for death!

"Fine, you want to talk reason? Then as the first wife, I will punish you for offending the Marquis of Ding'an's estate! When you're outside, you represent the Shen family's honor. Yet, you publicly humiliated the young miss of the Marquis's estate, causing conflict between the Shen family and the Houfu. Just for that, I have every right to punish you. Come, take the young miss away and make her kneel in the ancestral hall!"

Master Shen had initially hesitated due to Su Youyue's words, but as he listened to her tone, he too became furious. "You ungrateful daughter! Do you think even I, your father, can't punish you?"

He really couldn't understand it. Was Bai Shi ever this arrogant back then?

He remembered that woman was always cautious and meticulous, gentle and considerate. How could she have given birth to such an ungrateful daughter to anger him!

As soon as Mama Liang heard this, she gave Su Youyue a smug look and went to call for someone.

But Su Youyue suddenly chuckled.

"You still dare to laugh?" Madam Fang was almost amused by the absurdity.

If she had known this bitch was like this, she should have sent someone to drown her in a chamber pot the moment she was born!

"Why wouldn't I dare?"

Su Youyue countered, the smile in her eyes not reaching her heart.

"Everyone present today knows that Meng Zhiyi was thrown out of the Yuwen Estate by Prince Bei. You want to punish me because of Meng Zhiyi, is it because you can't punish Prince Bei, so you vent your frustrations on me instead?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the Shen family members paled visibly.

Especially Master Shen.

Even if he had ten more lives, he wouldn't dare provoke Prince Bei.

Unless he didn't want to live anymore would he admit to wanting to punish Prince Bei.

"You, you crazy girl, stop spouting nonsense!" Master Shen was so anxious his speech became stammered.

Even though all the servants around were from his estate, he couldn't dare admit it.

Madam Fang's previously fierce expression also stiffened, her voice sharp and revealing a hint of panic. "You crazy girl, stop spouting nonsense!"