After Saving The Disabled Villain, I Was Attacked In Return! - Chapter 56

“Here, tears are the cheapest thing,” Grand Secretary Shen said, his words sparing. “If you truly refuse to repent, your grandfather will have to give your mother a proper lesson.” Shen Xi’s expression darkened. This was a loss of face for both parties. Even if Shen Xi disregarded sisterly affection, she should at least consider the General’s Residence behind Shen Yun.

Instead, Shen Xi avoided her daughter’s gaze and picked up her teacup to sip. Jiang Yu suddenly felt sympathy for Gu Meng, that hateful yet pitiful figure. Even she had been so easily abandoned by her own mother, left to navigate the treacherous world alone as a child.

Jiang Yu cast a fleeting glance of pity at Gu Meng before turning to Grand Secretary Shen with a mature demeanor. “Grandfather, please don’t be angry. Ningning knows her past actions were wrong. As a righteous man like you, you must want Ningning to correct her mistakes. So, please forgive Senior Sister Gu Meng…”

Jiang Yu’s maturity only made Gu Meng seem more childish and unreasonable by comparison. In truth, Gu Meng was more panicked than angry, unsure how to handle this situation without her mother’s support.

Jiang Yu’s words, clearly aimed at diffusing the tension, played right into Gu Meng’s hands. She gazed at Jiang Yu with tear-filled eyes, completely forgetting how she had targeted her earlier.

Qi An watched Jiang Yu sit upright in her seat, her small frame radiating an air of natural authority. Though youthful, there was nothing inappropriate about her bearing. In Qi An’s eyes, Jiang Yu was remarkably captivating, her innocent yet determined face defending her rights with unwavering conviction.

This kind-hearted girl would never harm anyone intentionally, and she certainly wouldn’t allow others to harm her. As Qi An gazed into Jiang Yu’s beautiful eyes, a subtle stirring seemed to awaken within him. Jiang Yu smiled faintly, subtly affecting the emotions of the man behind her.

At the head of the hall, Grand Secretary Shen finally closed the book he had been holding, its pages untouched for a long time. His aged eyes, still sharp as a hawk’s, scrutinized Jiang Yu and Gu Meng below, yet he couldn’t fathom Jiang Yu’s true intentions.

Hearing Jiang Yu’s words, Shen Yun was reminded of how she had once been punished to kneel in the Ancestral Hall, and how she had fallen gravely ill afterward. She had expected Jiang Yu to harbor resentment, but instead found her to be remarkably understanding.

Shen Yun sighed and said, “Indeed, Father. Ningning has become much more courteous and obedient. During the Laba Festival, when we were busy and couldn’t make it to Fulong Temple, Ningning handled everything alone at the temple gate. She truly lives up to her family’s martial heritage—decisive and capable.”

Though others might not have understood, Jiang Yu immediately recognized that Shen Yun was subtly praising her for handling the situation with the girls and resolving the trouble. A hint of pride crept into Shen Yun’s voice.

Jiang Yu lowered her head, feeling a little guilty. After all, this praise was only possible because she had done everything exactly opposite to the original story, with the help of the villainous mastermind. But as expected, these words instantly filled Grand Secretary Shen with boundless fondness for Jiang Yu. She smiled faintly as Grand Secretary Shen’s voice boomed, “Indeed, I’ve heard the people talking about the Laba Festival porridge distribution at the street corners. Ningning… come here.”

Grand Secretary Shen’s voice finally broke the ice, like a warm winter sun. Jiang Yu quickly recalled her courteous manners, stood up, and walked toward him.

She remembered how, when she first approached, Grand Secretary Shen hadn’t even glanced her way. But now, because of a few words from his daughter Shen Yun, he was reflecting on all the subtle changes in Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu couldn’t help but understand the saying, “To forge iron, one must be strong oneself.” If she had continued acting as she did in her previous life after transmigrating, Shen Yun might never have stepped forward to help her.

The original owner’s temper had been proud and domineering, a truly unlikable personality. Now, Grand Secretary Shen’s expression finally softened, and he looked at Jiang Yu with the gentle warmth he reserved for his own granddaughter. As she approached, he took a brocade box from a nearby maid.

“This is the birthday gift your maternal grandfather prepared for you some time ago. I was traveling in Jiangnan at the time and couldn’t deliver it personally. This Khotan jade hairpin should be something a young lady like you would appreciate,” Grand Secretary Shen said, his eyes carrying a hint of apology, as if an elderly grandfather regretting his lack of attentiveness toward his granddaughter.

At that moment, Jiang Yu froze, unsure whether to accept the gift. Her eyes instinctively sought Qi An’s help. Sensing her distress, Qi An quickly strode forward, carefully observing etiquette. She took the hairpin, fastened it into Jiang Yu’s long hair, and stepped back.

“Thank you, Grandfather…” Jiang Yu murmured, her voice thick with emotion, as if still caught in the act of her performance, tinged with a catch in her throat.

Qi An observed Jiang Yu, the luminous white jade of the hairpin setting off her gentle features. Knowing Jiang Yu was at a loss for words, Qi An knelt before Grand Secretary Shen and spoke for her: “The hairpin suits Miss perfectly. Just the other day, she spoke so fondly of you both. Today’s outburst must stem from her distress—please, Grand Secretary, I beg your forgiveness.”

Qi An deliberately emphasized the word “distress,” and as expected, guilt flooded Grand Secretary Shen’s face. He waved Jiang Yu back to her seat, then turned to Gu Meng and delivered a sharp reprimand.

Out of consideration for Shen Xi’s dignity, Madam Grand Secretary instructed the children to go explore the estate to avoid further reprimands.

Jiang Yu was indeed unwilling to remain in the Main Hall any longer. She stood, gave a slight curtsy, and walked out. Qi An naturally followed immediately. Madam Grand Secretary was truly remarkably kind and generous.

It was precisely this kind of person who had tamed the seemingly fierce Grand Secretary Shen into submission. As Jiang Yu walked out of the Main Hall with her head lowered, she finally felt the fresh air outside and couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.

Qi An watched the girl before her, who seemed to have endured so much, with a pained heart. She realized that Jiang Yu had always had a difficult time, never having a single genuine friend.

When Jiang Yu reached the end of the corridor, she noticed Qi An standing frozen in place, lost in thought. Assuming Qi An was frightened by Grand Secretary Shen’s intimidating demeanor, Jiang Yu forced herself to cheer up. She put on her sweetest smile and tugged at Qi An’s sleeve. “Thank you for helping me with my hairpin earlier. I really liked it…”

Qi An couldn’t miss the forced cheerfulness on Jiang Yu’s face. She wondered why Jiang Yu, despite her obvious distress, continued to put on a brave face just for her.

“Jiang Yu…” Qi An felt powerless once again. She wondered if, had her father and brother’s plan succeeded—if they hadn’t silenced her—she might now wield enough power to protect the people she cared about.

Hearing Qi An call her name, Jiang Yu looked up and met her slightly worried gaze.

Just as Jiang Yu was about to speak, she heard Gu Meng approaching from behind. Liu Xueyun, who had been staring intently at Jiang Yu’s worn-out embroidered shoes, finally shifted her gaze to Gu Meng’s back.

Realizing this wasn’t the right moment to talk, Jiang Yu suppressed her smile and turned to Gu Meng. “Sister Gu Meng, what guidance do you bring?”

Gu Meng wasn’t here to cause trouble. As she left the Main Hall, she clearly saw the Khotan jade hairpin in Jiang Yu’s hair. Realizing that Jiang Yu had regained her standing with Grand Secretary Shen, Gu Meng smiled faintly, her tone clearly indicating a desire to befriend her. “Yu’er, you just said yourself that you were being stubborn before. I was upset with your past behavior, which is why I spoke rudely to you and… your maid earlier. I apologize to both of you.”

Gu Meng was being clever now. She knew how much Jiang Yu valued Qi An, and that her greatest wish was for Gu Meng to apologize to Qi An. By making this gesture, Jiang Yu couldn’t argue with the sincerity of her apology. Having just endured a stressful situation involving Grand Secretary Shen, Jiang Yu was too exhausted to waste energy on Gu Meng.

Jiang Yu nodded wearily, her expression strained.

Seeing that Jiang Yu had no intention of pressing the matter, Gu Meng felt relieved. But the events in the Main Hall earlier couldn’t be erased from her memory, and her smile looked stiff and forced.

Gu Meng turned around abruptly and bumped into Liu Xueyun. An inexplicable fury surged from the depths of her heart. She knew her maternal grandfather, though intolerant of any perceived slights, placed immense value on the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate heirs. This was precisely why, despite Shen Lian’s fondness for Liu Xueyun, she could never be placed in a prominent position.

An illegitimate child seemed inherently more worthless than even grass.

Gu Meng knew Grand Secretary Shen would never reprimand her for mistreating a lowly illegitimate girl. After all, doing so would only invite self-inflicted harm. Emboldened by this knowledge, her words grew increasingly venomous: “You inauspicious wretch! Didn’t you see this Miss coming? How dare you touch my brocade robes!”

Liu Xueyun maintained her usual submissive demeanor, her head bowed so low it nearly touched her embroidered shoes. But Gu Meng, never one to show mercy when she felt she was in the right, had just endured a great injustice in the Main Hall. How could she possibly spare this natural-born target for her pent-up anger?

“You! Kneel down and polish my shoes!” Gu Meng’s demands grew increasingly outrageous as she imperiously ordered Liu Xueyun to perform tasks even her closest maids wouldn’t touch. Yet Gu Meng insisted that Liu Xueyun do them.

Jiang Yu clenched her fists, unable to bear the sight any longer.

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