Courtyard House: A System Connecting Two Worlds, Resources for the Nation

After listening to Song Yinzhang's words, Zhao Pan'er stood there in silence for a long time.

Thinking back to when Song Yinzhang was still in Qiantang, he was always cautious and careful, even thinking twice before speaking.

After being rescued from Zhou She, she became even more sensitive and cautious at all times.

Unexpectedly, after only knowing Shen Ruzhuo for a few days, her mind had changed so much, and she could even show an arrogant expression in front of her and San Niang.

"Yinzhang, you just told me to go to the Shen residence. Under what pretext did you do that?"

Zhao Pan'er finally spoke, but her voice was very flat, revealing no emotion.

Song Yinzhang slightly raised his chin and replied matter-of-factly, "Naturally, in my sister's name. If I hadn't been very obedient to Shen Lang and hadn't spoken highly of you on behalf of Sister Pan'er, why would he have risked being implicated to help you?"

"Sister Pan'er, do you know how much effort I've put into you?"

As Song Yinzhang spoke, a hint of grievance crept into his voice: "I've always seen Zhou Feng act arrogantly; he was bound to get into trouble sooner or later. Now that he's offended the officials, what good can come of it?"

Sun San Niang, who was listening nearby, couldn't stand it anymore, but she gritted her teeth and didn't get angry. She just reached out and tugged at Zhao Pan'er's sleeve, lowering her voice: "Pan'er, Yin Zhang said that Zhou Lang will be in trouble, so what about us..."

Zhao Pan'er patted the back of her hand, signaling her to calm down, before turning to look at Song Yinzhang with a slight smile, though it carried a hint of mockery.

"Yinzhang, if you want to talk about this, then you don't need to bother. I know better than you how capable Zhou Lang is. If he can't handle this, then Shen Ruzhuo, a mere seventh-rank official, is nothing..."

She didn't say anything definitively, but the other two people present could sense Zhao Pan'er's disdain for Shen Ruzhuo's official position. Sun San Niang, standing to the side, nodded in agreement with a serious expression.

During the time she spent with Zhou Feng, she gained a perspective she had never seen before in her life.

Let alone a seventh-rank official, even the prefect of Yingzhou City treated them with utmost deference.

The emperor and empress dowager of the Liao Dynasty were captured by Zhou Feng right in front of them!

Compared to these matters, the mere seventh-rank official was indeed completely beneath the notice of Zhao Pan'er and Sun San Niang.

They may not have much status, but their men certainly do!

Upon hearing these words, Song Yinzhang's face instantly turned ugly.

She dared to come here arrogantly because she relied on Shen Ruzhuo's backing, but she was belittled like this by Zhao Pan'er and the other person. Their slightly disdainful tone really stung her.

"What do you know? Sister Pan'er, Sister San Niang, I am no longer the courtesan who could only play the pipa! Although Shen Lang's official position is not high, the connections he has are far beyond your imagination! You have no idea how deep his influence is in the court..."

"What foundation?"

Zhao Pan'er chuckled lightly: "A seventh-rank compiler's daily work consists of copying and writing in the imperial library. He doesn't even have the qualification to attend court and meet the emperor. What kind of foundation could he possibly have? If he had a foundation, why would he take such a sinecure? Yin Zhang, you've just been fooled by a few sweet words and lost your head again!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Sun Sanniang, who was standing nearby, quickly nodded and chimed in, "That's right! Yinzhang, you mustn't be fooled by that man surnamed Shen! What great things can a mere seventh-rank official do? And he's trying to protect Pan'er!"

Hearing the two women's attitude towards Shen Ruzhuo, Song Yinzhang's face flushed red. His lips trembled, and he pointed at Zhao Pan'er, saying, "Madam Zhao, you...you two are simply ungrateful! I came to save you out of kindness, and you not only don't appreciate it, but you also come here to mock me and Shen Lang in a sarcastic way!"

It was clear that Song Yinzhang was truly ashamed and angry; he even stopped calling Zhao Pan'er "Sister Pan'er" and started calling her "Madam Zhao"...

Seeing her like this, Zhao Pan'er felt a mix of emotions she couldn't quite describe.

There was disappointment, helplessness, and even a little bit of relief.

"A preface..."

Zhao Pan'er sighed, her voice softening: "You followed me all the way when you were in Qiantang. I took care of you because of your sister's dying wish, and I never go back on my word. When you were tricked by Zhou She, I went to beg Zhou Lang to save you; that was out of sisterly affection. I couldn't bear to watch you jump into a fire pit."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over Song Yinzhang's face, which was already flushed red: "Now that you've climbed up to Shen Ruzhuo and think it's a good way out, that's your own choice. I won't stop you, and I can't stop you either. But from now on, you'll have to walk your own path. Whether it's a smooth road or full of thorns, you'll have to bear it all yourself."

"Ha... this is the same old act again. Shen Lang won't betray me! You all better watch yourselves. I don't want the shares in Half-Covered Face; consider it repayment for the kindness of rescuing me from Zhou She!"

Song Yinzhang gritted her teeth, her eyes reddening, but the stubbornness in her heart made her hold back her tears.

"Alright, since that's the case, let's settle our differences as sisters. I won't keep you here any longer. Even if Zhou Lang can only wander the world from now on, I'll be willing to stay by his side."

Zhao Pan'er looked at Song Yinzhang for a few seconds, then spoke very decisively, drawing a clear line between them.

Standing to the side, Sun San Niang sighed, seemingly surprised that her former sister had come to this, but she still reached out and grasped Zhao Pan'er's hand: "Yin Zhang, you should go back! Even if Zhou Lang really has an accident, we can find a small town, like Qiantang, and open a teahouse, and we can still make a living."

"Zhou Lang...?"

Song Yinzhang stiffened his neck and looked at Sun Sanniang with a hint of disbelief in his eyes.

This title isn't something you can just casually say!

Sun San Niang coughed lightly and nodded somewhat embarrassedly.

She was older than both Zhao Pan'er and Song Yinzhang, so it was still a bit embarrassing to bring up this matter now.

But since things had already progressed this far, she didn't mind letting Song Yinzhang know about her relationship with Zhou Feng.

So what if he's going to be Pan'er's concubine? What's so unacceptable about that?

Song Yinzhang's lips trembled slightly, and his breathing became unsteady.

Back then, when she was by Zhao Pan'er's side, how could she not be tempted by a man like Zhou Feng, who was good-looking and powerful?

Even if I were to become a concubine, it wouldn't matter.

However, Zhou Feng's attitude towards her remained indifferent, even subtly resistant, leaving Song Yinzhang with no choice but to distance herself and settle for Shen Ruzhuo instead.

After all, if there were a Celestial Master protecting the nation, who would choose a minor official of the seventh rank?

Fortunately, Shen Ruzhuo was not as weak as he appeared on the surface; he still had powerful backers, so Song Yinzhang had made the right bet.

But... in what way is she inferior to Sun San Niang?

Why is it that Zhou Feng can accept Sun San Niang but not her?