Shen Meng smiled slightly, then said in a clear voice, “Run Yuan need not worry. The outer courtyard and inner courtyard are separated by a door. Unless opened from the inner courtyard, the high walls make it impossible for the two courtyards to communicate. You can just study there with peace of mind.”

“Mentor, it still cannot be.”

In this world, one must be most careful to avoid suspicion, even if one’s conduct is upright and honest, there can still be rumors. Not to mention, her heart was not pure.

It felt as if her earlobe had been pinched hard, and in her daze, she could still hear that fairy-like young man’s sneer, his breathy voice like a feather, lightly tickling Su Jin’s heart, making her feel both ashamed and guilty.

“Run Yuan, don’t refuse. With this memorial out, next year’s spring examination is likely to be much more difficult. Not only would you waste time coming and going, but with the frequent spring rains lately, what if you catch a cold because of it? Wouldn’t that further delay your studies?”

“Mentor, still, it’s better…”

“Run Yuan, this matter is settled.” Shen Meng glanced at the maid beside her, who understood and stepped forward with a smile to lead the way. “Miss Su must be tired from her journey. This servant will take you to the outer courtyard to rest.”

“Mentor!” Su Jin still wanted to decline, but was silenced by a stern look from Shen Meng. She instinctively looked towards the landscape screen, her face gradually flushing again. “If so, Run Yuan thanks the mentor.”

The walls of the Shen mansion connected to Qingshan Academy, so a separate area was partitioned off behind the inner courtyard, with several rooms built, some flowers and plants planted, and a shallow pond of clear water added, serving as the outer courtyard.

Su Jin hugged her bundle, gazing at the koi frolicking in the pond. Lively and free, truly without worries or cares.

“Miss Su, if there’s anything else you need, just let this servant know.” The maid handed Su Jin the key to the outer courtyard’s private door, and seeing her staring blankly at the koi, added, “In a few months, when the lotus flowers in this pond bloom, it will be even more beautiful.”

After saying this, she felt it was inappropriate. Su Jin would stay here for a month at most, how could she wait until the lotus flowers were in full bloom?

She smiled awkwardly, pointing at the wooden door hidden behind several man-thick weeping willows that connected to the inner courtyard, “Miss Su, rest assured, that door hasn’t been opened for many years and has already gathered a layer of dust.”

“If Miss Su wants to go for a walk.” She pushed open the private door in the courtyard wall, pointing to the alley outside, enthusiastically said, “If you go out from here and walk straight to the end, you’ll reach the main gate of the Shen mansion. Because the academy is right behind, it’s very quiet here, an excellent place for studying.”

“In earlier years, this was the study room set aside by the madam. If it weren’t for the master’s frailty, needing constant care, this courtyard wouldn’t have been emptied out.”

Seeing that Su Jin wasn’t very talkative, she suddenly said a lot more.

“Miss Su, please don’t see me off any further. This servant will return to the mansion in just a few steps through this separate wooden door via the alley. In the future, maids will bring three meals a day through this door. Miss Su, please focus on your studies.”

“Thank you.” Su Jin took out the remaining copper coins from her bundle and handed them over. “I have received the teacher’s grace, and I dare not trouble you for three meals a day. These copper coins are not much, please calculate how much more is needed for the food expenses, and I will certainly find a way to make up the difference.”

The total word count of this book is: 725,135 characters　　”What is Miss Su doing?!” The maid waved her hands repeatedly, “If the madam knows about this, this servant fears she would be punished according to family law. Since the madam has allowed Miss Su to stay, how could she calculate such expenses with Miss Su?”

Su Jin choked, the two strings of copper coins weighing heavily in her palm, suddenly becoming a hot potato.

“However, if Miss Su feels uneasy, in a few days it will be our young master’s birthday. The madam always dotes on the young master, perhaps Miss Su could cater to her preferences.”

The maid, wanting to build a connection, gave a slight hint, smiling, “Moreover, since Miss Su is staying here, if you prepare a congratulatory gift in advance, you won’t seem lacking in etiquette at the family banquet.”

“Th-thank you.” Su Jin’s ears burned hot, and at the thought of seeing Shen Yuan again in a few days, her heart became increasingly flustered.

After seeing the maid off, she finally pushed open the door to her room.