Su Wen was taken aback by Zhou Yan's feeble words. "Aunt, as an elder, why fear Hengyang's anger?" Though Su Wen felt too embarrassed to voice it directly, she had spent some time coaxing him the previous night.
If fear were the issue, what was an elder to dread?
"Dear aunt, exhibit the dignity befitting your age. Don't cower," Su Wen encouraged Zhou Yan, her fists clenched in support.
A flicker of discomfort crossed Zhou Yan's face. Nonetheless, her bond with Su Wen was strong; if she didn't speak now, Su Wen would know the truth eventually. Discarding the facade of elderliness, Zhou Yan opted to confide in her niece.
"No! Wenwen, you don't know Hengyang's true nature. He's inherently more malicious than most. Blame me for shielding you from the truth," whispered Zhou Yan, drawing nearer to Su Wen. "While he behaves politely toward me, his aunt, it's only because I've not crossed him. But should I dare, I'd be no more than a stranger to him."
