Chapter 128: It Feels a Little Strange, Doesn’t It?

Had Shen Jinyu known the Third Prince was here, he would have done anything to avoid coming. But now, he could only brace himself and carry on.

Watching the Third Prince pluck several persimmons with effortless grace, Shen Jinyu tremblingly accepted one from his hand. He then silently edged closer to his sister, feeling a slight sense of relief.

"Did the Second Prince come to see you today?"

A low, deep voice resonated. Shen Nanyuan took a bite of the persimmon that Xiao Yan had wiped clean for her and nodded. "He did. I guessed he would come."

"He even asked me who I thought would win the hunt this year, you or him. In front of him, I could only say I thought he would win, though in my heart, I’m certain it will be you," she continued. "You must crush him, make him lose face."

"That way, he won't be embarrassed to come looking for me for a while."

The Second Prince was extremely vain. He needed to be humbled so he would realize that he was not capable of doing everything well in this world.

"Very well."

Xiao Yan smiled. In his mind, he recalled the image of the Second Prince gently touching her head. His gaze tightened, and after a brief pause, he reached out and gently stroked her hair as well.

"As you wish."

Shen Nanyuan, holding the persimmon, froze. Subconsciously, she looked up and met Xiao Yan’s gaze. Upon encountering his dark, profound eyes, her heart skipped a beat. She quickly lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper.

"...You don't have to listen to me. You are the Third Prince; naturally, you should do as you please."

"Besides, even if I didn't say it, you would surely defeat the Second Prince."

Xiao Yan’s long, slender lashes veiled the emotions in his eyes. He lifted his gaze slightly, landing on Shen Jinyu, who stood behind Shen Nanyuan, staring at him in utter shock.

He had no intention of hiding his feelings in front of him, and being discovered was within his expectations. He merely parted his lips lazily, silently mouthing a warning with a faint, chilling smile: "If you speak of this, you die."

Shen Jinyu shuddered violently.

Terrified, he took a sudden step back, then hurriedly nodded, not daring to look at him again. The shock in his heart was overwhelming, leaving his mind momentarily blank. He never would have imagined that the Third Prince was interested in his sister! And seeing Shen Nanyuan’s reaction, she didn't seem to reject it either—yet, his sister was betrothed to the Second Prince...

Shen Jinyu took a deep breath, and recalling the icy warning in the Third Prince’s dark, lustrous eyes, he couldn't help but shiver.

...He wanted to go home.

Just then, the sound of voices approached from nearby. Xiao Yan lowered his gaze to Shen Nanyuan, his tone softening considerably. "I am heading back now. I will come to see you when I have time."

Shen Nanyuan replied, "Alright."

When she looked up, Xiao Yan had already vanished. Shen Jinyu felt a wave of relief, no longer as tense as before.

"Weren't we here to pick persimmons?" Shen Nanyuan glanced at him. "Hurry up, someone is coming."

"Right, sister."

Shen Jinyu steadied his nerves and picked a few more before others drew near. After placing the payment, he and Shen Nanyuan left one after another.

She wasn't sure when Shen Sinian would return, so she left a few in his tent and gave two to Wu Miaofu. The next morning, when she emerged from her tent, she saw Shen Sinian gnawing on one.

She stretched. "When did you get back yesterday?"

"I don't know," Shen Sinian yawned. "I didn't pay attention. I stayed with Father for a long while and only came back after seeing that His Majesty was fine."

He paused for a moment and sighed. "Father is going on an expedition again soon."

Shen Nanyuan frowned in surprise. "What happened?"

"The Northern Liang have invaded again, and their army is pressing toward the border. Father will set out in a few days."

Hearing this, Shen Nanyuan sighed. "I remember he left at this time last year as well."

During last year’s expedition, she knew from the original book that Shen Yi would return safely, so she felt at ease. But this time, she knew nothing. She finally understood the feeling of anxious worry.

She and Shen Sinian went to Shen Yi’s tent to have breakfast with him. Upon returning, she saw Meng Chuyue, with a timid-looking Wu Miaofu standing beside her.

The two seemed awkward, so she quickly walked over, smiling brightly. "Chuyue, Miaofu."

Meng Chuyue looked as if she had been saved; the expression on her face brightened instantly.

"Yuanyuan, I came to find you, but they said you were having breakfast with General Shen."

"Yes," Shen Nanyuan nodded with a smile. "This is my cousin, Wu Miaofu."

She turned to Wu Miaofu. "This is Meng Chuyue, the daughter of the Chancellor."

The daughter of the Chancellor. Wu Miaofu was slightly startled. It seemed that everyone who came to see Shen Nanyuan was either a prince or a noblewoman.

"I know she is your cousin; she told me just now."

Meng Chuyue gave Wu Miaofu a stiff smile, then walked over to Shen Nanyuan affectionately. "I wanted to come yesterday, but a few people I used to spend time with showed up, and I was tied up with them all afternoon. It was too late by the time I was free."

She hadn't expected to run into a shy, timid girl claiming to be her cousin, which had made things quite awkward. She had been just about to turn and leave when, fortunately, Shen Nanyuan arrived.

"I'm here regardless; whenever you come to see me, I'll be here," Shen Nanyuan laughed. "It's cold outside. Why are you standing out here? Come in."

Wu Miaofu did not enter this time. She glanced at Meng Chuyue and lowered her head, whispering, "I won't disturb Cousin and Miss Meng. I will come to see you later, Cousin."

Shen Nanyuan nodded. "That's fine. If you don't want to eat alone at noon, just come over."

"Alright, Cousin."

Watching Wu Miaofu walk away, Meng Chuyue took Shen Nanyuan’s arm and walked into the tent. "Why does your cousin seem so timid and quiet?"

"That is just her nature. Perhaps she is not used to the capital yet and is a bit nervous."

"Your cousin doesn't live in the capital?"

"No," Shen Nanyuan mused. "Her maid mentioned they came from Yunzhou."

"Yunzhou," Meng Chuyue acknowledged. "A famous water town in the south. I hear the scenery is beautiful. I wonder if I will ever have the chance to visit."