Chapter 132: The Young Lady Treats Me Well

Shen Sinian nodded, looking very solemn. "I will certainly assist the Third Prince well, Father, rest assured."

Shen Yi gave a slight nod, held his hand to his mouth to cough lightly, and cast his gaze toward the pitch-black sky in the distance. "The weather is turning cold; remind your sister to dress warmly."

"I will."

"Also," Shen Yi frowned suddenly, "your uncle intends to find a suitable match for your cousin in the capital. Do your best to assist your mother and try to resolve that matter before the other business begins."

Shen Sinian paused for a moment, then lowered his head. "Rest assured, Father."

—

The afternoon rain was heavy. Seeing that there was likely no chance to meet the Second Prince with him, Wu Miaofu left alongside Liu'er.

No sooner had she left than Shen Sinian arrived.

He was splattered with rain from head to toe. As he walked in, he brushed the droplets from his clothes, muttering, "This rain is truly heavy—the heaviest we've had all year."

When he turned around, he realized Shen Nanyuan was already standing before him.

She frowned. "How is the Third Prince’s condition?"

Shen Sinian had not expected her to hear the news so quickly. He was slightly surprised for a moment, then shook his head gently. "The Third Prince is not in any danger; the Imperial Physician has already dressed his wounds."

"Did Prince Rui want to avenge his son, and that is why he tried to harm Xiao Yan?"

"Yes," Shen Sinian replied.

However, he did not intend to tell her about the other things that had happened that day. It was better for his sister not to get involved in such matters.

Shen Nanyuan pursed her lips, her gaze lifting slightly. Hesitant, she asked in a soft voice, "May I go see Xiao Yan? After all, he spent a year in my courtyard, so I am quite worried about him."

Shen Sinian pondered for a moment. "It is possible, but since His Majesty is currently with the Third Prince, you will have to go a bit later."

He continued, "The rain outside is quite heavy as well. Let us see if it eases up by evening."

Shen Nanyuan nodded in agreement. By the time they had finished dinner, the rain that had been falling all afternoon had indeed lightened.

Shen Sinian led Shen Nanyuan, bypassing the few people they encountered, and arrived silently outside Xiao Yan’s tent.

The surroundings were quiet, with only the sound of raindrops hitting the ground. There were no voices coming from inside the tent, suggesting His Majesty had already returned.

Shen Sinian said in a low voice, "Go in. Don't stay too long. I will stand guard outside; if anyone approaches, you will hear my cough, and you must come out immediately."

Shen Nanyuan nodded firmly and hurried into the tent.

Xiao Yan’s tent was more than twice the size of theirs. Various items were neatly arranged, and silver-frost charcoal burned in the center, keeping the entire tent warm and cozy.

Just as she was about to call out to Xiao Yan, she saw him lying on the bed, eyes slightly closed, appearing to be asleep.

Shen Nanyuan’s footsteps softened. She walked to the bedside cautiously and leaned in slightly, trying to see his wound, but it was hidden beneath the quilt.

She sighed softly, her gaze drifting upward to land on Xiao Yan’s face.

Since his return to the palace, his entire demeanor had changed. Occasionally, when he looked at her, she could see a trace of tenderness in his dark, lustrous eyes. But the most significant change was before the civil and military officials, where his sharp, profound gaze and exceptional presence seemed born of a natural authority to rule the world. It was filled with such coldness and detachment that even from a distance, Shen Nanyuan could inexplicably feel a sense of oppression.

Xiao Yan was indeed as described in the books: a prince by nature, and this world was destined to be his.

She crouched by the bed, resting her chin on her hands as she propped her elbows on the edge, watching him carefully. Seeing his slightly pale complexion and thin, bloodless lips, she couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.

Ascending the throne was certainly no easy task.

She had heard that Prince Rui was merely a figurehead prince without real power. Surely his martial arts skills could not surpass Xiao Yan’s, and given that Xiao Yan was a man of extreme vigilance, she guessed that this time, it had been intentional on his part.

He was sleeping soundly, and seeing this, Shen Nanyuan felt much more at ease. Just as she was about to stand up, she suddenly felt a faint gaze fixed upon her. She looked up abruptly and met Xiao Yan’s ink-black eyes.

They were calm, showing no signs of sleepiness.

Shen Nanyuan gasped, her eyes widening in fright, and the words tumbled out: "Are you awake, or were you never asleep at all!"

She was terrified.

Xiao Yan’s gaze was clear, his voice calm, though a hint of gentleness could be detected if one listened closely.

"Just woke up."

Shen Nanyuan looked at him suspiciously. "..."

He didn't look like someone who had just woken up at all. Especially since his eyes had been clear and bright without a trace of drowsiness. She was skeptical of his answer.

Xiao Yan sat up. The quilt slipped slightly, revealing the fine silk undergarment he wore. She couldn't see the wound. Seeing his pale face, Shen Nanyuan hurried over, leaned in, and moved the pillow from the other side to support his back.

"Would you like some water?"

Xiao Yan nodded. Shen Nanyuan went to pour him a cup and brought it over, then caught the faint, subtle smile in his eyes.

Shen Nanyuan felt a sudden blush of embarrassment. "What are you smiling at?"

"Nothing," Xiao Yan said, reaching out to take the cup. "I just thought that in the past, it was always I who served the young lady. I didn't expect that today, you would be willing to be at my beck and call."

"..." Shen Nanyuan muttered, "The way you say that makes it sound as if I treated you poorly in the past and always bossed you around."

"I didn't mean it that way."

Xiao Yan smiled, but his eyes were clearly earnest. "You have always treated me very well."

She was the one who had pulled him out of the endless swamp.

No one else could ever replace that.

Shen Nanyuan avoided his dark gaze and lowered her eyes. She bit her lip slightly and changed the subject. "Does your wound still hurt?"

Ordinarily, the pain meant nothing to him, but upon seeing her concerned expression, his words shifted. His voice remained calm, his eyes as dark as a moonless night. "It hurts a little."

She supposed it would.

After all, an arrow had been shot directly into his body. The thought of such pain made her shudder. Especially since she had once experienced a sharp blade piercing her own arm; just imagining it made her scalp tingle.

She hesitated, wanting to ask something, but the words could not easily pass her lips.