Chapter Eighteen: Safe and Sound, Without a Doubt

Seeing her weary expression, and knowing there was little left to explore on this side, Gao Xueluo decided to take her to her own courtyard for some rest. Lin Yan was somewhat distracted, and as she walked to the side of the artificial hill, a familiar voice suddenly called her name, halting all her thoughts. She turned, delighted, and saw Jun Ci standing not far away, watching her.

Beside him stood Liu Yuli, lazily waving a fan, smiling at her. "Miss Lin," he greeted.

Suppressing the joy in her heart, Lin Yan walked over with small steps, all her anxiety melting away as she gazed at Jun Ci, her eyes sparkling.

"Brother Jun, what brings you here?" she asked.

Liu Yuli replied, "He came to look for you, to have a word. He's been searching for you for a while—where have you been?"

Lin Yan lowered her gaze slightly but showed no change in expression. "I was just strolling nearby. There were too many people over there. I prefer quieter places."

She did not want him to know she had gone to see Shen Nanyuan; she did not even wish for him to hear that name. Her beauty could not compare to Shen Nanyuan's, nor could her family background. After meeting her just now, her own feelings of inferiority and selfishness surfaced, so she used a casual excuse.

"I see," Liu Yuli's smile held a hint of meaning. "Just don't wander too far. It's a big place—what if you get lost?"

Lin Yan smiled gently. "Thank you for your concern, Young Master Liu. I will remember."

Fortunately, few people came this way, and being on the inner side of the artificial hill, passersby would not notice them.

Jun Ci's gaze fell upon her fair, delicate face; his dark eyes seemed to contemplate something. After a moment, he spoke softly, "Yan'er, next month, I will go to the Lin residence to propose marriage, would you like that?"

At his words, Lin Yan looked up in disbelief, joy and astonishment mingling in her expression. Her breath caught, and the worry she had carried seemed to dissolve, leaving her hands trembling slightly. "Really?"

"Really," Jun Ci replied, a gentle smile curving his lips. "I had been considering your reputation, but after you marry into the Jun household, you will be my wife. Who would dare utter a word against you?"

It felt like a dream; Lin Yan nodded vigorously, unable to contain her delight.

They could not linger here for long, so after exchanging only a few words, Lin Yan departed.

Liu Yuli remarked with a nonchalant air, "Ah, this time it seems something truly good is about to happen."

"I thought being kind to her would bring comfort, but it only made her anxious," Jun Ci rubbed his brow. "Perhaps only a formal proposal will put her mind at ease."

"You truly have a delicate side I never noticed," Liu Yuli teased. Jun Ci lowered his eyes indifferently, but in his ears echoed the last words Shen Nanyuan had spoken.

"Young Master Jun and Miss Lin, please do not toy with others."

His fingers clenched tightly, an unspoken weight pressing in his chest, making his heart ache.

He used to think Shen Nanyuan was a constraint, an insurmountable mountain between him and Lin Yan; but now, recalling it, she had done nothing to hinder him. They had known each other since childhood. She liked to follow him, even when he never showed her kindness. She remembered all his preferences, and whenever she saw Shen Nanyuan, she smiled sweetly at him, her gaze always fixed on him.

Shen Nanyuan had not known before that he loved another.

Liu Yuli was right; perhaps if he had spoken to her sooner, she would have broken off the engagement and let them be together.

Thinking back, he treated everyone with courtesy, except for her... to whom he was rather unkind.

So she left.

Jun Ci frowned, the discomfort in his chest refusing to fade.

—

Shen Nanyuan did not stay long in Gao Xueluo's courtyard before returning to the Duke of Zhen's residence.

On the Double Ninth Festival, it was customary to eat flower cakes and drink chrysanthemum wine.

She brought some back to Shaohua Yard, where she saw Jin Zhu heading toward the kitchen. Upon seeing her, Jin Zhu smiled and came to greet her, taking the items from her hands. "Miss, you’re back."

The courtyard was somewhat empty, the usual maids and servants nowhere to be seen, which surprised her. "Where has everyone gone?"

"Uncle Li is making flower cakes in the kitchen; everyone’s gone to help, even Qing Rui. Would you like to go over, Miss?"

Shen Nanyuan considered briefly, then shook her head with a smile. "I won't go. I'm a bit tired. Where's Xiao Yan? Still in the side room?"

Jin Zhu answered, "His wounds aren't fully healed yet. Uncle Li told him to rest and won't let him help in the kitchen."

"I see," Shen Nanyuan said with a smile. "Then I'll wait a bit and send what I bought to Jin Yu later. We'll eat Uncle Li's cakes."

The servants in Shaohua Yard were not overly restricted. In the Duke's residence, other courtyards were not nearly as relaxed, nor were their masters as approachable as Miss Shen Nanyuan. Because of this, the servants treasured their positions here and were all the more loyal to her.

When the flower cakes were ready, dusk had already begun to settle. Dinner was to be eaten at the old lady's quarters, with the whole family present.

Before leaving, Shen Nanyuan took some flower cakes made by Uncle Li and brought a jug of chrysanthemum wine that she had bought earlier to the side room. Xiao Yan heard footsteps and looked up, just in time to see the young lady, beloved by all, walking in with arched brows and smiling eyes. The wisps of hair beside her cheeks fluttered, lively and radiant, shining like stars.

His throat tightened inexplicably. He lowered his head and bowed respectfully. "Miss."

"Come here," Shen Nanyuan sat at the table, placed the plate of flower cakes down, and took two cups, then looked up at the stunned Xiao Yan, blinking her eyes. "What are you thinking? Come here."

She motioned to the chair opposite her. "Sit down."

Xiao Yan did not move. "I dare not."

"Hurry up," Shen Nanyuan lengthened her words. "I have to go to Grandmother soon; I'm about to leave."

Her voice was clear and pleasant, just as it had been when he was beaten and poisoned and heard her in a haze, "From now on, I'll protect you."

He pursed his lips slightly, his body stiff as he walked over and obediently sat in the chair opposite her.

"Here, Uncle Li made these flower cakes. I had one—they're delicious. The rest were eaten by everyone else, but I saved one for you."

It was the first time Xiao Yan had shared such a moment with her; usually, Uncle Li came more often. His gaze fell on the beautifully made flower cake, his voice deep and steady. "Thank you, Miss."

A hand reached out to him, fair and soft, placing a cup of poured wine before him.

"This is chrysanthemum wine. On Double Ninth Festival, you must drink it. It's an auspicious wine for warding off disaster and praying for blessings. Drink it, and you’ll surely be safe and sound."