Chapter 26: They Certainly Won’t Let Matters Rest So Easily

Xiao Yan glanced carelessly at the porcelain bottle before him. Meng Chuyue continued, “I’ve kept this for a long time, never willing to use it. If you apply it, there won’t be any scar left.”

Shen Sinian arched a brow, exchanging a look with Shen Nanyuan. Before he could speak, Xiao Yan voiced the question lingering in his heart.

“No need. If a scar remains on my arm, it won’t be seen anyway.”

Meng Chuyue’s expression froze. Shen Nanyuan hurried to smooth things over, “Just accept it, Chuyue means well.”

“Since Miss Shen says so,” Xiao Yan’s face took on a docile, obedient look, “then thank you, Miss Meng.”

Meng Chuyue awkwardly waved her hand, her gaze flickering toward Shen Sinian, a hint of annoyance creasing her brow. She realized she truly had been acting foolish lately.

Before coming, she had found such a silly excuse to stall for time, just so she could see the person she wanted to see.

She listened to the gentle, clear voice continuing to speak with Shen Nanyuan, biting her lip in confusion. She was usually eloquent, but in this moment, no words would come.

She couldn’t even bring herself to look at him directly. Earlier, she had sworn to herself she would exchange a few words with him today, but now that she stood before him, courage deserted her.

Shen Nanyuan chatted with Shen Sinian, her eyes occasionally drifting to the two silent figures on the other side: one calmly sipping tea, the other with lowered gaze, lost in thought. Neither met the other’s eyes, as though an invisible wall separated them.

This shouldn’t be.

Frowning, Shen Nanyuan wondered if she and Shen Sinian were disturbing them. She cleared her throat to interrupt Shen Sinian, then stood, pulling him up with her. “My brother and I have something to discuss. Please, you two continue, we’ll be right back.”

Meng Chuyue was startled, suddenly lifting her head. Her lips parted slightly, and at last her gaze could openly rest on him.

“Nanyuan, I...”

Shen Nanyuan winked at her. “We’ll be right back.”

Shen Sinian was bewildered as she dragged him out, leaving Xiao Yan and Meng Chuyue alone in the side chamber; even the maids waited outside, not allowed to enter.

Neither spoke, and the room was enveloped in silence.

Meng Chuyue felt uncomfortable with the atmosphere and struggled to find something to say.

“You... remember to apply the medicine every day. Even if the scar’s hidden on your arm, it’s better to get rid of it. You...”

Xiao Yan suddenly lifted his gaze, those deep, ink-black eyes carrying a hint of chill, casting a strange coolness over him. “Do you like Shen Sinian?”

Meng Chuyue felt as if struck on the head, her whole body trembling. The anxiety and confusion of being exposed flooded her, and she quickly waved her hands, shaking her head. “No, no, I don’t like him. What are you talking about? Don’t say such things.”

She bit her lip tightly, her fingers clenched together in panic, her eyes liquid and unmistakably fearful.

“I don’t care whether you like him or not,” Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed, resembling a fierce young wolf, “but you mustn’t use her. She’s sincere to everyone. If she discovers you approached her with ulterior motives, she’ll be hurt. If that happens, I won’t let things go so easily.”

He seemed to think there were no bad people in the world.

It was just someone she met at Puyue Temple; within a few days, she trusted her so much she invited her to the rear courtyard.

Xiao Yan felt a strange bitterness in his heart.

He knew she treated everyone like this, so he was not special. Yet, something in his heart remained unspoken, a little vexation he couldn’t shake.

Meng Chuyue finally understood that the “her” he referred to was Shen Nanyuan.

Shen Nanyuan’s smiling, sincere, earnest face floated before her eyes.

She hadn’t lied to Shen Nanyuan. The noble ladies were indeed as she described: polite to her face, but behind her back always discussing her, saying she was only a concubine’s daughter and had no right to play with the legitimate daughters, even accusing her of trying to steal her elder sister’s spotlight.

These words always made their way to her ears.

She knew what they said behind her back, but with the reputation of the Prime Minister’s household, she could only remain gracious in their presence.

Shen Nanyuan was the most unusual among them.

Although Meng Chuyue originally approached her for certain reasons, after chatting, she found Shen Nanyuan truly simple and pure, well protected.

Meng Chuyue said, “Don’t worry, I have no ulterior motives now. I genuinely want to be friends with your Miss Shen.”

Xiao Yan’s gaze dropped, his voice flat, though there was a hint of caution beneath. “It’s best that way.”

Elsewhere, Shen Sinian lounged lazily to one side, looking at Shen Nanyuan with amused eyes.

She had dragged him out, saying she had something to tell him, but now, after all this time, she hadn’t said a word. It was as if she were waiting for something—he couldn’t figure out what she was up to.

He spoke slowly, “Nanyuan?”

Shen Nanyuan looked up blankly. “Huh? Brother? You called me—do you have something to say?”

Shen Sinian sighed and smiled. “Wasn’t it you who said you had something to tell me? You dragged me out here, so what’s this big matter you wanted your brother to hear?”

Honestly, Shen Nanyuan had only been focused on dragging him out and hadn’t thought of what to say. Now, her mind was completely blank, and she didn’t even know how to make something up.

Looking into Shen Sinian’s smiling eyes, she felt an inexplicable pressure. Her lips moved slightly, and after a moment’s awkwardness, she spoke, innocent and serious.

“I just wanted to ask... what would you like for dinner tonight?”

Shen Sinian was taken aback.

That was it?

He had thought, given her serious expression, it was something earth-shattering.

The corners of Shen Sinian’s mouth twitched. “Anything is fine.”

“Oh, all right then.”

Shen Sinian was speechless.

Today seemed to be a day filled with trivial conversations.

When the two returned, Meng Chuyue looked as if she’d spotted her saviors, her eyes lighting up.

Shen Nanyuan pondered quietly.

It seemed the conversation went well; Meng Chuyue was delighted.

Her expression was full of relief, almost as if she were watching her son and daughter-in-law with joy.

But before long, a maid came to remind Meng Chuyue it was getting late and she should return. Shen Yi also sent someone to call Shen Sinian to the study—there must be something to discuss. Thus, only Shen Nanyuan and Xiao Yan remained in the room.