Chapter Thirty-Eight: Have We Met Before?

Xiao Yan’s eyes were deep as he watched her leave, and a sudden, inexplicable sense of emptiness welled up within him.

“Miss, are you angry?” he asked.

Shen Nanwan was startled by the question, then shook her head with a quiet, amused smile. “No, why would I be angry?”

She tilted her head slightly, her features softened and warmed by the candlelight. “Don’t overthink it. If you wish to study tomorrow, just go. Rest early.”

The pleasant fragrance lingering in the air seemed to fade as she stepped out. Xiao Yan’s head began to ache faintly once again.

Uncle Li helped him back onto the bed and tucked him in.

“There’s fresh hot tea in the pot—if you’re thirsty, it’s just right. I’ll prepare something light for breakfast tomorrow.”

Xiao Yan murmured his assent.

“Uncle Li, you should rest early too.”

“Very well.”

Before leaving, Uncle Li extinguished the candles in the room, plunging it into darkness. Only a gentle moonlight spilled in through the window, casting a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere.

Xiao Yan closed his eyes, and suddenly, a face appeared in his mind—gentle and serene, so beautiful it made his heart constrict.

Perhaps the remaining effects of the wine were to blame, for his heart beat wildly, beyond his control. He took a deep breath, sat up, and the faint traces of fragrance lingering in the room unsettled him further.

He got out of bed, poured himself a cup of tea, and drained it in one gulp. His restless heart finally calmed a little.

The days were growing colder.

This year, he needn’t worry about the chill.

—

“Today, a distinguished guest arrived at the Duke Protector’s mansion. After court, he returned with the general and the eldest young master,” Qingrui said softly as she combed Shen Nanwan’s hair. “The servants outside are all busy.”

“Is that so?” Shen Nanwan’s interest was lackluster. “Do you know who it is?”

“I don’t, but it seems to be someone from the palace. After the autumn hunt, the general will set out on another expedition. I suppose the guest came here specially to visit.”

Shen Nanwan lowered her gaze, her voice calm. “I see.”

If someone from the palace had come, Xiao Yan must not leave the Shaohua Courtyard.

Shen Yi was about to depart for his campaign, but Shen Nanwan wasn’t worried. She knew that during this nearly year-long expedition, not only would Shen Yi remain unscathed, he would achieve a great victory, and the emperor would be so delighted as to lavish precious treasures upon him when he returned.

But it was right after Shen Yi’s triumphant return that the emperor’s health would decline precipitously, leaving him only a few years to live.

Yet during his reign, the Duke Protector’s mansion enjoyed its most glorious days.

The emperor was naturally suspicious, but he trusted Shen Yi wholeheartedly. Yet he never named a crown prince, causing undercurrents and intrigue among all his sons.

Shen Nanwan only remembered that among them, the emperor most recognized the Second Prince’s abilities and intended to make him heir. But later, Xiao Yan returned to the palace.

No matter what happened in between, the throne would ultimately be his.

She glanced at her reflection in the bronze mirror. “Go tell Xiao Yan not to visit my brother today. There is an important guest, and he’ll be busy.”

Qingrui knelt. “Yes, miss.”

Yesterday, someone from the Prime Minister’s residence had come to say that Meng Chuyue’s health had fully recovered and invited her for a boat ride.

Xiao Yan and Meng Chuyue hadn’t met for days; tomorrow, they would finally see each other.

For so long, nothing had sparked between them, nor had they met in secret. Compared to the original story, their progress lagged far behind, which made her, as an observer, rather anxious.

She even began to doubt whether the male and female leads possessed any innate attraction after all.

Without her, nothing seemed to go as it should.

This was hardly the job of a fifth female lead.

After breakfast, Shen Nanwan went out for some fresh air. Today was one of those rare sunny days, warm and pleasant. As she walked, the heat made her shed her cloak, which she handed to Qingrui.

Since her arrival, the koi in the backyard pond had grown plump and lively thanks to her care.

She was quite satisfied with herself, feeling she had a true talent for motherhood.

She fed the fish so well, and Xiao Yan too—he had grown noticeably taller and healthier lately.

As she sat by the pond, Jin Zhu walked over.

“Miss, a guard from the general’s retinue asks you to join them for lunch with the honored guest.”

Shen Nanwan replied, “I understand.”

She had already guessed that, with the guest present, lunch would be taken together.

Qingrui handed the cloak to Jin Zhu, and they made their way to the main hall.

Unlike usual, the atmosphere in the main hall was rather solemn. Shen Nanwan saw two vaguely familiar faces standing outside, presumably the guest’s attendants. She didn’t have time to recall where she’d seen them before, as Shen Yi spotted her and beckoned, his expression gentle.

“Wan’er, come and pay your respects to the Second Prince.”

The Second Prince.

Shen Nanwan was immediately stunned. Those three words struck her like a blow, making her heart sink.

Calm and composed, she knelt and bowed, ready to perform the ceremony, when footsteps sounded. Suddenly, a pair of hands appeared before her, gently supporting her by the wrist and helping her up. His voice carried a light, amused tone.

“No need for formalities; I dislike such things.”

Shen Yi and Shen Sinian were momentarily taken aback, their brows furrowed slightly. “Quickly thank the Second Prince.”

Shen Nanwan withdrew her wrist from Gu Shengyu’s grasp and took a step back, lowering her eyes. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

That was it.

She remembered now.

Those two men outside were the highly skilled guards she’d seen at the Second Prince’s side that night.

Shen Nanwan retreated to Shen Yi’s side, her tightly clenched hands hidden within her sleeves, unease rising again in her heart.

She should have known that, even if she avoided the Second Prince’s gaze, he could still discover who she was.

So, was he truly here just for Shen Yi today?

A flicker of interest appeared in Gu Shengyu’s eyes. He turned and took his seat, speaking in a mild tone. “This is the first time I’ve met the general’s daughter. May I ask her name?”

Shen Yi’s uneasiness was evident; his smile had already faded.

“Your Highness, her name is Shen Nanwan.”

“Shen Nanwan,” Gu Shengyu repeated softly, smiling. “A fine name.”

His gaze shifted to Shen Nanwan’s face, taking in her exquisite beauty, then he remarked, almost absentmindedly, “Strange, though it’s our first meeting, Miss Shen seems familiar. Have we met before?”

Gu Shengyu’s expression was half amused, half probing. “What do you think, Miss Shen?”

A hush fell over the hall. Shen Sinian had already sensed that the Second Prince had an ulterior motive today, and now it was clear what it was.

He stepped protectively in front of Shen Nanwan, shielding her from Gu Shengyu’s scrutiny. “Your Highness, Wan’er rarely leaves the mansion and has likely never met you. Perhaps you are mistaken.”

Gu Shengyu replied with amused interest, “Perhaps so. Then I must have been mistaken.”