Chapter Thirty-Nine: Lawless

At last, he no longer looked at Shen Nanwan, but lifted his teacup and took a sip of hot tea.

“General Shen will soon depart for the front. Who knows when he’ll return? My father has asked me to convey to General Shen that he awaits your triumphant return in the capital.”

Shen Yi answered in a deep voice, “I thank His Majesty, and I shall not fail to live up to his expectations.”

Gu Shengyu nodded, “With General Shen among us, it is our dynasty’s good fortune.”

He lowered his gaze, casting a sidelong glance at the gentle face beside Shen Yi. “The situation on the battlefield is dire this time. When you return victorious, my father will be overjoyed and will surely reward you generously.”

“I dare not presume, it is merely my duty,” Shen Yi replied.

Shen Nanwan stood at Shen Yi’s side, listening without lifting her head.

She could feel a gaze fixed upon her, and though it made her uneasy, she dared not show it. She obediently pretended not to notice, silently praying for the luncheon to begin soon so she could eat quickly and slip away.

She had the distinct sense that the Second Prince had come with ill intentions.

“Miss Shen.”

Shen Nanwan was startled back to attention by the call. She replied softly, “I am here, Your Highness.”

“In a few days, the royal hunt will take place,” Gu Shengyu said. “Will Miss Shen attend?”

He continued, “I’ve heard you attend every year, yet we have never met. Fate seems to have kept us apart. But perhaps this year we shall finally meet.”

Shen Nanwan’s lips moved slightly, caught in a moment of awkwardness, unsure how to respond.

She had no intention of going this year.

“I will attend, Your Highness,” she said, deciding to feign illness when the time came so she wouldn’t have to go.

Gu Shengyu smiled, “Good.”

Shen Yi and Shen Sinian were both confused and displeased.

From the moment Shen Nanwan appeared, the Second Prince’s eyes had never left her. Clearly, he had come for her specifically, though they had no obvious connection. Why was it so?

Shen Sinian watched his sister quietly shift a small step behind him, furrowing his brow.

…Perhaps there truly was some connection he didn’t know about.

Soon, it was time for the midday meal.

Gu Shengyu sat at the head of the table, with Shen Yi and Lady Shen beside him, while Shen Nanwan settled closely next to Shen Sinian.

At this moment, sitting beside Shen Sinian truly gave her a sense of security.

She ate small bites, acutely aware of the Second Prince’s gaze sweeping over her from time to time.

She couldn’t help but curse inwardly—did this man’s eyes grow askew?

Fortunately, the Second Prince kept the conversation away from her, discussing matters of court and the battlefield with Shen Yi. Shen Nanwan had little interest in these topics, focusing on her meal and finishing quickly.

She wondered whether Xiao Yan had eaten yet.

At that moment, Xiao Yan had just finished his meal and was seated in the Shining Pavilion, listening to Jin Zhu and Uncle Li talk.

“Do you know who today’s distinguished guest is?” Jin Zhu asked.

Uncle Li shook his head. “I don’t know, but I heard many guards were present. It’s not unusual; years ago, His Majesty visited the Duke of the Nation’s residence, and there were even more guards. Actually, those weren’t ordinary guards—they were the Imperial Guard.”

Jin Zhu was momentarily speechless. Her air of mystery faded, and she leaned lazily on the table, a little exasperated. “Uncle Li, you’ve taken all the fun out of it.”

Uncle Li smiled, urging her, “Go on, tell us—who is it?”

Jin Zhu dropped her playful tone. “It’s the Second Prince.”

They didn’t notice Xiao Yan’s sudden stiffness upon hearing those words. Jin Zhu continued, “I’ve heard the Second Prince is handsome beyond compare, but I have no fortune to see him myself.”

She laughed, “Qing Ruo went along. When Miss returns, we can ask Qing Ruo whether the Second Prince truly lives up to his reputation.”

Uncle Li teased, “You’re always interested in such things.”

Xiao Yan’s hands clenched tightly, as if a shadow had fallen over him. He recalled the events of that night, and what Jun Ci had said.

“He wishes to strengthen his position and gain the Duke of the Nation’s support. He might seek to marry you.”

A sudden heaviness pressed upon his heart.

Irritation and unexplainable unease spread through him, filling his limbs and bones. He seemed enveloped in a deep, brooding malice.

Uncle Li finally noticed Xiao Yan’s pallor. Seated in a dim corner, his face hidden in shadow, Xiao Yan’s eyes were now ice-cold and frightening.

“Xiao Yan, what’s wrong?” Uncle Li asked with concern.

Jin Zhu was intimidated by his demeanor, her gaze flickering, and she sat quietly.

Xiao Yan shook his head, enduring in silence. “It’s nothing. Perhaps my old illness is acting up. I feel a bit unwell.”

“Then you should go rest,” Uncle Li urged, “Come, I’ll help you.”

Xiao Yan stood up and shook his head. “It’s alright, I can manage myself.”

He did need to go calm his emotions.

Otherwise, she might be frightened if she saw him like this.

But the agitation was hard to suppress. He lowered his eyes, the malice swelling within him.

—

“You child! How dare you sneak out alone at night? If someone had recognized you, what would have happened to your reputation?”

Lady Shen was furious for the first time, though she usually treated Shen Nanwan with gentle affection.

“It’s alright, Mother. Nanwan was only curious—she’s never seen the capital at night. It’s my fault; I should have taken her out before,” Shen Sinian said.

Shen Nanwan kept her head bowed, silent.

She marveled at Shen Sinian’s cleverness—taking the blame for her mistake.

What a good brother!

Lady Shen glared at him. “She’s spoiled because of you all! She’s getting out of hand!”

Shen Sinian admitted, “Yes, yes, it’s my fault. Mother, don’t scold Nanwan. She was scared enough today—scold me instead.”

Shen Nanwan was nearly ready to cling to Shen Sinian’s leg, tears in her eyes, calling him brother.

Shen Yi, too, stood protectively before Shen Nanwan. “Yes, my daughter is so well-behaved. She only wanted to see the capital at night; who could have expected to meet the Second Prince?”

For the first time, Shen Nanwan truly felt how deeply the original Nanwan was cherished in this home.

Lady Shen’s anger dissipated under their words.

“So, tell me—what should we do now?”

“Nothing,” Shen Sinian said. “Wait and see.”

Anyone could tell the Second Prince had come for someone in particular today. Shen Yi nodded and added, “If I don’t give my consent, the Second Prince can do nothing. But since I’ll be leaving the capital soon, Nanwan should stay in the residence as much as possible.”

Shen Nanwan finally spoke her first words of the moment. “Alright, I’ll listen to Father.”