Chapter 52: Break Your Legs

Xiao Yan placed everything before her.

“Last night, I saw that you enjoyed eating these, so I wanted to pick some more before we leave tomorrow. That’s why I returned a bit late.”

The persimmons glowed golden, looking especially tempting.

Yet the unease in Shen Nanyuan’s heart did not dissipate. She scrutinized him, her gaze falling on his face, but found nothing amiss.

It seemed he really had just gone to pick persimmons.

Qing Ruo’s tone carried a hint of reproach. “Still, you should have told Miss. She was worried about you the whole time, afraid something might have happened to you here.”

Xiao Yan smiled. “The guards here are strict—what could possibly happen?”

“She’s always worried about your old injuries. She’s afraid they might act up again,” Shen Sinian said, clicking his tongue twice. He reached out, took a persimmon, and bit into it without a care. “I was just about to go pick some myself, but since you’ve already gone, I’m saved the trouble.”

Though Shen Nanyuan was still anxious, seeing Xiao Yan as usual, she guessed nothing truly had happened. She relaxed a little, took one for herself, and bit into it, her cheeks puffing up slightly. “Next time, let me know before you go.”

Her lashes were long, making her eyes seem all the brighter. Her voice was low and soft. “Otherwise, I’ll worry.”

Xiao Yan looked straight at her. The inexplicable shock and fluster in his heart seemed to melt away. He nodded. “Alright.”

At last, his heart settled.

——

The royal hunt ended, and by afternoon they set out for the Duke Protector’s manor. After three days away, Shen Nanyuan realized that no place was as comfortable as her own courtyard.

Free and unrestrained, she could do as she pleased.

Uncle Li had prepared a feast; she was full before dinner even began.

After returning, Xiao Yan continued to visit Shen Sinian’s courtyard each day to practice martial arts. His skills had grown quite decent.

Shen Yi was about to depart for war. A few days after he left, Shen Jinyu’s three-month confinement would finally be over. So before leaving, Shen Yi went with Shen Nanyuan to Qingfeng Pavilion.

During his confinement, Shen Yi had not visited Shen Jinyu once. His wounds had mostly healed, and he was sunbathing in boredom when he suddenly spotted Shen Yi. He sprang from his chair as if startled, lowering his eyes in panic. “...Father, Sister.”

His voice was both anxious and delighted. He glanced up briefly, then quickly looked down again.

“I’ll be leading the troops to war tomorrow,” Shen Yi’s voice was deep and commanding. “You must listen to your mother and your sister. If I hear in my letters that you’ve caused trouble again, I’ll break your legs myself when I return.”

At these words, Shen Jinyu shivered.

He nodded earnestly. “Yes, I know I was wrong. I won’t make the same mistake again.”

Shen Yi snorted and didn’t even look at him. “When your confinement ends, you’ll go personally to the family you harmed and apologize.”

At that, Shen Jinyu looked up in disbelief, his mouth agape. “...Me? Apologize?”

“What!” Shen Yi slammed the table, making the teacup on it tremble and sending ripples across the surface. “You’re unwilling to go?”

“I’ll go, I’ll go!” Shen Jinyu replied hastily. “I’ll go myself and apologize, I promise.”

“Your sister will accompany you. I’ll hear of everything through my letters. If you want to keep your legs, behave yourself!”

Shen Nanyuan sat obediently to the side, sipping her tea as she listened to Shen Yi lecture Shen Jinyu, appearing quite at ease.

“Yes, yes, I’ll listen to you, Father.”

Shen Jinyu was frightened, especially since Shen Yi hadn’t visited him for nearly three months—this was the first time. He wished nothing more than to agree to anything Shen Yi asked, to show he had truly repented.

After giving his son a good scolding, Shen Yi’s anger finally abated. After all, this was still his own flesh and blood. He asked coldly, “Are your wounds healed?”

“All healed, Father,” Shen Jinyu replied softly. “It’s all thanks to Sister coming to see me during my confinement. I recovered quickly, and with her around, I wasn’t bored.”

Now he was trying to curry favor.

Since her last visit, Shen Nanyuan hadn’t come to see him in over a month. He must have felt neglected and was now eager to make amends.

She could sense Shen Jinyu stealing a few cautious glances at her, but Shen Nanyuan did nothing, merely lowered her eyes and calmly sipped her tea, ignoring both him and his words.

“As long as you know your sister is good to you.”

Shen Yi still had many matters to attend to before his departure. He had spared some time today just to check on Shen Jinyu and give him a final warning. He continued coldly, “I may not be at the Duke Protector’s manor, but your mother and your elder brother are. If anything happens, go to them. I’m leaving.”

Shen Nanyuan stood as well. Shen Jinyu, in a low voice, carefully approached his sister, sounding a little pitiful.

“Sister, I...”

“If you need anything, wait a few days,” Shen Nanyuan finally looked at him. “I’ll come see you.”

Shen Jinyu’s expression brightened at once, overjoyed.

“Wonderful!”

For children like him, a slap followed by a sweet treat left the deepest impression.

The next day, Shen Yi led a million soldiers to war. Before he departed, even the emperor himself came to bid him farewell, a clear sign of Shen Yi’s importance. Thousands of citizens crowded along the city walls, eager to catch a glimpse of the emperor’s countenance and pay tribute to the general who had protected them for years. Shen Nanyuan stayed close to Shen Sinian, marveling at the sight of the people.

Shen Yi clearly held a significant place in their hearts.

It is said that emperors fear those whose merit overshadows their own, but today, seeing the emperor’s attitude toward Shen Yi, it seemed he harbored no such reservations.

Yet, the heart of an emperor is always inscrutable—who could truly know his thoughts?

The book had written that the emperor genuinely valued Shen Yi, but witnessing firsthand the people’s reverence for him made Shen Nanyuan uneasy.

Ever since arriving here, she found herself overthinking everything.

As his most beloved daughter, Shen Yi’s greatest worry and longing at the moment of departure was her. He was always reluctant to part, but duty weighed heavily on him, and there was no other choice.

No one knew whether he would return safely, whether this might be the last farewell—even Shen Yi himself.

Watching him approach in full armor, Shen Nanyuan’s nose stung and her eyes grew moist and red. After months in this world, perhaps she had already come to see Shen Yi as truly her father. Even knowing he would return safely, she could not help but feel reluctant to see him go.

She said nothing more. With tears in her eyes, she managed a smile.

“Father, I’ll be waiting for you to come home for dinner.”