Chapter Fifty-Nine: Remember to Wait for Me

Shen Nanyuan withdrew her gaze. There was always an indescribable feeling lingering in her heart.

Today, Shen Jinyu was clearly in excellent spirits. He smiled and said, “Then, sister, I’ll return to Qingfeng Pavilion now.”

Shen Nanyuan nodded lightly in response.

The rain continued to fall in a gentle, persistent rhythm, tapping against the umbrella in a pleasant cadence. By her side, Xiao Yan seemed to have grown taller yet again, as if shielding her from all the wind and chill, so much so that she didn’t feel cold at all.

Back at Shaohua Courtyard, Xiao Yan folded the umbrella. Only when Shen Nanyuan turned her head by chance did she notice a patch of dampness on his shoulder.

Uncle Li brought over a bowl of ginger soup, steaming hot and fragrant. “Miss, drink this quickly to ward off the chill.”

He turned to Qingru and added, “There’s another bowl ready in the kitchen for you as well. You’d better drink it soon, lest you catch cold.”

From a distance, Shen Nanyuan could already smell the strong scent of ginger. She looked up and asked, “Have you all had some already?”

“We all have, miss,” Jin Zhu replied playfully, “We drank it before you returned.”

“That’s good,” Shen Nanyuan said, glancing at Xiao Yan. Seeing his half-drenched clothes, she felt a faint, unfamiliar emotion stir within her. “Go and change your clothes right away.”

Xiao Yan was a little surprised. He had thought Shen Nanyuan hadn’t noticed, and unconsciously followed her gaze to his own shoulder. A faint smile tugged at his lips, and he replied, “Yes, I’ll go at once.”

Shen Nanyuan frowned as she drank the entire bowl of ginger soup, feeling warmth spread through her stomach, dispelling the lingering cold.

After a moment’s thought, she looked to Jin Zhu and asked, “Is my eldest brother not in the residence today?”

“That’s right, miss,” Jin Zhu replied, “The young master is on duty at the city gate today. He won’t be back until later.”

No wonder.

Shen Nanyuan understood then—because Shen Sinian was away, that was likely why he waited for her at the gate today.

Uncle Li took the bowl and withdrew, while Jin Zhu poured her a cup of hot tea. “Was everything smooth today, miss?”

“It was fine,” Shen Nanyuan replied lazily. Shen Jinyu had been unexpectedly compliant. She had thought he’d hold out for the sake of his pride before admitting his fault, but he’d been sensible and spared her much effort.

After a short pause, she said, “My brother will probably come to Shaohua Courtyard tonight. Tell Uncle Li to prepare extra dishes.”

As she expected, Shen Sinian came to Shaohua Courtyard later that evening.

Qingru had already set out an extra bowl and chopsticks. Shen Sinian sat down, frowning. “Did the Minister of Justice’s son offend you today?”

“Yes,” Shen Nanyuan replied with a smile. “You’ve heard?”

Shen Sinian nodded, his face dark with anger. “Tomorrow, I’d like to see how the Minister of Justice explains himself.”

“It’s nothing, really. That young master was scared off by a few words from me, and even apologized. Once I mentioned the Duke Protector’s residence, he was terrified.” Shen Nanyuan’s eyes sparkled playfully as she spoke.

Her demeanor eased Shen Sinian’s anger somewhat, though his eyes were still heavy with displeasure. “That boy is reckless. If Father were here, this matter wouldn’t be so easily resolved. Now that Father is away at war, we mustn’t let it go lightly, lest others believe that with Father gone, our Duke Protector’s residence is easy to take advantage of.”

Shen Nanyuan nodded gently at his words.

Xiao Yan happened to enter just as Shen Sinian was speaking. “Next time you go out, take Xiao Yan with you. He’s capable of protecting you now.”

He lifted his gaze and met Shen Nanyuan’s bright eyes, which glimmered softly in the candlelight.

“Understood.”

Xiao Yan had only just heard from Uncle Li about the afternoon’s events. A faint anger had welled up in him, and before he knew it, he found himself at her door.

Now, looking at her and hearing her clear voice, he was suddenly stunned, then lowered his head and walked to Shen Nanyuan’s side.

He realized that whenever something concerned her, he couldn’t quite control his emotions.

Even in those dark, hopeless days of the past, he had never felt as he did now.

He watched Shen Nanyuan quietly eat her meal, his gaze deepening.

What none of them expected, however, was that the Minister of Justice would come that very night with his son in tow. Shen Sinian was caught completely off guard. As it was late, he didn’t summon Shen Nanyuan.

In front of Shen Sinian, the Minister of Justice scolded his son thoroughly, promised such a thing would never happen again, and had Li Yan apologize in person. Only then did Shen Sinian finally smile and offer a few polite words.

Satisfied, the Minister of Justice left with his son.

It wasn’t until the next morning that Shen Nanyuan heard of this, and she couldn’t help but laugh. The Minister of Justice might not discipline his son well, but he certainly knew how to read the situation.

Autumn slipped by quickly, and soon winter arrived, bringing colder weather with it. The rooms were kept warm with braziers, so Shen Nanyuan spent most of her days indoors, with little desire to go out.

During this period, Shen Jinyu remained obedient and caused no trouble. Shen Nanyuan’s letter to Shen Yi should have reached him by now.

Since Shen Yi set out on his campaign, he had won victory after victory. The Emperor was so pleased that he sent many rare treasures to the Duke Protector’s residence as rewards. The people called Shen Yi the God of War, and tales of his exploits filled the capital.

As the New Year approached, the Duke Protector’s residence grew livelier. Red lanterns replaced the usual ones, and servants bustled to and fro, busy with preparations. Shaohua Courtyard was no exception.

Shen Nanyuan stood by the door, a hand-warmer in her grasp, in excellent spirits.

She had been here for about half a year. The festive atmosphere, which she had rarely felt before arriving in this world, was now vivid and real.

A few days prior, she had made new clothes for every servant in the courtyard, and today, seeing them all dressed in their new garments, she was filled with joy.

She was to have dinner with the Old Madam that evening. As she was about to find Xiao Yan to speak with him, she saw him appear before her. Shen Nanyuan wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she thought he seemed more distinguished than ever.

He approached, bowed slightly, and greeted, “Miss.”

Perhaps it was due to his martial training, but his frame had become sturdy and strong. With his naturally refined features, he surely wouldn’t be outshone by any prince once he returned to the palace.

Shen Nanyuan looked up at him with a smile. “I’ll be having dinner at Grandmother’s tonight, so wait for me.”